The following is from Marsha Overton, University of Illinois Extension, Coles County Master Gardener.

When is the Right Time to Plant?

Wasn't it a fantastic day for the Herb Festival last Saturday? We would like to thank all of you that stopped by the Master Gardener's booth and purchased plants or asked a question. We really appreciate your support.

I don't know about you, but I got some wonderful plants. Now if only the temperature would stay warm and the wind would not blow so hard, maybe I could get them in the ground.

Several people were asking "Is it too early to plant vegetables and/or annuals?" I think this past week has shown us we just cannot hurry the weather. So—f or this weeks' column I thought we would review some of the ways to determine just when the right time to plant is for our area. A determining factor is our late spring frost. The last expected frost here in central Illinois is May 15th.

There are four categories of vegetables. "Very-hardy" vegetables, such as broccoli, lettuce, onions, spinach and potatoes can survive freezing temperatures and hard frosts. They can be planted as early as the soil can be worked. If you worked the soil last fall, you could have actually planted some by scattering seeds on the snow.

"Frost-tolerant" or semi-hardy vegetables can germinate in cool soil temperatures and withstand light frost. You can plant these (carrots, beets, cauliflower and radishes) two or three weeks before the last spring freeze.

"Tender" vegetables, such as beans, sweet corn, tomato plants and squash, do not germinate well in cold soil and can be injured or killed by frost. These should be planted after the last spring freeze to avoid injury.

"Warm loving" or heat-hardy vegetables are extremely intolerant of frost and cold. They require warm soil and air for successful germination and growth. Examples are cucumbers, watermelons, peppers and sweet potatoes.

The same holds true with flowers as it does for vegetables. There are "hardy" annuals (flowering cabbage, pansies, snapdragons, sweet alyssum, strawflowers, calendulas and coneflowers) that fit into this category. They can stand the most cold of all and can tolerate light frosts without being killed or badly damaged.

"Half-hardy" annuals can tolerate long periods of cold, wet, damp weather but can be damaged or killed by frost. Some in this category include ageratum, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, gazania, lobelia, marigold, nicoitiana, petunia, salvia and vinca.

"Tender" annuals need warm soils to germinate and grow properly and warm air temperatures to produce the best flower display. Some examples of these are; tuberous begonia, coleus, dusty miller, geranium portulaca, verbena and zinnia.

Another question asked was should crops be rotated in our gardens? Rotating crops from year to year helps to control diseases that over winter in the soil. Do not grow the same vegetable or related vegetables in or near the same location more often than once in three years. Rotate crops from one side of the garden to the other. If your garden is on a slope, plant the rows across rather than up and down. This practice will decrease loss of soil and erosion of gullies during rainstorms.

GARDEN GUIDE FOR CENTRAL ILLINOIS

VEGETABLES: Mid-May—plant sweet corn varieties with different maturity dates, snap beans, summer squash, and New Zealand spinach. Thin carrots, beets and late lettuce. Harvest green onions, lettuce, and radishes. Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, sweet potatoes, and other warm season crops near the end of the month. Harvest asparagus and rhubarb.

LAWN: Continue post emergence herbicide treatment for broadleaf weeds if necessary.

Mid-May—fertilize if making 2 applications per year. Check for possible diseases.

FLOWERS: Plant tender annuals and herbs near the end of the month. When peonies reach 10 inches, stake or surround with a peony hoop. Allow spring bulb foliage to yellow and wither to produce food for next year. Plant tropical water lilies and lotus when water temperature is over 55 degrees.

Begin to harden-off warm season transplants, moving them into a cold frame or other protected area. Over wintered tender annuals or tropical ( such as hibiscus, gardenia, Mandeville, bougainvillea, geranium) may be pruned, cleaned, fertilized, and gradually introduced to a protected location once night temperatures reach 50 degrees.

With the higher cost of gardening why not consider having plant exchanges with your friends and family. I know there are a group of us that do just that. It is really a lot of fun plus you get different varieties of beautiful plants.

INDOOR GARDENING: Houseplants may be gradually moved outside to a protected area. FRUITS: Continue control for diseases and insects on fruit trees. Do not spray fruit trees while in they are in bloom.

PICK STRAWBERRIES AND ENJOY!!!