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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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Winter Wisdom Against the background of the reclusive behavior of a legendary Pennsylvania rodent, and of further evidence that Nature retains the upper hand over human meteorological prognostications, at least in our immediate geographical area, we would like to remark on some positive aspects of winter weather, particularly for gardeners!
It may be helpful to
recall that this is essentially the way things have been winterweatherwise
in our part of the country for generations. All in all, we have flourished
due in large part to the changing conditions our flora and fauna have had
to survive. There are necessary growth processes through which many of our
perennial plants must pass that depend on exposure to deep cold during an
annual period of dormancy. In addition, a deep layer of snow once
associated with this time of the year, provides moderating insulation for
all growing things, as well as welcome moisture when it melts. This period
of dormant cold is needed not only by herbaceous plants, but spring and
summer blooming bulbs, corms and tubers need the winter’s cold. Winter provides the gardener with a rare opportunity to recharge his or her personal batteries, and to look forward eagerly and happily to the pleasures that spring will soon bring. Catalogs and articles are being perused, plans made, changed and discarded and time set aside for a class, seminar or presentation to refresh and hone existing knowledge, or present new concepts to challenge the imagination. This is also the time for lawn and garden shows to be held throughout the area. Organizations like the K-State Extension Master Gardeners are pleased to join other gardeners and members of the green industry to make these shows worthwhile venues for information presentation and exchange. This season, the Johnson County EMGs will be participating in three area shows. Our presentation in each case will focus on the variety of horticultural and gardening services that comprise our outreach to the community. This winter is also a period of intense preparation for the 2004 Biennial Public Garden Tour presented by the Johnson County EMGs on Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22. For now, make the most of these beautiful winter days and prepare for spring that waits just around the corner! Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension
Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent. * 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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Winter
Wisdom
As one whose roots
are deep (and old!) in Kansas soil, we can truly say, this is more like
it! Looking out on a terrace and lawn teeming with Juncos, Cardinals,
Doves, Bluejays, Sparrows and squirrels, it is easy to recall many past
winters when these same scenes of deep snow were commonplace.