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By Ron Dieter, Sunnyfield Greenhouse & Gardens
February 3, 1999
Last weekend Garrison Keillor, in his news from Lake Wobegon, was describing how the
morning frost and ice had covered the whole town, making it look like one of those
glittery Christmas cards. He said everyone was out with a camera snapping pictures and
every picture turned out perfectly because the subject was so beautiful.
I had just such an occasion last week. During the night a beautiful hoarfrost had
covered everything in sight. The morning sun brought the scene to life with sparkle and
glitter. A little holly bush near the house was particularly striking because each dark
green leaf was perfectly edged with white frost. I made a mental note to take a picture
after finishing the chore at hand, but in a short time the warm sunlight melted the
glistening frost and the picture was gone. As I tell you this story I feel like the
fisherman talking about the one that got away.
Wintertime gives gardeners the opportunity to see a different beauty in the landscape.
It is also the time when gardeners prepare for the coming growing season by reading the
latest books and periodicals and attending classes and seminars. This year garden
enthusiasts in our area have the chance to attend the third annual "Nursery
School", held in the Quad Cities at the Airport Holiday Inn on Saturday, February 20th.
For plant lovers this is the premier event of the winter season and more than 300 people
will attend the all day program.
Nursery School is a one-day horticultural event sponsored by University of Illinois
Extension. There are sixteen one-hour classes to choose from, covering different topics
for the beginning and the advanced gardener. Speakers for the sessions are experienced
professionals and gardeners. This year’s sessions offer something for every gardening
interest.
Duane Gissel will discuss his experience releasing beneficial insects at the Quad
Cities Botanical Center. You will learn how to use these good guys in your home landscape.
Experts from Quint City Stone Company will teach you how to build retaining walls and
other hardscaping structures. The University’s Martha Smith will show you how to
uplift your garden using ornamental vines. She calls them draperies for your garden rooms.
Justin "Chub" Harper, a nationally known horticulture expert, will start you
out at ground level and teach you the latest techniques on proper tree planting and care.
In Janet Freeborn’s session you will see how to preserve summer flowers for dried
arrangements. Tim Spangler, a daylily grower, will share tips and design ideas using
versatile and dependable daylilies. Other sessions will cover bonsai, managing wildlife,
growing vegetables, dividing and propagating plants, growing cut flowers, and container
gardening.
Your best bet is to pre-register for the event because at-the-door registration will be
allowed only if space is available. Pre-registration is 20 dollars and includes a great
lunch. The deadline for advance registration is February 17th. Call the Rock
Island Extension office at 309-796-0512 or Martha Smith at 309-836-3366 for more
information and registration forms.
I have attended Nursery School every year. I enjoy the chance to meet and talk with
other gardeners, exchanging ideas and catching up on the latest garden "dirt." I
can’t think of a better way to spend a winter day.
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