Gardeners' BIG Day - April 15, 2023
I'm sorry, registration for Gardeners' BIG Day is closed. You can find other upcoming events on our website at extension.illnois.edu/fmpt.
To sign up to receive early notification of next year's Gardeners' BIG Day complete this
online form and select horticulture as one of your subject matter areas.
Early Bird registration through March 1- $35, includes lunch
Registration after March 1- $40, includes lunch
Final deadline March 31. Sorry, no walk-ins.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 8:15am
Duane Friend presents Extreme Weather in Your Garden
Heavy rains, high humidity, late frosts, flash droughts - these events can take a toll on gardens. Illinois Extension Climate Specialist Duane Friend will discuss several weather trends and their influences on plants and soil health.
WORKSHOPS:
Session 1 9:40am
- Prairie Plants & Early Uses - Jennifer Bass
Take a look at prairie plants, their pollinators, seeds, and how they were used for healing by Native Americans and early settlers.
- Tall Spindle, High Output Orchards - Rob Preston (also repeated in Session 2)
Learn about starting a Tall Spindle orchard, including costs, strategies, and upkeep. They are labor intensive to get started with the benefits of ease of maintenance, performance, and return on investment
- Roses at Luthy Botanical Garden - Bob Streitmatter
Fifteen years after renovating our rose garden, we will explore the design and planting that encompasses low-maintenance roses and year-round interest.
- Finding Plants in Every Adventure - Rhonda Ferree
Rhonda will spotlight plants that she has found in her various travels, since retiring in 2018. Some of her favorites include poppies across CA, Kansas bladderpod, pitcher plants in OR, and various fruits of Ecuador. She will also discuss how she documents the plants she finds.
Session 2 10:40am
- 20 Stems for Spring -Christine Wright (also repeated in Session 3)
We will make a fresh arrangement with 20 stems of flowers and discuss 19 other designs. We will discuss basic design principles and stem care to ensure longevity. $12.50 additional activity fee - Prairie Installation & Maintenance - Doug Franks
Prairies are ecosystems. Learn how Jubilee Prairie Dawgs conserve prairies and the role of prairie mycorrhiza in building soil and storing carbon will be explained; as well as the connection to climate change, soil erosion, flooding and water depletion.
- Kipling Lavender Farm - Jeff Kipling
Jeff will be discussing the process of growing lavender from seedling to mature plant. He will also share about the products made from the harvest as well as the history of the farm.
Session 3 1pm
- New Flowers & All-American Selections - Corrine Brown
Learn about the All-American Selections program. See how winners are selected and introduced to gardeners all across the U.S.
- Key Tools for Home Vegetable Garden -John Curtis
There are a huge number of new tools and techniques that make gardening easier and more efficient. At the same time, hand tools in large, big box stores are outdated and poor quality. John demonstrates tools for professional and amateur.
- Native Plants for Home Landscape - Chris Enroth
People with a passion for wildflowers will enjoy learning how and when to plant as well as how to maintain the long-term health and appeal of native plants.
For more information on sessions and speakers go HERE for a downloadable brochure for Gardeners' BIG Day 2023