SYCAMORE – The Sycamore History Museum and the University of Illinois Extension DeKalb County Master Gardeners will host a free "Be a Better Gardener" workshop at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, at the museum, 1730 N. Main St. in Sycamore.

Knowing your plants is key as you scout your garden, helping you to make decisions about pesticides, when to prune, plant selection for your site, and other research-based horticultural practices. These and other questions will be answered by Master Gardener Ron Johnson. Johnson became a certified University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener in 2003, and was recognized with an “Outstanding Illinois Master Gardener Award” in 2006, “Sustained Excellence in Illinois Master Gardening” in 2009 and the Robert C. Brown Memorial Outstanding Master Gardener of the Year award in 2011.

Sycamore History Museum has a kitchen garden, vegetable garden, greenhouse and shade gardens. This location is a great place to demonstrate, practice and apply skills learned in workshops.