WSU/Yakima County Master Gardeners

Having these symptoms? You get shaky when you pass a seed display at your favorite store. Your heart speeds up when you get a whiff of overturned earth. And you are a bit dizzy when you read your latest nursery catalog.

Well, Master Gardeners have the diagnosis at hand: You are suffering from spring fever. And what is the fix? Check out the list below for the remedy.

* It's time to cut back the ornamental grasses that were so beautiful last winter, and to trim the perennials that you left for winter interest and bird feed.

* And speaking of birds, continue to feed them. There is little food left in the wild, and these little guys are your friends in the garden munching on many insects. They also need water, both for drinking and bathing.

* Take a close look at your trees. We get many calls about trees with problems. Often a problem has been developing for years before the homeowner notices and by then it might be too late to save the tree. Check for injured branches, or holes that can signify borers, aphids, mites and scale.

* Did you get the pruning done on your fruit trees and grapes? It is not too late. For help with these tasks, call 574-1600 for a Master Gardener to guide you.

* Start your garden journal today. It doesn't have to be anything fancy; a theme notebook or calendar will do. Note the temperature of the day and any activities you did that applied to your gardening. Your journal will be invaluable when you look back on it next year. Take some photos, write notes about changes you want to make or new plants to try. Be sure to note what variety of vegetable seeds you plant so you know whether to repeat those varieties next year.

* Get the kids out into the garden. Shut off the TV and video games and let them explore the yard.

Create a "finder's list" for them and hand out a prize for the completed list. The list could include finding the first pill bug, locating a bird nest and spotting a praying mantis egg case.

Next, have the kids create a list of which vegetables they want to grow this year, purchase those seeds and then have them research recipes to use those veggies.

* Order or buy locally, your vegetable seeds for this year. Try a new variety but plant some old trusted friends, too. And buy and plant a little extra this year so you can donate the produce to the food banks. They need extra help this year.

* How does your lawn look? Those pink/whitish patches are snow mold. Simply rake out the dead-looking grass and new grass will appear. Rake off leaves, pine needles and debris and put into your compost pile.

* Hungry? The Yakima Area Arboretum is offering a free lunch. Yes, you heard it right. Simply come to the arboretum with gloves and rakes in hand, donate your time to help spruce up the grounds and lunch will be served. This all takes place March 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Yakima County Master Gardeners will be there.

* Also at the arboretum: Rose Pruning 101. Members of the Lower Naches Garden Club, who collectively have more than 100 years of rose growing experience, will lead this popular class on growing, caring for and pruning roses. The class will cover rose varieties, common pests and diseases and their treatments, propagation, pruning and a brief question and answer period. Then, the class will head outside to the arboretum's rose garden for some serious hands-on rose pruning and training.

Bring a sturdy pair of gardening gloves and pruners.

When: March 14 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Cost: $10 or $8 for arboretum members. Call 248-7337 to reserve your place.

* Questions about gardening, landscaping or the program may be directed toward the Master Gardener Clinic by calling 574-1600 or visiting the WSU Extension office at 104 N. First St. in Yakima.

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