By JASON GRAVES Horticulture Extension Agent, Central Kansas District

The Central Kansas District Extension Master Gardeners are ready for gardening and are jumping into spring planting season by hosting their annual fundraiser.

The Master Gardener Plant and Garden Garage Sale is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon May 6 in Kenwood Hall, 900 Greeley Avenue in Salina.

It will feature a Master Gardener sale of plants, garden-related items, and garage finds you won't want to miss. 

Proceeds from the Master Gardener Plant and Garden Garage sale will be used to support the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in Kenwood Park and other Master Gardener outreach activities and projects, such as the garden tour planned for 2024. 

Master Gardeners have been busy growing many unique warm-season vegetables such as heat set, patio, and heirloom tomatoes, squash, peppers, melons, eggplant, and more. The plant sale will also feature divided flowers/perennials, milkweed, houseplants, and more.

Admission to the sale is free and garden item donations are welcome.

Master Gardeners are also providing a children’s activity table during the event. 

The fundraiser sale also wiil feature the Dyck Arboretum of Hesston, which will be offering native plants, grasses, and adaptable perennials to boost your spring plans and planting for pollinators, butterflies, and much more.

Faye’s Playground will be at the sale offering unique varieties of iris and daylilies just in time for spring planting.

Paradise Ponds of Ellsworth will also have a unique selection of water/aquatic plants available for purchase.

As an added bonus, you also will be able to support the Friends of the Salina Animal Shelter by purchasing an item from their bake sale table at the event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681870753022.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy Jason Graves" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Jason Graves</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON GRAVES Horticulture Extension Agent, Central Kansas District The Central Kansas District Extension Master Gardeners are ready for gardening and are jumping into spring planting season by hosting their annual fundraiser.The Master Gardener Plant and Garden Garage Sale is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon May 6 in Kenwood Hall, 900 Greeley Avenue in Salina.It will feature a Master Gardener sale of plants, garden-related items, and garage finds you won't want to miss. Proceeds from the Master Gardener Plant and Garden Garage sale will be used to support the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in Kenwood Park and other Master Gardener outreach activities and projects, such as the garden tour planned for 2024. Master Gardeners have been busy growing many unique warm-season vegetables such as heat set, patio, and heirloom tomatoes, squash, peppers, melons, eggplant, and more. The plant sale will also feature divided flowers/perennials, milkweed, houseplants, and more.Admission to the sale is free and garden item donations are welcome.Master Gardeners are also providing a children’s activity table during the event. The fundraiser sale also wiil feature the Dyck Arboretum of Hesston, which will be offering native plants, grasses, and adaptable perennials to boost your spring plans and planting for pollinators, butterflies, and much more.Faye’s Playground will be at the sale offering unique varieties of iris and daylilies just in time for spring planting.Paradise Ponds of Ellsworth will also have a unique selection of water/aquatic plants available for purchase.As an added bonus, you also will be able to support the Friends of the Salina Animal Shelter by purchasing an item from their bake sale table at the event.

Master Gardener Plant and Garden Garage Sale set for May 6

By JASON GRAVES Horticulture Extension Agent, Central Kansas District

Early spring is a good time to bring awareness to the lifecycle of bumble bees.&nbsp;Bumble bees are a "keystone" species.&nbsp;Large numbers of other species in our Kansas ecosystems depend on them. These magnificent pollinators are at the center of a thriving ecosystem and our native plants rely on them to reproduce. Bumble bees are also critical pollinators of vegetables and fruits.

Bumble bees are quite the efficient pollinators.&nbsp; In fact, the way in which bumble bees pollinate is in part due to the ‘buzz’ they make as they move from flower to flower.&nbsp; ‘Buzz’ pollination is quite interesting.&nbsp; The bumble bee actually grabs the pollen producing structure of the flower in its jaws as it vibrates its wing muscles. This creates vibrations that dislodge pollen from the flower and results in pollination.&nbsp;

Bumble bees are the only pollinators used for certain greenhouse crops and are also active in cooler temperatures and for longer lengths of time compared to honey bees due to their larger bodies.&nbsp; These bees are each capable of pollinating a single flower, while it may take up to 7 honey bees to accomplish the same effect.

The strength of bumble bees also allows them to push open and access many different types of flowers and is another reason they are such successful pollinators.

Bumble bees are suffering significant declines in population due to loss of habitat&nbsp;and other factors and so the creation of new habitat is an important part of ensuring the benefit of bumble bees is not diminished even further.&nbsp; Providing habitat for these amazing bees is not difficult and here are three simple things you can do to enhance bumble bee survival in your landscape.

Of course, flowers are a key ingredient for any pollinator habitat.&nbsp; Bumble bees need flowers from which to gather pollen and nectar.&nbsp; They utilize pollen and nectar for survival and reproduction and a diverse group of flowers is key to bumble bee habitat success.&nbsp; It is particularly important to provide blooms both early and late in the season during times when food is scarce.&nbsp;

The bumble bee bee lifecycle is important to understand.&nbsp;Only the queen bumble bee overwinters. The entire colony dies in the fall and&nbsp;the queen must be well fed and find a protected place to survive the winter while she waits for spring to arrive.

Late season flowers are critical for allowing the new bumble bee queen to build up her fat stores for overwintering and early season flowers are critical to her ability to nourish a new colony.&nbsp;In spring, the overwintering queen must not only feed herself, but collect enough pollen and nectar to nourish the first batch of developing offspring. This requires flowers.

A few good early spring plants for central Kansas include: American plum (Prunus americana), redbud, chokeberry, golden current, fruit trees, Jacob’s ladder, wild geranium, violets, bluestar (Amsonia), bluebells (Mertensia), prairie smoke, golden alexander, baptisia (false or wild indigo), spiderwort, penstemon, and early figwort.

Goldenrod, aster, sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) and sunflowers can provide a good source of nectar and pollen in the late fall for bumblebees.

Bumble bees generally nest underground, often in abandoned holes made by squirrels or other rodents.&nbsp; Some species also nest in cavities such as hollow logs, dead trees, under rocks, an unused birdhouse, or even under a compost pile.&nbsp;&nbsp;By maintaining at least a few natural, undisturbed areas for bumble bee nesting in your landscape you will support healthy bumble bee colonies.

Bumble bee queens need access to small cavities just below or even on the ground surface.&nbsp; They utilize things such as leaf litter and loose soil, and are also known to overwinter in wood piles, rock walls, and walls in sheds.&nbsp;

Ornamental grasses left standing for winter make great bee overwintering sites.&nbsp; &nbsp;It is important to keep at least some undisturbed natural areas available where these bees will not be harmed while overwintering. &nbsp;Overwintering sites near a flower bed are also the best since the queen needs close access to food while beginning the new nest in spring.

Finally, any pollinator friendly landscape should&nbsp;avoid the use of pesticides.&nbsp; In the event that an application must be made, be sure to do it when bees are not active (after dark) and avoid using broad spectrum insecticides which are highly toxic to bees.

Jason Graves'&nbsp;Central Kansas Lawn &amp; Garden&nbsp;blog is republished on Salina Post with permission. For more lawn and garden information, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/">Central Kansas District Extension website</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681833350057.png" alt="Photos courtesy Jason Graves" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Jason Graves</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON GRAVES Horticulture Extension Agent, Central Kansas DistrictEarly spring is a good time to bring awareness to the lifecycle of bumble bees.&nbsp;Bumble bees are a "keystone" species.&nbsp;Large numbers of other species in our Kansas ecosystems depend on them. These magnificent pollinators are at the center of a thriving ecosystem and our native plants rely on them to reproduce. Bumble bees are also critical pollinators of vegetables and fruits.<h2>Buzz pollination</h2>Bumble bees are quite the efficient pollinators.&nbsp; In fact, the way in which bumble bees pollinate is in part due to the ‘buzz’ they make as they move from flower to flower.&nbsp; ‘Buzz’ pollination is quite interesting.&nbsp; The bumble bee actually grabs the pollen producing structure of the flower in its jaws as it vibrates its wing muscles. This creates vibrations that dislodge pollen from the flower and results in pollination.&nbsp;Bumble bees are the only pollinators used for certain greenhouse crops and are also active in cooler temperatures and for longer lengths of time compared to honey bees due to their larger bodies.&nbsp; These bees are each capable of pollinating a single flower, while it may take up to 7 honey bees to accomplish the same effect.The strength of bumble bees also allows them to push open and access many different types of flowers and is another reason they are such successful pollinators.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681832867084.png" alt="A bumblebee has pushed open and entered this penstemon flower to access the pollen and nectar inside." />
 <figcaption>A bumblebee has pushed open and entered this penstemon flower to access the pollen and nectar inside.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Bumble bee habitat</h2>Bumble bees are suffering significant declines in population due to loss of habitat&nbsp;and other factors and so the creation of new habitat is an important part of ensuring the benefit of bumble bees is not diminished even further.&nbsp; Providing habitat for these amazing bees is not difficult and here are three simple things you can do to enhance bumble bee survival in your landscape.<h2>Provide flowers early and late</h2>Of course, flowers are a key ingredient for any pollinator habitat.&nbsp; Bumble bees need flowers from which to gather pollen and nectar.&nbsp; They utilize pollen and nectar for survival and reproduction and a diverse group of flowers is key to bumble bee habitat success.&nbsp; It is particularly important to provide blooms both early and late in the season during times when food is scarce.&nbsp;The bumble bee bee lifecycle is important to understand.&nbsp;Only the queen bumble bee overwinters. The entire colony dies in the fall and&nbsp;the queen must be well fed and find a protected place to survive the winter while she waits for spring to arrive.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681833480953.png" alt="The bumble bee queen is on her own in the winter and early spring and must find habitat and food resources to survive and begin the new colony. Graphic by Jeremy Hemberger" />
 <figcaption>The bumble bee queen is on her own in the winter and early spring and must find habitat and food resources to survive and begin the new colony. Graphic by Jeremy Hemberger</figcaption>
 </figure>Late season flowers are critical for allowing the new bumble bee queen to build up her fat stores for overwintering and early season flowers are critical to her ability to nourish a new colony.&nbsp;In spring, the overwintering queen must not only feed herself, but collect enough pollen and nectar to nourish the first batch of developing offspring. This requires flowers.A few good early spring plants for central Kansas include: American plum (Prunus americana), redbud, chokeberry, golden current, fruit trees, Jacob’s ladder, wild geranium, violets, bluestar (Amsonia), bluebells (Mertensia), prairie smoke, golden alexander, baptisia (false or wild indigo), spiderwort, penstemon, and early figwort.Goldenrod, aster, sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) and sunflowers can provide a good source of nectar and pollen in the late fall for bumblebees.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681833644884.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681833716396.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681833787389.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Provide nesting and overwintering sites</h2>Bumble bees generally nest underground, often in abandoned holes made by squirrels or other rodents.&nbsp; Some species also nest in cavities such as hollow logs, dead trees, under rocks, an unused birdhouse, or even under a compost pile.&nbsp;&nbsp;By maintaining at least a few natural, undisturbed areas for bumble bee nesting in your landscape you will support healthy bumble bee colonies.Bumble bee queens need access to small cavities just below or even on the ground surface.&nbsp; They utilize things such as leaf litter and loose soil, and are also known to overwinter in wood piles, rock walls, and walls in sheds.&nbsp;Ornamental grasses left standing for winter make great bee overwintering sites.&nbsp; &nbsp;It is important to keep at least some undisturbed natural areas available where these bees will not be harmed while overwintering. &nbsp;Overwintering sites near a flower bed are also the best since the queen needs close access to food while beginning the new nest in spring.<h2>Avoid pesticides</h2>Finally, any pollinator friendly landscape should&nbsp;avoid the use of pesticides.&nbsp; In the event that an application must be made, be sure to do it when bees are not active (after dark) and avoid using broad spectrum insecticides which are highly toxic to bees.Jason Graves'&nbsp;Central Kansas Lawn &amp; Garden&nbsp;blog is republished on Salina Post with permission. For more lawn and garden information, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/">Central Kansas District Extension website</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

CENTRAL KANSAS L&G: Bumble bees are important pollinators

By PAT MELGARES K-State Research and Extension News Service&nbsp;

MANHATTAN – A popular guide to gardening in Kansas has undergone a major makeover that one of its authors said helps to “better reflect the needs and experiences of a wide range of Kansas gardeners, especially our newest gardeners.”&nbsp;

An updated version of the Kansas Garden Guide – which in 2022 was downloaded 35,931 times, or about 100 times a day –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S51.pdf" target="_blank">will be available to order by early May from the K-State Research and Extension bookstore</a>.&nbsp;

The guide already is available to view online in its entirety. Viewers can print pages that relate to specific information.&nbsp;

“We are always learning new things about growing plants in Kansas and understanding the science of soils, plants, and microorganisms better,” said Rebecca McMahon, administrator of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/localfoods/index.html" target="_blank">Kansas State University’s local foods systems program</a>.&nbsp;

“So,” she added, “we need to update our publications to reflect changes in practices, as well. Also, the way that people think about and approach gardening changes over time. Gardens today are usually smaller and there are many new gardeners that have started gardening over the past several years.”&nbsp;

McMahon was one of several editors of the new guide, which has expanded to 202 pages complete with full-color pictures and illustrations. The Kansas Garden Guide – originally printed in the early 1980s -- was last printed in 2010, and included 76 full color pages.&nbsp;

●Planting and maintaining a garden, including watering, fertilizing and other best practices.

●Fall gardens and extending the garden season.

●Managing insect pests and identifying plant diseases and environmental stressors.

●Taking advantage of pollinators and beneficial insects.

●Growing herbs, including a wider variety of herbs.

●Growing vegetable crops, including tips on choosing varieties, crop rotation, common concerns, and more.

●Updated planting and harvesting calendars.&nbsp;

Cheryl Boyer, a nursery crop production and marketing specialist for K-State Research and Extension, said she “wouldn’t want to tackle my home garden without this guide.”&nbsp;

“The Kansas Garden Guide is essential for successful edible gardening in Kansas,” she said. “We have excellent demonstration gardens in nearly every Kansas county, showing off what we can accomplish with the knowledge contained in the Kansas Garden Guide.”&nbsp;

Boyer added that while the guide is oriented to home gardeners, commercial growers also will benefit from the updated recommendations: “This would make an excellent resource for every nursery, garden center and hardware store to have on hand.”&nbsp;

McMahon said perhaps the most important aspect of the publication is that the guidelines are specific to Kansas’ growing conditions.&nbsp;

“Most other gardening resources that Kansas gardeners are going to find are more reflective of conditions in other parts of the country,” McMahon said. “The Kansas Garden Guide focuses on what you need to know to have success in our challenging climate.”&nbsp;

In Kansas, home gardeners produce $20 to $25 million worth of vegetables each year, according to information published in the new guide. These vegetables not only help Kansans save money on food costs, but also contribute to overall nutrition and health.&nbsp;

The direct link to the guide is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S51.pdf" target="_blank">www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S51.pdf</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681677543182.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By PAT MELGARES K-State Research and Extension News Service&nbsp;MANHATTAN – A popular guide to gardening in Kansas has undergone a major makeover that one of its authors said helps to “better reflect the needs and experiences of a wide range of Kansas gardeners, especially our newest gardeners.”&nbsp;An updated version of the Kansas Garden Guide – which in 2022 was downloaded 35,931 times, or about 100 times a day –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S51.pdf" target="_blank">will be available to order by early May from the K-State Research and Extension bookstore</a>.&nbsp;The guide already is available to view online in its entirety. Viewers can print pages that relate to specific information.&nbsp;“We are always learning new things about growing plants in Kansas and understanding the science of soils, plants, and microorganisms better,” said Rebecca McMahon, administrator of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/localfoods/index.html" target="_blank">Kansas State University’s local foods systems program</a>.&nbsp;“So,” she added, “we need to update our publications to reflect changes in practices, as well. Also, the way that people think about and approach gardening changes over time. Gardens today are usually smaller and there are many new gardeners that have started gardening over the past several years.”&nbsp;McMahon was one of several editors of the new guide, which has expanded to 202 pages complete with full-color pictures and illustrations. The Kansas Garden Guide – originally printed in the early 1980s -- was last printed in 2010, and included 76 full color pages.&nbsp;New or expanded content includes:&nbsp;●Starting and planning a garden.●Raised bed and container gardening.●Improving soil health and composting.●Planting and maintaining a garden, including watering, fertilizing and other best practices.●Fall gardens and extending the garden season.●Managing insect pests and identifying plant diseases and environmental stressors.●Taking advantage of pollinators and beneficial insects.●Harvesting and storing produce.●Growing herbs, including a wider variety of herbs.●Growing vegetable crops, including tips on choosing varieties, crop rotation, common concerns, and more.●Updated planting and harvesting calendars.&nbsp;Cheryl Boyer, a nursery crop production and marketing specialist for K-State Research and Extension, said she “wouldn’t want to tackle my home garden without this guide.”&nbsp;“The Kansas Garden Guide is essential for successful edible gardening in Kansas,” she said. “We have excellent demonstration gardens in nearly every Kansas county, showing off what we can accomplish with the knowledge contained in the Kansas Garden Guide.”&nbsp;Boyer added that while the guide is oriented to home gardeners, commercial growers also will benefit from the updated recommendations: “This would make an excellent resource for every nursery, garden center and hardware store to have on hand.”&nbsp;McMahon said perhaps the most important aspect of the publication is that the guidelines are specific to Kansas’ growing conditions.&nbsp;“Most other gardening resources that Kansas gardeners are going to find are more reflective of conditions in other parts of the country,” McMahon said. “The Kansas Garden Guide focuses on what you need to know to have success in our challenging climate.”&nbsp;In Kansas, home gardeners produce $20 to $25 million worth of vegetables each year, according to information published in the new guide. These vegetables not only help Kansans save money on food costs, but also contribute to overall nutrition and health.&nbsp;The direct link to the guide is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S51.pdf" target="_blank">www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S51.pdf</a>.&nbsp;

K-State unveils expanded Kansas Garden Guide

With more and more people interested in growing their own vegetables it is common to find that many gardeners in cities have only a little backyard space to utilize and thus a raised bed is called for.&nbsp; Growing in raised beds gets the attention of gardeners not only for space saving reasons, there are actually many other advantages to this type of gardening.

Raised bed gardens offer several advantages over conventional gardening plots. Soil raised above ground level warms up more quickly&nbsp;in the spring, which allows for earlier planting dates. The beds are ﬁlled with&nbsp;high-quality soil mixtures which improves drainage and increases yield.&nbsp;Raised beds are smaller than traditional gardens making them&nbsp;easier to maintain&nbsp;and denser plantings help reduce weed infestations.

Getting started with raised bed gardening isn’t difficult.&nbsp; There are many styles of raised beds that can be easily created.&nbsp; Wood is most commonly used, but cinder blocks, landscape timbers, rock, bricks and many other materials can work just fine.

Treated lumber used to contain arsenic and chromium which was considered unsafe in food gardens, but now most lumber is treated with the wood preservative ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) which is generally considered safe to use for raised bed gardening.&nbsp; If you are uncertain about the safety of treated lumber, place a heavy plastic liner between the treated lumber and the soil used for growing plants to prevent direct contact of plant roots with the treated lumber.&nbsp; Another option is to use a naturally rot resistant wood such as cedar.

Raised bed don’t even have to have a frame at all.&nbsp;You can build unframed (mounded) raised beds by tilling the existing garden soil 6 to 9 inches deep. Then add 2 to 3 inches of organic matter to the raised bed row and till it into the soil. This will have the effect of raising that area above the surrounding soil. Add soil and organic matter as needed to create mounded beds that are 8 to 12 inches above the surrounding soil and 3 to 4 feet wide. Walkways between unframed raised beds should be wide enough to accommodate a wheelbarrow. Spread a layer of mulch such as bark or straw over the walkways to reduce weed growth and mud problems.

Another option that is becoming more popular are galvanized steel raised bed gardening kits.&nbsp; These are easy to put together and strong and make an excellent choice for home gardeners.&nbsp; They come in many different shapes and sizes.

Dimensions of raised beds can vary according to the site.&nbsp;&nbsp;Common dimensions include 4×4, 4×8, or 4×10 sized beds.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 4-foot width or a little narrower is preferred&nbsp;because it allows for an easy reach into the bed from either side to tend the plants. This keeps soil compaction from occurring because the garden soil is not walked on.

The depth of a raised bed is important.&nbsp; Regardless of the material used to build the bed there needs to be enough soil depth to accommodate the type of plants to be grown.&nbsp; For most vegetables a soil depth of 12 inches is generally sufficient but 15 to 18 inches is even better.&nbsp; If bending or stooping is a problem for the gardener, a deeper bed can be built that allows for gardening in the standing position.

Raised beds can be made wheelchair accessible by making the walls about 2 feet tall and limiting the width of the bed to about 3 feet.

The biggest advantage of raised bed gardening is the opportunity to mix and amend your own soil. Most often a 50/50 mix of good quality topsoil and organic matter such as peat moss, compost, or composted manure creates a wonderful growing media that drains well and is easy to work in. Another popular raised bed mix includes 1/3 top soil, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 drainage increasing material such as perlite, vermiculite, bark, or coarse sand.

As with any garden site, the bed should be located in full sun for best production.&nbsp; The best location also provides wind protection. Summer winds can take their toll on vegetable crops. A tree, shrub screen or border will work if it is on the south or southwest side to protect the garden.&nbsp; If possible, raised beds should be also located where there is easy access to a water source.&nbsp; Raised beds can tend to dry out more quickly than traditional gardens and should be monitored for moisture needs regularly.&nbsp;&nbsp;A drip system is an efficient and easy way to provide irrigation to raised beds.

If you haven’t tried raised bed gardening, now is a great time to get started.&nbsp; This gardening method provides great success and is a flexible way to plant, grow, and harvest your own homegrown produce.&nbsp; Check out the Raised Bed Gardening publication below for more information.

<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/mf2134.pdf">Raised Bed Gardening</a> (pdf)

Another publication that gardeners may also want to refer to is the Vegetable Garden Planting Guide. This guide has all the basic information for planting garden crops in Kansas.

<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/mf315.pdf">Vegetable Garden Planting Guide</a> (pdf)

Jason Graves'&nbsp;Central Kansas Lawn &amp; Garden&nbsp;blog is republished on Salina Post with permission. For more lawn and garden information, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/">Central Kansas District Extension website</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681651294589.png" alt="Photos courtesy Jason Graves" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Jason Graves</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON GRAVES Horticulture Extension Agent, Central Kansas DistrictWith more and more people interested in growing their own vegetables it is common to find that many gardeners in cities have only a little backyard space to utilize and thus a raised bed is called for.&nbsp; Growing in raised beds gets the attention of gardeners not only for space saving reasons, there are actually many other advantages to this type of gardening.<h2>Advantages</h2>Raised bed gardens offer several advantages over conventional gardening plots. Soil raised above ground level warms up more quickly&nbsp;in the spring, which allows for earlier planting dates. The beds are ﬁlled with&nbsp;high-quality soil mixtures which improves drainage and increases yield.&nbsp;Raised beds are smaller than traditional gardens making them&nbsp;easier to maintain&nbsp;and denser plantings help reduce weed infestations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681651418325.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Getting started</h2>Getting started with raised bed gardening isn’t difficult.&nbsp; There are many styles of raised beds that can be easily created.&nbsp; Wood is most commonly used, but cinder blocks, landscape timbers, rock, bricks and many other materials can work just fine.Treated lumber used to contain arsenic and chromium which was considered unsafe in food gardens, but now most lumber is treated with the wood preservative ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) which is generally considered safe to use for raised bed gardening.&nbsp; If you are uncertain about the safety of treated lumber, place a heavy plastic liner between the treated lumber and the soil used for growing plants to prevent direct contact of plant roots with the treated lumber.&nbsp; Another option is to use a naturally rot resistant wood such as cedar.Raised bed don’t even have to have a frame at all.&nbsp;You can build unframed (mounded) raised beds by tilling the existing garden soil 6 to 9 inches deep. Then add 2 to 3 inches of organic matter to the raised bed row and till it into the soil. This will have the effect of raising that area above the surrounding soil. Add soil and organic matter as needed to create mounded beds that are 8 to 12 inches above the surrounding soil and 3 to 4 feet wide. Walkways between unframed raised beds should be wide enough to accommodate a wheelbarrow. Spread a layer of mulch such as bark or straw over the walkways to reduce weed growth and mud problems.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681651547224.png" alt="This garden contains both framed (galvanized steel) and unframed raised beds. Mulch is applied between the unframed raised beds rows to make a nice walking path." />
 <figcaption>This garden contains both framed (galvanized steel) and unframed raised beds. Mulch is applied between the unframed raised beds rows to make a nice walking path.</figcaption>
 </figure>Another option that is becoming more popular are galvanized steel raised bed gardening kits.&nbsp; These are easy to put together and strong and make an excellent choice for home gardeners.&nbsp; They come in many different shapes and sizes.Dimensions of raised beds can vary according to the site.&nbsp;&nbsp;Common dimensions include 4×4, 4×8, or 4×10 sized beds.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 4-foot width or a little narrower is preferred&nbsp;because it allows for an easy reach into the bed from either side to tend the plants. This keeps soil compaction from occurring because the garden soil is not walked on.The depth of a raised bed is important.&nbsp; Regardless of the material used to build the bed there needs to be enough soil depth to accommodate the type of plants to be grown.&nbsp; For most vegetables a soil depth of 12 inches is generally sufficient but 15 to 18 inches is even better.&nbsp; If bending or stooping is a problem for the gardener, a deeper bed can be built that allows for gardening in the standing position.Raised beds can be made wheelchair accessible by making the walls about 2 feet tall and limiting the width of the bed to about 3 feet.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681651750605.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Soil Mix</h2>The biggest advantage of raised bed gardening is the opportunity to mix and amend your own soil. Most often a 50/50 mix of good quality topsoil and organic matter such as peat moss, compost, or composted manure creates a wonderful growing media that drains well and is easy to work in. Another popular raised bed mix includes 1/3 top soil, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 drainage increasing material such as perlite, vermiculite, bark, or coarse sand.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681651918922.png" alt="Drip irrigation is a very efficient way to keep raised bed gardens growing to their potential." />
 <figcaption>Drip irrigation is a very efficient way to keep raised bed gardens growing to their potential.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Location</h2>As with any garden site, the bed should be located in full sun for best production.&nbsp; The best location also provides wind protection. Summer winds can take their toll on vegetable crops. A tree, shrub screen or border will work if it is on the south or southwest side to protect the garden.&nbsp; If possible, raised beds should be also located where there is easy access to a water source.&nbsp; Raised beds can tend to dry out more quickly than traditional gardens and should be monitored for moisture needs regularly.&nbsp;&nbsp;A drip system is an efficient and easy way to provide irrigation to raised beds.If you haven’t tried raised bed gardening, now is a great time to get started.&nbsp; This gardening method provides great success and is a flexible way to plant, grow, and harvest your own homegrown produce.&nbsp; Check out the Raised Bed Gardening publication below for more information.<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/mf2134.pdf">Raised Bed Gardening</a> (pdf)<h2>Vegetable Garden Planting Guide</h2>Another publication that gardeners may also want to refer to is the Vegetable Garden Planting Guide. This guide has all the basic information for planting garden crops in Kansas.<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/mf315.pdf">Vegetable Garden Planting Guide</a> (pdf)Jason Graves'&nbsp;Central Kansas Lawn &amp; Garden&nbsp;blog is republished on Salina Post with permission. For more lawn and garden information, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/">Central Kansas District Extension website</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

CENTRAL KANSAS L&G: Raised bed gardening is great way to grow

K-State Research and Extension News Service&nbsp;

MANHATTAN -&nbsp;Considering they spend most of their time underground, it may seem surprising the damage that moles do above ground&nbsp;

As they forage for food, moles are known to make travel lanes that cause meandering paths of upheaved soil in home lawns and farmsteads. Moles do not feed on plant matter, but they can still cause damage by disturbing roots and uprooting small plants.&nbsp;

Some tunnels may be abandoned soon after they’re built, while others are used for a period of time.&nbsp;

Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said homeowners have come up with many remedies – chewing gum, noisemakers, broken glass, bleaches, windmills and human hair among them – but none have provided consistent or reliable control.&nbsp;

“Poison baits also fail to work because moles feed on earthworms and grubs, not vegetable matter,” Upham said. “Even grub control products are ineffective because they do not control earthworms,” which are the primary food source for moles.&nbsp;

Grim as it may sound, traps are the best control method for moles, according to Upham.

“There are three types of traps: harpoon, choker and scissor-jawed,” he said. “Each can be effective but may take some time to master.”&nbsp;

●Because moles use some tunnels more than others, use a broomstick or similar item to poke holes in a number of runs. Check a day later to see which runs have been repaired. These are the active runs.

●Place a trap in an active run by excavating soil, placing the trap and then replacing loose soil. Secure the trap so that the recoil will not lift the trap out of the ground. Make sure the triggering mechanism is not in the center of the run.

●Push down two holes, one on each side of the trap. Moles should be caught when they try to repair the tunnel. Move the traps if no moles are caught within three days.&nbsp;

More information on preventing mole damage in home lawns or on a farm is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wildlife.k-state.edu/species/moles/index.html" target="_blank">K-State Research and Extension wildlife management program</a>.&nbsp;

Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;

Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp; <a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681599735461.jpeg" alt="Moles do not feed on plant matter, but they can still cause damage by disturbing roots and uprooting small plants.&nbsp; Photo by<a href="https://unsplash.com/@ahmad_kanbar?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">ahmad kanbar</a>&nbsp;courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/cLXoMUtGi0k?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>" />
 <figcaption>Moles do not feed on plant matter, but they can still cause damage by disturbing roots and uprooting small plants.&nbsp; Photo by<a href="https://unsplash.com/@ahmad_kanbar?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">ahmad kanbar</a>&nbsp;courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/cLXoMUtGi0k?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Research and Extension News Service&nbsp;MANHATTAN -&nbsp;Considering they spend most of their time underground, it may seem surprising the damage that moles do above ground&nbsp;As they forage for food, moles are known to make travel lanes that cause meandering paths of upheaved soil in home lawns and farmsteads. Moles do not feed on plant matter, but they can still cause damage by disturbing roots and uprooting small plants.&nbsp;Some tunnels may be abandoned soon after they’re built, while others are used for a period of time.&nbsp;Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said homeowners have come up with many remedies – chewing gum, noisemakers, broken glass, bleaches, windmills and human hair among them – but none have provided consistent or reliable control.&nbsp;“Poison baits also fail to work because moles feed on earthworms and grubs, not vegetable matter,” Upham said. “Even grub control products are ineffective because they do not control earthworms,” which are the primary food source for moles.&nbsp;Grim as it may sound, traps are the best control method for moles, according to Upham. “There are three types of traps: harpoon, choker and scissor-jawed,” he said. “Each can be effective but may take some time to master.”&nbsp;He offered the following advice: ●Because moles use some tunnels more than others, use a broomstick or similar item to poke holes in a number of runs. Check a day later to see which runs have been repaired. These are the active runs.●Place a trap in an active run by excavating soil, placing the trap and then replacing loose soil. Secure the trap so that the recoil will not lift the trap out of the ground. Make sure the triggering mechanism is not in the center of the run.●Push down two holes, one on each side of the trap. Moles should be caught when they try to repair the tunnel. Move the traps if no moles are caught within three days.&nbsp;More information on preventing mole damage in home lawns or on a farm is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wildlife.k-state.edu/species/moles/index.html" target="_blank">K-State Research and Extension wildlife management program</a>.&nbsp;Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp; <a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;

Moles on the move: Traps are most effective control method

It’s that time again. Each spring Central Kansas gardeners and homeowners notice the small purple flowering weed called henbit.  This common lawn and garden weed often gets people wondering what to do.  Is it necessary to use a herbicide to control it or is there more to consider?  Learning more about henbit may help.

Henbit is a plant in the mint family, which means like other mints, it has a square stem.&nbsp; This is one of the identification features.&nbsp; The flower is small, pink to purple, lipped, and tubular.

Henbit is classified as a winter annual, which means much of it actually germinated last fall and has been&nbsp; hanging out at about ground level all winter just waiting for spring to arrive.&nbsp; If you go out and look, you can find it at ground level beneath lawn grasses or even on bare soil in gardens in late fall and winter.&nbsp; If you find it on a protected south side of a home it will have already grown large by now.&nbsp; Flowering will often begin in March and flowers are most abundant during the month of April. The plant will grow four to six inches tall as it matures.&nbsp; Once temperatures warm up in June, the plant will have finished its annual life cycle, produced seed, and died off.

Although henbit is certainly an unwanted invader in many yards and gardens, it does have some benefits that should be considered before deciding to eradicate it completely.

Henbit is such an early bloomer that it is actually an important early spring food source for many pollinators.&nbsp; The small purple flowers of henbit provide both a pollen and nectar source for long tongued bees such as honeybees and bumble bees during the flowering period in March and April.

With this in mind, learning to tolerate henbit can certainly be a help to our local pollinators and is encouraged. Henbit is also quite attractive when a ‘stand’ is in full bloom.

If getting rid of henbit is a must for your situation remember that&nbsp;it should be controlled earlier rather than later.&nbsp;&nbsp;The optimum time to control it in a lawn is in the early fall with a pre-emergent to prevent it from successfully germinating.&nbsp;&nbsp;In Central Kansas, a pre-emergent should be applied in late August or early September (assuming no lawn overseeding is planned)&nbsp;to help stop many winter annual weeds including henbit.&nbsp;&nbsp; Barricade (prodiamine) is a common pre-emergent labeled for henbit that is often used since it has a long soil residual. Other preemergent products labeled for henbit include Dimension (dithiopyr) Gallery (isoxaben), Halts (pendimethalin) and others.

Henbit can also be controlled later in the fall (late October and well into November) after it has germinated with many broadleaf weeds spray products (there are many labeled for henbit).&nbsp;&nbsp; Be sure to follow label direction on any herbicide that is applied. Remember that henbit can continue to sporadically germinate through late fall and even winter and so some later germinating plants may be missed by a herbicide application in October or November.

Spring applied broadleaf weed herbicides can also be effective if applied early enough to stop the flowering and seed production of the plant.&nbsp; Caution is always encouraged, be sure to only spray on a calm day to avoid any unwanted spray drift which can damage other nearby plants that may be breaking dormancy.

It is important to remember that henbit is rarely a big problem in a healthy lawn that is managed well.&nbsp; Henbit is not very competitive in a dense lawn. A thick and healthy turf is ultimately the best long term weed control in any situation.

Jason Graves' Central Kansas Lawn &amp; Garden blog is republished on Salina Post with permission. For more lawn and garden information, visit the <a href="https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/">Central Kansas District Extension website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681572517245.png" alt="Henbit. Photos courtesy Jason Graves" />
 <figcaption>Henbit. Photos courtesy Jason Graves</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON GRAVES Horticulture Extension Agent, Central Kansas DistrictIt’s that time again. Each spring Central Kansas gardeners and homeowners notice the small purple flowering weed called henbit. This common lawn and garden weed often gets people wondering what to do. Is it necessary to use a herbicide to control it or is there more to consider? Learning more about henbit may help.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681572625524.png" alt="Tubular flowers of henbit that can be accessed by long tongued bees." />
 <figcaption>Tubular flowers of henbit that can be accessed by long tongued bees.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Biology</h2>Henbit is a plant in the mint family, which means like other mints, it has a square stem.&nbsp; This is one of the identification features.&nbsp; The flower is small, pink to purple, lipped, and tubular.Henbit is classified as a winter annual, which means much of it actually germinated last fall and has been&nbsp; hanging out at about ground level all winter just waiting for spring to arrive.&nbsp; If you go out and look, you can find it at ground level beneath lawn grasses or even on bare soil in gardens in late fall and winter.&nbsp; If you find it on a protected south side of a home it will have already grown large by now.&nbsp; Flowering will often begin in March and flowers are most abundant during the month of April. The plant will grow four to six inches tall as it matures.&nbsp; Once temperatures warm up in June, the plant will have finished its annual life cycle, produced seed, and died off.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681572706524.png" alt="Bee visiting henbit. Photo by Kat Lawrence" />
 <figcaption>Bee visiting henbit. Photo by Kat Lawrence</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Benefits for pollinators</h2>Although henbit is certainly an unwanted invader in many yards and gardens, it does have some benefits that should be considered before deciding to eradicate it completely.Henbit is such an early bloomer that it is actually an important early spring food source for many pollinators.&nbsp; The small purple flowers of henbit provide both a pollen and nectar source for long tongued bees such as honeybees and bumble bees during the flowering period in March and April.With this in mind, learning to tolerate henbit can certainly be a help to our local pollinators and is encouraged. Henbit is also quite attractive when a ‘stand’ is in full bloom.<h2>Control</h2>If getting rid of henbit is a must for your situation remember that&nbsp;it should be controlled earlier rather than later.&nbsp;&nbsp;The optimum time to control it in a lawn is in the early fall with a pre-emergent to prevent it from successfully germinating.&nbsp;&nbsp;In Central Kansas, a pre-emergent should be applied in late August or early September (assuming no lawn overseeding is planned)&nbsp;to help stop many winter annual weeds including henbit.&nbsp;&nbsp; Barricade (prodiamine) is a common pre-emergent labeled for henbit that is often used since it has a long soil residual. Other preemergent products labeled for henbit include Dimension (dithiopyr) Gallery (isoxaben), Halts (pendimethalin) and others.Henbit can also be controlled later in the fall (late October and well into November) after it has germinated with many broadleaf weeds spray products (there are many labeled for henbit).&nbsp;&nbsp; Be sure to follow label direction on any herbicide that is applied. Remember that henbit can continue to sporadically germinate through late fall and even winter and so some later germinating plants may be missed by a herbicide application in October or November.Spring applied broadleaf weed herbicides can also be effective if applied early enough to stop the flowering and seed production of the plant.&nbsp; Caution is always encouraged, be sure to only spray on a calm day to avoid any unwanted spray drift which can damage other nearby plants that may be breaking dormancy.<h2>Healthy turf is the best weed control</h2>It is important to remember that henbit is rarely a big problem in a healthy lawn that is managed well.&nbsp; Henbit is not very competitive in a dense lawn. A thick and healthy turf is ultimately the best long term weed control in any situation.Jason Graves' Central Kansas Lawn &amp; Garden blog is republished on Salina Post with permission. For more lawn and garden information, visit the <a href="https://www.centralkansas.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/">Central Kansas District Extension website</a>.

CENTRAL KANSAS L&G: Henbit, a weed with benefits

Theatre Salina Guild's 37th annual Geranium &amp; Plant Sale is happening today and Saturday.

The sale is open through 8 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday in the lobby of Theatre Salina, 303 E. Iron Avenue.

This is the guild's annual fundraiser to support scholarships for Center for Theatre Arts students majoring in college theatre programs, according to information on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SCTGUILD">guild's Facebook page</a>.

This year's special plant is Patriot Lavender Blue in honor of Jean Burch's lifelong support for Theatre Salina.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681488425256.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTTheatre Salina Guild's 37th annual Geranium &amp; Plant Sale is happening today and Saturday.The sale is open through 8 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday in the lobby of Theatre Salina, 303 E. Iron Avenue.This is the guild's annual fundraiser to support scholarships for Center for Theatre Arts students majoring in college theatre programs, according to information on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SCTGUILD">guild's Facebook page</a>.This year's special plant is Patriot Lavender Blue in honor of Jean Burch's lifelong support for Theatre Salina.

Theatre Salina Guild Geranium & Plant Sale today, Saturday

By MADDY ROHR K-State Research and Extension News Service&nbsp;

MANHATTAN —Kansas State University horticulture instructor Cynthia Domenghini says home gardeners can expand garden space by taking it to the next level…literally.&nbsp;

Domenghini said many crops can be grown vertically, including the more traditional tomatoes, pole beans, and peas as well as vining crops such as cucumbers, melons, squash and gourds.&nbsp;

“Elevating plants off the ground increases the air flow which can help prevent disease,” Domenghini said. “Bringing the height of the produce up also makes harvesting easier.”&nbsp;

Domenghini recommends edible-pod and snow peas because those crops have longer vines and are therefore more appropriate for growing vertically than English (shelling) peas.&nbsp;

Bush-type vining crops produce short vines and are consequently less suitable for vertical growth. 

“Be mindful of crops that grow large fruit as they could damage the vine if grown vertically,” Domenghini said.&nbsp;

Supporting your vertical garden with a study structure is also important. Domenghini suggests bamboo poles. &nbsp;

“Create a pup tent or A-frame structure by leaning two cattle panels or pallets together and securing them at the top. Alternatively, a single panel can be tied upright to T-posts for support. Plant vining crops at the base and train them to grow upward,” she said.&nbsp;

Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">Horticulture Newsletter</a>&nbsp;with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;

Interested persons can also send their garden and yard-related questions to &nbsp;Domenghini at&nbsp;cdom@ksu.edu,&nbsp;or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.

By MADDY ROHR K-State Research and Extension News Service&nbsp;MANHATTAN —Kansas State University horticulture instructor Cynthia Domenghini says home gardeners can expand garden space by taking it to the next level…literally.&nbsp;Domenghini said many crops can be grown vertically, including the more traditional tomatoes, pole beans, and peas as well as vining crops such as cucumbers, melons, squash and gourds.&nbsp;“Elevating plants off the ground increases the air flow which can help prevent disease,” Domenghini said. “Bringing the height of the produce up also makes harvesting easier.”&nbsp;Domenghini recommends edible-pod and snow peas because those crops have longer vines and are therefore more appropriate for growing vertically than English (shelling) peas.&nbsp;Bush-type vining crops produce short vines and are consequently less suitable for vertical growth. “Be mindful of crops that grow large fruit as they could damage the vine if grown vertically,” Domenghini said.&nbsp;Supporting your vertical garden with a study structure is also important. Domenghini suggests bamboo poles. &nbsp;“Create a pup tent or A-frame structure by leaning two cattle panels or pallets together and securing them at the top. Alternatively, a single panel can be tied upright to T-posts for support. Plant vining crops at the base and train them to grow upward,” she said.&nbsp;Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">Horticulture Newsletter</a>&nbsp;with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;Interested persons can also send their garden and yard-related questions to &nbsp;Domenghini at&nbsp;cdom@ksu.edu,&nbsp;or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.