Calendar: Pining for evergreens

The online program Pining for Evergreens will be at 2 p.m. CST Dec. 8. Sarah Vogel, Extension horticulture educator, will discuss species selection, year-round care, site requirements, and pruning practices for evergreens. Monticello High School horticulture students will close the webinar with a demonstration on making evergreen wreaths.

Wreath-making class

DANVILLE, Ill. — The Vermilion County master gardeners will hold their seasonal Make a Holiday Wreath class at 6 p.m. CST Dec. 7 at International Greenhouse Megastore, 70 Eastgate Drive, Danville. Master Gardeners Mary Stonecipher and Pat Sollars will demonstrate how to create a wreath made of various evergreens. Attendees will follow instructions and make their own wreath to take home. The $15 fee includes a metal wreath ring, floral wire, pine cones and a variety of fresh evergreens.

Bring ribbon and decorations to add your own personal style. You may also wish to bring hand pruners to trim greens and garden gloves to protect your hands.

Economics of soil health

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Join the University of Illinois Extension and Jo Daviess Soil and Water Health Coalition for the program The Economics of Soil Health from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST Dec. 8 at the Elizabeth Community Building, 402 West St., Elizabeth. The event will feature Extension specialists and experienced producers discussing the costs and benefits of regenerative agriculture.

Holiday wreath workshop

HILLSBORO, Ill. — A holiday wreath workshop will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Montgomery County Extension office, #1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro. Get into the holiday spirit and use nature’s bounty to build a beautiful wreath. Natural materials such as fresh evergreens, foliage, pine cones, berries and more will be provided.

Cost is $15. Register at tinyurl.com/mfe84vxn.

Understanding the wintry mix

Winter brings snow, sleet, freezing rain, and the dreaded polar vortex. Extension educator Duane Friend will discuss the causes and differences between snow, sleet, and freezing rain, as well as other winter phenomenon, including Alberta Clippers, Pacific air, and the polar vortex. He’ll review trends in winter weather for the last 50 years and what we expected for the future, including winter weather preparedness.

The online program will be at 1 p.m. CST Dec. 9. Register at tinyurl.com/3pn9pa4w.

Holiday greenery workshop

FAIRFIELD, Ill. — The Holiday Greenery Workshop will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Fairfield High School, 300 W. King St., Fairfield. Cost is $25 Register for this youth program by visiting tinyurl.com/mtwc63xm.

Lawrence County holiday workshop

SUMNER, Ill. — Get in the holiday spirit and join the fun of crafting and cooking some holiday goodness from 10 a.m. to noon CST Dec. 11 at the Lawrence County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1100N, Sumner. Make a gift to give someone else or keep it for yourself. Open to 4-H members and nonmembers of all ages. Register at tinyurl.com/2p96pdev.

Horticulture for the Holidays workshop

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Gather your friends for a morning of holiday fun and decorating as University of Illinois Extension master gardeners in Winnebago County host their annual Horticulture for the Holidays workshop from 9 a.m. to noon CST Dec. 11 at Lockwood Park in the Cookhouse, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford. Participants will complete two make-and-take projects that demonstrate how to incorporate natural elements, such as pine cones, evergreens and vines (which are often found in your backyard), into seasonal celebrations and gifts for giving.

This year you will create a mason jar oil candle and a centerpiece wreath, each of which will make beautiful standalone items to give or keep, but they also pair well together for a holiday display for your dining table. The mason jar oil candle is a combination of pine cones, evergreen sprigs, cinnamon sticks and essential oils — perfect for illuminating your home during the dark and cold winter months. With the centerpiece wreath, Winnebago County master gardeners are going to show you how to dispel the myth that wreaths should only be hung on doors. You’ll create a stunning centerpiece by using a grapevine wreath and adding fresh evergreens along with festive accessories like ribbon, pine cones, and berries.

The program fee of $25 includes all workshop materials. For more information or to register, visit go.illinois.edu/jsw or call the Winnebago County Extension office at 815-986-4357.