BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Although snow may still be on the ground, garden season is just around the corner! If you’re eager to explore new plants, learn fresh techniques, or tackle your gardening challenges, don’t miss the University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners’ 23rd Annual Home, Lawn, and Garden Day. Join us on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Central Catholic High School in Bloomington for a day filled with garden inspiration and education. Online registration opens on January 8 at go.illinois.edu/HLGD.
Home, Lawn, and Garden Day offers an engaging mix of learning and inspiration with an opening session, two breakout workshops, and a keynote presentation. This year’s keynote speaker, Marshall Dirks, Director of Marketing for Proven Winners, will share an inside look at how new plant varieties are selected and will highlight exciting introductions for 2025. With over 25 years of horticultural experience, Dirks will inspire gardeners to plan their spaces with confidence and creativity.
The $40 fee for this half-day (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) program includes the keynote presentation, two breakout sessions, light mid-morning refreshments, and access to exhibitors and vendors. Some hands-on workshops may include additional material fees.
Discover a variety of topics presented by local experts, including vegetable gardening, rose care, native plants for pollinators, and creating climate-responsive landscapes. Hands-on workshops offer creative opportunities like designing mini moss walls or crafting with herbs.
Do you have a young gardener who loves digging in the dirt and exploring the world of plants? This year, children ages 5–12 can attend the event for free with a paid adult. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled, self-contained adventure, featuring crafts, snacks, and hands-on gardening activities led by 4-H staff, all while adults attend their chosen sessions. Space is limited!
Don’t miss the chance to visit and shop with exhibitors and local garden center representatives. This is your opportunity to discover new products, learn about gardening trends, and find treasures to enhance your garden. For questions about the program or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at (309) 663-8306. Reserve your spot early—workshops fill quickly!
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.