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 The fundraiser event is named for Russel Allen, a charter member
of the Logan County Master Gardeners. Allen was well known in the
community and well thought of as an excellent gardener. Allen died
in 2008.
The doors opened at 8 a.m. with registration going on until the
first breakout session at 9 a.m. In the first hour, and between
sessions, guests had the opportunity to visit with various special
guests who had display tables set up. Each of these represented
particular areas of interest from beekeeping, to Iris and orchid
growing, to herbs, Bonsai, and roses.
At 9 a.m. the first session began offering three breakouts with
three guest speakers.
In the Alumni Room Tom and Jan Ewald of Lincoln discussed growing
hostas. Hostas are available in a wide variety of forms. The Ewalds
shared information on what plants are sun resistant and slug
resistant as well as which varieties are fragrant.
The arch-enemy of the Hosta is the slug, as the plants attract them
in quantity.
In another part of the Student Center, Mary Buckles of Prairie Home
Herbs was sharing information about herbs, how to grow them, and
what their uses are in the kitchen and elsewhere.
 At the end of her session during the question and answer time, the
discussion turned to the use of herbs for medicinal purposes. She
said that she doesn’t use herbs in that manner. However, she noted
that once when on a trip in Europe, she became ill and was sent to
the “chemist” who used herbs successfully.
Sherrie Snyder, the founder of Illinois Prairie Wild Ones, spoke
about incorporating native grasses and plants into the home garden
and landscape. She shared tips on how to plan an attractive native
garden, and her ‘favorites' for the home garden.
She also suggested being a ‘good neighbor’ saying not every neighbor
is going to appreciate the wild look of a native garden. She
suggested talking to neighbors beforehand, but also, when you buy
your plants, buy one for a neighbor as a goodwill gift, and to
perhaps get him or her interested in natives as well.
The second set of breakout sessions began a little after 10 a.m.
Jennifer Doggett of the Wendell Niepagen Greenhouses and Garden
Center offered a “make and take” session focusing on miniature
gardening. Workshop attendees were able to make their own tiny
gardens that can be maintained inside as houseplants or outside as
an attractive addition to the patio.
Doggett also had on hand several examples of just how simple or how
complicated such little gardens can be, depending on what the grower
wants. She shared that miniature gardens are a great way to
“repurpose” items around the house as they can be used as garden
containers or small decorative items in the planter landscape.
Logan County Extension educator Jennifer Fishburn offered a workshop
of composting. She explained that composting is a win, win, win
situation. It keeps landscape waste out of local landfills, offers a
valuable and inexpensive soil amendment product, and is good for the
environment.
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She discussed tools needed for successful composting and
spoke about the ration of green lawn waste, brown waste, and
food scrap household waste.
Rich Hornbaker of Hornbaker Gardens spoke about pruning for
healthy productive hydrangeas. While most hydrangea varieties
should be pruned back in the spring, the Quercifolia or Oak Leaf
Hydrangea should be pruned in the summer right after the bloom
time is completed. Hornbaker shared information on deadheading
plants. He also spoke about a less common hydrangea variety, the
Serrata, saying this is a plant that blooms off new and old wood,
and will likely become more popular in the future.
Mitch Birky and Matt Eich of Bellas Landscaping offered tips and
tricks for creating great curb appeal. The two talked about how to
proceed in drawing out a landscape plan. They suggested creating a
focal point in the lawn that could be a tree, plant, water feature,
or a stone garden. They also recommended that landscapes be created
using waves and curves instead of square corners.
Bellas Landscaping slide show included examples of focal points,
before and after pictures of landscape projects and examples of
plants they like to use.
Before the last hour of the day began, the Master Gardener drew out
names of door prize winner. There was a large variety of door prizes
this year that included live plants, planting supplies, and home
décor with a gardening theme.
The last session was dedicated to the keynote speaker Guy Sternberg
of the Starhill Forest Arboretum of Illinois College, who was
introduced by Logan County Master Gardener David Schroder.
Sternberg spoke about trees with a focus on using native trees in
lawns and landscapes. He also discussed trees for soil types and how
to choose the right tree for the right place in the landscape.
Throughout the day, snacks were made available to guests courtesy of
the college, and many enjoyed the sweet treats as well as freshly
brewed coffee.
The Russel Allen Garden Day is one of the two major fundraising
opportunities for the local Master Gardeners. The next fundraiser
will be the 14th Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale. The sale will be
held on Saturday May 16th at the Logan County Fairgrounds.
[Nila Smith] |
