McHenry County Gardenfest 2020
Saturday, April 4, 2020, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Presented by
University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners
and McHenry County College
Costs $45 and includes lunch
Earn your green thumb at the annual McHenry County Gardenfest. Come learn about new garden trends, plants, and techniques at this day-long series of garden-related seminars and workshops.
Gardenfest 2020 will be held April 4 at McHenry County College (MCC), 8900 U.S. Route 14, in Crystal Lake, Ill., from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gardenfest is an annual educational event co-sponsored by MCC and the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners. Fifteen breakout sessions — presented by industry experts, U of I Extension educators, Extension Master Gardeners and MCC instructors — will cover a myriad of gardening topics.
The morning keynote speaker will be William Moss, a TV garden host, author, producer, and educator. He will present "Get Out and Grow Veggies 2020," which will review 20 of the best veggies to grow in Chicagoland based on nutrition, productivity, maintenance, and other factors. Moss also will discuss new varieties with new features and old varieties with newly discovered attributes.
The afternoon keynote speaker will be Nina Koziol, a garden design and horticulture instructor at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Morton Arboretum and a garden writer. Koziol will present “The Gardener as Artist,” a look at public and private gardens--from the quirky and magical to the elegant and innovative—and the plants and garden art within them.
Other 2020 Gardenfest topics will include “Landscapes and Gardens from a Designer’s View,” “Backyard Blueberries and Raspberries,” “Tool Care and Sharpening,” “Best New Plants for 2020,” “Native Plants,” and many other classes.
This year’s Gardenfest boasts two keynote speakers and 15 breakout sessions offered in three segments; each segment lasts about an hour. Lunch will be served midday in the MCC cafeteria. Attendees also are eligible for door prizes.
Registration for Gardenfest is available online at mchenry.edu/gardenfest. Registration begins Feb. 10, and the cost is $45. Space is limited, so register early. The registration deadline is March 27; no refunds after this date. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the day of the event (for an added $5 fee, first come, first served). No refunds for any reason. For more information, visit mchenry.edu/gardenfest, email conferencecenter@mchenry.edu, or call 815-479-7570.
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The McHenry County Master Gardeners are a group of more than 130 volunteers sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension. Extension Master Gardeners complete rigorous training in horticulture and botany and volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year. The mission of an Extension Master Gardener is to share unbiased, reliable research-based information with home landscapers and gardeners, as well as to encourage people to enjoy gardening and vegetable growing. Contact the McHenry County Master Gardeners at 1102 McConnell Road, Box 1430, Woodstock, IL 60098, phone 815-338-3737 or visit web.extension.illinois.edu/lm. Visit us on Facebook at McHenry Co Master Gardeners.
University of Illinois •U.S. Department of Agriculture •
Local Extension Councils Cooperating
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities
in programs and employment.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in an Extension program, please contact our office.
Gardenfest 2020 Fast Facts
—Held on Saturday, April 4, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Route 14, Crystal Lake, Ill.
—Costs $45, which includes lunch (or $50 if tickets are purchased onsite the day of the conference).
—Sponsored by McHenry County College and the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners.
—Suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
—There are two keynote speakers and 15 breakout sessions, which will be held within three segments throughout the day.
—Visit mchenry.edu/gardenfest, email conferencecenter@mchenry.edu or call 815-479-7570.
—Registration begins Feb. 10. Register online at mchenry.edu/gardenfest. The registration deadline is March 27; no refunds after this date. After this date, guests must register at the conference for an additional $5 fee (space is limited; first come, first served).