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Tag: Winter

Preparing for Winter Conditions

Posted on by djbechard

Cold temperatures – cold can bring different dangers. Our bodies aren’t prepared to withstand extreme cold for long periods of time. The cold can quickly have negative effects, especially when we factor in wind chill.

Dress in layers and wear a stocking cap and mittens anytime you face outdoor cold. Frostbite or hypothermia happen very quickly. It can be less than even a few minutes, when you get cold and add wind. Stocking caps help to keep heat from releasing through the head and keeps the overall temperature of your body warmer. Mittens are preferred over gloves because it maintains warmth by keeping the fingers closely together.

Travel safety – The State of Kansas regularly updates road conditions on the website, https://kandrive.org. It’s a good idea to check the forecast along the path you are driving, including road conditions.

 

Here is a list of suggested items to keep in an emergency kit, in case the vehicle gets stalled while traveling.

  • Snow brush and ice scraper
  • Jumper cables
  • Blankets
  • Gloves
  • Cell phone charger
  • Snacks
  • First Aid Kit
  • Water
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Sand in a small container
  • Chains or other items to help in pulling a vehicle out of a ditch

By: Brenda Langdon

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

Holiday Horticulture K-State Garden Hour

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

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

Ice Melt Damaging Plants

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Winter is here, and with it comes snow and ice. It’s important to also think about your plants during this season. Make sure to use a de-icer that will not harm your lawn and other landscape plants.

There are five main materials that are used as chemical de-icers: calcium chloride, sodium chloride (table salt), potassium chloride, urea, and calcium magnesium acetate.

Calcium chloride is the traditional ice-melting product. Though it will melt ice to about -25 degrees F, it will form slippery, slimy surfaces on concrete and other hard surfaces. Plants are not likely to be harmed unless excessive amounts are used.

Rock salt is sodium chloride and is the least expensive material available. It is effective to approximately 12 degrees F, but can damage soils, plants and metals. Potassium chloride can also cause serious plant injury when washed or splashed on foliage. Both calcium chloride and potassium chloride can damage roots of plants.

Urea (carbonyl diamide) is a fertilizer that is sometimes used to melt ice. Though it is only about 10% as corrosive as sodium chloride, it can contaminate ground and surface water with nitrates. Urea is effective to about 21 degrees F.

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), a newer product, is made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid (the principal compound of vinegar). CMA works differently than the other materials in that it does not form a brine-like salt but rather helps prevent snow particles from sticking to each other or the road surface. It has little effect on plant growth or concrete surfaces.

Limited use of any of these products should cause little injury. Problems accumulate when they are used excessively and there is not adequate rainfall to wash or leach the material from the area. Since limited use is recommended it is best to remove the ice and snow by hand when possible. When they are applied, practice moderation. Resist the temptation to over apply just to make sure the ice and snow melts. Keep in mind this can damage concrete surfaces as well as the plants and grass growing along the walks and driveways. These problems are normally latent and do not show up until spring or summer.

By: Cassie Homan