December 2004

Edible

As you page through garden catalogs this winter, consider the 2004 All – America Selection Vegetable Award Winners for next year’s garden. The All-America Selections organization was formed to promote new garden seed varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America. The 2004 winners were Melon F1 'Amy ', Winter Squash F1 'Sunshine' and Watermelon F1 'Sweet Beauty'. These varieties and 35 past AAS vegetable and flower award winners can be seen growing in the only AAS Display Garden in Chicago at the University of Illinois Extension at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3807 West 111th Street.

Watch out for Indianmeal moths in your kitchen. They are brought into the home in cereals and grains used during the holiday cooking season. They can also be found in dry pet food and birdseed. The grayish moths are 3/8 inches long with brownish – gray wings. Adult moths will lay eggs and tiny whitish larva with dark heads will feed on grains and cereals. Check foods for larvae and place all larvae-free foods in insect-proof plastic containers or glass jars. Vacuum and wash food storage shelves with soapy water.

Last call for the Chicago Master Gardener training classes at Garfield Park Conservatory from January 24 through April 11. Classes to be taught by University of Illinois horticulturists include: botany, soils, woody ornamentals, vegetables, annuals and perennials, fruits, insects, turf, plant pathology, organic gardening, using herbs from the garden and IPM/pesticide safety. Cost for 11 classes is $225.00. Call 773-768-7779 or apply online at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/mgchicago/index.html.

Ornamental

Cut your own tree at a local Christmas tree farm. For a free listing of local farms call 773-768-7779 or check out the web site Christmas Trees and More.

Keep the water level in your tree stand above the cut end of the trunk. Initially a tree can take in two quarts of water per day. If you allow the cut end to dry out, resin will form and the tree will stop absorbing water. Do not add aspirin, sugar or other additives to the water. Research has shown that plain water is best for the tree.

Keep your Christmas poinsettia healthy and attractive during the holiday season.

• After purchasing your poinsettia, make sure it is wrapped properly because exposure to cold temperatures for even a few minutes can damage the plant.
• Unwrap the poinsettia carefully and place it ideally where it will get six hours of bright light each day. Placing it in lower light areas will cause the poinsettia to deteriorate faster.
• Keep the poinsettia away from warm or cold drafts from radiators, air registers or open doors and windows.
• Ideally poinsettias need daytime temperatures of 60 to 70°F and nighttime temperatures no less than 55°F. High temperatures will shorten the plants life.
• Check the soil daily. Water when the soil is dry. Punch holes in the foil, so water can drain into a saucer. Discard excess water from the saucer.
• Fertilize the poinsettia if you keep it past the holiday season. Apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month.
• Getting a poinsettia to reflower is not an easy task, but with a lot of patience and care it can be done.