By Andi Anderson
Gardeners looking to enhance their skills and knowledge can participate in the Gardening in the Air virtual symposium, an educational online event that brings expert-led horticulture presentations directly to participants. The program allows gardening enthusiasts to learn from the comfort of their homes, gardens, or any location with internet access while gaining practical insights into a variety of gardening topics.
The event is a collaborative effort between University of Illinois Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Together, the organizations have designed a series of educational sessions that focus on popular horticulture topics and environmentally responsible gardening practices. The symposium aims to provide research-based information that gardeners can apply in their home landscapes and gardens.
Participants can personalize their experience by selecting one program from each of the three available educational tracks. This flexible format enables attendees to focus on subjects that best match their gardening interests and needs.
The first track includes sessions focused on landscape management, understanding the Extension Master Gardener Program, and selecting resilient trees and shrubs suitable for Midwestern landscapes. These presentations are designed to help gardeners make informed decisions about creating attractive and sustainable outdoor spaces.
The second track features educational discussions on harvesting and preserving herbs, choosing the right perennial plants for specific locations, and extending the growing season of vegetable gardens. These topics provide practical strategies for increasing garden productivity while maintaining plant health throughout the year.
The third track explores the benefits of incorporating native plants into landscapes, identifying and managing common tomato challenges, and learning about maple syrup production from tree to table. These sessions encourage gardeners to explore diverse gardening opportunities while promoting environmental stewardship.
Highlighting the value of the program, Emily Swihart, horticulture educator at Illinois Extension, said, “The virtual yet hands-on approach that Gardening in the Air encourages promotes practical gardening skills while connecting communities with research-based information and experiences from university experts. What participants take away from the sessions benefits both home landscapes and larger environmental efforts.”
The symposium is free to attend, making it accessible to a wide audience. Although there is no registration fee, voluntary donations are welcomed to support programming efforts. Registration is required to receive access information and selected presentations will be recorded and shared with registered participants after accessibility features, including closed captioning, have been added.
By combining expert knowledge, practical gardening techniques, and flexible online learning opportunities, Gardening in the Air provides gardeners with valuable resources to improve their skills and contribute to healthy and sustainable landscapes. Whether participants are interested in landscaping, vegetable production, herbs, trees, or native plants, the symposium offers useful information that can help gardeners achieve greater success in their gardening efforts.
Photo Credit: pexels-greta-hoffman
Categories: Illinois, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Sustainable Agriculture