Take the guesswork out of fertilizing

By Dennis L. Patton, M.S., County Horticulture Agent, K-State Research and Extension/Johnson County

I’m often asked, “Why should I get a soil test?” The first key to lawn and garden success is knowing soil fertility.

A soil test reveals the baseline nutritional values of your soil. A test can determine the type and amounts of fertilizer needed for optimal plant health. A good soil test also determines the pH level of the soil so corrections can be made.

Soil fertility is something that cannot be seen, felt or guessed. It varies from one yard to the next. In many cases the test shows that too many nutrients have been applied and additional chemical elements such as phosphorous and potassium may be harmful.

Phosphorous and potassium levels build up in KC soils. Excess can harm growth, or worse, leach out and pollute streams and lakes. Many garden resources recommend a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5. Long term use of these products can lead to chemical buildup. Soil testing takes the guesswork out of fertilizing.

A common misbelief is that our local soils need lime. Lime raises the pH, and most KC soils already have high levels. A simple soil test will determine soil pH. You’ll then learn the correct treatment options, saving you money.

Extension recommends a soil test every three to five years. All local extension offices provide soil testing services. Soil samples brought or mailed to the Johnson County Extension office are sent to the Soil Testing Laboratory at Kansas State University in Manhattan. I analyze the lab results and write a personalized recommendation. Your report is usually mailed to you in two to three weeks.

August is an excellent time to test the soil, especially if you are planning on a late summer lawn renovation. Save yourself time and money by getting your soil tested today.

Daylilies originated in East Asia. They were mostly used for medicinal and food purposes. In the 1500s, explorers brought them to Europe. In Europe they found their way into gardens as decorative flowers. They became very popular in the United Kingdom. From the UK, they were brought over on the ship carrying colonists to North America. These were the orange ditch lilies we see all over North America today.

In the 1930s, hybridizing of modern daylilies began to take off. Hybridized daylilies developed from about 20 varieties that came from Asia. In 1946, the American Hemerocallis Society was organized to celebrate the daylily and to encourage its growth. The United States and parts of Canada were divided into 15 regions. Clubs were formed in each of these regions. Region 11 covers Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Today this national organization has been renamed the American Daylily Society. Its membership includes over 5,000 avid gardeners and daylily enthusiasts from all over the world.

What has made the modern daylily a garden favorite? First and foremost, they are tough! They can survive in a range of climate conditions from the Canadian cold to the Texas heat. They like their share of water but can survive in drought conditions with less. They like good soil but will still provide beautiful clumps and blooms in many different soils. They have