Stuff You Ought To Know

This stunning photo courtesy of Distinctive Gardens, Dixon, IL

  

Bud LeFevre, Distinctive Gardens, will be on "Paula Sands Live" on Monday, February 7th @ 4:30 to preview the Container Garden Class they'll be doing at the Nursery School at the iwireless later in February.  Their in-house Container Garden Class will be held April 16 at 10 a.m.  Give them a call or visit their web site for additional information.  Each nursery has it's own style and it's loads of fun to experience their expertise.  http://www.distinctivegardensinc.com/

The Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District is offering rain barrels for sale - various sizes and prices.  Call 309-927-5263.

Bishop Hill Arts Council is hosting some garden things this year:  April 2 & 3 will be "Welcome Spring to Bishop Hill" they're hoping for Jeff Johnson of Sunnyfield Greenhouse to speak.  Discussing a spring plant sale and some other interesting exhibits - both visual and musical.  Contact any of the following for the schedule, information or to become a BHAC member:  Jeff Goard at the B.H. Pottery, Linda Spring at the Filling Station or Beth Magnuson at Windy Corner. 

The Chicago Flower Show at Navy Pier will be March 5 - 13, 2011  (Monday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m)  Call the Henry Stark County Extension office if you'd like to go by bus.

Quad City Flower and Garden Show at the QCCA Expo Center is March 25-27, 2011 (Friday March 25th 10am - 8pm ~ Saturday March 26th 10am - 8pm ~ Sunday March 27th 10am - 4pm)

Green View Companies, Dunlap, IL is this year's floral partner for Macy's Flower Show® in Chicago . The 2009 Macy's Flower Show, themed Dream In Color, will bloom at Macy's on State Street from Sunday, April 5 - Sunday, April 19, 2009.

The Chicago Botanic Gardens offers a full array of events http://www.chicagobotanic.org/ for more information on the following: 

• Northern Illinois Gesneriad Society Show & Sale ~ March 19 & 20, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show & Sale ~ March 26, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ~ March 27, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Ikebana International Show ~ April 2 & 3, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Midwest Fruit Explorers Grafting Workshop ~ April 3, 1 – 4 p.m.
• Midwest Daffodil Society Show ~ April 30, noon – 4:30 p.m. ~ May 1, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Glenview/Northshore African Violet Society Show & Sale ~ May 6 & 7, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Central States Dahlia Society Sale ~ May 6 & 7, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• American Rhododendron Society Show & Sale ~ May 7 & 8, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Midwest Bonsai Society Spring Show & Sale ~ May 21 & 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Northshore Iris & Daylily Society Iris Show & Sale ~ May 28, noon–4:30 p.m. ~ May 29, 10 a.m–4:30 p
• Northern Illinois Hosta Society Show & Sale ~ June 4 & 5, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Show of Summer ~ June 11 & 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  (Six Chicago-area garden clubs affiliated with the Garden Club of America (GCA) present the competitive exhibition.)
• Bromeliad Society of Greater Chicago Show & Sale ~ June 18 & 19, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

 Indiana Flower and Patio Show, State Fair Grounds, Indianapolis IN ~ March 12-20, 2011 

Indianapolis Home & Flower Show, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis IN ~ March 4-6, 2011

Iowa Flower, Lawn and Garden Show, State Fair Grounds, DesMoines IA ~ March 18-20, 2011

Iowa/Nebraska Siouxland Garden Show, Marina Center in South Sioux City, NB ~ March 18 & 19, 2011 

KQ2 Spring Home, Flower, Lawn & Garden Expo, St. Joseph Civic Arena, St. Joseph MO ~ February 18-20, 2011

Tentatively:  The Galva Arts Council is planning to bring back their Garden Walk in 2012.  Please let Nancy Anderson know if you are interested in having your garden be a part of this worthy fund raiser.  Large or small gardens, Galva, Bishop Hill or rural gardens, AND you have a full year to plan.  This is always a great event and filled with a vast variety of gardens.  Please consider participating.      

Patch of summer flowers - not too far away!