URBANA, Ill. — Spring is near, and your green thumb is ripe for gardening. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just getting started, growing nutrient-rich vegetables, fresh fruits, and aromatic herbs is more than just a way to fill your plate; it is like a badge of honor. Gardening offers rewarding experiences, from discovering which vegetables thrive through spring's cool temperatures...
It’s the beginning of February, and yet I can feel the excitement of the approaching growing season. As the weather teases us with thoughts of the warmth to come with temperatures creeping into the 50s it is important to note we still have more winter ahead.Even though we still have time before...
The weather has turned cold, and your gardens have gone to sleep. But your hands still long to touch the dirt and crave a little green in your life. Consider adding some houseplants to your space! With a bit of research and forethought, even the brownest thumb can keep their space...
Illinois Extension Master Gardeners celebrate 50 years of impact, momentum for future
URBANA, Ill. — The 1970s were a time of change; people nationwide had growing concerns about environmental damage from industrial pollution and a renewed interest in home gardening. The environmental movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, Earth Day, and the Illinois...
Events
Woodford County Seed Swap
Join us for the Woodford County Seed Swap on February 15 from 9:00-11:00 am at the Roanoke Mennonite Church. Please use the west entrance. This will be a come-and-go event to swap seeds, network with other plant enthusiasts, and dream of what’s possible this growing season....
Joys of Gardening
Join us for the 27th Annual JOYS OF GARDENING on February 22, 2025, for a Saturday of Horticulture Fun!The event runs from 8:25 a.m. to Noon (registration at 8 a.m., keynote at 8:25 a.m.) at Highland Community College, Student Conference Center Room 201,...
2025 Gardening Insights
It's never too early to start thinking about gardening. Join the Macon County Master Gardeners for a fun, engaging day of classroom-style sessions both beginning and expert gardeners will enjoy. Youth are also invited to join 4-H for crafts, STEM, and gardening activities while caregiver is...
Gardener's Pathway & Artisan Market | Sycamore
The annual Gardener's Pathway & Artisan Market returns! The DeKalb County Master Gardeners host this event and welcome keynote speaker Kerry Ann Mendez. Mendez is a nationally renowned garden educator, author, and design consultant. She is also the proprietor of Perennially Yours. Mendez's...
Nursery School: Lessons in Gardening
Turn the Page on Winter and Start a New Gardening Chapter at Nursery SchoolThe Quad Cities’ premier gardening symposium!Whether you’re cultivating your first garden or adding to your expertise, this event offers something for everyone. Join us for a day of inspiration and learning...
Home, Lawn, and Garden Day:
Make your garden thrive with educational workshops, inspiring speakers, and horticulture treasures from exceptional businesses and organizations at the 23rd Annual Home, Lawn, and Garden Day, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners. This exciting event will take...
Weekend Gardener
Join us for an enriching experience to explore the world of gardening with expert speakers and engaging discussions. Morning refreshments will be included followed by sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to attend one session during each time period, making it a flexible and...
2025 Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference
The tradition continues! Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference scheduled for March 1.Sponsored by Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin Extension Services The 2025 Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference will be held March 1st at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa from 9:...
Spring into Gardening Conference 2025
The 15th Annual Spring into Gardening Conference invites gardening enthusiasts and beginners alike to enjoy a day filled with expert advice, creative ideas, and hands-on guidance. The conference, hosted at Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, will feature Amanda Thomsen, renowned...
Gateway Green Conference 2025
Support a thriving, sustainable environment. Natural resource industry professionals face the vital task of responsibly caring for our communities' valuable environmental resources. Evolving research and environmental changes make it more important than ever to explore responsible stewardship...
Gardening for Food, Flowers & Fun
University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce Gardening for Food, Flowers & Fun, an event that offers gardening tips for the growing season. Join us for this early rite of spring - an educational venture presenting fresh horticultural ideas, insights,...
Garden Day 2025
Shake off your winter blues with the Vermilion County Master Gardeners! An annual tradition for over 25 years, Garden Day has everything gardeners enjoy: entertaining speakers, unique vendors, a delicious lunch, a...
Gardener's Day 2025
Get ready for the 2025 gardening season by joining us for Gardener’s Day! This year’s presentation will cover backyard composting, beneficial plants we commonly think of as weeds, and managing pests with fewer or without the use of pesticides Backyard CompostingLearn the...
Russel Allen Garden Day 2025
The public is invited to learn new gardening skills alongside Logan County Master Gardeners during the annual Russel Allen Garden Day. Session topics will include Growing Microgreens, Herbs, Spring Vegetable Gardening, and more!The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon, with registration from 8...
Gardener's Day 2025
Calling all gardening enthusiasts! Don't miss out on a day filled with learning, inspiration, and community at the 27th Annual Gardener's Day, sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension and McDonough County Master Gardeners. This event will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025...
Ready.Set.Grow! Gardening Workshop
Get ready for an inspiring half-day event brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside Counties! Choose from engaging sessions on landscape design, the magic of versatile lavender, living harmoniously with wildlife, growing Africa violets, exploring new vegetables and...
A Day in the Garden Patch
Join the Livingston County Master Gardeners on Saturday, April 5th, to learn more about current topics in horticulture! Rejuvenating an Existing LandscapeKassandra Ryerson, Kaisner LandscapingYou may have heard the phrase “the bones are good”...
April in Paris Gardening Seminar
Edgar County Master Gardeners are hosting the April in Paris Garden Seminar again! The event will offer four speakers, vendors, and breakfast. This year's speakers and subjects are:Gardens for Cut Bouquets - Treva Cook, TLC U-Pick Flower FarmEight Great Alternatives to the Invasive Callery...
Gardenfest - Ready, Set, Grow
Explore the latest gardening trends, techniques, and tools during this daylong series of seminars for gardeners of every skill level.Held annually, Gardenfest is sponsored by McHenry County College and the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners.All registrations...
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Spring Series
Cultivate Knowledge - A Series for Garden and Nature Enthusiasts!Dates: Monday, April 14, 21, and 28Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)Location: Holiday Inn, Rock IslandCost: $15 per evening, or $40 for all 3...
2025 Master Gardener Plant Sale
Saturday, May 17 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Rain or shineThe 2025 sale will feature:Several varieties of tomatoes and peppersNative plantsNursery-stock perennialsMaster Gardeners on-hand to answer gardening questions...
Lake County 2025 Plant Sale
Calling all gardeners: Save the date of Saturday, May 17, 2025, for the Lake County Extension Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale at the University of Illinois Extension. This year our plant sale features a beautiful selection of nursery-grown plant varieties not readily available at traditional...
Gardenwalk
Join the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners and MCC for the annual Garden Walk each July, starting at the outdoor Demonstration Garden at MCC. Attendees experience all gardens at their own pace on a self-guided tour and Master Gardeners are on-site at each garden...
Have you started your seeds yet? On this week’s Good Growing Podcast, we talk about how you can start your own seeds. Learn about the benefits of starting your own seeds, where to start them, the equipment you’ll need, how we can reduce the amount of plastic we use to start seeds,...
