Adams County had the privilege of hosting the 2008 State Master Gardener Conference this week at the Natchez Convention Center. If you have a family that likes the outdoors, or if you like walking through the woods, I would strongly recommend a visit to Historic Jefferson College and a walk on the TJ Foster Nature Trail. This trail goes through the grounds of Jefferson College. If you like nature, you will see a variety of plants, vines, and trees all clearly marked along the way. There is a short and a long trail so it suits anyone.

In addition, participants from across the state were marveled by the local gardens that local residents generously opened for visitors. Other popular tours were as always the Old South Winery, the Natchez City Cemetery, Melrose, and many of the antebellum homes. All in attendance enjoyed multiple magnificent speakers both locally and from other states.

Adams county citizens should be honored because for the second year in a row the Adams County Master Gardeners have been recognized as the Most Outstanding County Association of the Year, Anne Gray once again received the Newsletter of the Year, and Joanne King and Bill McGehee represented Adams County with the Most Outstanding Project of the Year for their work in the City Cemetery trimming over 400 crepe myrtles. Please congratulate all Master Gardeners you know for their powerful accomplishments this past year and on hosting a magnificent state convention.

Q. I work a lot and do not have time to garden but want more color in my landscape, what can I do?

If you are like me and most busy working citizens you may not have ample time to work on your garden as much as you like in the mornings or afternoons. Therefore, it is always easy when you can find something that requires little effort, low maintenance, and something that adds color and blooms for extended periods throughout the season. Many annuals can provide this to your landscape. When you take into consideration that with proper care these plants will bloom their heads off partially all season, they are a real bargain. For low maintenance and bloom all season try these tough annuals: spider flower (cleome), melampodium, globe amaranth, rose moss (portulaca), cosmos, narrowleaf zinnia, and periwinkle. You can also look for annual vines: moonflower, Spanish flag cypress vine,Heavenly Blue morning glory, and Love-in-a-Puff.

Q. When is the best time to cut down tulips and daffodils?

It is tempting to want to cut down all the dying foliage in your spring flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils. However if you cut them back early every year you slowly weaken the bulb and begin to reduce flowering. Like with most plants the foliage makes the food that is stored in the bulb to support a powerful bloom the following spring. By allowing the plant to die naturally you ensure all food, usually sugars, are translocated to the bulb. If it concerns you with dying yellow foliage all around, you can plant some previously mentioned annuals with the bulbs to help camouflage the dying foliage.

David Carter is the director of the Adams County Extension Service. He can be reached at 601-445-8201.