Many local resources available to help new gardeners
Q. I am a relatively new gardener. Are there groups or clubs you can recommend to learn more about gardening?
A. Gardening has grown in popularity in recent years and now is said to be the most popular leisure time activity. Because of the popularity of gardening, there are increasing numbers of opportunities to learn about cultivating plants.
• University of Illinois Extension Website: Visit the "Hort Corner" at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu for information on many gardening topics. As you become an experienced gardener, you might be interested in becoming a Master Gardener. Go to web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/ for more information on the Master Gardening Program.
• Local county extension office: Go to web.extension.illinois.edu/state/ and click on the offices tab at the top or your location on the map to the right. Once on the local extension office website, under "Upcoming Events" go to "Full Event Calendar" to find out about upcoming gardening programs in your area. The Univeristy of Illinois Extension Cook County website is <URL destination="http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cook/">web.extension.illinois.edu/cook.
• Local garden clubs: Many communities have local garden clubs with regular meetings. Check with your village hall to find out what is available in your community.
• Local garden centers: Many garden centers have newsletters, as well as regularly scheduled free seminars on weekends.
• Community colleges and high school district community continuing education: Many community colleges have horticulture programs. They offer introductory courses helpful to the new gardener. Some colleges and high school districts also offer continuing education courses of interest to gardeners in the community.
• The Morton Arboretum and The Chicago Botanic Garden: Both organizations have education programs for the public. You can contact the Morton Arboretum at www.mortonarb.com or (630) 968-0074 and The Chicago Botanic Garden at www.chicagobotanic.org or (847) 835-5440.
• Magazines: Many fine gardening magazines are available at newsstands. Chicagoland Gardening is specifically designed for our area. For more information, go to www.chicagolandgardening.com or call (630) 963-8084.
• Online University of Illinois Extension newsletter about garden problem management: hyg.ipm.illinois.edu.
Q. We have a supply of wood ashes from our fireplace that we would like to incorporate into our garden soil. Is this OK to do?
A. Ashes from your fireplace or wood stove can be beneficial to soils in home gardens and plant beds, but they must be properly applied. Wood ash contains potassium, which can be a good natural fertilizer.
However, depending on the species of wood, wood ash can contain anywhere from 3 to 10 percent potassium; hardwood ash contains more potassium than those from softwood. When water comes in contact with the wood ashes, it forms potassium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide is highly alkaline and can rapidly raise soil pH.
Before applying wood ashes, have your soil tested to determine its pH. You should not apply wood ash if you have a high pH soil (over 6.5).
When adding wood ashes, there are several guidelines you should follow:
• After applying wood ashes, do not apply any additional lime to the soil. Like wood ash, lime increases the pH of the soil.
• Apply ashes evenly and mix them into the soil. Don't leave ashes in lumps or piles on the soil surface.
• Do not let wood ashes come in contact with germinating seedlings or plant roots, which could result in root damage.
• If ashes settle on any foliage, thoroughly rinse plants after applying ashes. Ashes can burn foliage.
• Don't use wood ashes around acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons and blueberries.
• Do not use charcoal grill ashes due to the chemicals used.
• Provided by Mary Boldan. Master Gardener Answer Desk, located at Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin, Des Plaines, is open 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. Call (847) 298-3502 or email Cookcountymg.com@gmail.com.