Ornamental Grasses

Most grasses are well adapted to growing in our environment. There are a wide range of grasses to choose from. Now is a good time to view them as they finish up blooming and turning their fall and winter color.

Join me for a walking tour of the grasses at the KSU Gardens (1500 Denison Ave.) on Saturday, October 16 beginning at 10 am.

The handout can be used as a self-guided tour. It is under Landscape Grasses at http://www.riley.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=199

Gear Up for National 4-H Week

Fall is here -- and it even is starting to feel like it in the weather department too! National 4-H Week will soon be here; October 3-9, and Riley County 4-H clubs are busy planning for the week.

Randolph Ramblers will be performing a song and skit for 4-H Sunday. They have been busy practicing and will share it on October 17 at 9:30 a.m.

College Hill will be visiting Manhattan Broadcasting to promote 4-H and share 4-H made treats.

Bonfire 4-H members will be sharing brochures about their club and their 4-H experience with their classes at school.

The Riley County 4-H Ambassadors will be visiting local radio stations and sharing more about the 4-H program.

The Extension Office will be conducting a special science experiement on carbon footprints with the 4th grade at Manhattan Catholic Schools.

What are you going to do to celebrate National 4-H Week? Email your ideas to afeld@ksu.edu

Aeration

I aerated the lawn and broadcast seed to repair the lawn. The soil was moist which makes for good 2-3 inch plugs for the seed to fall into. Hopefully, in 10 days the dead areas will be showing signs of green.

Old & New Year Stuff

This time of year is crazy! School has started, fall sports are well underway, and 4-H still has lots to accomplish.

The Kansas State Fair comes at the tail end of the 4-H year, and this year's fair will run September 10-19. 4-H members are also preparing award applications, which are due on September 20. 4-H clubs are electing new officers, designing new program calendars, signing up for new committees and collecting volunteers for the new year. The new year, by the way, begins October 1. Yikes!

The Extension Office is busy turning over enrollments, collecting state fair entries and preparing for the end of the year awards rush. Then the fun begins. All items must be screened and processed in time for the October 24th 4-H Achievement Celebration. Not to mention ordering awards, preparing a program, contacting presenters, event details and communicating with the event committee.

So, when people ask what do we do when we are done with the fair for another year? I really don't know quite what to say!

Dead Bluegrass

Bluegrass likes cool temperatures and water. This summer got too hot and turned dry. My lawn had looked great for the last 4 years. The tall fescue is still standing, but you can tell where the bluegrass had taken over. Over-seeding with a turf-type tall fescue blend is the remedy.

State Fair Gear Up

We are approaching the "final" weekend of summer, or at least most folks view Labor Day weekend as the final time to celebrate summer. The thermometer may still be on the toasty side, but fall will still soon be here. One of the final summer destinations for everyone should be the Kansas State Fair.

The Kansas State Fair will be held September 10-19 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Members are putting some finishing updates on exhibits, as Kansas 4-H members from across the state have the opportunity to share their work. The Kansas State Fair is, for most 4-H members, the final "big" activity of the 4-H year.

Come check out the action! Visit http://www.kansasstatefair.com/ to explore the schedule and a listing of places to visit. Don't forget to congratulate youth participants for their work! Enjoy this final summer adventure!