Thanks to all of you for coming out and supporting the Herb & Garden Festival here in Mattoon. What a wonderful day we had. It is always fun to get to meet and talk with all of you—I know several of you purchased my Hyacinth Bean vine seeds. I'll be anxious to hear how you like them. Later this summer, if you should have any questions, just give me a call. I have really enjoyed mine. Remember, do not plant them too early.

We had requests for plants we did not have—so we are going to keep track of those requests and try to provide them for you in the future.

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to be on WEIU radio and television station along with Master Gardener, Darla Chouinard. Jeff Owens was the host for this 28 minute interview pertaining to the Herb Festival. Since this is my 11th year of being a Master Gardener I felt pretty confident I could answer most of his questions and tell about our organization. Of course it does not matter how informed a person is—they just cannot know everything! This happened to me.

I mentioned several of the projects we, as Master Gardeners, are involved with. One of which was "Lake Land Summer College for Kids". I know we have a great after school "Youth Gardening" program at the Mattoon Middle school. Neither Darla nor I have had any involvement with the Lake Land Summer College for Kids program. I do know where to get the info about it—so this is what I am doing now.

For this program the info is included in the Lake Land College Summer and Fall class listing that came out a few days ago. If someone wants information, does not have the class listing, and wants to register, that can be done by calling 234-5434, or by logging on to lakelandcollege.edu/summerkidscollege. Also, there is information on the Coles County Extension Web Site at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/coles/. Look at the "Full Event Calendar" under upcoming events.

This year's classes are about insects and eating what you grow. They both will meet at the 4-H Center from 9:30 to 12:00. The insects one is slated for June 16, and the vegetable gardening one will meet on June 9. There is a fee of $13 for the vegetable session and a fee of $9 for the insects.

All students need to bring is themselves and an interest in the topic. Students should be between the ages of 8-11. There is a limited number of spaces, as well as a minimum number enrolled to conduct the classes.

Students must enroll at least one week in advance. There is paperwork to be completed before the student can participate in the class.

We have partnered with Lake Land College for several years to offer this program for kids. The insect one proves to be very popular year after year. It will not be the same activities in last year's insect class. If a youngster has an interest in "bugs," he/she could be a part of this year's class and gain new knowledge. The growing vegetables class will be making a salad garden in a bucket to take home, nurture, and serve to others when the vegetables are ready to eat. These classes are only one morning each. If a young person is interested in either or both topics, then a two and a half hour session is doable for many. For those of you who were not aware of this program, I am sure you will want to consider this for the kids in your life.

GARDEN QUESTIONS FOR CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Q) Is it true that I need to "rotate" crops in my garden? A) 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.

Q) Why were my tulips 24 inches tall last spring and only six inches tall this spring? A) This happens when warm weather causes the tulips to emerge early in the spring and then turn cold again quickly. The cold weather coming after the bulbs break dormancy will prevent the stems from growing taller.

Q) What type of "Weed and Feed" products is available for use on the home lawn? A) Weed and feed type products are easy for the homeowner to apply to the lawn. There are 3 types of products on the market. (1)High phosphorus starter fertilizers combined with the herbicide Tupersan (siduron) for use on a newly seeded lawn. (2) Lawn fertilizer combined with a pre-emergence for control of annual grassy weeds such as crabgrass. (3) Lawn fertilizer combined with a post-emergence herbicide of broadleaf weeds such as dandelions.

Q) Which annuals require the least amount of maintenance time? A) Choose varieties that will not require deadheading or much additional irrigation. Some annuals drop their flowers naturally while others put energy into seed production, and must be groomed for continual bloom. Ageratum, alyssum, begonias, dust miller, impatiens, and vinca are a few self-cleaning annuals. Ageratum, marigolds, ornamental peppers, portulaca, and vinca are among the drought-tolerant species. Prepare your soil well with organic matter (such as wood chips, leaves, or compost) to increase the intervals between watering and to save maintenance time.

Q) I am new to this part of the country. I am starting a vegetable garden and some one suggested I put some lime on my garden soil. How do you know if and when the application is necessary? A) You should check soil fertility and ph by having your soil analyzed at least once every three years. Soil ph measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Vegetables vary to some extent in their requirement, but most garden crops will do well with a soil ph of 6.2 to 6.8. This is a little below neutral or slightly acid (sour). If soil ph is too high or to low, poor crop growth will result, largely due to the effects of ph or the availability of nutrients to plants. A soil test will also give you a relative idea of the nutrient level in the soil. For more information on soil testing, call the Extension Office. (We conducted a soil test week earlier this spring, but still have information on the topic.)

Upcoming event:

Jon Collins, Extension Master Gardener will conduct a spring tree walk on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. You will have an opportunity to see many of the spring flowering trees in bloom as well as view a large variety of trees in a relatively small area on the EIU campus. You can find full details on the U of I Extension web site for Coles County: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/coles/. Look at the "Full Events Calendar" under upcoming events or call 345-7034.