Spring gardening fever
Amy Jordan
Originally published 01:00 p.m., February 14, 2008
Updated 01:00 p.m., February 14, 2008
You may have Spring Gardening Fever if you find yourself gazing out the window imagining green grass and colorful flowers.
You may wander around the backyard looking for signs of growth. Perhaps you sit by the window watching for the mailman in anticipation of seed/nursery catalogs. Or maybe you are just daydreaming about your spring garden.
There is no reason to sulk during these cold winter months. There is plenty to do.
Get in shape
Start exercising so that you are ready for physical activity when spring is here. Work on stretching/flexibility to avoid sore or strained muscles. Take advantage of classes at the Emporia Recreation Center or local fitness centers. Get with some friends and form a Walk Kansas team! Walk Kansas is an 8-week fitness motivation program developed and implemented by K-State Research and Extension. Call the Lyon County Extension office to sign up or for more information.
Measure areas
Calculate square footage of lawn and garden areas. Fertilizer and pesticide application rates are typically based on 1000 square feet. Learn formulas for irregular areas by dividing an area into shapes such as a triangle and circle, then calculating the area of each shape and adding them together.
Prepare soil
If you didn't get your soil worked last fall, do it now. However, don't work soil when it is too wet because it could ruin the soil structure. Use the "squeeze test" before attempting to work your garden soil. If soil forms a wet mud ball in your hand, it's too wet. But, if the soil ball breaks apart or crumbles when light pressure is applied to the sides, it should be workable. Have a soil test done to determine if amendments need to be added to adjust the pH (acidity or alkalinity) or if nutrients are lacking.
Service equipment
Clean and sharpen tools. Change oil/filters in power equipment. Sharpen mower blades before the first spring mowing.
Do some armchair
gardening
Read books, magazines, or Extension publications. Surf the Net -- start at www.oznet.ksu.edu. Browse through nursery/seed catalogs. Use catalogs and internet sites as resources, but buy seeds and plants locally.
Get out of the house
Visit local garden centers. Attend garden and trade shows. The Emporia Spring Expo runs February 22-24 and is a great place to learn about new products or pick up some new ideas. Join a Garden Club or look into becoming a Lyon County Extension Master Gardener. The Master Gardener program is a volunteer program in which K-State Research and Extension "trades" classroom training for volunteer time. Training consists of 40 to 50 hours of instruction in all aspects of horticulture. Instructors include state specialists from Kansas State University, local extension agents and local experts in specific subject matter. After training is completed, volunteers donate an equivalent number of hours of service as was received in instruction. Service activities are coordinated by the local county extension agent. Though volunteer activities vary widely, all are educational, extension-related and represent the interests of K-State Research and Extension.