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[You may be from Ohio if you had to switch from heat to a/c in the same day.]

*Whether it's the weather - Warmer weather moves back into the region, and trust me; flowers are going to start popping so fast your head will be spinning!  They're just poised and ready to go for their spectacular spring show.  That also means time to make sure you have those pre emergent herbicides in place, and as the soil dries, time to get planting those early veggies, early spring color, and if you're ready, all the new trees and shrubs and evergreens and perennials and bare-root fruits and roses and, well, you get the picture! 

By the way, NASA scientists have now declared the year 2005 as the warmest year in over a century.  Previously, the warmest was 1998, thanks to El Nino.  As a matter of fact, the 5 warmest years over the last century occurred in the last eight years, according to NASA GISS.  2005, then 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2004.  Over the past 30 years, the earth has warmed 1.08 degrees F, and by 1.44 degrees F in the past 100 years.

[You may be from Ohio if "toward the lake" means north and "toward the river" means south.]

*What's bugging you? - Still not much to report.  Keep picking off those bagworms, and keep your eyes open for eastern tent caterpillar hatching.  It won't be long now!   And for you Buggy Joe Boggs fans, he will be back within the next 2 newsletters!

[You may be from Ohio if you know what a buckeye really is, and have a recipe for candy ones.]    GO BUCKS!

*Question mark and the Mysterians - Here are a few gardening questions from this weeks emailed news bag:

"I saw an 'old timer' on his tractor rolling his lawn this week.  I know this is rarely an accepted practice anymore for lawn care, but some folks just never change!"   -You're right.  Only in a very, very few cases would rolling a lawn even be suggested, and if so, immediately following the rolling would be a nice core aeration.  Bottom line - don't roll your lawn.

"What is the name of the website from OSU that has all the fruit and vegetable information you keep talking about?"  -It's ohioline.osu.edu - click on Yard and Garden, then go find what you're looking for.  Great information!

"I heard you talking about a great seed mix last month.  What is the best grass seed to use?"   -I'm always promoting the turf type tall fescues, and more specifically 'Titan Limited'.  And it is suggested to use a blend rather than one, so blend about 60-70% Titan to 30-40% of 2-3 other types of tall fescues.  That makes a nice blend.  Is there one "best" type of grass?  I like tall fescue. Many folks still like a bluegrass mix (bluegrass / perennial rye), especially Columbus and further north where it's a little cooler.  Higher maintenance, but they like the look better.  I like the tall fescues.  And then you have those zoysia people, which I totally do not understand that choice, but to each his own.  If you like it, so be it.  So, lovers of all 3 will tell you theirs is the best.  I still like tall fescues - especially Titan Limited.  By the way, technically speaking, a "mix" of grass seed is a combination of 2 or more different types of grasses (ex. mixing bluegrass and perennial rye).  A "blend" of grass seed is a combination of different selections within the same type of grass (ex. blending Titan Limited, Crossfire, and Finelawn fescues).  And if you are over seeding the existing lawn, over seed with the same seed or compatible seed that is already growing there.  Tall fescues are stand alone grasses.

"How close do the male and female hollies need to be for pollination?"   -Within a bee's flying distance, and need to be in flower at the same time.  Rainy and cold weather affects pollination as bees struggle to fly through rain and cold!  Closer the better, but within a neighbor's yard usually works.

"What are the pros and cons of using a rubber mulch?"  -The pro is it doesn't break down.  The con is it doesn't break down.  Used for walkways and paths with landscape fabric underneath  - maybe.  Otherwise, its not on my list of mulch choices.

"How do I get rid of patches of zoysia grass in my lawn?"  -Good question!  Roundup or Bonide's Kleen Up is your best bet, and chances are, it'll take multiple applications to kill it.  Kill back into the existing grass to make sure you get it all.  Problem is, you can't do this until it totally greens up!  So, wait until early August, then kill it out, clean it out, and be ready to seed or sod the area the first of September.

"When should I treat for grubs this spring?"  -You shouldn't!  Forget about the grubs in the ground now.  Treat for grubs late May / early June with a grub preventer.  Spring damages to your lawn is minimal - chances of getting good grub control in the spring is not very good.  Use preventers in early June.

"Here's a tip for groundhog problems.  Throw dog feces in their hole.  The groundhogs hate it and move on."   -I would, too!

[You may be from Ohio if someone says something you don't understand, and you say "Please"?]

This week's Success Tip for you garden - Taters In A Basket

Have you ever tried growing potatoes in tough old clay soil?  The results are usually less than bad.  But here’s the perfect solution for growing great potatoes.  Grow them in a pot.  Now, whether you’ve got clay soil, live in an apartment, or don’t have a garden at all, you can grow potatoes the ole’ yardboy way.  And that’s in a container.    Here’s what you’ll need:

 1.) The container - we like to use bushel baskets.  They breathe well, allow for good drainage, and they look good!  But any container, plastic, wood or clay will work, as long as it has good drainage, and is at least 14-18 inches wide and at least 10 – 12 inches deep.  You can even use chicken wire fencing and create a potato tube to grow them in.

2.) Soil-less potting mix - use the good stuff for better results.  If you have a compost pile, good compost will work too. Finely shredded is best.  Folks have even used straw and ground leaves.

2.A) An all purpose garden food, Osmocote, and or Miracle Gro.

3.) Seed potatoes - these aren’t the ones you buy from the grocery store.  These are found at the garden stores (or feed stores) and are used specifically for growing potatoes. Any variety will work.  We don’t recommend using potatoes from the produce department at the grocery.  Many have been treated with a growth inhibitor to keep them from sprouting.

Fill the bottom of your pot with 2 –3 inches of the soil-less mix (or compost).  Take a large seed potato, or a couple medium sized, cut up into pieces that contain the eyes, and evenly distribute those in the top of the soil-less mix.  I usually plant around 6- 8 -10 pieces with eyes per basket. If you’re not sure about ‘the eyes’, you can plant whole potatoes, or cut them in half and plant the halves .  Plant a bit  heavier than usual when planting in containers.  Cover over with another 3-4 inches of soil-less mix, water in thoroughly, and sit your container in the sun.  Water as needed, thoroughly moistening the soil, then letting it dry, then watering it again.  Once your potatoes start to grow, water as needed.  Again, do not over water.    

Now that your potatoes are growing, you have a couple options: 1.) As the potatoes grow, keep adding your soil-less mix (or compost) to the container, always keeping about 4 inches of foliage showing. Continue this process until the container is filled to within one inch of the top of the basket. Or, 2.) Let the foliage grow until it’s approximately 3-4 inches above the top of the basket, and then fill in around the foliage with your soil-less mix (or compost) until the basket is full of soil. Now you’re all set for growing potatoes!    Let your potatoes grow all summer; remember water when needed, especially during the heat of the summer (again, don’t over-water). Come late summer or fall when the foliage starts to yellow, cut it off, dump out your soil, and you’ll have a basket full of taters!  It’s that easy.  (New potatoes are simply harvested earlier in the season)  Good Luck!

*Feeding your containers can be done by mixing a general garden food in with the soil-less mix which is added to the growing potato plants.  You can also use Osmocote for a slow release season long feeding, supplemented with  Miracle Gro when watering (used every 2-3 weeks early in the season, then monthly through the summer).

[You may be from Ohio if you call it Krogers even though it is Kroger.]

*From the Garden to the Kitchen / Hey Rita, what's cooking? - Yardboy, I wish you could see my cilantro! Last fall, I made plantings of cilantro and dill and the cilantro already needs thinning. That’s a good thing, because cilantro is what makes the Chicken Cheese Quesadilla recipe I’m sharing today so-o-o good.  And you’re doing yourself a favor, too, by including cilantro in your diet. A great source of calcium, cilantro is also a wonderful herb for helping to clean out toxins in the body.  Now I know some of our readers don’t care for the taste of cilantro, so they can leave it out. 

TEN MINUTE CHICKEN & CHEESE  QUESADILLAS
1 can refried beans (opt but good)
Palmful or so of cilantro
2-3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
2 cups Taco blend cheese 
1 bunch green onions, sliced
Diced canned green chilies to taste (2 oz can) or fresh jalapenos, diced or shake of cayenne flakes
1 package flour tortillas
Garnish: Sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc. 

Spread a thin layer of refried beans on a tortilla. Combine everything but garnishes.  Spread mixture on each tortilla to within 1” of edge.  Fold in half to enclose filling, or top with another tortilla.  Heat a 10” skillet and add a bit of olive oil.  Get the olive oil hot and add tortilla.  Cook until golden on each side.  Serve with garnishes. 

Tips from Rita’s Kitchen:

• To make this vegetarian: Make a thicker layer of refried beans. Then sprinkle with the onions and cheese, some finely chopped tofu if you want, and perhaps some chopped tomatoes.  
• Go ahead and use the stems of cilantro (remember, nutrition starts in the root and travels up). Cilantro is one herb that usually has very tender stems.

-Rita Nader Heikenfeld, CCP / Macy’s Regional Culinary Professional / Herbalist / Author / Local TV and Radio Cooking Expert / Adjunct Professor U.C. Clermont College / Community Press Papers / Part time Witchdoctor and maker of strange potions    [life@communitypress.com  attn: Rita or www.abouteating.com]

[You may be from Ohio if you know what "pop" is.]

*Yardboy's plant to ponder - If you like dark foliage colors for your landscape, I've got 2 flowering shrubs for you to ponder.  Weigela 'Wine & Roses' is covered with dark burgundy - purple foliage that helps to show off its rosy pink flowers (late spring / early summer).  This one loves the sun (more sun darker leaves) and grows 4 feet or so in size.  Weigela 'Midnight Wine' is actually a miniature version of 'Wine and Roses', only reaching a mounded 24 inches.  Later on, we'll talk more about other dark leafed plants for you to consider, including  'Black Lace' elderberry, and Ninebark's 'Summer Wine' and 'Diabolo'!

[You may be from Ohio if you measure distance in minutes.]

A little bit of this and a little bit of that - Looks like the Ohio Resource Network for Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities has sent an alert to over 2,000 school, health and youth workers to warn them that there are reports of teens eating morning glory seeds (for an LSD-like high).  Obviously it is legal to purchase the seeds.  Some seeds are treated to cause stomach illness if ingested, but not all are.  So parents, be aware; garden stores, be aware of young adults purchasing multiple packs of morning glory seeds!

SIGN UP FOR THE PREFERRED GARDENER'S SPECIAL EMAIL LIST! - If you belong to Natorp's Preferred Gardener Club, be sure to sign up for our new email list, sent only to Preferred Gardeners.  This will be our way of emailing you about extra specials we'll have at our garden stores, or things that only pertain to you!  Stop by one of our stores, go to our home page, or call (513)398-4769 ext. 220 to sign up.  You will need your Preferred Gardener's number.  If you're not a Preferred Gardener, make sure you get signed up, today!

For those of you who were not able to attend this year's Cincinnati Home and Garden Show, visit our home page and take a look at a few shots of our garden.  As we have done in the past, we teamed with 55KRC radio, and actually broadcast from the garden.  Check it out; you'll be seeing red when you do!

[You may be from Ohio if you know if other Ohioans are from northern or southern Ohio as soon as they open their mouth.]

Classes, Seminars, and upcoming Special Events -

Watch WCPO Channel 9 this Sunday, April 2, at 11:00am for a wonderful story featuring our own CEO Mr. Ken Natorp!  It's the "Fifth Third Bank Hometown Business Weekly Show", which will feature interviewing Mr. Natorp and a look at the Natorp business, from its rich history, the business today, and what the future may hold for the company!  Don't miss this great story about Natorp's!

Did you hear all the buzz about the recent filming of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" in northern Kentucky?  Ty Pennington and his design team did a makeover for the Hassall Family, which will air sometime this spring.  Well guess what?  Natorp's donated the plants you'll see in the new landscape!  So watch this spring for our "Hollywood Famous Plants", which of course, were donated to a great cause.  Nice job, Ty!

The Warren County Career Center (Lebanon) presents their "2006 Gardening Forum" - Features sessions on container gardening, annuals, herbs, landscape design, tree care, lawn care, veggies and more. - $25 / includes lunch! - Saturday April 29 - 9am-3pm - Registration and info call 513-932-8145.

UK Extension adds more classes to their 2006 spring schedule:

"Awesome Annuals for the Landscape" - Tuesday, May 9 - 9:00am to 11:00am - FREE - Boone County Extension -Please register ahead - 859-586-6101

"Gardening Myths Debunked" - Tuesday May 23 - 6:30 to 8:30pm - Boone County Extension - FREE - Call to register

"Pond & Small Lake Management" - Wednesday April 19 - 6:00 til 8:00pm - Durr Extension Center - Please register ahead - 859-356-3155

[You may be from Ohio if you know how to spell Cincinnati.]

Okay, that's it for this week.  Don't forget to set those clocks ahead one hour Saturday before you go to bed.  Now, do yourself a favor.  Go out and have the best weekend of your life.  See ya.  RW, the Yardboy.  (Thanks to Jeff Foxworthy for the "Ah-hi-uh" stuff!)

[Catch Natorp’s own grown yardboy Ron Wilson every Saturday, 6-9am, ‘In the Garden’ on 55KRC Thee Talk Station (home of the Big Dog Tony Bender and Joe "without Joe this show wouldn't go" Strecker) , every Friday morning 8:06am on ‘The Morning Show’ with Jerry Thomas and Craig Kopp (55KRC), every Thursday and Saturday morning on Local 12 –WKRC Homeworx Team, occasional appearances on 'Homeworx' (Sundays at 11:30am Local 12), and read his monthly column in your local Community Press Papers.]