2026 Ready.Set.Grow! Gardening Workshop

2026 Ready...Set...Grow...Gardening Workshop, on Saturday, March 28 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Sauk Valley Community College (173 IL-2, Dixon, IL 61021).
Join the Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties for this half-day event offering participants information about various aspects of home gardening.

This workshop includes:

• Keynote Presentation
• Milk Jug Greenhouse activity
• Two breakout sessions
• Master Gardener Resource Table
• Door Prizes

The fee for this program is $25. The hands-on sessions have additional fees.
Registration deadline is March 16.

SCHEDULE

• 8:00 AM – Registration 
• 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM – Welcome & Keynote Presentation
• 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM – milk jug greenhouse activity
• SESSION ONE – 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM – CHOOSE ONE (see descriptions below)
• SESSION TWO – 11:20 AM to 12:20 PM – CHOOSE ONE (see descriptions below)
• 12:30 PM – Evaluations & Pick Up Door Prizes

New this year is a kids track for budding gardeners ages 8 to 14! Youth are invited to their own set of hands-on activities covering topics including soil, seeds, flowers, pollinators, and the environment. Youth participants will also create their own milk jug greenhouses following the adult activity. $25 supply fee.

For more information about Ready…Set…Grow… and other Master Gardener programs, please call any Extension office in Carroll, Lee, Ogle or Whiteside counties. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact your local Extension office. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

• Carroll County Extension:  815-244-9444
• Lee County Extension:  815-857-3525
• Ogle County Extension: 815-732-2191
• Whiteside County Extension: 815-632-3611

Breakout Session 1 Options:

1. Food Preservation: Canning: Susan Glassman, Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Whether you are new to canning or have years of experience, this program offers a close-up look at canners and the essential equipment needed for safe food preservation. Participants will learn proper techniques for preserving both low-acid and high-acid foods using water bath and pressure canning methods. Susan will help you build confidence and skill by sharing reliable, research-based resources to guide you toward safe and successful home canning.
2. Soil Blocking (hands-on) extra $5: Alison James, Master Gardener This hands-on class teaches an easy, low-cost method to create soil blocks, saving space, minimizing plastic waste, and reducing transplant shock. You’ll learn how to create soil blocks from plastic yogurt containers and how to make a soil mix for your soil blocks. Class size limited to 12.
3. Roots of Change: Replacing Invasive Plants with Native Alternatives: Jamie Viebach, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Tired of garden invaders stealing the spotlight? Join us to uncover the hidden impact of invasive plants and discover vibrant native substitutes that bring beauty, biodiversity, and balance back to your landscape. Find out which invasive plants might be hiding in your landscape, how to kick them to the curb, and replace them with native options for a healthier, more beautiful landscape. Leave inspired, empowered, and ready to grow change!
4. The Good Guys of the Garden: Beneficial Insects: Nancy Kuhajda, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Did you know there is a whole army of insects that help (not hurt) the garden? The beneficial insects are an often misunderstood and overlooked group. And without knowing it, gardeners often discourage or kill these little heroes.

Breakout Session 2 Options:

1. Special Occasion Cooking with Herbs (hands-on) extra $10: Nancy Gmitro, Carroll County Master Gardener Flavorful & zesty herbs make everyday a special occasion. Learn what herbs to have on hand and how to use them. The class will make several recipes to try and several to take home. Participants will go home with a mini cookbook containing 50 recipes. Class size limited to 10.
2. Native Plant Know How: Justin Hohlen, Master Gardener Join us for a program on growing native plants. Topics will include plant selection, seed stratification, when to start seeds, troubleshooting common issues that arise when growing natives and managing a native landscape.
3. Flower Arranging (hands-on) extra $35: Barb Harrison, Florist Come decorate a spring inspired, 18-inch grapevine wreath with silk flowers. Participants will receive guidance on floral combinations, spacing, and securing the flowers to the wreath base. Class size limited to 12.
4. The Ecology and Conservation of Native Pollinators: Jamie Viebach, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Explore the vital role pollinators play in sustaining ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity. Participants will learn about the biology and behavior of bees, butterflies, and other pollinating species, as well as the ecological services they provide. This program will emphasize conservation strategies, habitat restoration, and practical steps individuals and communities can take to support pollinator health while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges facing pollinators and how to create environments that ensure their survival.