Spring Series of Horticulture

• TWO PRESENTATIONS per evening!
• The cost is $10 per evening, or $25 for all 3 evenings. 
• Dates: Mondays April 8, 15 and 22, 6 - 8 pm
• Sessions run from 6 to 8pm, with doors opening at 5:30. Each session is 45 min allowing for 15 min between for Q & A and the provided snacks

•  Birds of Prey Amazing eyesight, sharp talons and a keen sense of flight allow birds of prey to the ultimate hunters from the sky. Active during different times of day require different adaptations to be successful and thrive in Iowa. We will take a closer look at the variety of raptors that live in Iowa including two live raptors. Presented by Jill Schmidt, Environmental Education Coordinator, Clinton County Conservation Board.
•  Is Your Tree Normal If your tree is “normal” it was planted improperly, and has endured years of loving neglect, with brief interruptions of well-intentioned abuse.  What now? This talk explores the challenges often associated with the “normal” trees we are tasked with working on. We often plant a tree improperly then ignore its structural needs. When this dysfunctional tree conflicts with our world we cut off the part that we can reach. When this neglected and abused tree fails we blame lightning or ants. Knowing just a little about how trees grow and deal with injury/decay should make a huge difference in how we prune them. Presented by Scott Carlson, Lead Instructor and Lead Consultant for Iowa Arborist Consulting.  

• Oh Baby, Watch Me Grow! Spring nurseries brim with a myriad of plants. Have you ever wondered how so many can be produced each season? Explore the 3 most common propagation methods used by industry professionals, as well as some not so common methods. Discover which plants can not be propagated by the home gardener. Then learn what to do with your new “plants babies” once you have them growing. Presented by Cindy Descamps, Owner of Seeds and Stems Homegrown.
• The Rusty Patched Bumblebee: Quad Cities Contributions to Recovery The federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee, listed in 2017, has been regularly sighted in the Quad Cities area. This provides a unique opportunity for the local US Fish and Wildlife Service office to study the species' behavior and community support for pollinator conservation. Over the past three years, USFWS biologists, in collaboration with local partners, conducted surveys, revealing insights into foraging patterns and leading to new detections. This presentation will highlight Quad Cities-specific findings and ongoing conservation efforts. Presented by Lauren Larson, Wildlife Biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service Illinois-Iowa Field Office. 

• Homegrown bouquets: Growing a cut flower garden Discover the joy of homegrown bouquets. During this session you will learn how to cultivate a beautiful cut flower garden and leave knowing how to select, plant, and care for species that combine to make a stunning bouquet. Presented by Emily Swihart, Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension. 
• New Plants: Trying Them, Introducing Them, and Mixing with Our Favorites Every year, shiny new catalogs show us the new plants that will be available for the next season. How do you choose what to try? How do you share these new plants with others? And where do they intersect with plants we already love? From bedding plants to garden plants, we’ll chat about how new offerings can spice up landscapes AND dinner plates! Presented by Shanna Schneiter, Greenhouse Owner and Grower.