Dig This!

Allen Hirst displays one of the tools he used to demonstrate ways of learning about garden soil.                                        Below, I'll first pass on a short summary of the education moment during the February meeting of the Reno County Extension Master Gardeners.  Allen Hirst, our oldest active member, and a veteran teacher, was the presenter and summary writer. Summary Allen presented a program entitled ITS (It's the Soil).  He first presented how you need to test the soil.  Then by following the process to separate the soil you can determine the type of soil that you have.  Then he presented the instruments and the importance of testing the soil for proper temperature, moisture, and pH.  These factors are essential for the best production from your soil. *************** Here are further details that Allen referred to in his presentation. Soil Separation Any soil suitable for gardening will be a mixture of clay, sand, and silt.  During

Design & Grow Workshop Several Master Gardeners from Reno County attended this Workshop last month.  What a wonderful informative workshop it was!  I have never been to a workshop that you could choose the classes that you were most interested in.  It was very hard to choose as all of the topics were great ones!

The Ram's Horn Willow, or Salix Babylonia "Crispa",   a fun tree, originated in China Three years ago I stopped in my tracks!   I was in the Playscape at Dillon Nature Center and before me, in a corner, as a tree like nothing I had seen before.   As soon as I arrived home, I shot an email to then, Director Mary Clark, and one year later, I was planting one in my yard.   Ram's Horn is hardy to Zone 6, needs sun, is heat and wind tolerant. Like all willows, the tree loves moist soil, so placement close to a sprinkler head is working well for me. I t is non-evasive, that is a huge plus!     Ram's Horn is easily spotted by it's curled and spiraled leaves, from which the name originates.   It reminds me of the curled ribbon that adorned gifts in my youth. This tree is a vigorous grower, which can reach 30' in time, or may be carefully pruned and kept at shrub size.   Propagation is by seeds, it is self fertile, or can be done by cu

     Looking outside today, it is cold, dark, rainy, and gloomy. Thought it was a good day to remember what spring in Hutchinson looks like. Mark Your Calendar for the 2019 Garden Tour. Always the 2nd Saturday of June. This year's tour will be June 8th.  Watch for more information on this site or Facebook/Reno County Master Gardeners Highlights Remembering last year's Reno  County Extension Master Gardener's Garden Tour. An Oriental themed garden shows the variety in textures, heights, and colors.  This 2018 Garden Tour garden had many sun-loving plants along with interesting artifacts that created excitement and interest.  All kinds of vintage pieces were woven throughout to complement and enhance the plantings.  This large pot fits nicely on a deck railing and can hold a large variety of plants.  Lots of color and variety. A creative use for a child's tricycle holds pots of flowers. Never throw anything away. It ca