Sign up now for 'Four Seasons Gardening'

Registration is open for the spring series of the University of Illinois Extension's "Four Seasons Gardening Program."

The April and May classes cover a variety of topics, from busting garden myths to trending projects like sustainable landscapes and straw bale gardens.

All will be led by University of Illinois Extension experts and presented via state-wide teleconference at local county offices. Each allows for live discussion between the presenter and participants.

"Introduction to Sustainable Landscaping" will be available at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, in St. Charles or at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in Yorkville.

Sustainable landscapes save money by using fewer pesticides and fertilizers and lowers power, water and waste disposal bills. These landscape approaches safeguard water quality, soils and wildlife and provide us with countless ecosystem services.

University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Chris Enroth will discuss sustainable lawns, how to handle stormwater, building healthy soils and more fundamental methods to reduce your eco-footprint.

Join Horticulture Educator Kari Houle for "Busting Garden Myths" at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, in St. Charles, or at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, in Yorkville.

There are so many recommendations and suggestions for gardening and plant care out there, but do you know which ones are fact and which are fiction? Houle will walk you through some of the most common gardening and plant myths, explaining why they are untrue and providing recommendations for better plant care.

U of I Extension will present "Straw Bale Gardening" with Horticulture Educator Kelly Allsup in May. This sought-after session teaches gardening in a way solves every impediment today's home gardeners face: bad soil, weeds, a short growing season, watering problems, limited gardening space, and even physical difficulty working on ground level. Join us to learn more about this Straw Bale Gardening phenomenon at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, in Yorkville or 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28, in St. Charles.

Each class is $10 per person. Advance registration is required at least one week before the program you attend. For more information, visit the "Register Online" section at web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact the Kane County Extension office at (630) 584-6166 or the Kendall County Extension office at (630) 553-5823 at least two weeks prior to the program.

The University of Illinois Extension office in St. Charles is located at 535 S. Randall Road, and in Yorkville, the office is at 7775B Route 47, about one mile south of the intersection with Route 71.

For more information on the University of Illinois Extension programs, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk.

University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs and research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems.