Calendar: Take steps to maintain your lawn

URBANA, Ill. — The online program Steps to Maintaining a Lawn will be 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. July 28.

Does a lawn really need to be fertilized four times a year? Is watering every day helping or hurting the lawn? And how much of that advice on social media is good advice?

This session, presented by Chris Enroth, Illinois Extension horticulture educator, breaks down research-based lawn care practices in plain language. Learn which steps truly matter, which ones are optional, and how to choose a level of lawn care that fits individual goals, budget, and time — whether the desire is a low-maintenance yard or a more polished look.

Dirt and Discovery

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ill. — Dirt and Discovery will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 27 at Hardin County School District, 4 School Road, Elizabethtown.

Illinois Extension staff and master gardener volunteers are offering an opportunity for local youth to engage in outdoor education and learn more about how to grow their own food. Through Dirt and Discovery, children will rediscover where their food comes from and learn more about the natural world around them.

Participants can take part in gardening tasks, including planting, weeding, harvesting and watering, and learn about garden science concepts, such as soils, composting, and insects.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/82wpkaw5.

Grass Identification

URBANA, Ill. — Grasses play a big role in natural ecosystems — from controlling soil erosion to supporting pollinators to providing food for livestock — but telling one from another isn’t always easy. Is that grass valuable for grazing animals or a nuisance plant?

Learn the basics of grass identification and how to identify more than 50 common prairie, woodland, and weedy grasses found in Illinois through three interactive online workshops from University of Illinois Extension.

• July 28, Basics of Grass Identification and Identification of Common Woodland Grasses: Explore the basics of what it takes to identify grasses, including terms and characteristics. This workshop will also cover woodland grasses.

• July 29, Identification of Common Prairie Grasses: Prairies are dominated by grasses. From sideoats grama to switchgrass, learn about the variety of grasses found in Midwestern prairies.

• July 30, Identification of Common Nuisance Grasses: Commonly found on roadsides and disturbed areas, it is important to be able to tell these nuisance grasses apart from more desirable species.

The free workshops will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants can attend one or all three workshops. The workshops will be recorded and made available on the Illinois Extension YouTube account for those unable to attend live.

Nature Journaling

LEWISTOWN, Ill. — Nature Journaling: Watercolor in Nature will be 9 to 11 a.m. July 29 at Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois Route 78/97, Lewistown.

Explore the use of watercolor in your nature journal. This session will focus on adding color and expressive detail to your observations using foundational watercolor techniques.

Participants will learn how to mix colors, use water effectively outdoors, and incorporate watercolor into an ongoing journaling practice.

Some materials, including watercolor paints and brushes, will be provided.

Monarch Discovery

FULTON, Ill. — Monarch Discovery will be 10 to 11 a.m. July 29 at Andresen Nature Center, 409 N. 4th St., Fulton.

The monarch butterfly is known for its long-distance migration to Mexico in the fall and its migration back to the U.S. and Canada in the spring. The round-trip distance can be more than 6,000 miles. Learn more about the monarch’s life cycle and its connections to milkweed plants and agriculture.

Air Fryer Cooking

PERU, Ill. — Air Fryer Cooking will be 1 to 2 p.m. July 29 at Peru Public Library, 1409 11th St., Peru.

Learn how to make the most of an air fryer. This class is open to both beginners and experienced cooks. Participants will learn how air fryers work, tips for choosing and using an air fryer, and which foods cook well using this cooking method. Participants will also prepare and taste roasted air fryer vegetables and receive healthy recipes and cooking tips to take home.

On-Farm Field Day

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — On-Farm Field Day will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 29 at Green Earth Harvest, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville.

Farm Manager Russ Cerocke and his farm crew will host a field tour to discuss their USDA Certified Organic practices at scale, high tunnel production, and new practices to consider for your operation.

Extension Educator Alexis R. Barnes will be on-site to discuss common specialty crop concerns with ongoing wet field conditions. This is a great opportunity for fellow farmers, homesteaders, gardeners, food pantries, or those looking to add or improve farm or garden practices.

A 60-acre specialty crop farm, Green Earth Harvest has a rich conservation history in the heart of suburbia and supplies 700 families through their CSA program and an additional 1,200 families through their farm-to-food pantry initiative.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/3nh5za5h. For questions, contact Extension Educator Alexis Barnes at arbarnes@illinois.edu or 630-584-6166.

Tour and U-Pick

BUNKER HILL, Ill. — Wildflower Farm Tour and U-Pick will be 9 to 10 a.m. July 30 at Wood Acres Farm & Flowers, 2398 Huette Road, Bunker Hill.

Children ages 10 and above will get an educational farm tour and then pick their own bouquet of wildflowers to take home.

Farmer Appreciation Luncheon

SALEM, Ind. — In honor of Washington County farmers, the USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Purdue Extension, and Soil and Water Conservation District are hosting a free Farmer Appreciation Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET July 30 at the USDA Service Center, 801 Anson St., Salem.

All farm families are encouraged to come and enjoy a lunch of hamburgers, lamb brats, hot dogs, and the fixings. An ice cream dessert is provided by Purdue Extension — Washington County. Reservations are encouraged but are not required by calling 812-883-3006, ext. 3.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5erm6c96.

Preserve Tomatoes

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — Preserve the Harvest: Tomatoes will be 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 30 at Christian County Extension, 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville.

Participants will learn safe, up-to-date methods for canning, freezing, and drying tomatoes; how to make and can fresh salsa; when to use water bath versus pressure canning; and simple ways to get the best results from freezing and dehydrating.

Participants will practice making and water bath canning a homemade chile salsa, and take home recipes.

Cost is $10. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yc3c6p2c.

Garden Photography

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Garden Textures Through the Camera Lens: Photography in Sarah’s Garden will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 30 at David Davis Mansion, 1000 Monroe Drive, Bloomington.

Discover the rich textures and striking patterns of the historic Sarah’s Garden at the David Davis Mansion. Participants will build skills in basic smartphone photography while exploring the beauty of the garden.

Ginger Showcase

NORMAL, Ill. — Unity Garden Vegetable Production, Cover Crops, and Fresh Ginger Showcase will be noon to 1 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. July 30 at Unity Community Center Garden, 632 Orlando Ave., Normal.

Participants will see and hear about fresh ginger cultivation and research initiatives, diverse summer cover crops use, best practices of vegetable production, and automated irrigation options and equipment for large home gardens and small farms.

Additionally, learn about the practices implemented at Unity Community Garden to produce food for the local community, reduce weed pressure, increase soil health, and produce more food with less space.

This program is ideal for intermediate-level gardeners, homesteaders, and backyard growers. There will be time at the end of the tour for questions for Unity Garden staff and Extension Educator Nick Frillman.

Tractor Ride

SALEM, Ind. — The fourth annual Tractor Ride will start at 9 a.m. ET Aug. 1 at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 118 Fair St., Salem.

Cost is $25 per tractor with all proceeds being donated to Washington County 4-H. Lunch is provided at the fairgrounds.

To RSVP, contact Todd Shields at 812-620-1049 or Steve Purlee at 812-620-2871. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2aebfvma.

Forest Foraging

SIMPSON, lll. — Get More from Your Forest: An Introduction to Foraging for Landowners will be 2 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Hwy. 145 N, Simpson.

Landowners and outdoor enthusiasts are welcome to come and learn about common edible and medicinal plants in southern Illinois forests.

The event will consist of a short guided walk and an indoor presentation. Take-home plant ID guide, recipe ideas, and light refreshments made from forest-foraged plants will be provided.

Nature Hike

ROUND LAKE PARK,Ill. — Cranberry Lake Trail Nature Hike will be 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at Avon Township Center, 433 E. Washington St., Round Lake Park.

Along with University of Illinois Extension master naturalists, participants will explore the plants and animals that call Cranberry Lake Trail at the Avon Township Center home. Investigate predator-prey relationships, discover the importance of keystone species, and take a closer look at the hidden clues that nature leaves behind.

This interactive hike encourages curiosity, exploration, and teamwork. This is perfect for youth who love to get outdoors, ask questions, and experience nature up close.

Bat-tastic Illinois

LACON, Ill. — Bat-tastic Illinois will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 3 at Lacon Public Library, 205 6th St., Lacon.

Participants will learn about the bat species found in Illinois, explore their unique life histories, and uncover the vital ecosystem services bats provide, like insect control. Also learn about the challenges bats face, including habitat loss and disease, and citizen science initiatives that support bat conservation efforts across the state.

Field Day

BUTLERVILLE, Ind. — The Edge Feathering and Edge of Field Field Day will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Aug. 11 at Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center, 4425 East 350 North, Butlerville.

This immersive field day combines in-field learning with expert instruction, focused on managing edges of fields. Participants will explore demonstration areas that highlight the intersection of agricultural fields and woodlots, and how management in these areas can benefit both crop production and wildlife. Lunch will be provided.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/musxmmwx.

Securing the Future

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The online program Securing the Future: Planning for Incapacity will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. ET Aug. 12.

Join the Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team for a free, live, virtual program series built to support farm families as they prepare for legal aspects of transition planning and create a smoother, more successful transition for the next generation.

Vegetable Field Day

VINCENNES, Ind. — Vegetable Field Day will be 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET Aug. 13 at Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, 4669 N. Purdue Road, Vincennes.

This free educational event will provide an opportunity to learn about the latest research and Extension programs that support Indiana’s vegetable industry. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with Purdue specialists, Extension educators, researchers, industry representatives, and fellow growers.

Renewable Energy

FISHERS, Ind. — Navigating Planning Practice and the Law for Utility-scale Renewable Energy Systems in Indiana. will be 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET Aug. 14 at Conner Prairie, Woodland Banquet 1, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers.

This program is designed for local government attorneys, planner staff, and other public officials seeking the tools and information needed to make well-informed decisions about regulating and permitting utility-scale renewable energy systems in Indiana. Drawing on both planning and legal expertise, the session provides practical discussion of zoning approaches, regulatory processes, and key legal considerations.

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to craft effective ordinances, evaluate decisions, and navigate complex policy and legal issues to support sound, defensible local decision-making.

Canning Tomatoes

GOSHEN, Ind. — The Tomato Boiling Water Bath Canning Workshop will be 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Aug. 15 at Silverwood Mennonite Church, 1745 W. Lincoln Ave., Goshen.

The $35 registration fee includes the full workshop, lunch, and a take-home product made during the class.

Pressure canner dial gauge testing will be available following the workshop; bring your gauge and lid. The cost is $5 per gauge.