I rediscovered the therapeutic benefits of plants just the other day-upon retuning home, tired, Karl mentioned the Scilla were up, which prompted me to investigate all the gardens...and what fun it was - lots of things happening, which immediately changed my whole outlook.

The University has recently instituted some new fiscal procedures that, of course, affect our office. Therefore, please disregard any prior arrangements you made with us regarding program expenditure and reimbursement. Beginning this month, contact me for approval and the new guidelines.

Included with this newsletter is your second quarter volunteer project assignment. Thank you for all your support on so many different projects. I tried to accommodate as many of your requests as I could. Some of you will be volunteering with MG's you haven't worked with before-I hope you enjoy getting to know each other as much as I do.

Be sure to review the list of upcoming gardening programs. I hope that one of you will contact me about serving as host for the Herb Gardening telenet class on Tuesday, June 1. I will not be able to facilitate that day and I need someone to arrive by 12:30, greet the participants and run the power point program. If you would like to volunteer to do this, please call me asap!

Squirm'n Herman the Worm
We just finished our new marketing brochure and will be targeting a few schools around the county. There will be a training program scheduled mid summer and all MG's who signed up but have not received their training will be hearing from us shortly.

Budding Gardener's Day
We are expecting 90-100 girls to attend our Budding Gardener's Day on Saturday, May 1. There will be a training workshop announced shortly.

Garden Mentors
MG Julie Moore and her team of eight MG's have been working diligently to develop our new Garden Mentor Program. They have accomplished a great deal in a short time and it looks like we may be able to launch this new program shortly.

JMG at Ardmore School
The JMG club is formed and has been meeting every Wednesday since mid January! The two teachers and school principal are thrilled with the experience. Kudos to Lynn Bement for her leadership. MG team members Jennifer McKeown, Barbara Kumi-nowski and Stu Vogel are providing great support.

Grounds Beautification at Butterfield School
School officials requested MG Carol Garrett- Strelecky return and continue to help them with their ongoing project.

Speakers Bureau Team
Take a look at the Speakers Bureau team programs. Already there are 32 presentations confirmed for this year-a true indicator that the marketing packet Terri developed is working and the programs our MG's have developed are interesting and appealing to many people.

Upcoming Garden Programs
These programs are advertised to the public so sign up early- space is limited! All classes will be held in our Extension office Conference Room. All presentations qualify as MG enrichment training.

Fantastic Foliage- A Riot of Leafy Color
Tuesday, April 27, 1–2:30 pm.

If you usually think only of flowers for summer garden color, think again. Join Greg Stack, Horticulture Educator, as he shows how and when to use a whole palette of leaf colors in the garden for season-long interest. (This is a telenet program) Fee: $5.

Protect You and Your Family – Understand West Nile Virus
Tuesday May 11, 1-2:30pm

Interested in West Nile Virus and why it has been such a problem recently? Phil Nixon, Extension Entomologist will address the West Nile Virus problem and how you and your community can manage mosquitoes to reduce the chances of getting West Nile Virus and other diseases spread by mosquitoes. (This is a telenet program). Fee: $5.

Herb Gardening
Tuesday, June 1, 1-2:30 pm

Jim Schmidt, Extension Specialist will discuss growing and harvesting herbs for Illinois Gardens. (This is a telenet program; I need a volunteer to facilitate this) Fee: $5.

MG Advanced Training Class
Insect Pests in the Landscape
Thursday, June 17, 9-1pm

Susan Grupp and Jim Schuster team up to present the common and not so common insect pests we encounter here in DuPage County. This program is taught using dried and preserved specimens. (This class is for MG's only; there is no class fee)

Fruit Workshop
Sponsored by the Will County Unit Office
Saturday April 3

Extension Educator Dr. Maurice Ogutu will be conducting a workshop that includes lecture and hands-on pruning, for MG's and homeowners with a serious interest in improving their understanding of fruit trees, small fruits, and pruning techniques at the Bielawski Farm in Minooka. See insert for more details.

All Extension volunteers who work with children must go through a screening process. This is a standard process designed to reassure parents that volunteers have been screened. It also serves to protect you as well. If you are interested in working with children and have not yet gone through this screening, please call Joan and we can get you the proper forms to complete.

We will have a Master Gardener Help Desk at the Naperville Community Gardeners Plant Sale on Saturday, May 8, from 7 am till 3 pm (or sooner, if all plants are sold). It would be helpful to have two MGs per shift:

• 7:00 am till 9:00 am
• 9:00 am till 11:00 am
• 11:00 am till 1:00 pm
• 1:00 pm till 3:00 pm

MG's may sign up for more than one shift. The site is at the Naperville Community Garden Plots, on West Street between Martin Avenue and Emerald (a block west of Edward Hospital). Please call the office at 630-653-4114 if you would like to sign up for this opportunity.

MG Paul Stoffels has again generously agreed to host our annual plant swap on Saturday, June 12. For those of you who have not participated previously, this is a wonderful way to add variety to your gardens and to swap any extra plants you have with your fellow Master Gardeners. Please keep this in mind as you begin your spring division chores and set a few things aside. We will have more information in the next newsletter.

• We need to purchase a number of craft supplies for upcoming horticulture programs. If you come across coupons from Michael's Craft Stores that you will not need, please send them in to the Extension Office. We would be most grateful!
• 100 clear two-liter bottles with caps. Needed by June 1 for the Master Gardener program. Please bring to the Extension Office.

Do you have a plant to share with your fellow Master Gardeners? How about a piece of equipment you would like to sell or trade (or donate)? Is there a plant you are looking for that one of us might already have? We'd like to put you in touch with each other. Contact Pat Kosmach. She will take the information and put all of it together for the next newsletter.

Gingko seedlings: Paul Stoffels has Gingko seedlings. About one year old. Sex is unknown. Please contact him.

Water Iris: Pat Kosmach has Iris virginica "Pond Lilac Dream." Will grow two feet tall and about as wide a season. Blooms in early June. I also have goldfish in various sizes up to about eight inches long. Please contact her.

If you plan on going South for spring break, I have just the right side trip for you to Savannah, Georgia. On April 2 and April 3, the Savannah Garden Exposition presents "The Flavors of Savannah" at the Historic Exposition 1845 Roundhouse Railroad Museum. It is an in-door/outdoor exposition with that great southern flavor including open air markets, exhibition gardens, walking tours of private gardens, lecture by landscape designer, author and photographer Rosalind Creasy, plus cooking lecture/demo by Damon Lee Fowler, Savannah chef and writer. An added benefit is that the "kids" will love some of the old railroad steam locomotives in the roundhouse yard.

For more information visit their web site at www.Savannahgardenexpo.com. My wife, Patti and I had the opportunity to attend in 2002 and it was one of the highlights of our trip. Savannah's spring is about five to six weeks ahead of our spring here in the Chicago area, so our drives and walks through Savannah's historic districts enabled us to view azaleas, rhododendrons, daffodils and tulips in full spectacular bloom in the gardens and on the porches of historical, enchanting Savannah. I promise you are in for a delightful garden experience.

- Submitted by Larry States

Got Shade?
By Carolyn Harstad

Because I consider myself primarily a shade gardener, I have read numerous books on the topic. Usually, such books contain much that does not apply to my Zone 5 garden and there is a lot of coverage of plants such as the hosta which are abundantly discussed elsewhere. Got Shade? on the other hand was written by a Midwestern gardener and virtually every plant discussed will grow in Zone 5. Perhaps the most important feature of the book is the extensive coverage of useful shade plants not covered in depth elsewhere. For example, an entire chapter is devoted to vines for shade. Another chapter extensively discusses shrubs including about fifty different kinds. Yet another one analyzes the value of over thirty types of ferns in various situations. The section on each specie or variety includes information on its qualities and draw-backs, cultural needs, and methods of propagation. Also of interest is each major section includes a list of plants not recommended and why they are not recommended. A good number of plants often seen at nurseries are included on such lists.

The book is very readable and is interspersed with many tidbits such as how various plants synergize with wildlife and with some creative and unusual design tips I have not seen elsewhere. A good example is the use of the "Surprise Lily" interplanted with large hostas resulting in the late summer with garden visitors being "amazed" to see such beautiful pink flowers which they attribute to the hostas.

As gardening books go, Got Shade? is rather affordable. Its retail cost is $24.95 but it can be obtained for under $18 (plus shipping) from Amazon. If you are a shade gardener looking for some fresh perspectives and some information on some uncommon shade plants, give this book a try.

Binding type: Paperback
Number of pages: 383 (including indices)
Illustrations: Most are black and white drawings of good quality. Center section contains 30 pages of color photographs.
ISBN 0-253-21625-7

Note: We have this book in the MG office.

- by Lou Horton

March 8	Sandy Lentz, Seed Starting: Giving Your Garden a Head Start for Hinsdale Village Gardeners
March 15	Eileen Kostock, Perennials: Work-horses in the Garden for Westmont Garden Club
March 16	Eileen Kostock, Butterflies: Magic in the Garden for Violet Garden Club
March 20	Sandy Lentz, The Workmen are Coming! at Wannemakers, Downers Grove
March 20	Pat Kosmach, Container Gardening for Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
March 22	Warren Senneke, Sure-Fire Perennials of Northern Illinois for DuPage Organic Gardening Club
March 31	Eileen Kostock, Hardy, Disease-Resistant Roses of Beauty at Indian Prairie Library, Darien
April 3	Eileen Kostock, Butterflies: Magic in the Garden at Bloomingdale Public Library
April 8	Warren Senneke, Sure-Fire Perennials of Northern Illinois at Warrenville Public Library
April 8	Susan Renwick, Container Gardening for Wheaton Park District Leisure Center
April 13	Sandy Lentz, Annuals: Three Seasons of Color for Council of Catholic Women
April 14	Pat Pieper, Container Gardening Demonstration for Women's Garden Club of Villa Park
April 15	Sandy Lentz, Living with Herbs at Downers Grove Public Library
April 17	Pat Kosmach, Garden Calendar – Spring for AAUW
April 28	Susan Renwick, Container Gardening for CIB Bank – Good Age Club
April 29	Eileen Kostock, Butterflies: Magic in the Garden for Mary's Circle – St. Alexander Parish
April 29	Warren Senneke, Sure-Fire Perennials of Northern Illinois for Green Gardeners
May 8	Pat Pieper, Container Gardening demonstration at Aurora Public Library
May 12	Pat Pieper, Shade Gardening at Itasca Community Library
May 13	Sandy Lentz, Annuals: Three Seasons of Color for Wheaton Garden Club
May 25	Sandy Lentz, Annuals: Three Seasons of Color at Carol Stream Public Library

This issue's herb is a tall, striking perennial - elecampane (el - eh - campaign). Often called by one or the other parts of its botanic name, Inula helenium, (and listed in catalogs, as often as not, as "inula"), this plant has its roots (sorry) in antiquity. Helen of Troy was said to have been gathering it when she was carried off by Paris, hence "helenium." This helenium should not be confused with another member of the compositae family, the genus Helenium. H. autumnale is commonly called sneezeweed; the variety H. pubericum has odd flowers, with rounded brown heads covered with tiny yellow florets and ringed at its base with larger petals. Historically, elecampane's roots, like those of angelica, were crystallized for use as a kind of candy and for the relief of asthma and coughs.

Reaching six feet, elecampane works equally well at the back of the herb bed or in an informal perennial border. Its leaves are quite long (up to 18 inches), pointed, and coarsely toothed with a gray underside. Liking a sunny spot with moist, fertile soil, it bears bright yellow, shaggy, daisy-like flowers. Because, unlike many herbs, it will thrive in more fertile soil, elecampane may be used to transition between the herb patch and other areas, such as the vegetable garden.

Because of its height and casual habit, elecampane may require staking; if it becomes untidy, it can be pruned in late summer or, to reduce its overall height, it can be cut back by one third in May. The petals of dried elecampane flowers may be added to potpourri for color. Velvety green or dark brown (depending on when harvested) seed heads are also attractive in dried arrangements. The flowers are good for cutting, especially those of a variety called Inula orientalis, which resemble spider chrysanthemums.

- By Sandy Lentz

With a chuckle, I open my catalogs, and mark the plants that I want with a red pen. They're soo cool - mmm interesting! Wonder what works here, or willing to dig up for, or just think about growing! Realizing that I've pretty much marked everything, one has to take a reality check. Having two kids in college and a tight budget for this growing season, I have to cut costs. When a little seed started growing in my head. . . Why not try SEEDS!!

Time out! We're talking a huge commitment. Am I really willing to devote time to this process? Seed responsibility could last from mid-February to May. Quite a chunk of time. Germination is step one, followed by seedling growth. Each step requires attention. We are talking commitment! What starts out as a bunch of small containers of seedlings leads to several flats of plants. Another "Big" is the needed supply list, which consists of seeds, growing media, containers, bottom heat source, fertilizer, and lights on timers. Decisions, Decisions.

I'll do it! Having made the commitment, I'll start with new viable seeds. If I order now, seeds are usually still in stock and I can start the seeds on time. Make sure the seed packet date is current or if they were gathered from last year's plants, stored in a cool, dry, dark location.

Now that the seeds are in front of me, I can move on to the germination phase. A seed needs water and the right temperature for best germination results. It gets planted in a germination media and needs to stay moist...but not wet. When watering, place seed tray in shallow pan of water and media will absorb what it needs and allow excess to drain. No other factor will help the germination process more than a constant warm temperature. Generally, germination is better if the soil (not air) temperature is 70°F or above. Germinating mats and other heat generating appliances can be locally purchased. A few seeds require light for germination but most don't. Once germination is over, light becomes critical.

After germination, I'll remove the bottom heat source, and place those seedlings under the lights. There are six parts to seedling growth: light, media, container, water, temperature and fertilizer. Seedlings need bright light but unless you have a greenhouse, the sun is not bright enough nor shines long enough at this time of the year. In a household setting, you must add electric light. Different parts of the light spectrum influence different stages of growth. For instance red light is for fruiting and flowering. The blue light is used for the vegetative growth. Enter florescent lights.

Fluorescent light bulbs are not created equal. You have grow lights, cool white and warm white bulbs. Obviously, grow lamps have both the blue and red spectrums. However, they come at a cost. The cool white fluorescent bulbs hit blue spectrums; the warm white fluorescent bulbs hit red. Combine both bulbs and you have it all. Regardless of what type of light is chosen it needs to be placed one to two inches away from the seedlings and plugged into a timer for 14-16 hrs. of light per day. As seedlings grow the light has to be moved up, so a pulley or support system needs to be incorporated into the set up. Good thing my husband is inventive.

Room air temperature should not go above 68 °F (55 – 60°F is best), and they must be kept moist...but not wet.

When 2-3 true leaves have formed I'll transplant them into larger containers. The seedlings still need to be kept at about 60 °F and moist, like before. Start fertilizer at ½ strength and increase to full strength over next 3-4 weeks. If the plants are tall and spindly, they are too far away from the light, or too warm.

The final step to get a healthy plant is hardening off. I'll help the seedlings adapt to the change in environmental conditions which occurs when plants are transferred from indoors to outdoors. In this process, the room temperature needs to be lowered, with a decrease in watering. Two weeks prior to planting the seedlings in the ground, seedlings can be placed in an unheated sunroom, cold-frame, or outside during the day. Start at first, for a few hours, increasing the outdoor time and sunlight exposure each day. The seedlings still cannot handle temperatures below 45 °F, however.

Well, there's the process. Do you think it's worth the commitment? Don't answer now, wait till July when your yard is in full bloom to decide.

- By Ambi Pellegrini

The new growing season is just around the corner. I can honestly say that this winter was not all that bad. (Actually, I am sitting here with my fingers crossed behind my back, knowing that I could regret saying that as the possibility one of the typical spring "snows" could yet occur.) Think Positive! Think Spring! And say your gardener's prayers! Meanwhile, let's at least consider some ideas for the coming season...

A rose must remain with the sun and the rain or its lovely promise won't come true.

That song verse really dates me, but it sure says it nicely. It is time to start thinking about our roses. During this fluctuating weather, it is important to ventilate roses that are under protective foam cones. It can get quite hot in there on a mild, sunny winter (almost spring) day. As the days pass and we do get closer to the somewhat more "reliable" spring weather, it will also be time to remove heavy coverings from miniature roses as well as groundcover plants. This will allow the soil in the beds to begin to thaw naturally and dry out as well from the snow cover's moisture. On the milder, still days, dormant oil might be a good idea to kill over-wintering insects, their eggs and disease spores. (Be sure to refer to U of I Extension recommendations for chemical use and the safeguards stated. Read product labels carefully.) It might also be a good idea to consider soil testing when the ground is ready.

Amendments might be needed to improve the promise of those blooms.

It's Pruning Time...Clip, Snip and Whack if Necessary...

Now is a good time to take a close look at the fruit trees. Many apple varieties need annual attention so they can produce good yields of hearty fruit. Our manual has a wonderful section on the how's, when's and why's of pruning fruit trees. Keep in mind the general rules and you will find this is not a difficult process.

Remove dead and broken branches.

Remove diseased branches, or the diseased parts of branches.

Remove watersprouts. (the rapidly growing young shoots that grow straight up)

Remove suckers. (the shoots that grow from below ground on roots and trunk)

Eliminate competing branches.

Eliminate V-branching. Take out one of the two branches forming the "V."

Remove weak, droopy branches that are nonproductive.

Remove any branches that touch the ground.

Understand the prevailing wind can distort a trees shape. Keep this in mind.

During the first five years, only prune to train the tree to the desired framework.

Following these guidelines will result in bringing the young trees into production quickly and will provide a good structure by which the tree will perform for years to come.

Many other trees and shrubs will benefit from early spring pruning. Identify those in your garden that need attention then refer to the pruning guide for that particular tree or shrub. Forsythia, spirea and other fountain-shaped shrubs should have approximately 1/3 of the oldest canes cut back to the ground after flowering. Never forget to check each tree or shrubs specifications. Too late of a pruning for shrubs such as lilac can result in drastic reduction of blooms next season.

Evergreens can be easily maintained for size simply by snapping off one half of the new "candles." This applies nicely to Scotch pines, firs and other conifers that you wish to keep more compact.

Sow, You Want to Sow Some Seeds...

Consider building a cold frame. There are so many "how - to" instruction sites on the internet. You can go from as simple as hay bale enclosures to cedar with a stained glass lid! It's also a wonderful addition to any gardener's yard. Building a nice potting table is another thought. Instructions abound on the web and one only has to think a thought and modern technology finds you the sources and reference materials.

It won't be long until you can begin some direct seeding as weather permits. Such things as potatoes, onions, beets, radishes, cabbage and spinach don't mind a chillier starting climate.

Read seed packets and use the seed companies guidelines for cool weather (or any weather plants for that matter) seed starting. (not too early though, remember in our area, May 26 is "plant date" for those warm season tender bedding plants that are sensitive to the cold).

There are three concepts for planting to keep in mind...

Succession Planting: Space out same plant or replace one plant with a different one.

Interplanting: Like Lettuce & broccoli
Row Planting/Band Planting: Carrots/Radishes - mix seeds - one will finish and thin area for the other

Just remember that you must care for what you plant. Therefore plan ahead...Need ~ Seed ~ Time ~ Feed ~ Care ~ Share

Anything been "Bugging" You Lately?
There are all sorts of "creatures" waiting to visit our gardens again. Some are already here, waiting, counting the days for the young tender shoots to emerge. Mmmmm.... I bet they have their forks and knives posed and ready! Well, remember there are many ways of deterring this ritual from occurring. The following is a list to recall as necessary...

• Sanitation
• Crop rotation
• Weed control
• Barriers
• Biological Controls
• Botanical Controls
• Chemical Controls

Along with the insects, there are the four-legged invaders as well as the winged intruder. Rabbits, mice, moles, voles, chipmunks... you name it, those rodents are very crafty at snatching tasty bites from prized plants, flowers and all the garden veggies. Protect ornamentals with poultry netting/wire mesh at least two feet above the highest snow in winter and well below ground level in the warm months. Commercial chemical repellents are also effective. But, with every rainfall, chemicals dilute and loose their charm. Sometimes it's almost better to learn to co-exist and find a happy medium of tolerance.

The white-tailed deer love to feed on bark and buds on trees and shrubs, especially during winter. They also find the tender blossoms and leaves of spring bulbs irresistible.

One-half cake of deodorant soap, preferably Dial, hung on plants or stakes nearby may provide protection.

Listen carefully this spring, and you may hear a ratt-a-tatt-tatt high above you. April and May are prime times to have a visit from the protected yellow-bellied sapsucker.

You will be able to recognize their handy work, which is evidenced by rows of horizontal or vertical holes pecked in the trunk of trees. There isn't too much you can do about this visitor, because he truly is a protected species. You can try wrapping the damaged areas with burlap or other materials that might keep them away. Or perhaps the old standby of an inflatable snake draped menacingly along the branches to fool the birds away. Either way, good luck and enjoy the fact that you have the honor of observing a rare bird!

Rather Than Bugged... How About Buzzed?

Ever thought about becoming a beekeeper? It's definitely a possibility that could prove worthwhile, educational and maybe even profitable. The Illinois State Beekeepers Association has many chapters that are anxious to help anyone interested in getting started with beekeeping. Many of the chapters offer starter colonies, hive bodies, frames and equipment that can be loaned out on a trial basis. It is rather expensive to get started on your own because of the supplies and equipment needed. One should take advantage of the generous offer from the ISBA and see if this is for you. Honey bees are maintained in a hive that consists of a hive body (the box) and has vertical frames inserted where the bees construct the honeycomb. Here the larvae are raised and the honey and pollen kept and the beeswax develops. Honey bees have been managed by people for thousands of years.

What better way for insuring the pollination of your garden, and having the other benefits of honey and beeswax, as well as the enjoyment of a worthwhile undertaking.

If you are interested, contact the Extension office and they can put you in touch with other beekeepers who might be able to give you an experienced view on the subject. (Just a note for confidence, I never met a honey bee I didn't like... they are quite sweet and gentle and such very hard workers!)

Well folks, it's time to look at my garden journal, make a few notes, and take one last browse through my mail order catalogs "just in case" I missed something spectacular! Happy Spring!

- by Joyce Ernst

As stated in Ivy Covered Walls, the how to's are endless on the internet. I contacted the owner of the website listed below and received his approval to copy his instructions for building a PVC Hoophouse. It looks like it could be a really fun project for those of you that have the space. Have fun and visit the website to see other information contained there.

Gardening West of the Cascades
http://www.westsidegardener.com/

If you are interested in building a hoophouse and do not have web access, call the office to arrange to pick up a copy of the instructions.

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.

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

March 13	Morton Arboretum: Ninth Annual Stewart Forum-Understanding Nature Making A Difference
March13-March 20	Navy Pier: Chicagoland Flower and Garden Show
March13	Chicago Botanic Garden: Shrub for All Seasons
March 13	Morton Arboretum: Stewardship Forum: Understanding Nature - Making a Difference
March 16	Garfield Farm: Antique Apple Tree Grafting Seminar
March 19-21	Morton Arboretum: Midwest Gardening Symposium
March 20	Chicago Botanic Garden: Starting from Seed
March 28	Chicago Botanic Garden: Pruning Principles Morton Arboretum: Wandering the Wetlands
April 3	Chicago Botanic Garden: Soils: Where Are Your Roots
April 5	Garfield Farm: Wooden Hay Rake. Handcraft an authentic wooden hay rake. This is a two day class, part II is on April 12.
April 7	Cantigny: Blooming Bulb Garden
April 10	Morton Arboretum: Ready, Set, Let's Grow!: Annuals to Enhance Your Landscape
April 10-11	Morton Arboretum: Buds 'n Blooms Spring Strolls Every weekend day through May 16, take a guided walk to learn about the ever-changing display of newly blossomed trees, shrubs, and other plants along beautiful Joy Path.
April 12	Garfield Farm: Wooden Hay Rake, Part II
April 13	Cantigny: Fundamentals of Gardening - The Basics. Part 1 of 6. Instructor: Susan Grupp
April 16	Morton Arboretum: Flying Gardens: Butterflies and Birds in Your
April 17	Morton Arboretum: Nature Walk with Kenn Kaufman, expert field birder, artist, conservationist, and author
April 17-18	Morton Arboretum: Buds 'n Blooms Spring Strolls
April 17	Chicago Botanic Garden: Getting Started With Perennials
April 18	Morton Arboretum: Take a Walk on the Wild Side. Wildflower surprises in the woods.
April 21	Morton Arboretum: Library Lecture Series - The Urban Forest and the Quality of Human Life.
April 24	Chicago Botanic Garden: Keeping the Garden Healthy
April 25	Morton Arboretum: Wildflowers at Home.
April 30	Morton Arboretum: Arbor Day! Free admission for all ages, free tram tours, and guided walks.
May 1	Herb Sale: The Oak Park Conservatory is celebrating its seventy-fifth birthday! Contributing to the festivities is the annual plant sale - "Heirloom Herbs and Scented Plants." Over 250 varieties will be available, many heirlooms, many hard to find. The sale will be held at the Conservatory on Saturday, May 1, from 8am to 3pm. The Oak Park Conservatory is located at 615 Garfield Street, Oak Park. The Oak Park Conservatory is a not-well-enough-known jewel in the western suburbs, with its desert room, fern room, and tropical room lush with fish and birds, too. Well worth a visit, especially on a dreary late winter day. Membership in the Friends of the Conservatory starts at an affordable $10 annually. Among other benefits, members may shop the herb sale early! Members' shopping days are Thursday, April 29 from 1 to 7pm, and Friday, April 30, also from 1 to 7pm. For more information, call 708/725-2460.
May 1	Chicago Botanic Garden: Get Started With Annuals
May 8	Chicago Botanic Garden: Basic Lawn Care for Homeowners

- 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!! As always, your comments and suggestions are most welcome.

• Issue #3 – April 15
• Issue #4 – June 18
• Issue #5 – August 21
• Issue #6 – October 29

March 13 – March 20
Chicagoland Flower & Garden Show

Tuesday, April 27, 1 – 2:30 pm
Fantastic Foliage

Saturday, May 1
Budding Gardener's Day

Tuesday, May 11, 1 – 2:30 pm
Understand West Nile Virus

Tuesday, June 1, 1 – 2:30 pm
Herb Gardening

Saturday, June 12
MG Plant Swap

Thursday, June 17, 9am – 1 pm
Advanced MG Training – Insect Pests in the Landscape