K-State Research and Extension

Lawn and Garden

Maintaining attractive communities and home landscapes increases property values and promotes an improved quality of life that makes Douglas County a great place to live.

Whether you have questions about lawns, vegetables, flowers, or landscape maintenance, Extension information is available to help you. Our Extension garden experts and trained subject matter specialists are prepared to provide you with non-biased, research-based information. Scroll down for a list of our monthly education programs.

K-State Garden Hour - topics from lawns to tomatoes, pollinators to compost

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map Updated

Kansas Gardening Calendar - monthly reminders for garden and landscape maintenance

Kansas Healthy Yards & Communities  Tips and videos on plant care, vegetable gardening, lawn care, fruit production and more!

Horticulture Information Center Here you will find a weekly horticulture newsletter loaded with timely information, a link to some of the most common plant and pest problems, lists of recommended plants, and a link to a searchable database of K-State publications on all manner of topics. 

Volunteers Week Shout-Out #1

Thank you to the EMG Class of 2023 for joining our community of gardeners and helping us achieve the Extension Master Gardener mission to share research-based, horticultural information with residents of Douglas County, in partnership with K-State Research and Extension.

Volunteers Week Shout-Out #2

Terri and Kellee are a couple of the newest EMG volunteers for our Junior Master Gardener program at New York Elementary School. Together they and the entire JMG committee show kids how much fun it is to garden. While having fun, the kids also learn how plants grow, thrive, and support our food web. Terri also volunteers at the Monarch Watch Demonstration Garden and Kellee serves as the EMG Class of 2023 Board Representative. Thank you!

Volunteers Week Shout-Out #3

Amy is one of the newest EMG Horticulture Hotline volunteers. Together new and experienced volunteers (here pictured with Cindy Hornberger) answer all sorts of questions posed about all sorts of gardening – from soil to snapdragons, from tomatoes to turf. Hotline volunteers participate in additional, targeted training to better help you, the gardening public, whether you call in, walk in, or email. Thank you!

Volunteers Week Shout-Out #4

Jeanine and Chris are a couple of the newest EMG volunteers in the EMG High Tunnel. Together they and the entire High Tunnel crew find innovative ways to demonstrate growing food, flowers, and herbs. Jeanine also volunteers in the Fairgrounds Demonstration Garden and Chris volunteers with our Garden Art Committee. Thank you!

-Extension Master Gardener Classes are Not currently Open | Follow Our Social Media for Updates!-

Soil Testing

Test your soil's pH and nutrient levels to determine what kind and the right amount of fertilizer to apply. You might be spending money on nutrients that you don't need. Download the document on How to Take a Soil Sample for more details. 

Extension Master Gardener Hotline