Thanks to all who have already dropped plant sale contributions off at Pat's house. We can't wait to see what you bring to the fairgrounds on Friday! Ellen M. got a very generous donation of over 200 primrose from Cantigny. Let's hope we have good weather and lots of interested shoppers.

After visiting the websites linked in this news release, I can now identify the many weeds growing in my yard. I think I have at least one of each!

NEWS RELEASE
April 22, 2009

Identify "Early Season" Weeds

As temperatures have finally warmed up in this spring, no-till fields or fields with delayed tillage can rapidly "green up" from the growth of winter and early-summer annual weed species. Knowing what species are present by correct identification is the first step to effective control. Some of the early season weeds may be less common to some producers and possibly more difficult to identify for control purposes.

Two University of Illinois websites can offer help with identification. "Color pictures of many of the early species and a brief description are available at the sites," says John Church, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Rockford. The first site is from the University of Illinois Extension Pest Management and Crop Development Bulletin at http://ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/pastpest/articles/200104h.html.

A number of winter annual pictures, comparisons and descriptions of weed species and their families is included in a fact sheet format. Also available on the University of Illinois website is the North Central Region University publication, NCR 614, "Early Spring Weeds of No-till Crop Production". It is at http://weeds.cropsci.uiuc.edu/extension/Other/NCR614.pdf.

For Illinois control recommendations, information is available from the 2009 weekly updates of the Bulletin newsletter which is on line at www.ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin and from the University of Illinois Agricultural Pest Management Handbook on the web at http://ipm.uiuc.edu/pubs/iapmh/index.html. Publications are also available through U. of I. Extension offices.

John Church
Extension Educator, Natural Resources
Rockford Center
1601 Parkview Ave.
Rockford, IL 61107

Telephone 815-395-5710

Valuable is the work you do.

Outstanding is how you always come through.

Loyal, sincere and full of good cheer,

Untiring in your efforts throughout the year.

Notable are the contributions you make.

Trustworthy in every project you take.

Eager to reach your every goal.

Effective in the way you fulfill your role.

Ready with a smile like a shining star,

Special and wonderful—that's what you are.

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Thank you all so much for making the DuPage County Master Gardener program a great success!

This looks like a fabulous educational opportunity. Click here for the conference poster and link to the event website.

Mark Your Calendars: The Planter's Palette Garden Walk is June 27^th and 28^th, 2009. A total of 12 area gardens will be open for exploration and inspiration. Four of the featured gardens are located in St. Charles, with the remainder in Bartlett and the Wheaton/West Chicago area. Included are gardens of our own Master Gardeners. All proceeds will go to the University of Illinois Extension offices in Kane and DuPage County, as well as Dupage Animal Care and Control.

Thanks to all of you who have volunteered for this event. Please help publicize this important fundraiser. Feel free to pass along this flyer.

The Planter's Palette Garden Walk

Our very own, Art Feid, is featured in the Glen Ellyn Sun. Congratulations, Art!

Check out his article here.