‘Nursey College Classes in Gardening’ symposium at Vibrant Area is Feb. 11

MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) – The University of Illinois Extension will hold its 24th preschool gardening class on Saturday, February 11 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vibrant Arena at Mark, 1201 River Drive, Moline.

Tracy Jo Mulliken, Program Coordinator, Horticulture and Agriculture, University of Illinois Extension, invites viewers to gain inspiration and expand their horticultural knowledge at the Quad Cities’ inaugural Garden Symposium.

Horticulture experts will lead workshops and share tips, hints, ideas and information that everyone can use – from the novice to the most experienced gardener.

This year’s event begins with a keynote address by renowned prairie ecologist and author Neil Diboll, President of Prairie Nursery, Inc. Westfield, Wisconsin. He will be speaking on prairie plants for urban and suburban gardens in the first session, starting at 8:45 am

After the keynote, the participants choose three more sessions from nine different topics. Classes were organized by track theme: decorative, edible, and natural. People can all pick or pick and choose one track – it’s up to each contestant.

Registration includes morning coffee and rolls, the keynote session, lunch, three additional classes, and access to the Sellers Area, which features a variety of vendors and agencies selling a variety of garden-inspired gifts, crafts, plants, and resources.

Advance registration is required (walk-in is not available) and costs $70. Registration ends on February 5th. Register at https://go.illinois.edu/NurserySchool2023 or call the University of Illinois Extension at (309) 756-9978 for more information.

Here are the speakers and topics to choose from from each session. Note: Class sizes are limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Session 1 from 10-11am (choose one):

• (Ornamental) The Latest and Maybe the Biggest: What’s Trending in 2023, with Kate Terrell, President of Wallace’s Garden Center. Join Kate to preview the new trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals awaiting your Midwest backyard.
• (Edible) Boost from Blueberries – Past, Present and Future with Carol Longley, Illinois Extension Master Gardener, retired WIU faculty consultant and nutritionist. Native to North America, blueberries can be grown and enjoyed by home gardeners. Learn about their history and how best to plan, plant, grow, care for, and harvest the most delicious, high-quality blueberries. Carol will be talking about the new strains and sharing her favorite recipe ideas for your homegrown blueberries.
• (Nature) Sunflowers: Superheroes with Emily Swihart, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator. For gardeners, sunflowers are known for their beauty, but they’re not just another pretty face. Explore the impact of sunflowers on the global food market and their potential to help contaminated soils recover from industrial use. After participating in this program, you’ll appreciate those bright summer blooms more and be excited to incorporate some of the new strains into your grow space.

Session 2: 11:15am-12:15pm (choose one):

• (Ornamental) Slow Flowers: Grow Your Own Cut Flowers with Candice Anderson, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Specialist. The focus is on buying groceries locally, but why not flowers too? Join Candice to learn how to grow a variety of cut flowers in your home garden, the benefits of cut flowers, and how to care for them so they last. She will also discuss her all time favorite flowers to grow and share tips and tricks to ensure success.
• (Edible) vegetable growing in 2023 from April to October with Bruce Black, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture. Get the most out of your vegetable garden in 2023. Bruce gives you the best advice for planning, planting and gardening throughout the year, spring, summer and fall.
• (Natural) Landscaping: It’s for the Birds with Chris Enroth, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture. Attracting birds to your yard can go beyond putting up bird feeders. Chris walks you through a typical base planting that provides birds with three things: water, shelter, and food. Learn to use native or well-adapted plants to create a landscape that welcomes birds by providing important habitats.

Session 15:1:45-14:45 (choose one):

• (Ornamental) Curious about Colorful Conifers, starring Martha Smith, retired horticultural educator for Cornell and the University of Illinois Extension. Get ready to add “shock and awe” to your landscape with colorful conifers of all sizes. Did you know that conifers change color throughout the season? The course will show you how to rethink your landscape to bring out the best foliage display.
• (Nature) Genetic Diversity and Crop Protection with Neil Diboll, ecologist and President of Prairie Nursery, Inc. Westfield, Wisconsin. There will be an in-depth look at plant genetics and how they can influence recovery and plant selection, with an overview of the different strategies different plants have evolved to reproduce and adapt to their environment.
• (Edible) Fermentation Basics and Facts with Kristin Bogdonas, University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator. What used to be a means of preserving food for the winter months is now becoming a popular way to create foods and beverages with probiotic properties. In this session, you will learn the basics and benefits of fermentation and watch a fermentation recipe demo.

The University of Illinois Extension is located at 321 West 2nd Avenue, Milan. If you are looking for more information, contact the Illinois Extension Office at https://extension.illinois.edu/hmrs or call 309-756-9978.

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