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Tag: Horticulture

Garden Books to Read This Winter

Posted on by djbechard
  1. Kansas Garden Guide. This full color, illustrated guide is perfect for the Kansas Gardener.

It features local research-based information. The guide is helpful for new gardeners but includes information for more advanced vegetable growers as well. It covers topics such as planning the garden, soil improvement, watering the garden, and harvesting and storage. My favorite part of the guide is the vegetable crops section. It lists many vegetable varieties, and highlights those best suited for Kansas, when to plant, spacing, and care. This book is a great way to cure the winter blues and dream of sunny gardening days to come.

The Kansas Garden Guide is available at your local Extension Office to purchase. It can also be downloaded for free at https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/s51.pdf.

 

  1. Nature’s Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy. Douglas W. Tallamy is a professor in Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. This book discusses environmental actions that homeowners can implement in their own landscape to make the planet a better place. My favorite parts of this book are the beautiful pictures of insects and wildlife. Tallamy gives practical tips for every gardener, even those with small landscapes.

The book is available on Amazon.

 

  1. Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas by Michael John Haddock. This book is a beautiful field guide for anyone interested in wildflowers of the Kansas prairie. The book is divided into sections based on the flower’s color. This makes it so easy to identify that purple flower you see every spring. There are 323 plant species represented in the book. It is sure to keep you dreaming of color and warmer weather as you turn the colorful pages.

The book is available from the University Press of Kansas at https://kansaspress.ku.edu/978-0-7006-1370-0.html.

 

  1. Growing Great Garlic by Ron L Engeland. I love garlic! I started growing it about 3 years ago and don’t plan to stop anytime soon. It’s such an easy plant to care for and can be used in just about every recipe. Engeland is also the owner of Filaree Garlic Farms in Washington State. They sell many different varieties of seed garlic. This book was gifted to me by fellow Extension Agent Chuck Otte, who is the ultimate garlic grower!

You can purchase this book from Filaree Farms at https://filareefarm.com/growing-great-garlic/.

 

  1. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. This is a heartwarming book that’s perfect for young readers! The story is about an oak tree named Red. In his neighborhood, people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and attach them to Red’s branches. This book spreads a message of wishes, inclusion, and friendships. It is the perfect, quick read for all this winter!

Find it on Amazon.

 

 

By: Cassie Homan

Importance of Soil Testing

Posted on by djbechard

Most gardeners think that soil tests are done only to find out what nutrients are deficient. However, it is just as important to know if you have adequate levels of nutrients so you don’t add unneeded fertilizer. The most basic soil test checks pH and the levels of phosphorus and potassium. Most of the lawn and garden soil tests that come out of our soil-testing lab show more than adequate levels of both phosphorus and potassium. If those nutrients are not needed, applying them is a waste of money and can be a source of pollution. In extreme cases, excess phosphorus can interfere with the uptake of micronutrients. So, if you haven’t taken a soil test in several years, take one this spring.

Begin by taking a representative sample from a number of locations in the garden or lawn that goes from the surface to 6 to 8 inches deep. Mix the samples together in a clean container and select about 1 pint of soil.

Take the soil to your local K-State Research and Extension office to have tests done at the K-State soil-testing laboratory for a small fee. A soil test determines fertility problems, not other conditions that may exist such as poor drainage, poor soil structure, soil borne diseases or insects, chemical contaminants or damage, or shade with root competition from other plants. All of these conditions may reduce plant performance but cannot be evaluated by a soil test.

 

Soil Testing Information: https://www.postrock.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/soiltesting/index.html

By: Cassie Homan

Don’t Forget to Water Your Trees

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

According to K-State Mesonet (Kansas weather data system), it has been around 49 days since we have recorded at least an inch of rain in our area. Young establishing plants, specifically evergreens and the lawn, are currently under drought stress. Plants with good soil moisture are more drought tolerant and able to with stand winter conditions. Take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and give your lawn, perennials, young trees, and shrubs a much-needed drink.

More information on watering newly planted trees: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF2800.pdf

By: Cassie Homan

K-State Garden Hour

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

K-State Garden Hour is ready to kick off the season with some fun, educational programs. The first webinar will be on Wednesday- January 5th, 2022.  Sedgwick County Horticulture Extension Agent, Rebecca McMahon will discuss how to select vegetable varieties for bountiful harvests.

Your one-time, free, registration will sign you up for all 12 webinars.

Register here:

https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/k-state-garden-hour-webinar-series/k_state_garden_hour.html

By: Cassie Homan

Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Fresh cut Christmas Trees are a perfect decoration for the holidays. If you are planning to purchase one, remember these tips:

If selecting a cut tree, watch for these signs that the tree is too far gone.

  • Needles are a dull, grayish-green color;
  • Needles fail to ooze pitch when broken apart and squeezed;
  • Needles feel stiff and brittle; or
  • Needles pull easily off tree.

Once you have your tree home, recut the trunk about one inch above the original cut. This will open up clogged, water-conducting tissues. Immediately place the trunk in warm water.

Locate the tree in as cool a spot as possible. Avoid areas near fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and heat ducts as the heat will result in excess water loss. Make sure the reservoir stays filled. If the reservoir loses enough water that the bottom of the trunk is exposed, the trunk will need to be recut. Adding aspirins, copper pennies, soda pop, sugar and bleach to the water reservoir have not been shown to prolong the life of a tree.

By: Cassie Homan