DECATUR, Ill. — Get ready to cultivate your knowledge at University of Illinois Extension's Gardening Insights 2025 hosted by the Macon County Master Gardeners. Registration is now open for this half-day event featuring informative sessions, a captivating keynote speaker, hands-on workshops, and engaging 4-H-led activities for the kids. Gardening Insights will inspire and equip gardeners of all levels.
Gardening Insights will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Life Foursquare Church, 2954 W. Ash Ave, Decatur. Participants may choose to attend three out of the twelve sessions presented by expert horticulturists and Master Gardener volunteers. Topics include plants and pollinators, fruit tree pruning, shrub care, native gardens, plant alternatives, caring for houseplants, microgreens, and spring vegetable gardening. Painting on glass and smartphone photography are this year's hands-on sessions.
Keynote speaker Bill McKnight, also known as The Mad Botanist, will deliver an entertaining presentation on gardening mistakes and misperceptions. McKnight, a professionally trained botanist and seasoned gardener, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, particularly in flowering plants and cryptograms, such as fungi, lichens, bryophytes, and ferns. He resides on a three-acre property in northeast Indianapolis, where he continues to nurture his passion for gardening.
Gardening Insights is a family-friendly event; children ages 5 and older are welcome to attend with their caregivers. A separate area supervised by 4-H staff will provide activities for the kids.
Register online until Feb. 14. A $25 registration fee includes the three sessions, keynote speaker, and light refreshments.
For more information contact Whitney Allison.
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.