By Dr. Ferrell Miller
Chuck Otte, Kansas State Ag and Natural Resources Agent for Geary County Extension, was the JC Breakfast Optimist Club’s guest speaker on Wednesday. He told members that “it seems like we are having a later spring this year. This is in part because in the past few years plants and trees have blossomed earlier than expected. From November through February there has been low precipitation, but March was more normal. However, it is dry because of global warming trends. If people want a green lawn, water less, but water deeply and mow tall.”
Chuck also stated that “the December 15 windstorm did damage to evergreens and caused woody plants to have cracks. The weekend of Mother’s Day is the best time to plant tomatoes. Right now the ground is still too cold. This is a good time to prune rose bushes and Rose of Sharon, but not lilacs. Junipers and evergreens may be pruned as we approach Fall.”
Chuck will be retiring in September after approximately 40 years of service. “You just know when it is time and now is the time”, he said