Gardenfest 2026

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Luecht Auditorium at MCC

Building B, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake

Registration ends March 28, 2026

You must register each attendee separately

General Admissions includes continental breakfast and lunch

2026 GardenFest – Class Descriptions

🌿 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.

Session 1 Classes

1-1 | Native Plants for Shade Gardens
Speaker: Sarah Michehl
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
Speaker: Carolina Schottland
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
Speaker: Rich Tobiasz
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 & 3)
Speakers: Joyce Lande & Sarah Frey
Join MCC Culinary Instructors to learn how to incorporate garden flavors into savory and sweet dishes. Includes demonstrations, tastings, a culinary lab tour, and Q&A.

1-5 | Container Gardening Workshop (Sessions 1 & 3)
Speaker: Heather Moister
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?
Speaker: Dana Garretson
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
Speaker: Jill Bonucci
Discover the insects that protect your garden and how to attract these natural pest controllers to your yard.

2-3 | Successful Vegetable Gardening
Speaker: Andy Brugger
Covers planning, site selection, soil preparation, planting techniques, and care. Great for beginners and experienced gardeners.

2-4 | Greenhouse Tours (Sessions 2 & 4)
Speaker: Mandy Hood
Tour MCC’s three-bay greenhouse, including hydroponic systems in Bay 3.
Class limited to 20 participants

2-5 | Hands-On Fixing Your Soil!
Speaker: Rich Tobiasz
Learn soil testing, amendments, fertilizers, and organic matter improvements.
No additional materials fee

Session 3 Classes

3-1 | Native Design for the Seasons
Speaker: Garrett Beier
Design native landscapes that provide year-round color, texture, and habitat while supporting biodiversity.

3-2 | Bonsai 101
Speaker: Rich Tobiasz
An introduction to bonsai styles and techniques, blending horticulture and art.

3-3 | Do WHAT With My Herbs?
Speakers: Christina Rank & Suzanne Morrissey
Explore creative herb uses beyond the traditional—edibles, self-care items, and more. Samples included.

3-4 | The Culinary Garden (Sessions 1 & 3)
Speakers: Joyce Lande & Sarah Frey
See Session 1-4 description.

3-5 | Container Gardening Workshop (Sessions 1 & 3)
Speaker: Heather Moister
See Session 1-5 description.
Materials Fee: $50

Session 4 Classes

4-1 | Protecting the Jewels of the Night
Speaker: Carol Elkins
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
Speaker: Stephanie Tesmer
Learn how urban agroforestry improves food security, biodiversity, and microclimates through a real-world 1/3-acre transformation.

4-3 | Intro to Beekeeping
Speaker: Jerry Gudauskas
An introduction to keeping bees, providing habitat, and harvesting honey.

4-4 | Greenhouse Tours (Sessions 2 & 4)
Speaker: Mandy Hood
See Session 2-4 description.

4-5 | Hands-On Bonsai!
Speaker: Rich Tobiasz
Plant and take home a conifer bonsai.
Materials Fee: $25 (all supplies provided)