The best source for timely, accurate information in Johnson County, Kansas.
June 2018

While the summer solstice (or estival solstice) doesn't officially arrive until June 21, Mother Nature had other ideas and kicked up her furnace early in May. As a result, ticks have flourished and evergreens need an ever watchful eye.

In this issue of Knowledge for Life we discuss:
  • insect issues like bagworms and ticks,
  • ways to keep your brain fit
  • healthy grilling tips, and
  • options for delicious fresh ripe fruit at U-Pick farms
  • welcoming our new 4-H youth development agent, Ami Lin

Have questions? Give us a call at 913.715.7000. Or email us at [email protected]
Watch out
Ticks in Johnson County
Summer weather is here with a vengeance, and so are the ticks. We had a fairly cool spring that kept vegetation growing slowly. When the hotter temperatures started making their appearance, we had a large flush of growth of green vegetation. This makes for prime habitat for ticks. Check out these tick facts for Johnson County, Kansas.
Healthy Grilling Tips
Summer belongs to the backyard barbecue. But if you like your steaks really well done you may want to reconsider. Research indicates a correlation between grilled foods and a higher risk of developing cancer. Why take the risk? We outline these grilling tips for good health.
Keeping Your Brain Fit
Have you exercised your brain today? Let’s take a moment to give your brain a quick checkup.
Treat Evergreens Now for Bagworms
Summer is here which means the start of bagworm season. Bagworms are one of our most common pests, feeding on a wide variety of evergreen plants. It is all about the timing for good control.  Now is the time to act.
Watering is the key to success
Growing Evergreens in Kansas City
Kansas is the only state in the union that does not have a native evergreen. The key to their success is right plant/right place, and proper and timely watering. You can't plant them and forget them here in our part of the country. Learn more about evergreens in KC here.
U-Pick Produce Farms and Corn Mazes
Loading up the kids and heading to a local farm to pick juicy ripe strawberries or sweet peaches can create strong lasting memories. Not to mention luscious desserts like fresh peach pie. In Johnson County there are several U-pick farms for that perfect summer family outing.
4-H Youth Development Agent
Ami Lin Joins Staff
We are pleased to have Ami Lin join our staff. Ami has 9 years of experience as a middle-school teacher in both urban and rural schools districts in L.A. and Kansas. Please join us in welcoming her to Johnson County Extension.
Become an Extension Master Gardener
If you have a passion for gardening, like sharing horticulture information, and love to have fun, consider volunteering with the Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs), an educational outreach program.

Y ou're Invited: June 27 Daylily Daze
Demonstration Garden Open on Special Wednesdays This Summer
Come see daylily varieties in a multitude of color. Also, vegetables have undergone their transition to warm summer plantings of tomatoes, beans, and peppers. Come visit the Backyard Garden and find out what grows best here in KC.
July 29 in Gardner
Express Your Creativity at the Johnson County Fair
As Madonna said, "Don't go for second best baby... Express yourself!" Consider entering your hand painted china, photography, homegrown vegetables, or Aunt Tillie's giant fern in the Open Class competition at the county fair in late July. There's a category for every expression of creative talent: pies, canned goodies, flower arranging, knitting and much, much more. Here are the categories and rules for entering your masterpiece.
Become an Extension Master Food Volunteer
Extension Master Food Volunteers (EMFV) are trained by university-based nutritionists, registered dietitians, food scientists and culinary experts and become certified in research-based food safety and healthy living concepts. They, in turn, give voluntary service for a variety of educational outreach projects that utilize their training. If this sounds like your cup of tea apply here.


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