Enjoy Sundays in the Garden with Nature

University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners will host a Sunday garden stroll each month this summer in the McHenry County College Demonstration Garden, a half-acre hidden gem and a peaceful respite on the school’s campus. Each family-friendly session will start at 1 p.m. and last for about 20 minutes. Master gardeners will give a brief talk on gardening topics and provide useful how-to tips, including the how, what and where of each topic.

June 23: Butterflies and Hummingbirds. Master gardener volunteers will discuss the plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds in the garden. Attendees learn how flower nectar and bloom color attract different species of butterflies.

July 28: Composting Two Ways. A compost bin is an eco-friendly way to use kitchen veggie scraps to fertilize gardens. Participants will learn how kids can start and maintain a vermicomposting container bin.

August 25: Bugs-Good and Bad. Guests discover how “good” insects help pollinate flowers and vegetables and which “bad” insects eat plants.

Illinois Master Gardeners complete rigorous training in horticulture and botany, and volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year. Their mission is to share unbiased, reliable, research-based information with home landscapers and gardeners, as well as to encourage people to enjoy gardening and vegetable growing.

Admission is free. Location: 8900 U.S. Rte. 14, Crystal Lake, west of Bldg. E on campus. For more information, call 815-338-3737 or visit Web.Extension.Illinois.edu/LM.