Prepared by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs Tommy Irvin, Commissioner. Call Consumer Q's hotline at 1-800282-5852.

Q: Now that the weather is warmer, I want to start using my grill. Are there any special steps I need to take to prepare my grill for use?

A: Here are some safety tips to reduce the risk of fire or explosion with gas grills:

Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.

Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.

Always keep propane gas containers upright.

Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors.

Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.

Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.

Make sure your spark ignitor is consistently generating a spark to create a flame and burn the propane gas. If the flame is not visible, the heavierthan air propane gas may be escaping and could explode.

Never bring the propane tank into the house.

Charcoal Grill Safety Tips

Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it is burned. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments. Each year about 17 people die as a result of CO fumes from charcoal being burned inside. To reduce the risk of CO poisoning:

Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents or campers.

Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided. Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

Q: I recently ordered lavender plants from an internet company and have not received them even though my check has cleared the bank almost a month ago. What can you do about this?

A: It appears that the online mail order company you are dealing with is licensed as a plant dealer and grower in the state where they are located. Since this business is located outside of Georgia, we will have to refer you to that state department of agriculture to submit your complaint for resolution. When ordering plants from mail order companies, please read their policy for filling their product orders. The date your order was received as well as your location may have a bearing on when your order will be shipped. colors. They grow best in a gritty potting soil that drains well. Feed plants regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer and enjoy their exuberant colors all summer long.

Start herbs: You can plant many herbs now, including sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme, and parsley. Hold off on setting out basil plants until temperatures are consistently warm. You can plant your basil in a container if you're diligent about moving it indoors when temperatures drop into the 50s.

If you have questions or problems with products or services regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, you may write the Office of Public Affairs, Room 224, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Atlanta 30334 or call 1-800-282-5852.

Gardening Tips

Sow carrots: Freshly harvested carrots are so sweet, it's worth it to set aside a row in your garden for them. Go light on fertilizer to avoid forked roots. Sow seeds 1 inch apart, and thin plants to 3 inches apart after they are up and growing.

Divide mums: Chrysanthemums that survived winter should be showing tufts of leaves. It's the perfect time to dig and divide them. If you don't want to give up space for them in your flowerbeds, move them to a sunny spot in the vegetable garden where they can grow freely until they bloom in the fall.

Grow easy-care geraniums: Geraniums are the perfect flowers for large containers and window boxes, and they're available in a range of