Moving to Kansas, need gardening tips

[Mudman]

Hey folks, I will be moving from my beloved Wisconsin this July to Eastern Kansas and was wondering if anyone could give me some insights on gardening in this area. Will it be too late for me to plant things at this time? Will I need to provide shade from the summer heat? Anything would be helpful. It is odd spending 20+ years mastering my climate only to be starting over. Thanks in advance.

[rockyonekc]

I am located on the MO side of Kansas City. Tomatoes, Peppers and other heat loving plants typically go in the first few weeks of May. Around July I am starting to plan for fall crops. Broccoli, lettuce and other greens, etc to be planted in mid August. You might still be able to get some squash and cucumbers to produce if you stick with early varieties at 60 days maturity.

Good luck with your move.

[Mudman]

Originally Posted by rockyonekc

I am located on the MO side of Kansas City. Tomatoes, Peppers and other heat loving plants typically go in the first few weeks of May. Around July I am starting to plan for fall crops. Broccoli, lettuce and other greens, etc to be planted in mid August. You might still be able to get some squash and cucumbers to produce if you stick with early varieties at 60 days maturity.

Good luck with your move.

Thanks for the info, I was hoping I would be able to plant something in the late summer so my whole year gardening wouldn't be a wash.

I think you will enjoy eastern Kansas. I did for two years I spent in the Army at Fort Riley, Kansas. Kansas for me is like two different states with flat and dry in western Kansas and rolling hills and normally good rain in eastern Kansas. The entire state can be described as very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer with more humidity in eastern Kansas. If you arrive soon, you should be able to grow just about anything you want to grow. You may not be able to grow tomatoes until fall because the hot weather will arrive soon. Most of the nursery plants are probably about sold out and its getting a little late to plant seed for a spring tomato garden.

I hope you enjoy living in Kansas.

Ted

[Cole_Robbie]

I'm not in Kansas, but everyone is behind this year, because it has been so cold and wet.

Here is a blog you might enjoy. He's a market gardener in Kansas:

http://highfarming.blogspot.com/

[RebelRidin]

As rockyonekc suggests, arriving in July pretty much limits you to fall crops for this year. You might add some carrots, turnips, kohlrabi, cabbage and rhutabaga to your list.

Eastern Kansas can be a nice place. I think you'll enjoy the earlier spring and longer season than you've been used too.

[Mudman]

Thanks for all the info folks. One thing I was wondering- I built a pretty elaborate cold frame to cheat the cold here in the north. Should I bring it with and keep greens in it in the winter there?

[RebelRidin]

You will definately find good use fpr that cold frame in KS.