If you are considering purchasing fruit trees this spring, there are certain factors that should be considered for some of our fruit tree species.  Spring in Kansas is often unsettled with apricot and peach tree flowers being very vulnerable to late frosts that can kill fruit buds. Of course, the tree itself will be fine but there will be no to little fruit for that year.  Other species of trees can also be affected but apricots and peaches are by far the most sensitive.  Also, the closer a tree is to full bloom, the more sensitive it becomes to frost.

Apricots are more likely to have frost kill flowers than peaches because they bloom a bit earlier. Though there are late-blooming apricot varieties, the differences between full bloom on early and late-blooming varieties appears to be slight. Research at Virginia Tech in the 90's showed a maximum of a 4-day difference between early and late varieties. However, in some years that may be all that is needed. The trees in the study that were considered late blooming included Hungarian Rose, Tilton and Harlayne. Harglow was not included in the study but is also considered late-blooming. See https://tinyurl.com/y35ntxau  for more info.

Peaches are next on the list for being likely to be caught by a late frost. With peaches, two characteristics become important when considering whether they will be damaged. Like apricots, bloom time is very important but fruit bud hardiness should also be considered. In this case, fruit bud hardiness refers to hardiness to late frosts rather than the ability to survive extreme low temperatures during the winter. Late bloomers included ‘China Pearl’, ‘Encore’, ‘Intrepid’, ‘Contender’ and ‘Risingstar.’ See http://contentdm.nmsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/AgCircs/id/73025 . The ‘Intrepid’ cultivar also has shown excellent cold hardiness when in flower. 

So, are there other considerations when looking at possible frost damage? Location can be very important. Planting on a hill which allows cold air to drain to lower elevations can help.  Also, a location in town will be more likely to have a warmer micro-climate than an exposed location. Some gardeners will add a heat source under a tree during cold nights if they are close to a building. Heat lamps and charcoal briquettes are sometimes used but safety should be the first consideration. (Ward Upham)

Our John C. Pair Horticultural Center near Wichita established a National Elm Trial in 2007 with 18 cultivars. All of these are Dutch Elm Disease (DED) Resistant with 4 being true American elms. The cultivar ‘Jefferson’ would have been a fifth true American elm but proved to be the same cultivar as ‘Princeton’. The remainder are either hybrids or other elm species. The four true American elms are ‘Valley Forge’, ‘Princeton’, ‘New Harmony’ and ‘Lewis and Clark’ (Prairie Expedition). All have shown excellent tolerance to DED. Characteristics listed below are primarily from our study at the John C. Pair Horticultural Center but storm breakage is from the University of Minnesota.




‘Valley Forge’
Survival: 100%
Crown Shape: Vase
Lacebug damage to foliage: Minimal
European elm flea weevil damage: Minimal
Storm Breakage: Fair
Comments: Strong grower, broad spreading

‘Princeton’
Survival: 100%
Crown Shape: Vase
Lacebug damage to foliage: Minimal
European elm flea weevil damage: Minimal
Storm Breakage: Fair
Comments: Impressive grower, upright habit, attractive tree

‘New Harmony’
Survival: 100%
Crown Shape: Vase and round
Lacebug damage to foliage: Significant
European elm flea weevil damage: Minimal
Storm Breakage: Not in Minnesota study
Comments: Narrow, upright habit with strong, central axis

‘Lewis and Clark’ (Prairie Expedition)
Survival: 80%
Crown Shape: Broad oval
Lacebug damage to foliage: Minimal
European elm flea weevil damage: Minimal
Storm Breakage: Good
Comments: Strong grower with broad spreading habit, some wetwood.

Storm damage can be minimized by pruning when the tree is young. Maintain a central leader but prune out all lower branches as the tree grows and branches increase in diameter so that there is room to work under the tree. Also prune out branches attached with a narrow angle as these are most likely to give way in ice or wind storms. For more information regarding the study, see https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/NationalElmTrial/AUF2017.pdf   For photos and information on hybrids and other species of elm, see https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/ElmKansas.pdf . 
(Ward Upham)

Research from K-State’s John C. Pair Horticultural Center has quantified the effect of controlling grasses around newly planted trees. Jason Griffin, William Reid, and Dale Bremer conducted a study to investigate the inhibition of growth of transplanted, seedling trees when lawn grasses were allowed to grow up to the trunk. There were five treatments, including three with different species of grass:

1. Bare soil maintained with herbicides.
2. Area under tree mulched 3 inches deep.
3. Tall fescue allowed to grow under tree.
4. Bermudagrass allowed to grow under tree.
5. Kentucky bluegrass allowed to grow under tree.

All treatments were applied to Eastern redbud seedlings as well as to pecan seedlings. All trees were fertilized according to recommendations and watered during the growing season with up to 1 inch of water if rainfall was deficient. At the end of two years, trees were measured and harvested. Data was taken on caliper (diameter) 6 inches above the ground, weight of aboveground portions of the tree, leaf area, and leaf weight. There were no differences in any measure between the mulched treatment and the bare soil treatment for either tree species. All measures showed significant growth increases if lawn grasses were controlled around the tree.

Results include the following:

1. Caliper: Caliper measures 6 inches above the soil surface were twice as large for plots without grass than for those with either fescue or bluegrass, but only 50% larger when compared to the bermudagrass plots.

2. Top growth weight: Redbuds showed a 300% weight advantage for plots with grasses controlled than those without. Pecans showed a significant 200% increase.

3. Leaf area and leaf weight: Leaf areas were 200% larger in plots without grass competition and leaf weight showed a 300% increase.

The obvious conclusion from this study is that grasses must be controlled under a newly transplanted tree to get the best possible growth. Though there were no differences in growth whether mulch was used or not, you may still wish to mulch for aesthetic reasons or to help control weed growth. How far from the trunk should the grasses be controlled? Try a minimum of 3 feet. (Ward Upham)

The dark, cold days of winter are a good time to dream and plan for the upcoming growing season. Have you always wanted to landscape your home but didn’t know where to start? We offer a number of publications available to help you accomplish your dream. This collection includes everything from general landscaping publications such as “Residential Landscape Design,” to specific works such as“Naturalistic Landscaping” and “Low-Maintenance Landscaping.” 

You can download printed publications for landscaping free of charge from http://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/publications/landscaping.html .  Information on plants recommended for Kansas can be found at https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/recommended-plants/index.html .

You may also request printed copies from your local K-State Research and Extension office. There may be a small charge for printed copies of larger publications. 

If you need to know how to contact your local extension office, go to http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/Map.aspx  and mouse over your county. (Ward Upham)

Severe winter weather is not only hard on people but can be a life and death struggle for birds. Though birds also require water and shelter, food is often the resource most lacking during cold weather. Many different bird food mixes are available because various species often prefer different grains. However, there is one seed that has more universal appeal than any other: black oil sunflower. If you are new to the bird-feeding game, make sure there is a high percentage of this seed in your mix. White proso millet is second in popularity and is the favorite of dark-eyed juncos and other sparrows as well as the red-winged blackbird. 

As you become more interested in bird feeding, you may want to use more than one feeder to attract specific species of birds. Following is a list of bird species with the grains they prefer.
  - Cardinal, evening grosbeak and most finch species – sunflower seeds, all types.
  - Rufous-sided towhee – white proso millet.
  - Dark-eyed junco – white and red proso millet, canary seed, fine cracked corn.
  - Many sparrow species – white and red proso millet.
  - Bluejay – peanut kernels and sunflower seeds of all types.
  - Chickadee and tufted titmouse – peanut kernels, oil (black) and black-striped sunflower seeds.
  - Red-breasted nuthatch – oil (black) and black-striped sunflower seeds.
  - Brown thrasher – hulled and black-striped sunflower seeds.
  - Red-winged blackbird – white and red proso millet plus German (golden) millet
  - Mourning dove – oil (black) sunflower seeds, white and red proso plus German (golden)millet.

Extended cold periods can also make water unavailable. A heated birdbath can be a tremendous draw for birds during times when all other water is frozen. Energy use is usually less than what most people expect IF the heater has a built-in thermostat. 

If you would like more information, Chuck Otte, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Geary County has a series of backyard birding guides at http://gearycountyextension.com/NRMW.htm  (Ward Upham)

​Houseplants should not be fertilized with a consistent amount of fertilizer throughout the year.   The amount required depends on the season.  Normally houseplants that rely on natural sunlight are not fertilized at all from November through February as the light levels are so low that fertilizer is not needed.   The light intensity is less during the winter as the sunlight must pass through more of the atmosphere resulting in less light energy.  Also, the days are shorter resulting in even less light available for growth. Fertilizing during these dark months can do harm.  Fertilizer are salts and can build up in the soil if the plant doesn’t take them up due to slow growth.  Eventually the fertilizer salt content can reach a level that roots are burned.

So what is a simple method for fertilizing houseplant?  Fertilize at the rate recommended on the label of your fertilizer from March through October.  Don’t fertilize at all during November through February unless the plants are receiving supplemental lighting.  If they are, then fertilize the same amount throughout the year. 

If your fertilizer recommends fertilizing once a month, try splitting the concentration recommended in half and fertilize twice a month.  The total amount is the same but the frequency is doubled which may result in a more efficient use of the fertilizer.  (Ward Upham)

​This has been a dry fall and winter for much of Kansas. Watering now is important if soils are dry to help alleviate moisture stress. 

A good, deep watering with moisture reaching at least a foot down into the soil is much better than several light sprinklings that just wet the top portions of the soil. A deep watering will help ensure that the majority of roots have access to water. Regardless of the watering method used, soil should be wet at least 12 inches deep. Use a metal rod, wooden dowel, electric fence post or something similar to check depth. Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet. 

Although all perennial plants benefit from moist soils before winter, it is especially important for newly planted or overseeded lawns as well as newly transplanted trees and shrubs due to limited root systems. Even trees and shrubs planted within the last 2 to 3 years are more sensitive to drought than a well-established plant. Evergreens are also more at risk because moisture is lost from the foliage. 

Trees or shrubs planted within the last year can be watered inexpensively with a 5-gallon bucket. Drill a small hole (1/8") in the side of the bucket near the bottom. Fill the bucket and let the water dribble out slowly next to the tree. Refill the bucket once more, and you have applied 10 gallons. Very large transplanted trees and trees that were transplanted two to three years ago will require more water. 

A perforated soaker hose is a good way to water a newly established bed or foundation plantings. However, soaker hoses are notorious for non-uniform watering. In other words, you often receive too much water from one part of the hose and not enough from another. Hooking both the beginning and the end of the soaker hose to a Y-adapter helps equalize the pressure and therefore provide a more uniform watering. The specific parts you need are shown in the photo above and include the soaker hose, Y-adapter and female to female connector. It is also helpful if the Y-adapter has shut off valves so the volume of flow can be controlled. Too high a flow rate can allow water to run off rather than soak in. 

On larger trees, the soaker hose can circle the trunk at a distance within the dripline of the tree but at least ½ the distance to the dripline. The dripline of the tree is outermost reach of the branches. On smaller trees, you may circle the tree several times so that only soil which has tree roots will be watered. 

If using a soaker hose, note the time watering was started. Check frequently to determine the amount of time it takes for water to reach 12 inches. From then on, you can water “by the clock.” Use a kitchen oven timer so you remember to move the hose or shut off the faucet. If you are seeing surface runoff, reduce the flow, or build a berm with at least a 4-foot diameter around the base of the tree to allow the water to percolate down through the soil, instead of spreading out. 

Fall planted or overseeded lawns can be watered with an overhead sprinkler.  Watering to a depth of 12 inches with this method would be a challenge but try to reach at least 6 inches deep. 

Watering once a month if it remains day and warm should be adequate.(Ward Upham)

​During the growing season, these plants are easy to tell apart as Virginia Creeper has five-leaflets per leaf and Poison Ivy has three.  However, during the winter, distinguishing between the two vines can be more difficult as the leaves have dropped.  The reason it is important to be able to tell the difference is that Poison Ivy causes a rash in most people but Virginia Creeper does not.  First, let’s cover some facts about Poison Ivy.
   - Urushiol is the oil present in Poison Ivy that causes the rash.
   - Urushiol is present in all parts of the plant but especially in the sap.
   - Urushiol can cause a rash from 1 to 5 years after a plant has died.
   - The amount of urushiol that covers the head of a pin can cause a rash in 500 people.  The stuff is potent.
   - Poison Ivy can grow as a ground cover, a shrub or a vine.  We are concerned with the vine in this article.
   - Using a chainsaw on Poison Ivy in the winter can release sap which makes a rash more likely. This is worse on warm days where there is more sap rise.
​
So, how do you tell the two apart?  This is actually easy once you know what to check.  Look at the aerial roots on the vines of Poison Ivy and Virginia Creeper.  They resemble hairs on Poison Ivy but are plumper on Virginia Creeper and are about the size of a pencil lead.  (Ward Upham)

Dr. William Reid, the Pecan Research and Extension Specialist for Kansas and Missouri for 37 years, has an excellent blog on growing pecans in Kansas and neighboring states.  In retirement, Dr. Reid is tending his 30 acre pecan orchard and continues to blog his observations.  The blog is titled “Northern Pecans.”  

If you are at all interested in pecans, this is a blog you must visit.  Excellent photography accompanied by Bill sharing decades worth of experience makes this a gold mine of information.  The URL is http://northernpecans.blogspot.com/      (Ward Upham)