Print edition: 
Foggy dew _ It's been pretty taking walks this foggy week, seeing beads of dew hanging on arching spirea branches like pearls on a necklace. Higher temperatures have helped the overall weather condition, too. But I think we're all suffering from a sunshine deficit. I'm looking for great things to happen once the clouds finally break.
Pruning fruit trees _ Fruit trees should be pruned when fully dormant and before dormant sprays are applied, meaning the job can be done anytime now as long as the temperature is above 20 degrees, Ward Upham of K-State says. The pruning can also be done in February or March. Prune older trees first because older, larger wood tolerates lower temperatures better than young trees, Upham says.
Clean your closets _ Botanica's first plant sale last year went well, so there will be a second annual sale this year, on April 24. If you have garden books or magazines, cookbooks or garden tools in good working order that you'd like to donate for the sale, you can take them to the front desk at Botanica from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If an item is assigned a dollar value, a tax-deduction letter will be given for the donation.
2009 Plants in Review talk _ Janet Gordon, staff horticulturist at Botanica, will give a talk there on Wednesday about some of the trees, shrubs and perennials added to Botanica in 2009., and how they did. The lunchtime lecture, at 12:15, is included in Botanica admission.
Alta Mill talk _ The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston will have the first talk in its Winter Lecture Series on Tuesday. Historian and teacher Brian Stucky will tell the history of the Alta Mill in western Harvey County. The flour mill helped pull many people through the Great Depression and led to the creation of a community center on the Little Arkansas River 10 miles from Moundridge, Buhler, Halstead and Burrton. Supper will be served at 6 p.m., and the lecture will begin at 6:30. The cost is $2 for the lecture, and $7 for supper and lecture. Call 620-327-8127 by noon on Monday for supper reservations. See the Web site www.dyckarboretum.org for more information.
Vegetable Growers Workshop — The Central Kansas Vegetable Growers Workshop will be from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Extension Center at 21st and Ridge Road. It's sponsored by K-State Research & Extension in Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey, and Reno counties. The workshop will cover the basics of vegetable production, including building soil fertility, starting transplants from seed, season extension, crop planning, insect control and marketing. The cost is $10 before Jan. 29 and $15 after. To register, call 316-660-0144.
Tractor safety class _ The Sedgwick County 4-H Department will offer a tractor safety program for 14- and 15-year-olds in February. The teens are required to have the training before they can work on a farm other than their parents'. The training program consists of eight hours of classroom instruction and two hours of practical on-the-job training, which the kids line up themselves. Those who successfully complete the course will receive a tractor operator's permit.
The Extension reminds employers that it is unlawful to hire 14- or 15-year-olds to operate tractors without a permit. In case of accident, the employer's insurance will not cover the teens.
Classes will be held at the Extension Center at 21st and Ridge Road from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 22, 23, 25 and 26. After completion of the two hours of driving, a U.S. Labor Certificate will be issued to the student.
The cost is $15. Enroll by calling the Sedgwick County Extension Office at 316-660-0100. Class size is limited to the first 35 who register and have paid. Feb. 16 is the deadline for enrolling.
Checks should be made payable to Educational Fund and mailed to Eric Otte, 7001 W. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67205-1759.
