Gardening
Saturday, April 9, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal
Tips for novice green thumbs,
page 6
n Jamie Kidd on soil preparation, page 2 n Master Gardeners share their expertise, page 3 n New flowers, vegetables for 2016, page 4
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Good soil preparation can help plants thrive A wise man once said, “Grow the roots and the plant will take care of itself.” What he meant was, if you take good care of the soil the roots will be healthful, and therefore the plant will have a fighting chance of success. So what does “take good care of the soil” entail? Good garden soil should be loose, fertile, well-drained, near neutral in pH and have a lot of organic matter in it. Most of us don’t have this type of soil naturally. We have to work at it. Please note that “organic matter” is referring to humus, compost, sawdust, wood chips, etc.
Adding soil
Hauling soil in isn’t always the best solution. The new soil may bring a lot of problems with it that you didn’t previously have. You’ll generally be better off improving what you
Jamie Kidd Jamie KiDD
jamiehan@ksu.edu jamiehan@ksu.edu
have, unless you need more soil for raised beds. Layers of different types of soil can be an issue for drainage. When adding new soil, gently mix the existing soil with some of the new soil so that a transition zone is created, then finish adding the layer of new soil. This will greatly help with drainage.
Rototilling
Don’t till too early. Impatience can damage your soil. Test this way: Take a handful of soil from a 3-inch depth.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Learn about container gardening at 7 p.m. April 21 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. A Shawnee County Extension Master Gardener will help you understand what pots to use, what to plant and how to care for a container garden. The Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon May 7 in the parking lot at the Shawnee County Office of K-State Research and Extension, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. Annuals, perennials, herbs, Mother’s Day baskets, vegetables and plants for monarchs and other butterflies will be available. The Master Gardener Response Line is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (785) 232-0062 to have your gardening and lawn questions answered. Squeeze it firmly in the hand. Drop it on a sidewalk. Unless the ball shatters, don’t try to ro-
totill. You’ll get hard clods and preparing a good seedbed will be difficult, according to Utah State University Extension. Spade or rototill 6 to 8 inches deep, but stop well before the soil becomes “flour-fine.” Leave marble-sized particles. For uniform water penetration, the soil surface should be as level as possible.
Amending soil
Adding organic matter — humus, compost, shredded leaves, sawdust, bark, etc. — to any soil will improve moisture retention, fertility and drainage. Add 2 to 3 inches of organic matter and mix 6 to 8 inches deep. Add 2 inches each year.
Fertilize, adjust pH
A soil test will determine your need for fertilizer amounts
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Expert gardeners offer classes The Capital-Journal The Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners has several educational classes and community events planned, according to the Shawnee County/KState Research and Extension website. Included are: n April 9: Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon, 12th and Harrison; and compost demonstration, 9:30 a.m., vegetable garden near south parking lot at Kansas Expocentre. n April 16: Master Gardeners at Green Fair, 1 to 4 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. n April 21: “Planting for Curb Appeal” program, 7 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n April 23: Master Gardeners at Earth Day at the Topeka Zoo, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Topeka Zoo, 635 S.W. Gage Blvd.; and Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n April 28: “Grandma’s
Tomatoes” program, 7 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n May 7: Master Gardeners Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to noon, parking lot at Extension office, 1740 S.W. Western. n May 12: “Community Gardens” program, 7 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n May 14: Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon, pick up Prairie Star and Prairie Bloom flower lists; and “Asparagus, Peas and Radishes” program, 9 a.m., vegetable garden near south parking lot at Kansas Expocentre. n May 26: “All About Trees” program, 7 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n May 28: Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n June 1: Worm composting workshop, 1 to 3 p.m., upstairs at Extension Office. Registration required by calling (785) 232-0062. n June 9: “Container Gardening” program, 7 p.m.,
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n June 11: Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon; and “Lettuce, Kale and Spinach” program, 9 a.m., vegetable garden near south parking lot at Kansas Expocentre. n June 23: “Rain Barrels” program, 7 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n June 25: Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n July 9: “Potatoes, Squash and Cucumbers” program, 9 a.m., vegetable garden near south parking lot at Kansas Expocentre; and Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n July 11: Sick Plant Clinic, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fairlawn Plaza Mall, 2114 S.W. Chelsea Drive. n July 14: “Plant Diseases and Issues” program, 7 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n July 23: Master Garden-
ers booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n Aug. 13: “Tomatoes, Peppers and Okra” program, 9 a.m., vegetable garden near south parking lot at Kansas Expocentre; and Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n Aug. 18: “Bees and Butterflies” program, 7 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n Aug. 27: Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n Sept. 8: “Fall Weed Control” program, 7 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. n Sept. 10: Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n Sept. 24: Master Gardeners booth at Downtown Topeka Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon. n Oct. 8: Compost demonstration, 9:30 a.m., vegetable garden near south parking lot at Kansas Expocentre.
Kidd: Tests detect pH Continued from 2 and if the pH — the measurement of acidity or alkalinity in your soil — needs to be changed. If the pH is off, the fertilizer you put on won’t be available to the plants.
Soil test directions
Soil tests for lawns, vegetable gardens and flower beds need to be done separately. Each have different requirements in pH and fertility for good plant growth. Tests should be made every three to five years, unless an extreme deficiency is revealed. Rotating tests by taking one each year from the differing areas is a good idea. A nominal fee may be charged for the test. The results of a soil test can be no better than the representative sample of soil that is submitted for testing. Follow these simple procedures to ensure that a good sample is being collected. n Using a coring device — available at the Extension
office — or a spade, open the ground to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Do this in 10 or more locations in your chosen area. Remove approximately 2 tablespoons of soil from the bottom of each of the 10 holes. Remove roots and other plant parts. Mix them together in a non-metallic container and bring 2 cups of the soil into the Extension office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. n A written report of results and recommendations of the soil test will be mailed or emailed to you. This usually takes about two weeks. A soil test detects shortages of major plant nutrients and the pH of the soil. It doesn’t detect insects, diseases, pesticide residues or other contaminants. Treat your soil right and it will treat your plants right. It’s highly possible that we’ll be facing another dry, hot summer. Good soil preparation can help to retain moisture critical to the survival of our plants. Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.
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Move over vinca and Poblanos, there’s some new plants in town By Angela Deines
Special to The Capital-Journal
The newness of spring means different things to different gardeners. Getting to introduce the newest flower and vegetable varieties that grow well in Kansas’ climate zones is especially exciting for the staff at the K-State Horticulture Research and Extension Center in Olathe. “The flowers that do well here have to be able to stand some adversity,” said Robin Ruether, coordinator of the Prairie Star program. “The weather fluctuates so much that they can’t
ever afford to get too comfortable.” New this year on the Prairie Star Flower list is Glitterati Ice Queen, an annual that Ruether describes as “one tough geranium.” “It handled conditions ranging from cool and wet to hot and dry without ever showing stress,” she said. “The plants are vigorous growers and the foliage has pretty white edges, which makes it really stand out from all the other green leaves.” The Prairie Star list is an annual listing of flowers and plants that have grown well in Kansas’ prairie climate in either landscape,
sUBMITTED BY k-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
This Glitterati Ice Queen geranium is one of the recommended annuals on the 2016 Prairie Star Flower list. flower beds or container plantings with minimal care for the past two con-
secutive years. The research trials are conducted in Olathe, Hays,
Colby and Wichita and include the 5 and 6 cold-hardiness zones designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the heat tolerance zones of 7 and 8 of the American Horticulture Society. “Flowers evaluated in K-State research trials are submitted by or collected from plant breeders and distributors from around the world,” according to Prairie Star program information. “All of these cultivars are available from retail garden centers or mail-order plant companies. Given the number of plants on the list, no greenhouse, garden center
or nursery is likely to carry them all.” For a full list of recommended plants for foliage display and container gardens, go to www.prairiestarflowers.org. In addition to the Glitterati Ice Queen geranium, Ruether said she’s also excited about the Cannova series of cannas. “We’ve had them in the trials for two years now, and they have always been easy growing with lots of blooms,” she said. “I like that they don’t get too tall and stay in the 3- to 4-foot height range.”
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Proper tools, right location key for first-time gardeners said. “They are better than other containers because the fabric breathes. The packaging says they will last three to five years, but I’ve heard they can last up to eight to 10 years when they’re taken care of.” Finally, before planting, it’s important to get your soil tested. “Bring in a soil sample, and we’ll test the pH level for free,” he said. “It gives a good idea where to start in getting the garden ready to plant. A pH right around 6.5 is a great average for a garden.”
By Linda A. Ditch
Special to The Capital-Journal
Not long after closing on a new house, many homeowners start to think about the garden possibilities in their new yard. Planning a vegetable garden or designing flower beds is all part of making the new place feel like home. If you’re new to gardening and want to test your green thumb, here are a few steps to help you get started.
Step 1: Tools
To garden, you’ll need more than just a shovel. The proper tools will make the task both enjoyable and efficient. No matter what the garden size, here are the must-have tools to get the job done: n A trowel: A small, hand-held shovel that’s great for putting new plants into the ground and digging up small areas. n A hoe: For breaking up large clumps of dirt, making rows in garden beds and getting rid of weeds. n A hose: To keep plants hydrated. n A watering can: For the places a water hose can’t reach, or for when you just need to water a few small pots. n Gardening gloves: To protect your hands from dirt, thorns, blisters and other garden hazards. n A hand pruner: This tool allows you to cut flowers, harvest vegetables and trim small shrubs. n Scissors: For cutting everything from twine to herbs. n A rake: A regular leaf rake will work, but you might also consider a garden rake with stiffer prongs to help smooth out the soil in the garden beds. n A shovel: Yes, you need one to dig up your garden area. n Twine: For tying up plants or marking straight rows.
Step 3: What to plant
lINDA A. dITCH/sPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Patrick Herr, of Jackson’s Green House and Garden Center, describes a garden planted in a fabric container. Keep your tools in good shape by cleaning them after each use and storing them properly. Hang up your tools to protect them from damage and keep the edges sharp. Short-handled tools can be stored in a garden bag, tote or bucket.
Step 2: Garden placement
Finding the right location for the garden is essential. While there are varieties of flowers and shrubs that will grow in both shade and sunlight, vegetable gardens need at least six to eight hours of sunlight for the plants to grow properly. Before you dig into the ground, spend a day or two observing the sunlight in the yard. Make notes or take photographs of
the space morning, noon and evening to determine how long each area gets light. Once you decide where the garden will be, you’ll need to think about the garden style. Are you going to dig into the ground or create raised beds for the plants? If you’re nervous about digging into your yard, consider making a garden in containers. This not only will allow you to start small, but the pots also can be moved around if necessary. If containers are your style, Jackson’s Greenhouse and Garden Center employee Patrick Herr, better known as Kodak, recommends Smart Pots. These are reusable fabric containers that come in different shapes and sizes. “You just unfold them and plant,” he
Now that you know your space limitations, it’s time to decide what to plant. For a vegetable garden, think about what you like to eat, plus varieties that are easy to preserve by freezing, canning or dehydrating. In these early spring days, cool-weather veggies like radishes, lettuces and peas are good choices. Now is also the time to get potatoes, peas, onions, rhubarb, straw-
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Gardeners: Don’t plant too much or drown the plants dar on its website that tells when to plant specific vegetables and flowers, plus other gardening chores to tend to each month. Go to www.shawnee.kstate.edu and click on “Lawn and Garden” to find the monthly gardening calendar.
Continued from 6 berries, beets, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbages into the ground. Other vegetable varieties like warmer weather before they are introduced to the garden. Flower choices depend mostly on location. Some thrive in bright sunlight while others like cooler shade. Also, it’s time to decide if you want to plant annual flowers, which only bloom for one season, or perennials, which come back each year. Flowers that love the spring include pansies, violas, snapdragons and calendulas. The flowers most associated with spring — tulips, daffodils, crocus and hyacinths — actually
Step 4: Avoid common mistakes LINDA A. DITCH/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Some flowers and vegetables do well when planted as seeds into the ground. come from bulbs planted in the fall for the following spring. The Shawnee County Office of K-State Research and Extension has a calen-
Perhaps the biggest mistake first-time gardeners make is planting too much. What looks manageable when you first dig up the garden can be overwhelming when everything starts to grow at once. Start small until you get a good idea of all that gardening entails during the growing season. Another big mistake is over-watering.
“More plants die from over-watering than anything else,” Herr said. In general, plants need about an inch of water each week, either from Mother Nature or you. Placing an inexpensive rain gauge in the garden can help you keep track. Newly planted seeds need to be kept evenly moist until they germinate. Afterward, a good soaking about once a week is best, because it allows for deep root growth. Watering more often will promote shallow root growth and weaker plants. Mulching is a great way to protect the plants from dry conditions and prevent weeds. Garden centers carry a wide variety of mulch choices to fit your garden look. An easy way
to mulch a vegetable garden is to put down a layer of newspapers and then cover the paper with grass trimmings after mowing the lawn. Straw on top of the newspapers works, too.
Step 5: When in doubt, ask
First-time gardeners benefit from a mentor. If you don’t know someone who likes to grow stuff, the Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners program offers a number of classes at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. (A class schedule is available on page 3.) The Master Gardeners program also mans a response line from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
through October for gardeners to call with questions. The number is (785) 232-0062. Another resource is your local garden center. People like Herr at Jackson’s are ready to answer any questions you may have and direct you to the plants and other items that work best for your garden. Every gardener has to start somewhere. Herr might be a pro at gardening now, but he was also once a newbie. “I learned a lot from Dave and Annette (Jackson, owners of the greenhouse),” he said. “I did a lot of listening, and I learned through a lot of trial and error.” Linda A. Ditch is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at thompson.lindaa@gmail.com.
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Service Directory
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Plants: ‘People want something that’s attractive’ Continued from 4 Some new colors of the cannas’ flowers will be part of the 2017 trials, she said. While the flowers and plants on the Prairie Star list have proven their hardiness, Ruether said northeast Kansans still like their marigold, begonia, petunia and zinnia varieties. In addition, lantana, vinca, portulaca and ornamental grasses continue to stand up well despite the hot Kansas summers. While they may have their favorites each year, pollinator-friendly flowers also are gaining in popularity among gardeners. “People want something that’s attractive,” she said,
submitted by K-state Research and Extension
Playin’ the Blues salvia is one of several pollinator-friendly flowers that are gaining in popularity. “but also has a greater function with helping out wildlife. “I think there will be more new cultivars com-
ing out that help with this, like the pink-variegated Monarch Promise milkweed; the echinacea (coneflower) Cheyenne Spirit; or
the large-flowered salvia, Playin’ the Blues.” Ruether said the following vegetables made the 2016 All-America Selections list, which indicates they did well at the Olathe test site (“F1” denotes a hybrid seed): n Cabbage: Katarina, F1 n Kale: Prizm, F1 n Kohlrabi: Konan. F1 n Pepper: Cornito Giallo, F1; Escamillo, F1 n Pumpkin Pepitas, F1 n Strawberry Delizz, F1 n Tomato: Candyland Red; Chef’s Choice Green, F1 Cameron Rees, general manager of Skinner Garden Store, 4237 N.W. Lower Silver Lake Road, and host of AM 580 WIBW’s “Garden Answers” talk show,
said most area gardeners are somewhat risk-averse when it comes to trying new plant or vegetable varieties. “The new stuff, maybe a tiny percent catches people’s interest,” Rees said. “Rather than experiment and gamble, you go with what you know is going to work. It’s fun to try new things, but you have to do that with a grain of salt. “It’s fun to talk about, though, especially in the winter when you’re getting ready for spring.” Since February, Rees said, area gardeners have been planting vegetable seeds, and with the recent warm weather they’ve begun getting trees and shrubs in the ground.
“They’re basically starting their spring good and early,” he said, adding he’s planted potatoes, onions, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, Swiss chard and kale in his garden. The unpredictability of Kansas’ weather from year to year makes Rees a little reluctant to jump on the bandwagon with any new plants or vegetables. “Even failure one year doesn’t mean it isn’t a good variety or not a good plant,” he said, “because it may have just been that year. It‘s a proven track record over time that tells us.” Angela Deines is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at angela.deines@gmail.com.
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