Plants need homes, too

Nearly 800 plants that need new homes will be made available to the public this weekend.

The third annual Master Gardener Plant Adoption & Garden "Junque" Fundraiser takes place Saturday at the University of Illinois Extension Office in St. Charles from 8:30 a.m. to noon. All proceeds will benefit the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners.

The program consists of volunteers who do community education about horticulture.

Members of the Master Gardener program have raised all the plants in their own gardens -- including small plants, perennials, houseplants and herbs -- that will be on sale for people to "adopt" for their own gardens and/or home landscapes. They have also donated their own gently used garden tools, pots and other items for sale.

"It's been very good," Barb Bates, horticulture educator for the University of Illinois Extension said about the public response. "Good enough where we can continue to do (the fundraiser)."

The price range for smaller plants is $2 to $5. The prices for large plants have not been determined.

At 10 a.m. there will be a book signing by St. Charles author Sue Amatangelo who will be promoting her book "Absolutely Beautiful Containers: The ABCs of Creative Container Gardens," which was released in May.

She will also do a demonstration for people who are interested in updating their garden containers.

"(It is) a great way to meet the community and tell them about our program," Bates said.

The University of Illinois Extension Office is at 535 Randall Road. For more information visit the Web site web.extension.uiuc.edu and click on the link for full events calendar.