Calendar: Planting fall crops

DECATUR, Ill. — Homegrown Harvest: Planting Fall Crops will be 9 to 10 a.m. July 24 at Southside Hill Community Garden, 826 E. Lawrence St., Decatur.

Discover how to extend the growing season by planting cool-season crops.

Homegrown Harvest is a series of family-friendly workshops designed to support vegetable gardeners of all skill levels.

Sourdough Basics

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Sourdough Basics and Fermentation Workshop will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT July 20 at Lake County Extension, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

Unlock the secret of naturally fermented bread with this beginner-friendly workshop. Participants will learn: The science of sourdough fermentation; how to make your own starter from scratch; the health benefits of natural fermentation; and sourdough baking basics and tasting.

Sensory Gardens

LITCHFIELD, Ill. — Sensory Gardens will be the topic of the Gardening for Well-Being Series, 11 a.m. to noon July 21 at St. Francis Way Clinic, 805 St. Francis Way, Litchfield.

Learn how to select plants that invite soothing sensory interaction and how to design small sensory moments in a garden or container. Participants will build a “sensory plan” they can use at home, at a facility, or in community spaces. Participants leave with ideas that support inclusive engagement and emotional well‑being.

Nature Journaling will be the topic of the series on July 28. This hands-on session combines plant-based observation with easy journaling prompts to explore how plants can help regulate stress and strengthen attention — no art skills needed. Participants will leave with a journaling template theyr can use at home, at work, or outdoors. Participants gain a repeatable tool for calming the nervous system, improving focus, and deepening their connection to everyday nature.

Organic, Local, Natural

BRIGHTON, Ill. — Organic, Local, Natural: What It Is and What It Isn’t will be 1 to 2 p.m. July 21 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

Ever wondered if organic is really worth the price? Or what “natural” actually means? This fun, eye-opening class cuts through the confusion and helps you shop smarter. Learn the secrets behind food labels, find out what “local” really means and why it matters and get practical tips to make informed choices without breaking the bank.

Tiny Pests, Small Spaces

CHICAGO — Tiny Pests, Small Spaces will be 6 to 8 p.m. July 21 at Windy City Harvest’s Legends Incubator Farm, 4431 S. Federal St., Chicago.

Kacie Athey, University of Illinois assistant professor and Extension specialist, will present research on Swede midge and integrated pest management methods for brassica crops.

Canning Class

OGDEN, Ill. — A canning class will be 6 to 7 p.m. July 21 at Ogden Rose Public Library, 103 W Main St., Ogden.

Extension Food and Nutrition Educator Rachel Mannen will discuss safe canning basics, how to preserve seasonal produce, and tips for making pickles.

Bloom and Buzz

DANVILLE, Ill. — Bloom and Buzz: A Native Plant Experience will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 21 at the Danville Public Library Native Garden, 319 N. Vermilion St., Danville.

Discussed will be design principles for creating attractive, sustainable gardens using plants native to central Illinois. Participants will receive a garden map to use for notes and plant inspiration throughout the tour. With many of the prairie plants at their seasonal peak, attendees can expect to see mature plantings and an abundance of summer blooms.

Understanding GLP-1

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Understanding GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medications: Clinical and Societal Impacts will be noon to 1 p.m. July 22.

GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic are transforming how we approach weight loss. This session examines potential side effects, emerging questions about long-term use, and how these drugs affect the body during and after treatment. The discussion also explores broader issues, including access, affordability, and shifting cultural perspectives on weight and health.

Ewing Field Day

EWING, Ill. — Ewing Agronomy Field Day will be 9 a.m. to noon July 23 at Ewing Demonstration Center, 6132 N. Ewing Road, Ewing.

The event will feature various educators and campus faculty as they provide best management practices for local growers. Topics will include: Disease updates and fungicide returns on investment; Supporting better phosphorus and potassium decisions with local data; Biologicals and biostimulants for row crops, what we know today and what we see for tomorrow; and Exploring cover crop systems and strategies.

Ewing Demonstration Center has served the agricultural community of southern Illinois since 1910. Research at the center includes various trials for corn, soybeans, sorghum, wheat, and cover crops. The center has featured no-till research and demonstration plots for more than 50 years, as it offers representative growing conditions for southern Illinois.

Garden Party

MONTICELLO, Ill. — The 10th Anniversary Monticello Community Garden Celebration will be 4 to 6 p.m. July 23 at Monticello Area Community Garden, Kirby Medical Supply, 1000 Medical Center Drive, Monticello.

Participants will explore the garden with guided tours led by master gardeners and get expert gardening advice at the master gardener help desk.

Hands-on, family-friendly activities will include creating mini cut flower bouquets, planting herbs to take home and grow, and a kids’ pollinator scavenger hunt. There will be free seeds and giveaways while supplies last.

Garden Within

TOULON, Ill. — Growing the Garden Within: Nourishing Your Gut for Better Health will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 23 at Toulon Public Library, 617 E. Jefferson St., Toulon.

Just like a thriving garden needs the right soil, sunlight and care, your gut depends on balance, nourishment, and variety to flourish. Illinois Extension Food and Nutrition Educator Kristin Bogdonas will discuss how to “feed” your gut microbiome through foods rich in fiber, fermented favorites, and plant diversity. Get practical tips that support digestion, immunity, and overall wellness.

4-H BBQ

FLORA, Ill. — The 33rd annual Clay County 4-H BBQ will be 4 to 7 p.m. July 24 at Clay County Fairgrounds, 104 Golf Course Road, Flora.

Meal options include a Salt & Strings Pork Chop Dinner for $12, which includes pork chop, green beans, cheesy potatoes, homemade dessert and beverage; and Hot Dog Dinner for $5, which includes hot dog, chips, homemade dessert and beverage

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Clay County Extension, 210 S. Church St., Louisville, or at the fairgrounds on the day of the event.

For more information, call 618-662-3124 or visit https://tinyurl.com/3xvecjnz.

Garden Tour

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A garden tour of the Deerfield Area Historic Village Gardens will be 10 to 11 a.m. July 24 at Deerfield Area Historic Society, 450 Kipling Place, Deerfield.

In partnership with the Deerfield Area Historical Society, Lake County Extension master gardeners have helped to establish and maintain multiple gardens in and around the Deerfield Area Historic Village’s five historic buildings, which date from the mid-1830s and include the oldest log house in Lake County. Vegetable and native plant gardens are supplemented by a small orchard that features three semi-dwarf heirloom apple trees. Potato barrels and native black currant shrubs are also featured.

Organic Field Day

NAPPANEE, Ind. — Northern Indiana Organic Field Day will be 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET Aug. 5 at IMS Dairy, 68846 County Road 11, Nappanee.

Topics will include organic management and weed control in grains for dairy feeding, cow/calf health, and a pasture walk. Lunch included and registration is free.

Water Bath Canning

BLUFFTON, Ind. — Boiling Water Bath Canning Workshop will be 5 to 8 p.m. ET Aug. 6 at Wells County Community Center, 1240 4-H Park Road, Bluffton.

Learn the basics of boiling water bath canning in this hands-on workshop. Participants will prepare and process a recipe to take home.

Cost is $30. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ya77f9ft.