I may not be outside as much as I am in summer, but watching the birds at the feeder brings nature nice and close. The new birdbath and water heater (Thank-you Santa) should help provide for the birds and encourage more feathered visitors as well.

Of course the squirrels think the Grupp back yard is theirs and treat the feeders like a buffet dinner. Our "birdfeeder battle" continues: the Grupps at 3pts. and the Squirrels at 2pts. I am sure the score will jump back and forth as January turns to February.

Beginning January 8, our 2003 MG Interns will be attending classes each Wednesday. I am excited to be working with another group of highly qualified and motivated individuals. Please join me in welcoming each of them!

Carolyn Barton
Tricia Brown
Vicki Button
Beth Corrigan
Steve Denny
Beverly DePhillips
Pamela Kowalczyk
Maribeth Linehan
Kelly Lovewell
Laura Michicich
Pat Miller
Robin Modrzejewski
Dolly Moneka
Julie Moore
Sarah Navrotski
Patty Oleniczak
Alice Pileski
Susan Renwick
Rosemary Sedlak
Barbara Urick
Stuart Vogel
Phyllis Warfield
Deborah Wehrli
Carol Westcoat
Susan Winz
Jeanette Zeldin

Speakers Bureau...Terri has been very busy with Speakers Bureau Team efforts. Take a look at the scheduled talks (through March).

Thank you, MG's!

January

Date: Jan. 8, 2003
Organization: Perennial Friends
Address: Meeting at Private Home
Topic: Small Fruits
Speaker: Art Feid

Date: Jan. 20, 2003
Time: 8:00 pm
Organization: Suburban Garden Club
Address: First Methodist Church of Western Springs
4300 Howard Ave., Western Springs
Topic: Vegetables
Speaker: Art Feid

February

Date: Feb. 6, 2003
Time: 1:30 pm
Organization: Hawthorn Garden Club
Address: Meeting at Private Home
Topic: Shade Gardening
Speaker: Pat Pieper

Date: Feb. 13, 2003
Time: 7:30 pm
Organization: Council of Catholic Women
Address: St. Alexander Catholic Church
300 S. Cornell, Villa Park
Topic: Butterflies - Magic in the Garden
Speaker: Eileen Kostock

March

Date: March 11, 2003
Time: 7:30 pm
Organization: Council of Catholic Women
Address: Holy Ghost Catholic Church
Ryan Hall
254 N. Wood Dale Rd., Wood Dale
Topic: Seed Starting: Giving Your Garden a Head Start
Speaker: Sandy Lentz

New for 2003 is the Topic Offerings sheet – Terri developed a marketing piece that lists each presentation's title and brief description and the presenter's name, availability, etc. This will prove to be very valuable. The variety of topics is impressive-check it out. We've included a copy for you to read and share with friends. Also, all bios for the team have been updated and the Request and Confirmation forms revamped a bit for 2003.

From December to March, there are for many of us three gardens – the garden outdoors, the garden of pots and bowls in the house, and the garden of the mind's eye – Katherine S. White

The quote above is from one of my favorite "old-world" gardening books, by author Katherine S. White. She was an editor for The New Yorker for more than 30 years. She was also a gardener and in 1958 she retired as editor and began writing a series of gardening pieces for The New Yorker. The compilation of these pieces was published in a book called Onward and Upward in the Garden. Some may find her writing a bit old fashioned and genteel. But for readers like myself, through the love of gardening you will be transported to this uncomplicated time. And what a wonderful escape!

This is not a book on the "how to" of gardening. It is a book about the world of gardening and garden catalogs. Here is an excerpt from the book dated 1959: "I can't swear that I have put my finger on another trend, since the words like Mammoth, Giant, and Colossal are still so overwhelming, but it does also appear that there is movement to decrease size as well. Perhaps my unhappiest moment was the discovery in several catalogs of a combination of dwarfism and gigantism in the person of 'Miss Universe', a brand new idea in Zinnias. She has stems only 2 feet high and flowers 7 inches across. Poor 'Miss Universe'! She reminds me of my own plight as a girl. I was short with a great knot of hair at the back of my head. I had not particularly worried about my appearance though, until a friend said to me, "I suppose you realize my dear, that your hair is a deformity." Remembering how I felt, I suggest that we do not deform the flowers or for that matter, dwarf the princesses."

What a refreshingly opinionated and entertaining garden writer! This book would be perfect for nestling down by the fire on a cold winter's night. Enjoy!

- By Eileen Kostock

Just before the first significant snowstorm in early December I finished building a structure used to over-winter a variety of potted plants. If you're like me, you've accumulated quite a few unplanted perennials and shrubs in pots. In a mature garden with limited space for new plants I might have plant divisions, untested new varieties, bargains I couldn't resist, plants inventoried for use in my business, small first-year seedlings and rooted cuttings, and tender perennials used in containers. These plants have their best chance to come through the winter if they have some protection.

I first experimented with methods to over-winter plants in the 1980's when I potted up bare root divisions for my garden club's plant sale coming in the following year. At first I just dug the pots into the vegetable garden, but you might imagine that this method gets tiresome very quickly. I eventually took my clue from commercial growers and gave poly houses a trial and have been using them ever since. I now construct one to three poly tunnels every year and successfully carry over a variety of small shrubs and potted perennials. This December, I have about 100 square feet of plants that are carried through the winter in two poly structures.

The method I use is not difficult and can be used by anyone with some garden space to construct a tunnel: I use my vegetable garden. The tunnels are built with 1/2-inch PVC or CPVC 10-foot pipes used in plumbing applications. These pipes flex and I bent them into hoops and insert them into the ground with a spread of about 4-feet. I use an auger bulb planter and a drill to make holes for insertion. My individual hoops are spaced about 3-feet apart and I'm still using the original ones purchased in the 80's.

In order to make a structure that will stand up to potentially heavy snows and high winds I run a rope tied to the tops of the hoops to create a "unibody" construction; if one hoop bends one way, they will all bend that way. When I finally put poly over the hoops, the end hoops are secured to the ground with bungee cords and ground anchors; this method allows the whole structure to flex together one way or the other, but to stay upright.

I then put all of my extra plants within the hoops and put a loose cover of unwoven polyester fabric directly on them. This type of fabric is commonly used to protect young seedlings in the spring and can be used to extend the gardening season in the fall. It allows light, air, and water to pass through but ties the plants to ground heat. Remay is one brand name for this product.

When all of the extra plants are in place and covered with the unwoven fabric, I put a sheet of ultraviolet (UV) protected poly-ethylene over the top of the hoops and secure the sides and ends with heavy boards, soil or rocks. The plastic poly sheeting needs to be white opaque color, not clear. Clear covers would heat up and cook the plants inside. UV poly lasts a number of years before becoming brittle. I can get about 5 years use from them before the poly starts splitting too badly to reuse. The covers are the only item that might be difficult to find. Local sources are Midwest Trading Company in St. Charles and J.G. Smith in Batavia as well as some mail order companies.

While this system is protecting the plants from winter cold, fluctuating wet conditions, and wind, it also promotes somewhat earlier development. It will be necessary to look at the plants in March and pull back the cover somewhat if they are being pushed into too premature development. It is relatively easy to slide back half of the poly cover for ventilation and to push it back for additional winter protection if the weather turns harsh. In general I have not had a problem with early development and have enjoyed looking at blooming bleeding hearts in mid-April. When the weather moderates, I'll stage the plants elsewhere but keep an eye on the tender perennials, which might require additional protection.

If you have enough space you could leave the hoops in place and just dry and store the fabric and poly sheeting for reuse. I also have used the hoops along with shade cloth to hold potted shade plants in a sunny position in the summer.

My plastic tunnels have been used annually for close to 20 years and I'm glad I have them. This system might also be useful in your gardens.

- By Don Obuch

At the age of eleven, Lou Horton received, as an Easter gift, two Mandarin bantam ducks. This was the advent, for Lou, of a lifelong avocation/love affair with breeding, raising and showing waterfowl, in particular bantam ducks. Except for his college years, his interest in waterfowl never waned.

While living in urban Wheaton during his High School years, due to environmental, space, and legal factors, he never had more than six fowl; in his current West Chicago one and a half acre location, he has 60 Bantam ducks and 20 geese.

At age 25 (minimum required age), he received his Water Fowl Judging license; for thirty years he has bred while showing, judging and selling waterfowl coast to coast and in Canada. Lou is one of the foremost Bantam Duck breeders; he owns Acorn Hollow Bantam ducks.

His waterfowl housing is very inconspicuous on his east property line (his backyard); the remainder of his yard is a gardener's dream. The west side line is a beautiful Hemerocallis garden; this garden represents the bulk of full sun area. Due to some gorgeous older oaks, shade dominates a large portion of the lawn and gardens. Ac-commodating the large amount of available shade, Lou also has a prestigious position in the Hosta community; specializing in tissue culture in the commercial field, he has 160 varieties of Hosta in his landscape. The Hosta sales somewhat support his other Horticultural and Landscaping endeavors.

Taking full advantage of sun areas on his land, he has five lovely Japanese Maples, many flowering shrubs and is now modifying his landscaping with the propagation and planting of Ornamental Grasses.

- By Warren Senneke

MG's, Terri and Susan have been busy preparing horticulture lessons for kids. Thanks to all who have contributed.

Thank you for your willingness and availability to work the MG desk. We are covered for the next three months!

For veterans, you'll need to complete a total of 10 continuing education class hours before November 30, 2003, to meet state policy for MG Certification. One class in spring (2 hrs) and one class in fall (Fall Wrapup -2 hrs) are required and the remaining six hours are of your choosing. These remaining six hours are called Enrichment training.

MG Recert Class #1 – Spring Kick-off. Mark your calendars and call the Extension office soon to sign up for class #1. This required class will be offered two different times. Choose one of the two options and call right away, as space is limited. Classes will be held in the Extension office conference room.

• Option 1: March 14, 1:30-3:30 pm
• Option 2: April 10, 6:30-8:30 pm

MG Recert Class #2 – 2003 MG Graduation and Fall Wrapup. We have already selected the date for this annual event: November 7, 1:30-3:30 pm. The location will be announced later.

Throughout the year we will be offering several horticulture classes to the public. These classes are being advertised to the general public through news releases and flyers. There is a materials fee of $5.00 for each of these classes. (You received a flyer of the first ones, and additional classes will be announced in the future.) These classes qualify as enrichment.

Also, any horticultural classes from Morton Arboretum, Cantigny, C.O.D., Garden Clubs of Illinois Study Course, Chicago Botanic Garden, along with the Planter's Palette Symposium (in March), the State MG Conference, and any other horticulture classes offered by Extension (including MG training classes on Wednesdays) qualifies and would satisfy the six hours of enrichment training. (Space is very limited for the Wednesday MG classes and you must sign up ahead of time.)

Advance reservations required for all veterans

January 8-March 19, Wednesdays
9:00 am-3:30 pm.

Advance reservations and $5.00 materials fee required for all classes listed below:

Gardening Telenet Series

January 16, Thursday
Fooling Mother Nature
Barb Larson, presenter
1:30-3pm

February 11, Tuesday
Selecting Trees and Shrubs
Dave Robson, presenter
7:00-8:30pm

February 17, Monday
Color in the Landscape
Susan Grupp, presenter
9:30 – 11:30am

April 3, Thursday
Container Gardening
Susan Grupp, presenter
1:30-3:00pm

May 8, Thursday
Underused Annuals
Jim Schmidt, presenter
1:30-3:00pm

A Focus on... As promised at Fall Wrapup '02, Susan will be offering classes that will take a closer look at specific topics to help us hone our skills and strengthen our knowledge base. She'll be choosing topics that reflect the most commonly asked questions that MG's get at help desks and on the help line. Here are the first classes:

• A Focus on Weeds: Management options for the Lawn and Garden. Wednesday, April 16, 1:30-3:30 pm.
• A Focus on Spring Tree Diseases: Friday, May 16, 1:30-3:30 pm.
• A Focus on Grubs and other Summer Pest Problems: Thursday, June 26, 10-11:30 am.

"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 2003, the deadlines will be:

• Issue #2, February 28
• Issue #3, April 28
• Issue #4, June 27
• Issue #5, August 29
• Issue #6, October 29

University of Illinois Extension - Kane County will be hosting a presentation by Melanie Chavin, Program Director of Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter, entitled "Horticultural Activities for People with Dementia." This program will be held on January 21, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., at the Kane County Extension Office, 535 S Randall Rd, St.Charles.

There is no charge for this program; however pre-registration is necessary. Please call Nancy Leubner at 630-584-6166, extension 11, to register.

(This program is aimed at current MG Hort Therapy volunteers or those interested in getting involved.)

As we enter 2003, oh the possibility... But alas, reality reminds us that we have to wait out the gray, cold and short days of winter before the wonder of Spring can rejuvenate our spirits. Never the less, we as Master Gardeners know that this is a time of rest, planning, and of course, some preparation. So as the snow falls, and the geese fly... here are some ideas to keep our gardeners' hearts heated and ready.

Hello in there...

Ah yes, remember back a few months when you were cleaning the garden and digging up all those tender summer bulbs, corms and tubers? Well, hopefully they are tucked away in a perfect place where the temperature is just right, cool but frost-free, dark, and of course dry. These little treasures should be checked at least once a month to make certain that they remain disease-free and have not become soft. By eliminating such problems, you prevent the spread of fungus and rot to the otherwise healthy and solid bulbs and corms. You might even wish to consider using a fungicidal dust. Be certain to read the label for all precautions and warnings and to make sure that it is suitable for this purpose. Also read the label for health concerns as well and be careful not to inhale the dust during application. With a little monitoring, those lucky bloomers will adorn your garden once again this year.

A Stitch in Time saves...

Money! Yes indeed. Winter is a great time to exercise a little effort and do some of the maintenance on such things as the mower, rototiller, clippers, pruners, spades, etc. It saves both money and time come Spring. Just a few thoughts of where to begin...

• Mower servicing can be done professionally (usually for a lesser fee off- season), or in your own garage or basement. If you decide to take on some of the simple tasks, refer to your manual or handbook and follow the manufacturers recommendations.
• Removal of accumulated clippings and dirt from the blades and housing.
• Use a file and/or abrasive paper to clean metal blades and tool edges.
• Remove and clean or replace spark plug.
• Cleaning and polishing of tools will help prolong their useful life and also make them just plain look nicer!
• After cleaning, remember it is always a good idea to wipe down your metal tools with an oily rag or spray them with an anti-rust aerosol.
• And if you find yourself shaking your head, and wondering why you're working so hard to fix or clean something that just doesn't seem to cooperate... use my favorite last resort... buy a new one! (Gosh, I love to garden shop...don't you?)

Gardeners never "force, "we just "nudge" well... There is nothing nicer than to watch a flower grow. Around the holidays, many stores and florists offer pre-packaged bulbs for indoor winter blooms. They are very simple to grow and well worth the few minutes of prep time and minimal cost. Usually you can continue to purchase these bulb kits well after the Christmas holiday and typically at a clearance pricing. (Love those bargains!) The most important factors in winter blooming bulbs is being sure that the bulbs have been properly prepared. This usually means that they have undergone a proper cold time period. Once they have been "chilled" long enough, then the timing can be gauged by when they are taken from their resting place and brought into the light and warmth that will "nudge" them awake and let them know it's time to bloom. It is a nice touch to sprinkle some grass seed on top of the soil when you begin the growing process and just before the flowers come into full bloom, trim the grass to a height of about 1-2 inches for an even and neat look.

Once the flowering is over, refer to any of a number of gardening books or even the Internet for tips on how to care for the bulbs. With a little effort and some patience, these somewhat drained bulbs may gradually recover over a few seasons and bloom beautifully again.

I love a good mystery, but not always in my garden...

Impress friends, neighbors... yourself - Make your own garden stakes and labels! Oh they will be so special. You can make them from wood, metal, porcelain, clay, ... no, the envelopes the seeds come in, stapled to a popsicle stick, aren't considered "handmade paper."

It makes sense to do as many little jobs as you can in the winter that will save time later when you are out in the garden getting your hands nice and dirty. You can make your markers plain, simple, fancy, elaborate, elegant, silly, fun, whatever your heart desires. They will make a statement of design, but most importantly, they will state what you have chosen to grow. Let the visitors to your garden be inspired as well as informed by the various bloom or foliage identifiers you place carefully throughout. And because you will be making them at a more leisurely pace, they will surely be that much nicer and neater. What better way to spend a snowed-in day? (You can also make all the markers for the seeds "on their way" from the catalog company you just finished ordering from.) Now that's really being organized and ready.

Natural air purifiers...

Plants help improve air quality in the home. The foliage and roots filter such household pollutants as benzene and tobacco smoke.

Houseplants are a great way to extend our natural desire to care for "green" things. When purchasing new houseplants, be an inspector! Gently lift the leaves to check for such things as scale, mealybugs, whiteflies or other pests.

Then look under the pot. If the roots are pushing out of the drainage hole, the plant needs a good repotting. If you'd rather not repot, choose another specimen.

Once you make your choice, it is a good idea to bring it home and quarantine it in a separate room from other existing plants. This way you can make sure the plant is relatively healthy and won't cause problems with well-established residents. And be sure to hold on to that plant label. It will be a good reminder of the plant name and variety as well as special care instructions for future reference.

Placement, lighting and watering are the essentials for a successful houseplant. Sudden changes to any or all of these can seriously effect or even kill houseplants. Follow the growers suggestions, refer to our manual, check the Hort Corner web site or other good reference material, and you can plan to enjoy your new plant(s) for years to come.

If I had a hammer...

Wait a minute, I do have a hammer! Then why not plan to do some "real" work. How about building those window boxes you've always wished for. Or maybe a wonderful arched arbor... maybe a few pretty trellises or arches... I was at a home center store recently and wow, what ideas abound. There are ample manuals, how-to books and of course, some good old-fashioned "handymen" on duty that can get you started and see you through to the finished product. There are also many websites that offer full instructions with diagrams and pictures that can help you to create your own garden features with ease and confidence. And as always, don't forget the birds. There are great birdhouses and feeders just waiting to be made.

So let's get going... dust those snow-flakes off your shoulders and think "sunshine."

Space is limited. Advance registration required for all classes.

• January 8 – March 19 Wednesdays
  MG Class 2003 Intern Training
  9:00 am – 3:30 pm

• January 16, Thursday
  Telenet: Fooling Mother Nature
  1:30-3pm

• February 11, Tuesday
  Telenet: Selecting Trees and Shrubs
  7:00-8:30pm

• February 17, Monday
  Telenet: Color in the Landscape
  9:30-11:30am