Do you want to get the most out of your Holiday Plants this year? This webinar explains how to pick the best poinsettia, how to keep your Christmas Cactus alive, and how to care for fun plants like amaryllis. Find the recording here:
https://mediasite.k-state.edu/mediasite/Play/76aced5bf3584023be568b58fb9923971d
By: Cassie Homan
During the fall, winter annual weeds start to thrive. Henbit and chickweed germinate in the fall, but are small and often aren’t noticed until spring.
Early November is a great time to control these weeds. Use a postemergence broadleaf herbicide, such as Weed Free Zone, Trimec, Weed-Out, Weed Stop 2X or Weed-B-Gon to kill the weeds.
For more information click here:https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/common-pest-problems/common-pest-problem-new/Henbit%20and%20Chickweed.pdf
By: Cassie Homan
Last month K-State Garden Hour was a presentation on how to provide shelter and feed the birds that are currently migrating. If you are wanting to learn more about providing for birds, this webinar is for you!
By: Cassie Homan
One of my favorite parts of fall are the colorful mums that show up in greenhouses and garden centers. They bring a colorful pizzazz to the fall season. We often get asked if these plants will survive the winter. This short YouTube video will answer those questions.
https://kansashealthyyards.org/all-videos/video/will-fall-mums-last-through-the-winter
By: Cassie Homan
Come learn how to tidy up your garden for the season! We will cover topics such as garden and flower bed clean up and preparing trees and lawns for the winter season.
Thursday, October 14 
at 6:30 p.m. Smith County Courthouse Meeting Room 218 S. Grant St. Smith Center, KS
To register for this free program please fill out the following link or contact your local Extension Office: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPLvY2rZPxoRkD0bHZXJu1mCvmkcEiuuNwX3tqAbBmh2xI-Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
By: Cassie Homan
N
ature always gives us signals as seasons change. When summer starts to shift toward fall, the leaves begin to change colors. Another sure sign that fall is right around the corner is the arrival of colorful and beautiful fall mums in garden centers.
Now is the time to plan how and where to use these plants effectively around your home and landscape. A newer trend for growers is to mix colors in containers, so be ready for even more decisions.
Watch this video for information on how to get your mums to last through the winter:
By: Cassie Homan
This year we have seen numerous reports of fall armyworms. Though we have had fall armyworm outbreaks in the past, this is earlier than usual. Armyworms are so-called because they invade fields or landscapes as large groups and can cause a lawn to turn brown seemingly overnight.
Young worms are ½ to 3/4 inch long. Mature ones are 1 ½ inches long. Body color may vary from green to almost black but light stripes will be visible along the length of the body. Look for a whitish inverted “Y” on the top of the black head. It normally takes 2 to 3 weeks to progress from egg to pupa. The adult is a moth.
Armyworm damage can resemble drought damage but close inspection of the turf will reveal the larvae. Look for active feeding during early morning or evening hours or on cloudy days. Larvae feed on foliage and the resulting dehydration causes to turf to quickly brown. Normally, armyworm damage does not kill established turf but may if populations are high enough. Thick infestations of fall armyworm can damage turfgrass crowns which will kill turf.
Acephate (Orthene), spinosad (Conserve; Natural Guard Spinosad, Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew; Monterey Garden Insect Spray) and other insecticides are effective caterpillar killers. Treat in late afternoon, when the caterpillars are likely to begin feeding. Do not mow for 3 days after treatment.
By: Cassie Homan
