The Vermilion County Master Gardeners are hard at work planning this year's annual Garden Day. With an expert line-up of speakers and a host of talented local vendors, this year's event promises just the inspiration and knowledge you need to get your gardens and lawns off to a great start come spring.
Schedule of events:
10:00-11:00am
Jack McCoy, Lecturer of Horticulture, University of Illinois
Maximizing Your Backyard: Resources on Food Production for the Home Gardener
Are you realizing all the potential your backyard has for food production? In this talk, I will discuss strategies on maximizing food production in a home garden. By understanding your backyard environment, personal goals, and resources within your local food system, we will explore how you can sustain a healthy, rewarding lifestyle that also contributes to the wellbeing of your local foods community.
11:00am-12:00pm
Jim Angel, former State Climatologist, Illinois State Water Survey
Gardening and Climate Change
12:00-1:00pm - Lunch
1:00-2:00pm
Chris Benda, Illinois Botanizer
Illinois Native Wildflowers for the Home Garden
With so much of the state converted to agriculture and urbanized areas, it is ever so important that homeowners create mini-refuges on their properties when possible. Native wildlife need native plants to survive and there is a lot the average person can do to create habitat for these organisms in their own yards. Botanist Chris Benda will take the audience on a tour of Illinois by region, highlighting the many showy and interesting wildflowers that can be found in each region of the state. Emphasis will be on easy to grow species that are available in the nursery trade.
2:00-3:00pm
Tinisha Spain, Host of Mid-American Gardener
The full day ticket ($35) includes access to the day's speakers, lunch from the DACC Culinary Arts School, a bag filled with handouts from the speakers, and more goodies. All proceeds go to help fund Master Gardener Projects in Vermilion County. Can't commit to the whole day? The spring festival, with garden-themed baskets, vendors, and a silent auction, is open to the public throughout the day.
Tickets on sale now!
