Kansas State University

The Friends of the Gardens host a garden party each year to raise funds for student internships. The 11th annual garden party, themed “Songs in the Garden,” was held Friday, June 10 and raised approximately $20,000.

With the beautiful gardens as the backdrop, guests were treated to an evening of unique dining, live entertainment and dancing, all in the spirit of raising funds for The Gardens. In addition to food and entertainment, a silent auction provided guests with the opportunity to bid on a variety of unique items, such as original paintings, K-State memorabilia, and garden décor.

Attendance and participation of our guests at the annual garden party provides much needed support to help The Gardens remain beautiful throughout the seasons.

Late September through October is an excellent time to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as crocus, tulips, and daffodils. These plants need to develop roots in the fall and must meet a chilling requirement over the winter in order to bloom in the spring.

Choose a planting site that has full sun to partial shade. The ideal soil would be a sandy loam, but even poor soils can be used if organic material such as peat moss, compost, or aged bark is mixed in. For example, a heavy clay can be amended by mixing in one-third to one-half organic material. Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.

Bulbs need good aeration as well as good drainage for proper development. It is best if the bulbs are given 12 inches of prepared soil. If one-third organic material were added, this would require mixing 4 inches of organic material with 8 inches of soil. Incorporate about 3 pounds of a complete fertilizer such as a 5-10-5 per 100 square feet during preparation or fertilize according to soil test.

Planting depths vary depending on the size of the bulbs. For example, tulips and hyacinths are set about 6 inches deep, and daffodils are put 6 to 8 inches deep. Smaller bulbs are planted shallower. As a rule of thumb, bulbs are planted two to three times as deep as their width. Planting depth is the distance from the bottom of the bulb to the top of the soil. Large bulbs are normally spaced 4 to 6 inches apart, and small bulbs about 1 to 2 inches. Planting in clumps or irregular masses produces a better display than planting singly.

After placing the bulbs at the proper depth, replace half the soil and add water. This will settle the soil around the bulbs and provide good bulb/soil contact. Add the remaining soil and water again. Although there will be no top growth in the fall, the roots are developing, so soil needs to be kept moist but not wet. Mulch can be added after the soil has frozen to prevent small bulbs from being heaved out of the soil by alternate freezing and thawing.

-Ward Upham, Extension Associate, Horticulture and Natural Resources

A protective fungicide treatment was applied to The Gardens’ American elm tree in an effort to protect it from Dutch Elm disease. A deadly wilt pathogen, Dutch Elm disease was introduced into the United States in the 1930’s and has killed thousands of American Elms (Ulmus americana). In this type of treatment, a fungicide solution is injected into the vascular tissue of the tree for systemic distribution throughout the canopy. The presence of the fungicide in small twigs/stems preventing the establishment of the disease when introduced by bark beetles, or vectors, that carry the fungus. Applying a protective treatment rather than a therapeutic type is important because once symptoms are observed, loss of the tree is likely.

The treatment of The Gardens’ tree required a macro infusion as the injection amount exceeded one liter, resulting in approximately 45 gallons of solution. The solution is delivered through a pressure pump, line and about 50 injection tees placed in or around the root flair.

Studies have shown this type of protective treatment to be 99% effective and provide protection for up to 3 years.

The fall season can be an excellent time to plant trees. During the spring, soils are cold and may be so wet that low oxygen levels inhibit root growth. The warm and moist soils associated with fall encourage root growth. Fall root growth allows the tree to become established and better able to withstand summer stresses than a spring-planted tree. However, certain trees do not produce significant root growth during the fall and are better planted in the spring. These include beech, birch, redbud, magnolia, tulip poplar, willow oak, scarlet oak, black oak, willows, and dogwood.

Fall-planted trees require some special care. Remember, that roots are actively growing even though the top is dormant. Make sure the soil stays moist but not soggy. This may require watering not only in the fall but also during the winter months if there are warm spells that dry the soil. Mulch also is helpful because it minimizes moisture loss and slows the cooling of the soil so root growth continues as long as possible.

Evergreens should be moved earlier in the fall than deciduous plants. They need at least six weeks before the ground freezes for the roots to become established.

-Ward Upham, Extension Associate, Horticulture and Natural Resources

September in the Midwest:

(from K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Healthy Yards – Communities)

• Pick apples and pears and store in a cool place to extend freshness
• Harvest pumpkins when flesh is completely orange and avoid carrying by stem
• Plant spring flowering bulbs, tulips, daffodils, and others
• Divide perennials, especially spring bloomers
• Dig, divide, or plant peonies
• Plant chrysanthemums for fall color
• Plant or sod new bluegrass or tall fescue lawns
• Core aerate cool season turf
• Fertilize cool season grasses with high nitrogen sources of fertilizer
• Rake up fallen leaves and compost
• Hand-pick bagworms to reduce problem in future

For more tips visit Kansas Healthy Yards!

Upcoming events:

• KSU Gardens Luncheon Series – “The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh” presented by author Kathryn Aalto
  • Friday, September 16, 2016
  • 10:30 a.m. brunch; Manhattan Country Club
  • For reservations and payment, contact Anne Springer (M, T, Th, F, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at 785-532-1442 before September 9
  • Tickets are $40. Net proceeds benefit The Friends of The Gardens at Kansas State University
• September Stroll in the Gardens
  • Friday, September 23, 2016
  • 4:30-7 p.m.: Light refreshments
  • 6-7 p.m.: Quinlan Society Recognition and Arbor Dedication (north side of Gardens)
  • The Horticulture Club will have mums for sale in The Gardens from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
• K-State Family Day: September 24
  • Horticulture Club mum sale in The Gardens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• KSU Gardens Luncheon Series – Celebrating the Holidays with Hildegarde
  • Thursday, November 10, 2016
  • 11:30 – 1 p.m.; Manhattan Country Club
  • For reservations and payment, contact Anne Springer (M, T, Th, F, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at 785-532-1442
  • Tickets are $40. Net proceeds benefit The Friends of The Gardens at Kansas State University
• Friends of The Gardens Poinsettia Sale
  • Nov. 18, 3-5:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 30, noon – 5:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 2, 3-5:30 p.m.

Garden connections:

The Gardens are open:
Dawn to midnight, Sunday through Saturday, March through November.

The Quinlan Visitor Center is open:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Admission and parking is free.