LITCHFIELD, Ill. – Join University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners and garden enthusiasts for the All Gardener’s Day on Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 8 a.m. to noon at Holy Family Catholic Church – Parish Center, 211 E Columbia in Litchfield. This half-day event will be filled with valuable gardening and landscaping information for everyone to enjoy.
This year’s main session will be “Bats of Illinois: Environmentally Friendly Pest Management Controllers of Night Flying Insects” Dr. Todd Austin, The Bat Doctor. He will cover in detail four of our state's most important bat species and which residential and / or crop pests they tend to consume, as well as in what quantity. He will also explain that our insect eating bats are amazing, beautiful and highly beneficial creatures. Lastly, he will give info and demonstrate how bat houses can be used as a man-made artificial habitat for bats and cover the many variables employed to increase one's chances of attracting bats to bat houses.
The sessions this year will include: “Just a Little about Honeybees” by Beekeeper, Arvin Pierce. There are many challenges bees face in the environment. Take an illustrated tour in the lives of honeybees, both inside and outside the hive. Gain a little more understanding about the amazing lives of honeybees.
“Planting to Market: We’re Not Textbook” by Big M Berry Patch owner, Mel Repscher. Learn how we grow and market 20 acres of produce at "Big M Berry Patch" and "Big M Pumpkin Patch" located in Taylorville, Illinois.
“Trees for the Home Landscape” by Trees Forever, Program Manager/Field Coordinator, Debbie Fluegel. Trees provide numerous ecological benefits including energy savings, stormwater uptake, carbon sequestration, local foods, wildlife and pollinator habitat, medications, increased crop production, stress reduction, improved air and water quality, screens and visual barriers, economic development, and many, many others. Attend this session to learn about native species of trees and why it is important to plant them in the landscape.
“Raised Bed Gardening” University of Illinois Extension Educator, Horticulture, Andrew Holsinger. Do you want to take your vegetable gardening to the next level? University of Illinois Extension Educator, Andrew Holsinger, will introduce you to the techniques used in raised bed gardening, which will help you produce the most from the gardening space you have. Topics include techniques to plant densely, vertical gardening, interplanting, succession planting, day length strategies, cultivar choices, and more. Think inside the square and the tasks needed to prepare a square foot garden.
Information and vendor booths will be available as well. We look forward to having you join us.
Registration is $15 and includes morning refreshments. You can register online by going to https://extension.illinois.edu/cjmm or by calling 217.532.3941.
For more information or to register, contact Andrew Holsinger at 217.532.3941 or aholsing@illinois.edu. The deadline to sign-up is Thursday, March 12, 2020.
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please call 217.532.3941. Universidad de Illinois ofrece igualdad de oportunidades en programas y empleo. Si usted necesita un ajuste razonable para participar en este programa, por favor póngase en contacto con nuestra oficina.