March 17

The Jo Daviess Carroll Area Vocation Center (AVC) and University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Jo Daviess County have teamed up to host the "Growing of the Green" family day of horticulture fun workshop set for 8 am to 2 pm on Saturday, March 17 at the AVC building, Elizabeth, IL. The event includes a vendor fair, food concessions by youth organizations, and a full menu of educational and youth activities sessions to select from and attend. For an event flyer or more information, contact Jo Daviess County Extension at 815-858-2273 or e-mail Mark Maidak, Jo-Carroll Unit Director, at mmaidak@uiuc.edu.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Carroll County are sponsoring their annual mid-winter gardening workshop, Know & Grow, from 1 to 5 pm on Sunday, Feb. 18 at Naaman Diehl Auditorium in Mount Carroll. Doors open at 12:30.

Check out our web page for a complete flyer or call 815-244-9444 to receive one by mail.

University of Illinois Extension is once again presenting the Four Seasons Gardening program. Three seminars for each of the four seasons are offered. Each seminar features a color slide presentation accompanied by the voice of the instructor as people from all over the state participate. The topics and dates for the Winter Series are:

Emerald Ash Borer and Other Invasive Species which focuses on identifying and coping with these devastating landscape pests. Phil Nixon, U of I Extension specialist, will present the program via teleconference. It will be presented at 1 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 13 and repeated at 7 pm on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Spring Lawn Care presented by David Robson, U of I Extension horticulture educator. Participants will learn proven techniques for improving and maintaining a healthy lawn. Robson will discuss site preparation, grass selection for your specific growing conditions, fertilizing and weed control. This seminar will be presented at 1 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 27 and again at 7 pm on Thursday, March 1.

Aggressive Thugs in the Flower Garden which focuses on perennial flowers and how to keep them from taking over your garden. Martha Smith, U of I Extension horticulture educator, will present the program. Participants will learn what to plant and what to avoid while keeping a watchful eye. This seminar will be presented at 1 pm on Tuesday, March 13 and again at 7 pm on Thursday, March 15.

All seminars will be presented at each County Office. There is a fee of $3 per session and pre-registration is required.

The Spring Series of seminars will begin on April 17 with "Diseases of Herbaceous Perennials" followed by "Culinary Herbs in the Landscape", and "Using Tropical Plants to Add WOW to Your Garden".

The Summer Series includes "Landscape Maintenance", "Rain Gardens: A Wise Way to Use Runoff" and "Controlling Garden Weeds".

The Fall Series has "Vegetable Insect Pests", "Household Insect Pests" and "Growing Backyard Grapes".

There are a lot of Gardening Workshops in the area, especially in February.

Feb. 17 – Joys of Gardening, Highland Community College Conference Center, Freeport, IL. A variety of classes and workshops ranging from garden stepping stones to birdhouse gourds will be offered from 8 am to 4 pm. The $25 fee includes the keynote speaker, Dave Wanninger of Bear Creek Nursery, lunch and four break-out sessions. The fee will be $30 for those who register after February 9. Sponsored by Stephenson County Master Gardeners. Call 815-235-4125 for a brochure.

Feb. 17 – Horticulture in the Heartland at Clinton Community College, Clinton, IA. 8 am to 3:30 pm. Sponsored by the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton Trees Forever, Iowa State University Extension and Clinton Community College. Topics include tree introductions and identifications, gardening with wildlife, tree pests, herbaceous perennials, daylilies, hostas, dwarf and unusual landscape conifers, new annuals for 2007, fruit trees, learning garden basics, and edible landscapes. For questions or to register contact the Clinton Community College, 1-800-637-0559.

Feb. 18 – Know & Grow, Mt. Carroll. Full details enclosed.

Feb. 24 – Nursery School-Lessons in Gardening. The Mark of the Quad Cities, Moline, IL. 8 am to 4 pm. Eighteen stimulating classes for all levels include topics such as Orchids, Garden Art, Prairie Gardens, Heirloom Vegetables, Asian Maples, Rain Gardens, Greenhouses, Soap Making and much more. During breaks and lunch, Nursery School students can visit booths by dozens of vendors selling horticulture related items including crafts, gifts, books, seeds and plants. Lunch and most class materials are included in the $40 registration fee. Register online: http:/web.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland/ or call 309-796-0512. Registration deadline is Feb. 17. Sponsored by the Rock Island County Master Gardeners.

Feb. 24 - Winter Gardening Fair, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA. The featured speaker will be Melinda Myers, a nationally recognized author and teacher. A total of 38 classes are offered for a charge of $9 per class. Sponsored by the Linn County Master Gardeners. For more information call 319-447-0647 or see the full offering at the ISU Extension Linn County website at: http:/www.extension.iastate.edu/linn

and scroll down to the bottom of the home page.

March 3 – Gardening for Food and Fun, Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL. This all day event offers demonstrations, workshops and lectures on 30 exciting garden related subjects. Sponsored by the Winnebago County Master Gardeners. 815-986-4357.

March 10 – Ready, Set, Grow–Gardening 2007, Sauk Valley Community College, 9 am to 3 pm, sponsored by the Lee, Ogle and Whiteside County Master Gardeners. Contact Vicki Broos at 815-732-2191 or broos@uiuc.edu to receive a brochure.

March 17 – Growing of the Green at the Area Vocational Center in Elizabeth. Sponsored by the AVC and Jo Daviess County Master Gardeners.

Feb. 9 & 10 – 19^th Midwestern Herb and Garden Show, Times Square Mall, Mt. Vernon, IL. Keynote speaker is Mel Bartholomew, founder of Square Foot Gardening. A choice of 17 breakout sessions including Orchids, Irises, Gourds, The Savage Gardeners, Weeds, Bulbs, Topiaries and more. Vendors will be present. Sponsored by the Herbs for Health and Fun Club. For more information visit www.midwesternherbandgardenshow.com.

March 3 – St. Louis Gardening Symposium, St. Louis Community College, Kirkwood, MO. Program highlighted by speakers Dan Heims, Paul Cappiello and Richard Hartlage.

Contact www.hortco-op.org.

March 10-18 – Chicagoland Flower & Garden Show, new name for Chicago Flower & Garden Show and new place, Donald E. Stephens (Rosemont) Convention Center, Rosemont, IL. Easier access, parking $11/day, over 200,000 sq. ft. of display space, seminars and a "working" garden. Visit: Chicagolandflowerandgarden.com.

St. Patrick's Day brings spots of green in local grocery stores and flower shops in the form of the lucky shamrock plant. How did the shamrock plant become associated with St. Patrick's Day and Ireland?

There are many stories and fables, but the most popular is that St. Patrick, the saint who brought Christianity to Ireland, plucked a shamrock from the grass at his feet to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity to his congregation. Each leaf symbolizes the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death. The shamrock is also credited with the arrival of spring and as a symbol for the "season of rebirth."

The "shamrock" that St. Patrick actually plucked was most likely white clover (Trifolium repens) and is difficult to grow indoors. Because of this, the shamrock plants that are seen in grocery stores and floral shops are species of oxalis or wood sorrel.

Oxalis leaves are clover shaped and can be shades of green, red, purple, or a combination of all these colors in one striking plant. The oxalis blossoms are white, yellow, pink or red depending on the species.

There are hundreds of species of oxalis, but two that are commonly grown for indoor enjoyment are the Irish shamrock (Oxalis acetosella)and the good-luck plant (Oxalis deppei). Both have green leaves and small white or red blossoms, but the good-luck plant has white streaks running along the leaf veins. Both of these species exhibit nyctinstic movements, meaning the leaflets fold up at night or during overcast days and open during daylight hours.

When selecting an oxalis, look for a plant with flowers and lush, healthy foliage.

How to Care for Shamrock Plants

Shamrock plants require direct sun for best growth and flowering. Oxalis plants usually bloom all winter if placed in a bright sunny window. These plants prefer soil that is kept barely moist and will do fine if the soil dries slightly between watering. Oxalis plants should be fertilized only when the plant is actively growing.

Shamrock plants like cooler temperatures, especially when in bloom. These temperatures should be between 50-65 degrees F at night, and no greater than 75 degrees F during the day. Temperatures above 75 degrees may induce dormancy. In the summer months, wood sorrels should be allowed to rest or go dormant.

The first sign that a plant is entering dormancy is leaf dieback. If this begins to occur, stop watering and fertilizing the plant. The leaves canbe cut back or allowed to die back on their own and the plant should be moved to a cool, dark place for two to three months.

At the end of the dormant period, new foliage will begin emerging from the soil. This is a signal to move the plant to a sunny window and to begin watering and fertilization.

If the oxalis plant is tall and lanky, it needs more light or this condition may also occur if the home is too warm.

If your plant is not blooming, it probably needs a good rest. Cut back on watering and fertilizing and let it go dormant. In two or three months, the plant will begin to grow again and should flower if it receives good care. A yellowing plant may be a sign you are watering it too much. Too little water and your plant will wilt.

Shamrock plants are usually not bothered by insect pest, but are susceptible to root rot if kept too wet.

Good luck with this charming plant. If cared for properly, oxalis can be a part of your plant family for years to come.

- From Iowa State University Extension

Save the mesh bags that oranges come in and use them next summer to dry herbs and gourds.