News

Dick Lewis Memorial Award

Barb Hedden of Springfield was recently awarded the "Dick Lewis Memorial Award" for the University of Illinois Extension Sangamon and Menard counties Outstanding Master Gardener of the Year.

The Dick Lewis Memorial Award is awarded to a Master Gardener with three or more years of outstanding service to the Master Gardener program.

Barb Hedden completed the Master Gardener training in 2007, since then she has volunteered 612 hours. Barb received the State Outstanding Master Gardener award in 2010.

To see the full article about Barb's accomplishments see the Menard-Sangamon newsletter.

Master Gardener volunteer reporting

Thank you for reporting your 2011 hours. 122 Sangamon and Menard county Master Gardeners volunteered 6,850 hours of service to the program. This year 31 new trainees are attending Master Gardener training classes. We hope to have the 2011 activities archived and new activities listed by January 31.

Paperwork

Deadline for submitting CANTS, DCFS, agreement form and roster update is extended to January 30. Volunteers who have not submitted paperwork after this date will not be permitted to volunteer until we have received the paperwork. Forms were e-mailed in early January.

Master Gardener Apparel items for sale

A fellow Master Gardener has MG ladies gently worn apparel items to sell. M quarter zip ladies gray sweatshirt $20 (New); X-Large navy polo shirt $10, X-Large black quarter zip sweatshirt $20 and a new X-Large light blue tank top $5. Call the Extension office for more information.

Shed Sale 2012

As you clean out the garage/basement/wherever for your fall cleaning don't forget the Shed Sale. Anything garden related or with a garden related theme or motif is acceptable. Start a box of items now so that you will have something ready to donate when the time comes.

We would prefer to start accepting donations in May, but if you can't wait to get rid of your items, drop them off at the Extension office. Share the word with friends and neighbors, we will take donations from anyone.

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

Garden Shed Sale Committee Planning Meeting

Co-chairs: Deb Finney, Barb Hedden and Diana Hetherington

The next planning meeting will be held Wednesday, March 7, 1:30 pm.

Illinois Presbyterian Home Garden

Illinois Presbyterian Home (Fair Hills) located at the corner of Chatham Rd and Lawrence, Springfield. Volunteers are needed to assist with: garden coordinator, planting day leader, resource leader, volunteer/resident liaison, and fundraiser/PR leader. If you would like to help with this project contact Lin V.

Executive Mansion Vegetable Garden

Sangamon-Menard Master Gardeners are assisting 12 youth (grade K-5^th) from Graham Elementary 21^st century program in growing a vegetable garden at the Illinois Executive Mansion. Master Gardener volunteers are meeting weekly with youth to plant and care for the garden. If you are interested in volunteering for this committee in 2012 contact Denise B.

Master Gardener Help Desk

The Master Gardener desk will be open 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Desk hours are available Tuesday and Friday for February 17, 21, 24 and 28. Also all days in March are open.

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 have any interest in participating in the program contact Jennifer.

Master Gardener Advisory Committee Meeting

The Sangamon-Menard Master Gardener Advisory Committee next meeting is Monday, February 20, 9am. If you have items you would like discussed please contact a committee member or attend the meeting.

Master Gardener Weekly Volunteer Programs:

St. Joseph's Home Garden Therapy

2012 Chair: Frank T.

Planning meeting for 2012 will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2 pm at St. Joseph Home.

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. Volunteers will meet every Thursday, 2 pm, at St. Joseph Home. If you are interested in volunteering with this group contact Frank T.

Elijah Iles Historic Garden

2012 Chair: Gary L.

Volunteers plan to educate the public about flowers and herbs grown and used in the mid-1800's. Volunteers will research and learn about plants during this time frame. A period garden will educate visitors at Elijah Iles house about gardening in the mid-1800's.

Plant a Row for the Hungry

2011 Chair: Judy T.

Planning meeting for 2012 will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 9 am, Extension Building.

Demonstration Garden Committee Meeting Dates

Herb Garden/Grape Arbor Committee:

Committee chair for 2012: Barb H. and Shirley W.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, February 14, 9 am, U of I Extension building, 700 S. Airport Dr.

Identification Garden Committee:

Committee co-chair for 2012: Jackie P.

Perennial Garden Committee:

Committee co-chairs for 2012: Maria W. and Sharon P.

Next meeting will be Monday, February 13, at 9 am

Compost Committee:

Contact: Bill B.

Vegetable Demonstration Garden

Committee chair for 2012: Gary T.

Educational Opportunities

Save the Date

Mark your calendar for upcoming horticulture programs.

Water Smart Gardening, Tuesday, February 7, 10 am, at the Extension office in Springfield.

Gateway Green Industry Conference & Trade Show, professional education programs, February 21 and 22, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, IL, Sponsored by U of I Extension, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/mms/.

Upper Midwest Master Gardener Conference. Join fellow gardeners for three days of education, collaboration and discovery on July 19-21, 2012 at the UMN Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen, MN.

2012 Illinois Master Gardener conference. McHenry and Lake County Master Gardeners will host the conference on September 6, 7, 8 at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake Conference Center in Crystal Lake, IL.

Master Gardener Training 2012

Mark your calendar, classes are from 9am to 4pm:

January 26, Orientation/ Botany, Springfield

February 2, Soils/ Composting, Springfield

February 9, Insects, Springfield

February 16, Turfgrass, Springfield

February 23, Vegetables, Springfield

March 1, Wildlife Management/ IPM Pesticide Safety, Decatur

March 8, Herbaceous Ornamentals, Decatur

March 15, Plant Pathology, Decatur

March 22, Fruits, Decatur

March 29, Woody Ornamentals, Decatur

April 5, Putting Knowledge to Work, Springfield

Small Farms/ Local Foods Webinars

We'll be offering a number of webinars during the next few months on topics of interest to producers of local foods. These sessions are designed to provide information to help you manage your acreage, on a wide variety of topics. The sessions will be held at the U of I Extension Office in Springfield. All sessions will be offered on Thursdays at 1pm. The sessions are free to the public, but registration is required.

Listed below are the topics and dates for each program:

Pastured Poultry, January 26

GAPS (Good Agricultural Practices)Training, February 2 (MG continuing education)

Soil Fertility, February 9 (MG and MN continuing education)

Raising Sheep and Goats, February 16

Extending the Growing Season, February 23 (MG continuing education)

Are you Farm to School Ready?, March 1

Managing your Woodland, March 8 (Master Naturalist continuing education)

Common Garden Pests, March 15 (MG continuing education)

Companion Planting, March 22 (MG continuing education)

Pasture Management, March 29

To register for each event call 217-782-4617 or online at web.extension.illinois.edu/lms All the programs will be recorded and available for viewing at a later date.

Compost Symposium

9^th Annual Compost Symposium: Composting for a Sustainable Community:

From Backyards to Farms will be held February 15, 2012, Noon – 5 p.m. at Trutter Center, Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, IL. Keynote speaker is Sustainable Community by Bill Wilson of Midwest Permaculture.

Preregistration online is $25 and ends February 1. At the door registration is $30. Register online and learn more at: www.llcc.edu/greencenter or by calling 217-786-2434.

Beginning Beekeeping Program

Explore the fascinating world of honey bees and the steps to becoming a beekeeper at "Introduction to Beekeeping". This four part series will cover all aspects of beginning beekeeping, whether you think you might like to become a beekeeper or would just like to learn more about honey bees. This program is sponsored by Lincoln Land Beekeepers Association and University of Illinois Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon Unit.

Session dates are on Thursdays, February 16 and 23 and March 1 and 15, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Sessions will be held at the University of Illinois Extension Building, 700 S. Airport Drive, Springfield, IL. Registration fee is $25. Class size will be limited. To register or for more information call the Extension office at (217) 782-4617.

Area Gardeners Day

McLean County Master Gardeners Home, Lawn and Garden Day

March 3, 2012, Central Catholic High School, 1201 Airport Road, Bloomington, IL 61704

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners from McLean County invite you to join them at the 2012 Home, Lawn and Garden Day. These volunteers have chosen "10 Years and Still Growing" as their theme in celebration of this event's 10 year anniversary. In keeping with that theme, Shane Cultra will deliver the keynote address, "165 Years and Counting - The Trials and Tribulations of Being a 5th Generation Nurseryman".

Attendees can choose from over 30 workshops on a wide range of gardening topics given by Master Gardeners and other experts in the field. Also included in the $40.00 fee will be lunch, snacks, and shopping at dozens of vendor booths. Registration is now available online at www.mcleanextension.org.

Logan County Gardeners Day

Join the University of Illinois Extension Logan county Master Gardeners for their first Gardeners Day. The event will be held on, Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Lincoln College, Lincoln, IL. Registration starts at 8:00 a.m. with the first seminar at 9:00 a.m. and the event concludes at 12:30 p.m.

Keynote speaker will be Marshall Dirks, director of marketing and public relations of Proven Winners. Dirks combines his horticultural experience and marketing skills to create awareness of the Proven Winners brand, including developing and maintaining a consistent, recognizable image for Proven Winners.

Keynote program will be followed by six one-hour seminars. These seminars will be offered in two sessions by U of I Extension specialist, Master Gardener volunteers and local horticulture experts.

Seminar topics and presenters include:

· Raymond Actis - Lawn Care; Elk's Country Club Golf Course, Lincoln

· Wendell Niepagen – Creating a Rainbow Garden; Wendell Niepagen Gardenhouses, Bloomington,

· Tom Gephart – Orchids; Prairie State Orchid Society, Springfield, IL

· Jennifer Fishburn – Vegetable Gardening; University of Illinois Horticulture Educator Gail Sasse – A Year at the Pumpkin Patch; Gail's Pumpkin Patch, Beason

· Kathy Mundell-Bligh - Water Gardening 101; member of Central Illinois Water Gardeners and University of Illinois McLean County Master Gardener

Pre-registration is highly encouraged. Registration fee is $10 in advance (before March 2) and $12 at the door. To view a brochure and register on-line, visit the Logan-Menard-Sangamon website, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/ . Questions, contact Amy Hyde at (217) 732-8289.

Gardeners Day 2012 (Sangamon and Menard counties)

Join University of Illinois Extension Sangamon and Menard county Master Gardeners for Gardeners Day. The event will be held on St. Patrick's day, Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Cherry Hills Baptist Church, Springfield, IL. Registration starts at 8:00 a.m. with the first seminar at 8:45 a.m. and the event concludes at 12:05 p.m.

Nine one-hour seminars will be offered in three sessions by U of I Extension specialist, Master Gardener volunteers and local horticulture experts.

Seminar topics and presenters include: Native Wildflowers, Bob Naugle, Master Gardener; Growing Gourds, Liz Drake, Gourd Artist; Herbs, Mary Buckles, Prairie Home Herbs; Local Foods, Deborah Cavanuagh-Grant, U of I Extension; Seed Starting, John Hamilton, Maggies Farm; Proper Pruning, Aquilla Books, Books' Garden Center; Yard and Garden Fertility, Dale Ingram, Ingram's Soil Testing; The Buzz about Honeybees, Rich Ramsey, Lincoln Land Beekeepers Association; and Vegetable Gardening, Jennifer Fishburn, U of I Extension.

Pre-registration is highly encouraged. Registration fee is $10 in advance (before March 9) and $12 at the door. To view a brochure and register on-line, visit the Logan-Menard-Sangamon website, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lms/ . Questions call (217) 782-4617.

Flower Show Bus Trip

The University of Illinois Extension Macoupin County Master Gardener program is sponsoring a one day bus trip to the 18th Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier on Friday, March 16. This year's show themed "Hort Couture" will feature 25+ gardens exploring nature's beautiful textures and colors. New plant varieties, tablescapes, Educational Seminars, Garden Gourmet with Chicago Chefs sharing their expertise and a marketplace with more than 100 vendors of gardening, landscape & horticulture products and services.

Cost— $60 per person plus two meals

Registration deadline—March 1.

Bus Leaving Carlinville at 5:00 am—Return 10:00 pm

If there is interest, a stop can be made in Springfield.

Mail check made payable to U of I Extension to: University of Illinois Extension - Macoupin County Branch Office #60 Carlinville Plaza, Carlinville, IL 62626

Questions phone: 217-854-9604

Winter Tree Identification Workshop

Can You Identify Trees By Their Leaves? What About Without Their Leaves?

Identifying Trees in Winter Can Be a Real Challenge.

A winter tree identification workshop will be held on Friday, February 10, 10 am to 3 pm at Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove.

Join Trees Forever, University of Illinois Extension, McLean County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Sugar Grove Nature Center as they team up to host a "Winter Tree Identification Workshop" at Sugar Grove Nature Center in Funks Grove.

This one day workshop is designed to give participants in-depth training and practice identifying trees by their bark and twigs. Class will begin indoors learning basic plant morphology, characteristics, and terminology and studying twig specimens in an interactive format. We will then move outdoors to explore Funks Grove and practice identifying trees by putting your new skills to work!

Fee: $25; includes Winter Tree ID Guide, other valuable resources, lunch & snacks

Counts as Master Gardener/ Master Naturalist continuing education.

Class size is limited and advanced registration and pre-payment are required.

To Register: visit www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org/registernow.pdf to download a registration form or call 309.874.2174 to request a form be mailed to you.

Questions: Contact Paula Wager, Education Coordinator with the McLean County Soil & Water Conservation District, at 309.530.6615 or waarp4@msn.com.

Sugar Grove Nature Center is located in beautiful, historic Funks Grove, just south of Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, off of Old Route 66.

Grafting Workshop

The Fruit Dabblers in conjunction with the University of Illinois Extension Logan-Menard-Sangamon unit will host an Introduction to Grafting Class. The class will be held Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 1 pm at the Extension Office located at 700 South Airport Drive, Springfield, IL. The fee for the session will be $5. Registration in this session is being offered only to active Logan/Menard/Sangamon Master Gardeners, active members in the Fruit Dabblers and active members of the Lincoln Land Bee Keepers Association. To register for the class, please contact the Extension Office at 782-4617. This session will be limited to 30 attendees.

Some of the topics to be discussed along with hands on demonstration of how to perform several of the below types of grafts:

· Reasons for Grafting

· Techniques of grafts (bud graft, whip graft, bench graft, cleft graft, side graft, stub graft)

· Time of year different techniques of grafts can be used.

· What can be grafted and when is the best time to collect scion wood for grafts

· How to prepare and store scion wood for subsequent grafting

· Tools and supplies needed for grafting and where to find them

· Types of root stock

· Where to obtain root stock

· Suggested additional reading/reference material

Grape Vine Pruning Workshop

A Grape Vine Pruning Workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 28, at Hill Prairie Winery in Oakford. Mark Lounsberry will explain and demonstrate how to prune grapes.

Itinerary:

11:00 am Meet at the Extension office to carpool to Hill Prairie

Noon Arrive and eat a box style lunch of sandwich, chips and drink

1:00 pm Grape vine pruning

3:30 pm Arrive back at the Extension office

(unless you are kidnapped and forced to shop in Petersburg)

Cost, which includes lunch, is $10, this is payable at the Winery. Pre-register by calling the Sangamon office at 782-4617. Dress for the weather as we will spend time out in the vineyard trimming grapevines. Every effort will be made to hold the workshop on the date, however, if weather becomes an issue the event will be rescheduled.

Native Wildflowers

Bob Naugle, Master Gardener, will provide a program on Spring Wildflowers on Wednesday, March 21, at 11 am at the Extension Building. He will provide an introduction to woodland and prairie wildflower identification. Bob will also discuss ideas on how to incorporate these plants into your backyard.

Orchids 101

Have you ever wanted to grow orchids but got scared off by their "diva" reputation for high maintenance and their often high price tag? Jennifer Nelson, Horticulture Educator, will present Orchids 101 on Monday, March 26, 2 pm at the Extension office. Learn how to select orchids suitable for the home, and how to keep them alive once you get them there. Cost for the workshop is $5, which includes a phalaenopsis orchid seedling for each participant. Class size is limited to 25 people.

Spring Garden Symposium: Create an Engaging Garden

Saturday, March 24, 2012 8:00am-4:00pm

$65 RBG Friends Members/$75 General Public

Registration Begins: 1/12/12

Registration Deadline: 3/14/2012

Join your fellow plant enthusiasts at Rotary Botanical Gardens, Wisconsin for a jam-packed day of learning and fun! Our stellar line-up of speakers includes:

Tim Gruner, Garden Curator for Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL-ranked the #1 Japanese Garden in North America, will speak on patterns and rhythms in nature that inspire a sense of peace and tranquility.

Evelyn Hadden, a Garden Writer from the Twin Cities, whose book, Beautiful No-Mow Yards, will be published by Timber Press in February, will speak on creating Story Gardens-garden spaces that memorialize a loved one; pass along family/cultural traditions; mark personal journeys; and much more. She will also be available for a book signing that day.

Norm Lownds, Curator for the 4H Children's Garden at Michigan State University in E. Lansing, MI, will remind us of the important garden-child (of all ages) connection and designing with whimsy in all the right places.

Mark Dwyer, Horticulture Director at Rotary Botanical Gardens, will speak on sensory gardens; showcasing plants that engage our five senses to create a more immersive, interactive experience for gardeners, which studies have shown to be of great therapeutic value.

The fee includes a gourmet box lunch, light refreshments throughout the day and all resource materials. We will also be holding both a raffle and silent auction. For the comfort and enjoyment of all attendees, we will be limiting enrollment. Please register early to ensure your spot.

To register, go to www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org, click on the Adult Ed tab and download the printable registration form; or call Kris Koch at 608-752-3885 ext. 17. Email any questions to: kris.koch@rotarygardens.org

Mark your Calendar- Horticulture Telenets

Late winter/early spring

Sustainable Lawn Care, Richard Hentschel

April 10 at 1:00 p.m.

April 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Vegetable Gardening Planning, Jim Schmidt

April 24 at 1:00 p.m.

April 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Bug Invaders of the Foreign Kind, Phil Nixon

May 8 at 1:00 p.m.

May 10 at 7:00 p.m.

A Gardening Calendar, Ron Wolford

May 22 at 1:00 p.m.

May 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Late summer/early fall

Tree Selection and Care – Beyond Ash & Maple, David Robson

August 28 at 1:00 p.m.

August 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Selecting and Planting Spring Blooming Bulbs, Nancy Pollard

September 11 at 1:00 p.m.

September 13 at 7:00 p.m.

Tea Gardens, Rhonda Ferree

September 25 at 1:00 p.m.

September 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Coneflowers gone CRAZY!, Martha Smith

October 9 at 1:00 p.m.

October 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Calender

EDU- Education

VOL- Volunteer

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

January 26- Master Gardener training, Botany (starts about 10:30 am), 9am to 4pm (EDU/VOL)

February 2– Master Gardener training, Soils/ Composting, 9am to 4pm (EDU/ VOL)

February 9- Master Gardener training, Insects, 9am to 4pm (EDU/ VOL)

February 14- Herb garden committee meeting, 9 am (VOL)

February 13– Perennial Garden committee meeting, 9am (VOL)

February 20- Master Gardener advisory committee, 9 am (VOL)

February 25- Grafting Workshop, 1 pm (EDU)

February 28- Grape Vine Pruning, 11 am, Oakford (EDU)

March 7- Garden Shed committee meeting, 1:30 pm (VOL)

March 17- Gardeners Day (Sangamon Co), 8 am to Noon (EDU/ VOL)

March 20- Plant a Row for the Hungry planning meeting, 9 am (VOL)

March 21- Native Wildflowers program, 11 am (EDU)

March 21- Garden Therapy planning meeting, 2 pm, St. Joseph Home (VOL)

March 26- Orchids, 2 pm (EDU)