Get inspired to start that dream gardening project.
Gardeners manage a range of factors and elements to help plants grow. Extension helps bring all the pieces together in a one-day, nine-session webinar symposium, Gardening in the Air, led by horticulture experts from across the Midwest.
The 2025 fall edition will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central time on Saturday, Oct. 18, and features a wide range of topics from drying flowers, turf management, storing bulbs, growing under lights, garden pests, pet-friendly landscaping, and more.
Gardening in the Air is a virtual event held seasonally and co-hosted by University of Illinois Extension and Iowa State University Extension.
Online symposium attendees can mix and match session topics to create an individualized experience. Three different topics happen each at 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. Central time. All sessions will be offered via Zoom, requiring participants to have internet access and a valid email address. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required by Oct. 15 to receive link access. Select programs will be recorded and made available at a later date to registered participants.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Tracy Jo Mulliken at tmully@illinois.edu or by phone at 309-756-9978. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
Fall 2025 Sessions
Track One Options: 9 AM
Everlasting Flowers – Drying and Pressing Techniques
Learn how and which varieties dry the best from a backyard garden. The technique of how to dry and when to harvest will be discussed. The other technique discussed will be the process of pressing real flowers to create value-added products for your friends and family.
Presenter: Christina Lueking, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Good Bugs We Love to Hate
Many insects are feared or disliked, despite being beneficial. While bees, butterflies, and lady beetles are celebrated, other beneficial insects like wasps, flies, and even cockroaches are frequently vilified. Learn about the important roles these insects play in maintaining a healthy landscape.
Presenter: Ken Johnson, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Value of Turf and Sports Turf Maintenance
Learn what it takes to maintain safe and aesthetically pleasing athletic fields. We will discuss the differences between natural turfgrass and synthetic turf playing surfaces and how both require maintenance. Comparisons will be made between what maintenance practices are done on athletic fields as compared to the home lawn, and why those practices are not needed on most home lawns. Athletic field safety will also be discussed in this presentation. Finally, tips and tricks will be shared on how athletic field managers can hide issues that you may never know about.
Presenter: Adam Thoms, Associate Professor in Horticulture and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Iowa State University
Track Two Options: 10:15 AM
Grasses and Sedges in the Home Landscape
Grasses and sedges are often low-maintenance, four-season interest plants that can help fill out a landscape design. With the increased availability of native grasses and sedges for purchase, which ones should you use and where? Come learn which native grasses and sedges work best for formal landscape beds and more naturalized settings. Alternatives for non-natives and invasives currently planted ornamentally will also be discussed.
Presenter: Erin Garrett, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Bulbs and Plant Storage Structures
Dive into the fascinating world of underground plant structures in this session that explores bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes. Learn how these storage organs function, how they differ, and why they matter in both ornamental and edible gardening. From biological basics to practical applications, this presentation will help you better understand plant classifications, seasonal care, and how to make informed choices for your garden.
Presenter: Sarah Rummery, Associate Director of Horticulture and Operations, Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University
Gardening in a Changing World
As the Midwest's temperatures continue to become more like that of latitudes further south, severe storms become more frequent while precipitation is less predictable. Journey with David through what future gardening may look like, gain insight into planting decisions for the next 50 years, and explore strategies to make your garden successful in a changing world. We will discuss designing for water management, building habitat, and evaluate the process of plant selection. You will walk away with tools and resources for help, while also understanding how to make decisions now for an unpredictable future.
Presenter: David McKinney, Horticulturist, Ecologist, Entomologist, Plant Physiologist, and Curator, Iowa Arboretum and Gardens
Track Three Options: 11:30 AM
Growing Under Lights
Light is essential for plant growth and when growing plants indoors is often one of the biggest limiting factors. Providing additional light can be beneficial but requires some special considerations. Learn more about how to successfully garden under lights in your own home. Topics discussed include selecting the best supplemental light source, how lights can be used most effectively, and how light is used by plants.
Presenter: Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist, Iowa State University
Pet-Friendly Landscaping
Discover how to create a beautiful, functional, and safe outdoor environment that both you and your furry companions will love. This presentation explores the principles of pet-friendly landscaping, including non-toxic plant choices, safer hardscaping, and creative enrichment features. Whether you're a homeowner, landscaper, or pet lover, you'll gain practical tips and inspiring ideas to transform your yard into a haven for pets without sacrificing style or sustainability. Join us to learn how to balance aesthetics with animal safety, reduce maintenance headaches, and foster a more harmonious relationship between your pets and your plants.
Presenter: Jamie Viebach, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Midwest Apple History and Orchard Management
Explore the past and present of Midwestern apple production, from the region’s historic cultivars and breeding efforts to the rootstocks that shape today’s orchards. We will look at practical approaches to orchard care, including pruning strategies and weed management, alongside the broader history of apple growing in the Midwest. Participants will gain both context for the region’s apple heritage and take-home insights for effective, modern orchard management.
Presenter: Olivia Meyer, Horticulture Graduate Student in the Integrated Fruit Health Research Group, Iowa State University