Home & Garden A Marketing Supplement of Sauk Valley Media
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Spring to-do list
What to plant and when? Area greenhouses and gardeners can help BY CASSANDRA ZIMMERMAN Special to Home & Garden
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s winter turns to spring, the Sauk Valley has even seen some April snow, making gardeners ponder, “When should I begin planting?� But, according to Connie Selmi, “While winter may have been harsh, that does not mean spring is off any more than usual.� Connie – who owns Selmi’s Greenhouse, Farm and Pumpkin Patch with her husband, Frank – knows that spring can be unpredictable, creating issues for those who plant. A family-owned business founded in 1945, Selmi’s is a go-to source for any garden needs. It also is the provider of the flowers seen around Rock Falls.
For those wishing to deepen their knowledge of plants and gardening tips helpful for planting in Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties, the Illinois Extension Master Gardeners can help. Programs are available to learn about gardening and the ways to improve growth and production. Programs can teach gardeners and landscapers tools for pest control, the basics of gardening, and ways to create the perfect garden on a limited budget. For landscaping, the Homeowners Column, written by the Illinois Extension office of Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermillion counties, can help gardeners recognize issues in their own yards, including the impact of microclimates on plants.
Ready, Set, Grow BY CASSANDRA ZIMMERMAN Special to Home & Garden
As spring turns to summer, residents of the Sauk Valley begin to look toward warm weather, and outdoor activities. For many, this includes the creation of their gardens. The weekend of March 15 brought many gardening enthusiasts to Sauk Valley Community College for the annual Ready, Set, Grow program sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension Office. The event is a collaborative effort supported by the Master Gardeners of the Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, and Carroll counties. Master Gardeners are local volunteers who have been trained intensively by the University of Illinois Extension in horticul-
Tilling soil, rather than digging, creates a better soil base for plants to grow, and is easier on the body. When choosing plants, Selmi suggests buying plants from a climate similar to the one the plant will be grown in, as the plant will already be accustomed to the weather of northern Illinois. Also, become educated about the areas in which the plants will be grown. Soil type, sun exposure, and climate are the most important factors when beginning to plant in early May. It might be helpful to map out the desired areas around your home, and bring the map when choosing plants and flowers, Selmi said. GARDENING CONTINUED ON C3
Time to get excited about gardening
ture. The Master Gardeners then share their knowledge with others by volunteering at Extension programs. For those interested, the Extension has added a fall training session from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays from Sept. 5 through Nov. 21. Considered a success, the program had 125 local gardeners register, a significant increase from 92 in 2013. “We want to get attendees excited for spring and gardening,� program coordinator Lisa Valle said. “Whether people are new to gardening or consider themselves experts, there is something for everyone to come and learn.� READY, SET, GROW CONTINUED ON C4
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
James Fifielski, from the Palmyra Greenhouse, talks to a visitor about the plants he offers during the Ready, Set, Grow event March 15 at Sauk Valley Community College.
Whip everything into shape from the grill to the gutters BY LUCINDA HALL Special to Home & Garden
It’s spring, but just in case everything isn’t coming up roses, three area experts have tips to help turn your winter grime to shine. Brian Grummert, manager of Grummerts Do It Best Hardware stores in Sterling and Rock Falls; Rich Kelly, owner and manager of Ace Hardware in Dixon; and Scott Penning, manager of Sterling Menards, offered up their best spring home maintenance checklist. It’s time to haul out the grill, but before barbecuing that first burger, give your grill a fitness test. For propane gas grills, check the burners to make certain there are no clogs, insects or spiders that may have taken up residence over the winter. The burners, grill interior and grill pan should be thoroughly cleaned. Once cleaned, light the burners and observe to make certain there are no holes or rusting and they are burning evenly. Grill replacement parts are available at Grummerts, Ace and Menards, with staff to answer your questions on installation. As for propane, if the tank was stored over the winter and is in good condition, the propane will be fine and is safe to use. Both Menards and Ace offer propane filling services that can save money over pre-filled tanks. Menards also has the capability to fill larger propane tanks, such as those used in recreational vehicles for hot water and cooking. CHECKLIST CONTINUED ON C5
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