URBANA, Ill. – As fall approaches, trees begin to change color, cold weather sweeps in, and garden prepping for winter begins.
A free three-part University of Illinois Extension online webinar series will help gardeners prepare for the cold months ahead. Four Seasons Gardening has inspired generations of gardeners. The fall workshops begin at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 14 and will include tips for garden tool maintenance from Extension horticulture educator Richard Hentschel.
Sharp, rust-free tools are easier on the body and make whatever task is at hand quicker to finish, says Hentschel. Make gardening less of a chore by maintaining your equipment.
Fall is a popular time to examine landscape trees. Illinois is home to hundreds of native and non-native tree species, but identifying them isn’t always easy. Leaves, bark, twigs, buds, flowers, boles, and fruit all help in identification. Sarah Vogel, Extension horticulture educator, will help homeowners recognize tree species, both natives and non-natives, based on the size, shape, and appearance, as well as cover the basic parts of trees. The webinar begins at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19.
Tree root collar disorder affects many trees. A root collar is an important area of a tree where root tissue shifts to trunk tissue. Impacts to this part of the tree can have a variety of symptoms, from yellow foliage and early fall color to dieback in the upper canopy, and even tree death. Extension educator Ryan Pankau will explain how to identify, prevent, and treat trees with root collar disorder during the final fall webinar at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 30.
Register online at go.illinois.edu/fourseasons. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, or for more information, contact Gemini Bhalsod at gbhalsod@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting access needs.
SOURCE: Gemini Bhalsod, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension
WRITER: Erin Wunderlich, Writer, University of Illinois Extension
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.