Winter Wisdom

Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State University Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.   Each week we feature interesting topics for winter reading.

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  Week of 2/24/03

This sudden return to cold temperatures and snow on the ground have probably reminded most of you that it is still winter.  Only last week however there were signs all around us that spring was closing in fast.  Once the thermometer begins to flirt with the 60’s, most gardeners’ blood begins to thin, and course more quickly through their veins!

Although the telephone Hotline operated by the Johnson County K-State Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) doesn’t officially resume daily operations until Monday, March 3, 2003, the wires are already humming.

Before you rush out and start planting your tomatoes and peppers, let’s pause for a brief reality check. Based on 40-year average statistics gathered by the K-State Weather Data librarian, here are some important facts to remember:

• In east central Kansas, the first freeze date is October 26;
• the last frost date is April13, which means that, on average, we can anticipate around 196 frost-free days in a typical year.
• Bear in mind that so-called microclimates exist even within the same neighborhood, and these affect the temperatures you may encounter.

Again, let me emphasize that these are average dates based on data recorded since 1961.

In terms of spring planting, it is perhaps more practical to consider the following:

• On the mid-April date, there is a 50-50 chance of a 32º F. frost.  The frost chances then decline steadily: 20% by April 25; 5% by May 4; and down to 1% by May 13.
• The latest frost in Johnson County, Kansas was recorded on May 14, 1914.  This is why most savvy gardeners take soil temperatures into consideration also, and wait until late May before setting out tomato plants, peppers and other warm season vegetables that they have painstakingly raised indoors or in cold frames from seeds.

Please permit us to make one last suggestion, particularly with regard to tomatoes, although it applies to any plants you grow or select.

Our responsibility to the environment and to our communities starts with the selections of seeds and plant materials that we make, and continues on through our care and culture of these plants.  Gardeners are encouraged to acquaint themselves with and practice the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an approach to pest and disease control that combines cultural, biological, physical and finally chemical control measures to prevent problems or keep them in check.

The first category of cultural control includes selecting and using resistant varieties; keeping plants healthy by providing the soil with the appropriate pH level and good organic content; fertilizing and watering regularly; mulching to conserve moisture and diminish weed competition and spacing the plants properly. Other pertinent suggestions are: Choose healthy plants; handle them carefully; clean tools to prevent disease; remove diseased plants and clean up dead plant material.

Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent.

2001 - 2002 Winter Wisdom Archive
2000 - 2001 Winter Wisdom Archive

* Winter Wisdom is an information service of the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.  Research-based responses are provided by Extension Master Gardener volunteers weekdays from March 1 through October 31, from 9:00 am to 4:30pm .  To telephone, call (913) 764-6306 or visit the Extension Office at 13480 South Arapaho Drive, Olathe, Kansas.  Visit their website at www.oznet.ksu.edu/Johnson 

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