ROCKFORD, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Grant McCarty will teach the workshop series Fruit on Fridays this March. This series will consist of two different workshops, Tree Fruits on Friday, March 16, and Berries and Brambles on Friday, March 23. Both workshops will be held at the Winnebago County Extension Office, 1040 N. Second St. in Rockford, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Registration cost for each program is $5 and pre-registration is required by Wednesday, March 14, 2018. To register or for more information on this program, visit us online at web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or call us at 815-986-4357.

“Vegetables are fairly easy to get started but growing but fruits can be tricky,” states McCarty. “Because they are perennial plants that will come back year after year, there are a couple of decisions you have to make to put you on the path towards successful yields.” These classes are designed for the beginner fruit grower to advanced fruit growers who would like to learn how to make their plantings the most successful.

Tree Fruits on March 16th will cover variety selection, rootstocks, pruning, mammal management, insects/diseases, and general seasonal issues. Berries and Brambles on March 23rd will cover variety selection, day one of planting, training/pruning, mammal management, insects/diseases, and other general seasonal issues. You can sign up for one or both of the sessions. For more information or to register, visit web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or call the Winnebago County Extension office at 815-986-4357.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Extension office at 815-986-4357.

— University of Illinois Extension

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