Asparagus is a perennial vegetable harvested in the spring. Begin with healthy, disease resistant crowns and plant from mid-March through mid-April. Crowns should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart with the crown buds seven to eight inches below the soil surface. Once established, asparagus is fairly hardy to stress but it does require full sun and well-drained soil. During year one, do not harvest asparagus spears. Each year after, harvest regularly before the spears reach 10 inches tall. Snap the spears at about ½ to ¾ inch above the soil surface. Stop harvesting after 6-7 weeks when the spears only reach the diameter of a pencil or smaller. Store the harvested spears in the refrigerator and use soon after harvest. Asparagus should be fertilized in early spring and weed regularly to reduce competition. Sustainable lawn management begins with understanding proper care. This includes mowing at the proper height and time, fertilizing and watering properly. Watering in the lawn and garden can account for half of outdoor residential water use. However, this amount can be reduced by following some simple practices.
https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF2068.pdf Originating from Germany, hügelkultur, or “hill culture” is a time-tested strategy for growing annuals and perennials. This permaculture practice turns organic landscape waste into a raised bed. If done correctly, the mound will be a low-maintenance, self-composting addition to the garden. Click below to learn more about establishing a Hügelkultur. https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/horticulture-resource-center/horticulture-newsletter/documents/2024/march2024/Hugelkultur%20template.pdf Right Plant in the Right Place If you’re starting new plants in your lawn and garden this spring think ahead. Choosing the right plant to fill voids in the landscape is essential success. Know the water needs of the plant and the water availability of your landscape. Understand the growth characteristics of the plant including height and spread at maturity, rate of growth, thorns/fruiting habit, etc. Determine if those qualities will fit with the space you have available. A small, young tree may look nice planted in front of your home, but as it grows will it block your view out the window? Will this still be a desirable location? Likewise, a thorny bush planted next to a sidewalk may be fine when the shrub is small, but as it grows and approaches the sidewalk it may become a hazard requiring regular pruning to contain it. As you shop for new additions to the landscape keep these points in mind. Informed decisions early in the landscaping process will save you time and money. “Why is the bark on one side of my apple trees peeling away from the tree?” This is likely a result of winter sunscald which affects thin-barked trees and typically shows up during late winter. When we experience warm winter days, the sun heats up the tree, usually on the south or southwest side of the trunk. This causes the cells on that side of the tree to come out of dormancy and become active. If the temperature later drops to freezing, it can damage or kill those plant cells causing the tissue to become sunken. The damaged bark will begin to crack and fall away over time. The best solution to this problem is prevention. A variety of wraps are available to protect the tree trunk. Trees that show symptoms of damage should be monitored for pests. Provide proper care to prevent further stress. https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/horticulture-resource-center/common-pest-problems/documents/Sunscald%20on%20Trees.pdf Planting
Pruning Scouting
Cool season grasses:Warm season grasses Mid-March to April is planting time for spring potatoes. Begin with disease-free tubers from a reputable source. Potatoes from the grocery store may not produce a large yield compared with certified seed potatoes. Early maturing varieties, especially in southern Kansas, are favorable so tuber development is complete prior to the summer heat. Cut the tubers into 1 ½ to 2-ounce pieces and store in a warm, humid location for two to three days. This time allows the cut to heal and prevents rot. For the best success plant when the soil is at least 45 degrees F. Space seeds 12 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Seeds should be planted two inches deep. Potatoes require regular watering. Practice crop rotation, if possible, by avoiding planting in an area where tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes or tomatillos have been planted in the past three to four years. As potatoes develop along the main stem protruding from the seed, pull loose soil up, or apply straw mulch, over the potatoes. This will prevent them from being sunburned. They will be ready for harvest when the vines are about half dead. (Kansas Garden Guide) It’s time for establishing new fruit trees in Kansas. Here are a few tips to get started.
You can access our complete publication for planning your fruit garden through the KSRE bookstore: Planning your Fruit Garden. March is time for pruning raspberries and blackberries. Though perennial plants, the canes are biennial. While each plant can survive several years, each cane (branch) lives for two years. The first year for each cane is a growth year. The second year is for fruiting. After the second year, the canes should be pruned out. Everbearing red raspberries and blackberries are the exception as they produce fruit on first year canes. See our publication on Raspberries and Blackberries for details about proper pruning. |
AuthorsCynthia Domenghini runs the Horticulture Response Center in the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources at Kansas State University. Other contributors include K-State Extension Specialists. Archives
February 2024
Categories
All
|