Fruit: Fertilizing the Home Orchard

    ​Fruit trees benefit from fertilization around the bloom period, but the amount needed varies with the age of the tree. Normally, trees primarily need nitrogen, so the recommendations…

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October Gardening Calendar

Ornamentals Weeks 1-4: Continue watering, especially evergreens if soils are dry. Weeks 1-4: Nuts or seeds of woody plants usually require exposure to 3 months cold before sprouting. This may…

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Storing Apples

You can enjoy apples from January to June – with the right conditions. Some apple cultivars can be stored for longer periods than others. Some cultivars will stay in firm,…

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Thinning Excess Fruit

Some areas of Kansas have avoided late freezes resulting in a heavy fruit crop this year. At first glance, this might seem to be a good thing. But too many…

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Fertilizing Blueberries​

Blueberries are sensitive to excess levels of fertilizer. Do not go over the recommended amount. Year of Planting: Apply fertilizer according to soil test and work into the soil before planting.…

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Blueberries in Containers

Growing blueberries in containers is becoming more popular. Chosen varieties are usually half-high plants that are a cross between highbush and lowbush blueberry species. Plants can be as small as 18…

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Pruning Fruit Trees

Fruit trees can be pruned from now through March as long as the wood isn’t frozen. Following are some general recommendations on pruning mature fruit trees followed by more specific instructions on…

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Mouse Damage to Fruit Trees/Plants

Be on the lookout for mouse tunnels around your fruit plants. Trunks and roots of apple trees are among the favorite meals for mice. There is probably no damage yet. But if…

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Fertilize Strawberries

An August application of nitrogen on spring-bearing strawberries is important in order to increase the number of strawberries produced next spring. Plenty of daylight and warm temperatures during June, July…

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When are Apples Ready to Pick?

Apples mature over a long period of time depending on variety.  Some varieties such as Lodi can mature in July and others as late as October. Here are some guides…

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