Congratulations! Everyone passed the final exam. Take a look at the final exam scores for a summary of all your scores. You might like to see where you fit in. I have included both the new and veteran MG's scores.

The big news is the MG office has moved, and you have a new computer (and printer). Now you can access the Internet. Also, since you are part of our network, we can change our phone message system from writing everything on paper to entering everything into the computer. This new system will give us many advantages, such as generating reports for multiple uses.

Of course this will mean learning new skills. And whenever a new system is developed and implemented, some glitches will probably occur. We know this. But you can't make progress without trying new things. I am counting on you to help us meet these challenges and continue to improve our service to our customers.

So stop in and check it out. We've gone high tech!

The DuPage MG program will be managing the Lombard site again this year. There we plan, plant and maintain two identical side by side gardens, one of which has had the benefit of compost additions over the years.

The two plots enable us to show various plants (both vegetables and ornamentals) that perform significantly better in the amended garden as well as some for which the addition of compost makes little or no difference.

The compost demo site shows the public several ways to manage compost and methods to build and maintain their own compost pile.

Again this year, in conjunction with the Plant a Row for the Hungry Program, we will be working to contribute the produce we grow to various food pantries and depositories.

Other functions at the site include the posting of yard waste rules and regulations, serving as a training site for Brownie and Girl Scout merit badge activities, and offering the public an opportunity to reach MGs in the field on Saturday in addition to at the office during the week.

The site will be staffed on Saturday mornings from 10 till noon, June through September. We are located on the NE corner of the Lombard Municipal complex, at the corners of Wilson and Stewart (1/2 mile E of Main, 1/2 mile N of Roosevelt).

Please share this information with those who can benefit from a visit to this location. For more info, please contact Paul Stoffels at (630) 469-5461(H).

We've begun something new with this mailing. With each newsletter, you will receive an up-to-date report reflecting the volunteer time you have completed and the trainings you have attended. We hope that these reports will help all of us keep track of the program requirements (and prevent surprises come fall).

Please remember to use your goldenrod "Volunteer Hours Report" forms to keep us up-to-date on all your activities other than office work. Each Master Gardener who works "in the field" needs to complete this report each month. This will also help Susan with her required reporting to the state. You can drop them off or mail them. For hours to be included with the newsletter mailing, we will need to receive them by the end of the first weeks of June, August, and October.

If you have questions or comments regarding these reports, please call Susan as soon as possible so that we may correct our records, if necessary.

Congratulations to the 2000 Master Gardener interns. We're happy to have you aboard!

I am pleased to share with you the opening of a Youth Educator position in the DuPage Extension Office. This is a position similar to Susan's, but will focus on youth. It requires a Master's Degree in education, social sciences, youth development, or communications. If you know of anyone interested, please have them call me at 630-653-4114.

April 20 - A Kitchen Herb Pot
Learn about container growing of herbs. Morton Arboretum.
Thursday, April 20; 7 - 9 PM. $27 (members $23). Limit 20. (630) 719-2468

April 20 - The Habitat Project
Rickie White of the Chicago chapter of the National Audubon Society will discuss a new program to coordinate regional monitoring of grassland birds, butterflies, and vegetation across the Chicago wilderness, via the Chicago Wilderness Monitoring Journal. Sponsored by the EL Native Plant Society. April 20, 7:30 at Campbell House, Geneva, IL. (630) 983-8404.

April 20 or 22 - Container Vegetables and Herbs for the Cool Season
Learn how to select the right container, choose the correct planting mix, provide nutrition, and pick the best plants to grow. Sponsored by Vicki Nowicki, GREEN HEAVEN, 907 Summit St., Downers Grove, Thursday, April 20 or Saturday, April 22, 9:30 - 11:30am. (630) 852-5263. $30

April 20 or 22 - Plant Cool Season Vegetables the Quick and Easy Way
Lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, and much more can be planted so easily using easy techniques that work! Sponsored by Vicki Nowicki, GREEN HEAVEN, 907 Summit St., Downers Grove, $30, Thursday, April 20 or Saturday, April 22. 1:00 - 3:00pm. (630) 852-5263

April 22 - Ornamental Grasses Seminar
At Sid's Garden Center, 10926 Southwest Highway, Palos Hills, April 22, 2pm. (708) 974-4500. http://www.sidsgreenhouses.com

April 23 - Central States Dahlia Society Plant Sale
The Central States Dahlia Society will host a plant sale on April 23 from 10am to 4pm. http://www.chicago-botanic.org (847) 835-5440. Held at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe.

April 25 - The Self-Sown Garden
You can have a beautiful, colorful, flavorful garden and sidestep the expense of purchasing plants or the chore of starting seeds indoors by creating a "self-sown garden." Tuesday, April 25; 7 to 9:30pm. $23 (members $18). Limit 24. (630) 719-2468 The Morton Arboretum, Lisle.

April 29 or 30 or May 4 - Spring Wildflowers
Learn to identify these plants and hear about their Folklore. $15 (members $12). Limit 20. Section a: Saturday, April 29, 9:30am to noon. Section b: Sunday, April 30, 1:30 to 4pm. Section c: Thursday, May 4, 9:30am to noon. Morton Arboretum, Lisle (630) 248-6476

April 30 - Northern Chicagoland Rose Clinic, Exhibit and Sale
Northern Chicagoland Rose Society will hold its annual rose clinic and sale on April 30 from noon to 4pm. The clinic will feature demonstrations and educational materials on all aspects of rose growing such as planting, pruning and fertilizing. Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440. http://www.chicago-botanic.org

April 26 - Fundamentals of Gardening (Part 1)
This first class in a series at Cantigny Gardens, Wheaton will be taught by Joe Sable, Director of Production and start on April 26 at 6:30pm in the Greenhouse. $40 fee for the entire series. Registration: 630-668-5161

May 6 - College of DuPage Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, May 6 for one day only from 8am to 2pm at the College of DuPage Greenhouse. Cash or check only. Sale of over 200 varieties of annuals and over 70 varieties of perennials.

May 13 - Eighth Annual Spring Plant Sale
Sponsored by the Men's Garden Club of Villa Park this sale will be held on Saturday from 8am to 4pm at the MGCVP Greenhouse at Memorial Square, 320 E. Kenilworth, Villa Park.

May 19-20 - Old House Landscapes
Two-day presentation/workshop by Landscape Historian Scott Kunst. Organized by The Reddick Mansion Assn. And the Ottawa Garden Club. Includes sidewalk tour of an Ottawa historic neighborhood and 3 local gardens available for tour. Overnight package available. For more info contact Ottawa Visitors Center, toll free at (888) 688-2924.

2 6-oz. cans of water packed tuna, drained
1 8-oz. pkg. of cream cheese, at room temp
2 tbsp. chili sauce or ketchup
1 tbsp. dried parsley
2 tbsp. finely minced onion
1 tbsp. dried dill

Combine all ingredients except tuna. Mix in the tuna and refrigerate until chilled. Make sandwiches on lightly buttered bread of your choice. Thinly sliced cucumber may be added to the sandwiches.

Here is a summary of our exam scores. Remember, to be an active MG we need to score at least an 80 percent. For new MGs, this means at least 80 points and for veteran MGs at least 24 points. Everyone did it!

New Master Gardener Scores
Total Possible Points: 100

Score	Tally
99	6
98	5
97	7
96	2
94	2
93	3
89	1
87	2
85	1

Veteran Master Gardener Scores
Total Possible Points: 30

Score	Tally
30	1
29	5
28	17
27	4
26	5
24	1

Tuesday, May 9, 2000 - *Butterfly Gardening
Presented by Extension Unit Horticulture Educator Susan Grupp
Noon - 1:00pm
DuPage County Administration Building Room 1500B
421 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton

Thursday, May 18, 2000 - *Container Gardening
Presented by Extension Unit Horticulture Educator Susan Grupp
6:30pm - 8:00pm
University of Illinois Extension Office - Conference Room
310 S. County Farm Road, Wheaton

Tuesday. June 27, 2000 - *Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate
Presented by Family Life Educator Molly Hofer
Noon - 1:00pm
DuPage County Administration Building Room 1500B
421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton
- and -
6:30pm - 7:30 pm
University of Illinois Extension Office - Conference Room
310 S. County Farm Road, Wheaton

*Registration required. Please call 630-653-4114

The following clever garden riddles were found in a recent issue of "Birds & Blooms." See if you can figure out these stumpers. All the answers are names of flowers. Check your answers at the bottom of the page. Try not to peek.

1. What a guy did when proposing marriage
2. An udderly bad barnyard accident
3. What John's mom says every morning
4. Sad Southern girl
5. A country with lots of automobiles
6. Groups of sheep
7. Farm critter's whiskers
8. Keeps a woman warm
9. Used for eating ice cream
10. What you might call a lousy female boxer
11. A child did this to a birthday candle
12. Obstetricians are relieved to hear this
13. Grows between mountains
14. A man's name and an old writing instrument
15. What temperatures below 32 degrees do

Many thanks to all the MGs who participate in the Speakers' Bureau presentations.

April 18 - Shade Gardening, Elmhurst Historical Museum, Don Obuch

April 20 - Garden Design, Brookdale Garden Club, Don Obuch

May 5 - Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden, First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn, Eileen Kostock

May 9 - Perennials for DuPage County, Senior Citizens Group of Oakbrook Terrace, Warren Senneke

May 9 - Gardening in the Space You Have, Village Garden Club of Villa Park, Perry Woodford

May 15 - Ornamental Grasses, Darien Park District, Don Obuch

May 16 - Butterfly Gardening, West Chicago Library, Eileen Kostock

May 18 - Perennials, Brookdale Garden Club, Don Obuch

June 14 - Ornamental Grasses, Downers Grove Organic Garden Club, Don Obuch

Gardeners Take To the Highways... From the survey you recently completed, it showed that some of you were interested in garden spots that may be found along the way as you travel this summer. From the looks of the National Geographic Guide to America's Public Gardens, this is one resource you will want to check out. Written by Mary Zuazua Jenkins, 300 of the best gardens in the US and Canada are presented along with 250 color photographs. This guide gives clear, concise directions and also stories about the famous owners and designers. Easy to use and a great reference. Check it out at your local library or bookstore.

The following is part two of an article on lilies written by fellow MG Eileen Kostock. The first part was in the Fall 1999 Newsletter and continues here.

Lilies need a moist, but well drained location, with at least six hours of sun. This said, I have lilies I grow in part shade and find that this is a better placement for the pastel colored ones. However, do not give your lilies too much shade; part shade is the maximum. While it has been my experience that lilies will bloom in shade, if they have too much shade they will be leggy, straggly, and will require staking. Lilies are much like clematis in that they enjoy the sun in their faces, but prefer their feet be shaded. Mulching will help to keep the feet cool.

Lilies can be planted fairly deeply. The general recommendation is to plant them at a depth that is twice as deep as the bulb is high. However, I spent some time talking to the wonderful and very knowledgeable owner of The Lily Garden, the company from which I ordered most of my lilies this year, and she says that you can plant lilies quite deeply. She feels that most people consider lilies to be more delicate than is the reality. An advantage to planting your lily bulbs deeply is that the plant will be much more firmly anchored to the ground, which should keep your lilies upright. The taller or more heavily flowered lilies can tend to fall over. If planting them more deeply would help me avoid this task, then that is something I will have to try. How deep is too deep? Well, Judith tells me that it would be rather hard to plant a lily too deeply. In fact, she assures me that they would find their way up, no matter how deeply they were planted.

Lilies are not heavy feeders, but if you want to give them an extra boost, the best time to feed them is once in the spring once the flower buds are just about to open, and then again in the fall. If you choose a slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote, you'll only need to use it once a year. Whatever fertilizer you use, do not use one with a high nitrogen level as too much nitrogen causes lush leaf and stem growth, which may attract aphids.

As "bare root" bulbs, lilies are best planted in the fall. As potted plants lilies can be planted anytime. Common sense dictates, however, that it is probably not wise to plant anything, lily or otherwise, in the high heat of summer, unless you are diligent about watering.

Now as far as creatively placing a lily in your garden, with a flower this pretty, any place you put it would enhance the surroundings. The thing I try to keep in mind, is that when a lily is not in bloom the leaves and stems leave something to be desired. I try to plant mine at the back of the bed. If, because of height considerations, the lily must be placed in the middle or front of the bed, then I try to place them behind plants with more interesting textures, such as perennial geraniums, astrantias, roses, baby's breath, and the dwarf ornamental grasses.

Continued in the next issue...

This area of The Garden Thymes has been set aside for announcements of births, anniversaries and special recognition/awards of fellow MG's. The same holds true for announcements from the plant world i.e. All-American Selections, Perennial of the Year, Hosta, and Rose. Is there something that you would like us to include in the next issue?

The International Herb Association named Rosemary (Rosmarinus) the herb of the year for 2000.

The Hosta for 2000 was named: 'Sagae'. Keep an eye out for this one at your favorite nursery or garden center.

Asian Longhorned Beetle ... Foliage fans and maple syrup lovers are holding their collective breaths as this new pest from overseas poses a potential threat to the nation's sugar maples and other trees.

Feng Shui ... New books are starting to crop up on the market describing the ancient Chinese art of placement. Using rocks and straight lines, it emphasizes the flow of ch'i or the universal life force.

Grafting ... In the olden days, a farm might have only one or two apples trees yet miraculously be provided with a wide array of varieties of apples. A farmer would graft scions from different varieties onto an existing tree in early spring; by the end of the summer, a successful graft would have grown three feet or more.

Use suet cakes year-round to attract a greater variety of birds to your garden. The basic ingredients are familiar, though specific proportions can vary. All suet feed for birds contain fats, flour, and usually a sweetener. Experiment by adding raisins, sunflower seeds, nuts, or other ingredients.

BASIC RECIPE

1 c. lard (no substitutions)
1 c. crunchy peanut butter
2 c. quick-cooking oats
2 c. cornmeal
1 c. all purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar

In a 2 quart pan, melt the lard and peanut butter over medium heat, and then stir in the oats, cornmeal, flour, and sugar. Press the mixture into squared freezer containers about 1 1/2" deep. Refrigerate until cool, then cut into cakes, seal in plastic wrap, and store in the freezer. Or, can spread mixture on pine cones and hang.

While you might place some seed feeders in full sun in an open location, suet is best in or near a tree and out of the sun to prevent melting. Set them out and watch the birds feast.

March was a record-breaking month for our web site. We received 744,358 hits and had a daily average of 24,012 hits. We averaged 1,000 hits/hour. March was our highest month since beginning the Urban web site and a 28 percent increase from our previous high in October 1999.

The high usage is reflected in a variety of promotional efforts, including the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, advertising with the Chicago Tribune, and several newspaper features throughout the state.

International visitors made up 7.3 percent of all hits. The top foreign countries visiting our site in March were:

Canada ... 21,831 (2.9%)
New Zealand ... 7,916 (1.1%)
United Kingdom ... 5,780 (0.8%)
Australia ... 5,031 (0.7%)
Singapore ... 2,059 (0.3%)
Malaysia ... 1,097 (0.1%)

The Suburban Garden Club will be holding it's 33rd Annual Plant Sale & Clinic on Saturday, May 13 at the Hinsdale Community House, Eighth & Madison St., Hinsdale. The DuPage MGs will again be staffing a desk to field questions from the public. In addition, many of the expert gardeners from the club will be able to offer help with specific plant selections.

This will be the largest sale ever, offering over 25,000 plants, including annuals, vegetables, designer perennials, herbs, specialty landscape grasses, house plants, hanging baskets, exotic container gardens, and much, much more...

Hours are from 8:30am to 3:00pm and admission is free. Please come early for the best selection. This annual event brings out a crowd. For more info, call Paul Stoffels at (630) 469-5461(H).

Wondering where you can find Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'? Do you have some questions for a fellow MG about growing hybrid teas? Or perhaps you are involved in a MG project and need more volunteers and/or supplies? This area of the Thymes will be available to post these messages. Perhaps you want to share a gardening tip, a Website or public garden you have visited. Or you may have divided hostas and have some "give-aways." Forward this information to the Newsletter Committee and we will be happy to post them.

Occupation: Computer Project Manager at Motorola

Number of years as a Master Gardener: This is my first year.

Personal hero: I don't have one.

Favorite annual: Petunia - the Wave

Favorite perennial: Red leaf cannas

Something about me not too many people know: That I am a gourmet cook.

My most humbling gardening experience: To be able to grow blooming gardenia and plumeria in my greenhouse.

Major gardening accomplishment: Building a tropical greenhouse with Plexiglas and PVC tubing.

Best gardening tip: Use mushroom compost in the vegetable garden.

If I am not gardening, you will find me: Sun tanning outside or in a tanning booth.

Occupation: Dental Hygienist

Number of years as a Master Gardener: This is my first year.

Personal hero: My great grandmother who was a woman of commitment, honesty, and had a great faith in the Lord.

Favorite annual: Alyssum - I love the sea of color, the scent and velvety touch.

Favorite perennial: Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'

Something about me not too many people know: I am seriously displaced in a family of athletes.

My most humbling gardening experience: My yard - it is a work in progress.

Major gardening accomplishment: Our subdivision entry island was abandoned for 12 years. My neighbor and I organized a renovation project which has turned out very well.

Best gardening tip: Don't just plant: create visual interest.

If I am not gardening, you will find me: At my children's sporting events or walking in the Arboretum.

This national project, organized by the Garden Writer's Association of America, cultivates the best of what gardeners have to offer: their love of planting and their love of sharing. The MGs have supported this program over the years through the Lombard Demo site, but there was always a problem with getting our crops to drop off sites due to conflicting hours of operation.

Through the assistance of the Daily Herald, this year will be much more grower friendly. The Daily Herald will print a list of all the sites available to receive produce each week along with their hours. In addition, this information will be posted in the display case at the Lombard site for the visitors who drop by. The Daily Herald and partner food banks (Bethlehem Center and the Greater Chicago Food Depository) set a goal of 10,000 pounds of produce. As part of this year's goal, we are working to spread the word of this program to the various gardeners and garden clubs in the area.

Watch the Herald for more news about this program. If you want to help contribute or obtain more information, contact Paul Stoffels at 630-469-5461 or visit the PAR web site at www.gwaa.org.

• Deadline for submissions: May 31
• Final of the three-part series on "Lilies" by Eileen Kostock
• Garden Review on "Birds & Blooms" magazine
• Info on State Master Gardener Conference
• How To "Paint A Pretty Pot" coincides with Susan's class

May 2

MG Update for Garden Center Volunteers
9:20 AM - 11:30 AM, DuPage Extension Office
This class is designed to provide MGs with the seasonal questions you will most likely encounter at the garden centers when you volunteer in May. Details about the garden center and time cards, fact sheets, etc., will be covered.

May 6

Budding Gardener Day
9:00 AM - Noon, DuPage Extension Office
This is a reminder for the MGs who have agreed to participate in our 4-H garden program.

Wannemakers Garden Center Downers Grove
Master Gardeners available to help customers.

May 9

Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden
Noon - 1:00pm
DuPage County Administration Bldg
421 N. County Farm Rd. - Rm. 1500B
This class is offered to the public and will qualify as an enrichment class for MGs.
Instructor: Susan Grupp

May 13

Suburban Garden Club's Thumb-O-Rama Plant Sale
Hinsdale Community Center
Master Gardeners available to help customers.

Planters Palette, Winfield
Master Gardeners available to help customers.

May 18

Tips for Container Gardening
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
This class is offered to the public and qualifies as an enrichment class for MGs.

May 20

Wannemakers Garden Center Downers Grove
Master Gardeners available to help customers.

May 27

Planters Palette, Winfield
Master Gardeners available to help customers

Aster

Cowslip

Johnny-jump up

Bluebells

Carnation

Phlox

Goatsbeard

Lady's Mantle

Coneflower

Black-eyed Susan

Bluet

Baby's breath

Lily of the Valley

Jonquil

Freesia