In this issue for APRIL 2006:

Rain Gardens
Diagnosis Spruce
Fashion for the Garden
Featured Programs - April 21 Through May 21

Rain Gardens

Grasses, rushes, cardinal flowers and wild blue flag irises are beautiful and, in a rain garden, are functional, too. The slightly sunken rain garden collects rainwater from a roof or paved area and allows the water to seep into the soil rather than run off into storm sewers. From there, it could flow to lakes and streams. Such runoff could pick up nasty chemicals from parking lots, treated lawns and other things but the garden acts as nature's cleaning agent. Learn more at UW-Extension.

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Diagnosis Spruce

With their vibrant needles and unique color, spruce trees can be an attractive part of a backyard landscape. Like other evergreens, spruce trees keep their needles for a long time, so it can be disconcerting if they begin to discolor and fall to the ground. This can be a natural occurrence, so before taking drastic steps to treat a perfectly healthy tree, it is important to diagnosis the tree's potential symptoms.

For example, one fungal disease begins by affecting one branch before it spreads up the tree. For a complete list of possible problems for spruce and other trees, take a moment to visit University of Wisconsin-Extention Cooperative Extension's Info Source.

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Fashion for the Garden

Take a turn down the garden path and make a fashion-runway-like statement in the 2006 version of The Wisconsin Gardener T-shirt. This year, the shirts come in both long- and short-sleeve varieties. They are a welcoming shade of green with flitting butterflies circling a salmon-colored tulip. Proceeds on the shirts benefit quality programs on WPT. Visit wpt.org for more details on costs, sizes and how to order.

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Featured Programs - April 21 Through May 21

7 p.m. Thursday, April 20 In Wisconsin. Among other stories from around the state, meet a group of weed warriors who scour Dane County to eradicate garlic mustard the bane of native Wisconsin woodlands.

2 p.m. Sunday, April 30 The Wisconsin Gardener. Planting Beauty for Your Yard Selecting a crab tree, dividing perennials and planting a hanging basket are among the projects for eager gardeners. Funding for The Wisconsin Gardener is provided, in part, by Ariens Co.

2 p.m. Sunday, April 23, and May 14 and 21 Garden Smart. Practical advice and ideas about the latest garden gadgets. Visit site for Garden Smart.

2:30 p.m. Sundays, except May 7 The Victory Garden. Host Michael Weishan tours gardens and offers tips. Visit site for Victory Garden.

3 p.m. Sundays, except May 7 Smart Gardening. Travel North America to explore and enhance the joy and beauty of gardening. Hosted by Master Gardener Deanna Connellin. Visit site for Smart Gardening.

7 p.m. Sunday, May 7 Birds of Wisconsin. In a WPT-produced program, watch birds from across the state as they thrive in their natural surroundings.

Major funding for the Wisconsin Gardener
is provided by Ariens.

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