The lazy days of summer may be coming to an end, but for us, the Master Gardener program is in high gear for 2003! Already we have a huge potential list of interested folks, and we will be interviewing each and every one of them in October. My thanks go to Rae Baldwin, Lou Horton, Nanette Kalscheur Vicky O'Rourke, and Bill Sheahan for agreeing to assist me with this daunting task.

Although our MG program year for 2002 is winding down, I am looking for MG's who might like to work with me on school enrichment horticulture programs. This is a bit of a challenge to organize because we are "ending" our program year while at the same time; the schools are "starting" their year. But I do not want to let this "calendar challenge" keep us from working with school children in a bigger way than we have in the past. So, if you are interested, please give me a call and we will start planning our outreach efforts and lessons.

Soon you will be hearing about the recertification details. I truly hope that you will consider returning to us in 2003. Of course, we always want a new class of MG Interns, but I believe a big reason we are such a strong group is due to all of your expertise, increased knowledge and skill and enthusiasm that you "bring to the table" year after year.

Update: I am writing this note while sitting on our porch (new!) – it is my favorite time of day-evening- the sun is dropping toward the horizon, sunbeams are shimmering through the trees spotlighting plants in the garden, and the evening marches on to total quiet and peace. Need I say more?

Warren Senneke, is the author of the "Mulching Garden Vegetables" article in our last newsletter.

Invitation to return in 2003. The gardening season is coming to an end and so is the MG program year. Soon you will be receiving an invitation to return to the 2003 MG program. This invitation will be sent to all MG's that are in good standing (volunteer service minimums and continuing education hours completed satisfactorily).

We have made every effort to keep each of you informed of your current standing. Throughout the year, we have sent you reports so that by this time, there are "no surprises!" All volunteer time and training must be completed by October 31, 2002.

2003 MG Class. With 204 applicants to the DuPage County MG program waiting to be interviewed, Susan has formed a small team of MG's to assist her and Rae with the interview and selection process. All applicants will be calling the office over the next few weeks to arrange for their interview. In addition, all candidates will be submitting their applications. We are grateful to the support staff (Joan, Carolyn and Judy) for handing all the increased paperwork and phone calls this generates in September, October and November. By mid November the 2003 class will be determined!

Naperville Farmers Market. A big thank you goes to MG Dee Rushing for taking the responsibility of coordinating and implementing this weekly effort in August and September. Every Saturday she has been at 5th Avenue Station at 6:00am, setting up the MG help desk and handling all the details with the Market Master and MG volunteers. While it seems obvious she is a morning person, we still truly appreciate this strong dedication and support, without which we could not make this project happen so smoothly. Included in this effort is the MG team of two who arrive on time each week, by 6:30 am, and share their gardening knowledge and enthusiasm for the MG program until 12 noon.

Butterfly Education Garden. The garden looks beautiful-everyone has done an excellent job on the maintenance of these gardens. They look terrific, even if only in the ground such a short time. Susan and Forest Preserve staff are working on signage and bulletins. If you know of a group that would be interested in learning about butterfly gardening, contact Susan. She is anxious to get started on programs for next year.

Garden Clinic. What a year the Garden clinic had. We handled over 280 specimens (up from 120 last year). The public has responded well to the Tuesday/Thursday offering. The clinic MG's are doing a great job. Not only did they bring expertise to this project, but they've gained added knowledge too. As of now, we'll plan to do this again next year. We encourage MG's with strong diagnostic skills to participate! If you have good insect, disease and plant ID expertise, we hope you will offer to help in next year's efforts. Clientele are truly appreciative of this service.

MG computer msg system. Since the training in late July, many of you have improved your skills on the computer! Thank you for making this effort. So far, the feedback has been positive-you especially like the browse the reference library feature, which enables you to search our database of approved answers. Susan is adding more and more to the database. This program allows Susan to do so many things, like track the number calls, clients, calls per town, client questions, MG answers, mailing lists. But for MG's, probably the best news is the database of calls and answers. MG's who have mastered this program have saved a lot of time researching answers, since they now use the database first, before looking to the bookshelf.

For 2003, MG's will need to have computer skills to volunteer in the office on the MG hotline. It has become very apparent that without the ability to handle the computer program, everything and everyone gets bogged down, which really reduces the number clients we can serve in one day. Please keep this mind for next year!

Everlastings. Susan is in need of dried flowers, etc. for lessons she is working on for Hort Therapy. If you have strawflowers, larkspur, celosia, globe amaranth, herbs, or other flowers, seed pods, and foliage that dries well and can be used in making bouquets, tussy mussies, etc, please drop them off at the office! She'll store them and develop hands-on lessons based on these materials.

Have any of you seen the TV commercial about the man who insists on keeping his calendar on the month of June even though his secretary keeps reminding him that it's August? Don't we all wish that summer could be held onto indefinitely, but then again, wouldn't it be a shame to miss the splendor of autumn and the natural progression to a new spring! We all love our gardens and it is natural to want to enjoy the fruits of our labors as long as possible. Yes, but reality reminds us that it's time to begin the next phase of our annual rituals. The dog days of summer are ending and the crisp fall days will be here quickly. Many of us will be glad to end the ordeal of trying to keep our gardens alive when Mother Nature has done its best to burn; brown, dry-up and yes, even kill the more delicate specimens we so cherish.

Well, after years of experience, I have found that I can move forward if I quietly sing a verse I recall from an old song.... " It's time to pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again."

And on that musical note, here are some things to keep in mind as the seasons change once again.

Before the lawn goes to sleep... Now is the perfect time to do some maintenance and repair. After the dry summer we have had, we would do well to consider some fall overseeing of the bare areas. Now is also the best time to consider thatch removal. The best time of the year to manage thatch is when the turf is actively growing. Since the July and August heat spells slowed down the growth, these cooler late summer days and long awaited rains have stimulated the turf once again. The most effective approach is core aerification. Doing this in late summer/early fall is preferred because weeds are less likely to invade the turf and turfgrass can recover quickly. Core aerification and overseeing will greatly improve the condition of the lawn come spring. And remember, don't remove the plugs that remain on the top of the lawn once the job is done, they are a good natural fertilizer.

Time to reap what we sow... it's harvest time! And time to remember that we live in Illinois! Yes, many of us can recall a shocking surprise of "frost" as early as mid September. Therefore, in order to maintain the maximum yields possible, pay close attention to the weather forecasts. A few old sheets, blankets and tarps can save the late tomatoes, pumpkins and squashes. if we know when to use them for protection. A heavy frost might mean it's time to pick as much as you can. Slightly ripened tomatoes will continue to ripen indoors. Do not refrigerate, as this will stop the ripening process. And green tomatoes can be used as well. Consult a cookbook for some nice recipes.

Don't forget to pick all the fruit from the trees that would also be lost due to an unexpected frost. Apples and pears can ripen indoors as long as they were close to maturity.

Pears develop maximum flavor and quality when ripened off the tree. When a few pears on a tree start to mature, harvest all of the fruits and place them in a cool, dark place such as a cellar, crawl space or in an unheated corner of the basement. Look over the pears each week and select out the ripe ones.

Fall and winter apples for storage should be harvested just before they mature to extend the storage life. One of the easiest methods for storing apples (unless you are lucky enough to have a cold cellar) is to utilize the refrigerator. Keep the apples in a plastic bag and either close the bag loosely or punch one or two small holes in it for slow air exchange. The plastic bag will prevent dehydration.

It is also time to gather the herbs. Herbs can be dried for use in sauces, soups and stews. as well as for use in Potpourri. They can be frozen. (Parsley, chives and basil can be pureed with a small amount of water in a blender, and then poured into ice cube trays. Once frozen, label and store them in plastic bags for easy additions to soup and sauces.) Try making an herb vinegar or herb butter. And finally, some of those herbs will winter indoors with good lighting and some TLC.

For those of you who are crafters, now is the time to finish gathering all the wonderful flowers that lend themselves well to drying or pressing. Fall leaves and grasses should not be overlooked as they too lend wonderful texture, color and interest to floral craft projects.

Keep in mind that canning is yet another wonderful way to extend a garden's yield. You can find canning instructions and recipes in some of the larger cookbooks such as "The Joy of Cooking" or you can obtain the "Ball Blue Book" which has very specific directions. It may be a bit of work in some cases, but it is well worth the effort!

Never put off "till" tomorrow that which can be done today... In other words, let's get a jump on next year's gardens. In the flowerbeds, now is the time to split some of the perennials that tolerate fall dividing, such as day lilies and hostas for example. Deadhead and/or remove foliage that has died back. Save seeds from mature, non-hybrid flower heads. Dig up tender summer bulbs such as dahlias and glads to use again next year. Try to use plant markers to help you remember "what is planted where" before winter takes its toll and we wonder "flower or weed" come next spring. Make plans to protect the more tender hardy plants with a covering of mulch, shield roses and young woody plants from winter wind and snow, and clear away leaves that will not be useful as a protective mulch (do not apply too early).

In the vegetable garden, it's time to clear away all the plant remains and add them to a compost pile. Readied compost can be tilled into the garden as well as manure. A green manure cover crop such as oats, rye and rye grass can be planted in the fall and then tilled under in early spring. If you prepare your soil well in the fall, you will more than likely enjoy the ease of establishing your new garden next spring and you will also get an earlier start on it as well. You might want to consider having your soil tested, as the labs are less busy this time of year.

Clean-up and planning ahead now can truly allow you more "fun-time" next spring!

Some last thoughts for the fall checklist of tasks...

• If you don't have a compost pile, think about starting one. Autumn leaves are a great start.
• Maybe worm composting would be a nice family project... kids can learn about gardening too and be wonderful helpers next spring. (Besides, kids love "pets!")
• Don't forget to plant some mums and pansies for some fall color
• Salad greens love the cool weather. Spinach, lettuce, kale and even radishes would make for a nice fall crop.
• Fall is the time once again for planting and transplanting trees and shrubs.
• Plant spring bulbs (and don't forget you can force them indoors for holiday blooms)
• Keep the evergreens watered.
• Move garden chemicals to an area where they will not freeze over the winter and will be out of reach of the children and pets.
• Bring houseplants back indoors for winter. Check for insects or diseases first. Keep in mind; some plants may need to be slowly reintroduced to the indoor environment.

Last but not least, make time to go and see the wonderful fall colors, visit an apple orchard and pick your own apples, head to the pumpkin farms and set up an attractive harvest display in your yard and finally, sit back and take your well deserved rest.

- By Joyce Ernst

A busy buzzing bumblebee went busily buzzing by – or was it? Was it a carpenter bee? A honeybee? And all these wasps that are flying around trying to sting me... Are they wasps? Are they bees? How about those bald-faced hornets this year? Confused?

Bumblebees are the good guys. Really! They're one inch long, hairy, yellow and black striped. They try to avoid you!! So, make an effort to bee a good neighbor.

Carpenter bees are bumblebee look-alikes, except their tummies are black. They're interested in unfinished wood, but painted or varnished wood make good tunnel homes too! In the spring, the adult bee bores a one-half inch diameter tunnel that could go in as far as two feet. Think railroad ties or landscape timbers. The tunnels are stocked with pollen separated by leaves to make cells. Eggs are laid in the cells; the larvae hatch and eat the pollen, pupate and out they crawl in late summer.

Honeybees are bred for gentleness. They're a small hairy insect, one-half inch long, brown and black striped. They're the pollinators; they collect pollen to feed larvae. It's scary, though, when a few hundred bees swarm on a tree branch for a couple of days. As quickly as they come, they're gone.

The bald-faced hornet is the guy who builds that gray papery football-shaped nest. They usually don't bother you unless you bother the nest. They're black with cream faces and are an inch long.

Yellow jackets are not to be confused with anything else. They are about one-half inch long, yellow and black striped. These guys are obnoxious! They love picnics! You name it – proteins, sweets, garbage – talk about soda with a sting! They keep coming back and can sting repeatedly. So, if they choose your house (wall voids, underground, or any out-of-the-way place), they come, they stay, and after freezing temperatures, they leave, and you caulk!

Well, that's the A BEE C's on those bees buzzing by....

Next: One black bug bled blue-black blood, the other black bug bled blue. Say that quickly 3 times!!

- By Ambi Pellegrini

Spring flowering bulbs are generally very low maintenance plants, but there are a few basic guidelines for getting the best out of your bulbs.

Most bulbs can be left in the ground for a long time without ever requiring division. Daffodils, however, are one of the few bulbs that may require division at some point. If you notice that your daffodils seem to be producing fewer flowers and/or leaves, this may be an indication that they have become too crowded and are in need of rejuvenation. The withering of leaves in late spring is a signal that the plant is going into dormancy, which is the safest time to divide. At the time, dig all the way around the edge of the clump, trying to avoid slicing into the bulbs. After the clump has been lifted out of the ground, shake the soil off the clump and gently snap or pull the bulbs apart. Throw away any bulbs that appear to be damaged or diseased. Replant the healthy bulbs immediately, at the same depth as before.

When planting new spring bulbs, planting times can vary, but it usually is better to plant them earlier in the fall (Late September/early October is good), rather than later. Bulbs need to establish a strong root system before harsh weather settles in. When planting bulbs, add some fertilizer, such as Bulb Booster and be sure to work the fertilizer into the soil before planting your bulbs. Fertilizer that makes direct contact with bulbs can cause rot. Bulbs also benefit from a bit of fertilizer worked into the soil around the shoots as they first appear in spring.

After your bulbs have finished blooming, deadhead the flowers to prevent them from going to seed. This allows the plant to concentrate on forming bigger and better flowers for the following spring. It is also important not to remove the foliage. This foliage will "feed" your bulbs, through photosynthesis. Do not braid, tie, or cut back foliage, as you will cut down on the plant's ability to perform photosynthesis. The best way to deal with unsightly foliage is to plant your bulbs behind perennials or annuals that can hide the bulb's withering foliage. Foliage can be removed after it has turned yellow and is lying on the ground.

For so little effort on my part and for their relatively low cost, I consider spring bulbs to be one of the biggest "bangs" in my garden. The care and maintenance of these bulbs is very minimal and by following these simple guidelines, I am rewarded every year with the joy these beautiful flowers bring.

- By Eileen Kostock

No, not yet. (darn) Remember those trial blueberry bushes from last spring? They were the ones planted in the confines of a plastic tub, sunk below ground level and maintained with acidic additives (pine needles, Miracid, coffee grounds, etc.).

Well... they are growing and look quite healthy too! I must admit they are not near as big as I might have hoped, but I will settle for healthy and "alive" in this particular case. So if you are wondering about trying blueberries, it looks feasible using this method. But until I can bite into a slice of my own blueberry pie, I won't give any guarantees... I'll just keep my fingers crossed and the updates posted as time passes.

Oh to be such a positive thinker!!!

Now, maybe I'll direct some of that optimism toward the many perennials that fried this summer and believe they are just lying "dormant" till next spring...

- By Joyce Ernst

Is your garden in need of a summer "pick me up"? If so, brew up a batch of compost tea. This potent, microbial elixir will invigorate your perennials that have suffered through the past weeks of heat stress and drought. The brew provides beneficial microbes that will aid in reducing disease problems, help to ward off pests, and provide available organic nutrients to boost plant vigor.

Compost tea is hardly a new concept. Gardeners have been brewing up the "drink" for their gardens for years. Scientific research is showing amazing results on just how beneficial this tea is to plant health and growth. Less then one quarter teaspoon of good compost tea has been shown to contain over a billion bacteria–most of which adds up to an organic boost for your garden. This same quarter teaspoon may also contain over sixteen feet of active fungal strands. Sound gross? Not to your perennials! These bacteria are good for your plants because they out-compete most disease causing organisms. They also decompose toxic materials and plant residues and help build soil structure, which in turn improves the soil's water holding capacity.

The best tea is made from compost readily available in your own backyard if you have a bin. Heating to 135 degrees for three days will insure that your tea is free from most disease causing organisms. If you don't have your own supply of compost, you can use mushroom compost.

To brew the tea, start by using a five-gallon bucket. Put in about a gallon of compost and add 4 gallons of water, stir well and let the bucket sit near the garden for several days in the full sun. It's important to stir the mixture gently several times a day to incorporate oxygen and help dislodge microbes from the solid material. Without adequate oxygen, you may get foul-smelling, anaerobic soup that can contain unfriendly bacteria. If your tea turns smelly, add some fresh water and stir more often. The aerobic bacteria will reestablish themselves as soon as there is an adequate supply of oxygen. To apply the tea, dilute it in water (in a watering can) at a rate of 1 to 5. As you use the tea, top off the bucket with more water and you can brew quite a few gallons before starting a fresh batch.

More and more research is being done to make an even more concentrated "tea" that can be available commercially. Yet, save some pennies by brewing your own and giving your plants a well needed summer boost.

- By Kathy Riley

The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size. – Gertrude S. Wister

The first official day of spring was March 20, but it is in April and May that my landscape really takes on the hues of spring. Galanthus and Hellebores have been singing spring's praises for weeks and daffodil and tulip buds are now warming their chubby faces in the sunshine. Fall may be the time to plant these bulbs, but it is in spring that I plan the next year's show. I do take time to enjoy the spring performance, but also like to walk through the garden and analyze areas that could be improved by more spring color. In addition, I visit other gardens to see what is blooming and note planting schemes I particularly admire. One thing that I have noticed is that there are too many underutilized spring bulbs. I would like to introduce a few of my favorites to you.

The minor bulbs, while often small in size, give a charming show that provides additional interest to the garden. Minor bulbs, on the whole, are generally low maintenance and very hardy. Some that I am especially fond of include Scilla siberica (Siberian squill), Iris reticulata, Eranthus (winter aconite), Fritillaria, Crocus, Galanthus (snowdrops), and Ipheion.

Of these seven, only Scilla siberica might be considered too aggressive for a garden border. However, if you've taken a drive through Hinsdale in spring, you will have noticed the Scilla "Sea of Blue" covering the landscapes of many Hinsdale homes. It truly is a breathtaking display.

Iris reticulata looks like a sweet miniature of the Siberian Iris, of which you are probably more familiar. I. Reticulata comes in those "hard to come by" shades of blue, that I love so much. 'Harmony' is a particular favorite of mine with deep sky blue flowers and little brush strokes of yellow at its center.

Eranthus really gives a show for its tiny size, perhaps because its color is a rich hue of gold that shimmers in the sunshine. Eranthus does multiply, but only politely and looks great combined with Hellebores, Galanthus, and Fritillaria.

Fritillaria is a fairly new treasure to me and has many members in its family, from the very tiny F. michailovskyi to the enormous F. imperialis. I have been growing one type; F. meleagris for a few years now and love its charming bell shaped flowers marked with a checkered pattern of white and purple. F. imperialis is brand new to my garden, and I am anxiously awaiting the spring show. It's a tall plant with huge flowers, and is said to thwart gophers and other rodents, probably due to the "skunk-like" smell of the bulbs. Flower colors include true red, sizzling orange and rich yellow, which I anticipate will make a real statement in my "hot-colored" backyard garden. Some of my favorite Crocus include 'Mammoth' an opulent yellow, 'Jeanne d'Arc' a pure white, and 'Queen of the Blues', a deep violet blue. Unfortunately, crocus bulbs seem to be favored by squirrels, bunnies, and mice, so you may be wise to choose bulbs from the C. tomasinia family, which are said to be unappealing to these rodents. Galanthus is one of the first to herald spring in my garden. It has charming little white flowers that do look like drops of snow. If you kneel down to get a better look at this little guy you may be rewarded with its faint, but wonderful scent. Ipheion is a great naturalizer and also looks good in flower borders or at the feet of shrubs. This bulb prefers partial shade and comes in pink, white, or blue. My favorite one is 'Wisley Blue.'

Other "bulbs" I wouldn't be without are the ephemerals. Ephemerals are woodland plants that die back by summer, and are not truly bulbs. They are classified as tubers, corms or rhizomes. I am fond of many ephemerals but four of my most-loved, hardy ones include Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's Breeches), Erythronium (dog's-tooth violet), Trillium (wake robin), and Hepatica. D. cucullaria is the most charming plant I have ever had the pleasure to know. It is a tiny plant with ferny foliage and dainty little flowers that look exactly like "puffed up" white pantaloons; what a delight! Erythroniums are lovely too. The hardiest of the Erythroniums is 'Pagoda.''Pagoda' has yellow flowers that look to me like little lilies planted in a fairy's garden. In addition to its pretty flowers, it also sports handsome foliage that is marbled, mottled, and/or stippled with colors of white or purple. Another favorite woodland plant is Hepatica.

Hepatica is technically not an ephemeral, as it holds onto its handsome foliage all summer long, which is very nice indeed. But what I really love are Hepatica's flowers. They are so pretty and unfettered, coming in gorgeous shades of pink, blue, purple or white, and the lovely little boss of yellow stamens that poke out from the center are the frosting on the flower, so to speak. There are several members of the Trillium family that are handsome spring bloomers. Trilliums, however, can be difficult to grow, as they prefer the humus rich soils of forest floors. Trilliums come in white, red, purple, and yellow and are appreciated for their simple, yet endearing flowers and striking foliage, often stippled or mottled in white and/or burgundy. As with any woodland plant, I would like to remind you of the importance in finding suppliers who state that their plants are greenhouse propagated and not taken from the wild.

I'd also like to mention some special tulips and daffodils. Tulips tend to be annual in nature. That is, most tulip bulbs begin to diminish with time, producing smaller and smaller flowers. Many people do treat them as annuals, digging them up after their show and replacing them in fall, with new bulbs. I am an economical gardener and try to choose tulips I know to be more perennial in nature. Species and Darwin types can be depended upon to put forth a good show for at least 3-5 years. Some of my favorite tulips include 'Red Riding Hood', a Gregii species, with scarlet flowers and beautiful purple-striped leaves. I love the way they look in my honeymoon swing area with the chartreuse foliage of Alchemilla and the yellow flowers of my Epimedium 'Sulphureum' and blue Campanula poscharskyana. 'Maureen,' a single late blooming tulip with gorgeous white flowers looks especially pretty with white variegated hostas, white violets, variegated Solomon's seal, white forget-me-nots, and white lily-of-the-valley in my all white shade garden. Tulipa 'Apricot Beauty' truly is a beauty and looks wonderful with blue Myosotis (Forget-Me-Nots). 'Apricot Beauty' is also a fragrant tulip. Other favorites include 'Pink Impression' with the largest flowers I've ever seen and 'Daydream' a delightful tulip that starts out orange and turns yellow with age.

My favorite daffodils/narcissus include the Poet's narcissus, with spicily fragrant flowers that have pure white petals and a small yellow cup rimmed in red or bright orange. Another favorite is 'Thalia,' with graceful, fragrant, white flowers. Finally, these days I've also become a real fan of the Tazetta, Cyclamineus, and miniature daffodils. Some of my favorites include 'Tete a Tete,''Jack Snipe,''Hawera,''Peeping Tom' and 'Little Gem.'

- By Eileen Kostock

If you have an event you want everyone to know about, please contact Deb McCullough. I need the info one week before material is due in the office.

• September 14 and 15,
  The Natural Garden, St. Charles, Prairie Festival, Chicago Botanical Gardens, Harvest Festival & Central States Dahlia Society Show & Sale

• September 14-November 10,
  Chicago Botanical Gardens. "Taking Root: The Tree in the Arts & Crafts Tradition"

• September 14,
  Sid's Palos Hills: Fall Color
  Sid's Bolingbrook: Soil Test Workshop
  The Growing Place, Aurora: Fall Planting Recommendations
  Platt Hill: Putting your Pond to Bed

• September 19
  Garfield Farm Museum: Native and Ornamental Grasses for the Home Landscape

• September 20
  Platt Hill Nursery: Spring Bulbs-There's More than Just Tulips

• September 21
  The Growing Place, Aurora: Problem Resistant Plants
  Sid's Palos Hills: Composting
  Sid's, Bolingbrook: Flower Bulbs

• September 21 and 22
  Chicago Botanical Gardens: Illinois Gourd Society Sale

• September 22
  Morton Arboretum: Winterizing Your Yard

• September 28 and 29
  Morton Arboretum: Fall Color Festival

• September 28
  The Growing Place, Naperville: Winterizing Roses
  Sid's Palos Hills: Flower Bulb Seminar
  Sid's Bolingbrook: Dutch Day

• September 30
  Morton Arboretum: Library Lecture – John Lindley, The Father of Orchidology

• October 5
  Sid's Palos Hills: Fall Bonsai Care
  The Growing Place,Aurora: Bulb Garden Basics
  Sid's Bolingbrook: Feeding Wild Birds

• October 6
  Morton Arboretum: Birds' Eye View, The Early Work of John James Audobon.

• October 12 and 13
  The Growing Place Naperville: Fall Festival

• October 12
  Sid's Palos Hills: Fall Pond Care
  Sid's Bolingbrook: Fall Bonsai Care
  Wolf Road Prairie: Autumn Leaves in Color
  Heinz Bros St Charles:Fall Container Gardening

• October 13
  Morton Arboretum: Remarkable Trees!

• October 17
  Garfield Farm Museum: Designing & Planting for Winter Interest

• October 19 and 20
  Chicago Botanical Gardens: Barrington Bloo-mers African Violet Show & Sale, Midwest Fruit Explorers Exhibit & Sale, Wisconsin-Illinois Lily Society Sale

• October 19
  Sid's Palos Hills: Preparing the Landscape for Winter
  Sid's Bolingbrook: Fall Garden Maintenance
  The Growing Place Aurora: Get Ready for Winter...
  The Growing Place Naperville:Closing the Pond

• October 26
  Sid's Palos Hills: Forcing Bulbs
  Sid's Bolingbrook: Fall Garden Color

• October 27
  Wolf Road Prairie: 2nd Annual Pumpkin Party

• October 28
  Morton Arboretum: Library Lecture Series: The Explorer's Gaze

• November 2
  Sid's Palos Hills: Bird Feeding
  Sid's Bolingbrook: African Violets

• November 9
  Sid's Palos Hills: Forcing Bulbs

Many of these events require advance registration and/or fees. For more information or directions to these locations, call:

Chicago Botanic Gardens, Glencoe.
847-835-5440

Garfield Farm Museum, LaFox.
630-584-8485

The Growing Place, Naperville
630-355-4000

Morton Arboretum, Lisle.
630-719-2400, www.mortonarb.org

The Natural Garden, St. Charles
630-584-0150

Platt Hill Nursery, Bloomingdale
630-529-9394

Sid's Greenhouse, Palos Hills
708-974-4500

Wolf Road Prairie, Westchester.
708-865-8736

- By Deb McCullough

"The Garden Thymes" is the official newsletter for DuPage area MG's. If you misplace your copy, it can be found at our DuPage County Extension website. From time to time, you may have something you would like to share with fellow MG's or perhaps include an article of your own. We would love to hear from you!! Keep in mind the deadlines below for submissions. As always, your comments and suggestions are most welcome.

For our last 2002 issue (#6), the deadline for all articles to be submitted and for all volunteer hours forms is October 31.

Submitted by Dee Rushing

A good tree ID booklet is available from The National Arbor Day Foundation.

What Tree Is That? Eastern/Central (for use east of the Rocky Mountains) - $3.00

To order:

• On-Line: www.arborday.org
• Telephone: 402-474-5655
• Mail: Click here for the order form

• September 12-14
  State MG Conference, Rockford

• September 19
  Spring Flowering Bulbs for the Home Land-scape Telenet, 1:30pm Extension Office

• September 27
  Training for MG Interview Team 10:30am

• October 3
  A Fall Gardening Calendar Telenet, 1:30 pm
  Extension Office

• October 9**
  Bulbs Galore, Villa Park
  11am-12:30pm

• October 10-11
  2003 MG Interviews

• October 22-25
  2003 MG Interviews

• October 24
  Home Composting Telenet, 1:30pm
  Extension Office

• November 6**
  Success with Houseplants, Villa Park
  11 am-12:30pm

• Early-mid November (TBA)
  MG 2002 Fall Wrap-up, Recert Class # 2

**Easter Seals of DuPage, Villa Park, is doing community outreach with these "Lunch and Learn" programs. They are being presented by Susan Grupp, and are open to the public. The audience can bring a sack lunch. Call 630-620-4433 to register.