Farmers Weekly Review

I don’t know about you, but I am not much of a New Year’s resolution-type person. I grew up with a mom whose mantra was “start each day fresh.”

So, my resolution style is more perpetual. Every day, try to do at least one thing better, and learn one new thing.

They say that we don’t grow old, then stop learning; we grow old when we stop learning.  Every day, I feel there is something out there that I didn’t know before, that would benefit me and those I share that information with.

That includes gardening and nature. There is always something to learn, and there are countless teachers: an older person who has worked the land for years, that knows more than any book could share; an insect, bird or worm that I observe something I never noticed before, and on and on.

So, with that in mind, particularly with my new position of horticulture educator, I am going to be doing monthly programs in Will, Grundy and Kankakee in 2025. I am calling them Horticulture Power Hours because they are short, single-subject programs for our lifestyle today. Get in, get what I need and get out.

I will be offering these monthly Horticulture Power hours January through May and September through November. I have found over the years that when the good weather comes, everyone is more interested and busier in the garden and doing garden things, instead of taking classes. So, I pause classes for June through August and in December.

To sign up, you can just google Horticulture Power Hours or go to our website or Facebook page, and of course always call the Extension Office or stop by. The Will County Extension Office is located in the Farm Bureau at 100 Manhattan Road, Joliet. And our phone number is 815 727 9296.

Here is a brief description of the first five programs of the springtime:

January: Wintersowing: Getting Mother Nature to Do the Work for You. I know I have covered wintersowing two years in a row in my column. But for those who aren’t familiar, seed starting used to be a cumbersome indoor often less-than-successful growing of seedlings. Wintersowing changed all that.

Developed by a home gardener, using a plastic container to plant seeds — any seeds — and putting them outside in the winter, and the natural weather phenomenon of the freeze/thaw cycle and the increasing hours of daylight will create the stockiest, strong seedlings you have every grown. Join me in this program to learn all the updated tips and tricks I have discovered. Each participant gets two jugs, soil, seeds, and educational materials.

February: Pruning: The Kindest Cut. This is all about the what, when, why and, most importantly, the hows of pruning. You will receive handout guides for all of our woody plants and more.

March: Grow Your Own Salad Bowl. This is a great way to kick off a healthy eating and growing season. I will talk about all of the salad greens and the early vegetables you can grow, literally in a salad bowl. Each participant will get greens seeds of their choice –spinach, lettuces, Asian greens, kale and/or Swiss chard and a large salad bowl and soil to grow them in. In just 5 weeks you can be clipping lettuce and spinach to add to your sandwich or salads. Everyone will also receive educational materials on growing these salad greens and some great recipes for some fresh salad combinations and dressings.

April: All about Roses. I think I have mentioned it numerous times, but I am a rose grower afficionado. But there are so many kinds of roses, all with different landscape uses and sites. Just what is an old rose? Or a hybrid tea? And what about diseases and pests. Join me to learn all you need to know about all of these topics. All participants will receive educational materials on roses.

May: Grow Your Own Bruschetta. Yum! Bruschetta screams summer with that fresh sun-kissed tomato, and the sweet spicy basil all piled on a crusty piece of bread. I will talk about the best varieties of tomatoes and basil for bruschetta. Each participant will receive a large container with tomato and basil plants. We will also have a sampling of some different bruschetta recipes to taste. All participants will also receive handouts on tomato growing/problem solving, different types of basil and recipes.

Who can attend these programs? They are all family friendly. If you want your whole family to attend but only want one set of materials/supplies, you just register one person. Have each person who wants their own materials/supplies register separately.

The programs are all inexpensive — $10 or less — but I do have scholarships available if anyone needs.

And for kids interested in doing horticulture or vegetable 4-H projects this year, some of these programs can provide them with the education they need to get started.

I was so excited a few years ago that when I did the wintersowing program at the Grundy County office, a 4-Her actually won state fair with his butternut squash he started from the seeds he started and received at the wintersowing program.

In next week’s column, I will talk about an online series I am doing this winter/spring called “Grow Your Own Groceries” and some specialty programs for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.