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[Relief: What trees do in the spring.]

*Whether it's the weather - Sunny warm days and cool nights have kept those spring flowers looking great.  But warmer weather has everything coming on like crazy!  Spring has sprung, and there's no looking back now!  It's amazing how everything has leafed out over the past 3-4 days!  Now, don't be fooled with planting annuals this early.  Last year, on April 22 and 23, it snowed 1 inch!  Just keep that in mind!  Timely rainfalls have helped to water newly leafing plants, but certainly has played havoc on trying to mow some lawns.  Do remember to try and mow on a regular basis as best you can, even if it means mowing the wet grass (which is hard to do if you're using a riding mower).  If your grass gets taller than it should be for mowing, set your mower height up (remove only 1/3 of the grass blade), mow, and then mow again in 3-4 days at your regular height.  For newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials, keep checking the soil for moisture levels to determine whether they need to be watered.  Have your rain gauge in place for the season?

[Eyedropper: A clumsy ophthalmologist.]

*What's bugging you? - I've been looking, and have found many breakouts of eastern tent caterpillars on cherries, plums and crabapples, as well as European pine sawflies on mugho pines (scotch and Austrian as well).  Knock them off into a bucket of water, smash them, hose them off and stomp them.  3 easy ways to control them before they cause damages to your plants, and without using pesticides!  By the way, according to phenology, the sawflies hatch just as the pears are blooming.  Interesting, eh?  Keep looking for and picking off those bagworms still hanging on your evergreens from last year!   And keep spraying those Alberta Spruce with water (every 10 days - 2 weeks) to keep those mite populations low.                                                                      This week Buggy Joe Boggs (OSU Extension) is salivating like a starving rabid dog watching someone eat a bologna and cheese sandwich, xtra Miracle Whip and Shearer's potato chips smashed inside, extra cold glass of milk as well, as the bug populations have begun to explode!  Here's the rundown to date of what may be appearing in a garden near you: pine sawfly, leafminers, spruce spider mites, banded ash bores, ants, termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, masked hunters, eastern tent carepillars, forest tent caterpillars, rose slugs, Buckeye petiole borer, white pine weevil, and the ever popular pseudoscorpion (a tickish spiderish insect crabby looking thing).  Oh yes, Joe also wanted to mention that the soon to be singing gray tree frogs have begun to gather and warm their vocal cords.  -Catch 'The Buggy Joe Boggs Report' Saturdays at 8:42am on 55KRC radio.

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

"Can I trim my Japanese yews right now?  How about Beauty Berry?"  -Yes, and yes.  Get on those yews right now, before the new growth begins to appear.  Once it comes out, hold off until the new growth color changes to the same dark green as the old foliage, then prune again if needed.  Beautyberry (Callicarpa, with it's outstanding late summer / fall berries) blooms on new growth, as well as usually has a lot of deadwood from the winter.  This is one that I treat as a woody perennial, and cut it back hard every spring.

"We were swamped with flies in our family room!  Big, slow moving, almost as big as horseflies.  Where did they come from?"  They came from the attic, or out of the walls.  They're called "attic or cluster flies", and the last generation over winters as adults in your home (hidden).  A little warm weather, and they start crawling out of every little hole in the walls and ceilings.  Sprays have minimal effects.  Look for cracks and crevices to seal up to help prevent them from coming indoors in the fall.

"I've seen 'Over the Top' with 2 labels: "Weed and Grass Killer" and "Grass Killer".  Are there 2 types?"   -Nope!  Not sure why, but there are 2 labels out there.  But, the bottom line is this; Over the Top only kills weedy grasses (28 different types to be exact), and can be sprayed over the top of most desirable plants without harming those plants!  Truly a handy spray to have on hand, if weedy grasses growing in your landscape or gardens is a problem.

"My Shademaster Locust was attacked last year by something that caused the new leaves to curl and distort and wither.  New leaves did come out later, but what can I do to prevent this from happening again this year?"   -That's the results of Honey locust plant bug.  The nymphs feed on the emerging new leaves, and as adults, can keep feeding until late June or so.  Foliar sprays of insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils helps / spray when feeding injury is first observed.  For larger trees, rarely sprayed.  Weather conditions will influence populations, and the trees will recover from the early damages. 

"I'm confused on how to prune my crepe myrtles.  What do you suggest?"  -Prune them in the spring as needed.  You have a couple options here / cut them back hard to keep them controlled or at a predetermined height, or simply clean up any deadwood and remove old flower heads, and let it grow as it would naturally.

"What was the name of the clematis you were talking about that is dwarf and flowers all season?"  -Raymond Evison Patio Series.

"Last year, my multi-colored iris garden flowered all white.  What happened and can I change them back?"   -Two things can cause this to happen.  Drift from a weed killer can change the colors, and we're talking drift that may have happened even before the flowers even came up!  Also, if a white variety shows up in the garden (purposely or by pollination), they are usually the most aggressive and can take over the iris bed.  If it was weed killer drift, and they don't get any drift this year, the colors should return.

"I have a Bradford pear that has a hundred little holes in the trunk, in perfect straight row patterns.  Do you have any idea what this could be?"   -Yellow bellied Sapsucker! 

"Just wanted you to know that I was able to over winter a Rosemary this past winter, in a large pot, outdoors!  It's on the south side of the house, was mulched with 4-5 inches of mulch, and although there's not much new growth yet, it is still alive!  By the way, it came from your Florence store."  -Well, that's a first for me!  Thanks for letting us know!

"Ron, I went yesterday with my 9 year old grandson who bought seeds for his vegetable garden.  He is also going to follow your recipe for the 'salad bowl add-ons'.  This is his 3rd year for gardening, and shares his harvest with Grandma!"   -Now that is a great story!  It's so good to hear about getting kids involved in gardening.  Thank you.

[Control: A short, ugly inmate.]

This week's Success Tip for you garden - It’s way too early to be planting tomatoes and peppers in the ground.  Don’t do it.  BUT, if you’d like to be the first one on the block with a ripe tomato, I’ve got the secret that just may make you the winner!  Plant a tomato in a container!  That way you can keep it outside in the sun during the warm days, and bring it back inside during the cold days.  This can easily give you a 4 week jump on the neighbors!  Grab yourself a large container, 14 inches or larger.  I like to use  black or brown plastic pots - the darker color helps absorb the suns heat and keeps the tomato roots very happy!  Use soil-less potting mix - I like to add about 20% pine soil conditioner to the mix - as well as adding Osmocote for a slow release fertilizer, and the time saving product, Soil Moist, which helps cut your watering in half.  I’ll also add just a touch of lime or gypsum to help reduce chances of blossom end rot on the tomatoes.  As for the tomato, find one that’s already looking pretty good - maybe even a few flowers already - and one that will produce earlier.  I’ll use Early Girl in this one.  Plant your tomato deeper than the level it’s growing in the original pot, water in well, add a tomato cage, and you’re ready to grow.  By the way, this tomato cage, when wrapped with plastic or bubble wrap, can serve as a temporary open topped greenhouse for your tomato as well.  Feed about once every 3-4 weeks with Miracle Gro, and water as needed.  Make sure your tomato is in full sun, and if the temps drop below the low 60’s, bring it back inside, then take it back outside when it warms back up.  A wagon or 2 wheeled cart really helps.  Now if the weather fluctuates a lot, this can be a lot of work.  But, if having the first ripe tomato on your block is important enough to you, it’ll be worth the effort!

   By the way, our garden stores now have a good selection of herbs on hand, including the new cilantro, Delfino, which has fern like foliage, and it's branching habit produces more leaves for a higher yield.  And, it doesn't bolt as early.  If it does, you can eat the flowers, or let them set seed which is coriander.  Perfect for the container!  And yes, Stevia (the natural sugar substitute) has been arriving at the stores on a regular basis.  Check out the herbs at the stores.  They're ready to be planted in your herb containers!

[Rubberneck: What you do to relax your wife.]

*From the Garden to the Kitchen / Hey Rita, what's cooking? - Yardboy, guess what’s up this week in Adams County?  Its morels!  What that means is that they should be popping up in Clermont County where I live, as well. As a phenologist, you know that when Mother Nature allows the red buds, dogwoods, may apples and trilliums to bloom, it’s a sure bet the morels won’t be far behind.  I would let you go moreling with me, but I’d have to blindfold you until we get to the spot in the woods where the morels are abundant, and then blindfold you to get you back out!  Not that I don’t trust you, Yardboy, but you know how we morel hunters guard our “territory”!  Oh, one more thing – you know those wild violets in the lawns and gardens that a lot of folks are treating as weeds?  Well, violets are one of the most nutritious flowers you can eat.  The blossoms have lots of vitamin C and the leaves are excellent sources of vitamin A.  (The Amish include the leaves in the wild greens they cook).  Violets also lend a gourmet touch to salads and as a garnish on cakes.  So, today I’m sharing a beautiful and gourmet jelly recipe for violet flowers. (Violas and pansies  from Natorp's work, too).  As a matter of fact, the flowers of redbud and crab apple trees make a tasty jelly, too. Just remember, don’t eat any flowers that have been sprayed with non-edible pesticides.

 Nancy’s Violet Jelly - (I call it Nancy’s Violet Jelly because the recipe originated with my friend and vintner, Nancy Bentley of Kinkead Ridge Winery in Ripley.)  Pour 2-1/4  cups boiling water over 2 cups of washed, tightly packed violets (no leaves, no stems).  Let sit overnight or for 12 hours to infuse. Strain and measure. You should have 2 cups liquid; if not, add water.  Add 1/4 cup lemon juice, strained, and one package of powdered pectin.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Add 4 cups sugar all at once. When mixture comes to a hard boil, cook 1 minute.  Pour into sterilized jars and seal.  Store in cool, dry place.  Elegant on scones and biscuits.   

Tips from Rita’s kitchen:  A sprig of lavender, lemon verbena, rose geranium or mint is wonderful in here.  Blanch quickly before placing in jars to kill any insects, bacteria, etc.  

See Rita at the Cincinnati Flower Show Sunday, Monday and Wednesday!  See show schedule for exact times.

-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 /  [life@communitypress.com attn: Rita or www.abouteating.com]

"When the Garden Meets the Grill": Jungle Jims, May 8, 6:30-9:30pm and May 9, 11-2pm. The Yardboy and the Cook are back together again at Jungle's Cooking School - Ron Wilson and Rita Heikenfeld will share their secrets for growing herbs, vegetables, flowers and just about anything else in containers and in the ground. Ron, the Yardboy, will also fill you in on what's happening in the garden and share a few great gardening tips, while Rita, the cook, creates a complete summer grill menu using the herbs and produce you may grow in your garden! Call 674-6059 to register.  Hurry - seating is limited so call today!

[Psychopath: What crazy people follow to get through the woods.]

*Yardboy's plant to ponder - I have 2 plants to tell you about today!  Now before I tell you about the first one, I want you to know that although it is the tree of the year, it will be a difficult one to find, and truly is an ugly duckling at an early age!  But, I wanted you to know about it!  2006 Urban Tree of the Year – Gymnocladus dioicus / Kentucky Coffeetree -  This maintenance free tree transforms from an ugly duckling youngster, to a gorgeous well balanced strongly branched tree in no time.  Heat and drought tolerant, easy to transplant, and adapts to a wide range of soils.  Grows 50-60 feet high by 40 feet wide, white flowers late May, females have seed pods (once used as a coffee substitute).  Bi-pinnately compound leaves late to emerge in spring; dull yellow fall color. Truly a unique and majestic tree for the landscape, with little to no maintenance!  One of a kind tree.  [Past winners include ‘Chanticleer’ pear, ‘Autumn Blaze’ maple, ‘Allee lacebark elm, ‘Heritage’ river birch, and Bur oak.]  *Chosen by the Society of Municipal Arborists

   The second plant for you to ponder is getting a bit of attention at our garden stores.  Some like it - some don't - I do!  It's called Tiger Fern, and is a uniquely variegated Boston fern.  Some leaves are green, some are yellow, and some are variegated yellow and green.  And if you look closely, it really is a unique variegation, as the yellow runs across the leaves in different patterns!  The more you look at it, the cooler it gets!  Check it out and tell me what you think.  Tiger Fern in a hanging basket.

A little bit of this and a little bit of that - SIGN UP FOR OUR PREFERRED GARDENERS SPECIAL EMAILS!  If you belong to Natorp's Preferred Gardener Club, be sure you have signed up to receive our special Preferred emails that will be sent  to club members only.  Special notices, reminders, advance notices, and Preferred Gardener Only specials will be emailed throughout the year.  Sign up on our web site, or at one of the garden stores.  Don't belong to the Preferred Gardener Club?  You can sign up today at the stores on on our website as well.  As be sure to sign up for the Preferred Gardeners Special Email!

NEED LANDSCAPE ADVICE?  Here's how we can help:         -Garden Center Pros on hand to help suggest specific plants or landscape ideas -"Do it Yourself" Landscape Design Kit, available at the stores or online at our web site. (minimal fee) -In Store Consultation for 90 minutes with an expert landscape designer. (minimal fee) -Natorp's Landscape Division Professional Landscape Design and Installation (call 398-4769 / fee for initial consultation) -Gardening Coaches, available to come to your home for on-site gardening advice! (hourly fee)  For more information about these services, visit our web site or either of the garden stores.

$10,000 Natorp's Landscape Makeover - The entries are all in, and the response was overwhelming!  It'll take us a few days to sort through and pick the 4 finalists (and the winner), but we will have the 4 finalists on Local 12 beginning May 1, and will announce the winner on Friday, May 5.  We'll also feature the winner Sunday, May 7th, on Homeworx (Local 12 -11:30am).

[Won Ton:  2000 pounds of Chinese soup.]

Classes, Seminars, and upcoming Special Events - Mason, OH – Get ready for Earth Day! – this year is bigger and better than ever!  Join Mason in Bloom! us at the Mason Municipal Center for the Earth Day Celebration.  Mason in Bloom has organized a Family Friendly Earth Day Expo Event.  Enjoy the Earth Day Celebration with environmental conservation displays and information-packed presentations from local Boy Scouts, 4-H groups, The Mason Tree Committee & Mason in Bloom!  A Family Friendly Expo with free drawings and interactive exhibits begin at 8:30 am.  A competitive 5K race Kicks off at 9:00 am.  Mason residents join together to celebrate our earth with a family-friendly & pet-friendly earth walk at 10:00 am.  The interactive Family Friendly Expo celebrating our earth and teaching families how to conserve, plant and protect our most valuable resources.  Also Enjoy Crafts, Tree Planting demonstrations, Seed Starting Demonstrations, Children’s Activity areas and refreshments.  The Re/Max Hot Air Balloon is planning to make an appearance pending cooperative weather!  In addition to offering hand-on fun for the whole family, the Earth Day Celebration welcomes participation from the following sponsors:  Natorps Landscape and Wholesale Nursery, Wild Oats, Kings Toyota, Cincinnati Bell, Groundmasters, Mason Animal Hospital, Guardian Title and Homeloans USA.   When: Saturday, April 22nd, 2006 Rain or Shine  Location: Mason Municipal Building, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road.    For more information check out their website at earthday.net or www.masoninbloom.com.  Registration for the Earth Day Walk and the 5K run may be completed at the event or online at:   www.imaginemason.org.  All race day proceeds benefit Mason in Bloom!

"ZOO BLOOMS" continues thru April 30 at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

The "2006 Cincinnati Flower Show" (Lake Como at Coney Island) runs April 22 thru April 30.  Now you have 9 days to enjoy the Flower Show!  See you there!

2006 Jenny's Dream Celebrity Golf Classic (Supporting the Jennifer Leigh Kynkor Foundation - www.jennysdream.org) - Saturday, May 27 - Special Guest Anthony Munoz - Crooked Tree Golf Course, Mason, Ohio.  Play with a celebrity, or bring your own foursome.  Great time, great cause!  Visit their website or call 513-266-4404.

[Stick:  A boomerang that doesn't work.]

Okay, that's enough for this week.  If you're headed to the Cincinnati Flower Show next week, I'll be there on the "Ask the Experts" panel Monday and Wednesday, 2:30-3:30.  Stop by and say hello.  Now do yourself a favor.  Go out and have the best weekend of your life.  See ya.  RW, the Yardboy. (ps. Happy Birthday to my better half!)

[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 just 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, and occasional appearances on 'Homeworx' (Sundays at 11:30am Local 12).