I used to live in Kansas in Manhattan which is just north of Emporia. They don't get a lot of rain, so he'll save himself a lot of work if he plants drought tolerant plants. Daylilies, salvia, sedum, daisies, lamium, dianthus, lamb's ear, yarrow, coreopsis, coneflower, blanketflower, penstemon,and hardy geranium all do very well.

Emporia is surrounded by feedlots. I bet that your brother can get a ton of manure for little or no cost. I would also tell him to add a bunch of leaves, too.

Tracy diSabato-Aust has a terrific book, The Well Tended Perennial Garden.

Good luck!
Katie

Thanks Katie---He's got the manure worked into the dirt. I'll pass on this advice as well as the book you recommended.

Thanks again,
Nancy

I live in DodgeCity, Ks. Get him the book, Gardening in the Heartland, by Rachel Snyder. she is the former editer of Flower and Garden magazine and this book will tell him everything he needs to know.