Print edition: 
Beautiful but dry — The fall weather has been gloriously delightful so far, but the soil is very dry. Coupled with the record heat of the summer, this dryness has some plants at a high stress level, Ward Upham of K-State says. Trees, shrubs and perennials — anything that you hope will be coming back next year — should be watered now and may need a second thorough watering before winter, Upham says.
It is especially important for evergreens to get water, because they keep their leaves and lose moisture through them through the winter. Newly planted trees and shrubs — including those that are 3 years old — also are more at risk because of limited root systems, Upham says.
"A good, deep watering with moisture reaching at least a foot down into the soil is much better than several light sprinklings that just wet the top portions of the soil," Upham says. "A deep watering will ensure that the majority of roots have access to water. Roots that actually absorb water are killed when the soil temperature reaches 28 degrees F. Those near the surface do not last long in our Kansas winters. We must rely on roots that are deeper, and provide moisture for them to absorb. Watering depth can be checked with a metal rod or wooden dowel. Either instrument will easily penetrate moist soil but will stop when dry soil is reached."
Read on for Upham's tips for watering trees.
Watering trees — Upham has these suggestions for watering trees:
Small trees: Make sure the surrounding soil as well as the root ball is moistened to encourage roots to move out of the root ball. Soil should be moist but not waterlogged. Water the root ball and the surrounding soil to a depth of 12 inches. This can be done in a number of ways:
* Set the hose close to the tree and run at a slow trickle.
* Drill a small hole near the base of a 5-gallon plastic bucket. Fill the bucket with water so that the trickle of water from the hole slowly moistens the soil.
* Use a rubber soaker hose. A soaker hose often puts out different rates of water along its length, but if it is coiled around the tree several times, the rates even out.
* Use a Tree Gator, a plastic watering bag that is placed around the tree. The bag is filled with water and slowly trickles out.
* Drip irrigation can be used if watering a line or grouping of trees or shrubs.
Larger trees: Large trees are more often more difficult to water because the root system covers a large area. Concentrate on the area under the tips of the branches — the dripline. Though roots extend much further out than this, the greatest concentration of roots is found under the dripline.
* Sprinklers can be used if lower limbs don't interfere with the pattern.
* Set a hose at a trickle and move when needed.
* Spiral a soaker hose from the base of the tree outward.
* Drip irrigation is Upham's favorite method. Start at the base of the tree and spiral out to the dripline. Try to keep the tubing within 18 to 24 inches of the last spiral to make sure the entire area is covered.
To calculate the amount of water needed: Record the time you started watering and check the depth the water reaches periodically. When the 12-inch depth is reached, note how many minutes (or hours) were required. You still may want to monitor your time in the future, because the starting soil moisture level will vary, Upham says.
Planting garlic and elephant garlic — October is a good time to plant garlic (Allium sativum) if you want large, high-quality cloves next summer, Upham says. Here are his directions:
Apply 3 pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet and mix into the soil before planting, or fertilize according to a soil test. Plant individual cloves point up and spaced 3 inches apart and 1 to 2 inches deep. The larger the clove planted, the larger the bulb at harvest. Water in well and mulch with straw to conserve soil warmth and encourage good establishment. Harvest will not occur until next summer when most of the foliage has browned.
Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) also should be planted now. It has a milder garlic flavor and is actually a closer relative of the leek than of true garlic, Upham says
Bringing amaryllis back into bloom — With proper care, amaryllis will bloom year after year, Upham says. Here's the routine:
Bring the pot in before the first frost and place it in a dark location. Withhold water so leaves have a chance to dry completely. Then cut them off close to the top of the bulb. Amaryllis needs to rest for at least a month before the plant is started back into growth. It takes six to eight more weeks for the plant to flower.
When you are ready for amaryllis to resume growth, water thoroughly and place the plant in a warm, sunny location. Do not water again until the roots are well developed, because the bulb could rot. Amaryllis needs temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees during the period before flowering. Higher temperatures can weaken leaves. The flower bud may start to appear right away, or the plant may remain dormant for a while, but eventually all mature bulbs bloom if they have been given proper care during the growing season.
Keep the plant in a cool location and out of direct sunlight when the flower buds begin to show color so flowers last longer. Amaryllis can remain in bloom for about a month.
Plant _ Garlic, spring-flowering bulbs, grass seed, lettuce, spinach and fall flowers such as mums and pansies.
Plant a Row for the Hungry _ Donations of produce for the needy are accepted at these locations during business hours: Kansas Food Bank, 1919 E. Douglas; Augusta Ace Home Center, 316 W. 7th Ave., Augusta; Brady Nursery, 11200 W. Kellogg; Hillside Nursery, 2200 S. Hillside; Hillside Feed and Seed, 1805 S. Hillside; Johnson's Garden Centers, 802 N. Ridge Road, 21st and Woodlawn, and 2707 W. 13th St.; and Valley Feed & Seed, 1903 S. Meridian.
Daffodils-in-the-landscape talk — This is the month to plant daffodils, and the Wichita Daffodil Society will have a lecture about using daffodils in the landscape next week ahead of the daffodil sale Oct. 15 at Botanica. Margie Roehr of the daffodil society will be at Botanica on Wednesday give the lunchtime lecture, from 12:15 to 1 p.m. It's included in Botanica admission. Truffles will have lunch for sale for $7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The society's daffodil sale will be Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Botanica.
Weed 'n' Feed at Botanica — You can help with some tasks in the gardens of Botanica at 8 a.m. Tuesday and receive lunch for free.
Bulbs & Beer — Johnson's Garden Centers are doing a twist on fall celebrations with a "Dutch Oktoberfest." The fest will be at all three Johnson's locations Oct. 8 and 9. There will be samples of hand-made Bratburgers from Walton's Old West Seasonings, mini Bierocks, light appetizers and home-brewed beer samples.
There will also be a couple of free seminars at the West 13th store:
* Introduction to Home Brewing, 10 a.m. Oct. 8, 2707 W. 13th Street location, for people who already enjoy their own recipes or are thinking about taking up the hobby of brewing their own beer.
* Add Some WOW to your Fall Meals, 11:30 a.m. Oct. 8, 2707 W. 13th St., a cooking demo and sampling of brats made with Walton's Old World seasonings along with herbs, veggies and beer.
Seating is limited, so if you register, you'll be sure to have a place to sit. Call 316-942-1443 or e-mail signup@johnsonsgarden.com.
