Wichita gardener’s almanac (April 11)

Rain chances vs. actual rain — Despite recent stormy-type weather, Wichita has received precious little moisture from the heavens. “When you’re out digging a hole – most gardeners have been digging – you’ll find some spots that are nice and moist and some are bone dry,” extension agent Bob Neier says. “The only way you’re going to know is to do a little digging and find out.”

In general, native-type plants that are established should be fine, Neier says; others that need more water would benefit from a good soaking, including lawns. “You see some yards are beautiful green and some are not. Fertilizer is part of it,” Neier says, but watering also plays a part. “Water as if you’re having a good slow rain that waters for several hours – deep, deep watering,” Neier says.

Overseeding deadline — April 15 is generally the deadline for seeding fescue in the spring. Sodding is more likely to be successful in the spring than seed, Ward Upham of K-State writes in this week’s Horticulture 2015 newsletter.

Nantucket pine tip moth — It’s time to treat for pine tip moth, which generally bothers scotch, ponderosa and mugo pines, Neier says. April 10 is the optimum date to treat this year, so spray as close to that date as possible.

Plant — Cabbage, collards, chard, carrots, broccoli, lettuce, radishes, onions, peas, spinach, turnips, beets.

Garden events

Daffodil show — The Wichita Daffodil Society will have a one-day show of daffodils this weekend, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Botanica. Admission to the show is free.

Tulips, Fairies & Forts — Botanica is dressed up for spring with forts, fairy houses and lots of activities for children on Saturdays through April 18 as part of the Tulips, Fairies & Forts event. There are crafts, fairy dress-up and props, games, a scavenger hunt, fort-building, bubbles, fairy story time, and a bounce house. It’s included in admission. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each Saturday also has its own features; on April 11, Tanganyika Wildlife Park will have a display.

Redbud tour — The Chautauqua County Redbud Tour is this weekend. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, you can pick up a map of back-country roads plus receive a free redbud tree per family at the corner of Main and Douglas under the big flag in Sedan. The tour is sponsored by the Sedan Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s free, but donations will be accepted.

GreenAcres market opening — The Kansas Grown GreenAcres Farmers Market will open for the season on Tuesday. The market’s offerings will include meats, produce, farm eggs, jams, jellies, salsa, honey, baked goods, handmade gifts, and wood and metal crafts. It will be open for the season on Tuesdays from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of GreenAcres at 8141 E. 21st St. More information: 316-634-1088, kansasgrowninc.com.

“Let’s Care for Our Earth” — Beth McDonald will be at Botanica on Wednesday to give a lunchtime lecture on reducing, reusing and recycling. The talk, at 12:15, is included in Botanica admission. Truffles will have lunch for sale from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for $8.

Project Beauty luncheon and basket drawing — Project Beauty’s annual basket drawing and silent auction along with a luncheon will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Rolling Hills Country Club, 223 S. Westlink. The cost is $17; mail a check to Jean Wellshear, 6411 Marjorie, 67206, by Monday. More information: 316-722-4273.

African violet meeting — Sharon Endicott will give the program at the next meeting of the Wichita African Violet Study Club, at 1 p.m. Friday at Botanica. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Plant exchange amid the art — A free plant exchange will be part of the Porter Street Artists event on April 18 in Riverside. Plants, bulbs, seeds and starters are welcome; leave an item and take one in exchange from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. That’s when about 25 artists will be showing their wares in the 900 block of Porter. There also will be live music and Chino’s Parrillo Food Truck.

Barnaby Bright concert — Barnaby Bright will perform at 4 p.m. April 19 at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children plus tax; make reservations by calling 620-327-8127.

Gyp Hills wildflower tour — The Barber County Conservation District will be have its annual wildflower tour in the Gypsum Hills of Medicine Lodge on May 9. The tour will include continental breakfast, a barbecue lunch and a snack of homemade cookies with wildflower stops and a Gyp Hills drive in between. The cost is $15, free for children 10 and under. Paid reservations are due by May 4; send check to Barber County Conservation District, 800 W. Third Ave., Medicine Lodge, KS 67104. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the tour ends about 3:30 p.m. at Medicine Lodge High School. For more information, call the district at 620-886-5311, ext. 3.

Annie Calovich

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 1:21 PM with the headline "Wichita gardener’s almanac (April 11)."