November Nitrogen Helps Cool-Season Turfs Through Winter, Spring
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- November is second only to September as the most important month to feed tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass lawns.
11/19/2009

Winter Mulch AFTER Plants Are Dormant
OLATHE, Kan. – Many gardeners find the concept hard to accept: You shouldn’t protect most perennial plants from each year’s late-season decline into freezing weather.
11/19/2009

Water Issues Forum in Wichita and Hays to Examine Climate Change, Kansas’ Future
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The 2009 Kansas Water Issues Forum will take a proactive look this December at climate change and water -- in terms of planning for the future.
11/18/2009

Holiday Season 2009: Sweet Potatoes a ‘Superfood’?

OLATHE, Kan. – This year’s sweet potato harvest is showing up on market and store shelves. It’s a timely arrival for a holiday meal staple.

‘Hardy’ Garden Mums Require Protection
MANHATTAN, Kan. – In fall, many stores create show-stopping displays of colorful garden mums, deliberately placed to tempt impulse buyers.
11/12/2009

 K-State horticulturist Ward Upham...

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham looks at applying a broadleaf weed control product to the lawn this month and talks about storing summer bulbs over the winter.

Assess Landscape Soil Before the Ground Freezes
SALINA, Kan.  – The weeks before the ground freezes for winter can be a good time for yard owners to come to grips with whether their soil is truly a health-promoting base for landscape and garden plants.
11/6/2009

Red Maple Got Name for Year-Round Reasons
COLUMBUS, Kan. -- Sometimes a common name can cause disappointment. Although it provides many benefits, for example, a case in point is the red maple tree – the Acer rubrum.
11/5/2009

 Geary County Extension agent Chuck Otte...

K-State's Chuck Otte talks about the atypical weather we've had so far this fall, and how it impacts late-season landscape management.

Fall Color Display Can Add to Landscape ‘Wish List’

Plant lover Jamie Hancock is advising Kansans to pay special attention to fall’s color show this year. The tree and shrub leaves are spectacular.
10/29/2009

 BLACK WALNUT HARVEST...

Most people aren’t familiar with the commercial value of black walnuts. In fact, landowners in Kansas can harvest and market black walnuts as a modest source of supplemental income, according to K-State forester Bob Atchison. This week, he elaborates on those opportunities.

Don’t Tread on Frosty Turf
MANHATTAN, Kan – Frosted green lawns are a part of autumn in the central Great Plains, where such cool weather-loving turfs as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are popular for home landscapes.
10/22/2009

 WOODY BIOMASS ENERGY...

As the push toward more renewable energy sources continues, woody biomass isn’t receiving the attention it deserves, according to K-State forester Bob Atchison. He says that woody plant residue that often ends up in the landfill could otherwise be burned as fuel. Furthermore, undesirable invasive woody species could be harvested for their energy value.

 K-State horticulturist Ward Upham...

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham talks about preparing the garden soil this fall for next year's production season, and he offers advice on picking the perfect pumpkin for Halloween.

 FIREWOOD BUYING TIPS...

Colder fall and winter weather is on its way. Those who prefer to burn firewood as a home heat source should consider the information provided by K-State forester Charlie Barden. He has a few tips on selecting firewood for the most heating value. According to Barden, understanding the terminology of the firewood market is a good starting point.

Wrapping Thin-Barked Trees Thwarts Winter Perils
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Winter is hazardous for newly planted trees, even “mighty oak” saplings. Sometimes it remains dangerous for trees that stay fairly smooth and thin-barked as they grow -- including ashes, honeylocusts, lindens, maples, willows and most fruit trees.
10/8/2009

 K-State fire prevention specialist Jason Hartman...

To help spotlight National Fire Prevention Week, K-State fire prevention specialist Jason Hartman recaps the wildfire episodes in Kansas so far this year, and discusses the expected extent of the wildfire threat this fall and winter.

New Wildfire Safety, Prevention Rules Help Owners Make Homes a ‘Defensible Space’
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The near-annual house losses in huge California wildfires are only one example of why fire safety and prevention have taken on a whole new slant. The still-evolving set of rules, tips and advice addresses what’s needed to protect property from fires that start outdoors … and spread.
10/2/2009

Aster Effects: The Show Is on, But Be Quick About Transplanting
By mid-September, gardeners can start to feel like they’re winding down with their annuals, perennials and deciduous plants.
10/1/2009

 K-State horticulturist Ward Upham...

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham has information on a variety of lawn and garden topics, including needle drop from pine trees and planting tall fescue lawns in early October.

 FORESTRY FIELD DAY...

Landowners have an opportunity to learn more about timber management and harvest for commercial sale, directly from a northeast Kansas family who has been in the business for several decades. They will be in the spotlight at the 2009 K-State Fall Forestry Field Day, set for Thursday, October 15th, in Jefferson County. K-State forester Bob Atchison has more details on this special educational event.

Fall Yard Work Brings Results, But So Does Irresponsible Fertilizer Use
Fall is about faith. Or, forethought. In Aesop fables’ terms, it separates the ants from the grasshoppers.
9/24/2009

 TREE FARMER AWARD...

An east-central Kansas landowner has been selected as the 2009 Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year, and will be recognized at K-State’s upcoming Fall Forestry Field Day. K-State forester Bob Atchison tells his story, saying that this individual can serve as an inspiration to other landowners to preserve and enhance their own tree resources.

 HARVESTING BLACK WALNUTS...

A landowner isn’t going to make a fortune from marketing black walnuts from his or her property. However, it can make for a decent supplemental income, according to K-State forester Charlie Barden. This week, he talks about harvesting and storing walnuts, and about commercial marketing outlets for them.  

 PLANTING TREES IN THE FALL...

Fall can be a great season to plant new trees in the landscape, if some precautions are taken. The prime time for planting is mid-September to mid-October. K-State forester Charles Barden discusses planting and caring for fall-planted trees in this week’s Tree Tales.

 KANSAS OAK TREES...

Oak trees have long been known for their beauty and hardiness. K-State forester Charles Barden discusses the many benefits oak trees provide to the natural eco-system and the different types found in Kansas.

Researchers Releasing Better Tasting Tomato Varieties

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Old-fashioned, “heirloom” varieties may be losing their edge as the best-tasting tomatoes available. Flavorful new varieties are now entering the field.

Attracting Birds Means Supplying What They Like
SALINA, Kan. -- To a degree, attracting birds to a backyard feeder requires giving them what they most prefer. That can be complicated, because different kinds of birds prefer different types of food.
1/15/2009