42

ILRiverHort

Ferree's Horticulture Blog

April 15, 2012

Week Six in my Garden

Week Six brought more blooms to my garden, but it also brought tree weed seeds. Here are some highlights:
1-Japanese maple leaves are a brilliant burgundy red.
2-Northern lights azalea in full bloom and reminds me of eggs showing off their yellow yolks
3-Lunaria (money plant) is such a pretty purple
4-Peony are almost ready to bud
5-Clematis in bloom!

Posted by Rhonda J. Ferree at 5:37 PM | Permalink |
| Leave a comment

April 7, 2012

Comparison of 2011 & 2012 Flowering Times

I led a roundtable discussion at a recent Emiquon Audubon Society meeting on how the mild winter and early spring are impacting flowers, insects, birds, and more. It was very interesting.

In preparation, I reviewed my photos to see when various plants bloomed in my years last year compared to this year. Most agree that we are 3-5 weeks early in central Illinois. Here are some examples from my yard.

Star magnolia - April 4 in 2011 & March 17 in 2012
Vinca vine - April 10 in 2011 & March 26 in 2012
Carlesei viburnum - April 18 in 2011 & March 23 in 2012
Creeping phlox - April 18 in 2011 & March 23 in 2012
Bleeding heart - April 18 in 2011 & April 3 in 2012
PrairieFire crabapple - April 26 in 2011 & April 3 in 2012
Common lilac - May 9 in 2011 & April 3 in 2012
Doublefile viburnum - May 9 in 2011 & April 3 in 2012
Flowering dogwood - May 2 in 2011 & April 3 in 2012

I missed some flowers this year because they were so early, including the bloodroot in my wooded area. It bloomed March 31 last year and I missed it this year.

Enjoy the spring blooms while they last!

Posted by Rhonda J. Ferree at 12:00 AM | Permalink |
| Leave a comment

April 6, 2012

Week Five in my Garden

Flowering shrubs continue to amaze me. I love how the garden changes every week. Some changes are subtle, while others are eye-popping.

Highlights for me this week included:
1-Flowering dogwood and PrairieFire crabapple were amazingly beautiful this year!
2-Lily-of-the-Valley bloom are almost ready to open. This is my second favorite flowers (behind poppy)
3-We opened the pool this week, so I cleaned more beds around the pool. Can't wait to heat the water and swim.
4-Planted six new PJM azaleas near the gazebo and moved ferns behind the gazebo in preparation for installation of my new shade garden.
5-Perennial herbs are growing profusely!

With everything blooming so early, I sometimes wonder if there will be any blooms at all in a few weeks. Keep checking this blog to find out.

Posted by Rhonda J. Ferree at 11:58 AM | Permalink |
| Leave a comment

April 2, 2012

Gardeners' Day a Success in Jacksonville

"The worms were a big hit!" says one Master Gardener who helped organize the recent Gardener's Day. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners organized the outstanding event held on March 24th in Jacksonville.

The program was presented by University of Illinois Extension staff in the Calhoun-Cass-Greene-Morgan-Scott Unit. Duane Friend taught the group how to control nuisance wildlife in their yard, where the discussion on moles was especially lively. Rhonda Ferree covered some basic weed identification as well as tips on how to battle weeds in the lawn, yard, and garden. Creeping Charlie was a common problem weed among the attendees. Michelle Berg-Vogel taught the basics of vermicomposting, including how to make a worm bin.

In addition to organizing the event, Master Gardeners provided tasty treats and secured door prizes that were distributed at the end of the program. Master Gardeners attending the event included Glenna Wright, Alice Dodson, Linda Sullivan, and Carolyn McCarry. Other active Master Gardeners in the Unit are Annette Kilver, Nell Ann Wooldridge, Lois Freeman, Dorothy Brooks, Anita Moody, and Janet Mitchell.

For more information about the Master Gardener program and upcoming gardening events, go to Calhoun-Cass-Greene-Morgan-Scott Website. Updates are also provided in the quarterly Horticulture Newsletter. To receive this free newsletter, call 217-243-7424 or email uie-ccgms@illinois.edu.

Posted by Rhonda J. Ferree at 12:00 PM | Permalink |
| Leave a comment

April 1, 2012

Master Composters Graduate in Jacksonville

Eleven gardeners recently completed a University of Illinois Extension Master Composter training program. Trainees from the Calhoun-Cass-Greene-Morgan-Scott Extension Unit learned the science and art of composting. Classes were held on March 7th and 16th at the University of Illinois Extension office in Jacksonville.

Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension Educator, covered the composting process, composting materials, containers, and managing the compost process. Program Coordinator Michelle Berg-Vogel taught the art of vermicomposting, which uses red worms to break down household waste in a small receptacle.

The training ended with a tour of a Cargill's commercial composting facility in Beardstown. The group was able to see different stages of the composting process. According to a website report, Cargill's composting project has decreased the amount of waste Cargill sends to limited landfill space in Illinois by 58% – or 2.7 million pounds per year.

Trainees are encouraged to share their training with others. Master Composter interns share with their local community what they learned in the classes. Volunteering can take the form of answering questions from homeowners at the local extension office, or helping with a community composting project. Some Master Composters speak at local programs or do media work. Many volunteer time with school programs or community gardens.

For more information or to talk to a Master Composter, call University of Illinois Extension at 217-243-7424.

Posted by Rhonda J. Ferree at 11:59 AM | Permalink |
| Leave a comment