BELVIDERE, Ill.— The Boone County Master Gardeners invite community members to grow their gardening knowledge this spring through free educational programs offered at the Ida Public Library, 320 N. State Street, Belvidere. Space is limited. Reserve your spot by calling the library at 815‑544‑3838 or online at https://forms.gle/21YZXN1uSmnNFtWM9.
Swallowtails in Illinois will be held on Wednesday, April 1, from 6-7 p.m. Calling all butterfly lovers! Participants will discover the world of Illinois swallowtails and learn how to welcome these stunning pollinators into your own backyard. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned grower, you’ll walk away inspired.
On Thursday, April 30, from 6–7 p.m., a Master Gardener will present Beneficial Insects: Garden Warriors. Before you get out the bug spray to battle those pesky insects in your garden this year, join us for an educational program to learn about beneficial insects—and how to encourage them to visit your garden! Not all insects we find in our gardens are pests. In fact, most aren’t pests at all. During this program, you’ll learn about: ladybugs, green lace-wing larvae (aka: the aphid lion), hover flies, praying mantis, and more.
Native Alternatives for Landscaping Grasses and Sedges will be held on Monday, May 4, from 6-7 p.m. Join us for an engaging and informative program designed for landscape professionals and property owners who want to incorporate more environmentally friendly practices into their work and home spaces. This session highlights the benefits of using native grasses and sedges—plants that support local ecosystems, require fewer resources, and thrive naturally in our region.
The final spring gardening program, Sustainable Gardening Practices, will be held on Thursday, May 14, from 6-7 p.m. Participants will discover practical, research‑based strategies you can use at home, including: building healthy soil naturally, conserving water and reducing runoff, choosing resilient plants, and more. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this program offers tools and ideas that make a real difference.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Program Coordinator Jan Saglier at 815‑544‑3710 or jsaglier@illinois.edu.
About Master Gardeners: University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are rooted in community and grow through connection, studying and sharing research-based horticulture topics, including vegetable gardening, insects, tree and small fruits, introductory botany, integrated pest management, turfgrass care, plant diseases, tree and shrub care, soils and fertilizer, and flower gardening. Over 2,000 active volunteers invest their time and talents cultivating collaborative gardens that feed and support healthy communities, foster hands-on learning, enhance neighborhood beauty, and support the environment. Help Master Gardeners grow.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.