Print edition: 
Happy first day of spring! _ Moving right along through this wintry weekend (although I'm putting down some grass seed once again to allow any snow to sink it into the soil), it looks like later next week shows signs of being true to the season. Let the germination begin.
Asparagus care — Remove last year's growth from asparagus plants, Ward Upham of K-State says. You will also help the crop by fertilizing early in the spring, he says. "Fertilize according to a soil test or add 1 to 2 pounds of a 10-20-10 fertilizer per 20 feet of row before growth starts," Upham says. "If a soil test shows that only nitrogen is needed, apply 1 pound of a 16-0-0 product or 1/2 pound of a 30-4-5, 27-3-3 or similar fertilizer per 20 feet of row. Incorporate lightly with a tiller or rake in fertilizer before spears emerge. A second application at the same rate should be applied after the last harvest."
Dead pine? Get rid of it — If you have a pine tree that died suddenly, remove it immediately to avoid the spread of pine wilt. Pine wilt is spread by an insect that will leave the dead wood this spring and move on to a new tree to kill. Symptoms generally would have appeared between August and December. Cut the tree to the ground, leaving no stump, and chip, burn or bury it. Do not save for firewood.
Small-fruits talk — Extension agent Rebecca McMahon will give a talk about growing small fruits in your garden at the next meeting of the Wichita Organic Garden Club. It will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Botanica. The public is invited.
Garden record-keeping program — Harry Gregory will give a program on keeping garden records and keeping track of your daylilies at the next meeting of the Prairie Winds Daylily Society. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Botanica. The public is invited.
Card and Game Party — Project Beauty will have its annual card and game party from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Botanica. The cost of $6 covers dessert, coffee and door prizes. Proceeds go to Project Beauty's beautification efforts for Wichita. "Bring your bridge group, bunco group or enjoy board games," Project Beauty says. Tickets will be available at the door, or call June Walburn at 316-744-0792.
Garden Party luncheon _ The Arc of Sedgwick County will have a Garden Party ladies luncheon on March 27 in the Airport Hilton ballroom. It will feature Iven Kelley of Twigs decorating a table for four in two garden party themes, a fashion show, brunch and a silent auction. Sierra Scott will emcee, and Bonnie Bing will narrate. The garden party will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $30 ($10 is tax-deductible). Proceeds go to The Arc's endowment fund for programs to help people who have developmental disabilities. For tickets, call The Arc at 316-943-1191.
Vegetable-growing workshop — The Extension Service will have a three-part workshop next weekend during the Tree Festival to teach about how to grow vegetables. Both new and experienced vegetable gardeners can attend any or all of the three parts for free. The schedule: 9 a.m., Intro to Growing Vegetables; 10:15 a.m., Organic Vegetable Gardening; and 11:30 a.m., Common Pest Problems in Vegetable Gardens.
Viewing the Biology of Kansas Through a Shutter —Wildlife photographer Gerald Wiens will be at Dyck Arboretum in Hesston on March 30 to show his images of Kansas landscapes and their plant and animal life and give an insider's view of how to photograph such beauty. The presentation will be at 6:30 p.m.; cost is $2. You can also come for supper at 6 p.m.; cost is $7 for supper and lecture. Call 620-327-8127 by noon on Monday before the Tuesday lecture for supper reservations.
Prairie Chicken Booming Tour — Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston will offer its overnight trip to see the prairie chickens' mating ritual on April 2 and 3. The cost of transportation, lodging and breakfast is $60. Call 620-327- 8127 or e-mail bradg@hesston.edu for reservations.
Natural Easter egg fun — Families will learn how to use flowers and common foods to create natural dyes to color Easter eggs and then hunt for Easter eggs through the garden during a Family Fun Day on March 27 at Botanica. The event starts at 10 a.m. Families will color a dozen eggs to take home. The cost is $20 per family; $15 for members. Call Karla at 316-264-0448 to register.
Wichita Art Museum talk — Chief curator Stephen Gleissner will be at Botanica on Wednesday to talk about the 75th anniversary of the Wichita Art Museum. He will also give a look into an anniversary compilation book that he co- authored. The lunchtime lecture, at 12:15, is included in Botanica admission. Sweet Basil will have lunch for sale for $7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Plein air painting — Botanica will have a watercolor class open to all levels of painters taught by John Lokke from 1 to 4 p.m. April 3, 10 and 18. "Come sit outside and paint Botanica in the spring," Botanica says. Limited to 10 painters. Register by Thursday. Fee is $55, $45 for Botanica members. Call Karla at 316-264-0448 to register.
