Calendar: Program introduces children to wonders of gardening

SALEM, Ill. — Do you have a child who loves plants or is interested in gardening?

The nine-week Junior Master Gardener class kicks off 4:30 to 6 p.m. May 13 at the Marion County Extension office, 1404 E Main Rte 50 East, Salem.

The Junior Master Gardener program is a hands-on experience that introduces children to the wonders of gardening and environmental stewardship. Designed to inspire a love for nature, this program helps young learners develop essential skills in gardening, plant science and sustainability.

Register for this free program at https://tinyurl.com/y9n4sp4k.

Raised beds

OTTAWA, Ill. — Vegetable Gardening in Raised Beds and Containers will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 8 at Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal St., Ottawa.

Don’t have usable space in the ground to grow your vegetables? Learn how to use above-ground growing systems for safe and fruitful production of your favorite backyard vegetables. Methods to increase production by maximizing your space, recommended soil and fertilizer practices and construction material options will be reviewed.

Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/5cpxarm6.

Herb Magic

WELDON, Ill. — Windowsill Wonders: Herb Magic will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 9 at Weldon Library, 505 Maple St., Weldon.

Learn how to grow, cut, dry and cook with fresh herbs from your own windowsill. Participants will plant rosemary, basil and dill to take home.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdfmrmn2.

Plant Sale

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Botanical Conservatory Mother’s Day Plant Sale will be 1 to 7 p.m. ET May 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 at the McMillen Park Community Center, 3901 Abbott St., Fort Wayne.

The sale will feature over 700 plant varieties, including herbs, annuals, perennials, sun and shade plants, bonsai, hybrid and heirloom vegetables, patio containers, hanging baskets, and Indiana natives. Also available will be potting soil and compost worms.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5ff9rkc6.

Plant Sale

PEORIA, Ill. — The Extension master gardeners of Peoria County are hosting a plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 10 at the Peoria Metro Centre, 4700 N. University St., Peoria.

The sale will feature a wide selection of plants that are prepared to reduce the chance of spreading invasive species and pests.

Available plants include natives, perennials. annuals, pollinators, vegetable transplants and herbs. All sales support education and local community projects.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3uxatn8f.

Plant Sale

SALEM, Ind. — Good Earth Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale will be 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET May 10 during the Washington County Farmers Market at the Washington County Justice Center, 801 S. Jackson St., Salem.

The sale will include annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetable plants and planters.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/m6attdud.

Plant Sale

MATTOON, Ill. — The Master Gardener Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to noon May 10 at Lytle Park, 3298 Cedar Ave., Mattoon.

Featured will be a variety of vegetable garden plants, including tomatoes, peppers and herbs. Additionally, there will be pollinator-friendly plants and houseplants, gardening gloves, garden décor and gently used gardening items available for purchase.

Master gardeners will be available throughout the morning to answer your gardening questions and give you suggestions for planting, pruning and landscaping.

For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/fx767yb5.

Container Fruits

DIXON, Ill. — Big Flavors in Small Spaces: Container Grown Fruits will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. May 10 at Sauk Valley Community College, Riverview Conference Room 1H16, 173 IL-2, Dixon.

Lacking a large landscape, yet love homegrown fruits? Extension Horticulture Educator Bruce J. Black will discuss how darwf cultivars of blueberries, strawberries, brambles (raspberries and blackberries) and even apple trees can be planted on your patio or small outdoor area to provide those big, fresh fruit flavors in small spaces.

Cost is $20 and supplies are included. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ctscmt8h.

Wellness Walk

MAYWOOD, Ill. — The Spring Wellness Walk will be 10 a.m. to noon May 10 at Thatcher Woods, 8030 Chicago Ave., Maywood.

Immerse yourself and reconnect with nature and all the beauty it has to offer. Relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices will be led during these slow and leisurely walks that can lead to improved mental and physical health. A beautiful tea ceremony will be conducted after the walk.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/mr384c4n.

Cork Class

BENTON, Ill. — The program Why Cork Matters will be 2:30 to 3 p.m. May 12 at Benton Public Library, 502 S. Main St., Benton.

Cork production is considered a sustainable industry because only part of the tree is collected, leaving the specimen to live and grow. Explore the sustainable cork harvest of cork oak trees with Master Gardener Pamela Appleton.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/yvx5z948.

Gardening with Wildlife

Gardening with Wildlife will be 1:30 to 3 p.m. May 13 at the Jo Daviess County Extension office, 204 N. Vine St., Elizabeth.

Do you enjoy watching nature outside your window? Deer, squirrels, rabbits and other four-legged visitors to your garden can be entertaining but also very destructive. Learn what you can do to enjoy wildlife without the destruction to your garden.

Cost is $5. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4c7kmsje.

Cooking with Herbs

BRIGHTON, Ill. — Cooking with Herbs will be 2 to 3 p.m. May 13 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

Participants will explore the three categories of aromatic seasonings: spices, herbs and seeds. Learn to enhance your dishes with the perfect balance of fresh and dried herbs while mastering tips for selection, preparation and storage.

Register by calling Brighton Memorial Library at 618-372-8450 or sign up at the library’s front desk. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ye267zbu.

Tree ID Walk

CHARLESTON, Ill. — The Tree ID Walk will be 3 to 4:30 p.m. May 13 at the Eastern Illinois University campus in Charleston.

Join Master Naturalist and retired EIU botany professor Nancy Coutant for a leisurely tour around EIU’s campus to view and learn about some of the campus’ unique and common trees and shrubs. The tour will include the 130+-year-old bald cypress grove, the weeping European beech, Harry Lauder’s walking stick shrub, the dawn redwoods (living fossils), and many more interesting trees and shrubs.

The tour will begin at the south end of Booth Library by the clock tower, 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston.

Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/49ucd7ku.

Jams and Jellies

SPENCER, Ind. — The Preserve it Now, Enjoy it Later Jams and Jellies Workshop will be noon to 4 p.m. ET May 14 at at Spencer United Methodist Church, 65 N. Montgomery St., Spencer.

This workshop will focus on the boiling water bath technique and the science of making jams and jellies. Participants will take home samples of the item canned during the workshop.

Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/5bd6euna or call 812-829-5020.

Tree Health

CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. — Tree Health Assessment will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 14 at Cherry Valley Public Library, 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley.

Tree health can be challenging to determine, but routinely checking your tree may help you notice problems as they appear.

Boone County Master Gardener intern Tenley Erickson-Ranum will discuss the most common issues that cause tree decline in the landscape and how to identify them.

Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/3hafytvf or call the library at 815-332-5161.

Trees and Shrubs

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — Choosing Native Trees and Shrubs will be 2 to 3 p.m. May 14 at Carlinville Public Library, 510 N. Broad St., Carlinville.

Explore the invaluable role native trees and shrubs play in fostering a thriving ecosystem for insects and wildlife in local habitats. Gain insights into the distinctive qualities on native woody plants and uncover the aesthetic appeal that desirable trees and shrubs can bring into the diversity of your landscape.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/4nr8rs5h.

Honey and Health

OREGON, Ill. — The program Honey and Health: Nature’s Sweet Treat will be 10 to 11 a.m. May 15 at the Oregon Public Library, 300 Jefferson St., Oregon.

Honey is nature’s perfect gift, produced from the nectar of flowers. There are 320 varieties of honey, which vary in color, odor, and flavor depending on local flowers. The popularity of honey has continued to grow over the past decade due in part to its nutritional and therapeutic uses. Learn the basics of honey and its nutritional and therapeutic uses and receive delicious recipes to try at home.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4kzvk3bb.

Program viewings also will be available at the Cissna Park Community Library, 511 N. 2nd St., Cissna Park, https://tinyurl.com/bdf2n9mx; and Rantoul Public Library, 106 W. Flessner Ave., Rantoul, https://tinyurl.com/4txwwmc2.

Plant Sale

DANVILLE, Ill. — The Vermilion County Master Gardeners Plant Sale will be 8 a.m. to noon May 17 at First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Franklin St., Danville.

There will be a wide selection of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, houseplants and pollinator-friendly plants. Many of the plants were started from seed by master gardeners.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/7c5bkppd.

Plant Sale

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — The Lake County Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 at the Lake County Extension office, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

The plant sale features a selection of nursery-grown plant varieties not readily available at traditional garden centers — natives, new cultivars of perennials, grasses and pollinator-friendly plants. There also will be a variety of home-grown vegetables and herbs, and the always popular “Garden Treasures.” Shop for new and gently used items to enhance your landscape and home, including yard art, garden tools, decorative containers, and gardening books.

The Plant Sale is the Extension’s primary fundraising event of the year. All proceeds support projects and programming for volunteers, youth and adults. For more information, call 847-223-8627 or visit https://tinyurl.com/4xbpbfm4.

Livestock Show

MARION, Ill. — The Jackson and Williamson County 4-H Livestock Show will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 at the Williamson County Fairgrounds, 101 N. Fair St., Marion.

Scheduled events are Swine Show at 8 a.m., Sheep Show at 9 a.m., Goats Show at 9:30 a.m. and Beef Show at 1 p.m.

Those participating must be registered 4-H youth enrolled in the appropriate fair project areas. Guidelines and policies can be found in the Jackson County 4-H Handbook or Williamson County 4-H Handbook.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3njb8u6w.

Plant Sales

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Master Gardener Plant Sales will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET May 17 and June 14 at the Allen County Extension office, 4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne.

Shop a variety of locally grown plants, including natives, hostas, succulents, houseplants, shrubs, herbs and vegetables. Get expert advice from master gardeners who will be on hand to answer your plant questions.

Also on June 14, get inspiration for your garden by participating in a garden walk in the Master Gardener Display Gardens at the Extension office.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yem82kdx.