Prep now for safely preserving garden foods.

Gardeners are making their plans, and in some areas, vegetables and other foods are already being planted. That is a sign that food preservation season is not far away and now is the time to check canning equipment and make repairs needed or replace worn items.

Examine jars and take damaged ones out of your canning supply. It is also recommended that you have your dial gauge pressure canner checked to make sure it is working properly. This service is free at Extension offices, just drop off the gauge and lid.

Following recipes and directions will help insure a safely canned food. And don’t forget to adjust your processing for your location’s elevation. Sources for recipes include the So Easy to Preserve by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension or Blue Ball/ Kerr. K-State Research and Extension along with other State Cooperative Extension websites will have recipes and resources, too.

What else? Learn how canners work with your stovetop. Some canners should not be used on flat, glass stovetops. Always follow the canner and stove manufacturer’s directions. Each year there is a new trendy way to preserve food in jars but have NOT been validated with research. These include oven, microwave, and electric pressure cookers.

Take the time to get educated and practice with jars filled with water as a substitute, this will help guide you to making safe food and reducing waste. K-State Research and Extension has how-to videos and publications on food preservation and canning available online and a bimonthly newsletter called Preserve It Fresh Preserve It Safe to keep you up to date. To learn more and for publications visit our website at southwind.ksu.edu/food_preservation/food preservation.html

For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.3720

Barbara Stockebrand

Southwind Extension District –Yates Center

Family and Consumer Sciences

Many older adults are beginning to venture out of their safe havens with feelings of relief and caution as more are becoming fully vaccinated against Covid-19. There is excitement among them to be resuming more regular activities that the virus so abruptly put on hold.

Scheduling medical appointments that were delayed and planning trips that were all put on the back burner are goals again. Many may be planning to see children and grandchildren they may not have seen for months – or longer. Others are planning outings with friends for the first time in a long time. Simple things that previously felt unsafe now feel possible.

Regardless of our age, we all benefit from having those in our lives we call friends. The importance of relationships with friends and the value of being connected to others cannot be overstated. As said by Thomas Aquinas, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.”

Meaningful friendships have meaningful results. They produce mutual respect, trust, support, acceptance, joy, empathy, and love to name a few elements of friendship. A good friend won’t hesitate from telling you the truth, even if it is something you may not want to hear.

Friendships are good for our health. Healthy friendships can boost our physical and emotional health in several ways:

Personal improvement – If we want to make a positive change in our life, such as quit smoking, a friend’s support can make all the difference. He/she is usually right there with us encouraging us, boosting our self-confidence. Our chances of reaching our goals increase.

Knowing that others care – and that we care for them, increases feelings of compassion, self-worth, and security.

Support in life’s challenges – It might be retirement, death of a loved one or another difficult life event, research has found that having friends in our corner increases our ability to manage, persevere, and recover.

According to a 2017 Michigan State University study, it was found that friends begin to have a bigger impact on our well-being than family members as we grow old. This gives credence to the need to pay attention to our friends all along life’s journey in order to be there for each other during major transitions. Friendship is a lifelong endeavor.

We still should proceed with caution as we start mingling. Some of our friends and neighbors may not be fully vaccinated or they may desire not to do so for their own reasons. As goes with being friends, we need to be respectful of each other’s position and health needs to continue cultivating those friendships.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The popularity of container gardening has exploded. As we live in a world of limited time and space for gardens, container gardens seem to be a practical fit. Residents of apartments, long term care facilities or houses with small lots can still enjoy gardening. Poor soil or no place to put plants in the ground is no longer an excuse for not enjoying plants.

Building a container garden is really quite simple. However, they tend to need a bit more attention than a garden in the ground. Careful attention needs to be paid to the potting media, watering and fertilizing.

Garden soil is great for growing things in the ground but when using containers, the soil needs to be changed. Container soils need to be well aerated and well drained but yet still be able to retain moisture. This is why a soil substitute, or potting mix (media), is often used. These mixes may contain soil (called a soil mix) or no soil at all (called a soilless mix) and may also contain other ingredients such as peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. You can also your own mix by using one part soil, one part peat moss and one part perlite. The same potting media can be used from year to year if the plants in the containers were healthy during the growing season with no major disease issues.

What about the contain itself? Containers come in many different styles and sizes. Containers can be made from clay, plastic, ceramic or wood. I have even seen used cattle supplement lick containers used and they actually work quite well. The only essential thing is that the container must have drain holes in the bottom.

As for the size of container, it depends on the type of plants to be planted. Small plants can be grown in fairly small, shallow containers while larger plants will need more space. Most annual flowers and small vegetables do best in 12 inch pots. Larger vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes or peppers will require a 16-24 inch container.

When choosing plants – most of the standard varieties of vegetables will grow well in containers. However, there are some cultivars bred specifically for small spaces. Lettuce, spinach, radish and onion are all early season vegetables that can be easily grown in containers. For the more warm season vegetables – sweet, hot and banana peppers do well in large containers. Tomatoes, dwarf varieties such as Patio, Pixie, Tiny Tim or Tumbling Tom, are a good choice. If you like a small vine tomato, consider Mountain Belle (cherry), Mountain Glory or Sunmaster.

We have a very useful publication titled “Growing Vegetables in Containers.” It gives complete information on planting, care, fertilization, and variety selection. Visit www.southwind.ksu.edu to download.

As we are just beginning of the growing season, I want to share my office rotation schedule in case you have questions that you would like to visit about in person: Monday, Wednesday and Friday – Erie office; Tuesday – Iola office; Thursday – Fort Scott office. However, I can always be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 620-244-3826.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension agent assigned to Southwind District. 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Love horses? Then this project is for you! You will have the opportunity to learn, handle, care for and ride horses. Members may own or lease a horse, but must manage the horse 75% of the time, whether owned or leased.

Horseless horse members do not own or lease a horse. 4-H members participate by learning about horses and can participate in judging contests, quiz bowl, hippology, and give presentations. Horseless horse members may volunteer to assist with horse shows and trail rides.

There is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased for anyone interested in the horse project. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at different levels:

Things to Learn/Do in the Project

Age 7-9

• Practice safety and proper use of equipment around horses

• Identify horse body parts

• Learn the breeds of horses

Age 10-13

• Learn about grooming

• Learn how to bridle and saddle a horse

• Learn how to judge and give oral reasons

Age 14 and Older

• How to detect unsoundness in horses

• Learn to identify and treat equine diseases

• Learn about ethics and competition

Horseless Horse

• Learn basic coat colors, breeds and anatomy

• Study horse health, unsoundness and blemishes

• Visit a stable or farm

• Participate in judging, quiz bowls, hippology and public presentation contests

In addition to the curriculum, youth are also offered the opportunity to attend project meetings held by volunteers. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate their hard work locally at the county fair and depending on age and placing, the Kansas State Fair. There are other local and state shows available to youth as well.

The horse project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project or the workshop, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

Let’s face it, discipline when it comes to managing our money isn’t always easy. And saving? Another challenge.

To help boost money management skills, including ways to save, manage debt, and handle credit, K-State Research and Extension is offering the Wallet Wisdom program, which are six free webinars in April and May.

The webinars will be presented Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. CDT via Zoom, beginning April 22. With just one registration, you can access just one or all six webinars. Time is allowed for questions and answers. For privacy reasons, only the host will be able to see who is asking the questions. All sessions will be recorded for participants to view at their convenience any time.

Dates and topics include:

• April 22 – A Financial Checkup – A regular check of financial health can identify problems, chart progress, and outline steps to achieve financial goals.
• April 29 – Emotions and Money – Your relationship with money can be based on years of emotion. Learn more to better understand your financial habits.
• May 6 – Spending Plans – A spending plan can track your income and expenses and support you as you manage your money and work towards your goals.
• May 13 – Increasing Savings – We save for many reasons, including emergencies, insurance deductibles, retirement, and more. Learn ways to increase your savings.
• May 20 – Debt Management – Especially in our current economy, debt can get out of control. Join us to learn ways to manage and pay down your debt.
• May 27 – All about Credit – From credit reports to credit scores, credit can affect many areas of your life. Learn to make credit work for you.

The webinars are presented by K-State Research and Extension educators who specialize in family resource management. Program details and registration available at www.southwind.ksu.edu/events For more information, contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.3720

March 18, 2021 Minutes

The Starlite FCE held their March meeting at the Yeager Building at the Fairgrounds.  President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order.  The Pledge of Allegiance and Club Collect was led by Joyce Allen.  Eleven members were in attendance and reported twenty-one and half volunteer hours and that they had recycled fifty-five pounds of cardboard.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.  Doris Ericson presented the treasurers report.  Glenda Miller passed out membership lists and quizzed the club with a Saint Patrick’s Day green quiz.

Old Business consisted of the Easter Party for Tri-Valley.  Glenda Miller had prepared white bunny Easter Bags for the party.  Members provided candy, fruit snacks and snack crackers to fill their eggs and bunny bags.

New Business consisted of Walk Kansas.  Terri Williams announced that it will be starting March 28^th with the theme of Move your Way, Make every Bite Count.  Six members signed up to precipitate in the Cross-Country challenge, which has each person exercising for four hours a week.  It was also announced that the garden club will be having a plant sale the first Saturday in May at the Farmers Market.

It was discussed whether to have the Spring Social within the County only since the District will not be having one.  It was decided to forgo it this year.  Deb Lust moved the Starlite donate $60 to the open class Fair premiums, Joyce Allen seconded the motion, motion carried.

Deb Lust announced that the Fort Leavenworth VA will be in Fort Scott Monday to give out the Johnson and Johnson Covid shot to Veterans.

Doris Ericson Moved that the meeting be adjourned, Letha Johnson seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.

After the meeting Glenda Miller presented the program of Decluttering: For a Better Life.  She presented many practical ways to sort through items.

Saint Patrick’s Day refreshments of brownie bites, sandwiches, nuts and water were provided by Joyce Allen and Glenda Miller and enjoyed by all.

Prepared by

Terri Williams

Last year at this time, I wrote an article on how gardens could provide some food security to us during the chaotic time we were all living through. There was a huge interest in gardening. I remember how our local suppliers couldn’t keep vegetable transplants on the shelves! They were selling out that fast. Many folks tried gardening for the very first time. I hope the same interest in gardening continues this year.

Even if you didn’t give gardening a shot last year, start this year! If you are thinking to yourself that you have never grown anything in your life and just don’t think it’s possible, let me assure you that it is possible. Even for the most novice! You might be thinking that you don’t have space for a garden, or maybe you don’t have a tiller or other equipment. Don’t let that stop you because almost all vegetables can be grown in containers.

The containers don’t have to be anything fancy. Literally, anything that can hold soil and have drain holes drilled in the bottom can be used. Containers that are 16 to 24 inches in diameter work well. Containers less that 12 inches are probably too small – except for lettuces. The most important component of growing vegetables in a container is getting the right potting media. Potting mixes are ideal (instead of soil from your yard). The components are lightweight and hold water and oxygen much better. Make certain that you don’t forget to drill some drainage holes into the bottom of the container.

Fertilizer should be added at planting time and mixed into the soil. If you want to go the organic route, mix blood meal or bone meal into the soil before planting. If you use a synthetic fertilizer, add a slow-release type when preparing the container.

Another benefit to growing vegetables in containers – you don’t have to fight the weather quite as much. Right now, traditional garden soils are way too wet to even think about planting. But with the container system, you can keep them dry inside a garage until you are ready to plant.

Early spring is the ideal time to plant cool season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, radish, onions, carrots and potatoes. All can be easily grown in containers, even potatoes!

Gardening is a great stress reliever. If you have kids at home, gardening is the perfect activity to get them outside to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine, all while learning at the same time!

Here’s where I come in. I have lots of resource material to help you. The ”Kansas Garden Guide” is a full-color, in-depth guide to planting a garden. It is available in each of our Extension offices for $6. This is one of our only publications that we charge for, but it is worth it. Another very useful publication is “Growing Vegetables in Pots.” You can find a link to this publication and others by visiting our Southwind Extension District website and clicking on the “lawn and garden” tab: www.southwind.ksu.edu

In addition, I’m always available by phone, e-mail or social media to answer your questions. Don’t be afraid to ask! In Extension, we say there are no “dumb” questions. I am here to help you in any way that I can.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Agricultural agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.