Inevitably as temperatures warm in late winter and early spring, you will see the glowing ads for zoysiagrass. Now don't get me wrong! Zoysiagrass has excellent drought and heat tolerance but because of the short season when it is green and growing versus the longer dormant season when it is straw brown, it is not recommended for northern Illinois.

Let's look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of zoysiagrass.

Advantages

• Extremely heat and drought tolerant
• Dense and tough; tolerates wear well
• Resists weed invasions after establishment
• Spreads by both stolons & rhizomes
• Tolerates light to moderate shade
• Limited insect and disease problems
• Low mowing frequency

Disadvantages

• Short growing season during warm periods; is brown and dormant during much of the year
• Establishment is (usually by plugs) slow (normally a minimum of two years) and expensive
• Annual weeds can be a problem when zoysiagrass is dormant
• A reel mower is usually required to achieve most attractive turf
• Can be difficult to mow because of dense, tough growth
• Injury from winter traffic can be severe
• Can be difficult to eliminate once it is established
• Can be evasive and spread into adjacent turf and planting areas (your neighbor's yard)
• Slow to recover after damage
• Does not grow well in dense shade or wet, waterlogged soils
• Produces much thatch

As you can see the disadvantages greatly outweigh the advantages, so think hard before spending your hard-earned money on a few hundred plugs of zoysiagrass. For free fact sheet on "Selecting Turfgrasses," call 773-233-0476.

Source: Tom Voigt and Tom Fermanian, Department of Horticulture

Death and taxes are inevitable, or so goes the saying. So it seems, is crabgrass. Crabgrass is often considered the scourge of home lawns. With the possible exception of dandelions, no other weed creates as many headaches, or, is responsible for a large portion of the lawn care product market. Unfortunately, it's one of the most difficult weeds to control once it has sprouted.

Crabgrass is a weed because of its size and appearance. Leaf blades tend to be three to four times wider than bluegrass, giving the plant a coarse appearance. Homeowners could probably live with the coarse appearance if the plant grew like bluegrass. However, it doesn't. Crabgrass tends to be an open or prostrate plant that shades and smothers the nearby turf plants.

The most common crabgrass is the hairy crabgrass. Leaves are fuzzy and stems are rolled. The seed head has three to nine branched "fingers," giving the plant a bird's foot appearance. Each finger can produce a hundred seeds. Unlike most of the desirable turfgrasses, crabgrass will flower below the mower blade.

Crabgrass starts germinating when soil temperatures are 50 to 55 degrees F for ten or more days. Germination can take place over 6 weeks. Proper lawn maintenance practices limit crabgrass invasions. A dense stand of turfgrass prevents the weed from germinating and establishing. Fall fertilizing, overseeding, aeration and thatch control can limit spring problems.

Pre-emergence herbicides provide excellent weed control for crabgrass. The compound doesn't prevent the weed seed from germinating, but kills the newly sprouted seedling. Late April to early May is an ideal time to apply pre-emergence control.

The majority of pre-emergence weed control compounds will provide protection for four to six weeks. A follow-up application four to six weeks after the first application helps control many warm season grasses such as goosegrass, foxtail and barnyard grass.

It is difficult to sow grass seed in the spring and control crabgrass. Weedkillers aren't able to distinguish between different types of grasses. Germinating bluegrass or fescue seeds will be killed along with the crabgrass seedlings. The compound Siduron or Tupersan can be used to control crabgrass and allow some grass seeding. However, the chemical must be used at half the rate listed on the package to prevent damage to grass seed.

Make sure to read and follow all label directions when applying pesticides.

Source: David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture, Springfield Extension Center

Hire a professional lawn care service or do it yourself? An important first step is to understand what areas the company will take care of and what areas of lawn care are still the responsibility of the homeowner. If either side doesn't hold up their end of the bargain, the lawn may suffer. Teamwork is an important concept for both sides. There are few totally complete lawn care services. Some fertilize, control weeds and possibly insects and diseases, but the homeowner must water, mow, seed bare areas, etc. Other types of services will mow and rake debris, but not fertilize or control weeds. Watering in most cases is up to the homeowner.

Another important consideration in any lawn care program is use of quality fertilizers. Slow-release or controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers are suggested for most application periods. These are available in both dry and liquid form, thus just because fertilizers are applied as liquids does not mean they can't be slow-release nitrogen. Although cost is higher, lawns will benefit from controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers, from liquid or dry applications.

Most lawn care programs will include a pre-emergence crabgrass herbicide application in spring and broadleaf weed herbicides either in spring or fall. Insecticide applications should be made only if a serious insect outbreak occurs; rather than being routine. The same holds true for disease control. Lawn care applicators in Illinois are licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to apply pesticides. Seeding, thatch control and mowing may or may not be offered by a commercial lawn care company. Some firms specialize in a specific service. Finally, there are organic lawn care services that use alternatives to traditional materials and methods.

Regardless of what type of work you are considering having done, it is important to establish clear lines of communication with the firm. They will most likely try to be responsive to reasonable customer requests and needs, but it may be difficult to be totally flexible. Keep in mind maintenance services have a full schedule for customers that may make it difficult to take care of you immediately. Before giving the okay to begin any work, be sure to understand what they will do and what lawn care practices are still up to you. Know what services are included in your contract price and those services that may be extra. Also, what are company policies regarding unsatisfactory jobs?

Carefully weigh all the alternatives when making the choice whether to hire or do it yourself. Keep in mind you are purchasing the service as well as the materials, so comparing just the cost of materials alone is misleading. Compare what all is involved, not just the bottom line price. For example, what kinds of fertilizers and other products are used, how many applications are made, and what are their troubleshooting procedures. In most cases, you get what you pay for, whether hiring or doing it yourself.

Source: Bruce Spangenberg, Extension Educator, Horticulture

Remember the terrible ice storm that hit the Eastern United States and Canada earlier this winter? Weather conditions such as ice can cause severe damage to trees, necessitating a call to a tree service.

A qualified and trained arborist knows how to prune safely and properly. Consider the following points when hiring a tree service or arborist.

• Check your telephone directory's yellow pages under "Tree Service" for a listing of those businesses which do tree work in your area. While anyone can list themselves in the phone book, a listing at least indicates some degree of permanence. Be cautious of any arborist that advertises "topping" as a service. Topping is not an approved tree maintenance practice.

• Ask if the arborist is certified by a state arborists association or the International Society of Arboriculture.

• Ask for certificates of insurance, including proof of liability for personal and property damage and workmen's compensation. Then, contact the insurance company to make sure the policy is current. Under some circumstances, you can be held financially responsible if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property or if the worker damages a neighbor's property.

• Ask for local references. Take a look at some of the work and if possible, talk with former clients. Experience, education and a good reputation are signs of a good arborist.

• Don't rush into a decision just because you are promised a discount if you sign an agreement now. Be sure you understand what work is to be done for what amount of money. It is not generally a good idea to pay in full until the work is completed.

• Most reputable tree care companies have all the work they can handle without going door to door. People who aren't competent arborists may solicit tree work after storms, seeing an opportunity to earn quick money. Storm damage creates high risk situations for both workers and property.

• If possible, get more than one estimate.

• A conscientious arborist will not use climbing spikes except when removing a tree. Climbing spikes open unnecessary wounds that could lead to decay.

• Good tree work is not inexpensive. A good arborist must carry several kinds of insurance as well as pay for expensive and specialized equipment. Beware of estimates that fall well below the average.

Source: NebGuide, University of Nebraska CES

All-America Selections (AAS) tests and introduces significantly improved new flowers and vegetables grown from seed. The AAS logo on vegetable and flower seed packets, plant tags or in catalogs is a promise of gardening success. For the past 65 years, AAS has taken the guesswork out of finding flower and vegetable varieties that will be reliable, vigorous, productive and superior in gardens.

All-America Selections has tested these new varieties in trials across North America. These two AAS Winners have proven their superior performance and are new cultivars, distinct from others currently on the market. Look for these two 1998 AAS Winners in seed packets at retail stores, in mail order catalogs or as bedding plants in garden centers.

Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights'
The wide color range of 'Bright Lights' is the most distinctive feature. Petioles or stems can be yellow, gold, orange, pink, crimson, lavender or purple. There may be intermediate pastels or shades of the primary colors. The stem color is evident when a plant is quite small–only 3 to 5 weeks old. The early stem color is perfect for ornamental plants, selecting and transplanting the most desirable colors for display.

Easy to grow from transplants or seed, 'Bright Lights' does not have special soil or fertility requirements, but growth is more rapid with higher fertility. Widely adapted to North America, 'Bright Lights' can be grown as a spring or fall crop. Multiple harvests can be made from one crop, just harvest leaves above the soil for regrowth. Gardeners can purchase seed from mail order catalogs or seed packet displays this spring. Sow seed on prepared garden soil when soil has warmed to at least 50 degrees F. 'Bright Lights' plants are so attractive gardeners may find it difficult to remove them from the garden.

AAS Winner Data

Genus species: Beta vulgaris
Common Name: Swiss chard
Mature Plant Height: 20 inches
Width: 18 inches
Space Plants: 18 inches apart
Rows: 18 to 24 inches apart
Number of weeks to Harvest: 4-5 weeks - young salad 7-10 weeks - mature size
Adaptability: Adapted to growing between 50 degrees F & 100 degrees F
Closest comparisons on Market: Rhubarb Chard and Fordhook Giant other "Rainbow" Types on Market
Unique qualities: Widest color range of Swiss Chard, stems retain color when microwaved for 1 to 2 minutes.

Lemon Basil 'Sweet Dani'
'Sweet Dani' is an attractive plant desirable for any herb garden. Noticed for the strong lemon scent, 'Sweet Dani' plants grow upright with a branching habit and uniform shape. The light green leaves can be harvested in about 60 to 90 days from sowing seed. Another improved quality is the increased leaf production. 'Sweet Dani' plants can be cut back several times with excellent regrowth. To continue leaf production, delay flowering by pinching or cutting off inflorescences as they develop. The white flower spikes add interest to the plant and can be expected to grow 12 to 14 inches in length.

'Sweet Dani' can be grown from seed by new gardeners. All basil plants want warm growing conditions so seed should be sown indoors in northern locations. Wait until the soil has warmed before planting 'Sweet Dani' in the soil. Plants are well suited for growing in containers which may provide warmer growing conditions than garden soil. 'Sweet Dani' will be available as seed or young plants in 1998.

AAS Winner Data

Genus Species: Ocimum basilicum
Common Name: Lemon Basil
Mature Plant Height: 26 inches
Width: 24-26 inches
Spacing: 18-24 inches apart
Number of days from transplant to harvest leaves: 20-30 days
Use: Aromatic herb desirable for culinary uses.
Closest comparisons on Market: Common Lemon Basil
Unique Qualities: Strong lemon scent when leaves are crushed, increased herb yield.

Many gardeners will be going to local garden center outlets to purchase tomato plants to put in the garden. Some will purchase whatever plant looks good, while others have a specific cultivar or two in mind. Are there differences? Definitely!

Tomato varieties differ in fruit characteristics, maturity date, plant size, growth habits and disease resistance. Consider your needs before purchasing the plants.

Disease resistance is an important factor in the decision, as disease-resistant varieties are likely to produce a crop even under disease stress. Look for resistance to verticillium and fusarium wilt diseases, designated by V and F or FF (races 1 and 2), respectively, after the variety name. Resistance to Root-knot nematode (N), Tobacco Mosaic virus (T) and Alternaria (A) may also be found.

Fruit may vary in size, color, best use and relative time for harvest. The first-early red varieties will be ready in a short period of time, but fruit size is on the small side. Some first-early varieties include Sub Arctic Plenty, Early Cascade (VF), Early Girl (V)., and Quick Pick (VFFNTA). Medium-early varieties include Champion (VFNT) and Mountain Spring (VF).

Main crop varieties tend to have larger fruit and tend to make up the majority of the main crop harvest. Suggested varieties include Celebrity (VFFNT), Mountain Delight (VF), Fantastic, Better Boy (VFN), Mountain Pride (VF), Floramerica (VF), Burpee's Big Girl (VF) and Supersonic (VF).

Small fruited salad type tomatoes tend to be vigorous growers and produce lots of small fruit. Varieties include Super Sweet 100 (VF), Sweet Million (FNT), Yellow Pear, Large Red Cherry, and Mountain Belle (VF). Paste tomatoes, including Veeroma (VF), Roma (VF), San Marzano, and Viva Italia (VFN), are often used for pastes and canning whole.

Finally, there are the popular dwarf container or patio tomatoes, ideal for planters, hanging baskets, etc. Varieties include Tiny Tim, Cherry Gold, Red Robin, Yellow Canary, Pixie Hybrid II, Patio Hybrid, Small Fry and Husky Red, Yellow or Pink Hybrids (VF).

These are just some of the more popular varieties and types of tomatoes. Stop by your local garden center and check out the ones best for your use this season!

Source: Bruce Spangenberg, Extension Educator, Horticulture

Many of the most striking gardens contain plants that look more different than similar. You can create contrast by pairing up or combining plants that have different textures, colors, shapes, forms...any design element. Flower forms and heights offer more opportunities for contrast. Below is a small sampling of some common plant "marriages" that are successful. But don't stop here - come up with your own. The possibilities are endless.

• Gayfeather (Liatris),daylilies (Hemerocallis)and lilies.
• Coleus, hosta and spotted nettle (Lamium).
• Iris and hosta.
• Coreopsis, sedum and lythrum.
• Artemesia, coreopsis and veronica.
• Liatris, veronica and fern-leaf yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
• Yarrow (Achillea),coralbells (Heuchera),and speedwell (Veronica).
• Daylily (Hemerocallis), lilies and coneflower (Echinacea).
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia),yucca and fountaingrass (Pennisetum).
• Coralbells (Heuchera)and bellflower (Campanula).
• Castor bean, canna and fountaingrass.
• Columbine (Aquilegia),lungwort (Pulmonaria),and hosta.
• Yarrow (Achillea)and purple coneflower (Echinacea).
• Violet Sage (Salvia nemerosa)and coreopsis 'moonbeam'.
• Cornflower (Centaurea)and lamb's ears (Stachys).
• 'Silver Mound' artemesia (Artemesia schmidtiana)and 'palace purple' coralbells.
• Globe thistle (Echinops)and asters.
• Sea holly (Eryngium),sedum and russian sage (Perovskia).
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias)and speedwell (Veronica).
• Russian sage (Perovskia)and loosetrife (Lythrum).
• Astilbe and hostas.
• Bee Balm (Monarda)and speedwell (Veronica).
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea),black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia),and sea holly (Eryngium).
  

Pesticide Safety and Poisoning Symptoms

How do pesticides enter the body?

• Oral exposure: From the intake or absorption of a pesticide through the mouth.
• Inhalation Exposure: From breathing in pesticide vapors, dust or spray particles.
• Dermal Exposure: From the absorption of a pesticide into the skin.

Did You Know?

• Deaths from occupational exposure to pesticides are unusual.
• Children under 10 years old represent 50% of the accidental deaths by pesticides!
• Nearly all pesticide deaths are caused by eating or drinking the product!
• About 90% of the exposure that a pesticide user receives is dermal!

Tips for Safe and Knowledgeable Pesticide Use

• Wear all protective clothing and equipment listed on the label, such as long-sleeved shirt and pants, chemical-resistant gloves and boots, and eyeware.
• Avoid wearing soft contact lenses when working with pesticides. Soft contact lenses may absorb pesticide vapors from the air and hold them against your eyes.
• Use all pesticides in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling fumes.
• Do not eat, drink or use tobacco when working with pesticides, because trace amounts of chemicals may be transferred from hand to mouth.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling pesticides and before using the toilet or eating.
• Always avoid unnecessary exposure to pesticides. Be especially careful to keep children, pregnant women, sensitive individuals and pets away from areas where pesticides are being or have recently been applied.
• Don't spray on a windy day when spray could drift onto you, your neighbors, or into your neighbor's yard.
• Examine the area to be treated and the surrounding area. Are there plants or animals that could be harmed by the pesticide? Don't spray if you cannot guarantee they will not be injured. You are responsible for any damage that could occur.
• Store pesticides out of reach of children (preferably in a locked storage area). Always store pesticides in their original container along with their label.

Symptoms Associated with Pesticide Poisoning

• Early symptoms include: fatigue, headache, nausea and dizziness.
• Severe symptoms include: sweating, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and blurred vision.
• Pesticide poisoning symptoms may be similar to other illnesses caused by heat exhaustion, food poisoning, asthma, or infectious disease. The pattern of symptoms is important in diagnosing the cause.
• Do not allow yourself or anyone else to become dangerously ill before seeking medical assistance. It is better to be too cautious than too late!

Treatment of Pesticide Poisoning

• Contact your local emergency room, hospital or ambulance.
• Read the product label for first aid instructions.
• Do not assume that you should induce vomiting; read the label first.
• Give the product label and any vomitous to the doctor to aid in diagnosing the problem.
  

March & April

• Clean up debris from winter.
• Cultivation (aerifying, spiking, slicing) - lawn should be actively growing.
• Vertical mowing or dethatching (lawn should be actively growing).
• Overseeding, establishment (late in month; late summer is better).
• Pre-emergence annual weed (e.g. crabgrass) control (or early May).

May

• Cultivation (aerifying, spiking, slicing) - lawn should be actively growing.
• Pre-emergence annual weed (i.e. crabgrass) control (or late April).
• Fertilization (1 pound of nitrogen/1,000 square feet).
• Post-emergence broadleaf weed (e.g. dandelions) control to actively growing weeds.
• Overseeding, establishment (early in month; late summer is better).
  

The National Arbor Day Foundation
Check out Arbor Day dates across the United States and ways to celebrate Arbor Day in your community.

Where to Ask, "What Kind of Wood Is This?"
For a free answer, the place to send a sample is the Center for Wood Anatomy Research, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, WI 53705-2398. Any U. S. citizen may request identification of up to five wood samples annually; a six inch long piece is best, with accompanying information on the source of the wood and any specific questions for CWAR scientists. You can expect to get a reply back in a month or so. Tours of the Center, which has the most wood specimens of any facility in the U.S., can be arranged by appointment.

Reference: Christopher Knight, "Just What Kind of Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck? Ask here," The Wall Street Journal, October 22, 1997, B1.

Recycle Your Easter Lilly
Don't throw out that Easter lily. With appropriate care you can make your Easter lily a permanent part of your home landscape.

While the plant is still indoors, keep it in a sunny place where the temperature is cool and remove flowers when they wither but do not cut off the leaves and stem. Continue watering, but not as often as you would if they were in full bloom.

Move the plant outdoors when the garden soil warms up in late May. If the stem and leaves are brown, cut them off. If there are leaves that are still green, plant it anyway and remove the stem when the leaves have dried.

Choose a protected, sunny place with well-drained soil for transplanting. Add a 1-2 inch layer of compost or peat to the soil and mix thoroughly. This improves drainage and allows better air movement through the soil. In most soils plant the bulbs 4-6 inches deep (that is from the soil surface to the top of the bulb). Plant somewhat deeper in sandy soil.

Fertilize your lily plant several times during the summer. Add a complete fertilizer according to label directions when new growth is 2-4 inches high and again when flower buds appear. Apply the fertilizer to the soil around each plant about 2 inches from the stem. Be sure not to get fertilizer on the foliage - it may burn.

Water your Easter lily during summer dry spells. Shallow cultivation will also help, but don't cultivate too deeply or you will damage the roots. A summer mulch of leaf mold, peat moss or grass clippings is ideal to keep down weeds.

After the first frost, apply a 2 inch mulch of evergreen boughs or hay. You can cut the plant back to ground level after a killing frost. Remove the mulch when new growth appears next spring.

Source: University of Wisconsin Extension

Some Mail-Order Sources of Perennial Plants

Kurt Bluemel, 2740 Green Lane, Baldwin, MD 21013 (Ornamental Grasses)

Brecks Bulbs, 6523 N. Galena Road, Peoria, IL 61632

Dutch Gardens, P. O. Box 200, Adelphia, NJ 07710 (Bulbs)

Quality Dutch Bulbs, P. O. Box 225, Hillsdale, NJ 07642 (Bulbs)

John Scheepers, Phillipsburg Road RD6, Middleton, NY 10940 (Bulbs)

Milaeger's, 4838 Douglas Ave., Racine, WI 53402

Planter's Palette, 28 W 571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield, IL 60190

Riverhead Perennials, 5 Riverhead Lane, East Lyme, CT 06333

Daisy Fields, 12625 SW Brighton Lane, Hillsboro, OR 97123

Busse Gardens, Rt. 2, Box 238, Cokato, MN 55321

Bluestone Perennials, 7211 Middle Ridge Road, Madison, OH 44057

Andre Viette Farm & Nursery, Rt. 1, Box 16, Fisherville, VA 22939

Wayside Gardens, Hodges, SC 29695

White Flower Farm, Litchfield, CT 06759

This listing comprises some suggested sources of perennial (as well as other) plants. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by University of Illinois Extension.

Lawn Weeds & Their Control
Essential for the home gardener. Describes many weeds commonly found in lawns and suggests ways to control them. Includes 45 color photos. 1987. 24p. This book is available for $2.00 + postage (call the office at 773-233-0476 for postage rate).

March Outdoor Gardening

Prune any dead wood from trees and shrubs.

Remove mulch from around spring bulbs when growth is one inch high.

Attend the Chicago Flower Show at Navy Pier - March 14th - 22nd - Call 312-595-PIER for more information or check Navy Pier's web site at www.navypier.com

Prune fruit trees before bloom, thereby increasing light penetration and fruit quality.

Remove mulch over strawberries when they start to grow; early removal can expose plants to cold snaps.

Dig soil when it's dry. Digging wet soil can cause it to compact, resulting in "concrete."

Sow radish and lettuce; try alternating rows of red and green lettuce; it not only tastes great, but looks good.

Add 3-4 inches of organic matter to garden soils and dig in.

Start varieties of tomatoes indoors for planting in May.

Test your soil. For soil testing booklet call 773-233-0476.

March Indoor Gardening

Repot houseplants, especially those that are rootbound.

Increase watering as houseplants show growth spurts.

April Outdoor Gardening

Buying bare-root trees? Best are those with extensive root systems versus top growth.

Soak the roots of bare-root trees and shrubs overnight before planting.

Plant disease-resistant crabapples. For a list of disease resistant crabapple trees call 773-233-0476.

Fertilize trees with nitrogen fertilizers. For a free fact sheet on fertilizing shade & ornamental trees call 773-233-0476.

Plant evergreen shrubs along north side of your home to protect against winter winds and reduce heating bills.

Prune spring flowering shrubs after flowering.

Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control before forsythia blooms fade.

Remove mulch from roses; prune dead branches.

Overseeding of lawns can be done now. Best time is late summer because of less weed competition.

Plan to attend the Green & Growing Fair on May 16th at the Field Museum. For more information call 312-427-4256 - Extension 385.

Plant carrots, radishes, spinach, peas and beets.

Grow a rounded form of carrot like "Thumbelina." It does well in heavy, clay soils.

Keep rabbits out of the vegetable garden with a chicken wire fence. For free factsheet on Controlling Rabbits in Your Garden call 773-233-0476.

Plant broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower transplants.

Prepare to cover young plants when frost threatens.

Cover newly planted seed with vermiculite instead of soil. Vermiculite will not crust over like soil.

Plant the Dwarf Dill "Fernleaf"; an All America selection winner; it is half the height of regular dill.

Lay black plastic over soil before planting early warm season vegetables. Soil under plastic will average 10° warmer than soil not covered.

April Indoor Gardening

Fertilize houseplants as day length increases.

Promote even growth of houseplants by turning plants every two to three days.

Keep Easter lilies out of direct sunlight and warm drafts. Remove flowers as soon as they die. For free Easter lily factsheet call 773-233-0476. May Outdoor Gardening Plan vegetable gardens with nutrition in mind. Your family will get more vitamins and minerals from a block of spinach than from an equal amount of lettuce.

Protect transplants from cutworms with collars. Cut strips of cardboard 2" wide by 8" long and staple them into a band and place around plants. Press collar about 1" into the soil.

Thin carrots, beets, kohlrabi and late lettuce.

Continue to harvest mature plantings of asparagus and rhubarb so they will keep growing.

Deep transplanting is good for tomatoes. Remove all leaves that would be under the soil. New roots will sprout along the stem.

Check to see if bees are visiting blossoms on fruit trees. Numerous bee visits mean a good fruit set.

Putting water filled plastic milk jugs around new seedlings will help them through cold nights because heat will radiate from the sun warmed water.

Begin spray schedule to control diseases and insects on fruit trees.

Plant melons, peppers, eggplant, sweet potatoes and other warm season vegetables.

Mark the handle of your spade or hoe in inches for a handy measuring device for row width and planting distances. Paint or tape the measurements on the handle. A coat of varnish can make the marks last longer.

Spray roses with appropriate fungicide every 7-10 days beginning as leaves emerge.

Allow spring bulb foliage to die naturally. Leaves manufacture the food resources which are stored in the bulb for a repeat showing next year.

Plant annuals, perennial flowers and herbs near the end of May.

When cutting peonies back to bloom indoors, cut those that are just beginning to open.

Prune Eastern tent caterpillar nests from trees.

Sharpen your lawn mower blade monthly since a dull blade can pull grass seedlings from the soil instead of cutting them.

When choosing perennials choose those such as hostas and sedums which have striking foliage.

Save money on mulch materials by using 1 to 2 inches of wood chips before spreading 2 inches of decorative shredded bark.

Place heavy rocks in a lightweight container to keep it from falling over.

Use a half barrel to create a mini pond in your backyard. For a free factsheet on creating a barrel pond call 773-233-0476.

Lawns maintained at the correct height resist disease and weed infestation.

Don't spray pesticides on a windy day. Not only is pesticide wasted, it may endanger other crops, animals or people.

May Indoor Gardening

Adding fertilizer to a dry root ball burns the roots, damaging or killing the plant, so water dry houseplants before fertilizing and never fertilize wilted plants.

Vacation hint: sink houseplants, pots and all, in the soil in a shady area of the garden. Mulch to reduce the need for frequent watering.

Butter vs. Margarine

You are in a restaurant and you order your usual low-fat, high fiber, nutritious meal. The entree is accompanied by a baked potato and the waiter asks, "butter or margarine?" Until recently everyone thought the correct response was margarine. Now there is information about another evil. It lurks in the margarine. The new villain is trans-fatty acid, which raises the question, is margarine really better than butter? How frustrating!

For years health officials have been recommending replacing butter with margarine whenever possible. The truth is, equal amounts of butter and margarine contain the same amounts of calories and fat. One tablespoon of either has 100 calories and 11 grams of fat. The difference is butter is higher in saturated fat with 8 grams compared to margarine at 2 grams. Also butter is animal fat so it contains cholesterol and of course margarine does not.

Enter trans-fatty acids. These little devils are produced when liquid oil is converted to a solid. The process is called hydrogenation. Trans-fatty acids are by-products of hydrogenation. Manufacturers do this to give baked goods a longer shelf life. Simply put, solid shortenings stay fresh longer than liquid oils. So cookies, cakes and crackers as well as other such products all contain trans-fatty acids.

Trans-fatty acids cause LDL (bad cholesterol) to increase. LDL cholesterol is the type that gets stuck along the walls of veins and arteries. The resulting condition is called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This condition can contribute to heart disease and/or strokes. Trans-fatty acids also may decrease HDL cholesterol or the good cholesterol in your blood.

So what is the bottom line? Moderation. According to the experts, reducing all types of fat in the diet is important. Most trans-fatty acids are found in foods like commercial cookies, French fries and donuts fried in solid shortening and other hydrogenated shortening products. A diet low in total fat ­ both saturated and unsaturated ­ can lower your risk of heart disease and many forms of cancer.

Remember that nutrition is not an exact science. As more information is learned about the human body, new recommendations will constantly arise. What was true yesterday may not be true today or tomorrow, based upon new research information. We do know that cutting down on saturated fat in your diet can reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering your blood cholesterol.

So, when the waiter asks, butter or margarine? Consider asking for salsa, or a fat-free salad dressing with fresh ground pepper, non-fat sour cream, or use fresh herbs in combination with any of the above. Be creative.

Vitamin & Mineral Supplements

Many people in the United States self medicate with over-the-counter drugs. Many also self prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. The most frequently given reasons for using supplements were "to prevent colds and other illnesses" and "to make up for what is not in food."

When first designed, the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for vitamins and minerals were intended to be consumed as part of a normal diet. Vitamins and minerals are a part of every function or process that takes place in your body. A larger dose than the body needs may not make you more healthy.

There is danger in taking too much of one vitamin or mineral supplement. Almost all supplements are potentially toxic when ingested in large amounts. Overdosing can also create a nutrient imbalance in the body. This can happen when large amounts of one nutrient actually block the body's ability to use another nutrient.

People rarely overdose from nutrients in food. One exception is in eating bear liver or the liver of some large fish. Vitamin A concentrations are sometimes so high illness and/or deaths have occurred in humans who ate these foods. But these cases are rare, since most of us do not dine on polar bear liver. Overdoses in this country usually occur with supplements.

Supplements are large concentrations of one or more nutrient. The concentration is more than is naturally found in foods. Some supplements leave the body when you have taken too much, but some accumulate and cause major problems.

In addition, large amounts of one nutrient can interfere with the effects of certain drugs. If you are taking medication of any kind, consult your doctor or dietitian before taking a vitamin or mineral supplement.

For instance, high doses of Vitamin E supplements can block Vitamin K action. Vitamin K is responsible for the normal clotting of your blood. This blockage can enhance the effect of blood thinning medicines and cause hemorrhagic strokes.

The people who work in shops selling vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanical concoctions are salesmen. If they were licensed doctors, nutritionists, or dietitians, they would not be working in low-paying sales positions. Most are not a reliable source of nutrition information. Many will say almost anything to "make a sale."

Fortunately the Food and Drug Administration is about to draw the line. As of February 1999, the FDA will implement the National Dietary Supplement Law which was passed in 1995. Under the new regulations, manufacturers will have to list supplement facts on the label. Until then there are no penalties for false messages or lack of label information. You must rely on reputable manufacturers for truth-in-labeling for vitamin/mineral supplements.

Scurvy, which killed many sailors, was cured when lemons and limes were added to the diet, which is why British sailors were called "limeys." Actually Vitamin C was lacking in their diets and citrus fruits contain large amounts of Vitamin C.

Night blindness was cured when patients were given foods high in Vitamin A such as chicken liver and carrots. Cod liver oil prevented rickets in children. Now we know it was the Vitamin D in the cod liver oil that protected them. The list goes on and on. Notice that each time the original cure was food. And many times the problem was in not eating a well-balanced diet.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are team players. They do not act alone. Each nutrient affects the other. There are many nutrients in foods that have not been isolated and put into vitamin/mineral supplement form. If your doctor or dietitian has recommended a supplement for you, always take it with food. Vitamin and mineral supplements do not take the place of foods. That is why they are called supplements. Supplements are routinely recommended under some circumstances. These may include certain disorders or diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, for people who consume a very low calorie diet, for some vegetarians and newborns as well. Taking a supplement to make sure you get enough vitamins and minerals can sometimes do more harm than good.

Food is still the answer. The best way to ensure getting adequate nutrients for day to day health is by eating a variety of foods. Eat 2-3 servings of fruit, 3-5 servings of vegetables, 2-3 servings of meat, 6-11 servings of whole grain breads and cereals and 2-3 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt. Eat fats, sugar and salt in moderation. All of these foods make up a well-balanced diet. It is never too late to improve your health by eating right.

Eggs: Handle With Care

Spring is just around the corner. Spring brings celebrations of many kinds. Religious celebrations and other holiday gatherings are centered around food. For many families, churches and schools, the Easter Egg Hunt is the first rite of spring. Colored, boiled eggs can be a source of foodborne illness if they are not handled properly, however, a few precautions can minimize the risk.

As a poultry product, eggs can be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria which grows on the egg shell and inside the egg without causing it to look or taste bad. These bacteria can wreak havoc with the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, intestinal cramps, diarrhea and fever 12 to 24 hours after the contaminated food has been eaten.

Recovery usually occurs in a few days, but some individuals develop symptoms which last for weeks. Children are especially susceptible to foodborne illness from Salmonella. In 1996 more than 6,800 children became sick from Salmonella according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.

If hard-cooked eggs are used for Easter egg hunts and left out of the refrigerator for hours at a time, they may cause problems. Eggs should not be out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours, even if they are cooked.

Cracked eggs are a potential hazard as well. Do not color or hide cracked eggs and throw away any eggs that become damaged during the Easter Egg Hunt. Use only clean, uncracked, refrigerated eggs.

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling the eggs at every step including, cooking, cooling, dyeing and hiding.

• Cook eggs by simmering them for 20 minutes in enough water to cover the eggs. Then immediately run cold water over the eggs or place them in ice water until they are completely cooled. The quick cooling also prevents dark, green yolks.

• Store cooked eggs in the refrigerator until time to dye them. After dyeing the eggs return them to the refrigerator, if they will be eaten. Hard-cooked eggs can be refrigerated in the shell for use within a week.

• Products made with eggs will keep in the refrigerator for no more than three days.

Plastic eggs are a good alternative to real eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt. Children will delight in looking for plastic eggs and finding a surprise inside, such as a small toy or a piece of candy. Then real eggs, stored safely in the refrigerator, can be the main attraction at mealtime. Or, make two batches of eggs, one to be eaten and another for decoration.

New Weight Loss Drug Approved

The Food and Drug Administration officials approved a new weight loss drug known as sibutramine, after recalling the popular drug combination Fen-Phen just three months ago. Sibutramine will appear on pharmacy shelves later this year under the brand name Meridia. While Meridia has not been linked to heart valve damage, it significantly raises pulse and blood pressure in some patients. Let the buyer (user) beware!

Did You Take Fen-Phen?

Patients who took Fen-Phen (fenfluramine or Redux (dexfenfluramine), should have their heart and lungs examined according to the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A new study found heart-valve damage in 25% of 226 patients taking appetite-suppressant drugs, compared with 1% in the control group.

In particular, anyone who took one of these drugs probably should have an echocardiogram (EKG) before undergoing certain invasive medical or dental procedures. If the test shows damage, you may need to take antibiotics to prevent cardiac complications. Those who took Redux were as likely to have heart-valve problems as those taking Fen-Phen. Over time, the valve damage could lead to heart failure.

Nutrition for Dummies

Nutrition for Dummies by Carol Ann Rinzler Fourth in the line of "For Dummies" books, this one is actually a well laid-out primer on nutrition with a little attitude thrown in for fun. Information is presented in an easy to read manner with explanations provided by way of simple analogy. It is available in soft-cover at bookstores near you for $19.99.

Lipomas or Fat Tumors

Many people are noticing small lumps on the back of the neck, forehead, thigh, forearms and torso area. These are common tumors called lipomas or "fat tumors." Lipomas are fairly common tumors made up of fatty tissue. They grow under the skin and usually show up as soft round or oval lumps.

Generally, these growth are harmless and they are rarely cancerous. Treatment is not usually required, but some people have them removed for cosmetic reasons. A biopsy or removal is recommended if the tumor starts to change. If it starts to show rapid growth, becomes painful, irritated or creates pressure in the area, talk to your doctor.

Lipomas can grow anywhere and they are generally more common among women than men. If you have found one, there is probably another one somewhere. They often occur in multiples.

Suburban grocery stores have the lowest food prices. According to a report by the Community Nutrition Institute, urban store food prices average 4% higher due to operating costs, higher costs of land, rental rates, insurance and taxes.

You can get the lowdown on more than 800 brand name supermarket food products in 19 different categories. "The Healthy Eating Guide" is a 39 page, newsletter style book which offers facts, figures, picks and pans from the editors of "Environmental Nutrition" newsletter, a 20 year old source of reliable nutrition information. You will also find nutrition comparisons and buying tips for cereal, beans, canned foods, frozen foods and a host of others. To order call 800-571-1555, the cost is $15 each and it is worth it.

People are spending less time eating lunch. According to Research Alert, time spent eating lunch is on the decline. More than half (56%) of American workers take 15 minutes or less for lunch. The average lunch lasts 29 minutes. Many people (63%) skip lunch once or twice a week, and 20 percent forego the noontime meal three to five times a week.

Low fat cookies often contain as many calories as their full-fat counterparts. Compare the caloric information in the Nutrition Facts box. Most light cookies rely on plenty of sugar and often fruit pastes. Sugar comes in many forms. Concentrated fruit juice, corn syrup, brown sugar, fructose, honey and molasses are all forms of sugar and a concentrated source of calories. Also, check the serving size. Sometimes it is extremely small. One cookie is not an average serving.

More than 16,000 American kids under age five fell out of shopping carts last year. This is twice as many as 10 years ago. At least half of the children suffered severe head injuries. Make sure you use the safety strap if your cart has one. New York State and Texas now require all new carts to have safety straps.

Reverse-osmosis water filters and distillers remove fluoride from water. Fluoride is added to most water supplies to reduce cavities in children. If you use such a water filter or drink bottled water, make sure you use fluoride toothpaste and/or a fluoride rinse.