URBANA, Ill. — Repotting that houseplant has been on your to-do list, so add in some background gardening talk to set the tone for a fall Saturday. Join Extension on Oct. 24 for the Gardening in the Air virtual symposium. Tune in to the presentations from indoors, outdoors, or while enjoying a favorite view because any morning spent gardening is a great way to start the day.
University of Illinois Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have teamed up to bring another set of exclusive online sessions exploring today’s popular horticulture topics and environmentally responsible gardening practices. The three tracks include sessions around landscapes, tough trees, herbs, perennials, vegetable gardening, native plants, and more.
“The virtual yet hands-on approach that Gardening in the Air encourages promotes practical gardening skills while connecting communities with research-based information and experiences from university experts,” says Emily Swihart, horticulture educator at Illinois Extension. “What participants take away from the sessions benefits both home landscapes and larger environmental efforts.”
Online symposium attendees can mix and match themes, choosing any three unique programs to create an individualized experience. Gardening in the Air virtual sessions include:
Track One: 9 a.m.
- Runaway Landscapes: Practical Strategies for Working with Nature, Not Against It
- Extension Master Gardener Program Demystified
- Tough Trees (and a Few Shrubs) for Midwestern Landscapes
Track Two: 10:15 a.m.
- Harvesting and Preserving Herbs
- Right Perennial, Right Place
- Extending the Season of Your Vegetable Garden
Track Three: 11:30 a.m.
- Introduction to Including Native Plants in Your Landscape
- Tomato Troubles... & Triumphs?
- From Tree to Table: Making Maple Syrup
There is no cost to attend, but a program donation is available and appreciated. Registration is required by Oct. 18 at go.illinois.edu/GIA to receive the Zoom link at the email used to sign up. Select programs will be recorded and made available to registered participants later, after closed captioning is added.
For questions or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Tracy Jo Mulliken, program coordinator, at tmully@illinois.edu or 309-756-9978. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
SOURCES: Emily Swihart, horticulture educator, Illinois Extension; and Tracy Jo Mulliken, program coordinator, Illinois Extension
WRITER: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
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 500 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 five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.