Gardener's almanac (March 12)
More light — We'll spring forward this weekend, gaining an extra hour of light on the evening end of the day. That always produces an emotional surge of spring, no matter what the temperature is.
St. Patrick's potatoes — St. Patrick's Day is Thursday, a natural target for planting potatoes. But you have through the end of March to get the tubers in, Ward Upham of K-State says. Here are his instructions: Buy seed potatoes rather than using those we buy for cooking. Most seed potatoes can be cut into about four pieces. Cut the seed two to three days before planting about 1 to 2 inches deep and 8 to 12 inches apart in rows. As the potatoes grow (often not until mid- to late April) pull soil up to the base of the plants. New potatoes are borne above the planted seed piece, and it is important to keep sunlight from hitting the new potatoes.
When to work soil — The soil may be too wet to work when you want to get out in the garden, so consider putting a tarp over a small area during a rain and removing it after a rain to let the soil dry out, Upham suggests. If you grab a fistful of soil and squeeze, it should not drip any water. If you poke it with your finger, it should not indent. Also check the soil at the level you will be tilling or digging, not just the surface.
Core aeration — If you are planning to core-aerate tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass this spring, reserve a machine now so you can get the job done in March or early April, Upham says. Be sure that when you do the job the soil is not too wet or too dry, but easily crumbled between your fingers.
Cut back ornamental grasses — You can cut back ornamental grasses anytime now, but especially before new growth starts to emerge.
Locavores on the Prairie Symposium — The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains will have a Locavores on the Prairie Symposium from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19. The cost is $45 for nonmembers (includes continental breakfast and lunch). Half-day registration is $20 plus $7 for lunch. Register by calling 620-327-8127. For more information see the website www.dyckarboretum.org.
Daylily "madness" — The Wichita Daylily Club will have its version of March Madness at a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Botanica. The program will focus on where to see and buy the best daylilies. Local growers and garden judges will provide recommendations of daylilies that perform especially well in south-central Kansas. There will also be a preview of the National Daylily Convention in May. Visitors are welcome.
Birding at Botanica — Botanica's monthly birdwalk will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday. It is included in admission or membership.
Children's garden update — Botanica's director of education Pam Harnden will give a preview of the Downing Children's Garden at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday at Botanica. It is included in admission or membership. Sweet Basil will sell lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $7.
Derby garden meeting — Composting will be the subject of the program at the next meeting of the Derby Garden Club, at 7 p.m. Monday at the Valley State Bank building, 300 E. Madison, in Derby.
Project Beauty luncheon — Jason Griffin, director of the John Pair Horticultural Center, will speak at a Project Beauty luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Crestview Country Club. Reservations can be made by calling Jeanne at 316-744-2571 by Monday. The cost is $17.
Gathering for Gardeners — Seven free garden seminars will be on tap today at the 22nd annual Gathering for Gardeners in Hutchinson. The gathering, sponsored by the Hutchinson Horticulture Club, features area and state garden experts. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th St., west of the Kansas Cosmosphere on 12th Street. People can come and go, attending whichever seminars they please. Here's the schedule:
* 9 a.m.: Starting Plants From Seeds, by James Taylor, retired Hutchinson Community College instructor
* 10 a.m.: What's New in Roses? by Dave Radebaugh of Greenleaf Nursery and Gary Bornholdt of Bornholdt Plantland in Hutchinson
* 11 a.m.: Moles, Gophers & Deer — Oh My! by Charlie Lee, wildlife damage control specialist at with K-State Research & Extension
* 1 p.m.: Edible Landscaping, by extension agent Rebecca McMahon
* 2 p.m.: Starting a Garden From Scratch, by Alan Stevens of K-State
* 2:30 p.m.: New and Exciting Annuals for 2011, by Stevens
* 3:30 p.m.: Growing Sunflowers, a report on the Hutchinson Horticulture Club project.
"Water and Kansas History" Speaker and Dinner Series — The next History Alive speaker and dinner will be Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Botanica. Depending on which part of the state you're talking about, the amount of surface water and groundwater affected the settlement of that area of Kansas. Tickets are $12 and include the dinner and the lecture. Reservations are required by Monday and can be made by calling 316-264-0448.
Book sale on Mother's Day — Botanica is having a used book sale on Mother's Day and is accepting garden-related books, cookbooks and periodicals for the sale. Drop-off times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
This story was originally published March 12, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Gardener's almanac (March 12)."