Livingston, McLean and Woodford County Master Gardeners

06/17/2026

🌿🦋 Ready for a Nature Adventure?

Discover the wonders of the outdoors with the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists at Lexington Preserve on Saturday, June 27, from 9:00 AM–Noon at B in Nature!

Whether you're fascinated by butterflies, curious about beavers, interested in identifying native plants and trees, or eager to spot dragonflies, damselflies, and praying mantises, there's something for every nature enthusiast to enjoy.

📍 Location: Lexington Preserve

Along the scenic 1-mile trail, you'll find interactive learning stations hosted by Master Naturalists and opportunities to participate in the Nature Quest Challenge. Use the iNaturalist app to photograph wildlife and record your discoveries. Participants ages 13 and older can compete for a prize basket by documenting the greatest variety of insect species!

⏰ Plan to arrive by 10:00 AM to ensure you have time to experience all activity stations.

✅ Register today: https://go.illinois.edu/BinNature

Bring your curiosity, your camera, and your love of nature for a morning of exploration, learning, and fun. We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

🌱📸

06/16/2026

Zinnias are heat and drought-tolerant plants that attract a variety of summer pollinators.
The flower thrives early in the season, but as summer temperatures rise and humidity increases, growers may notice a white film on zinnias that looks like they have been dusted with flour.
Powdery mildew.
Why try to limit powdery mildew on zinnias? It compromises photosynthesis, and plants struggle to develop properly, resulting in smaller leaves and stems.
From selecting another variety to adjusting watering practices, get tips to reduce zinnia susceptibility to powdery mildew.

Zinnias are heat and drought-tolerant plants that attract a variety of summer pollinators.

The flower thrives early in the season, but as summer temperatures rise and humidity increases, growers may notice a white film on zinnias that looks like they have been dusted with flour.

Powdery mildew.

Why try to limit powdery mildew on zinnias? It compromises photosynthesis, and plants struggle to develop properly, resulting in smaller leaves and stems.

From selecting another variety to adjusting watering practices, get tips to reduce zinnia susceptibility to powdery mildew.

🔗 Read prevent, protect zinnias from powdery mildew at https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/prevent-protect-zinnias-powdery-mildew

06/15/2026

Office closure update, see ⬇️ for more details.

Our offices will be closed on Friday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, June 22nd.

06/15/2026

Join Nick Frillman, Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educator with Illinois Extension, for a Community Food Forest Tour & Workday at the Refuge Food Forest in Normal!

📅 Wednesday, July 8 | 5:30–7:30 PM
📅 Wednesday, July 22 | 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Refuge Food Forest, 701 E. Lincoln St., Normal, IL

Come explore an 11-year-old edible landscape featuring more than 15 species of fruit and nut-producing trees, shrubs, vines, and other plants. Each evening begins with a guided tour of the site, followed by a hands-on opportunity to help maintain this unique community resource through weeding, mulching, and watering.
As a thank-you for your efforts, participants may have the opportunity to harvest any ripe fruits or nuts available that day!

✔ Learn about edible landscaping and food forests
✔ Support a valuable community resource
✔ Get hands-on experience with fruit and nut crops
✔ Free to attend

Please bring gloves, water, sun protection, and any tools you'd like to use (wheelbarrows, shovels, pruners, buckets, etc.). Limited tools will be available on-site.

Register for one event or both at https://go.illinois.edu/RFFToursandWorkdays

Come learn, lend a hand, and help ensure the Refuge Food Forest continues to thrive for years to come. 🌱

06/14/2026

We’re excited to celebrate butterflies during National Pollinator Week! You won’t want to miss Gardening for Butterflies, a hands-on workshop presented by Master Gardeners. Join us on Thursday, June 25, at 6 pm at the McLean County Extension office. Your $15 registration fee will include all materials for the Swallowtail Mini Garden to take home and the presentation. Spots are limited, so register now! go.illinois.edu/GardeningforButterflies

06/14/2026

Tea and gardening, the perfect combination for relaxation! Join us for a delightful evening on Wednesday, June 17, at 6 p.m. out at the ISU Horticulture Center Herb Garden. Master Gardeners present From Garden to Teacup: An Herbal Tea Workshop.

Discover the history, practice, and joy of herbal teas, and take home these materials to continue this experience at home! The $25 registration fee includes tea samples, herbal tea blends, and a mini herb tea garden to take home. Register at: https://go.illinois.edu/HerbalTeaWorkshop

06/13/2026

Let’s grow together!

Register for our Fall 2026 Hybrid Training program, which offers a perfect blend of online learning and hands-on practice, with in-person sessions held at the McLean Extension office every Tuesday this fall from 9 a.m. to noon.

Applications are open! Visit go.illinois.edu/MGTraining25 for more details!

06/11/2026

🌿🦋 Explore Nature at Your Own Pace! 🐉🌳
Join University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists at Lexington Preserve on Saturday, June 27, from 9 AM–Noon for a fun-filled morning of discovery! Wander the trail and learn about everything from beavers to butterflies, dragonflies to damselflies, native plants, tree identification, praying mantises, and more.

📍 Lexington Preserve
6 Timber Ridge Dr., Lexington, IL 61753
Enjoy interactive activity stations along a scenic 1-mile trail and take part in the Nature Quest Challenge by photographing wildlife and submitting observations through the iNaturalist app. Participants ages 13+ can compete for a prize basket by recording the most different insect species!

⏰ Arrive by 10 AM to allow time to experience all activities.
Register now at https://go.illinois.edu/BinNature
Bring your curiosity, your camera, and your sense of adventure—we'll see you on the trail! 🌱📸

06/10/2026

Get ready to grow, blend, and sip! You’re invited to join in on the fun on Wednesday, June 17, at 6 p.m., out at the ISU Horticulture Center Herb Garden. Master Gardeners present From Garden to Teacup: An Herbal Tea Workshop.

Learn what makes a great cup of tea—from the flavors of different herbs to how they blend beautifully together. The $25 registration fee includes tea samples, herbal tea blends, and a mini herb tea garden to take home. Register at: https://go.illinois.edu/HerbalTeaWorkshop

06/09/2026

National Pollinator Week is right around the corner! Uncover the importance of host plants and nectar plants when thoughtfully preparing a garden space for butterflies. Gardening for Butterflies is a hands-on workshop that will take place on Thursday, June 25, at 6 pm at the McLean County Extension office. The $15 registration fee will include all materials to take home your very own swallowtail mini garden. Let's grow together, supporting butterflies and their habitat! Register at go.illinois.edu/GardeningforButterflies