Planting the Plains: Stressing on Transplant Stress

By Anthony Reardon

Published May 8, 2026 at 6:00 AM CDT

It’s just about time to transplant your plants into the outdoors, but…do you notice that chill? Not the outdoor temperature, but the panic of realizing that some of your plants won’t survive the process of moving to the outdoors? For what it's worth, some plants are better able to handle the process, and we’ll talk this week about which, and methods to help minimize the stress on your plants this year.

So, why should you separate and divide your perennial plants? It's simple. When they look thick and healthy, they are already competing for soil nutrients by being too closer together. By relocating them, you'll reduce the need for a specific area to feed too many plants at once, and help your garden expand a bit, and it won't cost you a penny!

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Anthony Reardon

Anthony Reardon is the Horticulture – Small Farms Extension Agent for Johnson County, Kansas.

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Planting the Plains: Thinning Fruits and Vegetables

Anthony Reardon

It may seem counterintuitive to contemplate the idea of thinning out your fruits and vegetables…after all, why wouldn’t you want as much of your crop as possible? But by removing some, you’ll give the other fruit more room and nutrients to grow, making for a better harvest in the long run. This week, we’ll talk about the hows and whys of trimming for maximum effect in your garden!
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Planting the Plains: Storm Damage in Vegetable Gardens

Anthony Reardon

Gardening on the High Plains can be a fun and rewarding experience, but let’s face it…we get some pretty rough storms, the kind that can leave some lasting damage. Some plans can recover fairly well from this damage, but in other cases, it can be wiser just to start over with a new plant and focus on its welfare. This week, we’ll talk about how to make those choices, and what other forms this damage can take.
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Planting the Plains: Too Much Organic Matter

Anthony Reardon

It’s commonly understood that adding organic matter to your growing soil can benefit your plants, but what’s less understood are the ways that too much organic matter can lead to worse results. This week, we’ll talk about how to make sure you’re not overdoing it in your garden!
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Planting the Plains: Early Pest Awareness

Anthony Reardon

There are few things as disappointing as finding your garden overrun with bugs, feasting on your plants before you’ve even had the chance. You can help to prevent this by keeping an eye on things early in the growing season, and this week, we’ll talk about how to recognize the signs and how to effectively treat these annoying pests!
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Planting the Plains: Making Your Own Compost Tea

Anthony Reardon

Compost tea isn’t a beverage, but it’s a great way to use the nutrients from your composting to make an easily spreadable liquid you can apply almost anywhere. This week, we’ll talk about how and why you may want to consider making a batch, and seeing what it can do for your garden!