Events Upcoming
New Members
Date and Time
Thursday Aug 10, 2017
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Thursday, August 10, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
Location
Christian County Extension Office Auditorium
1120 N Webster St, Taylorville, IL 62568
Fees/Admission
Free and open to the public
Website
Contact Information
Gwen Podeschi
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Description
“Heirloom Seed Gardening and Historic Sites”
The Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS) and the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Christian County are partnering to provide a program about gardening with heritage and heirloom seeds at historic sites and in your own garden.
Heritage gardens are a popular way to engage historic site visitors with history. Sites such as the Lincoln Home National Park, Lincoln’s New Salem, and the Pierre Menard Home in Southern Illinois find that people enjoy experiencing the everyday life of our American ancestors through activities like growing and cooking their own food. Children and adults alike come and experience the connection to gardening and saving seeds to make sure that the garden will grow again next year.
Have you ever thought about gardening with the seeds and plants people used in the past to grow food? “Heirloom Seed Gardening and Historic Sites” is a program that will share information on the diversity and importance of the heirloom seed bank, how this type of gardening works in action at the Dean Home Garden on the grounds of the Lincoln Home National Park Site, and some practical advice on saving seeds and starting your garden with them.
The ISHS is glad to provide this practical view on history for attendees. We welcome our partners in this endeavor. On the agenda is a presentation on the hidden treasures of heirloom gardening by Master Gardener Gwen Podeschi; a discussion about the experiences of the volunteers at the Dean Home Garden presented by the Chair of the Dean Home Garden, Diane Grottola; advice and help on collecting and storing seed from Matt and Debbie Daniels of the Bear Creek Farm in Palmer; and a presentation by Master Gardener Emeritus Ed Reese on the process of starting that seed the next year. Attendees will also learn about the ISHS Bicentennial “Johnny Appleseed” trees being offered for sale by the Society.
The program is free and open to the public. Please call (217) 525-2781 or (217) 287-7246 to register. Walk-ins are welcome.
