The popular Horticulture Telenet Workshops for 2006 begin February 7. Each program will be presented twice: Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. and repeated on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. The programs will be held at both the Jo Daviess and Carroll County offices. The workshops are provided through the University of Illinois Extension "Telenet" system. These Telenets feature color, Powerpoint slides accompanied by the live voice of the instructor as people from all over the state participate at once. You will have the chance to ask questions at the end of the program.

Topics for the Winter Series are: Worm Composting, Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. & Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Indoor Air Quality, Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. & Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Dwarf and Unusual Landscape Conifers, Tuesday, March 7 at 1 p.m. & Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m.

More information on these programs will be in the next edition of Horticulture News.

- Patt Caldwell, Jo-Carroll Master Gardener

Know and Grow is the title of the winter gardening workshop scheduled by the Carroll County Master Gardeners for Sunday afternoon, February 19. A full afternoon of seminars is scheduled for the event which will be held at Naaman Diehl Auditorium, in the Farm Bureau Building at the intersection of highways 52/64 and 78 in Mt. Carroll.

This winter workshop has been designed to help you plan and grow your 2006 garden.

Seed Starting - Connie Zink, MG, will offer two seed-starting workshops during the afternoon. This is a hands-on presentation during which participants will learn the theory of seed-starting and apply the theory by starting their own seeds. All materials will be provided. Class size is limited and will be filled on a first registration basis. There is an additional $4 charge. The session will be offered at 1:00 and repeated at 3:15.

The Lure and Lore of Wildflowers – Nancy Gmitro, MG, will show you what to look for as the weather moderates during this Powerpoint presentation. She also includes the legends associated with the various Wildflowers.

Take the Pain Out of Gardening – JoEllen McCaskey offers tips on eliminating aches and pains normally associated with gardening, especially in the beginning phases, by using proven techniques and tools.

Add Pizzazz with Color – Patt Caldwell, MG, explains the basics of color theory and how to use it as a design tool in the Powerpoint presentation.

Making Potpourri – Nancy Gmitro, MG, explains the best plant material to grow this year to make your own potpourri from your 2006 garden and offers recipes and techniques for a variety of potpourris.

Doors open at 12:15 and there will be a brief introductory session at 12:45. A silent auction and light snacks will be offered during a mid-afternoon break, and the event will end with an evaluation session. There is a $10.00 charge to attend and pre-registration is requested. A registration form will be included with the next issue. Call 815-244-9444 for more information.

- Patt Caldwell, Jo-Carroll Master Gardener

Each year there seems to be more varieties of trees to choose from when selecting that perfect Christmas tree. Many families have a tradition of using the same kind every year. Common varieties include Scotch pine, Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, White pine, Blue spruce and Balsam fir and maybe others.

Depending on the variety, some may be more difficult to find, since they are not as widely grown in northern Illinois. One of these is the Fraser fir. It is not grown as often as others in this area, but it has been gaining in popularity on sales lots. Fraser firs have been referred to as the "Cadillac of Christmas trees". The needles are flat, ½ to 1 inches, and have a rich, dark green color with a silvery underside. It has excellent color and needle retention characteristics. They tend to be "naturally-shaped" Christmas trees.

For a "full appearing tree, White pines are often good. They are widely available in the Midwest. It has longerneedles at 3 to 6 inches. It has generally good needle color and retention.

The spruces are gaining in popularity as Christmas trees, too. The needles tend to have good retention, and are shorter and stiffer than some of the other varieties. The spruce varieties are often popular when buying a live Christmas tree to plant in the yard after the holidays. Live trees do need some special care while inside for successful planting outdoors.

The traditional favorite Scotch pine has 1 ½ to 3 inch blue-green needles, which have a delicate twisted appearance. The branches tend to be more open and stiffer than the White pine. Many people prefer it since it often is easier to hang ornaments on its branches. It is also often one of the most reasonably priced varieties.

Regardless of the variety of the tree, proper watering and keeping the home as moist and cool as possible will help lengthen the tree's enjoyment and safety.

Further information on tree varieties, tree care, tree farms and related topics is available at the U. of I. website:

www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees

With all these choices, everyone should be able to find that "perfect tree". Consider taking a holiday outing to discover the different types of trees available and to make some consumer comparisons.

- John Church, Extension Educator, Rockford Center

· Nursery School presented by the Rock Island County Master Gardeners, Saturday, Feb. 18. Those who have attended in the past will receive a brochure after the first of the year; if you would like information, call the Rock Island Co. Extension Office (309)796-0512 to be put on the mailing list.

· Joys of Gardening, presented by the Master Gardeners of Stephenson County, Sat., Feb. 25, at Highland Community College.

· Color in the Garden, coordinated with HCE, presented by Candace Crossley, Jo Daviess Master Gardener, 1:30 p.m., Wed. March 8, Elizabeth Extension Office.

· Lawn & Garden Expo, Sat., April 8, Stockton High School, Stockton. The Jo Daviess MGs are planning a big event to help area gardeners get their lawns and gardens ready for whatever 2006 brings.

· A Walk in the Garden, presented by the Carroll Co. Master Gardeners, Sat. and Sun., July 29 & 30.

- Patt Caldwell, Jo-Carroll Master Gardener

When the Christmas season ends, those who decorate their home with a live-cut tree are faced with a disposal question, notes a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"The state considers used Christmas trees as garbage and not yard waste, so they can be discarded according to your city or town's garbage regulations," says James Schuster. "The trees can also be set up outside as habitat for some birds. Hanging suet in these trees also increases their use for wildlife. If left till spring, the tree can then be recycled if your town has brush pick up."

In some places, park districts of local public works agencies will grind up the trees for mulch...State forest or county forest officials may want to use used trees as a way to increase fish habitat.

A more useful use of the trees would be to cut off the limbs and use them as mulch over tender perennials. The porosity of the needles and branches prevents smothering of the perennials and reduces heaving and wind-burning of the delicate perennials.

Schuster adds that well-ground needles and branches can also be used as a soil amendment in the spring.

When used as a soil amendment, do not dilute with too much soil. Soil amendments work better when used at twice the volume of the heavy clay soil to be loosened.

Mix two inches of soil amendments with one inch of soil and mix thoroughly for good results. In some cases, nitrogen fertilizer may be needed to compensate for the nitrogen drawn down by the newly added organic soil amendments

- U ov I website article

Time is running out to register for the 2006 Master Gardener training which begins in January. Training sites for our area are Rockford, Rock Island and Dixon.

If you've been thinking about becoming a Master Gardener, call your Extension Office now to get the information packet and registration form.

An on-line course is available for those who are unable to attend the daytime classes which meet once a week for a minimum of 10 weeks.

In Jo Daviess County, call the Elizabeth office at 815-858-2273 and in Carroll County, call the Mount Carroll office at 815-244-9444.

We'd love to have you join us.

he information packet and registration forms.

- Patt Caldwell, Jo-Carroll Master Gardener

Holiday cacti are known for their colorful tubular flowers and ease of care. Most Christmas Cactus sold are actually Thanksgiving cactus and will bloom in subsequent years at Thanksgiving time.

When the plants are in flower, they should be kept in bright, indirect light. Too much light can cause the flower color to fade or the heat may cause the flower to drop. Day temperatures of 70° F and evening temperatures of 60-65°F are considered to be ideal.

Be sure to water thoroughly, but let the plant dry slightly between waterings. Christmas cacti are not as drought tolerant as the name suggests. It is especially important not to let them dry too much during flowering or they may drop the flower buds. The leaves will wrinkle if the soil it too dry and they may wrinkle if the plant has been over watered. Check the stem and roots for rot.

Once flowers fade, continue to grow the plant as a houseplant. Fertilize monthly between April and October with a complete houseplant fertilizer. Prune plants in June to encourage branching, even flowering time...more flowers. Just remove a few sections of each stem with your fingers or...sharp knife. The removed pieces can be rooted in moist vermiculite to make more plants.

To rebloom, the plants need cool (50-55°F) temperatures and long nights. They can be ignored if left in unused bedrooms, given a little water periodically, and one day they'll suddenly be in bloom for you to enjoy.