RI extension offers classes on insects and edible flowers

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By The Quad City Times | Sunday, July 2, 2006 12:55 AM CDT | () comments

Summer gardening programs on tree and shrub insect pests, perennials for special uses and edible flowers will be presented by the Rock Island County-University of Illinois Extension service.

Each program will be offered twice in the extension office at 4550 Kennedy Drive, East Moline. Presentations are provided via the U of I Telenet system and local computer PowerPoint presentations, allowing live discussions between instructors and gardeners throughout Illinois. You will have the chance to ask questions at the end of each program.

Cost for each session is $5. To reserve a seat and information packet, call extension at (309) 796-0512.

n Tree & Shrub Insect Pests, presented by horticulture educator Jim Schuster, will help you identify what is bugging your trees and shrubs. Fine webbing on the foliage? Notches eaten out of the leaves? Holes in the trunk? The program will be presented at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 20.

n Perennials for Special Uses, presented by horticulture educator Sharon Yiesla, will focus attention on what else a plant offers beyond good looks. Want to attract butterflies or hummingbirds? Have a lot of shade in your garden? Are deer eating you out of house and home? Not every perennial suits every garden. The program will be presented at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3.

n Incredible Edible Flowers, presented by horticulture educator Sandy Mason, will introduce you to a different menu choice. Edible flowers add color, taste and fragrance to even the most common of foods. From appetizers to desserts, edible flowers add a unique quality to meals that will make everyone think you are quite a chef. Mason will show you which flowers are edible and which should be left in the garden. She also will provide a few recipes. The program will be presented at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17.