Gardening in the Air
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 2026 fall edition will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central time on Saturday, Oct. 24, featuring a wide range of topics, including runaway landscape management, tough trees and shrubs, herbs, growing perennials, tomato troubles, 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 at 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. 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. 18 to receive link access. Program donation option available and appreciated, but not required to attend.
Select programs will be recorded and made available to registered participants at a later date, following the addition of closed captioning.
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 2026 Sessions
Track One: 9 AM
Runaway Landscapes: Practical Strategies for Working with Nature, Not Against It
Not every plant labeled a weed is necessarily a problem. An untidy garden is not a failure. And not every landscape challenge needs an immediate solution. By learning when to intervene, when to adapt, and when to embrace a little chaos, gardeners can create landscapes that are both manageable and meaningful. Explore practical strategies for evaluating and improving trees, shrubs, lawns, and garden beds while developing realistic expectations for long-term landscape management. Learn how to prioritize landscape projects, rejuvenate overgrown plants, suppress unwanted vegetation, and create a plan for restoring neglected spaces. Discussion includes how personal aesthetics, ecological value, and a willingness to embrace some imperfection can help transform a runaway landscape into a space that is both manageable and enjoyable.
Presenter: Chris Enroth, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Extension Master Gardener Program Demystified
Learn from the Iowa and Illinois State Master Gardener program managers about what the Extension Master Gardener Program is, how many people it reaches, and what types of projects volunteers participate in.
Presenters: Candice Anderson, State Master Gardener Specialist, University of Illinois Extension, and Alicia Herzog, Iowa Master Gardener Program Manager with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Tough Trees (and a Few Shrubs) for Midwestern Landscapes
What can I plant? What should I plant? These are common questions posed to all horticulturists, and in this presentation, attendees will gain solid plant advice and guidance to help field those questions. Of course, not every plant discussed will thrive in every situation, but most have proven to be winners in both gentle and challenging sites. Bring questions.
Presenter: Jeff Iles, Professor, Iowa State University
Track Two: 10:15 AM
Harvesting and Preserving Herbs
Herbs are great fun to grow in the home landscape — and they are easy to grow, harvest, and keep. Learn more about harvesting and preserving homegrown herbs to enjoy in recipes all winter.
Presenter: Bruce Black, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Right Perennial, Right Place
The secret to a thriving perennial garden is choosing plants that match your growing conditions. Discover great options for sun, shade, wet soils, dry sites, and other challenging locations.
Presenter: Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist, Iowa State University
Extending the Season of Your Vegetable Garden
Why limit yourself to gardening in only the warm months? So many delicious vegetables produce better in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, and some can even survive the winter. Attendees will leave knowing a few tips and tricks to help grow on the other side of “the frost barrier.”
Presenter: Dan Fillius, Field Specialist of Horticulture, Iowa State University
Track Three: 11:30 AM
Introduction to Including Native Plants in Your Landscape
Expert tips on getting started with incorporating native plants into a landscape. Native plants can add beauty, conserve water, and provide habitat for wildlife and food for beneficial insects. Leave this session with a better understanding of how to enhance the beauty and ecological value of your landscape.
Presenter: Jennifer Fishburn, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
Tomato Troubles ... & Triumphs?
Everyone always wants that perfect, juicy, ripe, blemish-free tomato every year. Depending on the weather, diseases, or physiological disorders, it may not be possible. Attend, discuss, and hear more about tomato troubles and how to get those tomato triumphs more often.
Presenter: Bruce Black, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
From Tree to Table: Making Maple Syrup
Discover the basics of maple syrup production, from collecting sap to creating one of nature’s sweetest treats.
Presenter: Brandon Miller, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota