The University of Illinois Extension 2006 series of educational programs via the teleconferencing system continues with three new programs.

Summer Flowering Bulbs will be presented on Tuesday, April 18 at 1 p.m. and again on Thursday, April 20 at 7 p.m.

The first program in the Spring Series will be Summer Flowering Bulbs presented by Jim Schmidt, U of I Extension horticulture specialist. The seminar, which focuses on expanding the garden pallet with summer-blooming bulbs, features a color slide presentation accompanied by the voice of the instructor as people from all over the state participate.

Uncommon, Unusual and Underrated Landscape Plants will be presented on Tuesday, May 2 at 1 p.m. and repeated on Thursday, May 4 at 7 p.m.

Chris Hilgert, U of I Extension horticulture educator, will present the program. Hilgert will offer suggestions on how to add excitement to your garden with out-of-the-ordinary plants.

Shade Gardening will be presented on Tuesday, May 16 at 1 p.m. and repeated on Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m.

David Robson, U of I Extension horticulture educator, will present the program. Participants will learn about the many trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and grasses that have adapted to shade conditions.

All programs will be presented twice and at both Extension Offices. The Tuesday session starts at 1 p.m. and the Thursday sessions begin at 7 p.m. Cost per session is $3.00 per person. Advance registration is needed 1 week prior to each telenet date. Call 815-244-9444 to attend in Mt. Carroll or 815-858-2273 to attend in Elizabeth.

If you have disability needs, please indicate when registering.

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- Patt Caldwell

April 8, 2006

Stockton High School

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Presented by the Jo Daviess County Master Gardeners

Lots of presentations and exhibitions by area businesses

Presentations by Master Gardeners

When the flowers of the Easter Lily have withered, many people are wondering what to do with the remaining plant. The lily doesn't survive as a houseplant, but it can be planted outdoors where it should bloom again. Until it is safe to plant outdoors, keep the plant in a sunny window and water thoroughly when slightly dry.

Select a bright sunny spot in the garden to plant the bulb. Remove the plant from the container and loosen the root system. There will be some torn roots, but it is better for the plant than the compacted root system it has in the container. Plant the bulb a few inches deeper than it was in the container and cover with soil. Water thoroughly and fertilize with an all-purpose garden fertilizer. For the remainder of the season, water and fertilize as you would other garden plants.

Soon after planting, the old top will wither and die. This is no cause for alarm because new shoots will soon emerge that may flower in July or August. If the plant doesn't flower later that summer, it will flower the next summer in June.

Some gardeners have good results when overwintering lilies although they are not reliably hardy. To improve your chances for overwintering success, mulch the plants with at least 4" of straw in the fall. Another option is to dig the bulb in the fall and store indoors the same way we do other tender bulbs such as canna.

- From Iowa State University

We've waited all winter to get out into the garden...now its time to "get growing". A word of caution, as Sharon Yiesla points out in her portion of the newsletter, the "last median frost date" has a wide range. So you must use your best judgment as to when to plant and when to protect those newly planted plants.

Some of the suggestions for April:

• Have your soil tested. This is your best pre-planting expenditure to assure a thriving garden this year.
• Cut back butterfly bushes.
• Cut back ornamental grasses.
• Prune trees and shrubs.
• Mow groun
  • Divide Perennials.
  • Plant trees.

  May chores:

  • Review West Nile Virus signs and eliminate potential breeding sites.
  • Pinch back mums.
  • Start planting your vegetables and flowers.
  • Apply mulches.

  There are many more gardening chores listed on the University of Illinois Extension Horticulture website at: www.urbanext.uiuc.edu in the Calendar Section. Each item has a detailed, unbiased, research based, article which will give you all the information you need to have a successful garden this year. Check it out.

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Jo-Carroll Unit now has its own website, you can view it at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/

jdc/

The Carroll County Master Gardeners thank all who participated in our "Know and Grow" horticulture workshop held on Feb. 19. Kudos to the participants, the presenters, and everyone who helped make it a successful and fun afternoon.

Plans are underway for the Carroll County summer event, "A Walk in the Garden". This year, it will be held on July 29 and 30.

- Patt Caldwell

Saturday, April 8th at Stockton High School 9 am until 4 pm.

Entrance fee is a $5 donation.

Container Gardening by Madelyn Wilharm, Master Gardener

Conifers, Rocky Mountain Alpine Plants And Rock Gardens

by Denny Hermsen of Hermsen Nursery

Gardening Goofs by Laurie Mattas, JD Master Gardener

Uncommon Trees and Shrubs by Chris Frommelt from Ridge Road Nursery

Jon Kelly, Mississippi Valley Tree Experts Questions and Answers about Tree Care, & pruning demo

Ergonomics of Gardening by Dr. Mike Wampler of Premier Chiropractic

Landscaping with Native Plants by Candy Crossley, Master Gardener

Soils and Fertility by Mark Maidak & Art Scheele, U of IL Ext.

Demonstrations: Hardscaping with Mosaics by Carol Steckl

Tree and Shrub Pruning by Jon Kelly

Exhibitors:

Absolutely Wicker Dobie's Flowers and Produce

Earthworks Construction Co. Wild Birds Unlimited

J P Vincent & Sons, Inc. Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation

Mississippi Tree Experts Gockman's Nursery

Murphy's Gardens Hermsen Nursery

Premier Chiropratic

Pickard's Service Center Classic Stones

Juice, Coffee and Krispy Kream Doughnuts by the Stockton Boy Scouts

Lunch Catering by: Holy Cross Catholic Church of Stockton

Bake sale by: the "Busy Bees" 4H group