Gardener's Palette

Calling All Gardeners: The 30th Annual Gardener’s Palette

The University of Illinois Extension Adams County Master Gardeners invite you to attend the 30th Annual Gardener's Palette, a one-day gardening conference on Saturday, March 14, 2006, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

This event will be held at the John Wood Community College - Paul Heath Center. 1301 S 48th St, Quincy, Illinois. 

For just $40, participants will enjoy a full day of gardening education, including educational workshops, printed class materials, a boxed lunch, access to vendors, and the opportunity to win door prizes. Gardener's Palette brings together gardeners and nature enthusiasts from across the region to learn, connect, and grow. 

For assistance with registration, please contact Illinois Extension at 217-223-8380.

Registration and Important Information:

• Pre-registration fee: $40 per person - includes a boxed lunch and printed materials
• On-site registration: $45 per person, if space is available
• Registration deadline: Monday, March 9, 2026
• Cancellations and refunds will be accepted through March 9, 2026
• No refunds will be issued after the registration deadline or for cancellations or disruptions beyond our control (including weather, power outages, flooding, or fire)
• Parking and Entrance Map

Accommodation requests must be submitted during registration so we can plan appropriately.

If you would like to receive a printed brochure or be added to the Gardener's Palette mailing list, please email sschoon@illinois.edu or call (217) 223-8380.

Workshop Descriptions:

9:00 - 10:00 AM - Keynote

• Through the Lens: Birding Hotspots Around Quincy - Dr. Joe Coehlo
  Where are the best birding sites around Quincy? This slide/lecture presentation will reveal these hotspots and illustrate the kinds of birds to be found there with many original color photographs.

10:15 - 11:15 AM - Session 1 (Choose One)

• Container Gardening - Emily Swihart
  Discover the art and science of growing plants in containers! This educational program is perfect for homeowners who want to add beauty, greenery, and fresh produce to patios, balconies, or small spaces. Learn how container gardening can transform any area into a vibrant, thriving garden—no large yard required.
• Growing Ginger, Tumeric, and Other Unique Crops - Chris Enroth
  Are there markets beyond tomatoes for local growers? During this class University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, Chris Enroth, will share his experience growing tropical crops like ginger, turmeric, and other unique market vegetables in the Midwest.
• Nature as Medicine - Dr. JD Daniels and Amy Lefringhouse
  What is forest therapy? This session explores how time in nature supports physical and mental well-being. Gain ways to deepen awareness, reduce stress, and cultivate wellness through everyday experiences in gardens and natural spaces. We have tools and resources in western Illinois. *Part of this session will take place outdoors, weather permitting. Plan accordingly*

12:30 - 1:30 PM - Session 2 (Choose One)

• Home is Where the Habitat is - Carey Boehm-Corrie
  Explore how your landscape can be more than decoration. This presentation looks at landscapes of the past, challenges gardening “rules,” and shows how native plants create beautiful spaces that support pollinators, clean water, provide habitat, and build a sense of place.
• Improving Diversity in the Urban Forest - Emily Swihart 
  Learn why species diversity in the urban forest matters for long-term resilience. Participants learn how low-diversity plantings increase risks from pests, disease, and environmental stress, and explore practical strategies such as broader species selection and ways communities can support and care for local trees.
• Using Native Plants in Your Landscape - Brittany Griffin-Vogt and Randa Watts
  This session introduces home gardeners to Illinois native plants and how to use them in landscapes. Learn how native plants support pollinators and wildlife, improve resilience, and create beautiful, low‑maintenance gardens suited to local conditions. Leave with tips on what and when to plant, plus native seeds.

1:45 - 2:45 - Session 3 (Choose One)

• Outsmarting Garden Pests - Chris Enroth
  We are not the only ones who find our garden tasty. Several animal species can be a garden nuisance and destructive to our landscapes. Join Chris Enroth as he gives tips on dealing with wildlife in the home garden and landscape.
• Herbs Made Simple - Deborah Lee and Jessica Whiston
  This hands‑on workshop covers starting herbs from seed or purchase, building healthy soil, planting indoors or outdoors, and transplanting as plants grow. Participants will learn where herbs thrive, how they’re used, and how to help them succeed.
• Chasing Butterflies in Western Illinois - Angella Moorehouse
  The 4th of July Butterfly Count began in 1977 and continues annually. Angella, who joined in the late 1990s, compiles counts for Mason County, Beardstown, and McDonough County. She will discuss how counts are conducted, trends in butterfly diversity, and share identification tips for common western Illinois species.