MURPHYSBORO, Ill. – Fruit trees and small fruits can add a sweet addition to your home landscape or garden. Join Extension for two free programs in February to learn how to grow a bountiful harvest of delicious fruit right outside your back door.

Growing fruit trees can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. It requires patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the needs and requirements of each specific tree variety. A workshop on Feb. 1 will cover variety and root stock selection and pruning basics.

Growing small fruits on your homestead is an easier and quicker way to harvest fruit on your farm or homestead. Compared to fruit trees, these plants usually do not require the same length of time to establish, so your harvests can begin in the same season as planting or the next growing season. The program on Feb. 22 will cover the basic production of blueberries, brambles, and strawberries, as well as home garden and edible landscape applications.

Both workshops are free and will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Extension office at 402 Ava Rd., Murphysboro, Ill.

The programs are part of the modern homesteading series that includes a variety of workshops led by educators and experts throughout the state. To learn more or register for upcoming programs, visit go.illinois.edu/ModernHomesteading or call (618) 687-1727.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in programming, please contact Maggie Ray at mro@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

WRITER: Heather Willis, marketing and communications coordinator, hdwillis@illinois.edu, (618) 357-2126

SOURCE: Maggie Ray, local foods and small farms program coordinator, mro@illinois.edu, (618) 687-1727