The K-State Agricultural Research Center in Hays will host Horticulture Night Sept. 19. | Download this photo.
Spotlight on flowers, veggies, soils and water in Hays on Sept. 19
Annual Horticulture Night includes a new Backyard Garden
August 7, 2017
HAYS, Kan. – The K-State Agricultural Research Center in Hays will host its annual fall Horticulture Night for the public on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Daylight in the autumn evenings is short, so presentations will be brief.
The cooler days of September provide a chance to step back and enjoy the results of the university’s and research center’s labors in the flower beds and vegetable gardens, plus it’s an opportunity to evaluate what prospered or did not perform so well.
This is the 20th and final year for the Prairie Star Flower bedding plant trials at the center in Hays. More than 1,800 varieties have been trialed at the Hays site with only 421 selected as worthy of being on the Prairie Star list of annual flowers that have performed well in the state. The Prairie Star list includes flower varieties available on the market and that perform well throughout Kansas. The aim is to find varieties that thrive with low maintenance, insect and disease tolerance, and are appealing in appearance. The weather this summer has thrown a challenge for some in the Hays location. The varietal additions to the 2018 Prairie Star List will be announced at the evening event. Come see how they have performed –you’ll be the first to know the best bedding plant cultivars for the Hays area coming on the 2018 market.
Augustine Obour, soils scientist based at the center will present a segment on collecting a representative soil sample of your garden will be presented by. He will discuss the interpretation of test results and what soil amendments may be needed.
Holly Dickman, the new water conservationist for the City of Hays will address water-smart landscaping. She will provide information sources for grass, tree, and shrub varieties recommended for both home and business property owners in Hays.
During the evening you can compare the different varieties of low-water use turf grass in a demonstration plot developed and maintained in conjunction with the Turf Conversion Program promoted by the City of Hays. The program encourages homeowners to convert their full-sun exposure lawns currently planted to a cool-season turf to a low-water use turfgrass. The advantages of established warm-season grasses are water conservation and less maintenance.
The Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners will report preliminary harvest results of their performance vegetable trials, including 11 tomato, 24 pepper, and 5 zucchini-squash varieties. Terry Pfeifer and Pat Phillips will be the presenters. Sampling tables will be available so participants can taste the varietal differences to help determine what to include in their home garden.
This is the first year for the Extension Master Gardener Backyard Demonstration Garden. Ellis County Master Gardener, Mary Lou Mastin, will share the experience of establishing and maintaining a sustainable garden. She will discuss how even a small garden can provide year-round production.
Participants are encouraged to bring friends and neighbors. Property and homeowners are encouraged to attend. Questions about flowers, vegetable gardening and soil tests will be addressed but are not limited to these topics. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. with the program starting at 6:00 p.m. The K-State Agricultural Research Center is located south of Hays at 1232 240th Ave. For more information call 785-625-3425 or check Facebook or Twitter.
