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Posted on Sat, Oct. 17, 2009

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Gardener's almanac

Frosty lawns — We may have dodged the frost bullet last week, but it could happen any night now. Ward Upham of K-State warns not to walk on turf that is frosty. Walking on grass that is frosted before it has gone dormant injures the grass even if it doesn't kill it, Upham says, so stay on the sidewalks.

Plant — Tulip, daffodil, crocus and other spring-flowering bulbs, through October; garlic, through October; mums, pansies, kale and asters.

Daffodil sale — The Wichita Daffodil Society will have its annual sale of daffodil bulbs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Botanica. The sale will include new and unusual varieties. As usual, get there early for best selection. Admission to the sale itself is free.

Plant donations — If you still have tropical plants and perennials in pots 12 inches or wider that are still looking good and you don't have any place to keep them this winter, the Sedgwick County Zoo will accept them as donations this weekend. The zoo uses the plants as habitat and for propagation. Annuals such as marigolds, pansies and coleus are not being accepted now, and cactuses and succulents will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Plants can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday in the zoo administration parking lot. If your plants are too big to drop off, call tropical horticulturist Pete Logsdon at 316-266-8313 to schedule a pickup.

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 Nov. 13 by calling Rebecca McMahon at 316-660-0142.

Celtic concert at arboretum — Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston will feature a concert by Celtic musicians Matt and Shannon Heaton at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 25. It's the second performance in the Prairie Window Concert Series (formerly Old Settlers Inn). The Heatons, of Boston, play updated and traditional Irish music.

The Prairie Window Concert series overlooks the prairie at the arboretum. Visitors can come early to walk the gardens and enjoy the fall color. A soup supper will be served between sets for a donation to offset the costs of vandalism at the arboretum this summer. To reserve tickets for the concert, call 620-327-8127. The cost is $17 adults, $10 for children. Proceeds will help to maintain the native plantings at the arboretum.

Birding at Botanica — The monthly bird walk at Botanica will set out at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The one-hour walk with bird-watchers Pat and Roy Beckemeyer is included in Botanica admission.

Birds of Panama presentation — Bob Gress, director of the Great Plains Nature Center, will be at Botanica on Wednesday to show photos and tell stories of his bird-watching trip to Panama. The lunchtime lecture, from 12:15 to 1 p.m., is included in Botanica admission. Lunch from Truffles will be available for $6.

Bootanica — Botanica is having a fall festival for the family called "Bootanica," from 1 to 5 p.m. today. The cost is $7 a person (children under 2 free). There will be educational activity stations, performances, and food and beverages for sale.

Plant a Row for the Hungry — If you have any fruit or vegetables or herbs that you'd like to donate to the needy, you can do so at these locations during business hours.

* Kansas Food Bank, 1919 E. Douglas

* Augusta Ace Hardware, 316 W. Seventh Ave. in Augusta

* Brady Nursery, 11200 W. Kellogg

* Hillside Nursery, 2200 S. Hillside

* Hillside Feed & Seed, 1805 S. Hillside

* Johnson's Garden Centers, 802 N. Ridge Road, 21st and Woodlawn, 2707 W. 13th St.

* Valley Feed & Seed, 1903 S. Meridian.

— Annie Calovich