Gardener’s almanac (Aug. 13)

Plant — Kale, lettuce, turnips, beets.

Fertilize strawberries — Fertilize spring-bearing strawberries in mid-August with nitrogen to promote fruit bud development, Ward Upham of K-State advises. Apply ½ to 3/4 pound of actual nitrogen per 100 feet of row. On sandy soils, the rate can be increased by about a half. Put down at least 1/2 inch of water to move the nitrogen to the roots, Upham says.

Garden events

Iris meeting — The Wichita Area Iris Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday at Botanica. Birthday cake will be served to celebrate the club's birthday, and the club's door prizes for the year will be distributed. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Birding at Botanica — The monthly bird walk at Botanica will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. It lasts an hour and is included in Botanica admission.

Tuesdays on the Terrace – Gladioli & Gin Rickeys is the theme of the next Tuesdays on the Terrace at Botanica. Kawehi will provide the music, and food and drinks will be for sale. Hours are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; gardens are open until 7. Cover is $7, or $3 for members.

Vegetable cooking talk – Master gardener Linda Courtney will be at Botanica on Wednesday to share favorite and easy recipes featuring homegrown vegetables. The lunchtime lecture, at 12:15, is included in Botanica admission.

Taste of India program – The Taste of India garden at the Extension Center will be the focus of a Saturday Sampler program at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Extension agents will teach about vegetables common to Indian cuisine that can be grown in Kansas and also will give cooking and nutrition tips, timely gardening tips and a tour of the demonstration garden at 21st and Ridge Road. The event is free and will be taking place during the farmers market in the parking lot.

This story was originally published August 16, 2014 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Gardener’s almanac (Aug. 13)."