HELPING OTHERS GROW—ONE PROGRAM AT A TIME

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Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • 6:00–7:30 PM • Virtual (Zoom)

Discover the fascinating world of beneficial insects and the important role they play in creating a healthy, balanced garden ecosystem. Garden coach Amy Powers will introduce common “good bugs,” explain how they naturally control pests, and share simple ways to attract and support them in your landscape.

Amy brings over 20 years of gardening experience and a passion for making gardening easy to understand and enjoyable for all.

📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026 • 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Purdue Extension – Lake County

Think your landscape is too shady to grow a beautiful garden? Think again! Join Peter Sheardy as he shares how to turn low-light areas into lush, inviting spaces.

Learn which plants thrive in shade, how to work with varying light conditions, and simple design ideas to add texture, color, and interest. Whether you’re dealing with full shade or just a few tricky spots, you’ll leave with practical tips and inspiration to make the most of your garden.

🍅 Sunday, August 16, 2026 • 2:00–3:00 PM

Join Bob Zeni, “The Chicago Tomato Man,” for a flavorful afternoon celebrating heirloom tomatoes. Learn practical seed-saving techniques, explore unique tomato varieties, and hear growing tips from a passionate tomato enthusiast. Enjoy tasting a variety of tomatoes while discovering what makes heirlooms so special.

📍 Purdue Extension – Lake County
2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN

🌳 Thursday, September 17, 2026 • 5:30–6:30 PM

Join Purdue Extension Educator Rebecca Koetz for a guided outdoor walk through the trees of Robinson Lake in Hobart.

Learn how to identify common native trees, discover the important role they play in supporting wildlife and pollinators, and gain practical tips for choosing native trees for your own landscape.

Whether you’re a gardener, nature enthusiast, or simply enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll leave with a greater appreciation for Indiana’s beautiful native trees.

Monday, October 5, 2026 • 6:00–7:00 PM

Prepare your landscape for the changing seasons with Master Gardener Wayne Gruber. Learn practical fall gardening techniques that will help your trees, shrubs, perennials, and garden beds thrive through winter and return stronger in spring.

Wayne will share timely seasonal tips, common mistakes to avoid, and simple tasks you can do now to protect your landscape and set the stage for a healthy, beautiful garden next year.

📍 Purdue Extension – Lake County
2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN

🌸 Thursday, November 5, 2026 • 6:00–7:00 PM (CT)

Discover the fascinating world of orchids in this engaging Zoom presentation with Dr. Scott Stewart.

Whether you’re considering your first orchid or looking to improve your success with the ones you already have, Dr. Stewart will share practical tips on selecting healthy plants, understanding light and watering needs, encouraging reblooming, and avoiding common mistakes. He’ll also introduce attendees to several beautiful orchids native to the Midwest.

Whether you’re new to orchids or a longtime enthusiast, you’ll leave with the confidence and knowledge to help your orchids thrive.

💻 Virtual Zoom Presentation

Missed the presentation—or want to enjoy it again?

You can now watch the recording of this engaging program featuring Anna Ball, Chairman and CEO of Ball Horticultural Company and a recognized leader in the horticulture industry.

In this presentation, Anna explores emerging trends in horticulture, the growing influence of plants, and how evolving design ideas are shaping the future of gardens and landscapes. You’ll also see beautiful garden examples and stunning container combinations that inspire ideas for home gardens and beyond.it.

Missed the live presentation? Watch Robert Pavlis’ engaging program on creating beautiful, practical front yard gardens. Robert shares easy design ideas, discusses using nart and focal points in the landscape, plant selection tips, and ways to avoid common landscaping mistakes. Learn how small changes can create a front yard with real “wow” factor.

You can now watch the recording of this engaging Zoom program with internationally recognized garden writer and researcher Noel Kingsbury.

Why do some perennials fade after a season, while others persist or spread aggressively? Backed by overlooked Polish research from the 1960s and illustrated with both above- and below-ground images, Noel shares practical insights to help gardeners better understand how plants grow and behave over time.

Houseplant enthusiast Peter Sheardy shared an engaging look at the history of houseplants and how our indoor gardening habits have evolved over time. Following his presentation, Peter provided this helpful guide — “What a Houseplant Needs” — outlining the key elements every houseplant requires to stay healthy and thrive.

Presented Tuesday, August 12  at 6:00 PM

Missed the presentation? You can now watch horticulturist and educator Wayne Gruber share his top picks for sustainable, pollinator-friendly plants that can transform your landscape. Learn how to make informed choices and discover exciting new options that blend beauty and function.

Join renowned entomologist and author Doug Tallamy as he shares powerful insights on the critical role native plants play in supporting insects, birds, and the broader ecosystem. This engaging webinar explores how each of us can help restore biodiversity—starting right in our own backyards. Be inspired to take action for nature.

Join us for a walk through Niemeyer’s with Wayne Gruber as he shares expert tips on creating eco-friendly, low-maintenance gardens. Learn how to combine natives, nativars, and sustainable plants for beautiful results with less effort.

Join kitchen garden designer and author Ellen Ecker Ogden for an inspiring look at how to transform your vegetable garden into a beautiful and productive space. Discover how to combine classic design principles with edible landscaping techniques to create a garden that’s both artistic and abundant.

Explore the latest plant introductions with Josh Miller of Proven Winners in this colorful and informative slideshow. Discover how new plants are selected, trialed, and brought to market—plus get a peek at the season’s standout varieties.

Each December, Lake County Master Gardeners gather to celebrate the season and share our favorite gardening tools, tips, books, and more!

Check out the slideshow from our recent Favorite Things Party to discover what your fellow MGs can’t live without. It’s full of fun ideas and helpful recommendations from gardeners just like you!

Learn how to design sustainable, low-impact gardens with Purdue Extension Educator Rebecca Koetz. In this two-part webinar, Becca shares practical tips on water harvesting, food production, and creating resilient landscapes inspired by nature.