Composting at home provides gardeners with a free source of nutrient-rich soil amendment. Knowing what is in your compost is a great way to ensure
you are not introducing problems into the garden. Here are a few quick tips for success if you’re new to composting.

• Turn the pile at least once a month to rotate
materials from the center and promote decomposition. The pile will heat up as it decomposes and cool as
decomposition slows.
• Create a depression in the top of the pile to allow water to collect and slowly
seep through the layers of the mound.
• When deciding where to establish a compost pile, look for a water source. Water
is essential for efficient decomposition and close proximity to supplemental water
will allow you to keep the pile moist even during periods of drought.
• Smaller materials decompose faster. When possible, shred materials before
adding them to the heap especially “browns” such as dry leaves and twigs.
• Fats and meats should not be added to the compost heap. They will attract
wildlife.
• Grass clippings from a lawn treated with crabgrass killer should not be
composted. If crabgrass preventer or dandelion killer has been used on the lawn,
the clippings can be composted after the third mowing.
• Only add fresh plant material that is disease-free.

If your peonies didn’t bloom as expected this year it’s possible
they need to be divided. Peonies don’t require dividing often, but
doing so periodically can promote healthier plants. You also get
the benefit of increasing your plant collection.

Cut stems just above the soil surface. Dig up the entire root
system and remove the soil from the roots. Divide the root clump
into small sections using a sharp knife. Each section should have
three to five buds and healthy roots. Sections with fewer buds will
take longer to bloom.

Choose a planting location that receives sunlight for at least half of
the day. Dig a hole large enough that the roots and buds will be
covered by one to two-inches of soil. Plants buried too deep may not flower. Backfill and water thoroughly. Space dwarf peonies at least two-feet apart and
standard peonies four-feet apart.

It may take a couple of years for the divided plants to return to full
bloom productivity. Kansas’ winters have periods of freezing and
thawing which can uproot plants. Protect newly divided peonies, by
covering them with a layer of straw, leaves or compost after the
soil freezes.

September is the best time to seed cool-season grasses.

Seeding New Lawns

o Use good quality, certified seed; avoid seed with significant levels of
“weed” and “other crop.

o Use recommended seeding rates and distribute well. Seeding at a rate
higher than recommended can cause issues with disease and
environmental stress.

o Good seed to soil contact is critical! Aeration prior
to seeding is one way to promote this. Topdressing
and raking to cover seed are some other methods
of enhancing seed to soil contact. Thatch build-up
will hinder seed to soil contact. See core-aerating
below is thatch is a problem in your lawn.

o Light, frequent irrigation is necessary the first few
weeks after planting and may be required several
times daily depending upon weather. Soil should
remain moist but not waterlogged.

o Minimize traffic on the area until seedlings are
ready to be mowed. Begin mowing once seedlings reach 3-4 inches tall.

Overseeding an Existing Lawn

o Prior to planting, mow the area low (1 to 1-1/2 inches) to reduce
competition with seedlings and help improve seed contact with soil.

o Apply fertilizer based on soil test results or use starter fertilizer at rate
recommended on the bag.

o Water light, but often keeping soil moist but not waterlogged.

Fertilize cool-season grasses.

o Use a quick-release source of nitrogen.

o Apply 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Core-aerating

o Removes cores of soil to relieve compaction, speed up thatch
decomposition and improve water, nutrient and oxygen movement in soil.

o Soil should be moist but not saturated.

o Holes should be 2-3 inches apart and 2.5 to 3 inches deep.

o Cores can be left on the surface and will break down naturally