Go-To Gardening Guide

Go-To Guide for Gardening in Kansas

Written by Julie Hying

K-State Research and Extension offers a newly designed, expanded guide for every level of vegetable gardener — from novices and newbies to those who have spent a lifetime cultivating the soil and seasonally reaping a bountiful harvest. Rebecca McMahon, Kansas State expert shares this: “The expanded guide takes into consideration the realities of a modern gardener. It’s highly relevant to anyone seeking information about gardening. It appeals to new gardeners as well as experts looking to improve their approach.”

The guide’s collaborators contributed their expertise in many areas, but it’s also a direct reflection of McMahon’s background in horticulture, as well as field experience as a lifelong gardener. After fifteen years of working with a team at the Sedgwick County Extension office as a horticultural agent, she accepted a position with K-State Research and Extension as their local food system program administrator.

‘In Kansas, more than $25 million worth of vegetables are grown in home gardens.’ — The Kansas Garden Guide

What makes the Kansas Garden Guide remarkable lies in its accessibility as an online resource as well as its user-friendly design. A beautifully laid out table of contents lists everything from planning a garden and considering bed design, to planter and crop options, to tips about navigating pitfalls like pest infestation and inclement weather conditions. The guide offers ideas for vertical planting and raised beds, for soil fertilizers and composting, as well as how to plant, cultivate and harvest nearly every kind of vegetable or herb.

“Every chapter has a printable chart or table that provides a quick reference to information,” McMahon says. “Planting and harvesting calendars advise gardeners how and where to plant crops and offer spacing and timing tips to encourage maximum success. Common concerns are addressed including weather conditions, soil challenges and more.”

In Kansas, more than $25 million worth of vegetables are grown in home gardens, according to the Kansas Garden Guide itself. This produce is raised in small and large individual gardens, as well as those with backyard farmsteads. According to McMahon, “We’re seeing a greater number of urban farms and gardeners who grow their crops to sell.” The Kansas Garden Guide continues to be an excellent resource for those wishing to cultivate a garden or even just grow food they love.

K-State Research and Extension — Sedgwick County is an excellent resource for gardeners as well. Experts are available to field a wide range of questions. People may call, email photos or bring in plants or crops they are having issues with for consultation. Often people are able to quickly receive helpful information and advice.