Kansas native plants

Trees and shrubs are invading prairies, hurting the wildlife and making it harder to ranch. Yet it's hard to know the full extent of the problem, so Kansas State University found a way to map it out on the cheap.

One great place to put a native plant bed is the base of a tree. It creates what is called a 'soft landing' for caterpillars that need to transition from the tree to pupating on the ground.

The tension over water for Quivira National Wildlife Refuge has lasted for decades. But recently, water users made progress toward using less groundwater in the area that impacts Quivira.

To continue my series on things that irk the High Plains gardener, I'll be weilding a blade at the terrible grasses that pester even the most persistent…