The Gardeners Pathway:
Workshops for Planning, Planting and Enjoying!
“Ideas to Feed Your Passion ”
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of DeKalb County and Kishwaukee College present a one-day collection of workshops for gardeners of all levels of experience. Choose one workshop from each of three sessions using the Gardeners Pathway Registration form. Seating is limited in each workshop so list your first choice and your alternate choice. Advanced registration is required. February 20 is the registration deadline. You can mail the form or you may call in your registration, using Visa, MasterCard, or Discover at 815-825-2086, ext 2040.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
7:30 am-3:15 pm - $50 - Conference Center
Registration deadline February 20
No refunds after February 18 (unless cancelled by Kishwaukee College)
Attendees receive:
- Choice of 18 different workshops
- Exhibit Hall with Gardening Information and Unique Items for Purchase
- Master Gardener Q&A Desk
- Continental Breakfast and Garden Lunch
- Numerous Door Prizes
- Tote Bag Courtesy of Ball Seed Co.
- Keynote: "Small Perennial Gardens: The Know Maintenance Approach "
Roy Diblik is the author of Roy Diblik’s Small Perennial Gardens: The Know Maintenance Approach. The back cover of his book perhaps says it best. “Frustrated with what he calls ‘hope to God gardening’ – toss a plant in the ground and hope to God it grows – Roy has developed an innovative approach that celebrates the connection of gardener to garden. Follow his simple steps, and you’ll discover the joy that Roy has known throughout his career.”
Session I 9:30-10:45 am
An In-Depth Study of My Favorite Plants Roy Diblik
Find out what Roy Diblik’s favorite plants are as he digs a little deeper into telling you why!
Fresh Flower Arranging: Supermarket Challenge! Janet Gallagher
Complete your evening of entertaining with unique floral designs that you can make after your trip to the supermarket for food and flowers. Janet Gallagher has been the floral design instructor at Kishwaukee College for six years and is a member of the American Institute of Floral Design.
Why Natives? An Introduction Tim Lewis
This intro to landscaping using native plants explains the history of our ecosystems, how we got here, why natives are vital to the environment, and benefits/fallacies of landscaping. Examples of native plant landscapes will inspire you to change your thinking about your own landscapes. Tim Lewis is the national president of Wild Ones. He has been growing natives in his yard since 1991. His yard contains over 100 species of native plants in prairie plots, rain gardens, and savanna and shade gardens.
Hydrangeas Barb Retondo
Learn about growing and pruning hydrangeas and find out which ones will perform best in our northern gardens. Barb Retondo is co-owner of The Garden Market Garden Center in Sycamore and has been a certified nursery professional since 1998. Barb writes “The Garden Market Corner” (column) in the Orange Peel Gazette.
Plant Propagation Tips and Techniques Greg Stack
One plant is never enough for most home gardeners which is why knowing how to increase your plant holdings is a skill worth learning about. We will look at a variety of sexual and asexual ways to increase your success rate in getting more plants into both your indoor and outdoor garden. Greg Stack provides programming in ornamental horticulture in northern Illinois for both the home gardener and commercial horticulturist with emphasis in the area of herbaceous ornamentals.
Building a Garden Obelisk Randy Moseley
Participants will be provided the pre-cut parts of a four-foot garden obelisk and assemble the unit. Cordless drills, drive screws and glue will be provided. Once assembled, you will have a copper-topped pyramid-shaped obelisk, perfect for painting or leaving natural. Randy Moseley is a DeKalb County Master Gardener and avid woodworker who has been building custom furniture and garden items for many years. A $33 supply fee is to be paid to the presenter at the workshop; please bring exact change. Enrollment is limited.
Session II 11:00 am-12:15 pm
Common Landscape Mistakes & Their Solutions Plus 20 Really Cool Plants Joel Barczak
Find out the most common but easiest mistakes to avoid. Get a fast taste of some exceptionally choice plants to consider for spring. Joel Barczak is the co-owner of Blumen Gardens, Inc. in Sycamore. He received his A.A.S. degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Kishwaukee College and his B.S. degree in Business from NIU.
Landscape Renewal Jim Knoll
View a variety of front and backyard residential landscape renovations. Participants will examine landscape plans that incorporate hardscape elements and sustainable plant material. Jim Knoll is an instructor in the Horticulture Department at Kishwaukee College. He is a registered landscape architect and has taught at the college for over
27 years.
Four Seasons of Window Box and Doorstep Gardening Nancy Christian
As doors and windows are our dwellings’ chief interfaces between “in” and “out” as well as the points where we enter and exit, these places are the logical spots where gardeners can help to enhance, highlight, and foreshadow what waits on the other
side. Learn how to make these transition zones places of welcome and interest throughout the year. Nancy Christian’s love affair with gardening, growing, and good design began as a biology student running her college’s greenhouse. Today she is the owner of Redbud Creek Farm, one of the area’s most unique garden centers.
A Year in the Life of a Vegetable Jeff White
Discover how easy it is to start or improve your vegetable garden. We will discuss everything from planning and planting to harvesting. Problem-solving ideas and tips will be presented as we move through a year in gardening. Jeff White is a Master Gardener, Master Composter, and Master Naturalist with the University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County. He has used sustainable methods and grown his vegetables in raised beds for over 30 years.
No Fear Roses to Beautify Your Garden Greg Stack
Roses have come a long way and are a lot more garden friendly. We will look at a number of roses that offer great color without all of the hassles associated with roses of the past. Tips and techniques for taking care of the “Queen of the Flowers” will also be discussed. Greg Stack provides programming in ornamental horticulture in northern Illinois for both the home gardener and commercial horticulturist with emphasis in the area of herbaceous ornamentals.
Session III 1:15-2:30 pm
Green Fire (movie): Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time
Green Fire explores the life and legacy of famed conservationist Aldo Leopold and the many ways his land ethic philosophy lives on in the work of people and organizations all over the country today. The film shares highlights from Leopold’s life and extraordinary career, explaining how he shaped conservation and the modern environmental movement. Meet wildlife biologists who are bringing threatened and endangered species back to the landscapes where they once thrived. Learn how Leopold’s vision of a community that cares about both people and land ties all of these modern conservation stories together, and offers inspiration and insight for the future.
Container Gardening Matt Girman
Learn about the necessary tools to keep your containers looking beautiful all season long. Topics will include plant selection, watering and fertilizer recommendations as well as general maintenance tips. Matt Girman graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and spent 5 years working at a wholesale/retail greenhouse. He is the greenhouse coordinator and instructor at Kishwaukee College.
Sustainable Landscapes: Using Low-Maintenance Native Plants Andy Stahr
Learn why the use of native plants in the landscape is important and how to implement them successfully. Andy Stahr is Senior Landscape Architect, Pizzo & Associates, Ltd., Leland, Illinois. He is a LEED professional with over a decade of experience in designing and installing native landscapes.
Pest Control Decisions for Your Vegetable Garden Jeff White
Is something bugging you in your vegetable garden? We will discuss pests in vegetable gardens, the options and decisions you can make with organic, chemical or cultural means of pest control. Which is right for you? Jeff White is a Master Gardener, Master Composter, and Master Naturalist with the University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County. He has used sustainable methods and grown his vegetables in raised beds for over 30 years.
Starting Seeds at Home B.J. Miller
End your seed-starting frustration! Starting seeds indoors can give you a jump start on the growing season and it is a fantastic, inexpensive way of getting the exact plant varieties you want to grow. We will discuss the elements necessary to have seed-starting success! B.J. Miller is the greenhouse and gardens technician at Kishwaukee College. She is responsible for designing, planting, growing, and maintaining the 25,000 annuals displayed each year on the college campus.
A Preview of What’s New for 2012 Matt Zerby
Whet your appetite for what plants to expect this year! Matt Zerby is the owner of Wasco Nursery and Garden Center, Wasco, Illinois.
DeKalb Area Garden Club
The DeKalb Area Garden Club (DAGC) is a group of people from a wide range of backgrounds, ranging from beginning to seasoned gardeners, sharing the fellowship of gardening though educational projects and entertaining programs.
Since its inception, the DAGC has had a close relationship with the Gurler House, where we hold our annual plant sale. The organization also works closely with the Ellwood House where it now holds its annual Flower Show.
In addition to its annual events, the organization invites guest speakers, plans trips, potluck dinners, and garden tours, and sponsors scholarships for horticulture students at Kishwaukee College.
