Submitted by Craig Askim, Extension Agent/Agriculture and Natural Resources

March is here and spring is right around the corner. With this in mind, the 2018 NDSU Spring Fever Garden Forums will start. Below is a listing of the topics that will be presented from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. CT on March 19, 26, April 2 and 9.  Live presentations from NDSU will be delivered to Extension offices across the state.  Each night will have a production theme.  Topics:

March 19 – Fruits and Vegetables

• Black Currants: Once a Forbidden Fruit - Kathy Wiederholt – Fruit Project Manager – NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center.
• Starting Seeds Indoors – Todd Weinmann – NDSU Extension Horticulturist – Cass County
• Controlling Weeds without Using Chemicals - Greta Graming – NDSU Weed Specialist

March 26 – Gardens

• What new in the Display Gardens – Barb Laschkewitsch – NDSU Research Specialist
• Horticulture as Therapy – Esther McGinnis – NDSU Extension Horticulturist
• Growing Ornamental Grasses – Alan Zuk – Turf Grass Specialist

April 2 – Trees

• Small Statured Ornamental Trees – Greg Morgenson – Tree Specialist
• Elms for North Dakota – Joe Zeleznik – NDSY Extension Forester
• Tough Trees for Tough Sites – Todd West – Woody Plant Introductions

April 9 – Special Topics

• Invasive Insects to Watch Out For – Janet Knodel – NDSU Extension Entomologist
• Preventing Disease in Your Yard – Jesse Ostrander – NDSU Plant Diagnostician Supervisor
• Research on High-Value Crops – Harlene Hatterman-Valenti – High Value Crops Specialist

Participants can watch live presentations online from your home computer, or at the Mercer County Extension Office, however, seating is limited to ten. The sessions are free but registration is requested. Please register at www.ag.ndsu.edu/springfever/ or call 701-873-5195. More information on the topics is available on the website.