BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Grow Your Own Bath Sponge will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 11 at Kankakee County Extension, 1650 Commerce Drive, Bourbonnais.

The luffa gourd is an easy-to-grow vining plant that produces mature fruit with an interesting purpose — it’s a bath sponge. Nancy Kuhajda, Extension horticulture educator, will demonstrate how to grow your own luffa sponges.

Each participant will receive a luffa seedling, luffa seeds, and educational materials on growing and using luffas and other plants for bath use.

The program will be repeated 6 to 7 p.m. May 12 at Grundy County Extension, 4004 N. Division St., Morris; and 6 to 7 p.m. May 14 at Will County Extension, 100 Manhattan Road, Joilet.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yt5j7srr.

Plant and Bake Sale

MARSHALL, Ill. — Plant and Bake Sale will be 8 to 11 a.m. May 2 at Clark County Extension, 15493 N. State Hwy 1, Marshall.

Seedlings, cuttings, and houseplants will be available, as well as baked goods. For more information, call Edgar County Extension at 217-465-8585 or visit https://tinyurl.com/43nwz3zz.

Plant Sale

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The Christian County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to noon May 2 at Christian County Extension, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Shop a wide variety of perennials, native plants, house plants, trees, and shrubs. Master gardeners will be available for consultations, so feel free to ask questions, especially about which plant would work best for your needs.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2dtvswsn.

Raised Beds

WEST SALEM, Ill. — Raised Bed Gardening Workshop will be 9 to 10 a.m. May 2 at West Salem Community Garden, 106 E. South St., West Salem.

Join Illinois Extension, Local Food Systems and Small Farms Educator Katie Bell, and Master Gardener Jessica Bare to learn more about starting a raised bed garden this spring. The workshop will cover topics such as planning and designing raised beds, soil and water needs, preparing garden beds for spring, and companion planting fruits and vegetables with flowers.

Register by calling 618-445-2934. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/3dwed44v.

Wildflower Hike

STREATOR, Ill. — Spring Wildflower Hike will be 2 to 4 p.m. May 3 at Sandy Ford Land & Water Reserve, 1399 N 18th Rd #1375, Streator.

Spring ephemeral wildflowers can only be viewed for a brief period of time, between the ground thawing and the forest canopy leafing out. Master naturalist volunteers will guide participants to search for these rare springtime blooms.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/yej8vb8w.

Landscape Design

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — The program Business in Front, Party in the Back — Designing a Native Landscape Your Neighbors Will Appreciate will be 7 to 8 p.m. May 5 at Lake County Extension, 100 S. Route 45, Grayslake.

Even the most thoughtfully designed native landscape can sometimes be misunderstood or even viewed as problematic by neighbors or local municipalities. What begins as an effort to support biodiversity, conserve water, and celebrate regional ecology may unintentionally clash with community expectations or aesthetic norms.

This presentation explores practical strategies for creating front yard and backyard native landscapes that are both ecologically rich and socially harmonious. Attendees will learn how to balance naturalistic design with neighborhood-friendly structure, discover plant selections that offer beauty without appearing “untended,” and gain techniques for communicating the value of native landscaping to even the most skeptical passerby.

Whether you’re looking to refine an existing native garden or starting fresh with a design that blends ecological function and curb appeal, this session will provide inspiration, guidance, and actionable ideas to help your landscape thrive — while keeping the peace with those around you.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/mu7b5ex9.

Landscape Trees

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Trees in Your Landscape: Functions and Benefits will be 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. May 7 at Jo Daviess County Extension, 204 N. Vine St., Elizabeth.

Are you looking to plant more trees on your property or replace trees that have died over the years? Learn about using trees for shade, windbreaks, helping with energy efficiency, and using them to help protect your home.

Cost is $5. Register by calling 815-858-2273 or visit https://tinyurl.com/5y59cwft.

Udderly Tasty

LIGONIER, Ind. — Udderly Tasty Creations will be the topic of the Livestock Skills Series, 6 to 8 p.m. ET May 7 at Ligonier Public Library, 300 S. Main St., Ligonier.

Learn how to make yogurt and other products using milk from your livestock.

Cost is $15 and dinner is included. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4cab5w5a. For questions, contact Kathryn Jennings at 574-533-0554 or jennin30@purdue.edu.

Pasture Walk

STOCKTON, Ill. — Pasture Walk will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 7 at Rolling Oaks Farm, 7448 US Highway 20 E, Stockton.

Spring is a great time to assess pastures to observe how they recovered from fall and winter conditions and to identify areas in need of improvement. Walking pastures can help producers to identify bare patches, weeds and desirable forage, and guide in-season management decisions.

Extension Livestock Specialist Teresa Steckler will guide participants on a pasture walk and facilitate discussions on weed management, rotational grazing, and pasture renovation and establishment.

Register for this free event at https://tinyurl.com/2axbypyh.

Plant Sale

PEORIA, Ill. — The Peoria County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be 8 a.m. to noon May 9 at Metro Centre, 4700 N University St., Peoria.

Locally grown plants will include native plants, perennials, annuals, pollinator-friendly plants, vegetable transplants and herbs.

All sales support education and local community projects. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4fma2wbj.

Plant Sale

DANVILLE, Ill. — The Vermilion County Master Gardeners Plant Sale will be 8 a.m. to noon May 9 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. Volunteers will be available to help load plants into your car.

Admission and parking are free. Visit https://tinyurl.com/jtwukwsf.

Plant Sale

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

There will be a variety of vegetable garden plants, including tomatoes, peppers and herbs. Additionally, there will be a limited supply of 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/awjywxy9.

Tree Workshop

PONTIAC, Ill. — Community Tree Planting Workshop will be 9 a.m. to noon May 9 at 1315 Indian Drive, Pontiac.

Gain hands‑on experience planting a tree correctly, and learn how to prune trees properly. All necessary supplies will be provided, including gloves, safety glasses and shovels.

For questions, contact Justin Vozzo, Extension forestry specialist, at vozzo2@illinois.edu. Visit https://tinyurl.com/yy2jwn3b.

Flower Walk

GENOA, Ill. — Flower Walk will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9 at Natural Resource Education Center , Russell Woods Forest Preserve, 11750 State Route 72, Genoa.

Local botany enthusiasts Karen Matz and Brian Hale will lead the walk and talk about forest plants and what is blooming.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2be2j4m6.

Small Fruit

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The Small Fruit Program will be 2 to 5 p.m. ET May 11 at Blueberry Ranch, 54743 Buckeye Road, Mishawaka.

The in-field program will focus on small fruit production and Private Applicator Recertification Program credit. Topics include:

• Getting Started in Small Fruits for Big Benefits, Nikki Witkowski, ANR educator, Purdue Extension Porter County.

• What’s Going On in My Field: Blueberry Scouting In-Season, Cheyenne Sloan, blueberry and small fruit educator, Michigan State University Extension.

• Indiana PARP Regulatory Topic, Mark Evans, ANR educator, Purdue Extension Elkhart County.

Cost is $10. To register, call Purdue Extension Elkhart County at 574-533-0554 or email elkhartces@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/wda9yvun.

Habitat at Home

CERRO GORDO, Ill. — Habitat at Home, a Garden Workshop Series with DeWitt and Piatt county master gardeners, will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 11 at Hope Welty Public Library, 100 Madison St., Cerro Gordo.

Learn about the ruby-throated hummingbird, its preferred habitats, the plants and flowers it relies on, and helpful tips for feeding and attracting these vibrant birds.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/msc9jj38.

UAV Training

WANATAH, Ind. — Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology Program will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT May 12 and May 13 at Pinney Purdue Ag Center, 11402 S. County Line Road, Wanatah.

Get hands-on training to prepare for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification.

In this two-day course, participants will learn about FAA Part 107 test prep, flight instruction and practice flights, flight planning and recordkeeping, data management, sensors and AI in UAVs, and emergency preparedness.

Cost is $200. Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yupdu6bn. For questions, call 219-465-3555 lor email nikky@purdue.edu.

Internet Safety

PORTAGE, Ind. — Digital Skills Lessons: Internet Safety for Kids will be noon to 1 p.m. CT May 12 at NEO, 5201 US-6, Portage.

Normal safeguards and security practices may not be efficient in keeping kids safe while using the internet. However, there are tips and advice that parents and caregivers can benefit from to prevent children from experiencing those dangers while online. This workshop will teach participants the basics of internet safety for kids.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n7zmyff or email jnisevich@optionsined.org.

New Vegetables

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Veggie Visions: Unveiling New Flavors in 2026 will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. May 12.

Embark on a culinary adventure with the exciting lineup of new vegetables unveiled for the 2026 season.

Bruce Black, Extension horticulture educator, will discuss the unique characteristics, growing tips, and uses for the new lineup of vegetables for 2026.

Register for this Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series program by visiting https://tinyurl.com/2n7rvfp7.

Sheep, Goat Breeding

GOSHEN, Ind. — Sheep and Goat Breeding will be 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET and 5 to 6:30 p.m. ET May 12 at Elkhart County Extension, 17746 County Road 34, Goshen.

Learn about sheep and goat reproductive cycles, synchronization protocols, controlled internal drug release (CIDR) use for out-of-season or shortened lambing/kidding seasons, and alternative breeding options for your herd or flock.

Cost is $10. Register by calling Kathryn Jennings at 574-533-0554 or email jennin30@purdue.edu. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4e892xs6.

Amazing Annuals

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — The online program Amazing Annuals will be 6 to 7 p.m. May 13.

Learn about the wide array of annuals available for your containers and gardens. Learn how to create beautiful combinations of color, texture and form to add a long season of bloom. Change your color scheme and approach each year to keep your outdoor spaces fresh and fun.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/yr35xajf.

Garden Basics

SALEM, Ill. — Garden Basics Workshop will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 14 at Salem Community Gardens, 401 Elm St., Salem.

Participants learn essential skills such as soil preparation, planting, watering, plant care, weeding, and insect identification.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/4xsx4tr9.

Terrific Tomatoes

ELIZABETH, Ill. — Terrific Tomatoes will be 1:30 to 3 p.m. May 14 at Jo Daviess County Extension, 204 Vine St., Elizabeth.

This practical, grower‑friendly program is focused on helping you succeed with tomatoes — from choosing the right varieties to managing pests, diseases, and environmental challenges throughout the season. Whether you’re new to tomato growing or looking to improve your harvest, this session will give you the essential tools to grow healthier plants and produce high‑quality fruit.

Cost is $5. Register by calling 815-858-2273 or visit https://tinyurl.com/4x7mazbj.