The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) will host University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 for a virtual program, Planning and Planting a Vegetable Garden. This is the final event in APLD’s Get Growing series. Register to receive an exclusive Zoom link at aurorapubliclibrary.org/events, through the Library app, or by calling 630-264-4117. This program will be streamed live on the library’s Facebook page @APLibraryIL.
Master gardeners Sue Styer and Leah Beck will outline tips for successful vegetable gardening, from site preparation (size, location, and soil) through harvest. Gardeners of all levels are welcome, whether you are planning to plant your first garden this year or are a seasoned pro hoping to gain some new strategies.
Extension is the University of Illinois’ statewide network of educators, faculty experts, and staff dedicated to putting learning and discovery into practice and to benefitting the health and wellbeing of Illinois communities. Styer and Beck are two of the Master Gardeners serving DuPage, Kane, and Kendall Counties. The extension website offers a wealth of resources, including a Help Desk which is available through E-mail at this time. Additionally, the Aurora Public Library District has numerous books on gardening. Just ask a librarian on your next visit, or search our catalog at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org!
The library kicked off our Get Growing series with a Seed Kit giveaway January 30. We distributed 135 kits filled with a variety of vegetable, fruit, flower, and herb seeds to the community. Then, February 9, APLD was host to Styer andBeck for their virtual program, Seed Starting. This program was recorded and can be accessed on the library’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.
Adult Services Librarian Cailín Cullen said, “Like a lot of people, I planted my very first vegetable garden last year and absolutely loved it! It’s a wonderful activity at any time, but particularly during the pandemic. It’s safe, healthy, sustainable, and so much fun! Our Master Gardeners were so knowledgeable and informative during our Seed Starting program, so I’m very excited to see what they have in store for us this time!”
Last spring saw seed sales go through the roof, and many suppliers reported that they completely sold out during the lockdown. There may be a similarly high level of interest in gardening again this year, so get started early and register for Planning and Planting a Vegetable Garden to get all your questions answered!
Cailin Cullen is an Adult Services Librarian at the Santori Library.