The University of Illinois Extension Office in Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside Counties are accepting applications for the 2018 Master Gardener Certification Course. Certified Master Gardeners are an integral part of the education outreach initiatives of the Extension Office. The Master Gardener mission is helping others learn to grow.
Horticulture
Local training classes will be held at Lee-Ogle Transportation System, located at 210 East Progress Dr. Dixon, IL, beginning August 28, 2018. Classes will be Tuesday’s from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through November 13. Class topics include: botany soils and fertilizer ornamental grasses and landscape design vegetables fruits insects
CGH Auxiliary will host the Distinctive Gardens Spring Plant Sale on Friday, May 4, 2018, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will be located in the CGH Medical Center Ryberg Auditorium, 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling, IL. Featured are hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, container gardens, and more. For more
What is causing my plants to die? Will these insects destroy my vegetable garden? What perennials are best suited for my yard? What tree will give me the best shade? How much fertilizer should I put on my yard? If these questions bothered you last year or might pertain to
Following the theme of the Bicentennial Anniversary for the State of Illinois, the Volunteer Miller program for April focuses on native grasslands that dominated this Midwest landscape at one time. The presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the Windmill Cultural Center, 111 10th Avenue,
Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District sells native wildflowers each spring. Place an order by Friday, March 30, 2018, for Rattlesnake Master; Butterfly Weed; Pale Purple and Yellow Coneflowers; Prairie Blazing Star; Wild Bergamot. Each specimen sells for $4 and will be delivered in May. Print the order form
University of Illinois Extension will sponsor a Question and Answer session at the Fulton, IL, Schmaling Public Library, 501 Tenth Avenue. A local Master Gardener, Judy Holesinger, will be available on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., to discuss basic tips on spring garden techniques. Fundamentals of
Rock Island County Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a spring tree and native plant sale to promote conservation–including backyard conservation. Consider planting native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses to promote diversity and wildlife habitat on your acreage or in your backyard. Rock Island County SWCD is taking orders
University of Illinois Extension has several upcoming opportunities to learn about plants, soils, and starting a garden. Four Seasons Horticulture Webinar Winter Series–Tuesday, March 13, and Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at 1:30 p.m., at Whiteside Extension Office, Sterling, IL. Four Seasons Gardening, presented by University of Illinois Extension, includes a
Editor’s note: The photograph of a caterpillar’s feet was taken by Tonya Wilhelm. Join the Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties in cooperation with Sauk Valley Community College, on Saturday, March 17, 2018, for this one-day horticulture workshop. Participants will hear keynote presenter Sandra Mason, State Master
Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District, 16255 Liberty Street, Morrison, IL, will take orders for the following six Native Plants, until Friday, March 30, 2018, by 4:00 p.m. Plants sell for $4 each. Print the order form below. A pick up date the third or fourth week of May
Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a free oak tree. For the seventh year in a row, the Rock River Trail Initiative (RRTI) will distribute 10,000 trees along the Rock River corridor, Tuesday, April 18, through Friday, April 21, 2017. Chad Pregracke, President of “Living Lands and Waters’ One Million Trees”
Do not miss the University of Illinois Extension plant sales in our area. Each sale will take place from 8:00 a.m. to noon, or until plants are sold out. Come early to have the best selection. Visit our webpage to download the flier: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/clw/downloads/68990.pdf. Saturday, May 6–Morrison, IL, Community Room
Four Seasons Gardening, a 12-session program presented by University of Illinois Extension, includes a wide array of gardening and landscaping topics. The spring series includes Growing Vegetable for Beginners on Tuesday, April 18, 2017; Beyond Hosta-Perennials for the Shade on Tuesday, May 2; Bountiful Backyards: Berries, Brambles, and Beyond on
It may still be winter in Fulton, IL, yet it is time to think spring. Any group or governmental agency that helps maintain or enhance any of Fulton’s public garden areas should consider applying now for grant money, available from the Fulton Gardens Fund. This includes all public gardens and