K-State Research and Extension - Gardening, Landscaping and Forestry

WATERING NEWLY PLANTED TREES...

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

With some areas of the state still well below normal precipitation levels and temperatures beginning to warm, newly planted trees – those less than one year old – will require additional care. K-State Extension forester Charles Barden discusses how to care for trees during late spring and summer.

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham...

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For this week's horticulture segment, K-State horticulturist Ward Upham covers two problems associated with pine trees, mulching tomatoes and cabbage worms.

Upcoming K-State Research and Extension Events

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

K-State Research and Extension is offering these events, available to all interested persons. For more information about these, as well as more localized events, check with your local K-State Research and Extension office.

K-State Research and Extension Names Summer Interns

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

K-State Research and Extension has named 13 students as 2013 summer interns. The interns will assist extension professionals in planning and implementing educational programs for Kansas residents.

Field Day to Include Tree Planting, Riparian Area Management

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Kansas landowners often have challenging decisions for managing woodlands, riparian areas and wildlife habitat on their property. The Kansas Forest Service, in conjunction with the Cottonwood River WRAPS (Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy), will host a field day on Thursday, June 6 in Florence, Kan. to address several aspects of tree planting and woodland management.

ASIAN BUSH HONEYSUCKLES...

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Asian bush honeysuckles are a real problem in our community parks, woodlands and the more forested areas of Kansas, especially the eastern third of the state and near the Wichita area. These trees can grow so dense that they shade out everything on the woodland floor. This inhibits tree regeneration, essentially stopping forest succession. Kansas Forest Service health specialist Nicole Opbroek discusses how to identify and control these invasive shrubs.

K-State horticulturist Gregg Eyestone...

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Riley County Extension horticulture agent Gregg Eyestone talks about several aspects of planting annual garden flowers -- which will be done in earnest once soil temperatures are warm enough.

WATER QUALITY REGULATION...

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

There is pressure on Midwest agriculture producers to grow the world’s food and do it in a way that reduces impacts to rivers and streams. Kansas Forest Service watershed forester Billy Beck discusses how producers can utilize today’s best management practices to bolster production and minimize stream impairments – and at the same time – help prevent additional federal regulations from being implemented.

Deforestation Will Impact Kansans for Many Years to Come

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

High crop prices are great for the Kansas economy, but the conversion of trees along streams and rivers into cropland will cost everyone in the long run. Removing riparian forests, forestland adjacent to streams and rivers, negatively affects water quality and quantity.

Disappearing Fountains Are Economical and Appealing

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Looking for something small to add a focal point to your garden? Disappearing fountains can add an aesthetically pleasing water feature to your yard and provide a relaxing sound for your enjoyment. They are easy to assemble and can be fairly inexpensive.

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham...

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For this week's horticulture segment, K-State horticulturist Ward Upham covers a variety of topics, including using plastic mulch to promote greater garden tomato production.

Even Animal Lovers Prefer No Rabbits in the Garden

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

You’ve done it -- tucked those tender bedding plants into the garden just so. And now you’re looking forward to all manner of flowers and vegetables from your very own back yard. So what can turn this satisfying scene into one of big disappointment overnight?

Selecting Lilacs for Favorable Traits

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Cheryl Boyer, nursery crop specialist with K-State Research and Extension, adores lilacs. The sweet smell of their strong fragrance made lilacs her favorite flower as a child.

SIGNS OF HYPOXYLON CANKER...

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

There are many diseases that colonize stressed trees. One of the most common, hypoxylon canker, attacks hardwoods, especially species in the red oak group. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this disease. Kansas Forest Service health specialist Nicole Opbroek looks at the symptoms and signs of hypoxylon canker and discusses how to deal with infected trees.

Johnson County Extension horticulturist Dennis Patton...

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Johnson County Extension horticulture agent Dennis Patton looks at several topics, including pruning landscape shrubs that are just now beginning to flower.

SOIL INFILTRATION CAPACITY...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Streamside trees provide a number of benefits, including increasing soil infiltration capacity – the rate at which rainfall can enter the soil. A parking lot has the lowest soil infiltration capacity and a forest has the highest. Billy Beck, watershed forester with the Kansas Forest Service, explains how streamside trees reduce downstream flooding and help to recharge groundwater.

KARL Training Ends on High Point in More Ways than One

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

A month after reaching the Andean mountaintop village of Patabamba, Peru at 15,000 feet and Machu Picchu at 8,000 feet – a class of 30 agriculture leaders hit another milestone – graduation.

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For this week's horticulture segment, K-State horticulturist Ward Upham looks at broadleaf weed control in lawns, and the likely extent of freeze damage to garden fruit plants.

Agricultural news...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

K-State Radio Network agriculture director Eric Atkinson reports on the day's top agricultural news stories. Plus, this week's Tree Tales with Billy Beck of the Kansas Forest Service.

CELEBRATING ARBOR DAY...

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Arbor day, which started in Nebraska in 1872 and became a national holiday in 1882, is celebrated on the fourth Friday of April. This year’s observance falls on April 26th. Planting a tree is on Arbor Day is encouraged. However, according to state Extension forester Charles Barden with the Kansas Forest Service, there are many other ways to celebrate Arbor Day.

Kansas Forest Service to Host Event Agroforestry Field Day Set for Western Kansas

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

With the current drought in Kansas, it is important for landowners, farmers, ranchers and natural resource professionals to focus on conservation and management.

Horticultural entomologist Jim Nechols...

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For this week's horticulture segment, K-State horticultural entomologist Jim Nechols reports on a new study of coddling moth activity in fruit orchards, which will lead to better guidelines on when to treat fruit trees for this damaging pest.

Kansas Profile - Now That's Rural - Greg Peterson - Peterson Brothers

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

FOX News television studio, New York City. Today’s guests are an unlikely trio: Three young farm boys from rural Kansas. They are making national news, thanks to a parody music video which they created about agriculture. Today, in the conclusion of our two-part series, we’ll learn about these creative young men and their advocacy for agriculture and rural Kansas. Thanks to the Kansas State Agriculturist magazine at Kansas State University and writer Amanda Spoo, whose article provided a source for this feature.

Kansas State University to hold Ribbon Cutting For New Horticulture Building near Wichita

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Kansas State University will host a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on April 29 to celebrate the opening of its new building at the John C. Pair Horticulture Center in Haysville, Kan. The public is invited to attend.

2013 AGROFORESTRY FIELD DAY...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Kansas Forest Service is hosting the 2013 Agroforestry Field Day May 8th near Wakeeney in Trego County. Rural forestry program coordinator Bob Atchison says the purpose of the field day is to provide landowners, farmers, ranchers and natural resource professionals the opportunity to learn science-based information regarding the design, function, management and benefits of trees and shrubs within contemporary agricultural systems.

CONSERVATION TREE PLANTING...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Conservation tree plantings are used for wildlife habitat, windbreaks, wood lots, timber plantations and Christmas tree farms. The Kansas Forest Service Conservation Tree Planting Program offers landowners the opportunity to purchase trees and shrub seedlings, as well as other items for use in conservation plantings. On today’s Sound Living: the benefits of conservation trees and tips for planting ornamental trees in the home landscape.

Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at K-State...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For this week's K-State horticulture segment, the director of the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at K-State, Judy O'Mara, returns...this time, to talk about the procedure for submitting a garden or landscape plant sample to the laboratory for diagnosis.

K-State Horticulturist Gives 10 Tips for Planting Trees

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Spring seems to have finally arrived in the heartland, and with it, an interest in improving our landscapes. To help homeowners who are eager to plant trees, Kansas State University horticulturist Ward Upham provided 10 tree-planting tips.

Planting Grass This Spring? Consider Sod Rather Than Seed

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

For homeowners who are planning to establish a new lawn this spring, Kansas State University horticulturist Ward Upham reminds that sodding is more likely to be successful than seeding.

Spring Gardening - What a Difference a Year Makes

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Message to gardeners: Don’t judge how landscape plants will behave based on last year.

FOREST LAND LOST TO CROPS...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

High prices for corn, soybeans and wheat are great for the Kansas economy, but not so good for the woodlands and forests that follow streams and rivers. Bob Atchison, rural forestry program coordinator with the Kansas Forest Service, says significant areas of forest land are being converted to crop land. He explains how this conversion adversely affects water quality and quantity issues facing the state.

Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory...

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For this week's horticulture segment, director of the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at K-State, Judy O'Mara, talks about disease prevention steps to take early in the home gardening season.

Kansas Profile - Now That's Rural - Nick Gerety - Gerety Tractor

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

A tractor rolls across a field. That’s a common sight in rural Kansas, where tractors and farm equipment are a significant part of daily life and the rural economy. Today in Kansas Profile, we’ll meet a rural entrepreneur whose interest in tractors is helping build an equipment-trading business – with a little help from modern technology.

Community Garden Grant Program Expanded

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

While some might caution, “you can’t have too much of a good thing,” the Kansas Health Foundation is choosing to infuse nearly $50,000 additional dollars to fund a bumper crop of exceptional Kansas Community Garden Grant applications.

A THRIVING FORESTRY INDUSTRY...

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

There is a lot we can learn about the forestry industry in Kansas. For example, its economic benefits are staggering. Kansas Forest Service rural forestry program coordinator Bob Atchison says the state’s forestry industry contributes 1.5 billion dollars to the Kansas economy, supports over 6.700 jobs and has a payroll of 360 million dollars.

K-State horticulturist Gregg Eyestone...

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Riley County Extension horticulture agent Gregg Eyestone talks about how to manage the weather delay in starting home vegetable gardening this spring. He also offers advice for pruning roses.

INDICATIONS OF OAK DECLINE...

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Many landowners have been noticing periodic decline of oak trees in their woodlands. This occurs when several factors converge, including advancing tree age, site conditions, climate, fungi and insect attacks. Kansas Forest Service health specialist Nicole Opbroek says there are clear signs of oak decline and that thinning and making timber stand improvements will help keep woodlands healthy by reducing stock and competition for moisture and nutrients.

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham...

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For this week's horticulture segment, K-State horticulturist Ward Upham discusses how to prune both young and mature landscape fruit trees this spring.

State forester Larry Biles...

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

State forester Larry Biles with the Kansas Forest Service talks more about establishing conservation tree plantings this spring, through the Kansas Conservation Tree Planting Program. He lists the tree species still available through the program, and offers tips on successful planting.

BOUQUETS FROM TRIMMINGS...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A late winter or early spring pruning of shrubs and small trees can do more than beautify the home landscape. State Extension forester Charles Barden says it also provides an opportunity to use those branch trimmings for bouquets. He explains how to care for the trimmings so you have sweet smelling blossoms this spring.

Johnson County horticulture agent Dennis Patton...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Johnson County Extension horticulture agent Dennis Patton has advice for planting trees this spring in the home landscape.

K-State 4-H youth gardening specialist Evelyn Neier...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

K-State 4-H youth gardening specialist Evelyn Neier talks about 4-Hers planning their gardening activity as a community service...one option being by way of an established community garden.

WINDBREAKS REDUCE SOIL EROSION...

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Despite the heavy snowfall in February, 76% of Kansas is still in extreme drought and the remainder of the state is in exceptional drought. This is causing concern that severe dust storms and wind-blown erosion will occur in late winter and early spring. Kansas Forest Service rural forestry program coordinator Bob Atchison explains how windbreaks – which are far different now than the ones used following the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s – can help reduce soil erosion.

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

K-State horticulturist Ward Upham talks about planting garden seed potatoes in mid-March, removing mulch from strawberry plants as the soil temperatures increase and the dangers of working soil that is too wet.

ASSESSING STORM-DAMAGED TREES...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Homeowners often plant fast-growing tree species – such as Chinese or Siberian elm, poplars and silver maples – to provide rapid shade. However, these trees are often damaged during winter storms. Nicole Opbroek, forest health specialist with the Kansas Forest Service, has some guidelines for assessing the health of trees after a storm.

Johnson County horticulture agent Dennis Patton...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

For this week's horticulture segment, Johnson County Extension horticulture agent Dennis Patton talks about the recent snowfall, and how gardeners may need to adjust their early spring gardening accordingly.

Upcoming Horticultural and Agricultural Events

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:00:00 GMT

K-State Research and Extension and/or its Extension Master Gardeners are participating in the following area and statewide horticultural events, available to all interested persons. For more information about these, as well as more localized events, check with your local K-State Research and Extension office.

Firewood-Harbored Insects Can Attack Living Trees

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Today’s high heating costs and push for alternate fuels are sparking renewed interest in wood-burning fireplaces and stoves.

Researchers Releasing Better Tasting Tomato Varieties

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

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.

Kansans Continuing Traditional Ties to Trees

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Since pioneer days, Kansans have planted nuts, seeds and seedlings. On the most basic level, they’ve known trees could make a huge difference in their quality of life.

Attracting Birds Means Supplying What They Like

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:00:00 GMT

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.