OTTAWA, Kan. – Frontier Extension District will host a meeting, Green Prints, to discuss garden planning and preparation, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 22, 2026, at Neosho Community College, 900 E Logan St., Ottawa, Kan. Green Prints will focus on helping gardeners learn how to best plan and prepare their garden spaces to maximize production throughout the growing season.
Lauren Gammill, Frontier District horticulture and natural resources agent, will walk through the vital steps in preparing vegetable gardens. Crops production agent Ryan Schaub will present information on proper site preparation, including soil testing and appropriate soil amendments, to ensure plants receive the nutrients they need without excess that can lead to runoff.
Additional topics will include companion planting, variety selection, the pros and cons of transplanting seedlings, and techniques for extending the growing season. Participants will have time to sketch garden designs and ask questions of both agents. This workshop is designed to make gardening easier, more efficient, and less stressful.
Garden production is a critical factor in successful food production. A weedy, nutrient-deficient, or dry garden bed will not produce high yields of fruits and vegetables. Addressing these issues before planting is essential. Overapplication of fertilizers can also cause harm. According to the University of Maryland, overfertilizing vegetable plants (especially nitrogen) can produce lush, green plants but little fruit. Both chemical and organic fertilizers can be overapplied and burn plants or stimulate leaf growth at the expense of fruit.
Participants will learn how to interpret soil test results and apply fertilizers correctly. The workshop will also cover proper planting timing and spacing, including how planting cucurbits later in the season can help deter squash bugs and how companion planting can aid in natural pest and disease management.
For more information, contact Lauren Gammill in the Frontier Extension District office in Ottawa, at 785-229-3520.
