The weather is warming, April showers are around the corner, greenhouses are opening and it’s time to garden!
If you are a first-time gardener or an experienced gardener, an updated publication titled the “Kansas Garden Guide,” is a must-have resource to discover the latest recommended methods for a productive garden in Kansas. Several sections included are: planning a garden, composting, raised bed gardening, container gardening, insect and disease control and an extensive section on how to grow specific vegetables and herbs. You may access a free PDF copy of this publication at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/Item.aspx?catId=534&pubId=8219 .
In the Ellis County Master Gardeners’ Backyard Family Garden, asparagus will be one of the first crops to harvest this spring. Answers to our asparagus questions will be found in “The Kansas Garden Guide.”
When is asparagus harvest expected? The Harvest Calendar on page 195 indicates April 1 to June 1 with heaviest harvesting mid-April to mid-May.
How do we harvest asparagus? Page 134 indicates to “snap the spears at the point ½ to ¾ inch above the soil level or cut slightly below the soil level with a sharp knife. When spears are more than 10-13 inches long, they become tough and woody. Harvest asparagus until the spear size decreases to thinner than a pencil.
The Average Expected Planting Calendar on page 194 tells us to start planting potatoes, onions, lettuce, radish, carrots, beets, just to name a few. This calendar will aid us all year long as we are already thinking about a Fall garden!
I hope the above examples will increase your curiosity enough that you check out the above link for this remarkable publication, “The Kansas Garden Guide.”
Happy Gardening!
It's Time to Garden!