Thank goodness spring has finally sprung!

Everyone I talk to seems to have been more than ready for winter to leave. I know many gardeners have been out working the soil and getting plants in the ground. If you have been or are getting ready to be in the garden, think about adding some transplant solutions (fertilizer) to give your plants a jump start.

Transplant solutions are mild fertilizer solutions that are applied to newly transplanted vegetables and flowers. Transplant solutions are also called starter solutions or root stimulators. Plants not given a transplant solution often develop a purplish tinge to the leaves caused by phosphorus deficiency.

The soil may actually have plenty of phosphorus in it, but plants have difficulty taking up nutrients in cool soils. A starter solution places soluble nutrients near the roots so the plants get off to a good, strong start.

Transplant solutions are available for sale but it is also possible to make your own. You will need to use a fertilizer that contains more phosphorus than nitrogen or potassium such as a 5-10-5 or 10-20-10. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of one of the previously mentioned fertilizers in a gallon of water several hours before use. The fertilizer won’t completely dissolve but enough will go into solution to get the plants off to a good start. Use about 1 cup of transplant solution for each transplant.

Sidedressing is the term used to describe fertilization done after the plants are established. A fertilizer containing primarily nitrogen is used to keep plants growing and productive.

Nitrate of soda (16-0-0) is often used at the rate of 2 pounds fertilizer per 100 feet of row. More commonly available lawn fertilizers such as 30-3-3, 29-5-4 or something similar can also be used but cut the rate in half. Caution – do not use any lawn fertilizer that contains weed preventers or weed killers.

The Extension office has a sidedressing sheet available that lists crops, rate of fertilizer application and time of application(s) for many common vegetables as well as annual flowers.

If you would like to visit with me in person, I am once again doing an office rotation through the growing season.

You can find me in the Erie office on Monday and Friday; the Iola office on Tuesday; Fort Scott on Thursday; Yates Center on Wednesday morning and the Chanute Recreation Center on Wednesday afternoon.

Take a walk at lunch with us on Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Did you know that walking just 30 minutes most days of the week can be beneficial to your well-being? Walking is one of the simplest, safest and most effective forms of exercise. A regular walking routine can help control weight, reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and have a positive influence on heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is hosting the 13^th annual National Walk @ Lunch Day to encourage busy people like you to take a walk during your lunch break and start a healthy routine.

Join us in Fort Scott for a Poker Walk over your lunch at Heritage Park Pavilion on 1^st and Main street from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. & Community Health Center (CHC) at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd from 12:15- 1:00 p.m. A limited number of free event T-shirts will be available at each location and the top poker hands will receive a prize.

Remember to bring your comfortable shoes to work on April 24. Then get out and walk with us!

Submitted by: Carla Nemecek, Southwind Extension District

Can you count the ways Agriculture touches your life?

When you wake up in the morning, you are lying on cotton sheets. You swing your feet onto the floor either made of wood, a rug made of wool or flooring made from linseed or soybean oil. The soap in the shower contains tallow (a by-product of the beef industry) and toothpaste has glycerin in it. The towel you dry off with and the jeans and t-shirt you put on are made from cotton. You have already used dozens of agricultural products, and you haven’t even started eating!

For these everyday reasons and more, agriculture education is too important a topic to be taught only to the small percentage of students considering careers in agriculture and pursuing vocational agricultural studies.

Throughout my Extension career, I have spent time in elementary classrooms teaching about agriculture in a variety of ways. When I ask the students “Does chocolate milk come from a brown cow or a white cow?” the answer is almost always the same – “A brown cow!”

Although this might give most of us a chuckle, the answer really tells us that agriculture education should be a high priority and it should start with our children.

Locally, 4-H and FFA members are educating our youth through various initiatives like Day at the Farm and Earth Day. They cooperate with other organizations such as Farm Bureau, Extension, Conservation District and Wildlife & Parks to demonstrate how agriculture and livestock are important to our everyday lives.

We are all fortunate to live in communities where folks still care about agriculture and a rural lifestyle.

With a growing population and a demand to feed 9 billion by the year 2050, the agriculture industry needs talented, driven and passionate youth willing to make a commitment to agriculture.

Many of these individuals will not have the production background I was privileged to experience while growing up. The next generation will have to gain knowledge and try to understand the depth of the industry through programs in 4-H, FFA and collegiate agriculture courses where hands-on learning is critical to developing the skills necessary to feed the world.

Make no mistake, there is a tremendous opportunity for careers in agriculture, including – banking, energy, food science, education, research and engineering and I hope you will continue to support those organizations who promote and support agricultural endeavors in our communities.

Southwind Extension District is proud to help educate our youth on the values and importance involved in the agriculture lifestyle. Through participation in 4-H activities like livestock judging, learning how to weld, or even how to grow plants in the garden – the youth in Woodson, Allen, Bourbon and Neosho Counties are preparing themselves on how to feed the next generation.

For more information on how you can become involved in the Southwind District, find us on the web at www.southwind.ksu.edu

Carla Nemecek
Southwind Extension District
Director & Agent
[email protected]
620-365-2242
1 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749

…

Ever feel like you can’t get ahead?

Saving at tax time may help you get started. Saving throughout the year can be tough. It may feel like every paycheck is spent before you get it. If that’s the case, you’re not alone.

Tax refunds may be the largest check you will receive all year, but used as unplanned bonuses. Refunds are an opportunity to commit saving a portion to improve your financial situation.

Get the Most Value from Your Tax Refund

• Pay down your debt. Use your refund for some much-needed debt relief. Pay off your credit card balance. If you have an outstanding balance on more than one credit card, try to pay off the smaller, high-interest rate balances first. That will free up more funds to put toward larger balances. You can apply your refund toward other debts, like a car loan or a home equity loan.
• Save for a rainy day. Why not give yourself an even bigger return on your tax refund by putting the money into a savings account, CD, or retirement fund? Your tax refund will continue to grow if you put it into savings or invest the money. It’s always helpful to have a savings account to draw from when a major car repair bill, medical emergency or other unexpected expense comes along. That way, you don’t have to borrow money and add to your debt-load.
• Consider your financial goals. Trying to save for a house or car down payment? Hope to contribute to your child’s college tuition? Consider applying your tax refund toward these goals. If you don’t yet have a set of short-term and long-term financial goals, put one together. You’ll be more conscientious about how you spend your refund or any other extra money that comes your way.

Remember, you work hard for your money and you deserve to enjoy a healthy financial lifestyle. Put some thought into how you use your tax refund. Making smart financial decisions is not always easy, but it will definitely benefit you and your family over the long term.

Joy Miller may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720.