GARDEN GUIDANCE
by Carol Holtrop, Master Gardener

Editor's Note: Last month's column, Winter Sowing, was written by April Jarosz from Croswell. April, please accept our apologies for the incorrect byline and thank you for a great column.

Spring is officially here and here are some suggestions for those of you who are anxious to get a head start on their vegetable and flower gardens.

Sow seed for parsley in pots on a bright window sill.

If you haven't already, start planning your vegetable garden. Be sure to include your children or grandchildren in the process this year.

Seeds of the following annual flowers can be started indoors: ageratum, wax begonia, dianthus and carnation, dusty miller, impatiens, larkspur, lobelia, dwarf marigold, pansy, petunia, moss rose, and snapdragons. Be sure to use a sterile seed starting medium, supplemental lighting, and bottom heat for best results. Different species also have different requirements for light or darkness during germination. Look up the varieties you have on the seed packet, in a seed catalog or a good reference book.

Sow seeds indoors for the following vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant and head lettuce.

Be aware that sunny, warm days can cause heat to build up under rose cones, cold frames and in other plant protection systems. However, avoid removing mulches prematurely from plants with tender new tissue forming. You can remove cones and ventilate the cold farms by opening one side - but know that you will have to cover and close them all again before the night's cold or a cold front damages new growth.

Examine lawn areas where water may have pooled or snow cover lingered. Snow mold fungus may develop in these areas. Also look for meadow mouse or vole tunnels in the browned grass. Both can be improved by roughing up the affected area with a rake to encourage the adjacent healthy grass plants to fill in. Get your lawnmower tuned up, the oil changed and tighten all bolts. Be sure to get the blade sharpened. On nice days, go outside and turn the compost pile. This will get it "cooking" again. During inclement weather, clean and sharpen garden tools and prepare other gardening equipment for the busy months ahead. Make your shopping list for pesticides, fertilizers, bags of potting soil and amendments. Finish up last year's records. Call the Master Gardener Program at 989-269-9949 or e-mail msue32@msu.edu for answers to any gardening questions you may have.

Upcoming events offered by Huron County Master Gardeners are:

• May 19 - Plant Sale, Merchants' Building, fairgrounds, Bad Axe, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or until all plants are sold, whichever comes first. Note new location.
• July 14 - Master Gardeners Garden Walk
• August 6-11 - Master Gardeners' Display and Information Booth, Huron Community Fair 2008 - Master Gardener Series (dates to be set), 11-week series of classes to train volunteers in horticultural knowledge.

Anyone interested in more information or signing up for the Master Gardener series is encouraged to call the MSUE office at 989-269-9949 or e-mail msue32@msu.edu or stop by the office at 99 W. Soper Road, Suite B, Bad Axe.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status or family status.