As clump-forming perennials mature, they often become overcrowded, competing among themselves for light, water and nutrients. This typically results in fewer blooms, said David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Don’t despair. “With a little garden surgery, new life can be instilled into ragged, overgrown perennials,” said Trinklein.

While division may seem like a spring task, early fall is ideal, he said. Cooler weather and reduced water stress help plants recover and reestablish roots before winter. Root growth continues into late fall as long as soils remain warm.

Why divide perennials?

Overcrowding stresses plants and reduces flowering. Dividing them restores vigor and lets gardeners expand their beds or share plants with others.

How to divide perennials

• A sharp spade or garden fork works best.
• Slice the clump, making sure roots remain intact.
• Take half the clump with as many roots as possible.
• Refill the original hole with good soil and replant the removed portion elsewhere, or pass it along to a friend.
• Keep the soil moist for several weeks while the plant settles in.

What to divide, and what not to

Some perennials thrive when divided, including:

• Daylilies.
• Irises.
• Ornamental grasses.
• Black-eyed Susans.
• Purple coneflowers.

Not all perennials require division. Peonies prefer to stay put. If unsure, check plant care recommendations or consult the MU Extension website.

Fertilizing: timing matters

Avoid fertilizing in fall, since winter cold may damage new growth. Wait until spring, when plants break dormancy. Use a balanced fertilizer and follow label instructions.

Summer’s bounty helps to make eating healthy an easy choice.

It’s not really a coincidence that the Produce for Better Health Foundation recognizes September as National Fruits and Veggies month in the United States.

Summer is filled with colorful fruits and vegetables, from strawberries to melons, tomatoes to greens, and many more. It’s the season to indulge in foods that are tasty and good for you, too.

“There are many reasons to include fruits and vegetables every day in a meal or snack,” said Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee. “The fiber in produce helps keep you full, helps improve digestion and helps reduce risks and effects of several diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and more.”

Many fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that our bodies can’t produce on their own, said Blakeslee, who recommends filling half of your plate during meals with fruits and vegetables.

“By consuming more fruits and vegetables, you lower calorie intake, reduce weight gain and reduce the intake of high-calorie foods,” she said. “Whether they are fresh, frozen, canned or dried, fruits and vegetables can be consumed year-round.”

In fact, with many garden foods reaching harvest, it’s a perfect time to preserve fresh produce. Blakeslee said freezing is easy and doesn’t take a lot of equipment; many foods can be frozen, though some – such as lettuce – do not freeze well.

“Canning and pickling are great options to reduce food waste,” Blakeslee said.

In a monthly newsletter she publishes in her role as coordinator of K-State’s Rapid Response Center for food science, Blakeslee suggests trying something new: Watermelon Rind Pickles.

“After enjoying the juicy watermelon fruit, save the rinds and turn them into a unique pickle,” she said. “Always follow tested recipes and instructions for best safety and quality for all food preservation methods.”

National Fruits and Veggies month also comes with a reminder to cut food waste in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly 40% of food waste occurs at home.

“When shopping, plan meals and snacks to be a better shopper,” Blakeslee said. “Before going to the store, shop your kitchen first. Incorporate what you already have into menus. Know your schedule and family likes to be sure fresh produce is used before it gets wasted.”

Other tips for reducing food waste include:

• Add perishable foods to a casserole, salad or soup.
• Freeze fresh produce to use later.
• Don’t buy in bulk if it’s not an item you can use quickly.
• Prepare fresh produce so that it’s easy to grab and go for easy snacks.
• If food is spoiled, consider composting if you have space available.

More information on incorporating fruits and vegetables into your daily diet plan – not just in September – is available from several sources, including:

• K-State Research and Extension food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health: ksre.ksu.edu/humannutrition.
• Produce for a Better Health Foundation: https://fruitsandveggies.org
• USDA MyPlate: https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/what-is-myplate

A Kansas garden drew national attention last week when singer Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce revealed they’d gotten engaged there.

More than 36 million people “liked” the Instagram post announcing Swift’s acceptance of that flower-filled proposal amid the secluded horticultural wonderland behind Kelce’s mansion in Leawood in Johnson County.

Though Kelce’s property is private, the Sunflower State is filled with enchanting gardens that are open to the public.

Following are seven of those.

The Lavender Patch Farm, Fort Scott

More than 1,000 plants and 20 varieties of lavender “turn the prairie purple during June’s peak bloom,” the kstravel.com website said of the Lavender Patch Farm at Fort Scott.

Visitors may wander the farm’s fields to pick lavender plants to purchase or take a tour to learn how the crop is grown, harvested and dried, that site said.

Lavender ice cream can be bought during an annual festival held annually on the third weekend of June at the farm, where handmade lotions and soaps are also among items available for purchase.

Reinisch Rose Garden, Topeka

Established in 1930, Gage Park’s Reinisch Rose Garden in Topeka features more than 4,500 roses of 180 varieties, said the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation website.

The garden is a popular wedding spot. It includes newly released rose varieties and numerous unusual varieties that are no longer commercially available, that site said.

Each April, Reinisch Rose Garden is among settings for “Tulip Time,” in which more than 100,000 tulips are planted at Gage Park, Ted Ensley Gardens and Ward-Meade Botanical Garden, all at Topeka.

Bramble’s Edge Farm, Rose Hill

Seasonal flowers, a market, workshops, tours, special events and gorgeous meadows for photoshoots are offered at Bramble’s Edge Farm, located on 8 acres at Rose Hill in Butler County in south-central Kansas, its website said.

Visitors may pick a bouquet of flowers to buy at a cost of $6 for 12 stems, the kstravel website said, adding that the farm also sells eggs, fresh produce, herbs, mints, berries, pumpkins and locally made candles and soaps.

The farm closes in the late fall and reopens in May, its website said. It offers fresh eggs and herbs, as well as photoshoot options year-round.

Ted Ensley Gardens, Topeka

This 37.5-acre garden area on the west side of Lake Shawnee features 1,200 varieties of perennials and 300 varieties of annuals, as well as roses, trees and shrubs, said the Visit Topeka website.

That site said Ted Ensley Gardens provides “a panoramic view of the lake and spectacular plantings in a beautiful and tranquil setting with meandering paths and seating areas.”

Ted Ensley Gardens also features water and rock gardens, a gazebo, a pergola and a pagoda with a meditation garden, said the website for Shawnee County Parks and Recreation.

Klamm Flowers-U-Pick-Flower-Maze, Bonner Springs

“Outfitted with loaned clippers and a jumbo water cup, visitors venture through the farmyard’s raised beds, snipping zinnias, sunflowers, dahlias, celosia, and basil for a take-home bouquet,” said the kstravel.com website.

“The fifth-generation farm hosts Sip and Snip (wine and flower picking) and flower-arranging classes,” that site added. “It also takes bookings for photo shoots in the fields.”

Visitors for $25 may pick and purchase enough flowers to fill a 32-ounce cup, which will produce a large bouquet or two smaller bouquets, the Klamm Flowers website said.

Ward-Meade Botanical Garden, Topeka

Visitors can “blend history with gorgeous grounds” by strolling through the 2.5-acre Ward-Meade Botanical Garden at Old Prairie Town/Ward-Meade Historic Site at 124 NW Fillmore in Topeka, said the travelks.com website.

“Its National Hosta Display Garden, one of only a few in the country, features hundreds of hostas,” that site said. “A National Daylily Display Garden and more than 500 varieties of flowers, trees, and shrubs round out the show.”

The site also offers an herb garden, a monarch butterfly way station, water features, a gazebo, bridges, paved trails, 10,000 annuals and the Asian Garden at Anna’s Place, said the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation website.

Botanica, Wichita

This 20-acre group of botanical gardens offers 4,000 plant species as well as sculptures, water features and a restored 1949 carousel, said the kstravel.com website.

“Open year-round, Botanica celebrates the seasons with flower festivals, concerts, traveling exhibits and the illuminating finale: gardens aglow with more than 2 million holiday lights,” it said.

Botanica’s Downing Children’s Garden features a “rainbow trail,” “sunflower plaza fountain,” “monster woods” and “salamander stream,” the Botanica website said.

Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children, senior citizens and the military and free for children 2 and younger.

As reported in the Topeka Capital Journal