Ahhhh, welcome summer! Even if Mother Nature is a frustrating partner to garden with (late freezes, winds, etc) we are on the right track now. It's our busy time, but what an enjoyable time of year! Here's what's up with the Advisory and Idea Garden meetings:

• Welcome new interns! Our celebration at the Idea Garden in May was-brrrr–too cold! It has been rescheduled for the JUNE 21 meeting, which includes an ice cream social, at 6:30 pm at Linda Fisher and Jan Fisher's houses (also preview of the Garden Walk!). PLEASE come and welcome our class of 2005! There will be a small presentation.
• Nominating committee is being formed. Membership directories are out; pick up yours in the office or at the IG (not being mailed out); TONS of new info in there, from photos to names on committees, and the operating calendar.
• Garden Day (March 4 &5) Reviews were great! People seemed to enjoy the speakers. A few commented on the facilities as not being all they could be. Some suggestions for 2007 speakers were: Janet Machunovich, Greg Speichert, Carol Reese again, or Pat Lanza.
• Idea Garden: LOTS going on here! THANKS to the greenhouse committee for their hard work! Not only did they plant and care for seeds, but potted up the 1,424 plants donated by Euro-American. Wow!! This year Euro-American was so kind as to send us annuals and perennials not only for the Idea Garden, but the community gardens as well. Other IG news: we are hoping to replace the fence in the fall, bids are being considered. We may also get electricity for the IG in the near future! The new interns are out and about; please welcome them as they come to help out.
• Next year, we hope to have 5 special work days for the IG- it's hoped that all active MG's can try to come if at all possible on these special days. It's such an important garden for the public and it's our "flagship." The days we hope to organize and have special "incentive" treats for are: Spring Clean Up, Planting Frenzy Day (or Planting Fiesta Day-should we have nachos for a treat?), Pre-Garden Walk Day, "Save the Garden" day in summer to deadhead (maybe this should be in the evening and go out for pizza or have ice cream?), and the "Put the Garden to Bed" day in the fall. It would be most appreciated if we could "mobilize the forces" for these. Also keep in mind, that if someone has difficulty with the physical part of the planting, etc, other jobs are most appreciated also: making labels, planning/designing, cleaning the shed, sweeping the sidewalk, restocking the information boxes; lots of ways to help if it's hard to do digging!
• Garden Walk: thanks to all helping with planning and running of this event- it is on a SATURDAY this year- JUNE 25. Come pick up flyers in the office and try to promote our big event of the year!
• PROUD TO BE A MASTER GARDENER: If you feel this way, stop in the office and ask Christine, or if you see me, get one of our new ribbons that attach to our name badges. They have "Proud to be a Master Gardener" on them and can also be used to put your MG pins on. Leave it to thinkers like Jim Simon to have put it on with velcro!

And lastly, a sign I painted for my garden: "The rabbits own the garden, I only work here"–enjoy your time outdoors, marvel at the growing plants, and have fun with the company of other gardeners & even Mother Nature's whims.

- Ann Tice, President

June 27 to July 20, 2005
(Mondays and Wednesdays for 4 weeks)
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A course at the University of Illinois called Plant Pathology 405, instructor Mahammad Babadoost, has been approved by the State Master Gardeners office as an Advanced Master Gardener course. Once you complete this course you will be certified as an "Advanced Master Gardener."

This is a hands-on course and is open to Master Gardeners for a reduced non-credit course price of $175.00 (regularly $518.00 for credit hours). If you have questions about the course or are interested in registering please contact Heather Miller at 256-6568 or hmiller1@uiuc.edu. Space is limited to 18 seats so don't delay in registering. Please register by June 17.

Course Description: Lab/lecture with two field trips. Plant Disease Diagnosis is an important course because it is the first step in an effective disease management program in proper identification of the problem. This course will focus on field and laboratory techniques in plant disease diagnosis; and appraisal; identification of diseases of all crops including ornamentals, turf, forest and shade trees, fruit crops, vegetables, and field crops. In this course, hands-on experience will be emphasized. Students will be responsible for collection and identification of at least 10 unknown plant disease specimens, which provide opportunity to apply their newly-acquired knowledge and to become self-confident in disease diagnosis. By the end of this course, students will be able to: use appropriate techniques for sampling and maintaining diseased plane; diagnose disease in field and laboratory; identify infectious diseases from physiological disorders; identify diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes; and use acquired knowledge to identify the causal agent of plant diseases.
To register online: www.continuinged.uiuc.edu/outreach.

Entomology is a branch of Zoology that deals with insects. In other words, insects are animals. They differ from other animals in that they have three body parts, a head, thorax, and abdomen, on which are found three pairs of jointed legs. The insects have external mouth parts and are covered by a tough, waterproof exoskeleton. Most have wings. In the entire world, there are about one and a half million animal species described. Of this number, about one million are insects.

Insects are essential to our well-being. Insects are plant pollinators, scavengers eating decaying debris, a source of medicine, recyclers of nutrients, a source of food for other animals and even some plants. Many are aesthetically pleasing and all are a source of wonder in their architecture and engineering feats.

The insect collection at the Survey now houses over 6,000,000 curated specimens. The INHS insect collection is one of the largest in North America. The most recent size estimate was done in 1992. The heavy concentration of specimens from the last third of the 1800s also makes this one of North America's oldest insect and related arthropod collections.

The INHS Insect Collection includes more than 13,000 primary types (syntypes inclusive). Because of size, historical holdings, and wide breadth of coverage in certain groups, the collection is an important national and worldwide resource. The INHS is located on 617 East Peabody Drive in Champaign.

Please join the program committee in a tour of the INHS insect collection presented by Colin Favret, Insect Collection Manager. Guests are always welcome. We will meet in the lobby of the INHS at 6:45pm.

As I grow more mature (older) I have begun to be a little more completive and altruistic as regards to sharing my garden. After all, most of the plants, animals, insects and weather were her long before I was and will be her long after I am contributing to the garden from the bottom side. The beautiful doe and here little Bambi are a pleasure to watch, never mind about the nibbling. They have a mother too. They have paths near our home that were established long before we plopped our house near their traditional routes. We are in the zoo and they are looking in at us.

The beautiful Cecropia moth has a somewhat less appealing look in its larval stage as a big ugly, green voracious tomato horn worm. The cute little cabbage worms that move by humping their backs and then sticking their neck out are fascinating to watch. I never cease to be fascinated by their antics. Robins are a harbinger of spring and also love my cherries and blueberries. They loudly complain while I am picking what they consider theirs. It will have to be a trade off between cherries and songs and beauty of robins. Rabbits carry on their family duties when they help themselves to my bushes and tomato plants. Oh well, Peter Cottontail has to live too.

Some of the plants that share the garden with the ones I planted are often as colorful as the ones I bought. If a plant volunteers and isn't doing any harm I say "Live and let live." Such volunteers include chicory, sunflowers, cockscomb, violets, tomatoes, raspberries and potatoes missed from digging last year. There is garlic growing here and there and everywhere and it tastes just as good as those in nice rows. Every once in a while an onion will appear from one missed last year and it doesn't know it is out of place so it grows just as well. Peach seeds from some discards sprout where they were buried and produce trees that in three or four years have delicious fruit. The wild blackberries and wild purple raspberries produce better fruit for syrup and jelly than any cultivated varieties. They have the added advantage of being inexpensive (phurgal) and are adapted to the conditions rather than trying to force a variety to adapt.

I was going to add more but I ran out of ink.

- Phil the Phrugal Pharmer

The Champaign County Humane Society Native Garden is located in east Urbana, just south of the animal shelter. Its 1/10th acre is contained within 2 ovals inside a driveway and parking area.

Most of the plants have been transplanted from South Route 45 in Savoy when the highway was widened. David Monk and Heartland Pathways did most of this in the 1980's. Other plants have been donated by Grand Prairie Friends and other interested parties.

One small area, behind the main sign, contains a demonstration area. The main segment is part cattail marsh, which also contains Cordgrass, and two small mounds where Indian Grass, Canada Wild Rye, and Little Bluestem can be found. During a good year upwards of 70+ species can be found here.

One area of special interest is the corner planting where Purple Coneflowers, Wild Amemone, Stiff Goldenrod, and Prairie Dropseed grass can be seen near the main parking area. Button Bush and Wolf Berry can be found at this site as well. Red Winged Blackbirds nest in the cypress trees and American Toads can be heard trilling in the evenings. Kildeer are a common sight.

Our mission here is to provide a microcosm of what the original Central Illinois Prairie may have looked like before the pioneers came and to watch the effect of the changing seasons on the flowers, grasses, and bushes.
Most work is done with the intent of working with natural processes where possible and encouraging locally native plants to thrive.

Work days are generally on the First Friday of each month at 4PM until late November. If you wish to work on the 2nd Friday contact Jim Hoyt at jwhoyt@prairienet.org.

- James Hoyt, "The Prairie Ant"

Most of us do not have the expansive backyard necessary to recreate the prairie ecosystem that was prevalent in central Illinois in the early nineteenth century. But we all have some space available in the garden or yard to show off a few of the native flowers or "forbs" (and even some of the grasses) that are native to our region.

Using native plants in your home garden has many advantages: they are attractive and they generally bring an entirely new look to the garden; they are well adapted to the local environment and once established need less care and maintenance (including less water, fertilizer, and pesticides;) they often attract beneficial insects that prey on pests; and they attract native songbirds and butterflies.

Some native plants that attract butterflies include all species of aster, as well as Joe-Pye weed, Butterfly milkweed, Purple coneflower, Wild bergamot and Goldenrod. Hummingbirds are attracted to Common columbine, Cardinal flower, as well as Butterfly weed.

Understanding the growing conditions in your yard is crucial to the success of a native garden. These conditions make up the "habitat" of your property and define the plant community that will thrive there. Much of the area in central Illinois was prairie and prairie plants thrive in full sun with both dry and moist soil. Species such as Goldenrod, Aster, Coneflower, and Black-eyed Susan do well in these conditions. But your backyard could also be similar to woodland and even wetland habitats; other species grow more successfully under these conditions.

A well-known myth of planting native plants is that it makes the yard look like a weed patch. But native plants are amazingly diverse and beautiful and can be used in many ways. They can be an important component of a border area, butterfly garden, shade garden or any landscape style you desire.

Another myth is that native plants aggravate allergies, but most allergies are caused by non-native plants such as Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, Orchard grass, and Timothy grass. Many native flowers, such as asters, goldenrods, and milkweeds, are insect-pollinated, not wind-pollinated, and do not cause allergies. It is the pollen in the air that triggers allergic reactions.

Native plants are disappearing from much of our environment and as they disappear so do the birds and insects that depend on them. By using natives in our garden we not only extend the availability of these plants, but increase the wildlife habitat available for our small mammals, birds and insects.

And don't forget to add the human touch – bird feeders and baths, as well as benches are nice touches that invite people into your garden to sit down, relax and enjoy the environment.

- Loren Wasson

Do like working with kids? Are you talented in a particular project such as art, food and nutrition or sewing and willing to be a volunteer? Are you a good organizer? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we encourage you to volunteer for 4-H this summer.

4-H members exhibit projects they have been working on all year at 4-H Project Expo. We are looking for volunteers to help judge or superintend in particular project areas. A judge talks to the 4-H member about their project and gives the project an A, B, or C rating. A superintendent organizes the project for the judge, displays the projects and assists the judge. Depending on the project area, judging will last from an hour to four hours.

4-H Project Expo is July 12–14 at Marketplace Mall. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Alison Donoho at 333-7672 or adonoho@uiuc.edu.

A memorial service for Jane Phillips will be held at the Idea Garden on Saturday, June 4th at 4:00pm. Jane joined the Master Gardener program in 1997 and continued to participate in various MG activities until last year. Jane also worked at the Champaign County Nursing Home Community garden. Please join friends and family at the Idea Garden in her remembrance.

June

2 Thursday, 11:00am – Program Committee mtg.
2 Thursday, 1:00pm – Advisory Committee mtg.
3 Friday, 9:00am – Dumping Day at the IG. Items no longer in use or in good repair will be purged from the IG shed by the cleaning crew (Sandy, Christine, and IG Chair Heather Miller).
13 Monday – Horticulture Judging 4H Expo.
14 Tuesday, 9:00am – Garden Walk Mtg.
16 Thursday, 1:00pm – Idea Garden mtg.
18 Saturday, 9:00am – "Spruce up the IG for the Garden Walk" workday. Come on out and lend a hand with some last minute sprucing up the IG for the Garden Walk. Refreshments will be provided.
21 Tuesday – 4H Hort ID Contest. Contact Sandy Mason to volunteer.
21 Tuesday, 6:30pm – MG Monthly Program: Preview Garden Walk & Ice Cream Social. We will also be celebrating the MG Graduation at this time. Our previous celebration attempt was shut down by inclement weather. Please call the office (333-7672) to sign up for the Ice Cream Social and get directions to the Fishers'. Guests welcome. Fees for guests are $3.00 per person.
25 Saturday, 10:00am – 5:00pm – Garden Walk. Yes, the Garden Walk is on a Saturday this year. Mark your calendar! Contact Carolyn Purcell or Bill MacDonald if you would like to help out. More tickets are available at the office if you have sold out.
28 Tuesday, 1:00pm – Telenet: Pests of Woody Landscape Plants. Instructor Jim Schuster, Horticulture Educator. Learn what's "bugging" your trees and shrubs. Diseases will be presented. Please call the Extension office (333-7672) to reserve handouts.
30 Thursday, 7:00pm – Telenet repeat: Pests of Woody Landscape Plants.

July

5 Tuesday, 9:00am – Garden Walk mtg.
7 Thursday, 11:00am – Program Committee mtg.
7 Thursday, 1:00pm – Advisory Committee mtg.
12 Tuesday, 1:00pm – Telenet: Good Guys/Bad Guys. Instructor Sandy Mason, Horticulture Educator. Learn how to identify the beneficial insects from the harmful insects. Please call the Extension office (333-7672) to reserve handouts.
14 Thursday, 7:00pm – Telenet repeat: of Good Guys/Bad Guys. Please call the Extension office (333-7672) to reserve handouts.
19 Tuesday, 7:00pm – MG Monthly Program: Natural History Survey Insect Collection Tour. We will be given a tour by Colin Favret, the Insect Collection Manager of the Natural History Survey's Insect Collection. Meet at INHS lobby at 6:45 p.m., 607 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign.
21 Thursday, 1:00pm – Idea Garden mtg.
24–27 International Master Gardener Conference. Saskatoon, Canada For registration information call (306) 966-5539. For more information contact (306)966-5546. Visit the conference website: http://mastergardener2005.usask.ca/
26 Tuesday, 1:00pm – Telenet: Common Lawn and Garden Weed ID. Instructor Michelle Wiesbrook, IPM State Specialist. Knowing what needs to be controlled in our gardens is half the battle. Learn how to identify common garden and lawn weeds. Please call the Extension office (333-7672) to reserve handouts.
28 Thursday, 7:00pm – Telenet repeat: Common Lawn and Garden Weed ID.
30 Saturday, 11:00am – Idea Garden Gardeners' Chat presented by MG Laura Hartman "The Dog Days of Summer Gardening."