Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: McHenry County College, Building B
- Tour the MCC Greenhouse and explore hydroponic and aquaponic systems.
- Improve skills in planting and tool maintenance.
- Gain practical tips for growing tomatoes, grapes, fruit trees, and more.
Our expanded Community Expo is also open to everyone from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for handmade art, garden accents, and textiles at unique local vendors.
🌿 Keynote Presentation
Gardening is Murder
Speaker: Neal Sanders
Neal presents a humorous “spouse’s point of view” of gardening, offering insight from someone who gardens more out of love for a partner than horticulture itself. Good advice is shared, bad advice is debunked, and topics include terrible internet gardening tips, why you should never calculate the value of your gardening labor, proof that wildlife doesn’t watch Disney movies, and why it takes three holes to plant one thing. Gardeners and their loved ones will see themselves in Neal’s stories.
How to Register
All registrations will be online. No registrations will be accepted by mail or phone.
Registration opens on February 10, 2025.
Classes are first-come, first-served.
Registration Deadline: March 28, 2026 (no refunds).
After this date, registration is only accepted on the conference day for an additional $10 fee (space limited).
__ $49 Registration fee
__ $29 MCC Horticulture students
__ $59 Same Day Registration
If you need an accommodation or a sign language interpreter, contact Access and Disability Services at (815) 455-8766 or disabilityservices@mchenry.edu.
Garden Conference Session Schedule
Session 1 Classes
1-1 | Native Plants for Shade Gardens
Shade gardens can be filled with beautiful native plants, from wildflowers to sedges and ferns. Learn creative ways to enhance shady areas while supporting pollinators and suppressing weeds.
1-2 | Edible Landscaping
Discover how to combine trees, vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, and small fruits into attractive, productive landscapes. Includes easy entry ideas and more ambitious designs.
1-3 | Intro to Soils: The Garden’s Foundation
Explore the structure and composition of McHenry County soils, including compaction, porosity, and organic matter. The final 15 minutes include soil profiles and samples.
1-4 | The Culinary Garden (Sessions 1 and 3)
Join MCC Culinary Instructors to learn how to incorporate garden flavors into savory and sweet dishes. Includes demonstrations, tastings, a culinary lab tour, and QandA.
1-5 | Container Gardening Workshop (Sessions 1 and 3)
Create a spring-themed container garden with expert tips on design and artistry.
Materials Fee: $50 (all supplies provided)
Session 2 Classes
2-1 | Going Native – What’s the Buzz?
Learn why native plants matter, how they support pollinators and wildlife, and how to design native gardens while keeping peace with neighbors.
2-2 | Beneficial Insects: Garden Warriors
Discover the insects that protect your garden and how to attract these natural pest controllers to your yard.
2-3 | Successful Vegetable Gardening
Covers planning, site selection, soil preparation, planting techniques, and care. Great for beginners and experienced gardeners.
2-4 | Greenhouse Tours (Sessions 2 and 4)
Tour MCC’s three-bay greenhouse, including hydroponic systems in Bay 3.
Class limited to 20 participants
2-5 | Hands-On Fixing Your Soil!
Learn soil testing, amendments, fertilizers, and organic matter improvements. No additional materials fee.
Session 3 Classes
3-1 | Native Design for the Seasons
Design native landscapes that provide year-round color, texture, and habitat while supporting biodiversity.
3-2 | Bonsai 101
An introduction to bonsai styles and techniques, blending horticulture and art.
3-3 | Do What With My Herbs?
Explore creative herb uses beyond the traditional—edibles, self-care items, and more. Samples included.
3-4 | The Culinary Garden (Sessions 1 and 3)
See Session 1-4 description.
3-5 | Container Gardening Workshop (Sessions 1 and 3)
See Session 1-5 description.
Materials Fee: $50
Session 4 Classes
4-1 | Protecting the Jewels of the Night
Xerces Society Ambassador Carol Elkins explores the fascinating world of fireflies, the threats they face, and how we can help protect them.
4-2 | Food Forests
Learn how urban agroforestry improves food security, biodiversity, and microclimates through a real-world 1/3-acre transformation.
4-3 | Intro to Beekeeping
An introduction to keeping bees, providing habitat, and harvesting honey.
4-4 | Greenhouse Tours (Sessions 2 and 4)
See Session 2-4 description.
4-5 | Hands-On Bonsai!
Plant and take home a conifer bonsai.
Materials Fee: $25 (all supplies provided)
Contact Us
For more information, call (815) 479-7570 or email conferencecenter@mchenry.edu
