Wichita gardener’s almanac for Dec. 12
Dealing with volunteer trees — Fortunately, this year did not bring the bumper crop of volunteer trees that last year did. Nonetheless, they’re always around. And we can actually do something about them in these slow gardening days, as long as the temperature is above freezing if you’re using an herbicide.
First of all, if there is a tree that you think you’d actually like to see grow but it’s in the wrong place, plan to transplant it in the spring, Ward Upham of K-State says.
Once the trees are too big to pull out, cutting them at the base is my favorite removal method. But that’s usually just another procrastination move, as most trees will resprout after cutting, Upham says, including Siberian elm, hackberry, Osage orange (hedgeball), oak, ash, aspen, cottonwood, maple, sycamore and willow. These need to be dug out or have their stump treated with an herbicide labeled for such a use, usually triclopyr or glyphosate, Upham says.
“Most often the undiluted product is applied to the stump immediately after cutting,” Upham writes in the Horticulture 2015 newsletter. “A paint brush is often used for the application, though some people will dip their pruning shears in the products immediately before cutting. Regardless, it is important that the stump is treated immediately or at least within five minutes. Note that a paint brush with foam rather than bristles is less likely to drip.”
Be sure not to use herbicides on suckers, which originate from the roots of an existing tree rather than from seed, because that could kill the original tree, Upham says. Among the trees that commonly produce suckers are tree of heaven, honeylocust, black locust, hackberry, Western soapberry, cottonwood, aspen, poplar, willow and boxelder, he says.
One tree that does not resprout after cutting is Eastern redcedar, Upham says.
Potatoes in cold storage — When storing potatoes, they will stay firm for long periods and won’t sprout if kept below 40 degrees, Upham says. But their starches often will be converted to sugars in the cool, which gives the tubers an undesirable sweet taste, he says. But if you place the potatoes at room temperature for two to three days before eating, the sugars will convert back to starches and their normal taste.
Garden events
Illuminations — Botanica’s Christmas lights display runs through Dec. 31 (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) through Dec. 31. Hours for Illuminations are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $8, $7 for members, $6 for ages 3 to 12; children under 3 get in free. Advance tickets can be purchased at Botanica or QuikTrip. More info: botanica.org.
Indoor farmers market — The Kansas Grown Farmers Market will have an indoor market from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 19 in the 4-H Building of the Extension Center at 21st and Ridge Road. More than 40 farmers and crafters will have food and other items for sale, including fresh produce for holiday meals, spinach, lettuce, herbs, meats, salsa, jams, jellies and holiday baked items. Christmas gifts include hand-made soaps, candles, skin-care products, knitted items, wood crafts and leather goods. Admission is free.
Annie Calovich
This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Wichita gardener’s almanac for Dec. 12."