Gardeners' Day 2026
The 28th Annual Gardener's Day, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension and McDonough County Master Gardeners, will be Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Spoon River College Outreach Center in Macomb, Illinois. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. with our first sessions beginning at 9 a.m.
Scroll to the bottom to begin the registration process.
Scroll to the bottom to begin the registration process.
LOCATION:
COST:
$40 - Early-bird Registration - register by March 8th - lunch included
$50 - Registration Fee- register after March 8th - lunch included
$30 - Half-day Registration - attend 2 sessions in AM OR 2 sessions in PM - lunch NOT included
REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
Four educational sessions, lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments, access to vendor displays, and a chance to win a door prize.
Seating is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration deadline is March 21st.
Late Registration - register after March 21st; accepted only on a space-available basis.
Contact Kate Budde at 309-342-5108 or kbudde@illinois.edu for space availability.
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
SESSION ONE - 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Making the Most of Your Screen Time with Jeff Vancil
Designing and planting screens to minimize wind, block views, provide privacy around living areas, define property lines, or create shelter for wildlife can be more than a wall of evergreen trees! Come see what creative choices you have in trees, shrubs, evergreens, and perennials that will fit into your landscape plan. We will explore the many sizes and varieties available that can be used to surround your private patio or that wide open space on the edge of your property. Join Jeff Vancil, owner of Hart’s Nursery to see how to surround yourself with nature.
Grow Your Own Cut Flowers with John Curtis
Join John Curtis of the Giving Gardens to learn how to transform a portion of your garden into a source of stunning bouquets. This presentation covers essential tips for selecting, growing, and harvesting cut flower varieties that thrive in our region, making it easy for anyone to cultivate beauty and abundance at home.
Nature Impressions Tile Workshop with Natalie Shelly
**$15 fee will be charged to cover the cost of materials.
Make your love of nature permanent during this fun hands-on clay workshop! Naturalist educator, Natalie Shelly, guides you through the design process by selecting natural items to arrange and impress into your clay tile. Participants are highly encouraged to bring a small collection of natural items (grasses, nuts, twigs) from their own garden to make the piece more meaningful.
Designing and planting screens to minimize wind, block views, provide privacy around living areas, define property lines, or create shelter for wildlife can be more than a wall of evergreen trees! Come see what creative choices you have in trees, shrubs, evergreens, and perennials that will fit into your landscape plan. We will explore the many sizes and varieties available that can be used to surround your private patio or that wide open space on the edge of your property. Join Jeff Vancil, owner of Hart’s Nursery to see how to surround yourself with nature.
Grow Your Own Cut Flowers with John Curtis
Join John Curtis of the Giving Gardens to learn how to transform a portion of your garden into a source of stunning bouquets. This presentation covers essential tips for selecting, growing, and harvesting cut flower varieties that thrive in our region, making it easy for anyone to cultivate beauty and abundance at home.
Nature Impressions Tile Workshop with Natalie Shelly
**$15 fee will be charged to cover the cost of materials.
Make your love of nature permanent during this fun hands-on clay workshop! Naturalist educator, Natalie Shelly, guides you through the design process by selecting natural items to arrange and impress into your clay tile. Participants are highly encouraged to bring a small collection of natural items (grasses, nuts, twigs) from their own garden to make the piece more meaningful.
SESSION TWO - 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
New Plants for the 2026 Growing Season with Jeff Johnson
Join the owner and Head Grower at Sunnyfield Greenhouse and Garden Center, Jeff Johnson, as he covers cultural information on new annuals, perennials, and nursery stock for the 2026 growing season.
Planting for Tomorrow: Improving Diversity in the Urban Forest with Emily Swihart
This session introduces the importance of species diversity in the urban forest and why it matters for long-term community resilience. Participants will learn how low-diversity plantings increase the risk of major losses from pests, diseases, and environmental stress. The program will share practical strategies for improving diversity—such as choosing a wider range of suitable species and avoiding over‑reliance on any one tree type. We’ll also highlight simple, meaningful ways that community members and volunteers can help, from supporting diverse planting efforts to monitoring and caring for local trees.
Nature Impressions Tile Workshop with Natalie Shelly
**$15 fee will be charged to cover the cost of materials.
Make your love of nature permanent during this fun hands-on clay workshop! Naturalist educator, Natalie Shelly, guides you through the design process by selecting natural items to arrange and impress into your clay tile. Participants are highly encouraged to bring a small collection of natural items (grasses, nuts, twigs) from their own garden to make the piece more meaningful.
LUNCH - 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Catered by The Old Dairy
Join the owner and Head Grower at Sunnyfield Greenhouse and Garden Center, Jeff Johnson, as he covers cultural information on new annuals, perennials, and nursery stock for the 2026 growing season.
Planting for Tomorrow: Improving Diversity in the Urban Forest with Emily Swihart
This session introduces the importance of species diversity in the urban forest and why it matters for long-term community resilience. Participants will learn how low-diversity plantings increase the risk of major losses from pests, diseases, and environmental stress. The program will share practical strategies for improving diversity—such as choosing a wider range of suitable species and avoiding over‑reliance on any one tree type. We’ll also highlight simple, meaningful ways that community members and volunteers can help, from supporting diverse planting efforts to monitoring and caring for local trees.
Nature Impressions Tile Workshop with Natalie Shelly
**$15 fee will be charged to cover the cost of materials.
Make your love of nature permanent during this fun hands-on clay workshop! Naturalist educator, Natalie Shelly, guides you through the design process by selecting natural items to arrange and impress into your clay tile. Participants are highly encouraged to bring a small collection of natural items (grasses, nuts, twigs) from their own garden to make the piece more meaningful.
LUNCH - 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Catered by The Old Dairy
SESSION THREE - 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Creative Containers with Eva Galbraith
Owner of Sweet Briar Corner Market, Eva Galbraith, will share the basics behind professional design techniques of container gardening. From top design techniques of container gardening. From top trends of Modern Meadows to a Nod of Nostalgia, we will cover the science behind the soil and care to create containers with Bold Foliage and Flowers with Power and Purpose, sure to make your garden containers the envy of the neighborhood.
Home is Where the Habitat It with Carey Boehm-Corrie
Join the owner of Boehm’s Garden Center as she explores how your landscape can be so much more than decoration! This presentation will walk through landscapes of the past, challenge a few common gardening “rules,” and show you how you can use native and well-adapted plants to create beautiful, inviting spaces with a purpose. A few small changes in our landscape can help support pollinators and their larva, clean our water, provide habitat, and establish a sense of place.
Stretches and Strengths for Gardeners with Dawn Piper
True story – one of Dawn’s dear Chair Yoga students came to her after finding herself unable to get up off the ground after gardening. So, she had to crawl all the way across the yard to a fence to pull herself up to stand. It was then that she decided she needed to get stronger. Fast forward – several years later she says it is the best thing she has ever done. Join Dawn’s Stretches and Strength for Gardeners to learn some easy and powerful techniques you can use to get stronger and feel better before, during, and after gardening.
Owner of Sweet Briar Corner Market, Eva Galbraith, will share the basics behind professional design techniques of container gardening. From top design techniques of container gardening. From top trends of Modern Meadows to a Nod of Nostalgia, we will cover the science behind the soil and care to create containers with Bold Foliage and Flowers with Power and Purpose, sure to make your garden containers the envy of the neighborhood.
Home is Where the Habitat It with Carey Boehm-Corrie
Join the owner of Boehm’s Garden Center as she explores how your landscape can be so much more than decoration! This presentation will walk through landscapes of the past, challenge a few common gardening “rules,” and show you how you can use native and well-adapted plants to create beautiful, inviting spaces with a purpose. A few small changes in our landscape can help support pollinators and their larva, clean our water, provide habitat, and establish a sense of place.
Stretches and Strengths for Gardeners with Dawn Piper
True story – one of Dawn’s dear Chair Yoga students came to her after finding herself unable to get up off the ground after gardening. So, she had to crawl all the way across the yard to a fence to pull herself up to stand. It was then that she decided she needed to get stronger. Fast forward – several years later she says it is the best thing she has ever done. Join Dawn’s Stretches and Strength for Gardeners to learn some easy and powerful techniques you can use to get stronger and feel better before, during, and after gardening.
SESSION FOUR - 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
PawPaws: Fun Facts and Growing Tips with Susan Moore
Discover the fascinating world of pawpaws. One of North America’s most unique, rare, and delicious native fruits! Join McDonough County Master Gardener, Susan Moore, as she explores the history, flavor, and nutritional benefits of this remarkable tree. Susan will share practical tips on selecting, growing, and caring for pawpaws so you can successfully incorporate our nation’s largest indigenous fruit into your own landscape.
Discover the fascinating world of pawpaws. One of North America’s most unique, rare, and delicious native fruits! Join McDonough County Master Gardener, Susan Moore, as she explores the history, flavor, and nutritional benefits of this remarkable tree. Susan will share practical tips on selecting, growing, and caring for pawpaws so you can successfully incorporate our nation’s largest indigenous fruit into your own landscape.
Landscaping for the Birds with Dan Moorehouse
Join local West Prairie Audubon Society chapter president, Dan Moorehouse, to learn how to transform your outdoor space into a thriving haven for local birds. Whether you have a large yard or a small patio, learn how to create a welcoming environment for both birds and the broader ecosystem.
Join local West Prairie Audubon Society chapter president, Dan Moorehouse, to learn how to transform your outdoor space into a thriving haven for local birds. Whether you have a large yard or a small patio, learn how to create a welcoming environment for both birds and the broader ecosystem.
Reclaiming Runaway Landscapes with Chris Enroth
Has your garden gone wild? Join Illinois Extension horticulture educator, Chris Enroth, as he shares practical methods for taking back your yard and offers guidance on where to start when your garden beds feel overwhelming. We’ll cover the use of mulch, design strategies, and effective weeding tools and techniques. Whether you’re ready to tame your backyard jungle or learn to embrace it, this class will give you the pep talk you need to take the next steps toward enjoying your landscape.
Has your garden gone wild? Join Illinois Extension horticulture educator, Chris Enroth, as he shares practical methods for taking back your yard and offers guidance on where to start when your garden beds feel overwhelming. We’ll cover the use of mulch, design strategies, and effective weeding tools and techniques. Whether you’re ready to tame your backyard jungle or learn to embrace it, this class will give you the pep talk you need to take the next steps toward enjoying your landscape.
AND DON'T FORGET TO VISIT OUR VENDORS DURING BREAK! *Please note that many vendors will only accept cash.
To register: choose your schedule, pick your lunch, let us know if you need accommodations, and select a payment option.
To register: choose your schedule, pick your lunch, let us know if you need accommodations, and select a payment option.