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There are many bits for information that I need to share with our readers, thus the title potpourri. The dictionary definition for potpourri is a mixture of unlike things.

I am writing this article the weekend of April 19 for distribution on May 1. Today I was raking the rest of the debris from my asparagus and my garden. There are places on the north side of the building where the frost is just coming out of the ground. While I am anxious to plant my early potatoes, the ground is still cold and wet. Planting them just to be able to say they are in the ground is a mistake for the cold ground will weaken the plants. One thing that I have done since 1983 is to keep good garden records. Last year I planted my early potatoes April 20 which is about the average over the years.

Yesterday I saw something I have not seen before as long as I have been keeping records; honey bees in April. Last fall we cut down one of our box elder trees. When I was raking I witnessed our young golden lab licking the sap off the stump. Since box elder are in the maple family, I imagine the sap was sweet. All of a sudden the lab was snapping at the honey bees which I assume were enjoying the sap as well. It's bumble bees and other insects that pollinate my apple trees, but I rarely see honey bees until June.

Thank you to the more than 90 gardeners that have ordered plants through the Chisago County Master Gardeners. We still have a few grapes, raspberries, asparagus, onions and native plants remaining. Please call me at 651-257-4496 to get further information about the remaining selections. We plan to distribute the plants May 3 at the Senior Center in North Branch. You will be contacted to confirm pickup. It may be possible that arrangements can be made to pick up your plants before May 3, but wait for us to call.

Thanks to all of you that attended any of our Spring Fever classes as we averaged more than 20 gardeners per class. The last class in this series will be May 3 at 10 a.m. Donna Tatting will be conducting the class on "Perennials for Special Sites." The cost is $5 and it will be at the North Branch Senior Center. By the way, this is the same day as the plant pick-up.

I have some good news and some bad news to share with our readers. The bad news is that Starr Carpenter, who has been our Master Gardener Coordinator for the past several years, resigned as of May 3. Starr has been a tireless and dedicated leader who has guided our ship well. The good news is that although she will not be our coordinator, she will remain with our program as a Master Gardener.

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