27th Annual Native Plant Management Seminar
CAMPTON HILLS, IL Reservations for Garfield Farm
Museum's 27th annual Prairie, Woodlands, and Wetlands Management Seminar to
be held on Saturday, February 16th from 8:30 am-4:30 pm are now being taken.
From backyard gardeners, home owner associations to owners of natural area
acreage, this seminar covers all the key methods and techniques of
preserving and using the best adapted plants for the Illinois environment.
Experts Roy Diblik, Conner Shaw and Jerome Johnson will help explain the
best techniques and methods to increase and maintain native plants
communities. There is a $50 donation for the all day seminar which includes
lunch and refreshments. Half day attendance without lunch is $25.
The day's outline will consist of researching
property history, identifying native plants, identifying invasive species
and the use of fire, herbicides, cutting and brush stacking equipment.
Special topics include using native species with ornamental plants and the
use of native trees and shrubs in home landscaping.
The drought of 2012 does not appear to be letting up
in 2013 which means maintaining landscaping will increase in time, cost and
effort. Many communities may restrict watering of lawns and gardens. This is
where the 100 years plus collective experiences of the seminar's speakers
will help guide property owners in selecting plants that are genetically
programmed to withstand climatic extremes. .
The long term picture is problematic but
Conner Shaw knows what trees and shrubs can thrive here and provide a food
source for animals. Shaw is one of the few people who collects seed from the
wild and can grow native Illinois trees and shrubs like few others. Since
1978, his Possibilities Place Nursery in Monee, IL is one of a kind. For
homeowners in town who want just the right tree for their backyard, Shaw
knows what will grow in such suburban conditions. For larger properties, his
combinations of native shrubs like the viburnums and deciduous oaks or
Kentucky coffee trees makes one's landscaping truly grand scale.
Roy Diblik, who has been growing native
grasses and flowers from seed since the late 1970s, knows how critical soil
preparation and mechanical or chemical control of "weeds” are when he
installs more formal landscape plantings be it public parks or palatial
estates. From Northwind Perennial Farm in Springfield, WI Diblik has
consulted and supplied plants for around the country and has published a
book "Small Perennial Gardens: The Know Maintenance Approach.” His approach
is to cut down on the amount of unnecessary maintenance and minimize the use
of water.
For property owners who are looking to turn the
backyard in to a natural area to large acreage owners, Johnson will bring
his 30 years of experience to the table. Jerome Johnson, executive director
and museum biologist grew up walking the fields, woods, and streams around
Garfield Farm. Recalling woods full of spring flowers, little did he realize
how rare such features would become with habitat loss, invasive plants, and
over grazing by deer which were once rarely seen. Housing developments
certainly caused loss but without management, Johnson quickly learned at
Garfield Farm, its prairie and woods were struggling to survive.
This seminar has both a history and method
unlike any others. It offers information that can be directly taken to the
field and put in place. Participants are welcome to return in March to gain
hands on experience in the museum's controlled burns.
Garfield Farm Museum is located five miles west of Geneva,
IL off ILL Rt. 38 on Garfield Road. For reservations call 630 584-8485 or
email info@garfieldfarm.org
For more information about Garfield Farm send an e-mail message to: info@garfieldfarm.org
or call 630/584-8485.
