Print edition: 
Warm winter days — As the temperatures continue to yo-yo this winter and the forecast shows no indication of moisture, look for the warmer days for a chance to water outdoor plants. Extension agent Bob Neier also suggests mulch-mowing leaves that have blown into the yard or raking them into perennial beds on such days. If you see that your spring-flowering bulbs have put on leaves, not unusual in the warmth, rake some leaves around them as a mulch and remove it in March, Bob recommends.
When to start seeds — If you’re growing plants from seed this year, you need to know when the plant can be planted outside and how long it takes for the plant to grow to maturity. Taking the time it takes for the plant to go from seed to maturity, count back from the time you want to plant it outside. The target date for transplanting cool-season crops such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and onions is the end of March to the beginning of April, Ward Upham of K-State says. Warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and most annual flowers are usually planted outside in early May. When in doubt, count back from the last frost date, which is around April 15 in Wichita.
Testing seed viability – Many types of seed can stay viable for three years if it’s kept in a cold, dark, dry place, Upham says. There are exceptions, including members of the carrot family (carrots, parsnips and parsley), usually good for a year or two. If you have plenty of seed of a particular plant, you can test their viability with this method, Upham says: Place 10 seeds on a paper towel moistened with warm water and cover them with a second moistened towel. Roll up the towels and place in a plastic bag with enough holes for air exchange but not so many that the towels dry quickly. Place the bag in a warm place such as the top of a refrigerator. Remoisten towels with warm water as needed. After the first week, check for germination. Remove sprouted seed and check again after another week. Add these numbers together to determine the percent germination.
Firewood heat – The temperatures have been all over the map this winter, but most nights have been cold enough for a fire. Ward Upham of K-State explains that some species of trees are able to produce much more heat than others per cord of wood. A cord is the amount of wood in a well-stacked woodpile measuring 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by 4 feet high, he says. He gives these heat values (in million BTUs) per cord for various species of tree. The higher the value, the better the wood:
Ash, green: 22.8
Cottonwood: 15.9
Elm, American: 19.8 (difficult to split)
Elm, Siberian: 20.9 (difficult to split)
Hackberry: 21.0
Honeylocust: 25.6
Locust, black: 28.3 (difficult to split)
Maple, sugar: 24.0
Maple, silver: 18.9
Mulberry: 25.3
Oak, red: 24.0
Oak, bur: 24.9
Oak, post: 25.6
Osage orange (hedge): 32.6 (it sparks, so do not use in an open fireplace)
Sycamore: 19.5 (difficult to split)
Walnut, black: 21.8.
The Ragbirds at arboretum – The folk/rock band the Ragbirds will perform at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston. (The band’s tour bus runs on recycled waste vegetable oil.) The concert will be in the new Prairie Pavilion overlooking the lake. Cost is $20 for adults, $12 for children. Tickets are by reservation by calling (620) 327-8127. Soup prepared with local ingredients also will be for sale Proceeds benefit the arboretum’s landscaping with native plants.
Family Fun Fair – Botanica will have its annual fair of free activities for families on Feb. 4. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., children can learn about nature and wildlife while taking part in hands-on activities and exploring the gardens. Admission to the gardens and all activities is free.
Monday last day to treecycle – Monday is the last day to recycle your Christmas tree. Whether you recycle or not, you can also help yourself to any mulch that’s available there from the chipping of the trees. Be sure to remove all decorations before leaving a tree. Here are the locations:
In Wichita: Boston Park, 6655 E. Zimmerly; Buffalo Park, 10209 Hardtner; College Hill United Methodist Church, First and Erie; Earhart Environmental Magnet School, 4401 N. Arkansas; Edgemoor Park, 5815 E. Ninth St.; Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st St.; Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. North; Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 Museum Blvd.; Osage Park, 2121 W. 31st St. South; South Linwood Park, Hydraulic and Mount Vernon.
Outside Wichita: Cheney, East South Avenue and Garfield; Clearwater, Aquatic Center parking lot; Colwich, 115 N. Third; Derby, 2700 E. Madison; Garden Plain, at the water tower; Kechi, 107 Sioux; Maize, 201 S. Park; Mount Hope, 400 S. Thomas; Mulvane, 117 E. Main; Park City, 6801 N. Hydraulic; Valley Center, Veterans Park.
– Annie Calovich
