Erica R. Sufritz, Ph.D., is the new District Coordinator for the North Suburban Cook Extension office. For those of you who saw last month's Hort happenings you will recall we welcomed Anne Gachuhi to our staff. Both Erica and Anne have been hired as part of our new Urban Initiative. For our horticulture programs, this means thinking in new ways about "green space" in an urban environment and how to work creatively within our community. Erica's background is bilingual literacy development in preschool children, families and adults. She was born in Morgantown, West Virginia but moved to Detroit while still an infant. That is where she grew up, getting her B.A. in Psychology and Spanish at Wayne State University. She came to Chicago to start graduate school at Loyola University and received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in child development and research.

Erica said she doesn't know much about horticulture, but has already dropped in on a few Master Gardening workshops, learned a little about different types of soils, and is excited about meeting all the volunteers and participants involved in our programs. As she puts it, "I'm happy that I will be in the company of so many experts to help me keep my flowers alive if we go through another drought like last summer!"

Successful perennial gardens start with thorough and thoughtful bed preparation. Some of the key points include: eliminating perennial weeds before turning the soil; insuring a well drained soil yet having it retain enough moisture for good plant growth; providing for sufficient organic matter in the soil; and adding fertilizer as needed.

Eliminating perennial weeds: The first step in soil preparation is to get rid of perennial weeds before you turn the first spade of soil.

When establishing new beds in grassed areas or in areas where there is heavy weed growth, apply a non-selective, systemic herbicide such as Glyphosate (Round-up) to the area. Apply this material to weeks that are actively growing, generally when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees. Spring applications are good with fall being another time when weed control is good with this material.

Outline the shape of the bed with a garden hose and spray within the outline. It will take 7-14 days before you will see the weeds being killed. After the vegetation is brown, you can till the area. For weeds that are particularly aggressive, the first spray of Round-up may not control all of the plant. It is suggested that after tilling to leave the bed remain unplanted for a few weeks to see if any of the perennial weeds re-grow. If they do, a second application of Round-up will control the remaining weeds. It is a good idea to not be too much in a rush to plant without getting all the weeks under control otherwise you end up fighting those weeks while trying to grow perennials.

Providing drainage: Well-drained soil is essential in order to grow perennials successfully but is most critical when it comes to over-wintering perennials. More perennials are killed by soils that stay wet over the winter than by the actual cold temperatures. To ensure a well-drained site, avoid planting in low-lying areas. During bed preparation, add organic matter at a rate of about 25-30 percent by volume of soil. This translates to adding about 3-4 inches of organic matter on top of the bed and working it into about 10-12 inches of soil.

In areas that tend to have less than good drainage, raising the bed either with timbers, rocks, landscape bricks, or similar materials will greatly improve drainage and your chances of growing and maintaining a perennial bed. Drainage can be checked by simply digging a hole 8-12 inches deep and filling it with water. Let it drain and fill it again. If this water drains in less than 1 hour, drainage should be satisfactory.

Adding organic matter: Organic matter is the key to improving less than great soils. There is no easy short cut and no magic soil preparation material that can take its place. Organic matter helps to improve the physical and biological properties of soils when added in sufficient amounts and to sufficient depths.

The bottom line is, don't short cut this part of bed preparation. Organic matter improves the structure and aeration of clay soil and improves moisture and nutrient retention in sandy soil. There are a variety of organic matter materials that can be used depending on availability, preference, and cost. Materials to consider would include compost, peat moss, composted barks, leaf compost, mushroom compost, and composted manure.

Fertilizer rates: Generally, the fertilizer requirements for new beds consists of adding about two pounds of 5-10-5 fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden bed area. Till this in at the time of bed preparation.

- by Susan Grupp, Horticulture Educator (U of I Extension)

Daffodil

Daffodils were brought to Britain by the Romans who thought that the sap from these flowers had healing powers. Actually the sap contains crystals that can irritate the skin.

Greek mythology gives us the term narcissus. There was a young Greek named Narcissus. A nymph called Echo was in love with him but Narcissus broker off the relationship. Heartbroken, she hid in a cave and died. Later, Narcissus, who was very handsome and quite taken with himself, saw his face in a pool, and as he leaned over to see better, fell in and drowned and became a flower.

Hyacinth

According to Greek mythology, hyacinth got its name when a young boy named Hyacinth was killed when a discus hit him in the head during a game. A hyacinth sprang from the cut in his head as he lay in the arms of the god Apollo, who was wailing in grief. Wild hyacinths have letter-like patterns on their petals which look like the "A" in Greek which indicates the sound of wailing.

Hyacinths came to Europe from Turkey. A German doctor named Leonhardt Rauwolf, collected samples of hyacinths when he visited Turkey in 1573. By the early 1700s, hyacinths were very popular with more than 2,000 cultivars available.

Crocus

According to legend, the Greek Gods Zeus & Hura loved each other so passionately that the land where they lived burst open with crocuses.

Crocuses were brought to England from France by Jean Robin, a Director of Gardens in Paris. Crocuses came to the United States on ships by settlers who planted them around their cabins.

- www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/bulbs

Chicago Flower Show

March 11 - 19, 2006 at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - www.chicagoflower.com

Seven volunteer "ambassadors" (combination show guide and jack of all trades) are needed. Orientation will be provided.

• Two shifts– 9 am to 3 pm or 2 pm to 8 pm

• Volunteers will receive a lunch voucher and a free ticket to visit the CFGS on another day. Sorry, no parking help. They can also enjoy the CFGS and attend gardening seminar on the day they volunteer, either before or after their shift.

Help is also needed March 7-10 with set up for the Horticultural Competition and Flower Arranging Competitions.

If you need some hours and are able-bodied, please volunteer some time by e-mailing Bob Haisman at GardenOPRF@SBCGLOBAL.net

Knupper's Spring Open House

March 25, 2006• 9 am - 4 pm

We are looking for 6 Master Gardeners to volunteer for this occasion. Knupper's will provide a complimentary lunch and beverage. This is a great opportunity to get your needed volunteer hours in. If you are interested, please call Eileen at 847-818-2901 and sign up.

Step Up Into Spring – Annual Garden Fair

April 29, 2006 at Harper College

Volunteers are needed for this event. Contact Eileen Witt or Theresa Jones at the U of I Master Gardener office (847) 818-2901.

Plan your vegetable garden on a sheet of paper to utilize your space efficiently.

Rotate vegetables to reduce insect and disease problems.

Prune deciduous trees and shrubs that bloom in the summer. Shrubs that bloom in the spring should be pruned after flowering.

Apply fungicides (Benomyl or Captan) for apple scab control when new green growth starts. Spray every seven to ten days through mid-July.

Divide most perennials now. Peony, iris and poppy are best divided in late summer to early fall.

Cut back ornamental grass foliage to about 4-6 inches; old foliage left on the plant can delay the crown's warming and subsequent growth by as much as three weeks.

Divide ornamental grasses before growth starts. Grasses that have died out in the center should be divided.

Rejuvenate red and yellow stem dogwoods, spireas and privet hedges. Cut back to the ground. Cutting will stimulate new growth.

Transplant shrubs while still dormant.

- Ron Wolford, Horticulture Educator (U of I Extension)

Dolores and her sister, Lois, have been gardening for some time now and their lovely garden shows off all their hard work. They are justifiably proud of the many exquisite flowers that are showcased there.