Wichita gardener’s almanac
Wet soil — The forecast is taking a turn for spring, and soon, hopefully, we’ll be able to start planting. But we don’t have to wait just for soil temperatures to warm up. The soil needs to dry out too. Working wet soil this time of year can result in clods that may not break down all summer, Ward Upham of K-State says. You can grab a handful of soil from the depth where you plan to work and squeeze it to test it. If water drips out, it’s too wet. If it doesn’t, push a finger into the squeezed soil. If the soil crumbles, it’s workable; if your finger just leaves an indentation, give it more time, Upham says.
Strawberry mulch — Keep an eye on the soil temperature; it’s listed under “Farm & Garden” on The Eagle’s weather page. Research shows that once the soil temp reaches 40, mulch should be removed from strawberry plants to increase production, Upham says. But keep the mulch handy between rows. The next time freezing weather is predicted, mulch the plants again.
Ornamental grass trim — Nice weather gives us a chance to cut back our ornamental grasses. It may be easier to tie foliage together before cutting, Upham says. If the center of the clump shows little growth, he says, you can dig it up and divide it, replanting the vigorous growth found along the outer edge.
Garden events
Program on climbing roses — The Wichita Rose Society on Tuesday evening will look at creative examples of arbors, trellises and other structures that support climbing roses, as well as ways to train, tie and prune roses, and climbing roses that are thornless. The meeting will be at Botanica, with social time starting at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting at 7. It is free and open to the public. Anyone may bring photos or ideas of their own supports for roses.
Talk on new annuals, herbs and vegetables at Arnold’s — Rita Arnold of Arnold’s Greenhouse in LeRoy will be at Botanica on Wednesday to talk about what’s new in annuals, herbs and vegetables for 2015 at the greenhouse. The talk will cover more than 100 cultivars. The lecture starts at 12:15; Blue Moon Caterers will be serving lunch for $8 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
A Gathering for Gardeners — The Hutchinson Horticulture Club will have its annual day of free garden seminars – a Gathering for Gardeners – on March 14 in Hutchinson. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th St. (west of the Cosmosphere on 12th). Here is the lineup of talks:
9 a.m., fall gardening with vegetables and flowers; 10 a.m., tomatoes – something old and something new; 11 a.m., pest control in the garden; 1 p.m., raised bed and container gardens; 2 p.m., shade gardening; 3 p.m., new Prairie Star annuals and more.
Annie Calovich
This story was originally published March 6, 2015 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Wichita gardener’s almanac."