Iolas Dirt Diggers Garden Club will soon be uprooted.
Club members unanimously voted at their Nov. 13 meeting to dissolve the garden club. Funds left in the treasury will be donated to the Iola Community Pantry.
For the program, members discussed no-till gardening.
Theres no need to till to grow edibles and ornamental plants.
Growers should poke holes in the ground with a fork, so as not to step on holes and collapse them.
A thin layer of cardboard, covered by 6 inches of aged manure, chopped leaves and compost, is ideal. Make sure the compost is the top layer because its easier in which to plant.
Next spring, treat it just like an established bed. Use a digging fork to poke holes in established vegetable beds, then cover with a 1-inch layer of worm compost and other amendments. Its best to do so just before it rains. Cut back tomatoes, peppers and broccoli in the summer to prevent their roots from decaying, attract microorganisms and promote biological activity.
Repeat for the fall crops. Mulch helps stunt weeds and conserves moisture.
Give biochar a try. Its the carbon leftover from burning plants. Soil containing high levels of biochar has improved nutrient-holding capacity and can neutralize soils alkaline levels. Let fresh biochar season for six months to neutralize its pH level before putting on your own soil.
Dorothy Saxton hosted the meeting. Pat Howerton was co-hostess. Five members and one guest, Linda McGhee, attended.
The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 11 at Dutch Country Cafe in Garnett.
