Dig This!

These pics were taken at Hutchinson Community College on the east side of campus near the pool.  The HCC Demonstration Gardens are maintained by Reno County Extension Master Gardeners.  There were some trees that were pretty damaged but most of the plants in the demo garden should be fine after a little bit of cleaning them up and trimming them back.        The ice really made for some neat pictures, especially with the roses and reblooming iris! Submitted by Pam Paulsen

The r ed tipped flower is pineapple sage. A fall bloomer ! The gardens do look nice at the end of the season as the warm sun casts light on the last vibrant  blooms of summer. Perhaps they just look better  b/c we cherish the last  warm days of fall! Photos submitted by bcrockford.

This just might be a picture of one of the last Monarch butterflies that arrived @ Hutchinson Community College's DEMO garden in mid October. The colorful plant is a tropical variety of milkweed called Asclepias curassavica or Scarlet Milkweed TROPICAL SUNSET. A n annual in our zone , this flower's seed can be purchased online for a reasonable price. Serious gardeners are trying to plant varieties that attract multiple types of butterflies. This is one. This butterfly is a Swallowtail enjoying the tiny petunias planted in a master gardener's home container. This prolific bloomer is a trailing petunia called Calibrachoa , also commonly called million bells. It is not winter hardy here in Kansas so is grown as an annual. It comes in a large range of colors and works very well in containers or hanging baskets. It can even be used as groundcover in smaller garden plots. Photos submitted by bcrockford.

Scarecrow's name is Festus Fun for the kids Impatiens Ornamental Kale, Salvia, and Coleus Begonias, Vinca, and Impatiens Tropical Plant, Annual Impatiens Geraniums, Mums Vinca, Geraniums Jewels of Opar, upper right Mums, Sedum, Impatiens, Jewels of Opar Coleus Mums Plectranthus, Impatiens, Big Leaf Begonia, Red Salvia, Ivy Leaf Geranium Impatiens Cockscomb Cockscomb, LambsEar, Perennial Oregano, Edamame  Impatiens and Marigolds, Shade Annuals under a Tiger Eye Sumac Tiger Eye Sumac in Fall Color

e Use items straight from your garden to create colorful and exciting yard displays. FALL leaf branches, ornamental cabbages, gourds and unusual pumpkins all add to the presentation.  White pumpkins are popular and  painted or carved gourds or pumpkins. Add baskets of mums in various colors and sizes, sedums are often in bloom in purples and rusty bronze colors.   FAll colors include purples, oranges, greens light and dark, reds, browns, rust, yello ws. Rustic iron pieces add to the display along with the ornamental grasses in the background. Your neighbors will appreciate your efforts!!

Reno County Master Gardeners have had a busy late summer and early Fall so far. Here are some of the activities master gardener's are doing for the community. Mary Nowlan of Hutchinson was the winner of Herb Shears   donated by Apron Strings at a September Farmer's Market . Reno County Extension Master Gardeners ( RCEMG) shared knowledge on attracting birds to the garden. Master Gardener Jack Zabel shares his feeder for Baltimore Orioles. They love oranges. Put grape jelly in the lower dish and he guarantees you'll attract some wonderful Avarian friends!   At a September Farmer's Market RCEMG booth, Master Gardener Jack Zabel shares his knowledge of homemade birdfeeders with Master Gardener Harriet Bearce. Reno County Extension Master Gardeners Hazel Zink, Barb Lappin,  & Sally Eubanks choosing Hosta varieties for the new shade garden at the RCEMG's Hutchinson Community College Demo Gar