COMMENTS FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

SPRING!Ý FINALLY, itís here!Ý Every morning I walk through my garden in wonder.Ý Look at that hyacinth Ö I donít remember planting that in that location.Ý Look at those new leaves popping up Ö what in the world is that?Ý As you can see, I am the worldís worst when it comes to keeping a garden journal or landscape plan.Ý I always have good intentions, but, alas, I always seem to put off writing anything down until it is too late.Ý Oh, well, there is always next year.Ý In the meantime, I will continue to wander my garden and just enjoy!

As I write this, our fiscal year is coming to a close Ö. another fun and very busy year coming to an end.ÝÝ Also coming to an end is my term as president.Ý The last two years have been very interesting for me.Ý When I signed up to take the Master Gardener class I didnít have a clue about what came after.Ý I just wanted to learn! Little did I know that I would join this wonderful organization and one day end up as president Ö not me, I donít get up in front of people and talk ... no way!Ý I know you wonít believe it, but I used to be a very shy and retiring person Ö go ahead, have a good laugh, but it is true!Ý Being in the Master Gardeners and serving as president have really done a lot for me (as most of you will testify when you hear me bang the gavel at our meetings).Ý

As our new Master Gardener coordinator, Denyse Cummins, pointed out to me, the Master Gardener class is provided to develop leaders and skills to better serve our community.Ý I have tried really hard to do my best for our group and fulfill what I consider a big responsi-bility.Ý Without the support and efforts of the other officers, the standing committee chairpersons, and the many willing Master Gardener members, I could not have done my job.Ý We have been very lucky over the past two years.Ý There has always been someone ready to step up and get the job done. It always takes a team effort to accomplish something worthwhile, and I think we have a pretty great team! I want to thank each and every one of you for making my term as president easier in so many ways.

Not long after you read this, we will have our May General Meeting.Ý At that time you will be presented with a new slate of officers and four new board members to consider for next year.Ý Accepting an officer or board position is a big responsibility and a lot of hard work, but so rewarding!Ý Please consider this slate of officers and prospective board members carefully.Ý These will be the people who will lead our group over the next year.Ý A vote will be taken at the June meeting.Ý It is my hope that you will support our new officers and help them in any way that you can.Ý Continue to be the avid gardeners that you are and spread your enthusiasm for gardening to all who will listen!

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ-- Glenda Collums

LE TOUR DES JARDINS

STORY OF LE TOUR

The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Association is very proud to be holding our fifth annual Le Tour des Jardins.Ý Our initial garden tour, held in May 1999, was the brainchild of our first Master Gardener graduating class.Ý The concept was that it would provide an excellent way to support one of the objectives of the Association: to develop and enhance community programs related to horticulture through public events. The tour is also the primary fundraiser for the Association, for all proceeds from the ticket sales and the plant sale benefit its programs and projects.

By opening up private gardens to the public, the Association is able to display different gardening styles in a variety of settings to the public.Ý These gardens are examples of what each visitor can do in similar settings. Master Gardeners who serve as garden guides can answer questions posed by the public about the garden.Ý Thus the Association has an excellent forum for sharing our horticulture knowledge with the public.Ý Hopefully, our enthusiasm about gardening further stimulates the love of gardening in those taking the tour.Ý We have learned from our past tours, however, that many, if not all, of those taking the tour already love gardening and willingly share their experiences with us.Ý To that end, we stimulate each other.Ý

Like most things, Le Tour des Jardins improves with age.Ý This year each of the five garden locations is unique.Ý They are so varied that it would be difficult not to see one that suits each gardenerís personal style and environment.Ý In addition to the great gardens, each location offers its own special form of lagniappe.Ý The Plant and Garden Bazaar, the Master Gardeners Heirloom and Passalong Plant sale and guest speaker Norman Winter, extension horticulturist in Mississippi will be at the gardens of the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum.Ý Members of a local watercolor society will be capturing images of Aysen Gillespieís garden on canvas.Ý Teddy Allen, Times columnist and self-proclaimed novice gardener, will be on hand at Brenda and John Johnsonís garden.Ý Celia Jones of Sisterís Bulb Farm will be giving a presentation on native plants at Deborah and Houston Bosleyís garden.Ý And a hospitality area will be set up at Sabra and Randal Scogginís garden.

The outstanding response to Le Tour des Jardins each year has certainly been an indication that this is something that was long overdue in our area.Ý It has obviously filled a gap in our garden-loving community.Ý

Additional information about Le Tour des Jardins and the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Association is available at our website www.nwlamg.org.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ --Ý Dolly Moncrief

RESOURCES

GARDENING ON THE WEB

A person could spend hours bouncing around the web (yes, itís called surfing, but surfing implies speed and smoothness, and thatís hardly ever the case) hunting gardening advice or something on the care of a specific plant. The sites listed below are good ones, and the first four are specific to Louisiana and Texas.

www.Louisianalawnandgarden.org ñ horticultural information from the state Cooperative Extension Service. Offers monthly features and news articles. Tips for gardeners, arranged by month. Links to other state sites.

www.agctr.lsu.edu ñ maintained by LSUís Agriculture Center. Articles on garden conferences, information on the Agriculture Centerís print publications, order forms, Louisiana-specific information. Newsletter of horti-cultural hints can be downloaded.

www.louisianagardenclubs.org ñ maintained by the Louisiana Garden Club Federation. Organizations and their activities, such as the Cleanest City Contest. Information on native plants, birds and butterflies.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu Ý ñ sponsored by Texas A&M Horticulture program.Ý Gobs of information and a good search engine. Sections on wildflowers, orna-mentals, East Texas gardening, lists of journals, magazines and horticultural organizations. Links to horticultural websites at other universities.

www.gardenweb.com ñ plant database, directory of plant societies and garden clubs, seed and plant exchanges, a list of online garden forums (on roses, bulbs, cacti, gourds, moss, and lawnmowers,Ý among others). (Technically, this is a commercial site, sponsored by Fine Garden Products of Atlanta, Ga., but theyíre very coy about it and donít hit you on the head with a sales pitch.)

http://garden-gate.prairienet.orgÝ ñ information, databases, discussion groups, links to shopping. Fact sheets on plants. ìSun Roomî area is devoted to house plants. Links to sites devoted to specific plants (African violets, bromeliads, orchids, tropicals and others). This site is apparently a labor of love by one Karen Fletcher.

www.themastergardenershow.com ñ calls itself the most extensive website dedicated to gardening, landscaping, agricultural and horticultural information. Links to articles on composting, lawn tips, mulch information, Lyme disease, noxious weeds, pruning, roses, shrubs, trees, vegetables. Type in your zip code, and it will tell you what the weather will be.

www.bulb.com --Ý gorgeous photos, information on bulbs. Links to frequently asked questions, ìWhen to Plant Where You Live,î and ìGoing to Hollandî (be there on May 5, it says). Site is maintained by the U.S. Netherlands Flower and Bulb Information Center.

www.allaboutlawns.com ñ information on watering, aerating, mowing, fertilizing, planting, thatch, weeds, pests, pets, repair, tools. Very little advertising.

These are three of the many commercial sites:

www.waysidegardens.com ñ catalog of plants for sale

www.garden.com ñ a commercial site sponsored by Burpee; information available through its search engine

www.marthastewart.com ñ Mostly Martha wants to sell us stuff, but you CAN get to an encyclopedia of plants and lots of advice.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ -- Sara Burroughs

MG ACTIVITIES

Ý2004 CALENDAR

Information and ideas are now being compiled for the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener 2004 calendar.Ý Our 2003 calendar was very well received, and I can only see 2004 being even better!Ý

The calendar committee plans to feature a flower or plant each month with care and planting directions.Ý Do you have a favorite plant or flower that you would like featured?Ý Things to do each month will be included, as well as special events to look for.Ý The committee is open to any suggestions you might have to improve the calendar.

One feature we would like to include is the old-fashioned names of the plants or flowers selected Ö my grandmother used to call zinnias Old Maids and chrysanthemums, Octobers.Ý I know there are some of you that have old southern names for plants that have been passed down from generation to generation.Ý Please share! Garden-related events are also a must.Ý If you are aware of specific dates for any events, even if it is only the month that it will take place, send it to us.

You may send suggestions or information to Glenda Collums, 404 Summit, Minden, LA 71055, or email gjc4750@bigfoot.com, or to Karen Pitts, 342 Merritt Rd., Benton, LA 71006, or email, tuffenufchuck @aol.com.Ý Please help us to make this calendar special!

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ -- Glenda Collums

GREEN THINGS

PLANTING ASPARAGUS

A properly cared for bed of asparagus can be a source of joy and tasty meals for many years. While a good-sized bed can be an effort to plant, requiring quite a bit of digging, lots of manure and compost and patience, it's an investment that really pays off, especially if you start with two-year-old crowns and practice a bit of restraint and judicious harvesting over the first couple of years. The great thing about this vegetable is that, if you plant it right, you only have to do it once; asparagus is a reliable perennial that will be productive for 15 years or more if given proper care.

The first thing you need to know is how much to plant. The rule of thumb to follow is that it takes about 10 to 15 plants per person to produce enough asparagus over the course of its short growing season. When you plant it depends on where you live. In the South, you plant it in the fall; in the North, spring planting is preferred. Once you have determined the number of plants you need, it is important to purchase crowns that are healthy, with roots that are fresh and full of moisture. A crown is the root system of a one-year-old asparagus plant that is grown from seed. Avoid those that are dry and shriveled.

There are male and female asparagus plants. I prefer the new all-male hybrid asparagus varieties such as Jersey Giant, Jersey Prince and Jersey Knight. These varieties produce spears only on male plants. Female plants expend more energy to produce seeds, resulting in lower yields. The seeds can also become a seedling weed problem in the garden.

When you plant your bed, you will be wise to make sure the soil is right from the beginning. Because the plants will produce for years, work in plenty of well composted manure. Then dig a trench long enough to space your plants approximately 18 inches apart and 6 inches deep. Place your crowns in the trench, and then simply cover them up with soil and water them in. Take care

to not compact the soil over the newly filled trench, or the growth of the asparagus will be hindered.

Since asparagus is a heavy feeder, the manure gives it a good start, but I also fertilize a couple of times a year and, of course, keep the weeds down. And as tempting as it may be, it's best not to harvest the asparagus during the planting year.

Asparagus is a true teacher of patience, since it takes almost three years to get it started. But once itís off and running, it will produce for years to come.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ-- Joseph Pedro

MULCHING THE HOME

VEGETABLE GARDEN

ÝThe soil has finally warmed enough to allow all of us to begin planting our warm season crops. In planning our garden, the benefits of mulching are often overlooked. I have experimented with many mulches over the years and have found straw hay or bedding hay to be the most beneficial. It is readily available and affordable, and one bale will cover approximately 400 square. feet. Feed hays should not be utilized.

The first vegetables we plant as a warm season crop will be everyoneís favorite, the tomato, followed by peppers and eggplants. Mulching is not warranted at the time of planting as we need to allow the soil to warm further and the new transplants to gain a size that will allow

mulching.Ý Generally, mulching should take place in mid May, depending on weather and soil conditions. I always time mine with the first side dressing of my plants. This way I can add fertilizer or compost and cultivate the soil around each plant as I mulch. The mulch barrier will prevent further soil compaction caused by heavy rains. Remember not to cultivate too deep. If you utilize soaker hoses or other deep watering methods, and you should, now is the time to install them before you mulch. My soaker hoses hang out the end of the garden where I can easily attach a hose when I water.

The mulch should be applied in a heavy layer 6-10 inches thick. If done properly in a raised bed or small garden, the entire surface area will be covered.Ý I am often asked whether the seed in the straw sprouts and takes over the garden. I have found that occasionally some seeds will sprout after periods of heavy rain, but never establish themselves because the mulch itself creates an environment of low light at the soil level. Any green sprouts left are tilled under as a green manure at the end of the growing season.

I have derived many benefits from mulching: additional light transmission to the plants because of the light reflective color of the straw, prevention of soil-borne diseases, conservation of moisture during periods of little or no rain, addition of organic material to the soil after the growing season.and reduction of soil temperature during hot weather. Beneficial toads use the mulch as habitat.

Sure, it is an additional step in the gardening process and a little work initially, but your effort will be rewarded with no weeding whatsoever, less watering, increased yields, and esthetic effect. Remember , water in the mornings; one or two inches a week is all that is needed depending on conditions, and never spray while bees are active. They are the gardenerís best friend.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ -- John Worthey

Ý Resurgent May, softness with energy,

Ý Warmth after cold, reunion after loss.

Ý It is a columbarium full of doves,

Ý A susurration of the living leaves.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ -- V. Sackville-West, The Garden

ANTIQUE FLOWERS MAKE

GOOD SCENTS

When I step into the garden at the end of a summer day, the aroma of the old-fashioned nicotiana transports me back to the happy hours I spent with my mother walking the flower-lined paths of her garden. The scent fills the twilight air with a haunting perfume that has memories wound about it, like ribbons binding me to the past.Ý It is no wonder that growing antique flowers is one of my favorite garden activities.

Anyone who grows old roses knows there is more to these plants than meets the eye. Their scent far surpasses that of the hybrids in most gardens today, and an added blessing is that they are hardier and more disease-resistant than hybrids. And many of the old garden flowers self-sow more easily and abundantly than do todayís plants.

Unfortunately, it is not often one finds a variety of these antique flowers in garden shops. I get most of mine from the pass-along method and from seed catalogs that specialize in them, such as Select Seeds: Antique Flowers (Stickney Hill Road, Union CT 06076). It not only offers many old flower seeds and plants but also gives directions on growing from seeds and grouping flowers. Here are some scented white annuals to try: jasmine tobacco, moonflower, evening-scented phlox, sweet alyssum, white cosmos and pearly gates morning glory.

One season I planted white hyacinth vine, celosia, balcony petunia, white nicotiana, pearly gates morning glory, ragged robin and larkspur. Almost all these plants germinated, so there were lots of plants for my own garden and many extra to pass along to friends.

It is fun to discover the pleasure of a garden richly scented by old-fashioned flowers. When I am coming home from work on a summer evening, the scent and beauty of these blossoms calm jangled nerves and restore peace and tranquility to my being. This is quite a bonus from several packets of seed and a few hours working in the garden.

ÝÝ ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ-- Arline Stotko

OUT AND ABOUT

THE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS OFÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ SINGAPORE

Just days before the SARS outbreak in Asia, my husband and I visited Singapore.Ý Of all the excitement of that exotic city/state and its 4 million people, the highlight of our trip was a visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Singapore is very close to the Equator, so it has a tropi-cal climate, hot and humid.Ý But what better place to be when visiting tropical plants than in a tropical climate?

ÝThe designers of the garden played up the contrasts of texture and color in their plantings.Ý The entrance was flanked with palms and crotons.Ý Once inside, I looked up in the tree and saw the largest bird nest fern I had ever seen, about 12 feet in diameter.

The paths led us by small water gardens teeming with water lilies that beckoned us to pause and admire them.Ý A Rose of Venezuela tree with a beautiful coral blossom, about 30 feet in diameter, was pruned to canopy over a bench that overlooked one of the larger ponds.

On our way to the ginger garden we meandered down some secret paths that paralleled the large pond.Ý As we walked down about 10 feet, the air was noticeably cooler because of the canopy shade.Ý We could see the three distinct layers of the rain forestócanopy, middle and forest floor.Ý As we turned the corner to walk back up toward the main path, a HUGE spider was blocking the path with his web, which was beautifully back-lit by the sun. The spider measured about five inches across and was surgically removing a leaf that had been caught in its web.Ý We carefully stepped under the web and con-tinued. The ginger garden has hundreds of species of ginger, attractively arranged.Ý It was really interesting to see all the plants that are termed gingers.

After passing under a waterfall by the gift shop, we rounded the corner to enter the orchid garden.Ý It houses over 700 species and 3,000 hybrids of orchids, most of them in a natural habitat.Ý One addition due to open soon was the ìCool House,î which will mimic the cool climate of higher elevation tropics.

Located in the orchid garden is also a bromeliad collection with over 300 species and 500 hybrids of exotic plants from Central and South America. I wish I could describe and replicate the sounds, smells and sights of that beautiful garden.Ý It was truly a pleasure.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ -- Kathy Ross

BOOK REVIEW

The Critter Control Handbook, by Dan Hershey. Voyageur Press, 2002.

If you have bats in your belfrey, opossums in the outhouse or pigeons on the patio, Hershey (ìthe critter manî) has a solution for you. Chapter 1 helps you figure out just what nuisance you have from its sound, droppings, methods and marks, odor, diet and tracks (canít see the tracks? Sprinkle flour on its route to make them visible).

Sensibly, he first suggests deterrents, such as fencing, dogs, tree wrapping and chimney caps. If those donít work, he moves on to repellants ñ chemical, mechanical and natural ñ and then to nonlethal and lethal solutions. The handiest part of his book is likely to be the animal repellant guide in chapter 5, in which he lists the three kinds of repellants for 23 kinds of pests, from bats to woodpeckers. We all knew that deer are repelled by human hair, but I didnít know that a rag soaked with fox urine will drive off squirrels (or that fox urine is available where hunting equipment is sold).

Another handy list is best baits for the same beasties; raccoons like cat food, skunks want marshmallows, and field mice go for peanut butter. The wide margins have photographs and quick tips; for example, ultrasonic devices work on bats but not on squirrels and birds. Want to capture a snake? Use an oar with a V cut out of the end. The last chapter supplies plans and directions for several nonlethal traps, including one made from a garbage can.

Hershey includes a list of 17 helpful websites, both commercial and educational. This book is available from Shreve Memorial Library.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ -- Sara Burroughs

The Seedling

Newsletter of the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners Association