This is one type of drip irrigation system.

In past years I have utilized soaker hoses or water sprinklers to provide water to my vegetable and flower beds; however, this year I intend to utilize the drip irrigation system. This will target the root zone where it is needed most instead of the whole plant. Although I do not have a large garden, I realize the importance of keeping the soil moisture at a consistent level. With drip irrigation I will be able to vary the water application to plants that require more water by changing or adjusting the drip for each type of plant.

Pictured here are two types of drip irrigation systems.

Another type of drip irrigation system.

Be sure to join us for the Drip Irrigation program presented by The Master Gardeners from the Shawnee County Extension office May 16th from 7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. in Anton room 202.

These are some of my vegetables I started from seed.

For the third year in a row I decided to grow my vegetables from seed. I started them in February and have transplanted them into 3″ pots. This should be plenty of space for to grow strong roots until time to plant them outdoors in several weeks. By then I should have all the information and supplies I need to get my drip irrigation system up and flowing.

This small back yard has lots of shrubs which blocks out the view beyond. This gives a feeling of coziness. The small scale becomes a small retreat.

Use the power of perspective. Long straight lines make a space seem bigger than it is. To create the illusion slant the far end of the lines toward one another. In this picture the split-rail fence inhanced by the rows of shrubs makes the yard seem larger than it is.

Break up open areas of a small space so it feels larger. In the picture on the left the bed of roses, annuals, and perennials divides the small back yard. This creates the illusion of a larger yard.

Create an interest. The patio made of paving stones makes a distraction. The combination of paving stones draws your eye so that you hardly notice the small landscape..

Make a destination. The attraction in the picture on the left is the pergola covered with wisteria. Putting the pergola in the back corner of the yard gives your eye a destination. With the help of the stepping stones the yard feels more spacious.

Whether you are planting a new lawn or just maintaining your current lawn the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is your source for materials and advice you need to get started.

Join us on Thursday March 7th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library for tips on a weed free lawn, presented by the Master Gardeners. Then stop by our Lawn and Garden neighborhood to check out books and DVD’s on lawn care, we’ve got lot’s to choose from so you can take these materials home and start planning.

1.) Get a library card, if you don’t already have one. Use your library for all your growing needs. Hundreds of books, magazines and movies will help you create gardens that will be the envy of your neighborhood. Visit our Lawn and Garden Neighborhood for all the gardening materials – from creating waterscapes to fertilizing – you need located conveniently in one place. Find out what plants grow best in our area; start with The Complete Guide to Western Plains Gardening.

2.) Come to the Green Fair April 13 from 2–5pm and the Monday Farmers Market, which opens May 13 at 8:30am in the library parking lot. They are just two of our programs that focus on growing, planting and sustainability. We also offer gardening programs in partnership with Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners; see Library News for Master Gardner-led programs.

This shabby-chic planter, including a fresh batch of plants, will be given away April 13 at our Green Fair. Come in and register for it when the Green Fair opens at 2pm.

3.) Get those plants going before the weather warms up. Start with containers in your home, and move them out once the chance of a hard freeze passes (approximately April 19).  Start with Container Garden Idea Book and The Container Gardener’s Bible.

4.) Schedule a one-on-one with Lawn and Garden Librarian Kathy Jennings. She can assist you with specific gardening needs, and she can point you to those little-known gems in our gardening collection, including resources that may be available only electronically.

5.) Scan through the book list included in this post for additional ideas to get your garden growing.

The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants (2004)
[635.9 AME] by Christopher Brickell, Dr. H. Marc Cathey, editors in chief

Perennials for Midwestern Gardens: Proven Plants for the Heartland (2008)
[635.912 KAH] by Anthony W. Kahtz

The Art of Perennial Gardening: Creative Ways with Hardy Flowers (1998)
[635.912 LIM] by Patrick Lima

Gardening in the Prairie Lands: Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota (2004)
[635.09 BAR] by Cathy Wilkinson Barash

Landscaping with Native Trees: The Northeast, Midwest, Mid-south & Southeast Edition (1995)
[635.948 STE] by Guy Steinberg and Jim Wilson

The Tulip (1999)
[635.943 PAV] by Anna Pavord

Right Rose Right Place: 359 Perfect Choices for Beds Borders Hedges and Screens,
Containers Fences Trellises and More (2009)
[635.945 SCH] by Peter Schneider

Plant Partners (2001)
[635.96 PAV) by Anna Pavord

100 Easy-to-grow Native Plants for American Gardens in Temperate Zones (2009)
[635.951 JOH] by Lorraine Johnson

A Kid’s Guide to Container Gardening (2010)
[635.986 BEA] by Stephanie Bearce

But before we have pruning we have a beanstalk coming to Topeka. The beanstalk is the Lawn and Garden Show at the Expo Center from February 15-17th. The theme this year is Somewhere over the Beanstalk. The hours of the show are:

Friday, February 15th 1:00-8:00 pm
Saturday, February 16th 10am-8:00 pm
Sunday, February 17th 11:00-5:00 pm

The library will have a booth there with lots of great information about our Lawn and Garden Neighborhood as well as some upcoming programs. We will have books to look at as well as pamphlets that you can take with you.

Be sure and mark your calendars for the Lawn and Garden Show, February 15-17th and the Pruning Program that the Master Gardeners will be presenting. I hope to see you at both of these events. Happy Gardening.

And speaking of pruning, the K-State Extension agency has a calendar of what to do in your garden by each month of the year. You can find it here if you would like to look at it.http://www.johnson.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=147

Or it is posted in the display area of the Lawn and Garden Neighborhood. Check out the display area of books you can check out and information that you can take with you. And be sure and look at the Lawn and Garden Neighborhood for any and all of your gardening needs.

So, as I was looking at the new gardening books, one jumped out at me. It is called The Unexpected Houseplant by Tovah Martin. She wrote a book in 2009 called The New Terrarium: Creating new displays for plants and nature. This book really brought back the idea of planting and having terrariums again.

The Unexpected Houseplant, I think, will make you think outside the box about plants that you can use inside your home. The book is divided into seasons and really gives you ideas of plants all through the year inside your home. From vines to different herbs, there are plants you would never even think about using as a houseplant. I can’t wait to try a dutchman’s pipe inside my home next year and see how it does. Besides all the beautiful plants that you can have inside your home, she gives you some plants that probably won’t work inside. For instance some herbs like basil and rosemary just won’t work inside due to the amount of light that they need. But others like marjoram and thyme look beautiful in a home setting.

Besides all the great information, the photography is beautiful. The containers that she uses are also so pretty. I really wish I had those containers too. So, if you are an avid gardener, check out The Unexpected Houseplant so that you can still garden with some really different and beautiful plants in your home.

If you are interested in this book or any other gardening books, check out the Lawn and Garden Neighborhood in the west wing of the library. Be sure and check out the display area too for gardening books to check out and gardening information that you can take with you. Happy Gardening.

The last program that they are giving for 2012 is on November 8 at 7:00 pm on Floral Design. This program will be using dried flowers. You will need to register and you can do that 580-4540. Know that we are only going to take 15 for this program. You will need to bring your own small container, pruners, and wire cutters. Everything else will be provided. While this is the last program for 2012, the Master Gardeners will be back in 2013 presenting more gardening programs. I am very excited and I hope you will be too.

Again, if you are interested, please register for the Floral Design class. There are just a few more spots available. If you have any questions, please call me (Kathy) at 580-4540 and I will be happy to answer your questions. I hope to see you at the program.

According to K-State, ornamental grasses are categorized as being a cool season grass or a warm season grass. Cool season grasses usually grow in late winter or early spring when conditions in Kansas are usually cool and moist. As the weather becomes warmer, these grasses usually go dormant. Warm season grasses usually grow best when the temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, how do you use these types of grasses in your landscape? Well, come to the program and I am sure you will find out. Again, the Master Gardeners will be here October 18, 2012 from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Marvin Auditorium 101C. Find out how to use these type of grasses in your landscape.

We also have many books on ornamental grasses in our Lawn and Garden Neighborhood that can help you landscape with these types of plants. I hope to see you at the program. Happy Gardening!!

There are also many resources here in Topeka to find information about bulbs. From our local nurseries to the Master Gardeners as well as the Lawn and Garden Neighborhood here at the library, you will have all the information you need to have a beautiful spring garden next year.

And talking about next spring, If you are interested in a butterfly garden for next year, join me on September 6 from 7:00-8:00 pm in the Marvin Auditorium 101B when the Master Gardeners come and talk about butterfly gardening. I have a very small butterfly garden and although it didn’t do very well this year (due to the weather), I am looking to expand it with more plants that are attractive to butterflies. And while you are looking at the bulb section of the Lawn and Garden Neighborhood, be sure and look at the butterfly gardening section too. Happy Gardening.