Asparagus

Asparagus can be cut down now or left until spring. It needs removed before new growth. I usually knock it down with the riding mower and burn it. Last year, I put wood chip mulch over the bed to keep weeds down. It worked well. However, I don't want to set the wood chips on fire. This year, I will use the blade on my string trimmer and cut them off and chop the fern growth up for mulch.

Bulb Planting

Bulb planting can be done until the ground freezes. Here a Riley County Extension Master Gardener is planting tulips at the Riley County Office Building. You can find good prices on bulbs at local stores.

Spring blooming bulbs add early season color (excitement) to the landscape.

Mulching Hybrid Tea Roses

This Papa Meilland rose needs the crown protected from changing temperatures during the winter. A mound of free wood chip mulch from the Transfer Station is placed over the crown to a height of 12 inches.

I cut the stems back to 36 inches for the winter to reduce wind movement. A typical winter will kill these stems back to the mulch.

Come April, I will push the mulch off the crown and spread it around the ground by the bush.

Forcing Hyacinths

Several years ago, I purchased 3 forcing containers. I'm down to one. The bottom is filled with pebbles and some charcoal up to the waist. Roots are now forming and soon I will put it in the refrigerator for around 12 weeks. It then will be brought out to bloom. Once it does bloom, it needs to be kept in a cool location to make it last.

To learn more about forcing bulbs, see our publication at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf2077.pdf

Fall Colors

The first leaves to change color in my landscape is the woodbine also called Virginia creeper. This vine climbs up anything and here it is in a redbud tree. The seeds sprout readily in the yard. If it wasn't for the fall color, I wouldn't tolerate having to pull out the many seedlings over the course of the year.

Fall Bean Harvest

Got my first harvest of fall beans. The kids don't care for them but the wife and I do. I continue to treat for bean leaf beetles.

Hyacinth Bean

The hyacinth bean is putting on a wonderful display now. There is a wooden chair underneath all the growth. The bean bods are edible. I've never tried them since they are attractive to look at, as well.

Bean leaf beetles like this bean just as much as the bush beans. I've been able to treat all beans for them this season.

The bush beans are blooming, so looking forward to the fall harvest.

Planting Bed Preparation

Many people planted grass over the Labor Day weekend. I got a load of compost from the Transfer Station and spread it over my shrub/flower planting bed. The compost was worth the wait. This project started on the 4th of July weekend.

The compost, sulphur and existing soil have been worked together. I will now have the soil tested to see if I need anything else to add to the soil prior to planting this fall.