Pat Melgares
Kansas State Research and Extension
For Kansas gardeners, St. Patrick’s Day means something much more than donning a favorite green outfit and heading to local celebrations.
Traditionally, the Irish holiday signals the date for planting potatoes.
“Actually, anytime from mid- to late-March is fine for potato planting,” said Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham. “Be sure to buy seed potatoes rather than using those bought for cooking. Seed potatoes are certified disease free and have plenty of starch to sprout as quickly as soil temperatures allow.”
Upham notes that most seed potatoes can be cut into four pieces “though large potatoes may yield more,” he said. Each seed should weight between 1½ to 2 ounces, and likely more than one eye.
After the holidays, here’s what to do with your Christmas tree
The Kansan
MANHATTAN Once the holiday season has passed, homeowners still have at least one pretty important job to do: Disposing of the Christmas tree properly.
Kansas State University extension forestry specialist Charles Barden notes many towns in Kansas offer curbside pickup for Christmas trees, which are then ground up for mulch or burned.
Short of that or if you miss the designated in your community some other ideas that he offered include:
• Tie the tree to the corner of a backyard deck, deciduous tree or to a post near a bird feeder. Then spread some birdseed. The tree will provide cover for predators and block the wind on cold nights.