Lawn and Garden
Assist Harper County gardeners, both commercial and in the home, in making the best choices for their yards and gardens.
Fall Seeding of Lawn
August 22, 2025
September is the best time to plant cool-season grasses in Kansas, but homeowners should take note of an important fact before choosing which variety to plant. There are several varieties to choose from and they all have their benefits and detriments.
Fall Armyworm Alert
August 15, 2025
The fall armyworm, a major pest, is once again on the move. These striped caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses—especially well-maintained bermudagrass—and can quickly damage lawns, golf courses, and crops.
In the Garden: Am I growing plants, or feeding grasshoppers?
July 25, 2025
K-State horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini said many grasshopper varieties make their home in gardens this time of year, preferring the luxurious accommodations – rife with leaves, flowers, stems and seeds – as they molt and mature.
Show off Your Garden at the Harper County Fair!
July 18, 2025
There's always so much to talk about this time of year, but space is limited—so let's start with a quick Garden To-Do List
Garden Task and Yard Pest Tips for Mid-Summer
July 11, 2025
There's always so much to talk about this time of year, but space is limited—so let’s start with a quick Garden To-Do List
Watch for Squash Bugs in Vegetable Gardens
July 4, 2025
Mild temperatures and generous spring moisture have Kansas vegetable gardens off to a great start—but don't let your guard down. Insect pests, especially this time of year, can quickly undo your hard work.
Mushrooms In Lawns
June 27, 2025
Recent rains in Harper County have created ideal conditions for mushrooms to thrive in home lawns and gardens. While their appearance may be surprising, most mushrooms are relatively harmless to surrounding plant life. The most common sightings include fairy rings or scattered mushrooms throughout the landscape.
Deadheading Flowers
June 20, 2025
It may feel a bit gloomy to pick off fading flowers from the yard’s plants but you’re actually setting plants up for success by pinching off spent flowers, a process called deadheading.
Bagworm Control
June 13, 2025
The time is approaching when the 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch bag of the bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformus, caterpillar will be present on broadleaf and evergreen trees and shrubs. Hence, you should be ready to “take action” against bagworms when they are observed on plants.
Tomatoes Need Support
June 6, 2025
Late May and early June are crucial for growing tomatoes, a favorite among home gardeners. Tomatoes need support to stay upright, as growing on the ground reduces airflow and increases disease risk.
Rabbits in the Garden
May 30, 2025
Rabbits have been especially plentiful this year, both out in the country and within town limits. These furry foragers are a common nuisance in home gardens, particularly in spring when young plants begin to flower. They’re especially drawn to tender vegetables and blossoming flowers.
Container Gardening
May 16, 2025
For those with limited space or mobility, container gardening provides an accessible and efficient way to grow plants.
Butterfly Gardens
May 9, 2025
Sitting in your garden watching butterflies’ flitter from plant to plant can be quite enjoyable. If you want to experience this, you should consider plantings that will attract butterflies.
Gardening in Small Spaces
May 5, 2025
Long gone are the days of families having a huge garden to provide food for their families each summer and to preserve for use in the winter. This is partly due to both lack of space and time.
Perennials in the Landscape
April 25, 2025
I am a big promoter of planting perennial flowers in the landscape, especially native perennials. I look at it as time and money saved by not having to purchase and plant each year.
Annual Flowers - Lipstick for The Lawn
April 18, 2025
Are you wanting to add a pop of color to the sea of green around your house? The easiest way to add season long color is to incorporate annual flowers.
Soil Temperature and Plants April 10, 2025
Thankfully, it looks like we are finally headed towards spring weather. This means gardeners are ready to get started planting. Is it time yet?
Pruning Shrubs April 4, 2025
Springtime is the perfect time to prune shrubs in your landscape. Typically, the goal of pruning is to maintain or enhance the beauty of a shrub without harming its health. There are a few factors to consider when deciding when and how to prune.
A Bug or Not a Bug
March 28, 2025
Spring is here and cleaning out the garden is at the top of most gardeners list. As you start to move leaves and mulch to prepare for planting you may start to see bugs. Did you know that there are “true bugs” and ‘other bugs”?