January 22, 2008

Gardening classes

For those of you who want to look ahead to the 2008 gardening season, I have posted some of our late winter-early spring gardening classes on-line. Go to the home page of this website and check out the full calendar under the upcoming events. You can even register now if you want. Classes will remain posted up to 2 days before the program date or until the class fills. Classes for February and March are posted now. April classes will be added later.

Posted by Sharon Yiesla at 2:41 PM | Permalink |

January 22, 2008

Check your house plants

Have you looked at your house plants lately? If you look, you may soon see new growth on some of them. House plants respond to longer days (and the days are already getting longer) and may be putting on new growth soon. If they are growing again, think about giving them some fertilizer. Many people think about fertilizing in summer, but a time of new growth is a time that the house plant can use fertilizer.

Don't overdo it. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package. Most house plants need to be fertilized monthly when they are actively growing. If you are using a liquid fertilizer, remember that fertilizer should not take the place of water. If your plant is dry, water it first, then give it some fertilizer. Also remember that fertilizer won't fix problems like too little light or too dry a room. Fertilizer only helps a plant when it needs nutrients.

Posted by Sharon Yiesla at 2:30 PM | Permalink |

January 14, 2008

A New (Gardening) Year is Coming

Happy New Year all. Sorry to leave you blogless for so long, but I was called out of town unexpectedly. Be looking for more regular blogging now.

As I look out the window and see a new coat of snow falling, it really is hard to imagine spring. But spring will be here before we know it. The garden catalogs are multiplying in the mail box and it really is time to make out your seed order if you want to insure that you get the varietiesyou want.

You can also start learning more about gardening by attending gardening classes held at the Lake County Extension office. The first class will be on pruning and that is something that sometimes sneeks up on us. Be prepared this year by signing up to learn more about pruning. The class will be held on Feb 13 at 7 p.m. Check out the home page of this site to see the whole schedule of classes (more will be added later).

Posted by Sharon Yiesla at 4:22 PM | Permalink |