Print edition: 
Fertilize cool-season grasses — November is the second-best time of year to fertilize fescue (September is No. 1). Fertilizing now will help the grass green up earlier next spring without the need to fertilize then.
"Other benefits of November-applied nitrogen for cool-season grasses include improved winter hardiness, root growth and shoot density," Ward Upham of K-State says. This application should be quick-release nitrogen, such as urea or ammonium sulfate, applied at a rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Keep planting bulbs — While October is prime bulb-planting time, the soil temperature is the best guide, and it is still plenty warm to get tulips, daffodils and other bulbs in the ground, Upham says. Bulbs should be able to grow roots at soil temperatures over 40 degrees, and soil temperatures across Kansas last week averaged in the 50s and 60s, Upham says. If you buy bulbs now, be sure they are large and firm and have not begun to sprout, he says.
Bulbs should come with specific planting instructions as to depth, but in general, the depth to the bottom of the bulb should be about 2 to 3 times the size of the bulb, Upham says.
Orchid show this weekend — The Kansas Orchid Society will have its annual show this weekend at Botanica featuring "spectacular blooming orchids, both the most amazing hybrids as well as charming species," the society says. There will also be orchids for sale from several vendors, and information about growing orchids, including basic demonstrations on potting and mounting orchids. People will be able to vote for their favorite orchid and take part in a silent auction of orchid-related items and orchid plants. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, see the Web site www.kansasorchidsociety.com.
Roses for food — You can exchange a donation of food for the needy for some free roses this month at local florist shops. Rio Roses will give six free roses to anyone who donates six food pantry items or donates $6 to the Kansas Food Bank. Participating florists and dates:
* Today and Sunday at Susan's, 4737 E. Douglas, and Dean's Designs, 3555 E. Douglas
* Nov. 14 and 15 at Brown's Botanicals, 7722 Maple
* Monday through Nov. 30 at the gift shops at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis and -St. Joseph.
African violet meeting _ Getting plants ready for a show is the topic of the next meeting of the Wichita African Violet Study Club. The public is invited to the meeting, which will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Botanica.
Veterans Day closing — Botanica will be closed on Wednesday for Veterans Day.
Growing Fruit for Market classes — Sedgwick County Extension will offer a two-part class Nov. 17 and 24 aimed at demystifying fruit production for local growers "in an effort to increase availability of delicious, locally produced fruit to consumers." The classes will cover the basics of fruit production including commercial growing systems, harvesting and marketing.
Both classes will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sunflower Room at the Extension Education Center at 21st and Ridge in Wichita. The cost is $5. The class on Nov. 17 will be on growing berries, and the class on Nov. 24 will be about growing tree fruit. Register by Friday by calling Rebecca McMahon at 316-660-0142.
