Think Spring! I know that we all are anxiously waiting to view that first crocus or even a weed...just something green. Our schedules are getting full with all sorts of gardening opportunities so the warm weather must be coming.

Look below for some additional volunteer opportunities. We are planning a couple collaborative children's gardening lessons with the Youth Development team. It should be an exciting partnership, but it won't be a success without the help of our Master Gardeners. We are hoping to reach many of the under-served youth from area resource centers.

The first effort will be forming a "Summer Garden Group" with a series of 6 lessons for a set group of children (15-20) at a resource center to be determined (most likely in West Chicago or Glen Ellyn)...it will be one day a week (Wed. or Thurs) starting June 18^th through Aug. 30^th (skipping July 2^nd). We're waiting for input from some resource centers to finalize the plans. Please let the office know if you would be interested in this opportunity. Look for details in an email soon!

KID CAMP @ Extension: We will be offering a four one day science camp for 40 children on Aug. 4^th, Aug. 5^th, Aug. 6^th, or Aug. 7th here at the Extension office. It will be from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and will consist of four 45-minute stations (such as: Butterflies, Worms, Plant Parts, etc.). The sign-up for our KID CAMP will be in the next sign-up form, but you can mark your calendars now if you are interested. You can volunteer for one day or multiple days.

2008 Conference
Hope you have all marked your calendars for "Pathways to a Greener Illinois", the 2008 IL Master Gardener Conference on Sept. 11 – 13, 2008. The logo appears above and will appear soon on the IL Master Gardener site. We have a great line up of speakers such as Dan Heims, Pat Armstrong, Mike Nowak, Melinda Myers, Richard Hawke, Ellen Ogden, Marcus de la fleur, and the list goes on! You can look up any of these speakers on the web to learn more about them. There will be speakers from Chicago Botanical Gardens, The Morton Arboretum and of course University of Illinois.

Go to: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/.

- Mary Horek

The Worms in the Classroom team is a very busy group. This tireless team travels to DuPage County schools to present Squirmin' Herman lessons to third and fourth grade students.

This school enrichment lesson teaches worm anatomy, the benefits of worms in the environment, and the role of the worm as a member of the food chain. Classes are divided into 4 groups with a Master Gardener leading each group. Each of the students is provided with a booklet, a petri dish, a magnifying glass, a toothpick, and a live worm. The lesson kits contain many visual aids to enhance the presentation.

The lesson ends with a game of "Worm Challenge". This Jeopardy type game is a favorite with the teachers and the students. Each child also receives a gummy worm treat.

During this school year, the Master Gardeners will teach about 900 students the wonders of worms.

I want to thank the team for their continued support and efforts. Your willingness to volunteer every time a program is requested is to be applauded.

We could not offer this program without you!

- Sarah Navrotski

The Extension Board, which consists of three DuPage County Board members and four members of Extension Council, met on February 26. The County Board members reported that there has been a bill introduced in Springfield to remove the new sales tax from groceries, medicines and licensed vehicles. If passed, this would substantially reduce the amount of revenue DuPage County receives from the new tax. Jim Healy estimates that it would drop from $47 million to $30-33 million, and he intends to ensure this money goes to public safety and transit, as designated. He stated that Extension might not receive any more funding from the county than the $65,000 we received this year and suggested that we establish a broader funding base.

The process of revising the county's FY 08 budget may be slower than anticipated because of the potential impact of this bill which will change the sales tax and the various County Board committees are deciding what funds to restore. I will keep you posted on the budget revisions and Extension funding.

I intend to work to find more local funders while doing everything in my power to make sure we increase our County Board funding. I may be asking for your help in this endeavor.

- Barb Linek

Please donate your old treasures to the 4-H Foundation, who will be having a garage sale on May 3 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the DuPage County fairgrounds. Donated sale items are needed! All donated items should be in working order. Please bring donations to the 4-H building at the fairgrounds on May 2 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. All proceeds will benefit the DuPage County 4-H Foundation. Volunteers are also needed to help on both days. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Extension Office.

4-H Foundation Luncheon & Silent Auction

Friday, August 1, 2008

Klein Creek Golf Club –Winfield

More details to follow in the coming months!

Don't Forget to Report!

I will be archiving the volunteer events from the 1^st quarter. Please report your January, February and March hours by April 18^th.

Just a Reminder: Mary and Sarah work part-time. Their typical office hours are:

Mary

Monday - 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday – Off

Wednesday – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday – 8:00 a.m. – noon

Friday – Off

Sarah

Monday–Thursday - 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Friday – Off

Plan Ahead: In order to make the best use of your valuable time, Garden Help Line will have reduced hours this fall and winter. If you are planning out your volunteer hours, here is the schedule:

September – Monday and Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

October – Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

November – Wednesday (ending Nov.19^th), 9:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

December – No Help Line

PLEASE NOTE: As you look over the new volunteer assignments, please mark your personal calendars with the dates that you are scheduled for the Garden Help Line or other locations and events. We really count on everyone to remember their commitments and to find their own replacements when there are last minute schedule conflicts.

GET CONTACT INFORMATION! We have had a great response for our Horticulture classes. Joan is able to target audiences by pulling from our database of Garden Help Line callers. She can send class brochures to clients who have called with questions about upcoming class topics. We cannot do this without complete contact information. If she does not have full name, address, and a phone number, the database won't even let her make an entry. It is more important than ever for you to ask for contact information when working on the Help Line. It is really helpful to get an email address too. Think of the paper and postage we save when we can attach the brochure in an email to an interested client! Even when you are at a Help Desk event, try to get complete information from your contacts. Let's see how many new entries we can add to our database in 2008!

It's time to get serious. Stop marking pages in those garden catalogs and start ordering! Here's a look at what's new in perennials for '08:

PPA has announced its perennial of the year–Geranium 'Rozanne'. What's so special about this one? Bigger flowers, season-long bloom, and more compact habit–what more could you ask for? 1-2" iridescent blue saucers with white throats and fine dark violet venation grace the plant from May through October, with the most prolific show in spring and again late in the summer. The foliage is deep green with dark marbling and offers good fall reds. And while open and airy, its form is not prone to the rangy messiness of some of the other perennial geraniums.

If you are like me and still can't resist every new coneflower, there's an introduction from Terra Nova that will be at home with the Big Sky series oranges and yellows that you bought last year. It's Echinacea 'Tiki Torch', with bright true orange flowers. And if you're into the frilly doubles there's E. 'Coconut Lime', the first double flowering white (the ray flowers are creamy and the center ruffle is light green).

And for shade gardeners who must have every new coral bell, Heuchera 'Georgia Peach' will probably join your garden this year. It boasts huge leaves that develop from peach orange in the spring through rose to rose purple in the fall. All season, the vibrant foliage color is highlighted by an overlay of white.

Color wise, the trend continues to be Hot! Hot! Hot! The hottest of the hot this year–red blooms and chocolate foliage. The Beijing Olympics will bring us red, the color of good fortune and prosperity. You might take this home with Hemerocallis 'Moses Fire', a new daylily whose double deep red blooms with gold streaks on ruffled edges evoke the biblical burning bush. A new cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis 'Golden Torch', has gold foliage and bright red flowers while Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Wicked Witch' provides a clove scented carpet covered with cherry red flowers. For the drama of chocolate foliage you might consider Heuchera 'Mocha'–a good backdrop for any bloom tone.

Speaking of new, have you caught the "wave"? The New Wave Planting Movement continues to spread like a prairie across Europe and is becoming more popular in the US as well. This approach emphasizes the natural harmony of plants, seeking to represent the "...spontaneous feeling of plants in nature." (Piet Oudolf). Plants are appreciated for their structure and form more than for their color and are combined in drifts as they would be found in a meadow or prairie. While the movement started in Europe, it features species native to North America, especially the American prairie. What better place to explore this approach than right here in Illinois where the prairie once stood?

And finally, the latest in research news: Researchers at University College in London discovered that the soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae helps to elevate mood and increases feelings of well-being–the effect on mice was similar to anti-depressants. So, happy gardening–go get some dirt under your fingernails!

- KC Swininoga

Wood Dale Clock Garden

If you go to the city of Wood Dale website, you will see on its homepage a work of art created by DuPage Master Gardeners: the Wood Dale Clock Garden.

Susan Crady and her team of 8 people take loving care of this gem that has become a source of pride for the community.

It all started when the city council wanted to do something special to celebrate Wood Dale's Diamond Jubilee in 2003. Knowing that Susan Crady was a Master Gardener, an alderman approached her and asked if she would like to be involved. They chose the location of Irving and Wood Dale road, and the city council allotted funds towards the project. Susan approached the College of DuPage Landscape Architecture students and asked them to submit plans for the garden. Once one was chosen, they went to work. The city installed the garden the first year, laying out seven plots. Perennial gardens alternate with annual gardens. The first year the annual gardens were all marigolds, the city flower.

The second year, Susan entered the garden as a Master Gardener project, and got a team of people together to do the annual planting and maintain the garden throughout the season. The city of Wood Dale purchases the annuals for the garden, and Susan's team plants them in late spring. Because the city had the foresight to put in an irrigation system, the Master Gardeners only need to visit the garden for maintenance every two weeks or so. In the last few years, Spring bulbs have been planted in the perennial gardens, to give a little flush of bright color before the annuals go in.

Master Gardeners who have been together on this committee almost since the beginning include Mike Koziol, Jennifer McKeown, Dolly Moneka, Stephanie Hansen, Mary Luzader and Lin Drogos. This year, Kathy Carson, Sharon Devo, Carl Giessel, Tsue Ostermann and Bill Woulfe have volunteered to be on the committee. How wonderful to have a project like this that gives such visibility to Master Gardeners in the Northeast part of our county!

- Debbi Heinze

Did you receive an amaryllis over the holidays and now that it's done blooming you are not sure what to do with it?

After the flowers have faded cut the flower stalk off leaving 1-2" of stalk above the bulb. Cut only the flower stalk not the leaves. Now treat it as if it were a houseplant, watering & fertilizing it, allowing the leaves to develop fully. Amaryllis benefit from being outside during the summer, simply remove the bulb from the pot and plant it in the ground up to its neck. Select a sunny spot that receives some afternoon shade and do not plant where standing water develops, otherwise it will rot. Or, if your pot has good drainage, simply plant the pot and bulb directly in the ground.

In late summer/early fall, when the leaves begin to yellow or wither, stop watering it, cut off all the leaves leaving 2" above the bulb. If you left the bulb in the pot move the pot to a cool spot; if you planted the bulb in the ground, gently shake the soil off the bulb and move the bulb to a cool spot (45-55°). Some people use an empty crisper of an old refrigerator, while others are lucky enough to have a root cellar, cool basement or cold frame. Store the bulb for 6-8 weeks, do not water, this is the dormant period. After the dormant period, repot any bare bulbs, water lightly and keep it out of direct sunlight. The ideal temperature at this stage is 65° - 70° F. Water sparingly until the stem appears, then, as the bud(s) and leaves appear; gradually increase watering. That's all there is to it.

Trivia - Linnaeus named the genus Amaryllis for one of the nymphs in Virgil's 'Eclogues'.

- Nanette A.A. Kalscheur

My favorite color has always been green. Diagnosed as an "autumn" during the 1980's "What season are you?" phenomenon, the experts told me that redheads wear all shades of green well. Who knew, back then, that we would all -- the blonds of summer, the brunettes of winter, and the tawny taupes of spring – become obsessed with green? In the new millennium, it is so much more than a color. Green is a way of life, a marketing trend, a political affiliation, and a constant topic of conversation and debate. And the word itself can stir up a bit of controversy in gardening circles, particularly when people start dabbling in discussions of "natural" and "organic."

So let's get technical. According to Wikipedia, the Webster's of the new Millennium, Green is "a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nm." But colors are grounded in science and culture, and green has powerful implications in both these realms. In the plant world, green is the color of chlorophyll and photosynthesis. The word itself is closely related to the old English term "growan," to grow. So it's easy to jump to birth, regeneration, renewal, and sustainability. (And yes, you can be "green around the gills" after a night on the town, but let's not go there now.) Recently, political organizations have adopted green as a symbol of environmental protection and social justice. Marketers use the term to sell environmentally friendly products. And this is where the debate often begins. To some, wearing fur is ungreen, but to me, it's a better idea in the compost pile than polar fleece. That's green, right? I think we are all familiar with the contradictions and complexities involved in the "greening" of America.

The truth is, there is no one regulatory body or law that controls the use of the term "green" for practices or products. Thousands of private companies and organizations currently promote green products, and many of them are based on sound research and good ideas. However, the term "green" is vague and complex. Any regulation or standard that promotes the protection of natural resources and aims to reduce human impact on the earth can be considered "green."

Great strides are being made, particularly in the construction, waste management, and agricultural fields, to develop standards and laws that protect the environment. To get a grip on what is "green" according to government standards and what is pure marketeering, I recommend visiting the Environmental Protection Agency web site at www.epa.gov. There, you will find reference to the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program (EPP). This is a program set up to help the federal government "buy green." Although it was started to help federal purchasers, the program and its web site can help everyone to sort through the green jungle and make good choices about product purchases and practices. The site includes a section on finding, evaluating, and using "green" landscaping products. I would also recommend a visit to the state of Illinois EPA web site (http://www.epa.state.il.us/citizens/green-tips.html#garden) where you will find "green" tips for home gardening.

So if "green" means protecting the environment and promoting the wise use of resources, does green always mean "organic?" In the absence of a solid definition for "green gardening," my response would be no, not necessarily. First of all, there is controversy among many as to what "organic gardening" really means. Just like "green," "organic" can be a confusing term. A friend recently asked me to pick up a bag of "organic compost" for her because she was creating an "organic garden." Okay now, all compost is organic, right? Here we go again!

Organic gardening, to most, means gardening without harmful chemicals, being earth friendly, and enriching the soil with compost and other "organic" soil amendments. There are more extreme versions of organic gardening, for example, biodynamic gardeners, who are very interested in maximizing the spiritual needs of the earth and using just the right soil amendments. There are also less extreme organic gardeners, the "natural gardeners," who prefer to avoid chemicals but will occasionally use a coloring or preservative. The point is, there is no law governing the philosophy of "organic gardening," unless you are involved in a commercial enterprise – then you've got to follow the rules.

University of Illinois Extension has a good article titled "What Does it Mean to be Organic?" by Dan Beccue, Extension Educator. When used as a label for agricultural products, "organic" means USDA certification. In order to be labeled "100 percent organic," "certified organic", or "made with organic ingredients," a product must adhere to certain crop and handling standards. To learn more about this topic, see Dan's article at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/iidea/PDF/Organicfactsheet.pdf.

So how green is your garden? The answer, for most of us, would have to be a moving target. The new green industry is evolving, the earth is turning, laws are just beginning to be written. Every day is a new chance to try something new that's good for the garden and good for the earth: start a compost pile, set up a rain barrel, use a hand tool instead of something powered and, if you're an "autumn," garden in a green t-shirt – you'll look great in any shade!

- Sharon Cook

Spring is just around the corner and it's a perfect time to transplant your houseplants.

Why transplant?
In general, transplanting is done when plants are root bound; keep in mind that some plants grow best when they are somewhat pot-bound. Remember the main purpose of repotting is to increase the volume of soil available for root growth, not simply because you are experiencing a dose of cabin fever.

When?
Transplanting is best done before a growth period in spring or early summer; although it can be done at any time of year, avoid transplanting when the plants are in bud or bloom stage, wait until they have finished bloom before transplanting.

Regardless of the houseplant you choose, the most important thing to remember is potting it properly.

How?
1^st Select a pot that will hold the plant with a little room to grow (the next size up); most plants Do Not do well in giant pots unless they themselves are gigantic. So, choose a pot that is slightly larger than the plant itself. Be sure to purchase something that is attractive as you will have to look at it for YEARS. If you are reusing an old pot, sanitize it with 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.

2^nd Drainage is an important consideration. If your pot does not have drainage holes you can do one of two things; plant the plant in a plastic pot that has drainage holes and set it in an outer decorative pot (removing it for watering). Another and perhaps the most common option, is to place a sufficient quantity of drainage material (1" deep maximum) such as shards (broken clay crockery) or stones in the bottom of the pot.

3^rd Transplanting the plant... Place the stones or crockery in the base of the pot, just to cover the drainage holes (1" deep max.) then sprinkle activated charcoal on top of the drainage material. The charcoal will aid in drainage but more importantly it will help prevent the development of fungus. Add a little potting soil, the amount will depend on the depth of the pot, in general you should add ~1-2". Do not use topsoil from the yard, as it can be a host for numerous bacteria, fungi and other undesirable organisms. It pays to buy quality potting soil; personally I prefer the brands such as "Miracle Gro" with moisture control crystals for most houseplants. However, cacti and succulents prefer a more coarse soil that contains a higher quantity of Perlite and sand. There are all sorts of pre-packaged soils for different types of houseplants or you can make your own with what is available.

4^th Take the plant out of the existing container. Depending on how long the plant has been in the existing pot, this may require tapping the pot on a hard surface, inserting a trowel around the soil/pot junction or even breaking/cutting the pot away from the plant. Once it's out of the pot, gently shake off the excess soil, use your fingers to massage the soil off the roots (be gentle so as not to damage the roots) and then set the plant into the new pot. Add additional potting soil from all sides; DO NOT raise the soil level higher than it originally was.

Water?
Water thoroughly until the water runs out the bottom of the pot; if there are no drainage holes, add the water slowly until the soil is saturated. Test for saturation by sticking your finger into the soil approximately 2".

*Note. Be sure to use room temperature water that HAS NOT been treated by a water softener (softened water can be toxic). Most municipalities have fluoride & chlorine in their tap water, these will dissipate if you let the water sit out for 24 hours ahead of time.

Clean Up?
Besides cleaning up your potting materials, this is an excellent time to take a damp cloth and wipe off the plant's leaves. Over time, household dust, grease, and sediments, etc. accumulate on plant leaves; gently wiping down both sides of leaves with a soft damp cloth removes these particles which inhibit the plants photosynthetic process.

Now, trim off any leaves that are dead or that may have gotten damaged during the repotting process. Remember, just like your outdoor garden tools; be sure to sterilize your indoor pruners with 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.

Finally
Now set the plant in a spot with the correct lighting; remember right plant, right place goes for indoors as well. Sit back and enjoy the plant's beauty and benefit from its indoor air filtering abilities.

- Nanette A.A. Kalscheur

This time of year the weather hardly seems to know what season it is – snow and ice one day, a hint of warm south wind the next. So it's probably appropriate that we look at an herb that has two "seasons": savory.

Winter savory, Satureja montana, also called mountain savory, has a peppery flavor, welcome in the heartier dishes of the cold seasons. It is perennial here, with a low-growing, somewhat sprawly habit. The glossy, dark, semi-evergreen leaves are borne on square, woody stems (mint family, anyone?); pinkish-white flowers are grouped in terminal spikes.

In contrast, summer savory, Satureja hortensis, is a half-hardy annual. Its growth habit is similar, 8 – 12 inches tall, 6 -8 inches wide, but its leaves are not as close together, grayish, narrow and pointed, sometimes showing a reddish tint in summer. The pinkish flowers appear in the upper leaf axils. Savories can be grown from seed (started outdoors after the soil has warmed, just pressed into the soil since they need light to germinate, and kept moist), but the one or two needed in most gardens are easily found in well-stocked garden centers. Summer savory is often called the "bean herb": including it in bean dishes helps mitigate the intestinal unpleasantnesses these dishes can often cause! The annual summer savory can be propagated for winter by taking cuttings in late summer.

In cultivation both savories need full sun. Alkaline soil like ours is especially hospitable to these plants. Summer savory does like a somewhat richer soil: unlike most herbs, it even welcomes a bit of fertilizer during the growing season. The winter version favors a less rich, even sandy, soil. Both savories, but especially the summer one, benefit from regular trimming to keep them in shape. Neither is bothered by pests and diseases, though they like good drainage to prevent root rot. Winter savory has some prostrate forms which make an attractive edging but have much less flavor. Savory flowers, blooming in mid-summer, while relatively small, are very attractive to bees and other pollinators, making these herbs especially welcome in our gardens.

Medicinal and culinary uses for savory go back to the Romans, who brought these Mediterranean natives with them into Britain. Mainly used for stomach complaints, both savories were viewed as having similar medicinal uses. Infused as a tea, they were thought to stimulate appetite and ease indigestion, soothe both insect stings and sore throats. The botanical name "Satureja" may have been derived from the Latin satyr, since this herb also had a reputation as an aphrodisiac!

- Sandy Lentz

Encyclopedia of Garden Ferns

Sue Olsen (Timber Press 2007)
ISBN# 978-0881928198 $59.95

More than 960 ferns are cataloged in this big, beautifully photographed coffee table-type book. Olsen has spent more than 40 years as a fern specialist and has created a book that covers everything you need to know for the selection and growing of ferns. The first part of the book covers cultivation, fern structure and propagation. Even indoor and outdoor container planting advice is included. The book then breaks down into listings by genus, providing description, range and habit along with culture and additional information. There are several appendices to help you refine your fern choices by zone or special growing situations.

The book is a fascinating compilation of information on the huge variety of ferns that exist in a range of sizes, textures and color variations from green, bronze, silvery and even bi-color. I found some listings that I would not even recognize as ferns. Consider Equisetum – I never knew 'Horsetails" are true ferns because their leaves are so atypical of a fern – more like a reed. Another nice feature are the ideas for companion plants in photographs throughout the book.

Miniature Orchids

Steven A Frowine (Timber Press 2007)
ISBN# 978-0881928365 $29.95

There are 500 miniature, dwarf and compact orchids that can help to brighten up your indoor space. These miniature marvels take up little space but can add such exotic beauty growing on a window sill or under florescent lights. Frowine presents comprehensive information on everything you need to know about selecting and growing orchids including key characteristics, light and temperature needs, potting/mounting mediums, diseases and "the art of watering". Each orchid name even has a pronunciation key.

The best part of the book is the photographs. Just flip thru the pages and stop when you see something that catches your eye. Each listing has a "culture" rating. I appreciate the idea of spelling out how much work keeping a specific orchid takes. What more can you ask for than a plant that is easy to care for and has long lasting flowers?

- Debbye Simpson

Perennials: Workhorses in the Garden

Tuesday, March 18 7:00-8:30 p.m. No Charge
Presenter: Beth Corrigan, Master Gardener

Orchids 101*

Tuesday, April 8 1:00-2:30 p.m. $10
Thursday, April 10 7:00-8:30 p.m. $10

Instructor: Jennifer Schultz Nelson, Unit Educator, Horticulture

Containers with Pizzazz*

Tuesday, April 22 1:00–2:30 p.m. $10
Thursday, April 24 7:00–8:30 p.m. $10

Instructor: Jennifer Fishburn, Horticulture Educator

Composting: Building Your Garden From the Ground Up

Tuesday, April 29 7:00-8:30 p.m. No Charge

Presenter: Susan Renwick, Master Gardener

A Palette of Annuals: A to Z*

Tuesday, May 6 1:00–2:30 p.m. $10
Thursday, May 8 7:00–8:30 p.m. $10

Instructor: Jim Schmidt, Extension Specialist, Home Horticulture/4-H

*Telenet Class

Classes begin promptly at time stated.

DuPage County Extension Office
1100 E. Warrenville Rd. – Suite 170
Naperville, Illinois 60563
Telephone: 630-955-1123
FAX: 630-955-1180
http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/dupage

The Extension Service of the University of Illinois provides educational programs and unbiased research-based information to help Illinois residents improve their quality of life, develop skills and solve problems, by helping you put knowledge to work.

The Illinois Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.