2024 Gardener's Pathway

DeKalb County Farm Bureau - 1350 West Prairie Drive, Sycamore, IL 60178

8:45-10:00 am Keynote Speaker: Richard Hawke, Director of Ornamental Plant Research, Chicago Botanic Garden
Proven Perennials - Hundreds of new perennials are introduced every year, and whether gardeners are excited or disappointed by the plants depends in part on a rigorous evaluation to determine their cultural adaptability, disease and pest resistance, and winter hardiness. Richard Hawke will share information on perennials that have proven to be beautiful, reliable, and hardy in the Chicago Botanic Garden's evaluation trials.

Making Native Plants a Part of Your Landscape by Garett Beier, Department Chair of the Departments of Horticulture and Entrepreneurial Agriculture, McHenry County College - Do you want to add native plants to your landscape, but you don’t know where to start? Learn how to incorporate native plants into your landscape without starting from scratch. Come away with ideas to reinvigorate your landscape with natives!

Orchids For Beginners and Beyond by Dave Picken, Volunteer Docent at the Nicholas Conservatory and avid orchid grower and collector - Learn how to grow orchids, keep them thriving, and even get them to rebloom! In this program you will learn how to meet the watering, light, and temperature needs of your orchid and get tips on reblooming. Dave will also talk about solutions to typical orchid troubles that you may encounter.
 
Insect Tots: If you only knew me when I was young  by Nancy Kuhajda, Will County Master Gardener Coordinator - Insects-we love them, we hate them. But do you really know them? The key to not only controlling the pests, but also promoting the beneficials, is an understanding of insects at every stage of life. From egg to larvae or wait…is it from nymph to adult? Join Nancy for a deep dive into insect lifecycles of our most problematic and most positive insects in the backyard landscapes. Learning to identify insects at all phases of their lifecycle is the answer to your healthiest garden yet! Nancy will be happy to answer any insect questions you have. 

Vegetable Gardening 101:  Let's Start At The Very Beginning, A Very Good Place To Start by Lori Brown, DeKalb County Master Gardener - Would you like to garden at home, but haven't a clue where to begin? Let's plan your 2024 growing season together! In this session, we'll cover beginner basics such as: garden site evaluation, seed selection & starting, companion & succession planting.  Let's get you set up for gardening success this spring.   

All You Need to Know About Winter Sowing by Nancy Kuhajda, Will County Master Gardener Coordinator - Start now, yes now in February for your best transplants ever. 

Do you start seeds every year but aren’t wowed by the results? Or do you find seed starting just all too daunting? There is another option that requires no special…anything. This innovative, simple process uses winter to get your seeds growing and going at the right time. Wintersowing is creating mini-greenhouses out of gallon jugs in your own backyard. Highly successful for the most robust root systems for transplants ever. You just need to know the tips and tricks. Nancy will also answer any of your seed starting questions and will have free seeds to share. 

 
Plan Bee: Encouraging Native Pollinators in Your Garden by Pam Otto, Outreach Ambassador, St. Charles Park District - Illinois is home to more than 400 species of native bees! All are hardworking pollinators but few are recognized for their efforts.  Learn about what you can do to partner with these helpful creatures and make your garden all it can bee.

Vegetable Gardening 102: Composting and Soil Health by Lori Brown, DeKalb County Master Gardener - Would you like to compost, but are worried about doing it "right"?  Composting is one of the most beneficial components of gardening.  It can be overwhelming and scary, but it doesn't have to be!  Join this session if you'd like to learn some easy methods of turning your kitchen food scraps into nutrient dense soil for your garden.   

Gardening for the Birds by Peggy Doty Anesi, University of Illinois Extension Natural Resource, Environment and Energy Educator - Not just a program with a plant list but a thoughtful way to incorporate birds, and all their joy, into your garden. We will consider not only the bird’s needs but also the needs of you, your family, children or grandchildren, pets, and of course the current plants in your garden.
 
Incorporating a Small Water Feature in Your Landscape Design by Cary Singer, DeKalb County Master Gardener and Certified Aquascape Contractor - Outdoor water features like fountains, koi ponds, waterfalls, and water walls don't just serve as focal points in your landscaping. They also transform your outdoor space into a captivating and relaxing retreat. Attendees will be shown dozens of examples of different kinds of water features and shown how and explained why they should be added to your landscape design. A pitcher pump and small rock water feature will be assembled and placed on display and running during the class.

If you have questions please contact the DeKalb County University of Illinois Extension Office at 815-758-8194 or Connie Handel, Extension Program Coordinator at cahandel@illinois.edu.

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, please contact the DeKalb County University of Illinois Extension Office at 815-758-8194.  Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs.