See garden ideas come to life with the Kane County Master Gardeners

Posted July 15, 2021 11:00 pm

Submitted by University of Illinois Extension

Kane County Master Gardeners are offering gardening tips with the annual "Idea Gardens" with a focus on elevated beds, straw bale plantings, sensory patch, native species, and more. Courtesy of University of Illinois Extension

Get offline and get outside to see inspirational gardens at the Kane County Master Gardener Idea Garden in St. Charles.

This summer, join these University of Illinois Extension volunteers to experience creative concepts and ask questions each Tuesday, 9 to 11 a.m., weather permitting.

Learn about straw gardening which starts with a 10-day conditioning process for the straw bales, involving watering and fertilizing. Courtesy of University of Illinois Extension

"The Idea Garden is back this year, and once again, it showcases innovative designs and new ideas you can replicate at home," said Sarah Fellerer, Master Gardener program coordinator. "Visit the garden to learn about sensory and elevated gardens, native plants, bug habitats, growing garlic and phytonutrient-rich produce, and more. Plus, the garden features an Olympic-themed bed of grasses, ground covers, and flowers."

One of the "Idea Gardens" is inspired by the Summer Olympics, using a ring design into a 6- by 6-foot hexagonal raised bed. Courtesy of University of Illinois Extension

The Kane County Master Gardener Idea Garden is located at 3480 Route 38, at the intersection with Peck Road, in St. Charles. Visitors can enter via the Route 38 driveway. You also can follow the Idea Garden at www.facebook.com/KaneMGIdeaGarden.

This year's project includes ideas and tips for:

• Elevated beds

• Straw bale plantings

• Insect habitats

• Gardens with garlic or phytonutrient-rich produce

• A sensory patch

• Native species

• An Olympic-themed bed of grasses, ground covers, and flowers

Learn about native species at the Kane County Master Gardener "Idea Gardens" off Route 38 in St. Charles. Courtesy of University of Illinois Extension

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact fellerer@illinois.edu or call (630) 584-6166. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

Master Gardeners

Do you have questions about your garden, lawn, or trees?

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners also host a seasonal Help Desk in DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties:

• Kane County: Send questions and photos to uiemg-kane@illinois.edu, or call or visit 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at (630) 584-6166 or 535 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

• DuPage County: Send questions and photos to uiemg-dupage@illinois.edu, or call or visit 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at (630) 955-1123 or 1100 E. Warrenville Road, Suite 170, Naperville.

• Kendall County: Send questions and photos to uiemg-kendall@illinois.edu, or call or visit 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at (630) 553-5823 or 7775B Route 47, Yorkville.

"Incredible Edibles" features native and nonnative edible plants at the Kane County Master Gardener "Idea Gardens." Courtesy of University of Illinois Extension

For more information about submitting help requests via email or finding a location near you, visit go.illinois.edu/HelpDeskMGdkk.

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