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: Water
Prairie Strips in Field Crops
There’s a new farming technique on the Midwestern prairie. It’s innovative, it’s sustainable, but it’s also readily available to farmers of all stripes. This tool is the prairie strip, a strip of native prairie plants grown right in the middle of a grain field. Benefits The idea behind prairie strips is to create a…
The Dirt-Cheap Green Thumb
Gardening on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice looks or taste! The Dirt-Cheap Green Thumb: 400 Thrifty Tips for Saving Money, Time & Resources In and Around the Garden by Rhonda Massingham Hart will show you how to make the most of your gardening dollars, while still enjoying a beautiful and productive…
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,…
Get Ready for March 2016
Get ready for spring! It’s time to plan new projects, start a garden, and get outside to enjoy nature. Start a new garden or orchard. Plan your farm water system. Take on the 5-minute brainstorming challenge. Learn more about growing your favorite vegetables. Learn about the breeding birds of Kansas. Start a farm journal. Find…
Pros and Cons of Gardening in Kansas
Gardening in Kansas is quite a bit different than gardening in most other states—and that can be both good and bad. The Kansas climate is unique, which presents challenges and opportunities found nowhere else in America. So what exactly is different about gardening in Kansas, and how do we adapt? Pros Long growing season….
Scott State Park
The area of Scott State Park has a particularly rich heritage. It was once the home of the Apache tribe, but various Pueblo Indians fled to its remote expanses to escape the tyranny of the Spaniards of New Mexico. Later it became the home of French troops contesting the right of Spain to the Great…
What Makes Some Cucumbers Bitter?
All cucumber plants contain a substance known as cucurbitacin, which tastes very bitter and is toxic when concentrated. Normally, cucurbitacin is found in the roots, stems, and foliage of the plant, but in times of stress it may creep into the cucumber fruits, as well. Usually the cucurbitacin content of a cucumber is so low…
Meade State Park
Reservoirs are rare in southwestern Kansas. As early as 1925, residents of the small town of Meade realized that having the only lake and park around would probably be a boon to local businesses. That year, the state legislature had created the Kansas Forestry, Fish, and Game Commission with the power to construct lakes and…
Drought Gardening
Drought is a challenge some Kansas gardeners face frequently. Even in wet weather, precious water resources must be conserved, because one never knows just when the next dry spell will hit. Before you have to deal with the next drought, be proactive. Plan ways to make your garden more water-efficient. Consider reading Drought Gardening by…
