News

Herb Plant Sale

Master Gardeners of University of Illinois Extension Menard and Sangamon counties will hold an "Herb Plant Sale" on Saturday, May 4, from 8 am to Noon. The event will be held in conjunction with Springfield Civic Garden Club Plant Sale at TechTown, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield. A variety of herbs will be offered including: six different kinds of Basil, Curly and Flat Leaf Parsley, five varieties of Thyme, several varieties of Scented Geranium, Rosemary and Sage. Plants will be priced from $3 to $7.

Calling All Master Gardeners- Garden Walk

Sangamon County Master Gardeners Garden Walk is going to be a little different this year. The Garden Walk will be for Master Gardeners only, much more casual, and will be held only one evening. We are looking for gardens to be on the walk. Would you volunteer your garden? Please contact Jennifer if you would like to be on the Garden Walk in 2013.

Plans are to visit the gardens from 5pm to 7 pm on an evening in late June when most gardens are at their best. We would like to have four or five gardens to visit. The committee will work with the gardeners to work out the exact date, parking, and other details. This gives us a chance to see other gardens and what other MG are interested in. Since there is only about 150 MG there won't be hordes of people finding places to park and walking around our gardens.

Plant Sales

Woodland Wildflower and Tree Sale, Lincoln Memorial Garden

April 13, 9am to 4pm; April 15, 1 to 4 pm

More information: http://www.lincolnmemorialgarden.org/index.html

Illinois Native Plant Society, Central Chapter Plant Sale

Saturday, April 27, 9 am to 2 pm

Illinois State Fairgrounds, Commodity Pavilion, Springfield

More information: www.ill-inps.org

Springfield Bonsai Society, Bonsai Sale

Saturday, April 27, 9am to 2pm

Illinois State Fairgrounds, Commodity Pavilion, Springfield

Sangamon Valley Iris Society Plant Sale

Saturday, May 11, 12 to 4 pm

Washington Park Botanical Garden, Garden Exhibit Hall

Springfield Civic Garden Club and U of I Extension Master Gardener Herb Sale

Saturday, May 4, 8am to Noon

Illinois State Fairgrounds, TechTown, Springfield

Logan County Master Gardener Plant Sale

Saturday, May 18, 9 am to Noon

Logan County Fairgrounds in Lincoln

Prairie Wildflower Sale, Lincoln Memorial Garden

May 11, 9am to 4pm; May 12, 1 to 4pm

More information: http://www.lincolnmemorialgarden.org/index.html

Facebook Page

Stay connected via our facebook page. Anyone can like or friend our page. Visit the Sangamon-Menard Master Gardener and Horticulture Program Facebook page. Click on the Facebook logo on the Logan-Menard-Sangamon Horticulture page, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/sm_facebook.html

Volunteer Opportunities

Children's Garden at the Zoo

The Henson Robinson Zoo and University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are partnering to create a children's garden for visitors to the zoo. The garden would include plants, such as eye ball plant, to engage kids (and adults). This garden will be located by the goats and ground hog enclosure. Currently we are working on a design for the garden. This would be a unique location for this type of garden and staff are excited about the possibilities. The first step is to see if there is enough interest from the Master Gardeners to form a committee and move forward with this project.

If this sounds like a project you would like to be involved with, please join us on Tuesday, April 16, 2 pm at the Henson Robinson Zoo. We will explore garden theme ideas. Questions contact Jackie P. or Jennifer Fishburn.

Fruit Demonstration Garden

We are in the planning stage of starting a Fruit/ Vegetable Demonstration Garden at the new building location. The next planning meeting will be held on Monday, April 8, 1 p.m., at the Extension building. The committee will meet the 1^st Monday of each month unless otherwise specified. If you are interested but unable to attend contact co-chairs, Barney and Barb B.

Executive Mansion Vegetable Garden

This spring/ summer the Sangamon-Menard Master Gardeners will assist youth (grade K-5^th) from Graham Elementary 21^st century program in growing a vegetable garden at the Illinois Executive Mansion. This activity has concluded for this year.

Planning meetings will be held Tuesday, April 2, 10 am and Monday, April 15, 1 pm at the Extension office.

Dean Home Heirloom Garden (at Lincoln Home National Historic Site)

This project is organized by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners from Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit and Christian County along with Springfield Civic Garden Club members. If you are a new volunteer with this project, contact Shirley W.

Volunteers needed for 2013. Contact Diane G.

Master Gardener Booth at Farmer's Market

Illinois Department of Agriculture sponsors a Thursday evening Farmers Market on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Farmers Market is held May to October. Hours are from 4 to 7 p.m.

Master Gardener volunteers will have an educational booth at the Farmers Market. Volunteers will host an "Ask the Master Gardener" booth/ plant clinic and collect produce for Plant a Row for the Hungry. Produce collected will be donated to the Central Illinois Foodbank.

Master Gardener Advisory Committee Meeting

The Sangamon-Menard Master Gardener Advisory Committee next meeting is Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m. If you have items you would like discussed please contact a committee member or attend the meeting.

Plastic Pot Recycling

For the past four years, we have held recycling events to collect and reuse or recycle plastic garden pots. Diana H. is currently looking for a co-chair or chair for this project.

Plastic Pot Recycling Event held in conjunction with the Springfield Civic Garden Club and Master Gardener Herb plant sales on Saturday, May 4, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed from 7:45 am until 12:30 pm. Master gardeners can volunteer a couple of hours or work the entire event. To volunteer they may contact Diana H. at 836-1831.

Master Gardener Weekly Volunteer Programs:

St. Joseph's Home Garden Therapy

2013 Chair: Frank T.

The mission of the Garden Therapy program is to provide educational experience for the residents, staff and family centering on the growing and understanding of the variety of plants and the elements necessary for plant growth. Master gardeners share a wide variety of horticultural activities with the residents from May 2 to October 10.

Dana Thomas House Garden

2013 Chair: Susan Helm

Looking for new volunteers.

The mission of this project is to: Educate the Master Gardeners, Dana Thomas home docents and general public on the landscape of an upscale home of the 1910 period, based on Frank Lloyd Wright's thoughts on landscape home design as well as the preferences of home owner Susan Dana.

Upcoming committee meeting dates are Thursday, April 4, at 12:30 pm and Thursday, May 2, at 12:30 pm.

Native Wildflower Garden

University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners teamed up to design and install a native wildflower garden at the Ostermeier Prairie Center.

The team's goal is to educate the public on ways to incorporate the beauty and sustainability of Illinois native wildflowers in home gardens, and on the value of landscaping with native plants for butterflies, birds, and other beneficial wildlife. This winter volunteers will select and research plants.

The next full-committee meeting is Tuesday, April 23, at 1 p.m.

Contact the team's coordinator, Peggy Boyer Long, at peggyboy@aol.com to volunteer or support the initiative in other ways.

Plant a Row for the Hungry

2012 Chair: Judy T. and Mary Kay H.

Elijah Iles House Historic Garden

2013 Chair: Gary L.

This period garden educates visitors at Elijah Iles house about gardening in the mid-1800's.

Demonstration Garden Committee Meeting Dates

Herb Garden/Grape Arbor Committee:

Committee chair for 2013: Barb H. and Shirley W.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, April 9, at 8:30 a.m., at the Extension office. Meeting followed by a work day at the garden.

Identification Garden Committee:

Committee co-chair for 2012: Jackie P.

Our first meeting will be Thursday, April 18, at 6 p.m., at the Extension office.

This year we will be creating one large garden instead of several separate gardens. We are looking for additional volunteers for this upcoming season.

Perennial Garden Committee:

Committee co-chairs for 2013: Maria W. and Sharon P.

Next meeting will be Monday, April 8, at 8 a.m. at the Extension office

Compost Committee:

Contact: Bill B.

Organization meeting for the year will be Thursday, April 11, at the Extension office at 1 p.m.

Vegetable and Herb Demonstration Garden:

Committee chair for 2013: Gary T.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the vegetable and herb demonstration garden in the Illinois Department of Agriculture Community Garden.

This is a great opportunity to share your vegetable knowledge with other gardeners. Volunteers educate other gardeners and volunteer to care for 2 plots in the garden.

Planning meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9, at 4:00 pm at the Extension office.

Educational opportunities

Dividing Ornamental Grasses and Bees

A dividing grasses demonstration and Bees 101 will be held on Tuesday, April 2, at 10 am, at Bill Budd's home. This event is a Master Gardener Educational opportunity. Bill will be offering divisions of some of his ornamental grasses.

If possible please carpool.

Grapes and Blackberries Demonstration

A pruning grapes and blackberries demonstration and will be held on Tuesday, April 2, at 1 pm, at Bill Budd's home. This event is a Master Gardener Educational opportunity.

If possible please carpool.

Four Seasons Gardening Program Series

The spring series of University of Illinois Extension's Four Seasons Gardening program, which focuses on environmental stewardship and backyard food production, gets underway in April.

The first session of the series is titled Spruce Problems (Pest and Cultural Issues). The program is offered twice – on Tuesday, April 9, at 1 p.m. and again on Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m. Spruce generally are native to cooler regions and are adapted to cold conditions. They prefer full sun locations with acidic and well-drained soils. When exposed to unfavorable cultural or environmental conditions, spruce can become stressed and more susceptible to diseases and pests. This program will cover all the cultural, disease, insect, and spider mite problems that have been diagnosed at the University of Illinois Plant Clinic.

The second session is Pollinators and Insecticides. The program is offered twice—on Tuesday, April 23, at 1 p.m. and again on Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) continues to be a major problem for the honey bee, our most important pollinator. Species of bumble bees in California are dwindling in numbers and some may go extinct. Bumble bees in Illinois are being surveyed to determine whether there is a similar local problem. Although these and other threats to our pollinators appear to be caused by several factors, recent research points to some insecticides as being more than just a minor part of the problem. Non-technical summaries of this research will be presented along with other impacts to our insect pollinators and an overview of the various pollinators.

The third session titled All About Tomatoes: Strategies for Controlling Common Pests and Disorders will be offered on Tuesday, May 7, at 1 p.m. and again on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. Although tomatoes are considered a garden favorite and easy to grow, tomatoes can succumb to a number of pests and environmental disorders that result in disappointment for the grower. In this session, participants will learn how to identify the most common tomato diseases and insect pests and how best to control them in a home garden setting. Nutritional disorders and other common environmentally-induced problems will be discussed as well.

The series concludes with a session titled Don't Doubt the Drought. The program is offered on Tuesday, May 21, at 1 p.m. and again on Thursday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. The year 2012 was hot and dry – how will our landscapes respond in the years to come? This program will discuss growth expectations in 2013 on lawns, newly planted trees, shrubs, and evergreens. How will the drought impact our flowering plants such as perennials, flowering shrubs, and ornamental trees? What should we be looking for with established trees and what are some of the best management practices for helping our landscape plants recover.

Each program is $5 and will be held at the U of I Extension Building, 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield. The presentation will be via the University of Illinois telenet system and local computer PowerPoint presentations, allowing live discussion between the instructor and gardeners throughout Illinois.

To reserve a packet of handouts pre-register on-line at the Logan-Menard-Sangamon unit website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/. Questions call (217) 782-4617.

Beginners Bonsai Workshop

A Beginning Bonsai hands on workshop is being offered by Springfield Bonsai Society (SBS) and University of Illinois Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit. The class will be held on Wednesday, April 10, from 6 to 9 pm at the Extension Office located at 700 South Airport Drive, Springfield, IL. Bonsai (pronounced 'bone-sigh'), literally "potted tree" is the art of styling miniature trees in a container. This workshop will introduce you to the basic styles and principles of bonsai. You will get hands-on experience styling and potting your own bonsai. Members of the SBS will be available to assist participants and tools will be available. The fee for the session will be $20. Pre-registration is required and is on-line via the Logan-Menard-Sangamon website, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/. Questions, contact the Extension Office at 782-4617. This session will be limited to15 attendees.

Salad Tables

Do you love the idea of eating home-grown salads from April through November? A Salad Table will enable you to produce fresh, flavorful greens close to your backdoor without the need to dig in the soil. The University of Maryland Salad Table^TM is essentially a shallow wooden frame with a large surface area and a mesh bottom that allows water to drain. http://www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/hg601.pdf

The University of Illinois Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit will provide a demonstration on how to construct a Salad Table on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 pm. There is no cost for the program, however pre-registration is encouraged. Program will be held at the U of I Extension Building, 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield. Pre-register online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/ or call (217) 782-4617.

Roses and Dividing Perennials Demonstration

This spring, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will provide programs in the Master Gardener demonstration gardens.

On Thursday, April 18, at 5:30 pm, volunteers will demonstrate "Get Your Roses Ready for the Season"

On Thursday, May 16, at 5:30 pm, volunteers will demonstrate "Dividing Perennials".

Presentations will last approximately 30 minutes followed by a question and answer session.

Master Gardeners are volunteers of the University of Illinois Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit. The demonstration will be in the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens located on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in front of Building #30. Program is free and open to the public.

Rain Barrel Program

One way to reduce outdoor water usage and conserve water is to collect rainwater. A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater. A typical 1/2 inch rainfall will fill a 55 gallon barrel. It is estimated that a 55 gallon rain barrel can save about 1,300 gallons of water during the summer. The water can then be used during dry periods to water plants.

The University of Illinois Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit will offer two presentations on "The Use of Rain Barrels." Presentations will be offered on Thursday, April 25, and repeated on Wednesday, May 8, from 6 - 7pm at the U of I Extension building located at 700 South Airport Drive, Springfield, IL [next to the Springfield airport]. Register to attend a Rain Barrel presentation and order a rain barrel, by visiting the Unit's website at web.extension.illinois.edu/lms or call (217) 782-4617.

Selection of rain barrel can be made at time of ordering. These 55 gallon food quality high density poly ethylene barrels are available in blue, gray, terracotta and black. Barrels must be selected and paid for five days before the presentation you attend.

CWLP customers may be eligible for a $25 rebate if they are among the first 250 CWLP customers to purchase a rain barrel from any source after April 1, 2013. CWLP rebate terms and conditions are available through CWLP's Energy Services Office, visit www.cwlp.com

Blossom Time Hikes

Learn more about Lincoln Memorial Garden's spring wildflowers by joining a blossom time hike on Sunday, April 14, 21 and 28. Hikes begin at 2 pm at the Nature Center. For more information visit Lincoln Memorial Garden website at

http://www.lincolnmemorialgarden.org/index.html

Bird Hikes

Kevin Veara will lead morning bird hikes on Saturday mornings, April 20 and 27, May 4 and 11. Hikes will begin at 8 am at the Lincoln Memorial Garden Nature Center.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) webinar will be offered during Mondays in April, beginning April 8, through April 29, from 6-8 p.m. The webinar is designed to provide information to growers on how to keep produce safe- from production to the market. The past few years we've all seen and heard about examples of where food has been contaminated and the result has been catastrophic. Infection with E coli and other organisms has made headlines with cantaloupe, lettuce, beef and other foods. GAP's training discusses methodologies to reduce potential contamination. Topics of this webinar will include: What is GAP's; Water quality and testing; Soil management; Record keeping; Traceback, etc.

Each registered participant will receive GAPs manual and related handouts. There is a $20 fee per participant and pre-registration along with pre-payment is required by April 1, 2013 so that your handouts can be shipped out. Please register online at web.extension.illinois.edu/gkw For more information contact University of Illinois Extension, Kankakee County at 815-933-8337.

Lincoln Land Community College Community Learning- Harry Lewis

As part of LLCC Community Learning, Harry Lewis, Illinois Executive Mansion Gardener will offer two workshops. To register for these workshops call 217-786-2292 or register online at www.llcc.edu/commed.

Perennials, Shrubs and Bushes, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., fee is $70.

Thrillers, Fillers & Spillers, Flowering Annuals for Every Location, May 9, 6 to 9 p.m., fee is $49.

Calendar

EDU- Education

VOL- Volunteer

Unless otherwise noted, all meeting locations are U of I Extension Building, 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield

April 2- Executive Mansion Vegetable garden committee, 10 am (VOL)

April 2- Ornamental Grasses and Blackberries demonstration, 10 am at Bill Budd's (EDU)

April 2- Grapes and Bees demonstration, 1 pm at Bill Budd's (EDU)

April 3- Grapevine pruning demonstration, Noon, demon gardens fairgrounds (EDU)

April 4- Dana Thomas house committee, 12:30 pm, Dana Thomas house (VOL)

April 4- Beekeeping series begins, (classes are full) (VOL and EDU)

April 8- Perennial Garden Committee meeting, 8 am (VOL)

April 8- Small Fruits Demonstration committee, 1 pm (VOL)

April 9- Herb Committee meeting, 8:30 am (VOL)

April 9- Spruce Problems Hort telenet, 1 pm (EDU)

April 9- Vegetable Demonstration garden, 4 pm (VOL)

April 10- Bonsai Workshop, 6 pm (EDU)

April 11- Spruce Problems Hort telenet, 7 pm (EDU)

April 15- Master Gardener advisory meeting, 9 am (VOL)

April 15- Historic garden committee meeting, 10:30 am (VOL)

April 15- Executive Mansion Vegetable garden committee, 1 pm (VOL)

April 16- Children's Garden meeting, at Henson Robinson Zoo, 2 pm (VOL)

April 16- Salad Table demonstration, 6 pm (EDU)

April 18- Getting Your Roses Ready for the Season, 5:30 pm, Perennial demo garden (EDU)

April 18- Identification garden committee meeting, 6 pm (VOL)

April 23- Ostermeier Prairie Garden committee, 1 pm (VOL)

April 23- Pollinators and Insecticides Hort telenet, 1 pm (EDU)

April 25- Rain Barrel program, 6 pm (EDU)

April 25- Pollinators and Insecticides Hort telenet, 7 pm (EDU)