(MILAN, Ill.) If you are interested in growing your own vegetables this summer or you’d like a refresher, University of Illinois Extension and the Rock Island Public Library are hosting a series, “Vegetable Gardening Made Easy”. This free online program will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. March 15 – March 31, 2021. They will be hosted by local Illinois Extension Master Gardeners via Zoom. During each session, they will show a pre-recorded, “how-to” gardening video on the topic of the day from University of Illinois horticulture experts, followed by live Q & A with a Master Gardener. Each session has a different topic and participants can sign up for any they are interested in.
The Rock Island Public Library wanted to partner with the Illinois Extension service to enhance their Seed Library resources. Martha Smith, horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension chose a selection of topics that would help gardeners have success throughout the growing season.
Those topics are:
March 15 / 10 a.m. / Seed Starting Introduction
March 17 / 10 a.m. / Germination & Seedling Growth
Learn how to successfully start plants indoors from seeds for use later in the garden.
March 22 / 10 a.m. / Blueprint to Gardening & Planning & Prepping
Explore how you can go about planning your garden and different techniques that are used to plant gardens.
March 24/ 10 a.m. / Cool Season Vegetables & Warm Season Vegetables
Learn about the different types of vegetables that are commonly grown in gardens and the basics on how to grow them
March 29 / 10 a.m. / Hardening off and Transplanting & General Care
Discover how to prep seedlings that you grew indoors for being transplanted outdoors as well as basic garden care, including watering and fertilizing.
March 31 / 10 a.m / Pest control considerations, and tips to garden safely
This session will be followed by a final Q&A session.
Register for the sessions of your choice at go.illinois.edu/VegGardening101
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Tracy Jo Mulliken at tmully@illinois.edu.