For those of you who thought things were slower than usual in the Master Gardener office, you can rest assured that has changed! The volume of calls and samples has picked up dramatically and reminds me of days gone past. It is gratifying to see so many county residents seeking our help. To date, we have helped over 1,160 people at the office! Keep up the great job!

I would like to offer the Master Gardener classes in 2001 to a larger group than in the past. I will need help from all of you to successfully accomplish this. If any of you are interested in volunteering in a new or different role, please give me a call.

I am excited that we will be piloting the Junior Master Gardener program this fall. I already have two MG volunteers signed up to work with me, but I still need two more! Please call me right away if you would like to participate in this neat opportunity to teach and inspire young people about gardening.

Finally, I would like to thank the many of you who have volunteered to work at fairs and farmer's markets this summer. Together, we have reached many new folks. Not only have we been able to offer gardening advice, but we have also been able to market who we are. With your help, I hope to expand this effort even more next year. A special thanks to DuPage County Board member Kyle Gilgis for helping us get started at the Downers Grove Farmer's Market.

Enjoy the end of summer!

Two optional classes will be offered this fall. These classes count toward your recertification requirement. Space is limited for both classes; call the Extension Office (630-653-4114) to reserve your spot. There is no charge for either class.

It's Not All Crabgrass: Identifying Lawn Grasses and Grassy Weeds in Lawns

Where: DuPage County Extension Office, 310 S County Farm RD, Suite B, Wheaton

When: Wednesday, September 20, 2000, 9:30 am–Noon

Instructor: Bruce Spangenberg, Extension Educator Horticulture

How can crabgrass be identified from tall fescue, foxtail or ryegrass? This session will provide an overview of how to identify both desirable turfgrasses and grassy weeds that may invade lawns. Both lecture and hands-on with grass samples will be included.

Bringing a hand lens, such as 10X, is suggested.

Conifer Diseases

Where: Morton Arboretum, Lisle Room location to be determined. At this writing, it has not been decided whether or not a parking fee will be required. Please ask when you call in your reservation.

When: Thursday, October 19, 2000, 9:30 am–Noon

Instructors: Team taught by Susan Grupp, Extension Educator Horticulture, and Jim Schuster, Extension Educator Horticulture

I'm happy to announce the appointment of Deanna Roby to the position of Youth Educator in the DuPage Unit effective August 21. She comes to DuPage with over six years of experience in working with 4-H and youth programming in Kendall County. Her credentials also include a bachelors degree in business and communication and a masters degree in human resource development/continuing education. Deanna is enthusiastic and looking forward to increased participation in horticulture activities for the 4-H youth.

Please join me in welcoming Deanna to the DuPage team!

University of Illinois Extension is launching a Junior Master Gardener program this fall. The program will be piloted in one office in each of the five regions in the state. The DuPage County office has been selected as the pilot for the Northeast Region, and Susan is seeking two more Master Gardeners to work with her and Master Gardeners Lynn Bement and Vicki O'Rourke on this exciting project.

The curriculum materials have been developed by Texas A&M. We have a copy of the Teacher/Leader handbook and the Junior Master Gardener handbook for Level 1. Level 1 is designed for grades 3-5. Both group and individual activities allow for flexibility in customizing a program to meet our needs.

The JMG program introduces young gardeners to the art and science of gardening. Some of the chapters are: Plant Growth and Development, Soils and Water, Ecology and Environment, Insects and Diseases, Vegetables and Herbs, Life Skills and Career Exploration.

We don't have too many details yet. There is a planning meeting on campus in early September that Susan will attend. In the meantime, we do know this: The pilot program will be offered as an after-school program for kids. Your role will be to plan the sessions using the guidebooks, gather materials for the projects, teach and encourage the young folks, and complete the necessary paperwork for monitoring and evaluating the program. We will do everything we can to make sure it is successful!

We have nearly 100 applicants signed up to receive our mailing for the 2001 Master Gardener program. In response to this continued interest in our program, Susan is investigating the possibility of expanding our program. Naturally, there are several challenges. One is locating a larger classroom site for the 11-week series. Another is monitoring, coordinating and supporting additional Master Gardeners and their activities. She points out that we need to take extra care to not only maintain our high quality program, but also to continue to improve where we can. A new location would mean Susan would need assistance with organizing and setting up the room each week. Hopefully, some of us will call her and offer to help. If you are interested in helping, please call Susan soon.

Pruning Fall Veggies
Vegetables keep on producing until cold weather stops them. By doing some careful pruning, you can keep them from wasting energy on fruit that will never have time to completely ripen. It will also direct more energy to the fruit already on the plant, making it grow even bigger and ripen faster. Prune about three weeks before the first frost date. Go to the tips or ends of the vines and look for flowers. Work your way back to a point where the flowers are already beginning to form new plants. Make your cut there. Prune just above a leaf or fruit. Many vining crops will benefit --- winter squash, pumpkins, melons, cucumbers and tomatoes. Late flowers on peppers and eggplants should be removed. Same holds true for pumpkins.

Earwigs
This is yet another insect that has been wreaking havoc in our gardens. Even though they typically feed on decaying organic matter, when populations are high they can target garden flowers, such as dahlias. They feed at night so a quick trip to the garden armed with a flashlight will confirm their presence. Avoid chemicals by placing a wetted down newspaper in the area where they are feeding. In the morning, dispose of the newspaper with the trapped critters. Again, check your MG manual for chemical controls as a last resort and for a description of what they look like.

A Moss Milkshake???
A great way to fill in shady areas with moss (i.e. around stepping stones) or if you want to hasten the spread of moss in an existing area, try the following "moss shake." Start with a clump of moss from your own yard (check moist, shady spots to find a likely patch). Crumble moss into a blender and add buttermilk and water in equal parts. Process on mix until the concoction is well blended. If it's thick like pancake batter, add some water to thin to a cream-soup-like consistency. Pour your milkshake wherever you want moss to grow. Keep moist and soon the bits of blended moss will regenerate and colonize the area.

Daylilies Top 10 List
The top ten list of daylilies by the American Hemerocallis Society is as follows, not in any specific order:

1. 'Strawberry Candle'
2. 'Barbara Mitchell'
3. 'Always Afternoon'
4. 'Wedding band'
5. 'Janice Brown'
6. 'Elizabeth Salter'
7. 'Siloam Double Classic'
8. 'Moonlight Masquerade'
9. 'Custard Candy'
10. 'Paper Butterfly'

Top Secrets To Growing Delphinium
Are these one of your favorites in your garden but you're having trouble getting them to come back each year? Try the following to help grow them successfully. First, they hate heavy clay soil (Is there a perennial that doesn't?), preferring slightly alkaline soils that drain well. Water regularly and amend soil with organic material, as they are heavy feeders. A 5-10-10 fertilizer may also be beneficial during the growing season. Be sure and mulch well. Second, be patient! Do not allow them to bloom the first year by pinching out every flower stalk. As hard as this may be for you to do, it forces the plant to devote energy to building a larger, stronger crown. The next year, allow one blossom and increase each year until the plant sports no more than five. Staking is a must to avoid losing a stem to a summer storm. Since they are prone to fungal diseases, be sure and clean up dead foliage. And lastly, if you're still in the game, try 'New Millenium', a new cultivar that should withstand summer heat and humidity. It is a hardy, strong-stemmed plant with beautiful, heavily-petaled flowers.

Websites
The following two websites may be of interest to you as you are surfing the Web. First, there is a weed ID website from Rutgers Coop Extension Service at www.rce.rutgers.edu/weeds/. Scroll through the images of weeds and check the photos that most resemble the weeds in your garden. Each photo is hotlinked to a page with information about a weed's habitat and sometimes its most effective control.

If you have not already read about the new MG site for Illinois, be sure and check out www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/. The site features six sections to browse as well as valuable hort facts. Check it out. Kudos to MG Karen Fletcher and Laura Hayden, Media Communication Specialist, for all their hard work in getting this site up and running!!

3 c. chopped tomatoes
2 Tbsp. capers
1/3 c. coarsely chopped Kalamata olives
2 Tbsp. shredded or chopped fresh basil
3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Crumbled bleu cheese to taste (about 1/2 cup)
1 to 2 loaves crusty French bread

Combine all ingredients except bleu cheese. Set aside. Slice bread diagonally into 1/2 to one inch slices. Place tomato mixture in serving bowl. Just before serving, toss in bleu cheese. Arrange bread slices around bowl. Let guests serve themselves with slotted spoon.

August 18, 19 & 20 - Bonsai Show & Sale
Held at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL. Hundreds of bonsai specimens will be on display at the Midwest Bonsai Society's 23rd annual show and sale. It draws bonsai enthusiasts from all over the country who come to view over 200 specimens as well as selections from the Botanic Garden's own outstanding bonsai collection. Plants exhibited at the show represent all the major bonsai styles, such as formal, upright, windswept, cascading, momi (extremely small bonsai) and tiny forest groves. Workshops for all levels of bonsai enthusiasts will also be featured. Call 847-835-5440.

August 26 and 27 - Koi And Goldfish Show
Sponsored by the Midwest Pond and Koi Society. Nationally renowned vendors will offer pond and garden merchandise at wholesale prices during the trade show. Lots of educational seminars too! DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL. Call 312-409-2081.

August 26 & 27 - Iris & Daylily Sale
Held at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL. The North Shore Iris & Daylily Society will hold its annual sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A wide selection of beautiful and unusual iris rhizomes and daylily tubers will be available as well as plenty of free advice on cultivation and care. Call 847-835-5440.

August 27 - Heirloom Garden Show
Sponsored by Garfield Farm Museum, LaFox, IL. Once common but now rare types of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs displayed by Midwestern growers. 11 am–4pm. $6. Call 630-584-8485.

September 9 & 10 - Daffodil Sale
Held at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL. The Midwest Daffodil Society's sale will feature many varieties of unique and easy to grow daffodils as well as late blooming daffodils. 10 am–4 pm. Call 847-835-5440.

Sept. 19 - Oct. 17 - Landscape Plants for the Midwest
The first of a three-season class sequence, this class introduces the gardener to a wide palette of ornamental landscape plants. Learn the garden characteristics and cultural requirements of approximately 300 evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs, vines, groundcovers, and perennials. For each season students must register for both a Tuesday lecture section and an outdoor walk section. Sponsored by The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. Marcy Stewart-Pyziak, The Gardener's Tutor, Manhattan. Call 630-719-2468.

September 29 & 30 - Bulb Bazaar: Woman's Board Bulb Sale
Sponsored by the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL. The Woman's Board of the Chicago Botanic Garden will again feature its fall bulb sale - The Bulb Bazaar. The sale will feature more than 250,000 popular and unusual flower bulbs shipped directly from Holland the week of the sale. Call 847-835-5440.

Gardeners never seem to run out of places to acquire new plants. Whether you have your own favorite nursery or scour the area for new ones to visit, a great source for plants may be in your own downtown area. During the months of May through October, many towns hold weekly farmers markets. While they have traditionally been a source for fresh fruits and vegetables, many now have at least one booth offering a wide range of annuals and perennials. Some of the vendors even have their own specialties, such as natives, hostas, garden ornaments or fresh-cut flowers. They offer the added advantage of selling plants that are well-suited to our soils and give growing tips and information on the plants you purchase. Most love to talk plants! An added bonus is they are by far much less expensive and (from personal experience) offer top-quality plants. Due to space limitations, below is a partial listing of local farmers markets with telephone numbers for location and other information. Happy shopping!!!

Aurora 844-3640
Batavia 879-0317
Downers Grove 968-4050
Elmhurst 279-2808
Geneva 784-0862
Hinsdale 323-3952
Lagrange 352-0494
Lagrange Park 353-0494
Lisle 352-2500
Naperville 369-5638
Oak Park 708-383-6400
St. Charles 513-5386
Villa Park 279-5180
Westmont 512-8572
Wheaton 784-0862
Winfield 682-3712

MG Mary Jane Hopkins found this to be a busy market! "Five deep at the Master Gardener table the whole time," she said. Way to go and thank you!

NOTE: We have 6 dates available between August 26 and October 14 (Saturdays). Call the office if you'd like to volunteer.

Aug. 16 – Darien Park District – Butterfly Gardening by Eileen Kostock

Sept. 5 – Crestview Garden Club – Herbs by Perry Woodward

Sept. 12 – Village Garden Club of Villa Park – Ornamental Grasses by Don Obuch

Sept. 26 – Men's Garden Club of Villa Park – Ornamental Grasses by Don Obuch

Oct. 5 (tentative) – Darien Park District – Bulbs by Perry Woodward

Oct. 7 – Indian Prairie Library – Bulbs for Spring by Perry Woodward

Oct. 12 – Darien Park District – Fall Cleanup and Winterization by Don Obuch

Nov. 9 – Bensenville Garden Club – Perennials for DuPage County by Warren Senneke

Nov. 28 – Men's Garden Club of Villa Park – Rock Gardening by Perry Woodward

Volunteer Update
"The feel of the soil and beauty of a plant brightens life." This quote was taken from a July 7 Sun Publications article that highlighted the efforts of individuals working in Hort Therapy in DuPage County. The quote is from one of our own Master Gardeners, Caroline Jacobsen. She and those listed below have chosen to fulfill their volunteer hours working with patients and clients at area nursing homes and rehab centers.

As Betty Jeppsen, another MG involved in Hort Therapy, put it, "I was supposed to pay back my training by volunteering. I volunteered at West Chicago Terrace, an intermediate care facility, and paid back my time in one year. And now, 15 years later, I'm still at it!" In the article Betty explained some of the projects they are working on with the residents. They have several 30-gallon barrels where cucumbers, flowers, radishes and even pumpkins are growing. Besides planting and harvesting, they also talk about the plants and share information.

Those in Hort Therapy realize that gardening has not only physical benefits, but emotional rewards for the people they work with as well that aid in the healing process.

Our hats are off to you all as you continue to share your time and talents.

Judi Pines – Marianjoy
Fred Graham – Manor Care
Joe Vartiak – Marianjoy
Pat Hussey – The Terrace
Winifred Moench – The Terrace
Vicki O'Rourke – visitor

It's still not too late to save your plants for the upcoming plant exchange at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, at the Glen Ellyn home of Paul Stoffels.

Pot up whatever perennial plants and bulbs you have an abundance of in your garden. Be sure to put them into individual pots. Take your plants to Paul's house on September 16. There you will see a variety of plants brought by other Master Gardeners from their own gardens.

When you arrive at Paul's house, you will be given a ticket for each of the plants you bring to the exchange. Then you will have approximately 1/2 hour to scout around and see which plants you would like to take home to your own garden. Next it will be time to turn in your tickets and select your new perennials to take home. It's a fun and easy way to acquire some wonderful new plants for your enjoyment!

Call the Extension office for directions.

Many thanks to Christine Moran, Toni Larson, Pat Kosmach and Mary Jane Hopkins for volunteering at this popular community event. Our Master Gardeners talked with over 170 people on Sunday, July 9th, and distributed over 400 gardening fact sheets!

As you begin to read this, you may be saying to yourself, "I don't need another magazine subscription!" But don't miss out on this garden magazine that really stands alone from the many that are out there.

Typically, at this time of year, we are all out working in our gardens, taking advantage of the short growing season we have here in Illinois. Remember, the sun does eventually set and in fall our beds will be put to rest. Winter here can stretch out endlessly. Think ahead to those days, and be armed with "Birds and Blooms" for your garden fix.

The first thing that struck me about this publication was the lack of advertisements. In the 64-page magazine for August/September, there were only two (Yes, two! Can you believe it?) advertisements. The white space on each page was completely filled with information and anecdotes. Even the margins are filled with garden quotes and tidbits.

The second, and perhaps the most compelling, reason for subscribing to this magazine is the informal writing style. The articles are sent in from readers. The magazine boasts a circulation of well over a million subscribers. They share their triumphs, failures, advice, photos and ideas on just about every aspect of gardening and nature. It's a great way to find out what other gardeners are doing in their part of the country. There are peeks at backyards much like yours and mine, rather than the formal gardens you see in other publications.

"Birds & Blooms" gets us in touch with nature as it surrounds us as we garden. Whether you go out in the wee hours of the morning, the afternoon or early evening, you can't help but be struck by the sounds of nature...bees buzzing, birds chirping and insects scurrying around. These are brought to life in the beautiful color photographs. No stone is left unturned – there are butterflies, birds, insects, as well as flowers, trees and shrubs. Topics run the gamut from plant profiles, "how-to" for various garden projects, vegetable gardening, recipes, ponds and laying out garden designs. Especially noteworthy are the routine features: Garden Chat, Questions Across the Fence, Bird Tales, Local Lookouts, Setting the Table, Glad You Asked, and, my favorite, Backyard Banter.

The subscription price is similar to other garden magazines, yet it seems with "Birds and Blooms" that you get a whole lot more for your money. Take a peek at an issue either at their website (www.birdandblooms.com) or at your local library. It's worth checking out!

As a side note, a big THANK YOU to Joan LeMay in our Extension Office for bringing this magazine to our attention! -- Kathy Riley

When I first bought my one and half acres of property in unincorporated Elmhurst, it was due, in part, because I considered it at the time to be one of the most beautiful wooded lots I had ever seen. That was eight years ago. While I still marvel at the magnificence of the woods, I have come to realize that my beautiful piece of property was actually comprised of an ungodly ration of approximately 40 to 60 percent of the dreaded Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). My horror was compounded when I identified the Multiflora Rose and Asiatic Honeysuckle running rampant throughout my land. Thrown in for good measure was the invasive Garlic Mustard, marching through the woods, free sowing itself like an army of foul-smelling soldiers.

Buckthorn comes in all sizes. It can grow to 30 feet without the least bit of effort on its part. In addition, it quickly forms a dense thicket, so dense in fact that it is difficult for me to penetrate parts of my woods without taking along my newly purchased machete. Buckthorn is easy to identify – it has modified spines (thorns!). These thorns are ready to cause contact dermatitis upon any unlikely human who ventures into its domain without the proper protection of gloves, long sleeves and thick pants. Folklore has it that the American Indian used the long sharp Buckthorn thorns as needles to sew their clothes. I must say that this is the only positive reference I have ever come across regarding the Buckthorn in literature.

In addition to the easy-to-identify thorns, Buckthorn has characteristic purple berries. The birds love these berries which have a cathartic effect, according to Floyd Swink* who was taxonomic emeritus of the Morton Arboretum. Swink points out that the very name – Rhamnus cathartica – means cathartic, or "to purge". Hence, the birds quickly pass the berries through their digestive tracts which makes it more likely that the seeds will germinate.

The leaves of the Buckthorn also facilitate prompt plant identification. They are a dull green in color, curl slightly inward, and are approximately 1/2 to three inches long and half as wide. Although, according to Swink, "Buckthorn is a vicious, recently introduced (to this area) weed, at least four times weedier than any chickweed or dandelion," there is a species of Buckthorn called Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula, cultivar: Asplenifolia') which is reported by Swink as one that he recommends as an acceptable adjunct to the home garden. However, my basic biases against the burly Buckthorn would not allow me to make such a purchase.

To do battle with the Buckthorn, the home gardener needs a well-tuned artillery of garden supplies and the ability to try out a variety of different offensive maneuvers. The first and most obvious attack would be a frontal assault on the roots of the Buckthorn. Weapons: One tempered steel shove with a five-foot handle and one short-handled pickaxe. When the Buckthorn invaded my rock garden last spring, I initiated an attack upon the Buckthorn roots armed with the aforesaid equipment. The Buckthorn won this first battle – eight hours later, I was sore, dripping perspiration, leaning against my shovel and looking at ten holes where I had diligently dug the voracious roots of the multiple Buckthorns. I could swear, as I stood there exhausted, that I could hear the 20 remaining Buckthorn invaders laughing at me as they grew with a rate of speed that would rival Jack's beanstalk!

Who will win the battle??? Ann or the Buckthorn??? Final part of the story will be in your next newsletter. -- Ann O'Leary

* We extend our condolences to the family of Floyd Swink. Mr. Swink passed away in early August.

Cathie Leszinske
Occupation: Dog Show Vendor
Number of Years as a Master Gardener: I am an intern this year.
Personal hero: I have no special personal hero.
Favorite annual: Verbena
Favorite perennial: Russian sage
Something about me not too many people know: I used to be a caterer.
My most humbling gardening experience: Sitting in the Master Gardener classes.
Major gardening accomplishment: Getting all my neighbors to put in gardens.
Best gardening tip: Amend your soil.
If I am not gardening, you will find me: Training my dogs or at dog shows.

Lynn Bement

Occupation: Graphic Arts – Printing Consultant
Number of years as a Master Gardener: Five years
Personal Hero: Ghandi and Mother Teresa
Favorite annual: Zinnias
Favorite perennial: Amsonia
Something about me not too many people know: Worms are my heroes – they eat all my kitchen waste.
My most humbling gardening experience: Using thatch from my lawn as a mulch in my vegetable garden. I should have composted it first because it sprouted weed seeds.
Major gardening accomplishment: Built four raised beds 6 feet by 6 feet by 3 feet tall which I use as vegetable gardens. This leaves me more room in the back to handle the other parts of the garden.
Best gardening tip: Use a drop watering system and mulch.
If I am not gardening, you will find me: Hiking, camping, sailing, guiding at the Arboretum or walking my dog.

In July we received 464,572 hits and had a daily average of 14,986 hits. We averaged 624 hits/hour. Our website usage in July 2000 is up 128 percent from July 1999. We feel this is a very good total, considering children are not in school using the Schools Online sites.

We had had more than 4.2 million hits in the first seven months of the year and 9.2 million hits since we began in 1996.

Sept. 16 MG Plant Exchange

Sept. 20 MG Enrichment Class "It's Not All Crabgrass"

Sept. 29 MG Newsletter Deadline

Oct. 19 MG Enrichment Class "Conifer Disease"

Nov. 15 MG Fall Wrap-Up