This week, I am passing my weekly column over to our new Horticulture Agent, Rip Winkel. Rip started in November, and has a lot of great ideas for Horticulture in our district! Below is one idea for a project to start vegetables indoors for the coming growing season. We do need 10 participants before we can get the supplies, so if you are interested, call either Rip, or myself at 620-793-1910.
Last week, Alicia Boor shared an article on starting garden vegetables inside while the temperatures are still too cold to plant outside. Time is passing quickly, and before you know it, it will be time to do just that if you want to get a head start on your garden. But before I go any further, let me introduce myself.
My name is Rip Winkel, and I am the new Horticulture Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. Just for the record, the Cottonwood Extension District consists of both Barton and Ellis Counties joined together. This position as an agent started for me at the beginning of November 2017. So, as a newbie, I am still becoming acquainted with this position, and all that it entails. I received my Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M in Horticulture: Fruit and Vegetable Production. Later I attained a Master of Agriculture from Colorado State University, with a concentration in Third World Development. I look forward to working with both counties, and getting to know the people that call this area home.
In getting back to planting seed inside while it is still winter, I am currently looking into a seed planting workshop if anyone would be interested in participating. This workshop would consist of assembling your own plant light kit, and/or planting your seed tray. The materials include a light stand assembly of basic PVC tubing, a 4-foot shop light, two florescent bulbs, chains for height control, a seed tray, potting soil and seeds (pepper and/or tomato). You can bring your own seeds if desired. A discussion on preparing soil and organizing your garden will be offered along with the kit/seed assembly.
The cost of such a workshop would be as follows: for just the grow lamp kit, $35. For the grow lamp kit, seed tray, soil and seed, the cost would be $42. Both prices include the discussion. The workshop would be at the Extension office at 1800 12th St., Great Bend, around mid- to late February. I do need 10 participants at the minimum to hold the program and get the materials at a discounted price. If interested, please respond by Feb. 2. Feel free to call Alicia at 620-793-1910, or myself at 785-628-9430 to sign up.

Alicia Boor is the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Barton County K-State Research and Extension. Contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.