Outdoors

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that can be a bit tricky to grow in Kansas. It is native to northern Asia (possibly Siberia) and so is adapted to cold winters and dry summers. However, it is susceptible to crown rot and should not be subjected to “wet feet” and therefore should be grown in a welldrained soil. The addition of organic matter can increase drainage as well as raise the soil level so that crown rot is less likely. Also, have a soil test done as rhubarb does best with a pH below 7.0.

This week I heard the distinctive “pretty, pretty, pretty” spring song of a male cardinal, and Joyce saw her first robin. Usually when you begin to hear those boys singing, and start to see robins braving the cold winds, winter is at least showing us it’s backside as it prepares to take its first steps away from us. I also watched an interesting scenario from our kitchen window.

The Kansas Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt has announced that Wellington’s Korbin Jones has been chosen to be one of the six Kansas youth to participate in the final Kansas Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt.

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, known as the “Pittman-Robertson Act” was passed in 1937 to provide federal funds for state management of wildlife. The money is collected from an 11 percent excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition, bows, arrows, and their parts and accessories. Meaning, every time someone buys guns, bullets or archery equipment, they are contributing to the pool of money distributed across the country to take care of wildlife and wild places.

PRATT – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will hold its next public meeting on March 31 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka. The public is welcomed and encouraged to join Commissioners and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff to conduct business either in person or virtually via Zoom. For virtual participation instructions, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Instructions-to-Participate-in-Virtual-Meeting. To watch live video/audio stream of the meeting, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Watch-Meetings-Here. Commissioners will meet

For those who are lamenting over their lost hour of sleep from that first Monday of daylight saving time and may still be relying on that extra cup of coffee to get themselves moving, Dr. Wayne Pernell a Success Coach with a PhD in Clinical Psychology says Daylight Saving time can be of great benefit if we use it to our advantage.

March is a good time to remove dead foliage from ornamental grasses. Grasses green up earlier if foliage is removed and are more attractive without a mixture of dead and live leaves. A number of tools can be used including hand clippers, weed whips (if the foliage is of a small enough diameter), weed whips with a circular blade, or even a chain saw. Use the top of the chainsaw bar to cut so the saw doesn’t pull in debris and clog. Also, it is often helpful to tie foliage together before cutting so it doesn’t interfere and is easier to dispose of.

EMPORIA – Aerial surveys for lesser prairie-chickens will begin March 23 and run through mid-May in five states containing lesser prairie-chicken habitat, including Kansas. The surveys are conducted annually by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to document population trends and determine how the species is responding to habitat management strategies identified in the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Rangewide Conservation Plan.

PRATT – The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will hold its next public meeting on March 31 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave, Topeka. The public is welcomed and encouraged to join Commissioners and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff to conduct business either in person or virtually via Zoom. For virtual participation instructions, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Instructions-to-Participate-in-Virtual-Meeting. To watch live video/audio stream of the meeting, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/ KDWPT-Info/Commission/Watch-Meetings-Here.

For those who are lamenting over their lost hour of sleep from that first Monday of daylight saving time and may still be relying on that extra cup of coffee to get themselves moving, Dr. Wayne Pernell a Success Coach with a PhD in Clinical Psychology says Daylight Saving time can be of great benefit if we use it to our advantage.