K-State Garden Hour Webinar Series
Welcome to the K-State Garden Hour Webinar Series, hosted by K-State Research and Extension horticulture staff across the state of Kansas. We hope you'll join us each week on Wednesdays at noon for some horticultural refreshment and training.
Each webinar in the series has a separate registration page. You will need to click on each webinar that you would like to attend. Sessions will be recorded and posted here after each event.
Previous Sessions (Recordings Available)
Wednesday, December 2nd: Holiday Horticulture
- Poinsettias are America's top-selling potted plant and there is no surprise why! They are the perfect Christmas gift and add beauty to any home. Cassie Homan, Horticulture Extension Agent in the Post Rock District, will cover tips on how to care for this festive plant. Join us for Holiday Horticulture to understand how to select and care for the most popular holiday plants.
- Webinar Video
Wednesday, November 4th: Trees & Shrubs For Pollinators & KS Wildlife – Tips From The KS Forest Service
- There are many trees and shrubs that are critical for promoting pollinators and other wildlife in Kansas. Not only are these plants important, but through the Kansas Forest Service, many of these trees and shrubs are available at very low cost to be planted to increase pollinator & wildlife habitat. Join Chris Mullins, the District Forester for South Central KS, as he shares how you can use the services and resources the Kansas Forest Service has to offer in order to grow healthier trees and shrubs across Kansas.
- Webinar Video
- Resource: Kansas Forest Service Conservation Tree Planting Program
Wednesday, October 7th: Everyone Can Compost
- Fall means cooler weather, apple cider, and of course dealing with all of the falling leaves. What can we do with all of these leaves? Just like anything else that is organic, they can be broken down by composting. Join Scott Eckert, Harvey County Horticulture Extension Agent, in learning about what else can you compost, and why everyone should build their own compost pile!
- Webinar Video
- Handouts
Wednesday, September 30th: Spring Flowering Bulbs
- Nothing says hello spring like the cheery smile of a bright yellow daffodil or a bed of colorful tulips. This spring welcome does not just happen it must be planned. Fall is the ideal time to plant spring flower bulbs in the landscape. Dennis Patton, Johnson County Horticulture Extension Agent, will cover everything you need to know to have success with spring-flowering bulbs.
- Webinar Video
- Handout: Johnson County KSRE Bulbs for the Garden
Wednesday, September 23rd: Fall Tree Planting: How to do it Right!
Fall can be an ideal time to plant trees & shrubs. Dr. Charlie Barden, K-State Forestry Specialist, will share his tips & techniques for selecting, planting, staking and mulching trees. In addition, learn about the trees for great fall color, and the differences when planting evergreen vs deciduous trees in the fall.
- Webinar Video
- Handout: Shade and Ornamental Trees for Kansas
Wednesday, September 16th: Growing Garlic in Kansas
- Some people regard garlic as an herb or a spice, others view it as a food and some people view it as a miracle plant. Regardless, garlic is very popular with cooks today but unlike many garden crops, it has some special requirements (including fall planting.) Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent (and garlic grower) will discuss all aspects of growing garlic including what garlic is, the different types of garlic, and the special needs and requirements of growing garlic in your own garden. Kansas is well situated for garlic production and gardeners should consider including garlic as one of their annual garden crops.
- Webinar Video
- Handout: Garlic Cultivars and Seed Sources
Wednesday, September 9th: Getting the "Buzz" on Honeybees
- There is a lot of 'buzz' about honeybees these days. Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Professor and State Extension Leader for Entomology, will initially discuss pollinator types, and then provide a detailed discussion of the biology and behavior of honey bees including colony members (queen, workers, and drones) and how a honey bee colony is structured and operates within a hive. This presentation will also address several aspects of pollinator gardens.
- Webinar Video
- Handout: Pesticides and Bees
Wednesday, September 2nd: Fall Lawn Care (Part 2) - Fertilizing, Aerating, & Controlling Weeds In Your Tall Fescue Lawn
Fall is undoubtedly the most important time of year to care for your Tall Fescue lawns, and there’s more to it than just planting new grass seed. In Part 2 of this series, Matthew McKernan, Sedgwick County Horticulture Extension Agent, will cover the best tips for fertilizing, watering, aerating, and controlling weeds in your lawn in order to help you have the best lawn on the block!
- Webinar Video (new this week: Closed Captioning. Click on the "CC" icon in the bottom center of the video.)
- Handouts
Wednesday, August 26th: Fall Lawn Care (Part 1) - Planting and Overseeding your Tall Fescue Lawn - Matthew McKernan
- Fall is undoubtedly the most important time of year to care for your Tall Fescue lawns. Whether you are starting a new lawn, or thickening up an existing lawn, there are many planting tips & tricks that you need to know. Matthew will cover the best tips for soil preparation, seed selection, planting techniques, and planting time in order to help you have the best lawn on the block!
- Webinar Video
- Handouts
Wednesday, August 19th: Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe - Karen Blakeslee
- If your garden is overflowing with fresh produce, what will you do with it? Besides enjoying the fresh flavors or sharing with family and friends, preserving the produce for later use is a great way to enjoy that taste of summer later in the year. Karen Blakeslee, Extension Associate in Food Science and Rapid Response Center Coordinator, will highlight some easy ways to safely preserve your food.
- Webinar Video
- Links
Wednesday, August 12th: Hummingbirds in Kansas - Chuck Otte
- Hummingbirds are fascinating and fun to watch for the entire family. Through a blend of landscaping and use of feeders you can enhance the opportunity to view and enjoy these tiny little flying jewels. Chuck Otte, Geary County Ag and Natural Resources Extension Agent, will discuss hummer-friendly plants, how to use feeders effectively, and how to deal with common problems with your hummingbird-friendly yard.
- Webinar Video
- Links
Wednesday, August 5th: Fall Vegetable Gardening - Tom Buller
- Fall is the best time of the year to grow vegetables in Kansas, and it is not too late to start for the year. This presentation will cover tips and tricks of establishing and caring for a fall vegetable garden, as well as some pointers for fall season extension and putting your garden to rest at the end of the season.
- Webinar Video
- Resource: Kansas Garden Guide
Wednesday, July 29th: How to Choose Potting Media for Gardening Success - Dr. Cheryl Boyer
- Selecting a bag of potting media at the garden center can be a confusing experience. Fortunately, there is solid science behind engineering quality soils for growing plants. Dr. Cheryl Boyer, K-State Nursery Crop Production Extension Specialist, will cover purposes, materials, mixes and how to manage soil-less potting media for container-gardening success.
- Webinar Video
Wednesday, July 22nd: Pesticide Label Safety - Lynn Loughary
- Unlock the truth about pesticides and separate fact from internet fiction. Lynn Loughary, Wyandotte County Horticulture Extension Agent, will walk you through how pesticides are developed and which situations will provide you optimal control with the least environmental impact. Learn what you need to know in order to safely use these products and achieve the most effective results.
- Webinar Video
- Resources
Wednesday, July 15th: Hydrangeas for the Garden - Dennis Patton
- Hydrangeas are a popular garden plant, providing plenty of season-long summer color. Unfortunately, with the ever-changing Kansas climate, hydrangeas can sometimes be a challenge to grow. Dennis Patton, Johnson County Horticulture Extension Agent, will explain which species are best suited to your garden conditions and share tips for their success. Once you learn these secrets, you will want to add more hydrangeas to the garden to enjoy the beauty for yourself.
- Webinar Video
- Handout: Hydrangeas for Kansas City
Wednesday, July 8th: Nuisance Wildlife Control in Your Garden - Charlie Lee
- Are squirrels, rabbits, deer, or other wildlife getting the best of your garden? Join Charlie Lee, K-State Wildlife Control Extension Specialist, in learning how to identify the animals causing problems in your landscape or garden. You will understand why animals find these areas attractive, and learn how to prevent damage through habitat modification, exclusion, and removal if necessary.
- Webinar Video
- KSRE Wildlife Website
Wednesday, July 1st: Weed Management in the Lawn and Garden - Jesse Gilmore
- Every gardener wages war on weeds, which compete with desirable plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Is that struggle always necessary, and what are the different ways to keep weeds from appearing where you don't want them? Jesse Gilmore, Wildcat Extension District Horticulture Agent, will explain what defines a weed, how they grow, the hidden merits of weeds, and methods of keeping weeds in check.
- Webinar Video
- Handouts
Wednesday, June 24th: Identifying Garden Insects--Integrated Pest Management Steps for the Garden - Frannie Miller
- There are countless insects in a garden, but which are friendly and which are foe? Frannie Miller, K-State Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator, will cover which insects you may want to know, in order to identify what is in your garden. Then, learn what you can do to discourage pests in your garden.
- Webinar Video
- Handouts
Wednesday, June 17th: Bugs Galore: Bagworm, Japanese Beetle, Mosquitoes, And Other “Bug” Related Pests – Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Professor and Extension Entomology Specialist
- Dr. Cloyd will provide a brief overview of bagworms, Japanese beetles, mosquitoes, and other summer insect and mite pests. The presentation will discuss biology, damage, and management strategies that can be implemented now to control pest populations and mitigate plant damage. There will be time afterward for any questions.
- Webinar Video
- Handouts
- Aphid Management in Greenhouse Production Systems (MF3442)
- Oak Leaf Itch Mite (MF2806)
- Bagworm: Insect Pest of Trees and Shrubs (MF3474)
- Grub Management in Turfgrass Using Insecticides (MF3439)
- Scale Insect Pests (MF3457)
- Insect and Mite Pests of Vegetable Gardens (MF3480)
- Japanese Beetle: Insect Pest of Horticultural Plants and Turfgrass (MF3488)
- Cross-Striped Cabbageworm: Insect Pest of Vegetable Crops (MF3505)
Wednesday, June 10th: Indoor Plants for Health and Happiness – Ariel Whitely-Noll, Shawnee County Horticulture Extension Agent
- Indoor plants boost your mood, improve your health, clean the air and add beauty to your home and office. Learn more from Ariel about a few of the easiest indoor plants to grow along with how to keep your plants alive and happy!
- Webinar Video
- Handouts
- Resource for Orchids
- Resource for African Violets
- Poisonous Plants List
- Suggested houseplants and basic care (coming soon)
Wednesday, June 3rd: Making and Supporting Pollinators In The Garden – Jason Graves, Central Kansas District Horticulture Extension Agent
- Making and supporting pollinators should not be optional since they are essential to maintaining the vast number of ecosystem services we all rely on every single day. Jason will explore who our pollinators are, understanding pollinator needs and what we can do to make and support pollinators in our own yards.
- Webinar Video
- Handout
Wednesday, May 27th: Taking Care of Tomatoes - Tom Buller, Douglas County Horticulture Extension Agent and Judy O'Mara, K-State Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
- Many maintenance techniques can improve your tomato plant health, while also increasing plant yield. Tom will cover tasks including training, irrigating, pruning and insect management and Judy will discuss tomato diseases that occur in Kansas and how to manage them.
- Webinar Video
- Handouts
- Native plants can be a great addition to your landscape. They are well adapted to local growing conditions and serve as important food sources for beneficial insects, birds and other wildlife. Pam will cover a number of native plant species and how they can be used in your landscape.
- Webinar Video
- Handouts
