The Gateway Gardener March 2016

Gateway Gardener

MARCH 2016

THE

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Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

Best Buds

Redbuds For Any Landscape!

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Gateway Gardener THE

®

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

MARCH 2016

Volume 12, Number 2

Founded in 2005 by Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver Publisher and Editor Robert Weaver Columnists

Barbara Perry Lawton Garden Book Author and Garden Writer Connie Alwood Master Gardener Diane Brueckman Rosarian Joyce Driemeyer Master Gardener Molly Rockamann EarthDance Farms Steffie Littlefield Nursery Professional Abby Elliott Nursery Professional Jennifer Schamber Nursery Professional 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.

I

From the Editor

recall watching the local news one weekend in February as the weather person relayed messages from viewers who were complaining about the winter’s lack of commitment.

“Either go big or go home!” was the sentiment expressed regarding the frequent but lackluster spews of frozen precipitation. Now that March is upon us, I think we all hope winter doesn’t take that as a gauntlet thrown down. I like winter—in its place and time—but once March gets here, let’s move along!

One sure way to advance the season is to start growing cool-season vegetables!

Regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us, we can get a jump on the edible garden by starting seeds indoors or growing in easily constructed cold frames, or—if She’s particularly accommodating—just planting in the ground. Steffie Littlefield gives a variety of suggestions for Marching into the veggie season on page 10. (And don’t miss Gateway

Greening’s “Perfect Pick’s” Workshop on March 12th for other great edible-gardening ideas. See the Dig This section and Upcoming Events section for details.)

Continuing in the edible vein, Joyce Driemeyer, welcomes in the 2016 Herb of the Year: Peppers (Capsicum spp.).

Though I’ve had mixed success in the vegetable garden over the years, bell peppers are the one thing I’ve been able to produce fairly reliably. One year, I even brought a container-grown plant into the basement and continued to enjoy fresh peppers well past Christmas.

Enjoy the history, variety and uses of peppers on page 12.

On the Cover...

Our native redbud tree and its many cultivars—like the ‘Rising Sun’ redbud on our cover—are among the most widely anticipated harbingers of spring. For more redbuds, see page 4. (Photo courtesy Greenleaf Nurseries.)

We can even stretch the “edible” story line to include our cover article, since Barbara Perry Lawton reminds us (pg. 4) that redbud flowers are, indeed, edible. That’s not the reason, however, most of us enjoy this beautiful harbinger of spring.

Whether we choose the straight native species or some of the intriguing cultivars of varying flower colors, foliage colors or growth characteristics, redbuds are a cheerful signal that spring and the new gardening season are upon us.

So, say goodbye to winter— no need to prove anything, thank you—and hello to spring. It’s March! Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Happy Easter, and…

Good Gardening!

IN THIS ISSUE 4 Best ‘Buds’ 6 Garden-Friendly Natives 7 Know the Pros 8 Art in Bloom 10 Growin’ the Greens 12 Peppers--2016 Herb of the Year 13 Permaculture 14 Klip n Keep Resource Guide 18 Frogscaping 20 Dig This 22 Upcoming Events

Best ‘Buds’!

by Barbara Perry Lawton

W

the year. In larger landscape plans, a trio of redbuds would make a handsome feature, equally attractive at a distance or as a site for a small table and pair of chairs—a grand setting for summer relaxation.

Redbud species

The flowers may begin appearing when the tree is only four or five years old. The flowering season may last up to three weeks. Small bunches of flowers are produced not only on twigs but also on branches and even on the tree trunks.

The redbud is, if I had to choose, my very favorite small tree. The tree itself grows only 20 to 30 feet in height with an equal or slightly larger spread. It fits into landscape plans easily. For the small property, the redbud will be a strong and beautiful addition when placed near a terrace or patio. It will nestle near a front entry and provide interest throughout

Take the guesswork out of plant selection

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Native plants require less water, less fertilizer and less work; they are also less susceptible to pests and diseases.

Although there are other species, including the western redbud that ranges from Texas to New Mexico, the Judas-tree of England and Europe, and one from China, our eastern redbud is the one we see growing wild as an understory tree in much of the eastern United States. In the spring, the leaves are dark at first, a deep red-purple but they soon change to a rich green.

While fall color may be a rich yellow, it more commonly is more of a blah sort of greenish yellow.

Robert Weaver

e are blessed with a number of exceptional native trees, not the least of which is the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). A small showy tree, with heart-shaped leaves and a multitude of small reddish purple buds that open to rosy pink flowers. Those beautiful flowers are not only long lasting in arrangements but also edible and thus are potentially colorful extras in many salads. Its membership in the pea family is obvious not only from the pea-like flowers but also from the bean-like seedpods.

A number of handsome cultivars have been developed. Best known probably is ‘Forest Pansy’, which has leaves with a purple cast that is strongest in early spring, more subdued as the leaves mature. The flowers are darker and open later than the species. You also might find others with variations of color and form. There is even a double-flowered pink variety called ‘Flame’ that rarely sets seed pods—it is also known as ‘Plena’.

Here in Missouri, the story of the white redbud began in 1903 with a small plant that had rare white flowers in a Carthage, Missouri, nursery.

The Missouri Botanical Garden purchased the nursery’s entire stock of seven plants, one of which was a pale pink, the other six being pure white. Although the white redbuds did not breed true, a skillful Garden propagator budded and grafted the white variety successfully on sturdy redbud understock. Today you can purchase the white redbud for your own garden. The white redbud is particularly dramatic after dark.

In addition to its natural beauty, the redbud is easy to grow, adaptable to a variety of soils and exposures. Plus it is fairly free of disease and insect damage.

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The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

‘Rising Sun’

‘Rising Sun’

‘Oklahoma Whitebud’

‘Ace of Hearts’ ‘Merlot’

‘Ruby Falls’ Barbara Perry Lawton is a writer, author, speaker and photographer. She has served as manager of publications for Missouri Botanical Garden and as weekly garden columnist for the Post-Dispatch. The author of a number of gardening and natural history books, and contributor to many periodicals, she has earned regional and national honors for her writing and photography. Barbara is also a Master Gardener and volunteers at MBG.

Redbuds, Whitebuds, Goldbuds, and More!

While it may be hard to beat the straight species redbud, that doesn’t stop the plant industry from trying—and doing a pretty good job at coming up with some interesting variations that might be right for your landscape. Thanks to David Sherwood, of Sherwood’s Forest, and Steffie Littlefield, of Garden Heights Nursery for offering their favorites. Photos left, courtesy Greenleaf Nurseries.

COLORS ‘Hearts of Gold’—Golden leaves, turnng to yellow-green in summer.

‘Rising Sun’—Golden orange new growth to lime-green in summer.

‘Appalachian Red’—Hot, fuchsia pink flowers.

‘Oklahoma Whitebud’--White flowers.

‘Merlot’—Dark purple leaves, tight upright habit, bright lavender flowers.

‘Burgundy Hearts’—Red-purple new leaves, remaining burgundy all summer.

SHAPES ‘Ruby Falls’—Weeping, deep purple foliage, dark rose-purple flowers, 6-8ft. tall.

‘Traveler’—Weeping with glossy dark green leaves, rosy-pink flowers.

‘Summers Tower’—Fastigiate/columnar with pinkish lavender blooms.

‘Bubblegum’—Dwarf (to 15’), bubblegum-pink flowers.

‘Ace of Hearts’—Dwarf (to 12’), deep red purplish flowers.

‘Little Woody’—Dwarf with vase-shaped canopy, purple flowers.

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Garden-Friendly Natives

by Abby Lapides Elliiott

asy-to-grow and beneficial to the environment and our many winged friends – their local roots make Missouri native plants popular additions to many gardens. Yet not all natives work well in a home garden setting. Their rough and tumble upbringing means they don’t all play well with others.

Native beebalms bully their neighbors; obedient plants, ironically named, run wild.

Here are some of my favorite, top-performing and gardenfriendly Missouri natives that will delight and inspire.

Out of the many perennials available for the front of a sunny border, two of my favorites are the native Missouri

Missouri Primrose

afternoon-opening flowers. The plants grow 8-12” tall and 1218” wide.

Also easy care, the purple Purple poppy mallow’s (Callirhoe Coneflower involucrata) giant taproot makes this a highly drought The poster child for Missouri evening primrose and purple tolerant addition to your sun- native perennials, purple poppy mallow.

Missouri filled garden. Brilliant magenta- coneflower (Echinacea evening primrose (Oenothera purple cup-shaped flowers purpurea) easily surpasses macrocarpa) promises one almost all other natives on Poppy of the largest flower-to-plant bloom power. Long blooming ratios available. In May large, Mallow and easy to grow in part shade 3-5” cups of buttery yellow to sun, large 3-5” soft purple bloom and bloom until the end rays surround a bright orange of August over narrow green cone. Butterflies, bees and leaves. Needing almost no care hummingbirds will visit the once established, this primrose bloom from mid spring into fall nectar-rich cones, making it a thrives in dry environments. over sprawling stems. Purple centerpiece for any pollinator And, don’t be surprised to see poppy mallow excels in the front garden. If you keep the spent the beautiful and mysterious of formal gardens, naturalizing flowers on the plants, birds, in Sphinx moths visiting these a sunny area or draping over a particular gold finches, will wall. Grows 6-12” tall and 1-3’ feast off their seeds. Purple wide. coneflower grows 2-5’ tall and Abby Lapides Elliott 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.

2016 FREE Gardening Seminar Series You are cordially invited to attend our FREE gardening seminars, starting Thursday Feb. 25th running through March 31st, 2016. Attend and receive professional advice on how to be successful with your gardening and landscape endeavors.

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The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

Larkspur 1-2’ wide. It will self seed if you leave the spent flowers, but the new plants pull easily.

Another mixed-garden addition is larkspur. Now I know what you’re thinking –there’s no way a larkspur will easily grow in Missouri. Well let me tell you, not only is there one, but it’s also a Missouri native.

Tall, 4-6’ racemes of gentian blue flowers bloom summer into fall. Reaching only 1-2’ wide, tall larkspur (Delphinium exaltatum) easily fits into the back of a mixed garden. It does prefer afternoon shade to protect it from the hot summer sun.

For shade gardens, I believe there is no better perennial than the short native wild ginger

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense). It tolerates wet spots and dark shade, plus deer avoid it. In spring mossgreen, spade shaped-leaves emerge forming a dense, weed blocking mat. It can be slow to establish; give this beauty a few years to settle in. Wild ginger’s flowers are very pretty, but are only seen if you look for them as they bloom underneath their foliage. This special native perfectly edges formal shade gardens and also thrives in dark areas where not much else will grow.

If you want a stop-and-stare plant, get Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica). In June many upward facing, bright red MARCH 2016

trumpets open to reveal the inside to be sunny yellow making it look like a bright star popping out of a trumpet. Plants form a neat clump 6-12” wide and reach 1-2’ tall, making it an easy fit in a shady garden.

Hummingbirds tend to love them as much as their human friends.

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Indian Pink These are just a handful of the best Missouri natives for smaller gardens. A few more natives that fit well into just about any garden are goat’s beard, butterfly weed, bugbane, little blue stem and columbine.

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You’ve GOT to see: Waldbart Nursery has been focusing on the newer varieties of trees and shrubs and on efficient ways of growing them. More trees are grown in containers now than before, even though balled & burlapped trees are still very popular.

What’s New for 2016: This year’s focus is on more Proven Winner items such as: ‘Sunjoy’ Barberry, ‘Tiny Wine’ Weigela, ‘Low & Behold’ Butterfly Bush, and a few other shrubs. In the way of trees, they are high on new items like ‘State Street’ Maple, ‘Butterfly’ Magnolia and ‘Kindred Spirit’ Oak. They do try small numbers of many new items and only pick what they think will do well for the area (climate).

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The St. LouisArt Museum Blooms!

Art in Bloom

March 11-13, 2016

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loral designers and garden club members will create more than 35 imaginative displays celebrating works of

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in a timed, high-pressure, floral- on Saturday. Area florists will team up with local celebrities to designing showdown.

This year’s featured speakers test their skills during this floral include three authors who have showdown where each team written about the intersection creates an arrangement from a of flowers and design—fashion supply of mystery items.

Sunday is Art in Bloom Family Day, and all children’s activities that day are free.

Children can make their own floral arrangements, take a For a second year, Keith scavenger hunt in the galleries McDonnell and Dean Riebeling and enjoy storytelling with from Botanicals Design Studio special visitors from The Very will host Iron Florist St. Louis Hungry Caterpillar and Where the Wild Things Are. designer and lifestyle maven Carolyne Roehm, outdoorliving expert Debra Prinzing and Missouri florist Andrea K. Grist.

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Hall. Advance reservations are purchased at the museum On Friday, March 11 and required and available online or or through MetroTix, which charges a service fee. A Saturday, March 12, the festival by calling 314.655.5385. will remain open until 9 p.m. Admission to Art in Bloom complete list of programs and for Flowers After Hours, a free is free. However, tickets are ticket prices can be found at evening celebration featuring required for select programs, slam.org/bloom.

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Celebrate St. Patricks Day by Growin' the Greens!

by Steffie Littlefield

I

love St. Patrick’s Day for many reasons. First it was my grandfather’s birthday and thus the four-leaf clover was used to represent his farm and cattle ranch business, which has become the farm, vineyard and winery I so dearly love.

Second it marks the official start of the vegetable growing season as traditionally the best time to start spring peas, potatoes, cabbages and many other spring vegetables. Thirdly it is the beginning of spring pruning in our vineyards, when many friends and family come and spring greens inside to be ready join us to get ready for the next to plant the garden! Among growing season. these will be little plants of While my responsibility will lie my favorites curly blue kale, in the vineyards, I will find time arugula, cilantro, spinach, ‘Red prior to March 17th to start some Venture’ celery, ‘Savoy’ and ‘Napa’ cabbage, Bok Choy,

the beds with worm castings and compost, clearing winter’s debris and weeds to replenish my compost piles. This is not a chore since I am itching to get outside and my raised beds make it easy on the back.

Other plants I will prepare to grow in March are to be planted underground and grown as root vegetables. Some of these are gold, red, and striped beets, parsnips, baby carrots, radishes, spicy daikon radishes, turnips, and rutabagas. Some of these we will enjoy the greens on top rainbow-colored Swiss chard, as well as the sweet and crunchy sprouting broccoli, purple tuberous roots. These are grown kohlrabi, and Brussels sprouts. from seeds sown directly in the These are the plants that really garden, and will sprout quickly support our bodies and make us in the moist cool spring weather. feel and look healthy. During Some of these we will harvest nice days in February I will prep

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The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

quickly and others will develop but you will be rewarded with slowly all summer for a later years of many spring harvests. harvest.

I also want to mention that Other wonderful spring crops March is the perfect month to and some perennial vegetables begin planting a strawberry are started by buying plants, patch or add blueberries and bulbs or tubers and planting them raspberries to your kitchen in early spring. Don’t miss out garden. on fresh asparagus, horseradish, rhubarb, sweet or red onions, So on that magical day in leeks, shallots and colorful baby March, I will quietly celebrate potatoes. Potatoes, rhubarb and my grandfather’s birthday by onions you will be harvesting planting spring greens in honor early in summer, leeks and of St. Patrick and to nurture my horseradish will be at their best family’s health and good eating! in fall. Asparagus will take a few years to properly develop Steffie Littlefield is a horticulturist and garden designer at Garden Heights Nursery and part-owner of Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard. She has degrees from St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Southeast Missouri State and is a member of Gateway Professional Horticultural Association and past president of the Horticulture Co-op of Metropolitan St. Louis.

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The Cornucopia Corner 2016 Herb of the Year is HOT!

By Joyce Driemeyer

I

f you are into Latin American and S.E. Asian cuisine, you wil enjoy partaking the Herb of the Year for 2016, which is Capsicum annuum—red pepper. It includes not only hot peppers but sweet pepper, and is not to be confused with black pepper—Piper nigrum.

Origin of growth of Capsicum in South America goes back to 7500 B.C. Plants native to Central and South America were introduced into Europe by returning Spanish explorers in the 1490s. From there they continued to be dispersed to Africa and eventually Asia. Today they provide an essential part of dishes for seasoning and sauces.

Because Capsicum requires a long season of growth to maturity, unless you have already started from seed, it would be best to purchase already growing young plant starts. The best time for installation outside is past all cold temperatures and when soil has started to warm, probably in early May. If growing in pots, you can get an earlier start, then move them inside or cover if there is a drop in temperature. Sweet bell peppers require a little less growing time to maturity of fruit formation. There are so many pepper varieties and cultivars, up in the hundreds, with new ones being marketed yearly, that I will not even begin to name any specific ones.

For sources, I like Johnnyseeds.com for seed, and for starter plants. R. H. Shumway’s—or your local garden center. In planting they require a well-drained site with loose soil of about 6 pH and mostly sun, though extreme burning hot afternoon sun can cause leaf scorch.

Other than bell-shaped peppers, which may be green or yellow or red depending on maturity, there are a number of small conical-shaped varieties ranging in color from gold to orange-red and even purple or chocolate color. All are lovely on an appetizer tray or for dipping into hummus or guacamole. In the hot pepper range, fruit is usually conical, elongated and pointed or even round, from ½” to 1 foot in length. Some point up on plants while others are pendulous.

Nutritionally, uncooked peppers, especially sweet ones, are loaded with vitamins A, C and E, with 4-6 times the amount of vitamin C found in an orange. Cooking and drying the fruit reduces vitamin content. In handling hot peppers for food prep, it is advisable to use disposable thin gloves and avoid

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any contact near eyes.

PEPPER PRODUCTS Paprika is a seasoning made from ground and dried sweet red pepper fruit. Stems and stalk are discarded. It has a variety of uses for salad dressings, vegetables, seafood and meat flavoring and color. It can have a slight touch of heat.

Tabasco is made from the powdered fruits of chili peppers, Capsicum frutescens, with vinegar and salt added.

Peppers are among the most highly consumed spices in the world!

After 30 years as a landscape designer, Joyce is now retired. She has been a MBG volunteer since 1969 and a Master Gardener since 1985.

She is also a past board member of the Herb Society of America, and is a current board member of the St. Louis Herb Society.

Jt’s Fresh Ideas Roasted K ale

Ingredients 2 bunches kale, stems removed and coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ½ Lime Parmesan cheese Salt to taste

Preparation Instructions Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place kale in a large bowl and toss with olive oil and a couple pinches of salt until evenly coated.

Spread out on baking sheet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or the edges are crispy.

Remove from oven, squeeze lime on roasted kale and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese to finish.

Serve immediately.

Recipe adapted from: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/crispy-oven-roasted-kale-recipe.html

Please share some of your favorite recipes with us.

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

Roasting is a great way to prepare your vegetables. So go ahead and give it a try!

Jt

618-334-2504 The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

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

From a Farm in Ferguson...

Notes on Permaculture

By Molly Rockamann

“Apply self-regulation and accept feedback.”

T

his is another one of the 12 permaculture principles that showcase how we humans can mimic natural systems for best results and highest functionality. We at EarthDance are committed to demonstrating permaculture in action at our Organic Farm School, so I’ll be sharing my own learning and reflection about this in these monthly notes.

Get a Dose of Nature No Measure. No Mess.

Easy dose Auto fill cap

When it comes to the farm and our crops, one way we see self-regulation play out is that, when it comes to spacing, plants each have their own preferences and needs. We can try to squeeze more into each bed, and while we often can fit more into a bed than is normally practiced (using the French bio-intensive method of growing), at a certain point, planting crops too closely together stunts their growth. Walking the fields on a regular basis, carefully observing what the flora and fauna are doing is a kind of note taking; we draw feedback from the land, which we take into account as we plan the subsequent season’s production. That’s what our Farm Managers Monica and Matt have been doing a lot of this winter---assessing what we did well, where we fell short, and determining what we want to grow more or less of and how to improve yields and practices for the season ahead.

Often in the winter months we humans find ourselves feeling “under the weather.” (I write this as I’m fighting a cold!) I suspect that this has to do with our/my disregard for following natural patterns of the winter and slowing down, getting more rest than usual, and generally allowing ourselves to hibernate a bit.

I invite you to consider the feedback your own body is giving you, and apply ‘self-regulation’ to your own schedule or routine. Does your body yearn for more rest? More fresh greens? More solo time?

As spring fever hits and we want to do a million things in the garden and on the farm and all at the same time, it’s important to pace ourselves and self-regulate so that we don’t burn out before the main growing season is upon us!

Take care of that body; it’s the only one you’ve got!

Nature is my favorite teacher.

Molly Rockamann is the Founding Director of EarthDance, a non-profit that operates an Organic Farm School on the historic Mueller Farm in Ferguson. EarthDance Organic Farm School offers year-round farmbased education for beginning growers and eaters of all ages. To learn more, visit www. earthdancefarms.org.

MARCH 2016

The Gateway Gardener™

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Watch our video to learn more www.espoma.com/liquids 13

2016 Klip n Keep Resource Guide Your Metro Region Green Industry Pros

This year, we’ve opened up our annual Klip n Keep Resource Guide beyond the retail garden centers to introduce our readers to some of the services available to them. Look for new service categories, plus check for additional services offered by some garden centers and other businesses, as referenced by the letters corresponding to categories below: A. Organic/Sustainable Lawn Care B. Total Landscape Maintenance C. Landscape Designers/Installers D. Landscape Architects E. Native/Wildlife/Rain Garden Spec.

F. Arborists G. Irrigation and/or Lighting Installation H. Hardscape Installation I. Deck, Patio and Fence Contractors J. Ponds, Waterfall and Water Features K. Pest Control Services L. Interior Greenscaping M. Other

GARDEN CENTERS AND NURSERIES

MISSOURI St. Louis City Bayer Garden Shop 3401 Hampton (314) 781-2314 BayerGardenShops.com

Bowood Garden & Home 4605 Olive St. (314) 454-6868 BowoodFarms.com

St. Louis County CENTRAL

Garden Heights Nursery 1605 S. Big Bend Richmond Heights (314) 645-7333 GardenHeights.com See ad pg. 2

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WEST

Ballwin Nursery 112 Old Ballwin Rd. Ballwin (636) 394-7776 BallwinNurseryLandscape.com Greenscape Gardens & Gifts 2832 Barrett Station Rd. Manchester (314) 821-2440 GreenscapeGardens.com See ad pg. 18 Kirkwood Gardens 2701 Barrett Station Rd. St. Louis (314) 966-4840 KirkwoodMaterial.com See ad pg. 8

Kirkwood Material 800 S, Fillmore Kirkwood (314) 822-9644 KirkwoodMaterial.com

Papillon Perennials 2906 Ossenfort Rd. Wildwood (636) 273-9688 PapillonPerennials.com

OK Hatchery 115 E. Argonne Kirkwood (314) 822-0083 See ad pg. 2

Passiglia Nursery 1855 Highway 109 Wildwood (636) 458-9202 Passiglia.com

Rolling Ridge Nursery 60 N. Gore Webster Groves (314) 962-3311 RollingRidgeNursery.com See ad pg. 21

SummerWinds Nursery 54 Clarckson Rd. Ellisville, MO (636) 227-0095 SummerWindsNursery.com

Sugar Creek Gardens 1011 N. Woodlawn Kirkwood (314) 965-3070 SugarCreekGardens.com See ad pg. 4

NORTH

Valley Park Elevator & Hardware 2 Marshall Rd. Valley Park (636) 225-7100 ValleyParkElevator.com See ad pg. 9

SOUTH

Zick’s Great Outdoors 16498 Clayton Rd. Wildwood (636) 458-1445 ZicksGreatOutdoors.com See ad pg. 5

A. Waldbart & Sons Nursery 5517 N. Florissant Florissant (314) 741-3121 See ad pg. 8 Sappington Garden Shop 11530 Gravois Rd. Crestwood (314) 843-4700 SappingtonGardenShop.com See ad pg. 6

St. Charles County Ann’s Gardens & Greenhouse 5130 Mexico Rd. St. Peters (636) 244-5533 AnnsGandG.com

The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

2016 Klip n Keep Resource Guide Your Metro Region Green Industry Pros Other Missouri Locations

Daniel’s Farm & Greenhouses 352 Jungermann Rd. St Peters (636) 441-5048 DanielsFarmAndGreenhouse.com See ad pg. 6

Forrest Keeling 88 Forrest Keeling Ln. Elsberry (800) FKN-2401 ForrestKeeling.com See ad pg. 19

Frisella Nursery 550 Hwy F Defiance (636) 798-2555 FrisellaNursery.com Other Services: A, B, C, F, G, H, I, J, See ad. pg. 2 Lake St. Louis Garden Center 3230 Technology Dr. Lake St. Louis (636) 561-0124 LakeStLouisGardenCenter.com See ad pg. 9 Parkview Gardens Florist & Greenhouses 1925 W. Randolph St. St. Charles (636) 946-7641 ParkviewGardens.com

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Naturescapes Nursery 1674 N. Bluff Rd. (618) 344-8841 See ad pg. 18

Missouri Wildflowers 9814 Pleasant Hill Rd. Jefferson City (573) 496-3492 MoWildFlowers.net

Shadycreek Nursery & Garden 201 Carl St. (618) 281-7722 ShadyCreekNurseryGarden.com

Collinsville

Columbia

Godfrey

Alton

The Greenery 1021 W. Delmar Ave. Godfrey, IL (618) 466-8475

Belleville

Cottage Garden 6967 Route 111 (618) 729-4324 CottGardens.com

St. Peters Hardware & Rental 2502 State St. (618) 466-6931 StPetersHardware.com Dintelmann’s Nursery & Garden 1710 Centreville Ave. (618) 233-4638 DintelmannNursery.com See ad pg. 9

Piasa

Listen to The McGraw Show M-F 6-10am

Apply Dyna Green™ Crabgrass Preventer to control crabgrass, annual grasses, and broadleaf weeds up to 5 months!

Ann’s Garden & Greenhouse LLC St Peters, MO 63376 636-244-5533 Purchase Dyna Green™ www.annsgandg.com Products At These Bayer’s Authorized Dealers: Garden Shop St Louis, MO 63139 (314) 781-2314 www.bayergardenshops.com

MARCH 2016

Sandy’s Back Porch Garden Center 2004 West Blvd.

(618) 235-2004 SandysBackPorch.com See ad pg. 9

Hillermann’s Nursery & Florist 2601 E. 5th St. Washington (636) 239-6729 Hillermann.com Other Services: A, B, C, E, G, H, J See ad pg. 4

ILLINOIS

The Potted Plant Garden Center & Gifts 1257 St. Peters Cottleville Rd. St. Peters PottedPlant.net See ad pg. 8

Effinger Garden Center 720 South 11th St. (618) 234-4600 EffingerGarden.com See ad pg. 5

Shadycreek Nursery & Garden Columbia, IL 62236 (618) 281-7722 www.shadycreeknurserygarden.com Kirkwood Material Supply St Louis, MO 63021 (314) 966-4840 www.kirkwoodmaterial.com

The Gateway Gardener™

Bayer’s Garden Shop Imperial, MO 63052 (636) 464-2314 www.bayergardenshops.com Passiglia Nursery Wildwood, MO 63038 (636) 458-9202 www.passiglia.com

Kirkwood Material Supply Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 822-9644 www.kirkwoodmaterial.com St. Peters Hardware & Rental Alton, IL 62002 (618) 466-6931 www.stpetershardware.com

Sappington Garden Shop St Louis, MO 63126 (314) 843-4700 www.sappingtongardenshop.com Valley Park Elevator & Hardware Valley Park, MO 63088 (636) 225-7100 www.valleyparkelevator.com

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2016 Klip n Keep Resource Guide Your Metro Region Green Industry Pros

GARDEN CENTERS (cont.)

Illinois (cont.)

Springfield

Davidsan’s Japanese Maples 919 S. Farmingdale Rd. New Berlin, IL (217) 303-2641 DavidsansJapaneseMaples.com See ad pg. 10

GARDEN ACCESSORIES Gutter Garden 314-255-1845 (618) 334-2504 GutterGarden.com

HYDROPONICS AND INDOOR GARDENING Worm’s Way 1225 N. Warson Rd. St. Louis, MO (314) 994-3900 WormsWay.com See ad pg. 11

5841 Mine Haul Rd. Belleville, IL 13060 County Park Rd. Florissant, MO 18900 Franklin Rd. Pacific, MO

LANDSCAPING MATERIALS St. Louis Composting StLouisCompost.com See ad pg. 24 39 Old Elam Ave. Valley Park, MO (636) 861-3344 560 Terminal Rd. St. Louis, MO 11294 Schaefer Rd. Maryland Heights, MO

Kirkwood Material 800 S, Fillmore Kirkwood (314) 822-9644 KirkwoodMaterial.com Thank you for supporting The Gateway Gardener frequent advertisers listed on this page. They make it possible to provide the magazine to you FREE each month. (Entries in red indicate year-round advertisers.)

Enjoy a Crabgrass-Free Lawn!

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• Slow-release lawn food for green, vigorous growth.

• Treats up to 10,000 sq. ft.

Look for these and other ferti-lome products at your favorite independent nurseries and garden centers.

For plant care and information on over 8,000 plants, visit www.fertilome.com

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The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

2016 Klip n Keep Resource Guide

Your Metro Region Green Industry Pros

GARDEN / LANDSCAPE SERVICES (See pg. 14 for key to “Other Services”)

ARBORISTS/TREE CARE Gamma Tree Experts (314) 725-6159 GammaTree.com

Trees, Forests and Landscapes (314) 821-9918 TreesForestsAndLandscapes.com See ad pg. 7

LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS / INSTALLERS Hillermann’s Nursery & Florist 2601 E. 5th St. Washington, MO (636) 239-6729 Hillermann.com Other Services: A, B, E, G, H, and J See ad pg. 4

Ground Up Garden Design, LLC Affton, MO (314) 443-4727 FromGroundUpDesigns.com Other Services: E, H, M (High Detail Garden Maint.)

See ad pg. 11 New Urban Landscaping 3654 Bellerive Blvd.

St. Louis, MO (314) 517-6053 NewUrbanLandscaping.com Trees, Forests and Landscapes (314) 821-9918 TreesForestsAndLandscapes.com See ad pg. 7 West County Gardens, Inc. 10687 Midland Blvd.

St. Louis, MO (314) 423-9244 WestCountyGardens.com Other Services; B, D, F, G, H, and I

NATIVE/WILDLIFE/RAIN GARDEN SPECIALISTS New Urban Landscaping 3654 Bellerive Blvd.

St. Louis, MO (314) 517-6053 NewUrbanLandscaping.com

HARDSCAPE INSTALLERS West County Gardens, Inc. 10687 Midland Blvd.

St. Louis, MO (314) 423-9244 WestCountyGardens.com Other Services; B, D, F, G, H, and I

MARCH 2016

The Gateway Gardener™

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Naturally Natives Frogscaping: Water Gardens for Frogs and Toads

O

Text and photos by Scott Woodbury

ne thing is certain in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden: Water features with open water and native plants are home to an exciting array of wildlife. Take one small water garden in the home landscaping area, for example. In a typical spring I see aquatic insects like dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, six-spotted fishing spiders, various water beetles, an array of frogs and toads, and last year’s mucky leaf litter all interacting in remarkable ways.

bellies with aquatic insects and turn their attention to singing.

Each frog and toad species has a unique and beautiful call that can be breathtaking to hear even if you aren’t another frog.

Spring peepers are a harbinger of spring calling on warm days in March. Leopard frogs call next, sounding like laughing hyenas.

Then chorus frogs that sound like thumbs raking the teeth of a comb, and cricket frogs that sound like clacking marbles.

All of these species call, mate, The frogs and toads emerge from winter hibernation (some and lay eggs, many of which become easy meals for aquatic hibernate under water in muck, others dig into leaf litter on land insects and crayfish emerging from their leafy winter hibernation. or rotting trees) hungry and in a mood for love. Frogs fill their Surviving eggs hatch into tadpoles that move about with wiggling tails. They retreat to safety in decomposing leaves.

Po lli Tadpoles start out eating algae F Wi nato RE th rP E and dead leaves then become Ea ale ch t hunters, developing a taste for Pu te P rch lan plankton, fly and mosquito larvae ase t !

Our Featured Partner for (yay!), and at times, each other.

MARCH is (Dragonfly nymphs also hammer mosquitos and occasionally eggs and tadpoles.) As spring progresses, tadpoles sprout legs and venture out of the safe muck to a brave new world of sunlight, Pickerel weed air, beaks and teeth.

Looking for Something Unique for your Garden??

Paint Your Garden Masterpiece from our Pollinator Palette!

A colorful collection of beautiful garden plants that attract, feed and provide shelter to bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Come Stroll Thru Our Gardens and Discover the Pleasure of Plants!

Natives, Not-so-common Trees, Shrubs & Perennials

GreenscapeGardens.com 314.821.2440 2832 Barrett Station Rd., Manchester, MO 63021 Located 1 Mile West of I-270 on Barrett Station at Dougherty Ferry

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1674 N. Bluff Rd Collinsville, IL 62234

(618)344-8841

Fish—even goldfish—eat tadpoles, which is why we exclude fish from water features in the Whitmire garden. In the garden, we prefer amphibians over fish, but so do red-shouldered hawks and northern banded water snakes.

Red-shouldered hawks nest near open water and are commonly seen perched a few feet from the water’s edge waiting to pounce on frogs, crayfish, and water snakes. When northern banded water snakes move into our water gardens, they tend to deplete frog numbers

The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants quickly then move on. Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) and Missouri willow (Salix Not much you can do eriocephala) are at home at the edge of water features where soils except enjoy the free are wet. subscription to Nat Using native plants in your yard helps build critical habitat Geo live in your own where native plants support other living things. These days it is back yard. impossible to talk about gardening without also talking about But all of this hinges ecology, which involves relationships between micro-organisms, on one thing, the insects, amphibians, birds, mammals and most importantly native cornerstone of plants. They all have hearty appetites, are beautiful and intriguing ecosystems and to observe, and deserve a place in your garden. Happy water healthy gardens… gardening! native plants. Just as monarch butterflies Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the need milkweeds, Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden aquatic insects and at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, A green frog resting happily on a water frogs need native MO, where he has worked with native plant lily. aquatic plants for cover propagation, design, and education for and to support invertebrates that aquatic animals eat. more than 20 years. He is also an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s My favorites for water gardens include pickerel weed (Pontedaria GrowNative! program. cordata) and swamp loosestrife (Decadon verticillata), which have vibrant-colored flowers and grow in one to two feet of water.

Another favorite is fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata), which has floating leaves that frogs love to sit on. Two small shrubs,

A Grow Native! Top 10 List FEATURED CATEGORY:

NATIVE WATER GARDEN PLANTS TO ATTRACT DRAGONFLIES, FROGS, AND TOADS Plants that grow in water or in wet soil • Attractive to wildlife

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

NATIVE PLANT NAME Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Fragrant waterlily (Nymphaea odorata) Missouri willow (Salix eriocephala) Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida) Palmsedge (Carex muskingumensis) Pickerelweed (Pontedaria cordata) Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) Southern blue flag iris (Iris virginica) Swamp loosestrife (Decadon verticillata) Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica)

HEIGHT

SHADE

2–3 ft

sun/shade

6–12 in.

sun

UNIQUE QUALITY Red flowers attract hummingbirds Grows in 1 to 3 feet of water, leaves float

2–3 ft.

sun/pt. shade sun/pt. shade

2 ft.

pt. shade

2–3 ft.

sun

Grows in 1 to 2 feet of water

1–2 ft.

shade

Suckering fern, showy fronds

2 ft.

full sun

Groundcover, violet-blue flowers spring

3–4 ft.

sun

Grows in 1 foot of water

2–4 ft

sun/pt. shade

Small shrub, red fall color

4–6 ft.

Small shrub, attracts wildlife

Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and songbirds that is!

Let Forrest Keeling partner with you to bring natural beauty to your home habitat!

Groundcover, large flower clusters Tolerant of wide range of soil types/moisture

Note: The plants on this list are not in ranked order.

Grow Native! is a native plant education and marketing program of the

MARCH 2016

If you plant them, they will come!

The Gateway Gardener™

Visit Forrest Keeling’s all-new Habitat Headquarters in Elsberry.

Forrest Keeling Nursery forrestkeeling.com

in the back yard to the back forty!

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Dig This!

Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News Local Plant Professional Recognized

The Western Nursery & Landscape Association, a trade association for independent horticultural companies in the Midwest, honored St. Louisarea horticulturist and wholesale plant sales representative Bill Ruppert with its Outstanding Missouri State Association Leader Award. The award was presented at The Western’s annual trade show and convention in January in Kansas City. Bill, who owns the St. Louis office of National Nursery Products, Inc., was the unanimous nominee recommended by members of the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association.

Nominating letters from industry professionals praised Bill for his leadership and advocacy for a wide range of community and industry endeavors. Bill has held leadership positions in numerous green-industry groups, including the Landscape and Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis, the Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis, Gateway Greening, and Grow Native!. Bill has even caught the attention of political leaders. A letter of recommendation from State Representative Deb Lavender, who represents the district in which Bill lives, praised him as “a person of integrity, an environmental steward and a person who portrays a positive image” for the organizations he has served.

Area Organizations Collaborate for Pollinator Project

In response to the nationwide Million Pollinator Gardens challenge initiated last summer by the White House, several local organizations are collaborating in an effort to increase numbers of pollinator gardens in St. Louis County. The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is teaming with the St. Louis County Parks Department,

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St. Louis County Library system, and other groups to launch the Project Pollinator initiative.

The goal is to educate the public about the importance of pollinators and native plants, and provide demonstration gardens at county parks, libraries and other public spaces. The project organizers are challenging St. Louis County municipalities to plant gardens in public spaces, and encouraging county residents to plant pollinator-friendly gardens in their own landscapes. The Project invites interested municipality representatives and the general public to an official kick-off of the initiative on March 15, 2016 at Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO. At 10am, County Executive Steve Stenger will present an official proclamation launching the initiative.

There will be free pollinator plant giveaways, while supplies, last, plus an information booth staffed by horticulture specialists answering questions about how to start your own pollinator garden. Visitors can also learn more about educational opportunities at the Butterfly House and elsewhere. More information about Project Pollinator will follow in our April 2016 edition.

New Garden Centers Debut This Spring

Two new garden centers/nurseries will be inspiring gardeners to dig in this spring. Many people will be excited to learn that former Missouri Botanical Garden greenhouse supervisor and 25-year horticulture vet Cathy Pauley is opening a new garden center on the site of the old Gilberg Perennial Farms in Wildwood. Papillon Perennials, as the new business will be known, will debut this April selling perennials, trees and The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

shrubs, with a heavy emphasis on native plants.

Cathy says all the old display gardens that inspired so many Gilberg’s enthusiasts through the years will still be strollable, and uniquely, the new business will also feature “Vintage Goods” antiques by Jo Tyrell. Adjacent to the garden center, Doug Gilberg is opening Wildwood Green Arts, “an arts, education and sustainability center,” according to its Facebook Page.

Also sprouting this April is The Potted Plant Garden Center and Gifts in St. Peters/ Cottleville. Owner/General Manager Jamie Granger says the new garden center will feature “a unique mix of garden and gift items, pottery, trees, shrubs, quality flowering plants from local growers, and tropical flower plants direct from Florida.” Jamie is a 20-year veteran of the garden center world, including several managing positions that have shaped his career and vision for the new business.

Perfect Picks Makes Veggie Gardening Easier!

For the second year, Gateway Greening is collaborating with Crown Valley Organics and a wide range of area garden centers to offer Perfect Picks, a selection of herb, vegetable and pollinator-attracting plants selected for their ease of growth, abundant harvest and nutritional value. Plus, CVO is donating 18 cents to Gateway Greening for every plant sold. To make i t even easier to garden with P e r f e c t Picks, Gateway Greening is offering a workshop on March 12th, 2016, at their headquarter at 2211 Washington, St. Louis.

For more details, see our Upcoming Events section or RSVP to Gateway Greening at matt@gatewaygreening. org. To find a garden center featuring Perfect Picks, visit www.gatewaygreening.org, or call us at The Gateway Gardener.

MARCH 2016

The Gateway Gardener™

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Upcoming Events FUN FOR KIDS March 3rd-6th Children’s Garden Club at the Home and Garden Show. Visit Booth #326 for children’s gardening activities.

Builder’s Home & Garden Show, America’s Center, St. Louis.

Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at GatewayGardener. 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 May issue is April 1st.

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

March 5th 9am—Children’s Garden ClubPollinators and Plants. FREE, no reservations required, everyone welcome. Sherwood’s Forest Nursery & Garden Center, 2651 Barrett Station Rd., (314) 966-0028.

11am-2pm—First Saturday Kids.

Bring the kids to build a GreenBird Biodegradable birdhouse from a kit. $5.00 supply fee. They can make a bag of bird nesting material FREE, and take home an information sheet on nesting materials that can provide for the birds. A FREE coloring station will be available. Please call to RSVP. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-2396729, www.hillermann.com.

March 19th 10am-2pm—See the Easter Bunny at Hillermann’s. Visit and take pictures

Partners for Native Landscaping ...a beginners’ workshop for homeowners.

Sat., March 26, 2016 8am-4pm

at Powder Valley Nature Center • Kirkwood • MO

Beginners’ Workshop offers information and resources on how to landscape with native plants for greener communities.

Dave Tylka Keynote Presenter

An Introduction to...

• Gardening for Wildlife • Gardening with Native Plants • Rainscaping • Basic Gardening Practices

Also...

Register Today! Space is Limited Register Online at www.stlouisaudubon.org/PNL Workshop at Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Cragwold Rd. KIrkwood, MO 63122 Partner Organizations...

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• Hear about Organizations • Discover Upcoming Events • Meet Other Native Gardeners • Purchase Missouri Wildflowers

Cost: $10

Includes Lunch

with the Easter Bunny! (Bring your camera). Kids can decorate a picture frame for a $5.00 supply fee. A FREE coloring station will be available. Story time for the kids at 10am, 10:30, 11, 11:30 and Noon. Please call to RSVP. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-2396729, www.hillermann.com.

CLASSES, LECTURES AND EVENTS Through Mar. 27th 9am-5pm— Annual Orchid Show.

“Where Wild Things Grow.” Features 800 blooming orchids from one of the world’s premier orchid collections.

The Orchid Show is the only time of year when a vast, rotating selection of orchids from the Garden’s collection is available for public viewing. Orthwein Floral Display Hall at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission plus $5; free for Garden members.

March 1st-2nd Gateway Green Industry Conference.

New format featuring education program only, no trade show. Featured keynote speaker Roy Diblik, author and plantsman, Northwind Perennial Farm.

Series of classes and seminars for green industry professionals, master gardeners and serious gardeners. Gateway Center, One Gateway Drive, Collinsvill, IL. Hosted by U. of I. Extension. Walkin registration only after Feb. 22. Call (618) 344-4230 with questions.

March 3rd 2pm and 7pm—How Plants Work.

Jessica Blessing-Patterson, St. Louis Community Colleges, guest speaker at Sappington Garden Shop, 11530 Gravois Rd. (314) 843-4700. FREE. March 5th 8:30am-3pm—Weekend Gardener.

Select your own classes conducted by area experts on a full slate of gardening topics, including Pollinator Gardening, Hydrangeas, How to Grow Herbs, Dos and Don’ts of Landscaping, and more. $40, plus $15 for a printed program book. . University of Illinois Extension, Madison-Monroe-St. Clair Unit, PO Box 117, Waterloo, IL 62298. Online registration at web.extension.Illinois. edu/mms. Registration deadline Feb. 29th. Call 618-939-3434 or 618-3444230.

March 5th 10am and 11:30am—Let’s Make a Terrarium. We provide all the supplies along with an experienced terrarium tutor to guide you through the process. $45. Bring your own glass container and save $10 on class fee. Sugar

Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. Call (314) 965-3070 for reservations.

March 8th 1:30pm—Unique Terrariums for Indoor Spaces. Extension educator Candice Miller will discuss the basics of terrariums such as plant choices, proper planting, tips on plant care and proper location to ensure success of the terrarium. Webinar, attend inperson at your local extension office or view FREE at home. Visit http:// web.extension.illinois.edu/mms/ or call (618_ 939-3434 (Waterloo) or (618) 344-4230 for details. Register one week before course date.

March 10th 2pm and 7pm—Small Space Solutions and Containers. Nancee Kruescheck, Naturescapes Nursery and St. Louis Community Colleges, guest speaker at Sappington Garden Shop, 11530 Gravois Rd. (314) 843-4700. FREE. 1-4pm—Native Plant School: Pruning Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines.

Bring your questions, comments, photos, drawings, and plant specimens for discussion. Session includes hands-on tours and demonstrations.

Audience participation encouraged. $15 ($12 Garden members). Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve. Register and pay online at ShawNature.org, or call (636) 451-3512 ext. 0.

March 11th-13th Art in Bloom. (See article on page 8 for details.)

March 12th 10-11am—Perfect Picks Workshop.

Join Gateway Greening’s Matt Even and Crown Valley Organics Brigitte Zettl to learn the fundamentals of 3-season organic garden planning and care. Using the “Perfect Picks” line of easy-to-grow and abundantly producing vegetables and herbs. Gateway Greening offices, 2211 Washington Ave., St. Louis. RSVP to matt@gatewaygreening.org. $5 suggested donation.

11am – Edible Container Gardens.

Create your own delicious herb and lettuce container garden. Learn about plant selection, soil prep, maintenance and more. SummerWinds Nursery, 54 Clarkson Road, Ellisville. FREE. To reserve a seat call (636) 227-0095.

10am—Ergonomic Gardening. Learn about tips and ergonomically designed tools to make gardening chores easier and reduce back, wrist and hand strain

The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2016

so you can continue to enjoy working outside, even with arthritis or mobility limitations. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070 for reservations.

March 15th 10am—Project Pollinator Kick-Off. Project Pollinator, a collaboration among the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, The St. Louis County Parks Department, St. Louis County Library and others, invites interested municipality representatives and the general public to an official kick-off of the initiative at Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO. County Executive Steve Stenger will present an official proclamation launching the initiative, and there will be free pollinator plant giveaways, while supplies, last, plus an information booth staffed by horticulture specialists answering questions about how to start your own pollinator garden. Visitors can also learn more about educational opportunities at the Butterfly House and elsewhere.

March 17th 2pm.and 7pm—Delightful Herb Gardens and Editble Flowers. St. Louis Herb Society, guest speakers at Sappington Garden Shop, 11530 Gravois Rd. (314) 843-4700. FREE. March 19th 10am—Beginning Perennial Gardening. Learn how to design successful perennial gardens that will suit the existing conditions of your own yard. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070 for reservations.

8am-noon—Spring Kick-off at Hillermanns. Landscape designers will help you with consultation and

design tips for new landscaping at your home. Two Make-N-Take Workshops: At 10am - “Make a Herb Container Garden,” $25.00 supply fee; At 10:30am - “Make a Hypertufa Container,” $40.00 supply fee. Please call to RSVP for workshops. See the “Getting Ready for Spring” presentation at 11am by Bill Ruppert, owner of the St. Louis office of National Nursery Products.

Missouri Mulch representatives will be here grilling hot dogs for lunch. Take advantage of a Fresh Floral Special - Order Easter Flowers this day and pick a Lucky Egg for a free prize.

Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636239-6729, www.hillermann.com.

11am-noon—Spring Gardening Prep. Join plant experts Tom Mee and Arborist Joe Kueper for a practical approach to getting your yards ready for spring. They will cover a broad range of topics from basic mulching and edging, pruning roses and ornamental trees and shrubs to diseases to watch out for in spring and the best time to divide perennials. Frisella Nursery, frisellanursery.com/events, (636) 7982555.

11am – Grow a Beautiful Lawn. Learn the tricks of the trade: seed selection, soil preparation, planting tips and more.

SummerWinds Nursery, 54 Clarkson Road, Ellisville. FREE. To reserve a seat call (636) 227-0095.

one week before course date.

March 24h 2pm.and 7pm—Soil and Composting.

Mike Ochonicky, St. Louis Community Colleges, guest speaker at Sappington Garden Shop, 11530 Gravois Rd. (314) 843-4700. FREE. March 24th and 31st 10am—Spring Gardening Tips.

Guest speaker Karen Collins, author of Karen’s Garden Calendar, offers tips for early spring gardening. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070 for reservations.

March 26th 8am-4pm—Partners for Native Landscaping. A beginners’ workshop offering information and resources on how to landscape with native plants.

Dave Tylka, keynote speaker. Cost $10 includes lunch. Register online at www. stlouisaudubon.org/PNL. Workshop at Powder Valley Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Rd., Kirkwood, MO. 11am – Wake Up your Garden. Learn tips, techniques and timing to prepare your garden for the growing season.

SummerWinds Nursery, 54 Clarkson Road, Ellisville. To reserve a seat call (636) 227- 0095.

March 31st 2pm.and 7pm—Vegetable Gardening, No Chemicals Added. Andy Chidester, Fox Farms Fertilizer, guest speaker at Sappington Garden Shop, 11530 Gravois Rd. (314) 843-4700. FREE. April 2nd 1–2pm—Beekeeping Basics. Join beekeeper Vic Imgarten as Frisella opens its hives for observation this spring (weather dependent). Vic will give an update on the latest bee facts and trends. He will demonstrate how to set up a hive, give advise on yearround hive management, and also have tips to troubleshoot potential problems. Sample beekeeping kits will be available for purchase. Frisella Nursery, frisellanursery.com/events, (636) 798-2555.

2–3pm—Pollinators in the Garden.

Join Evelyn Presley for an in-depth look how each of us can do our part in planting and maintaining a welcoming, chemical-free environment for our winged friends to grow and thrive.

Frisella Nursery, frisellanursery.com/ events, (636) 798-2555.

March 22nd 1:30pm—Naughty, Nasty and Simply Annoying Plants. Extension educator Rhonda Feree will teach you how to use and live among sticking, poking, and poisonous plants safely. Webinar, attend in-person at your local extension office or view FREE at home. Visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/mms/ or call (618) 939-3434 (Waterloo) or (618) 344-4230 for details. Register

NEED A SPEAKER for your Garden Club or Group?

Master Gardener Speakers Bureau volunteers are available to speak to garden clubs, church, civic and other groups.

Choose from over 50 different programs, from Aromatherapy to Winter Damage, Birds in the Garden, to Soil Preparation, Daylilies to Orchids.

Explore the complete list of topics at www. stlmg.org. Look for the Speakers Bureau tab in the top margin.

Art in Bloom A CELEBRATION OF ART AND FLOWERS

March 11–13

For ticket information, full schedule of Art in Bloom lectures and performances, parking, and information about the free parking shuttle, visit slam.org/bloom.

(A $50 fee funds Master Gardener programming in our community.)

One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park SLAM.org/bloom

MARCH 2016

The Gateway Gardener™

Free Admission. Tickets required for featured events.

Art in Bloom is supported by

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Get inspired this Spring to grow something DELICIOUS

Special thanks to Hunters Ridge Berry Farm and Cheryl Hughey for the use of their photos grown in our compost.

Visit St. Louis Composting’s six area locations for the largest selection of STA-certified compost, mulch products and soil blends.

BELLEVILLE, IL

5841 Mine Haul Road 618.233.2007

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO Schaefer Road Visit11294 us online at www.stlcompost.com 314.423.9035

VALLEY PARK, MO

ST. LOUIS, MO

39 Old Elam Avenue 636.861.3344

560 Terminal Road 314.868.1612

PACIFIC, MO

FLORISSANT, MO

18900 Franklin Road 636.271.3352

13060 County Park Road 314.355.0052

Celebrating 25 years in business in 2016!

Visit us online at www.stlcompost.com

ENRICHING THE SOIL NATURALLY SINCE 1992