The Gateway Gardener October 2018

Gateway Gardener

OCTOBER 2018

THE

®

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

Passion Flower

Sea Anemone of the Woods

Houseplants for Health 5 Trees You’ll Be Happy You Planted Cover Crops 101 FREE Courtesy of:

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Gateway Gardener THE

®

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

OCTOBER 2018

Volume 14, Number 8

Founded in 2005 by Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver Publisher and Editor Robert Weaver Columnists Diane Brueckman Rosarian Abby Lapides Nursery Professional Steffie Littlefield Edg-Clif Winery Jennifer Schamber Nursery Professional Crystal Stevens EarthDance Organic Farm School Scott Woodbury Native Plant Specialist

Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL The Gateway Gardener® is published 9 times/year by Double Dig Communications, Inc. to promote enjoyable, successful gardening and livable landscapes in the St. Louis greater metropolitan area. The magazine is distributed free to the public at designated garden centers, nurseries, garden gift shops, lawn equipment rental, repair and sales establishments, and other locations supporting sound gardening, lawn and landscaping practices.

Please send letters-to-the-editor, questions, event announcements, editorial suggestions and contributions, photos, advertising inquiries and materials, and any other correspondence to: The Gateway Gardener Magazine® PO Box 220853 St. Louis, MO 63122 Phone: (314) 968-3740

info@gatewaygardener.com www.gatewaygardener.com The Gateway Gardener® is printed on recycled newsprint using environmentally friendly soy-based ink, and is a member of the PurePower® renewable energy resources network.

O

From the Editor

ur native gardening columnist and Whitmire Wildflower Garden curator Scott Woodbury was walking through my garden a couple years ago as I was showing him some new native planting areas. Poking his head under some rhododendrons where I had replaced some English ivy with wild ginger, he pointed to a vine growing out of the leaf litter. “Is that passion flower vine?,” he asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

The rhodie is a favorite spot for the birds to fluff their feathers after bathing in the nearby bubbler, and I frequently get volunteers beneath it as a result of the pooped seeds they deposit. Most get yanked, but with faith in Scott’s plant i.d., I allowed the vine to remain. I forgot about it last year, but noticed it again this spring and started training it up the brick wall at its feet. Later in the summer, when I noticed other people posting passion flower pics, I went out, pushed my way through the rhodies and saw… passion flowers! I sent a picture to Scott to confirm his i.d., and it inspired him to write the article you’ll find in this issue (page 8).

And the cover photo is indeed from my volunteer passion flower vine! One of the joyful surprises of the garden.

Gardening produces many joyful moments for those of us of the persuasion, which of course is

largely why we do it. Sometimes, though, we regret some of our planting or gardening decisions, whether originally the result of insufficient information or ultimately brought on by a change of heart. (After reading some reports about passion flower vine’s inclination to multiply vigorously, I debated with myself as to whether or not to keep it. As much as I love the look and smell of sweet autumn clematis, I no longer encourage it in my garden, and don’t need a substitute thug.

But the beauty of the passion flower won me over…for now.)

When that poor decision is a tree you’ve invested years in nurturing, the regret is compounded. In this issue, Jennifer Schamber puts our minds to rest with her picks for 5 trees we will be glad we planted (page 6).

been at the time. For decades, Bradford pears and their callery pear relatives including Cleveland, Aristocrat and others, were darlings of the landscape for their spring flowers, fall color and year-round shape (certainly not their smell!).

They began to lose favor when it was discovered, at maturity, they had a propensity to split in storms.

But more recently their reputation has soured even more as their wild progeny have spread rampantly along roadsides and through vacant lots, fields and parks. They have now joined bush honeysuckle as one of most ecologically damaging invasive plants in our region. We have two articles on these and other invasives in this issue, one inviting volunteers to join this fall’s Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks (page 14) and the other introducing readers to Missouri’s Invasive Plant Task Force (Dig This, page 20).

October is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and most perennials and we all hope to make the right decisions when doing so. For now I’m keeping my passion flower vine with eyes wide open to its beauty, but with one clearly focused on its willfulness to spread.

Good Gardening!

Not every tree is a good decision, as well-intended as it may have

On the Cover...

Passion flower vine definitely bears one of the most exotic, tropical-looking flowers in the garden. It’s hard to believe it’s a native! For more about these showstoppers, see page 8. (photo by Robert Weaver) IN THIS ISSUE 4 Houseplants for Health 6 5 TreesTo Plant

8 10 12 12 14 16

Passion Flower Top 10 October Tasks Cover Crops 101 JT’s Fresh Ideas Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks Preventing Window Bird Strikes 18 Putting Roses to Bed 20 Dig This!

22 Upcoming Events

Houseplants for Health!

by Abby Lapides

H

ouseplants do much more than add decoration to the home; these hardworking beauties can help improve your quality of life.

In the early 90s NASA- that’s right NASA- released a study about air filtering houseplants.

One of the best air purifiers, mother-in-law’s tongue, also known as snake plant, or—my favorite—viper’s bowstring, is one of the easiest to grow houseplants around. They grow in just about any light condition and are very forgiving if you forget to water. In fact the #1 way to kill one of these is to Fiddle Leaf water it too frequently. The Fig striking variety ‘Zeylanica’ features silver-green foliage with dark green bands. Though viper’s bowstring has been used

leave and eyestrain in offices.

One great houseplant, aloe, may be the most popular succulent on the planet. The soft green, long fleshy foliage with silver accents is a stunning houseplant, but it’s the healing properties that are on the inside that make this plant so popular.

The jelly-like interior has been used for many years to treat burns. Studies have shown that it may reduce the healing time of burns by 9 days. Aloe prefers sunny spots and dry soil.

Dry eyes, itchy throats come winter? Turning the heat on in the home can have some unpleasant side effects. Add a houseplant! They can increase humidity upwards of 10% in as a houseplant for a long time, a room. The rubber plant has its stiff upright nature gives this large, dark glossy green leaves plant an architectural modern with burgundy highlights. This look. Unlike many plants, larger plant looks great on the viper’s bowstring converts C02 ground next to a fireplace or a into oxygen at night, making it television area. The rubber plant an excellent plant for bedrooms. can handle low light and low water; be sure to keep it away Added houseplant health from cold winter drafts and only benefits discovered were a water when the soil is dry. reduction in health issues in classrooms, and reduced sick Procrastination can be a tricky

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The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2018

Rattlesnake Plant

Mother-in-law’s Tongue

Parlor Palm

Rubber Tree

OCTOBER 2018

habit to overcome. In one study, 98% of the people surveyed believed that the presence of plants increased work motivation. (I wish I would have known that in college!)

One plant that may decrease productivity is the rattlesnake plant. I say this because it is so interesting, instead of getting work done all you’ll want to do is stare at this captivating plant. Rattlesnake plant features bright green narrow leaves that are polka-dotted with dark green spots and have a purple underside. The leaves burst out of the center crown looking like a firework of fascinating foliage.

Be sure to keep its soil evenly moist and plant in well-drained potting mix.

Pain and stress—two items most of us want to eliminate from our lives. Well, I can’t say that houseplants are the magic cure, but they have been known to reduce both of these in hospital patients. Surgical patients that recovered with plants in their room took less pain reliever medication, and breast cancer patients were reported to better tolerate life’s disruptions from treatment after interacting with plants. For those brownthumbed people out there try planting the parlor palm. One of the most forgiving houseplants,

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you won’t have to stress over its care. Parlor palms feature narrow green stalks and foliage that forms into an airy upright plant. There’s no need to worry about the palm taking over your home as this slow growing houseplant usually maxes out at around 4’. This is another plant that is usually killed with kindness—water and fertilize your parlor palm sparingly.

With so many benefits it’s easy to see why houseplants are rocketing in popularity. Because of the vast variety available and many being so easy to grow, there’s a houseplant for anyone in just about any location in the house.

Many of the studies cited can be found on ConsumerHort.org.

Photos courtesy Ann Lapides

Abby Lapides is owner and a speaker at Sugar Creek Gardens Nursery. She has degrees from the University of Missouri, and is a member of the Landscape and Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis.

You can reach her at (314) 965-3070.

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5 Trees You’ll Be So Glad You Planted!

by Jennifer Schamber

A

s consumers, we all make good choices sometimes and not so great choices at times.

We all know that one of the best things we can do to enhance the outdoors of our home is to plant a tree, but we don’t want to make a bad choice. Here are five selections of trees that you’ll be so glad you planted, and now that it’s the best time of the year to plant, grab the shovel and start digging!

tidy, upright tree with a more dominant central leader, try Spring Flurry®. Serviceberries give us early spring flowers, summer fruit and then delight us with a colorful Fall finale.

Wildfire Tupelo

Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’

Amelanchier laevis ‘JFS-Arb’ PP15304 The elusive fruit from serviceberry is sometimes considered a delicacy, rarely can you find them at the grocery store because their season is

short but sweet for certain. The with our feathered friends. berries ripen in June and one Look for a native species, like must have the harvest timed Amelanchier arborea, or for a perfectly because the birds know exactly when they are ripe. Be sure to plant several of these and share the bounty

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Six years ago, my husband and I planted a ‘Wildfire’ tupelo along with the “help” of our one-year-old daughter. It’s in the southwest part of the front yard, so that over time, it will provide shade to the front of our home. Its low branches make it very easy for kids to learn to climb a tree and provide a great

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The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2018

Dan Billman

‘Jelena’ Witch hazel

Spring Flurry® Serviceberry

blooming in the off-season when just about everything else has either gone dormant for the Fall or is still sound asleep in the Winter. ‘Jelena’ witch hazel is one of the most beautiful with extra-large, copperyorange flowers in late winter Jelena Witch Hazel and outstanding bright orange to orange-red foliage in the fall.

(Copper Beauty Witch Hazel) It is low branching and upright Hamamelis x intermedia spreading (up to 10’ x 10’) ‘Jelena’ allowing it to be trained into an ornamental tree or formed as a hedge. Native species like common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) are great performers as well and put on a good showing of fall color.

foliaged form of Kwanzan cherry, making it quite unique for this species. It has a broad vase-like shape reaching 20’ tall and 15’ wide. Its flowers are double, magenta pink and it bears no fruit. This will certainly be a showstopper in the Spring and will continue to offer foliar interest throughout the entire growing season.

“hideout” under the canopy.

The new growth on the tree is soft red almost all summer and given the right conditions, its fall color can be gorgeous shades of yellowish orange to purple. Every year, I love this tree more and more.

Emerald City Tulip Tree

are deep green and glossy and turn a bright, clear yellow in the fall. The flowers are yellow to greenish yellow with orange centers. The straight species is a larval host plant for the eastern tiger swallowtail; we’ll Emerald City® Tulip Tree be learning within the next year Liriodendron tulipifera ‘JFS if this nativar serves as a host Jelena plant too.

Oz’ This “nativar”, or cultivar of a ‘Royal Burgundy’ Cherry Witch Hazel native tree, has an upright oval serrulata ‘Royal Witch hazels tend to have a habit that is more compact than Prunus Burgundy’ solo performance by oftentimes the straight species. The leaves ‘Royal Burgundy’ is a purpleJennifer Schamber is the General Manager of Greenscape Gardens, and plays leaderships roles in the Western Nursery & Landscape Association, GrowNative!, the Landscape & Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis and the Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis. She has earned Green Profit Magazine’s Young Retailer Award, and Greenscape Gardens was named the National Winner of the 2015 “Revolutionary 100” Garden Centers by Today’s Garden Center Magazine.

‘Royal Burgundy’ Cherry All photos courtesy J. Frank Schmidt and Sons, except as noted. The Tupelo species shown is not the ‘Wildfire’ cultivar, but exhibits similar fall color.

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7

Naturally Natives Passion Flower: The Sea Anemone of the Woods

R

by Scott Woodbury

The first is yellow passion arely are there Missouri flower (Passiflora lutea). Yellow native plants with flowers and fruit so passion flower is found in the wild throughout Missouri but is exotic and beautiful that they often overlooked because it is seem to belong on a maketiny. Clump-forming stems may believe movie set. Late-summeronly grow 5-10 feet long with blooming passion flower (also called maypops) (Passiflora tiny tendrils, leaves and flowers.

In the Whitmire garden, the incarnata) is one of them. The vines disappear when rambling three-inch flowers dazzle the amongst other plants. If you train eye with burgundy speckles, it on a post or trellis it becomes ruby tentacles, wavy lavender more noticeable. The leaves tendrils, a purple bullseye pattern are variable but may have an and a lime-green center. It looks more like a home for Nemo on a interesting blotchy dark and light green pattern that resembles a coral reef than a native plant in a pickerel frog. Three-quarter inch Missouri woodland. Worldwide Passion flower, Passiflora incarnata, photo by Scott Woodbury pale yellow flowers appear in there are 520 species of passion flower. I am grateful that Missouri is lucky enough to have two of late summer scattered along the stem and are easily missed unless you are looking for them. New flowers emerge at the end of the them. stem as it grows and keeps blooming into autumn. In autumn, the half-inch dark purple fruits ripen into showy, inedible juicy fruits.

Unlike maypops they leave a bad taste in the mouth.

Maypops are quite the opposite of yellow passion flower in every way. It stands out in the garden and is incredibly showy, like a lavender sea anemone. It has a moderately aggressive tendency to sucker, which is a turn-off to some gardeners. But if you are going for a natural look, this might be a great plant for you. It sprouts from the ground very late in spring with random stems three to

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Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants first frost in St. Louis is October 15). Maypops fruit are incredibly delicious but only when they fully ripen. Most years the plants are hit by a hard frost before attaining maturity, and the incredible flavor never develops. But every few years when frost comes late, the egg-like fruits turn yellowish and the pulp inside gets juicy, with an amazing balance of sweet and sour and a flavor like guava.

Like all great things in life, there is a downside; the seeds are large and crunchy in an unpleasant way. Run the pulp through a Foley’s food mill to remove the seeds, then strain through a fine sieve to remove the pulp (personal Looking for choice). and you are left with a Something Unique for yummy juice to drink straight up or your Garden?? to dress a salad. Plants are native in the boot heel (far southeast Come Stroll Thru Our Missouri) with a few scattered Gardens and Discover populations further north. These the Pleasure of Plants! scattered northern populations may Yellow passion flower, P. lutea, with a potter wasp visitor, photo Natives, Not-so-common Trees, be the result of European settlers or

by Carol Davit.

Shrubs & Perennials five feet apart. These stems come up between other plants and may Native American people who loved not appear in the same place from year to year. Though it has a to eat the tropical fruits as much as habit or rambling when grown in the ground, it is easily kept in I do. Who knows, you may be the 1674 N. Bluff Rd control in a large container (24-inch diameter or larger) trained up next settler to move it even further.

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If you plant them, they will come!

Even the seeds of the passion flower are unusual. Photo by Scott Woodbury.

Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for more than 20 years. He is also an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s GrowNative! program.

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OCTOBER 2018

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in the back yard to the back forty!

9

Steffie’s Top 10 Tasks for October

by Steffie Littlefield

D

on’t put your gardening gloves away yet! Unlike spring, when so much needs to be done at once, autumn gardening chores can be handled at a more leisurely pace. Still there are things that should be done, so here are my Top 10!

warmer winter days, protects perennials from freeze and thaw cycles, and adds nutrients as the compost degrades slowly over winter months.

Remove

Remove summer annuals

fresh

Plant garlic now for next

4

123rf.com

Apply

leaves

perennial beds and lawn areas to allow air and moisture around dormant plant crowns.

Where possible, leave some leaf coverage to provide hiding places for slugs, snails and insects that birds can dine on.

1 as frost turns them from

green to brown. Clean up seed heads on plants you don’t want to reseed in the garden like fall clematis or morning glories, which can get out of hand.

heavy

3 from around plants in

compost

2 to garden beds around

perennials and top off vegetable garden beds. This keeps weeds from germinating on

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4 season. These are just like

hardy flowering bulbs, garlic needs the winter to root in to product larger bulbs to harvest next summer.

Divide peonies now. If you want to move your peonies out

5 of a now-shaded area or make the bushes smaller, now it the

best time to dig up those crowns and gently divide and replant the roots leaving “eyes” or shoot buds close to the surface. Lightly add compost. As my grandmother would say “they love to have their nose cold”. Add super phosphate or bone meal in the holes.

If you didn’t have time in August or September like me, you

6 can still divide and replant your bearded or German Iris.

Remove all insect damaged bulbs and dust with sulfur to prevent fungus. These really need to be replanted just at the top of

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Safe Digging starts with

YOU

Call or Click 3 Working Days Before You Dig.

This is also the best time to plant new or divide most

2

whole crown of the plant and work the root mass apart with a fork or cut with a spade. Here is your chance to move those hosta clumps and fill in gaps. Think about moving or dividing summer blooming perennials in October. They will be well established by the time spring rolls around and make a big show in summer.

Wait the Required Amount of Time.

3

Confirm Utility Response.

4

Respect the Marks.

5

Dig with Care.

Robert Weaver

1 7 the soil.

7 herbaceous perennials. For established plants gently lift the

After the summer annuals are cleaned out is really the best

8 time to plant spring blooming bulbs. Narcissus/daffodils

being a must for every garden, but also look at some of the more unusual but very hardy and animal resistant varieties like allium, scillas, leucojum (spring snow flakes), muscari (grape hyacinths), camassia lily and hyacinthoides (Spanish Bluebells).

Many of these will thrive in the shaded garden area as well as deter rabbits and deer from nibbling. Yes, use Bulb-toneÂŽ when planting.

After the bulbs are planted it is

again with winter pansies.

These are a must in pots, in window boxes and in open garden beds where spring bulbs will emerge next year. These will also remind you to water and fertilize the areas where bulbs are planted.

9

Take some time to enjoy the

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9 time to make the garden pretty

10 beautiful fall colors and moderate temperatures.

Happy Gardening!

Steffie Littlefield is a St Louis area horticulturist and garden designer. She has degrees from St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Southeast Missouri State and is a member of Gateway Professional Horticultural Association, Missouri Botanical Garden Members Board and past president of the Horticulture Coop of Metropolitan St. Louis. She is part-owner of Edg-Clif Winery, Potosi, MO. www.Edg-Clif.com.

OCTOBER 2018

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mo1call.com

1-800-DIG-RITE or 811 11

The Cornucopia Corner Cover Crops 101 Text and Photos By Crystal Stevens

C

over Crops are essentially a living mulch, which serves as a protective layer to the soil and helps to increase soil fertility.

They are a cost-effective way to add nutrients, biomass, and organic matter to the soil. They help to loosen soil without tillage, increasing aeration and water absorption.

Cover crops prevent soil erosion, increase soil health and diversity, and Farm manager Eric Stevens harvests the flowering tops of peas to nutrient availability.

In sell to local chefs. Peas are a wonderful spring cover crop.

Jt’s Fresh Ideas

Brown Sugar Bacon roaSted Sweet PotatoeS Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1″ cubes 5 strips of bacon, diced ½ cup brown sugar + more for sprinkling

Instructions

Remove from oven and transfer

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Some common cover crops include red and white clover, oats, mustards, tillage radishes, sorghum-sudangrass, wheat, winter wheat, winter rye, buckwheat, cowpeas, barley, hairy vetch, and Austrian winter peas, sunflowers, and sunn hemp.

• Grains: buckwheat, sorghum-sudangrass, pearl millet, oats • Sunflowers • Legumes: Sunn hemp, cowpeas

Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or tin foil. Peel and dice your sweet potatoes.

Place your ingredients on the baking sheet. Roast in oven for about 30-35 minutes or until sweet potatoes are fork tender.

At EarthDance Organic Farm School, we believe that health begins in the soil. Our goal is to have multiple areas of the farm planted with a diverse mixture of cover crops throughout each season.

Warm Season cover crops can be planted in late spring or early summer and include:

¼ cup olive oil

In large bowl add your sweet potatoes, olive oil and toss to coat.

Add in the bacon and brown sugar and again toss to coat to distribute your bacon.

addition, cover crops can help prevent early season weeds by outcompeting with the weeds; at their flowering stage, cover crops may attract beneficial insects. Planting a mix of cover crops together is beneficial to the soil as each variety will have a different root system. Diverse root systems help to break up the soil and increase air and water flow through the root systems, which helps to increase microbial life.

to serving bowl, sprinkle with additional brown sugar and enjoy!

Recipe and photo courtesy of: www.tinselbox.com

Please share some of your favorite recipes with us.

You can e-mail us at: info@gatewaygardener.com

I love what Fall brings to the table!

Enjoy...

Jt

Crystal Stevens is the author of Grow Create Inspire and Worms at Work. She is the Garden Manager and her husband Eric is the Farm Manager at EarthDance Organic Farm School, a 14 acre certified organic farm in Ferguson, MO. Visit www.earthdancefarms.org for more information.Follow EarthDance on social media at EarthDance Organic Farm School on Facebook and @earthdancefarms on Instagram. Follow Crystal at @growcreateinspire.

The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2018

Tips for Growing, Buying and Cooking Fresh, Locally Sourced Food for Your Table October Harvest

Here are some fruits and veggies you might find in the garden or at your local farmers’ market this month:

Vegetables Beans Beets Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Cucumbers Eggplant Garlic Greens Herbs Horseradish Kohlrabi Lettuce Okra Onions Peas Peppers Popcorn Potatoes Pumpkins

Radishes Rhubarb Spinach Squash Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Turnips

Fruits

Apples Blueberries Canteloupe Grapes (wine) Nectarines Pears Plums Raspberries, red Watermelon

we are a 14-acre farm, we use a disk implement attached to a tractor to open the ground. We broadcast the seed mix by hand. We follow with a light disk. This method would be ideal for larger plots.

To plant a cover crop in a small garden area, simply use a digging fork or a hard rake to break up the soil in the garden area and broadcast the seed over the soil.

Use a hard rake to work the seed into the ground. Be generous with the seeding as you want a nice plant coverage to prevent weeds from germinating.

Winter rye, winter wheat, tillage radishes, winter peas, clover, and hairy vetch can all be planted now to increase soil organic matter and improve soil fertility for your spring Cool Season cover crops can be planted in early spring garden. and again in the fall and include: • Grains: Winter rye, oats, spelt, triticale, wheat, barley • Legumes: red clover, white clover, crimson clover, yellow sweet clover, hairy vetch, field pea, cowpeas, alfafa • Brassicas: Forage radish (tillage radish), forage turnip, mustard, canola, and arugula At EarthDance, we buy cover crop seed in bulk at Lakeview Farm in Missouri. We plant according to their suggested specifications for each seed variety. Because

Hello autumn come see what we’re falling for this season!

The daikon radish, also known as forage or tillage radish, is a popular cover crop as the large root helps break up the soil while the foliage shades out weeds and adds nutrients to the soil when it decomposes.

OCTOBER 2018

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13

Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks October 27th-November 11th

A

honeysuckle is easiest to identify, since it is among the first plants to leaf out in the spring, and last to lose its leaves in the fall—encourage individuals, school groups, scouting groups, sports teams, and other groups to join with parks workers and other entities to take on large honeysuckle-invaded swaths of land and remove as much as possible in a few days or less.

s many readers know, bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is an exotic, invasive shrub that has taken over many of our parks, wild areas, and home landscapes, outcompeting our native plants and threatening the native biodiversity.

Furthermore, honeysuckle groves have been shown to be a favorite hangout of deer, and as a result, a prolific breeding ground for ticks. To energize individuals and groups to join in an effort to control and eradicate bush honeysuckle, BiodiverseCity St. Louis, a community initiative to promote, protect and plan for biodiversity throughout the greater St. Louis region, is promoting another Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks event for the metro St. Louis area.

During the Spring 2018 sweep, 8 different sweep events and 6 locations drew 190 volunteers, who collaborated to remove approximately 90,000 plants while clearing 10 acres of the invasive weed.

If you, as an individual, or a group wants to get involved in a Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks event, and for more These events, held for the past few years in the early spring and late fall—periods when bush information about bush honeysuckle and how to remove it, visit BiodiverseCity’s Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks’ page at BiodiverseCityStL.org.

ZICK’S GREAT OUTDOORS FALL IS FOR PLANTING!

Come pick up your fall color trees NOW! Very LARGE to small.

Just the right ones for you!

Don’t Miss Zick’s “Hallowed Walk” For Kids!

It’s FREE! (And kid-friendly of course) Oct. 6th-31st

St. Louis Community College-Meramec Horticulture students help remove honeysuckle at Kirkwood Park in 2017.

And shop one of the area’s best selections of Pumpkins, Corn Stalks, Straw, Gourds and More!

It’s time to start thinking EVERGREEN! Great selection of new trees and shrubs for privacy and winter green.

We are Easy to Find!

Open 7 days a week @ 16498 Clayton Rd. (Corner of Clayton/Strecker in Wildwood) 636-458-1445 “Like” Us on

We carry pine straw.

“Like” Us on

www.zicksgreatoutdoors.com 14

The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2018

find out how trees protect our water - www.TREESWORK.org OCTOBER 2018

The Gateway Gardenerâ„¢

15

Help Prevent Window Bird Strikes

by Mary Brong

W

ith the Saint Louis Zoo snuggly situated in Forest Park, we see a lot of birds resting here during their spring and fall migrations up and down the Mississippi Flyway. Not only do we see these lovely creatures as we walk the campus, but also enjoy observing them from our offices and nearby homes.

However, the same glass that affords us a glimpse of these wonderful birds can also be their demise, particularly during migration.

statistics. Most of our glass is found on structures 1 to 4 stories in height, which is the most common height for bird strikes with glass, because birds fly at those heights. So we contacted the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) to find a solution that was both functional and beautiful. We learned a lot in the process.

Birds cannot perceive glass so putting a pattern on the glass to break up the reflection is key. Falcon stickers on glass do not work because there remains too much glass reflecting sky and trees. Every inch of the problem glass has to be addressed.

It is estimated that nearly 1 BILLION birds are killed each Cafe Kudu at the Saint Louis Zoo features striping on the year in the United States alone windows that have effectively prevented bird strikes. by hitting glass windows. We have a fair amount of glass at ABC has an ongoing research project to find patterns and the Saint Louis Zoo and do not want to contribute to those materials that deter birds from hitting glass, shown on their

Get GetRockin’ Rockin’With With Plants Plants with Marcia Tatroe with withMarcia MarciaTatroe Tatroe

Saturday, October 20 Saturday,October October20 20 Saturday, 10 a.m.–noon 10a.m.–noon a.m.–noon 10 Shoenberg Theater ShoenbergTheater Theater Shoenberg Shoenberg Theater Ridgway Visitor Center RidgwayVisitor VisitorCenter Center Ridgway Ridgway Visitor Center Missouri Botanical Garden MissouriBotanical BotanicalGarden Garden Missouri Missouri Botanical Garden Join us for two special back-to-back Join for two special back-to-back Join us for two special back-to-back Join usus for two special back-to-back presentations by renowned author presentations by renowned author presentations by renowned author presentations by renowned author and photographer Marcia Tatroe.

Her and photographer Marcia Tatroe.

Her and photographer Marcia Tatroe.

Her and photographer Marcia Tatroe.

Her two presentations—“Rockin’ with two presentations—“Rockin’ with two presentations—“Rockin’ with two presentations—“Rockin’ with Cacti and Succulents” and “Going Cacti and Succulents” and “Going Cacti and Succulents” and “Going Cacti and Succulents” and “Going Beyond Alpines—Expanding Your Beyond Alpines—Expanding Your Beyond Alpines—Expanding Your Beyond Alpines—Expanding Your Plant Palette”—will focus on garden Plant Palette”—will focus on garden Plant PlantPalette”—will Palette”—willfocus focuson ongarden garden design, rock gardening, xeriscape, design, rock gardening, xeriscape, design, rock gardening, xeriscape, design, rock gardening, xeriscape, and native plants. and native plants. and native plants. and native plants.

Hosted by the Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Hosted the Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Hosted by the Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Hosted byby the Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society and the Gateway Rock Garden Society and the Gateway Rock Garden Society and the Gateway Rock Garden Society and the Gateway Rock Garden Society

mobot.org/events mobot.org/events mobot.org/events mobot.org/events

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website (www.abcbirds.org). For the Zoo, striping the glass with tape was the least expensive, most aesthetic and easiest way to make our glass bird-friendly. The gap between the stripes must be 2 inches horizontally or 4 inches vertically, which is similar spacing to branches that are too close for a bird to easily fly between.

We worked with ABC to create a universal pattern that would work horizontally, vertically, in shade or sun, and is pleasing to the eye. In 2012, we tested it on our Cafe Kudu windows, and simultaneously began keeping track of all the bird strikes across the Zoo campus. After five years we had no reported bird strikes on the striped glass, and have added our universal stripe pattern on the windows of two additional buildings. We even experimented more by incorporating some animal images within the pattern to add an aesthetic twist.

Our entire staff is involved in reporting strikes to windows, to help our feathered friends. We have a campus-wide protocol and thorough spread-sheet of data to identify problem windows. We have found that not every window needs the bird deterrent solution, just the problem windows with reflection issues that confuse the birds.

The Zoo is committed to caring for all wildlife including migratory birds. We will continue to find the best solutions to this global bird strike issue. We hope to inspire others, from home owners to businesses, to stripe their glass by providing educational signs and making it easy for our guests to follow suit. We have on-site educational information, a blog on the bird-strike issue and our gift shop and e-shop will soon be The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2018

selling materials to make your problem glass bird-friendly.

Spring migration starts in March so turn problem windows into a beautiful solution.

Looking for professional services, advice and materials for your garden, lawn and landscape?

Mary Brong is Exhibit Coordinator, Creative Services, for The Saint Louis Zoo. Her article was first published in the St. Louis Audubon Society’s Tale Feathers March 2018 newsletter. For additional info on a variety of inexpensive and effective commercially available window treatments, see The An animal graphic adds a little whimsy St. Louis Audubon to the window striping.

Society’s website: http://stlouisaudubon.org/conservation/BCH/windows.php Photos courtesy the Saint Louis Zoo.

The Landscape & Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis provides continuing education, enrichment and support to its members, preparing them to provide the metro community with the finest horticultural products and landscape services available.

Landscape Designers, Construction and Management

Turfgrass Care Arborists (Tree Care) Ecological Services

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Fall Bulbs are Here!

We offer a complete line of fall-planted spring blooming flower bulbs.

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Retail Garden Centers And More Learn more about us and view our member directory at

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OCTOBER 2018

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17

Putting Your Roses to Bed for Winter

by Diane Brueckman

L

ast month I listed several steps to preparing your roses for winter. This month I will finish what I started. We must never underestimate what deadly blows winter can inflict on our beautiful roses. Rain seems to be something we either have too much or too little of.

If the rose beds are well drained too much is not a big problem for roses. On the other hand, if rainfall has been sparse, we must water even as late as October.

Drought stress is harmful at any time of the year. shredded leaves, raw wood Many of the new roses, chips from tree trimming usually the shrub roses, and Styrofoam cones. Last claim not to need winter year I had 2 loads of tree protection. This is especially trimmings delivered to my They have been true for own-root roses. yard.

Normally I would agree “composting” since last year but last winter has made and hopefully they will be me more cautious. If you ready to cover my roses after just planted any rose at all a couple of hard freezes.

I would give it some winter There are advantages and protection just to be on the disadvantages to all of the materials. safe side.

Materials used to cover Shredded hardwood can roses can be shredded be expensive although it hardwood, compost, does look very nice. It will compact some and should be checked from time to YOUR TREES DESERVE THE BEST CARE time to be sure your roses are still sufficiently covered.

Compaction is not as much of a problem with the shredded hardwood as with

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free compost and tree trimmings is weeds. I need to watch for cedar and pine tree sprouts in spring but that is a small price to pay for free mulch.

some of the other materials.

Compost is less expensive than the hardwood if you buy it or you might have your own.

Many communities offer compost to residents free. You will need to pick it up and haul it home. Plastic bags and buckets make good containers for hauling.

If using your own compost make sure it has finished decomposing and is cool.

Putting warm compost on your roses would not be good.

Shredded leaves fall into the category of compost, cheap and free.

The disadvantage of both is they will compact or blow off your roses, so checking on the roses often is vital.

Another problem with the

Diane Brueckman is a retired rosarian with Missouri Botanical Garden, and currently owns Rosey Acres in Baldwin, Illinois. You can reach her at (618) 785-3011 or droseyacres@ egyptian.net.

The Styrofoam cones are my least recommended cover. They will blow off the roses unless you anchor them with a brick or other heavy object on top. When we have those warm spells in January and February, the roses will sprout under the cone and, possibly, even rot unless you open them up to let air in.

Another chore to get on top of before the ground freezes – weeds. The chickweed and henbit will not freeze off in winter, in fact some will even bloom before spring.

So when you feel house bound and long for some fresh air, go out and remove those little weeds before they become big weeds. I like to tell anyone who will listen “if you get the weeds out before they go to seed you will have 20% fewer weeds the following year.”

If you think you will be adding to your rose garden in spring, now is a good time to prepare a spot for the new bed. Lay out the bed and cover with weed barrier. In spring the grass and weeds will all be composted making it easy to dig and plant the new roses. The roses will have the nutrients from the composted grass to get off to a good start.

The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2018

© 2018, The Scotts Company, LLC. All rights reserved

Fall in love with your garden, all over again.

It’s time to revisit the garden with fall plantings. Don’t forget to nourish

with Osmocote® Smart-Release® Plant Food. It will feed your plants essential nutrients consistently and continuously throughout the autumn season.

When perfection matters, why trust anything else?

OCTOBER 2018

The Gateway Gardener™

19

Dig This!

Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News Garden Club Recognized

M e m b e r s of Mason Ridge Garden Club were presented with a Proclamation from the City of Town & Country for a milestone for their group: volunteering 10,000 hours in the Longview gardens! The club began clearing and planting the gardens around the Longview Farm house seventeen seasons ago, in May of 2002. The park opened to the public in September 2002. It’s been a true labor of love, according to club member Claire Chosid. Fridays from March till November are spent weeding, planting, trimming and beautifying the gardens and park grounds. The club consists of a dedicated group of 12 volunteers, ten of whom are Master-level gardeners.

Fighting Invasive Plants

The Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force (MoIP) wants to raise awareness about the economic, ecological and esthetic damage invasive plants like bush honeysuckle, callery pear and many other exotic overly aggressive plants can do to both natural communities and built landscapes, and to encourage homeowners and landowners to join them in helping to mitigate the proliferation of these plants in the state. As part of that effort, it is introducing an “Invasive Plant Pledge”, and is inviting individuals, businesses, schools, churches and other entities to sign on to help in the effort.

MoIP is a resource of GrowNative!, a native plant marketing and educational program under the parentage of Missouri Prairie Foundation.

“Signing the pledge is beneficial in several ways,” said Carol Davit, Executive Director of Missouri 20

Prairie Foundation. “First it lets the stakeholders of a campus, business, community or other entity who may be concerned with invasive plants know that the entity has committed to developing a plan and dedicating resources to the control of invasive plant species. Second, it helps stakeholders understand that controlling invasive plants on that property will take time.

Additionally, when a community or other entity lets its stakeholders know it has signed a pledge, it provides an opportunity for stakeholders to get involved in that effort.

Callery pears dot the roadside along a St. Louis interstate.

“Invasive plant pose serious threats to Missouri’s native ecosystems,” Davit continued, “as well as to many native plants and animals, the built environment, and many facets of the state’s economy, including cattle production, the timber industry, and many aspects of outdoor recreation, including fishing and hunting industries. Missouri will control invasives only with the concerted efforts of many entities working together.”

To introduce and draw attention to the Invasive Plant Pledge, a ceremonial callery tree removal was held on September 28th at the University of Missouri-Columbia campus in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) courtyard, where several callery pear trees had been planted in the late 1990s. Attending the tree removal were representatives from the MoIP task force and from the Mizzou Botanic Garden/ Campus Facilities Landscape Services, The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2018

CAFNR School of Natural Resources, CAFNR Plant Sciences Division, and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Callery pears, once a much admired and prodigiously planted exotic ornamental tree, has proven to be an invasive spreader in roadsides, parks, farmland and vacant fields that is becoming a nuisance to land managers and a threat to natural biodiversity. The University performed this ceremonial tree removal to publicize its roll as the first entity in the State to sign the Invasive Plant Pledge, and to encourage others to join it in both signing the pledge and taking real action to control invasive plants.

In addition to callery pears, the MoIP task force is working on a list of all invasive plants in Missouri. In the meantime St. Louis Audubon Society, in its Bring Conservation Home program, lists callery pear among other invasives many home gardeners and landscape managers will recognize, including Celastrus orbiculatus (oriental bittersweet), Euonymus fortunei (wintercreeper), Lonicera maackii (bush honeysuckle) and Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle).

For those wishing to sign the pledge to help control invasive plants, visit http://moinvasives. org/pledge-to-stop-the-spread-of-invasive-plantspecies/, and learn more about invasive plants from these sites: www.grownative.org, www. moprairie.org and www.moinvasives.org.

Gardening Walkabout

Gurus

Lead

Campus

On September 23rd, about 50 gardeners and green industry professionals were treated to an entertaining and informative walkabout the University of Missouri-Columbia campus— officially the Mizzou Botanic Garden—led by four luminaries from the world of horticulture.

Michael Dirr, author of several books, including the “bible” of trees and shrubs. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants; Allan Armitage, also author

Michael Dirr, Natalia Hamill and Allan Armitage stop at a landscape planting to discuss new varieties.

of several books, including the Manual of Annuals, Biennials and Half-Hardy Perennials; Natalia Hamill, author of 100 Easy Perennials and Brand and Business Manager for Bailey Nurseries, and Vince Dooley, author of Vince Dooley’s Garden and renowned former head football coach at the University of Georgia, led the group around a part of the campus centered around Jesse Hall, Francis Quadrangle and its iconic columns. DIscussion included new varieties, solid performing classics, and informative tips and tricks about care, propagation, design tips, and challenges and ways to avoid them.

In the afternoon, a larger group gathered in an auditorium to hear the foursome talk about trends and what’s new in plants and gardening, after which guests were treated to “Tiger Stripes” ice cream. All in all, especially for a Mizzou grad such as the author of this magazine, it was a most enjoyable day in CoMo.

Allan Armitage makes a point about the landscape on Francis Quadrangle.

OCTOBER 2018

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Upcoming Events Meetings, Classes, Entertainment and More Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at G a t e w a y G a r d e n e r. com, so check there for the latest details.

Give us the details of your upcoming gardening, lawn or landscaping event and we’ll add it to our website and include it in our next issue.

Deadline for printing in January/February issue is December 1st.

How to reach us: Mail: PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122 Email: info@ gatewaygardener.com

GARDEN CLUBS AND PLANT SOCIETY MEETINGS

and contact information on more than 50 area garden clubs on our website at www.

GatewayGardener.com.

Don’t have access to the internet? Just call us at (314) 968-3740, or write us at PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122, and we’ll get the information to you. So share your joy for gardening and join a garden club or favorite plant society today!

FUN FOR KIDS Oct. 6 9am—Children’s Garden Club.

St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Children’s Garden Club. FREE. Haefner’s For the Garden.

6704 Telegraph Rd. th

10-11am—First Saturday Kids. Bring the kids to play in the garden and enjoy an activity – Pot a pie pumpkin! $10.

Hillermann Nursery & Florist, call 636-2396729 to RSVP, www. hillermann.com.

CLASSES, LECTURES AND EVENTS

Interested in Joining a Garden Club or Plant Society?

We have meeting dates, locations Oct. 4th 5 : 3 0 - 7 : 3 0 p m — Ta s t e 22

of Franklin County.

Benefits Foundations for Franklin County Inc. Experience fall fun, local restaurants, music and spirits from all over Franklin County.

Limit 200 guests. Over 20 vendors will be here donating time and products. Buy tickets at https://tinyurl.com/ yajr6g4p. Call 636-2396729 for information.

Hillermann Nursery & Florist, www.hillermann. com Oct. 5th-7th Best of Missouri Market.

“First Look Friday” Oct. 5th, Noon-8pm. Enjoy an early chance to shop and dine at the Best of Missouri Market. Sat. and Sun. 9am-5pm: Over 120 regional food producers and crafters offer fresh produce, baked goods, fresh and dried flowers, herbs, handcrafted items, baskets, wooden toys, custom jewelry and more. Live music and a Kids Corner with cow milking, pumpkin decorating and barnyard animals. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Outdoors under tents, rain or shine. $15 adults (ages 13 and up), $7 children (3 to 12), $7 members, no charge for member children. Buy tickets in

advance online at www. mobot.org. Please note: No trams, free hours or early morning walking hours on signature event weekends. Visit www. mobot.org for more information.

Oct. 6th 9am-2pm—Autumn Herb Gathering. There will be 2 speakers at 10am and noon to discuss Herbal Teas, Healthier Living, and Herbal Garden Design. Enjoy herb tastings, herbal demonstrations, purchase unique herbal gifts food items, herbal books, cookbooks and calendars.

Presented by the Webster Groves Herb Society, proceeds support their scholarship fund. Rolling Ridge Nursery, 60 N. Gore, Webster Groves.

Learn more at wgherbs. org.

9:30-10:30am— Transitional Holiday Containers from Halloween to Winter Holidays.

Discover how easy it is to create fantastic holiday containers to transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving and into the winter holidays.

Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd.,

The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2018

Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

Oct. 12th 1-7:30pm—Hansen’s Summit Continuing Education and BBQ. Hansen’s invites you to attend the second annual Hansen’s Summit, a CEU and networking event for green industry professionals.

From recycling to earth moving to urban forestry and biosoils, professionals can earn free CEU credits followed by a BBQ and skill events. Industry workshops from 1-5pm, After Party and BBQ from 5-7:30pm. For more information and to RSVP go to www.hansenssummit-ceu-bbq.

Oct. 13th 9:30-10:30am— Preparing Your Garden for Winter. Learn useful tips and techniques that will benefit your plants come spring, such as the important timing for pruning roses, shrubs and perennials to keep them in maximum blooming form. Learn the varieties that should be cut back and covered, and the others that should be left alone. Mulching and composting, along with other garden care will be discussed. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. OCTOBER 2018

Call (314) 965-3070.

Oct. 13th 10am—Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece M a k e - N - Ta k e Workshop. Join the fun and make your own succulent pumpkin centerpiece that will last up to Thanksgiving! $40 supply fee. Call 636239-6729 to sign up.

Hillermann Nursery & Florist, www.hillermann. com.

Oct. 19th-20th 4:30-7pm Fri., 8am4:30pm Sat.—Native Plant School: Fine Gardening Symposium.

Friday features a social in the Garden with welcome and introduction by Dr. Quinn Long and keynote from Scott Woodbury: 25 years of Native Landscaping in The Whitmire Wildflower Garden. Saturday features a history of gardening with native plants in the St. Louis region, plus tours and discussions in the garden with area native plant experts.

Registration is at https:// tinyurl.com/yauxkpsq.

Shaw Nature Reserve.

Oct. 20th 10am-noon—Get Rockin’ with Plants with Marcia Tatroe.

Two special back-toback presentations by

The Gateway Gardener™

renowned author and photographer Marcia Tatroe. “Rockin’ with Cacti and Succulents” and “Going Beyond Alpines—Expanding Your Plant Palette,” will focus on garden design, rock gardening, xeriscape, and native plants. FREE Hosted by the Henry Shaw Cactus Society and the Gateway Rock Garden Society.

Shoenberg Theater, Ridgway Visitor Center, Missouri Botanical Garden.

will need to stay at the nursery for 2 days to dry before you take it home.

Instruction on how to paint them will be given out at the class. $30 supply fee. Call 636-239-6729 to sign up. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, www. hillermann.com.

Oct. 27th-Nov. 11th Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks. Events across the region at various parks and other sites to help eradicate invasive honeysuckle from woods, roadsides and other land.

Oct. 20th See the BiodiverseCity St 9 : 3 0 - 1 0 : 3 0 a m — Louis. website for a list Preparing Your Garden of sites, dates and times. for Winter. Learn useful BiodiverseCityStL.org.. tips and techniques that will benefit your plants Nov. 3rd come spring, such as 9:30-10:30am—Holiday the important timing for Plants—Growing Tips pruning roses, shrubs and for Colorful Displays. perennials to keep them Discover the most in maximum blooming beautiful holiday plants, form. Learn the varieties with the best colors and that should be cut back forms. In this session and covered, and the you’ll be inspired with others that should be fun and creative ways to left alone. Mulching and use them in centerpieces composting, along with and arrangements. You’ll other garden care will be learn proven tips for discussed. Sugar Creek growing, making flowers Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn last, and propagation.

Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Sugar Creek Gardens, Call (314) 965-3070.

1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call 10am—Garden Leaf (314) 965-3070 for Make-N-Take.

Make reservations. a concrete leaf for your garden using a real plant leaf. Your concrete leaf 23

Top 10 Reasons to Topdress* with STA-Certified Compost this Fall 1. Supplies beneficial microorganisms 2. Encourages a healthy, more disease resistant lawn 3. Increases nutrients in your soil 4. Improves soil structure 5. Helps grow deep and strong roots 6. Reduces compaction in heavy clay soils 7. Aids in building a strong over-winter foundation 8. Improves water retention and drought resistance 9. Increases pore space for better water movement 10. Gives your neighbors LAWN ENVY VALLEY PARK, MO BELLEVILLE, IL ST. LOUIS, MO FLORISSANT, MO 5841 Mine Haul Rd 39 Old Elam Ave 560 Terminal Row 13060 County Park Rd 636.861.3344 618.233.2007 314.868.1612 314.355.0052

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