Summer can be very busy, but don’t forget to learn and brainstorm. Spend some time enjoying nature, researching animals, and growing healthy plants. Brush up on your birdwatching vocabulary. Discover how wood type affects the sound of your guitar. Explore the 11 physiographic regions of Kansas. Learn about rare and popular breeds of livestock. Consider…
Tag: Insect Pests
Bacterial Wilt
As its name suggests, bacterial wilt is a bacterial disease affecting cucurbits, such as: Cucumbers. Muskmelons. Squash. Pumpkins. Gourds. Watermelons are rarely affected by bacterial wilt. Note that bacterial wilt of cucurbits is different than the various bacteria-caused wilt diseases of corn. These corn diseases are caused by different organisms and spread by different insect…
Dustin-Mizer
If you use diatomaceous earth (DE) to beat your garden pests, you will probably appreciate the Dustin-Mizer. This is a hand-powered device that will help you apply a fine dusting of DE to your plants. Operation is simple: Assemble the Dustin-Mizer. Fill the bin with up to one pound of DE. Point the nozzle toward…
Get Ready for May 2016
Summer is fast approaching! It’s time to battle the bugs, brush up on music skills, and plan some family time for Memorial Day. Discover the historical geography of the United States. Choose the right string gauge for your guitar. Deter garden bugs before they show up for lunch. Start a homemade construction project. Learn how…
K-State Horticulture Newsletter
Gardening in Kansas can be a very unique experience. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find information tailored to our somewhat unpredictable climate and growing conditions. Fortunately, K-State has filled the gap with a weekly newsletter packed with useful and timely information that gardeners of all stripes will appreciate. Whether you have a kitchen garden,…
Manual Pest Control
For minor to moderate insect problems, there is one pest-control solution that works every time: hand-picking the bugs. Gardeners still swear by this time-honored method of controlling pests. Many people patrol their gardens daily, scouring the plants for signs of unwelcome visitors. With some types of pests, in fact, hand-picking the bugs is the best…
Rodale’s Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening
This old classic just keeps on going! Fruits, vegetables, herbs, ornamental plants—it’s all here, along with a diverse array of natural gardening tips and techniques. The current edition of Rodale’s well-known work is Rodale’s Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, and it still contains a wealth of knowledge. Handy growing advice for a wide range of…
Tomato
The possibilities of a fresh, homegrown tomato are nearly endless. The simplest uses, such as sandwich toppings and BLTs, are by far the best. However, when you have a surplus, experiment. Dice them and use them instead of canned tomatoes in your favorite recipes. Cook them to make salsa or tomato sauce. Even green tomatoes…
Squash (Winter & Pumpkin)
Different gardeners have different favorite uses for winter squash, so be prepared to experiment with this unique vegetable. Squash can be boiled, baked, or mashed. It can be served by itself as a side or added to soups and stews. It can be stuffed with rice or sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Butternut squash can…
10 Resources for Beginning Gardeners…and a Bonus!
Spring is in the air at last! Are you ready to start gardening? If you have never planted a garden before, you may still be doing your research, hunting for resources that will get you off to a good start. We’ve pulled together a short list of posts, links, and books to help you out…
