In this report...

"Ready, Set...Grow" and "Ready, Set... Fall" are gardening workshops conducted by U of I Extension in Ogle, Lee and Whiteside Counties. These workshops were started about 15 years ago as a way to help local citizens with horticultural questions and increase the knowledge of the public about gardening and landscaping. The program has been very successful with an average attendance of over 100 at Ready, Set...Grow and more than 50 at Ready Set... Fall.

Many topics have been covered over the years, including managing insect and weed pests, growing organic vegetables, growing grapes, holiday decorating, spring bulbs and improving indoor air quality with plants.

Many famous keynote speakers have attended and most of the classes are taught by Extension Educators.

Ready, Set, Fall in October of 2007 featured hands-on activities such as making a wreath out of products from the garden, painting stepping stones with garden designs, and constructing a trellis from willow shoots. Each class provided a finished product that participants could take home and enjoy.

The program is coordinated by U of I Extension Master Gardeners and staff from the three county area. Information about Ready, Set, Grow 2008 will be available in February.

Rapid diagnosis of pests and plant disorders enables homeowner and producers of agricultural and horticultural crops to make timely decisions. University of Illinois Extension can help identify plant problems and offer recommendations.

One type of help is only a mouse click away using the Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging (DDDI) system available at the U of I Extension office in Oregon. The DDDI system is designed to help commercial ag producers, crop protection dealers and seed company representatives as well as homeowners and commercial growers with horticultural questions.

The Ogle County office is equipped with a digital camera that is attached to a microscope. Digital images of the plant or pest are transmitted via computer and the Internet to Extension diagnosticians who can assess the problem and recommend a course of action. When the diagnosis is made, an email message is sent to the originator with the diagnosis, recommended treatment, and information on how to contact the diagnosticians if necessary.

Since the DDDI system began in 1999, thousands of images have been submitted and over 75 percent of the samples have been diagnosed within 2 days, most the same day.

Accurate identification of pests and other causal factors is the first step in the correct diagnosis and management of plant problems. In Ogle County the U of I Extension Master Gardeners are on hand to answer questions during the growing season Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 am to noon at (815) 732-2191. You may call this number for more information or go to www.extension.uiuc.edu/ogle.

Are you interested in gardening...landscaping...fruit trees? Do you want to learn more but don't know where to go? University of Illinois Extension is the place to call.

Master Gardeners are a vital link in getting horticulture information to the public. They provide quick answers to a variety of home gardening questions. The in-depth training they receive from U of I educators is presented practically, yet making sure it's unbiased and research-based.

The 2008 Master Gardener classes start Friday, February 1st at the Ogle County Farm Bureau building at 421 W. Pines Road on the south side of Oregon. The class continues every Friday for 10 weeks. Class size is limited so an interview may be necessary. Due date for application is January 4th, 2008.

Helping others put knowledge to work is our ultimate goal. If your are interested in the Master Gardener program, or would like an application to become a Master Gardener in Ogle County contact Bill Lindenmier at (815) 732-2191.