Lawn Weeds

Now is the best time to manage broadleaf weeds. Dandelions, henbit (picture), chickweed, speedwell, and other weeds are easiest removed when small. A thick, healthy lawn will crowd out most weeds. Broadleaf weed herbicides can be applied anytime the weed is actively growing. Read and follow your products label for best and safest use.

Ornamental Grasses

Even with the heat and drought of this year, my ornamental grasses did well. I did water them some this summer. Ornamental grasses are tough plants. Usually, nothing bothers them. I did witness an issue this year with my Praire Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis (picture). They were being mauled. The new kittens born this spring were having a grand time wrestling with them. You can see a healthy one at the planting at the Riley County Office Building, 110 Courthouse Plaza. Join me on Saturday, September 29 at 10 A.M. for discussion on our planting. Meet me at the grass bed.

It's not suppose to bloom now!

My 'Enterprise' fruiting apple is blooming again. I haven't even harvested my fall crop. The summer stress has some spring blooming plants flowering now. I've seen several flowering crabapples and lilacs blooming. Unfortunately, that will take away from our production and flowering next spring. There is nothing to been done, so might as well enjoy the extra color this fall.

Ornamental Grasses

The new ornamental grass bed at the Riley County Office Building has done well this year. These were planted this spring. They have been watered along with the turf. Stop-by and see them as many are now blooming. Each variety has a label to identify them. Next spring would be a good time to plant your favorite grasses. Here is the link to the publication that describes these grasses. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf3048.pdf

Fall Lawn Decisions

This is what my front lawn looks like going into mid-August. It wasn't watered at all this summer. Last fall and spring were a struggle for it with little moisture and warmer than average temperatures. Besides proper mowing, I plan to fertilize it with Urea once the heat breaks and some natural rain occurs. September is the best time to fertilize tall fescue lawns. Learn about seeding and fertilizing at the "Back to Gardening" event at Pottorf Hall on August 30 beginning at 6 pm.

Its Cracking

This soil crack is 2 inches wide. It is the biggest one I found in my yard. We missed another rain chance last night. Hopefully, we will get rain and cooler temperatures so that we can decide what to do this fall with the lawn. August 30, at 6 pm is a program on fall lawn care at Pottorf Hall in preparation for Lawn Labor Day weekend.

Fair Exhibits

These onions are going to the Riley County Fair. The roots and tops need to be removed. The outer leaves will remain and be dusted off. Our 4-H and Open class entries need 3 per exhibit for onions. Go to the http://www.rileycountyfair.com/ to see the fair book with information on classes. Entries need to be brought to Pottorf Hall in CiCo park on Thursday, July 26 from 8 am to noon. Another important reference for exhibiting vegetables is at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/c405.pdf . This publication gives information on how to prepare the individual crops. 

Rose Blooms

I'm surprise that my hybrid tea roses are still blooming. This vase has my 3 favorite red roses, Mister Lincoln, Olympiad and Papa Meilland. They are all very fragrant. Another worthy red rose is Veterans' Honor. Hopefully, there will be some available for the Riley County fair.
I like to cut my flowers early Monday morning and they usually last on my desk until Friday. It is best to re-cut the stems and change the water daily. One advantage of the hot and dry weather is that I'm having very little blackspot causing the leaves to fall off. I've got a drip tube that I run once a week on these roses. To learn about blackspot, go to http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=586#R .

Scorch is Plant Stress

I have 5 choke berry bushes by the house and they all show plant stress. They have done this in previous years. It isn't best for any plant but usually not life threatening. Leaf scorch, as this is called, is when the plant is loosing (transpiring) more water than it is taking in. For more information on scorch, go to http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=586#S

Onion Harvest

The onion crop was pulled this weekend. I'm surprised they did as well as they did. Cool weather is usually needed for good growth. The frequent, shallow watering and some nitrogen must have done the trick. These onions will "cure" on our covered porch until the necks dry up. Keeping them in a dry and airy location until use is best. Or as I just got off the phone with a grower, chopping them up and putting them in the freezer is a sure way to store them.

Squash plant death

This zucchini squash bit the dust. I cut the stem open to look for squash vine borer. None discovered. There were not many roots when I pulled it up. Guessing it was a root issue. I would be surprised if it was over-watered which would cause root death. I'm not sure what went wrong.

Squash bugs

I'm having a bumper crop of squash bugs this year on my one pumpkin plant. It will be a busy fourth of July fighting for freedom for this pumpkin to survive!

Tobacco hornworm

Found this tobacco hornworm feeding on my Mt. Bell cherry tomato this morning. This tomato is in a container on the deck. Earlier, had the tomato hornworm found floating in rain water in the field planting tomatoes. I picked this guy off for my control measure.

Squash bug

The squash bugs have really been active laying eggs on my one pumpkin plant. I've been squashing the adults and scraping the eggs off, but can't keep up. Hatch of the young is any day now. An insecticide treatment will be applied according to the label to reduce their population. Squash bug information is at
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/entml2/MF2508.pdf

Herbicide on Tomato

This younger tomato plant absorbed some phenoxy herbicide showing up on a few leaves that are distorted. 2,4-D vapor drift is the usual agent. This amount will not cause much injury. In previous years, my whole plants were damaged to the point they never produced. Once it occurs, there isn't any cure. Prevention is the only solution.

Tomato Hornworm

This tomato hornworm was found next to my tomatoes in a film of water trapped on the black plastic mulch. I didn't find any missing leaves, but the size would indicate it had been feeding for sometime. The storm on Thursday must of dislodge it. Hand removal is easiest for a typical tomato planting. Many insecticides are available for treatment. To learn more about them, click on link. http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=1729

Coneflower Problem

I started this PowWow coneflower from seed last year. The only one I got out of my ten seeds. It bloomed a little last fall. I was looking forward to a big splash of color this year. Instead, it got infected with a disease called aster yellows. That's how gardening goes sometimes. To learn about aster yellows go to http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=1577 This plant is no more in the landscape.

Apricot Harvest

Harvest is wrapping up on the apricot. You want the fruit to be nicely colored with no green background. I treated it twice for Oriental fruit moth. About a third of the fruit had larvae to cut out of the fruit. I've never been a fan of canned apricots. Fresh is the only way to go for me.

Genista Caterpillar

I found this Genista Caterpillar on my Baptisia after reading the K-State Research and Extenison Entomology newsletter. To read more, go to
http://www.entomology.ksu.edu/doc5018.ashx

Ripe Black raspberry

Normally, I harvest my first black raspberry around father's day. I harvested my first one yesterday. I'm thankful that it has cooled off. It should make the berries sweeter. It is easy to tell when they are ripe. They easily separate from the plant.

Pinching raspberry canes

My black raspberry canes are growing fast. The new canes should be summer-tipped by removing 2-3 inches from the top. That leaves a 3 feet long cane from the ground. I pinch mine off but hand shears or gloves may be recommended. This promotes growth of side branches and stocky plants that are more ridged. It is necessary to tip the ends of new canes several times during the summer.

Broccoli Harvest

My only successful broccoli crop. I transplanted 24 plants of various broccoli, kale, cauliflower and cabbage in my raised bed. They all died after a few weeks. I need to stick with containers.

Deer Patrol

A deer likes to snack on my roses flower buds. See missing buds on the rose stems. A few years ago, I got this scare sprinkler to attempt to change the deer behavior. I can't say it does or doesn't work. At least my children get a kick out of running by it.

Lawn weed

Black medic is really growing well in my field and others in Riley County this year. The clover like leaves and yellow flowers are characteristics. My higher managed lawn is thick and few weeds are able to grow there. Proper fertilizing, mowing and watering is the best way to manage weeds. Black medic's prostrate growth habit can crowd out the desirable plants. Cultivation is one method of management. Herbicides containing MCPP, Dicamba and Triclopyr are labeled for black medic. Read and follow label directions. It is tomato season and products containing 2,4-D can damage sensitive crops. Use caution when applying all herbicides.

Ornamental Grass Bed

This is the new ornamental grass bed by the Riley County Office Building near 5th and Humboldt. It containes a few of the recommended grasses by K-State Research and Extension. You can learn about these grasses in the publication "Ornamental Grasses" at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf3048.pdf

Courthouse Hosta Bed

This is the second year for our Hosta bed. It usually takes 3 - 4 years to get established. Stop-by and see these "Prairie Bloom" varieties suited to the Kansas climate for shade to partial shade locations. The bed is north of the Riley County Courthouse at 5th and Poyntz in Manhattan. The complete list of "Prairie Bloom" Hostas is at http://www.prairiestarflowers.com/Prairie%20Bloom%20pages/Hosta_allpics.html. Information on growing Hostas is at http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/doc3179.ashx.

Lawn Issue

I was invited to look at this lawn. After discussion, it appears the lawn has several issues. It was over-seeded last fall. Some of the turf is still young. It has been fertilized perhaps too much in places. The leaves and stems had lesions.

Cure - mow tall and water as needed. No fertilizer until fall. If the weather stays cool, the turf will improve. If it come hot, the turf will decline and need attention come fall.

Seed Tape

I'm trying my own seed tape to reduce the need to thin small vegetable seeds. Carrots, lettuce, radish and in the picture spinach are glued to tissue paper and the proper spacing. Two seeds can be used per spot but will require thinning if they both grow.

I hope this solves my issue of thinning at the proper time. Usually, too busy to get it accomplished.

The seed tape can be covered with garden soil or potting media.

Spring is in the Air

Today is a great day to get out and get some work done. At least this honeybee thanks so. This shrub is the fragrant honeysuckle. One of several on the north west side of the courthouse. One of the first shrubs to bloom and the fragrance is wonderful. I suggest you have one. I have two. They get big. Perhaps 10 feet x 10 feet.

Forced Hyacinth

If you recall, I blogged about starting this hyacinth back in November. Now it is blooming. To keep it long lasting, I put it in the coolest room at night and bring it out during the day to enjoy it.

Winter Bloom

While out for my noon walk, I found this witchhazel blooming by the Flinthills Discovery Center. One of my 4 witchhazels are in bloom at home. I love these plants since they add interest to the landscape when nothing else is in bloom. Mine are in part shade. This one and the one beside it is in full sun. Time will tell how well all of them do.

Winter Desiccation

My Oregan Grapeholly is showing some signs of winter desiccation (browning on leaves). Make sure your broadleaf plants have available soil moisture. These are in my nursery to be moved come spring and don't have an expansive root system.

A windbreak would also help reduce moisture loss from the leaves.

Indoor Cilantro

I've been enjoying this batch of cilantro for quite awhile now. When the temperature rises it starts to flower and turn bitter. I've been harvesting since fall on this planting. It does pretty well here in my sunroom. It is probably time to start a new batch so I can have continuous fresh cilantro for my egg burrito!