KCG Dec23 issue

The Kansas City

GARDENER December 2023 | kcgmag.com

Poinsettia

classic holiday showstopper Plants on Your Plate—Pomegranate | Shady Trampoline Garden Rose Report | Ask the Experts | Pets & Plants—Dracaena

editor’s notes

The Kansas City

GARDENER Independently owned and operated since 1996 PUBLISHER Michael Cavanaugh EDITOR Elizabeth Cavanaugh CONTRIBUTORS Lauren English Sean Holland Dennis Patton Tamra Reall Anthony Reardon Phil Roudebush Denise Sullivan Scott Woodbury DISTRIBUTION Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISTRIBUTE the magazine at your place of business, please contact Mike Cavanaugh at mike@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728 NEED MORE MAGAZINES? mike@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728 CONTACT US P.O. Box 8725 Prairie Village, KS 66208 913-648-4728 ADVERTISING Mike Cavanaugh at mike@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728

T

hrough the living room window, I watch Robins glean ripening fruit from the crabapple trees. I can see finches attempt to bathe in the birdbath filled with more leaves than water.

Across the garden, a glimpse of the wren box nestled high in the arborvitae, jogs my memory that it needs to be cleaned out. And recent gusting winds cleared remaining leaves from the trees, along with plenty of dead branches to collect for the firepit.

Containers have been emptied and stored. The firewood stack has been replenished, the garden tools have been cleaned and put away, and Midwest gardeners are prepared for winter’s chill. For some, this is the perfect time to relax. We’ll sit by the crackling fire, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, and flip through the ever-increasing stack of seed and tool catalogs. We’re glad for the free time to review a new gardening book or plan for another garden year. Like the garden, it’s time to slow the pace.

Yet others are not so comfortable with a relaxed schedule. We get antsy for something to do. We miss the regular duties of weeding, deadheading, and fertilizing. We long for the garden’s call outdoors to engage.

Which type of gardener are you? Are you poised with your

EDITORIAL Elizabeth Cavanaugh elizabeth@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728

WEBSITE kcgmag.com

feet on the ottoman, enthralled by the pages of a popular new book?

Or are you on the web searching some weather dot com site for your daily dose of temperature highs and lows? Are you sitting with graph paper and pencil considering new ideas for next year’s garden?

Personally, I’ve come to appreciate a more relaxed approach to winter. More to the truth … I’ve got more time for knitting. This notso-new hobby of mine has grown over the years, and I find myself looking for opportunities to sit and knit. And although my skills have not advanced much (considering the length of time since I began), I appreciate the challenges of any project. It engages my brain and busies my hands, keeping me out of the kitchen where snacking can be a problem. Of course, once I’ve finished the project (which takes entirely too long by any measure due to my pace) the sense of accomplishment is its own reward.

Much like gardening (ditto takes too long due to my pace), standing back to admire what has been created is deeply rewarding.

I like anticipating the first snowfall. I look forward to watching the birds feed. And on a crisp wintery morning as the sun shines through the naked trees, exposing bark and berry alike, I find a renewed gratefulness for nature’s bounty. The

garden may seem austere and rustic right now, but honor the structure.

Realize the framework that forms the garden foundation. Visualize the possibilities.

As we slow the pace and close out 2023, may you carry the joy of this season close to your heart and share it often with those you love.

May peace and joy be with you today and always.

I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE See details on page 19.

SUBSCRIPTION Elizabeth Cavanaugh elizabeth@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728

Slow the pace

4 6 8 9 9 10

Ask the Experts Kids Ask Dr. Bug Plants on Your Plate—Pomegranate Pets and Plants—Dracaena Embrace the Season of Giving Poinsettia

12 14 17 18 19 19

Rose Report Shady Trampoline Garden MDC Events Garden Calendar Upcoming Garden Events Subscribe

About the cover: Poinsettias, like this Princettia™ ‘Sparkling Rose’ are classic holiday plants. Sean Holland introduces more color varieties that join the familiar classic red, beginning on page 10.

2

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

COLONIAL GARDENS LIVE TREES | CUT TREES | GIFTS FOR GARDENERS DECOR | LIVE GREENS | WORKSHOPS | LIVE MUSIC FARM GROWN PRODUCE FOR HOLIDAY HOSTING BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY TODAY

Experience

Make the Holidays an

to remember

816-229-1277 | www.colonialgardens.com 27610 E. Wyatt Road, Blue Springs, Mo Colonial Gardens is filled with plant experts!

One of those is Trav the Tree Guy, a Certified Nurseryman with more than 20 years experience in the industry. He specializes in estate tree planning, orcharding and edible landscapes, and more. Have a landscape need or looking for planting suggestions?

Ask Trav!

15% Off 1 Item

The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

3

Ask the Experts

PROLONG FRESHNESS OF LIVE GREENS Question: I love fresh cedar garland and wreaths for decorating the interior of my house. Is there something I should do to maintain their freshness?

Dennis’ Answer: I agree there is nothing more natural than a beautiful garland swag to bring a festive touch to the holidays. Since they are natural materials that transpire, they quickly dry out with the dry air in a home. Prolonging freshness can be accomplished in several

ways. Start with the freshest greens possible. When purchasing, make sure they are soft, pliable, and feel fresh to the touch. Run your hands up and down the garland. If needles break, the swag is not fresh.

Before decorating, soak the garland overnight in a tub of fresh water. This will help rehydrate the greens. The fresh greens can also be sprayed with an anti-transpirant spray. This will provide some help

deeper and do an advanced search for “edu” sites, you find another story. Most of the research points to the fact that these products that reportedly stop or slow desiccation do not work. Research in some cases even points to the fact that they can be detrimental as they cover the stomata of the leaves and cause damage.

The best way to help prevent winter desiccation is to ensure the Photos courtesy of Johnson County Extension.

HOW TO STORE POTATOES Question: I had a large fall potato harvest this year, but I’m unsure how long they will last. Is there anything I can do to prolong their storage life? How long should I expect them to keep?

Anthony’s Answer: Potatoes are known for their extended storage capabilities, and the more you do to optimize their storage conditions, the longer they will keep.

Ideally, the area the potatoes are stored in will be dark, cool, dry, away from heat sources, and in a well-ventilated area. With these conditions met, they can easily last up to 2 months.

Stored below 40 degrees F, potatoes will keep for longer, and sprouting will be staved off. The one caveat is that the starches within the crop will convert to sugars –creating an undesirable taste. The good news? This can be reverted by setting the potatoes at room temperature for 2-3 days before consumption.

Potatoes also produce ethylene gas, which speeds up their ripening and decay. This is why proper ventilation in their storage area is crucial for longevity.

If potatoes have started to sprout or contain green patches, you will want to be cautious with consuming them. These contain higher levels of solanine, a toxin that is dangerous when consumed in large quantities.

There are methods to maintain freshness of live greens.

Water evergreens like this Hoopsi Blue Spruce before winter.

in retaining freshness. A word of caution: do not treat juniper berries, true cedar, or blue spruce. These plant materials have a blue-waxy covering that these products can “eat” away.

Lastly, these plants will dry out more rapidly if placed in direct sunlight and around the warm, dry air of heat vents and other heat sources. Another step is to treat the live fresh greenery with a flame retardant for increased safety.

plants have good soil moisture during winter. Before the onset of winter, thoroughly water all evergreens, especially younger, establishing plants, and periodically water them if it is a dry winter. The lack of soil moisture is the most likely cause of damage. In addition, don’t forget the basics of good gardening: the right plant in the right place. That is your best defense against the forces of winter’s drying winds.

PREVENT WINTER DESICCATION OF EVERGREENS Question: Should I spray my outdoor evergreens with a wiltproof product?

Dennis’ Answer: That is a great question. While many companies claim these products are wonderful and should be applied, a deeper look reveals that they may not work as advertised. If you dig

MORE STORAGE TIPS—NUTS Question: I’ve been gifted a surplus of pecans and other nuts for the holidays. Do you have any tips on storing these, so I don’t have to eat them all at once?

Anthony’s Answer: Pecans and other nuts will lose quality over time as the fats within them become rancid and their hydration is lost. The good news is that their lifespan, too, can be prolonged with

correct storage. A best practice is to keep the nuts refrigerated, preferably in a freezer, as this will help prevent the shriveling of nutmeats due to water loss and the spoiling of fats and oils. Altogether, rancid nuts will have an off odor, taste, and texture.

Shelled or unshelled, the nuts should also be kept in a solid, sealed, airtight container as they are stored because they are highly prone to absorbing outside flavors.

Tightly sealed, the nuts can last in your freezer for up to a year, with consumption within six months preferred for best quality.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN PLANTING SAVED SEEDS Question: I decided to save some of the seeds from my vegetable harvests this year to see if I can grow them next year. Will this work? What should I expect?

Anthony’s Answer: Saving seeds from the current year’s harvest will work because they will likely still sprout and grow into a plant for you. The complication comes in when you look at what type of parent plant the seeds came from. If it were a hybrid, they likely would only contain half of the parent plant’s genetic traits, not the fruit that bore them. Thus, the fruits produced will not be the same. For this reason, you must look specifically to “open-pollinated” plants for those that can produce identical seeds.

Additionally, the fruit the seed came from cannot have been crosspollinated by another plant of the species. While this doesn’t affect the current year’s fruit, it does affect the plant and fruit produced from the seed. While some aspects can be manipulated to control this (including planting distance between species, mechanical pollination, and timing of flowering), your best bet to get the same type of plant and fruit is to repurchase new seeds for next year.

DENNIS PATTON |Horticulture Agents | ANTHONY REARDON Dennis and Anthony are the horticulture agents for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, each specializing in ornamentals and edible crops, respectively. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.

4

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

The metro’s Exclusive pond retailer Friendly personable knowledgeable service

Pick up a

Gift Certificate for your favorite pond enthusiast!

(Available in any amount and valid for one year.)

Nets and Deicers in stock. Stop in today!

We serve the entire Kansas City metro!

Welcome Lawrence Hobbyists!

Check our Facebook page for current winter hours.

816-842-5012 • pondskc.com 1557 Swift Ave., KCMO

MISSED AN ISSUE? FIND BACK ISSUES AT KCGMAG.COM GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE, SIT BACK AND ENJOY OUR ARCHIVES

KCGMAG.COM

LARGEST SELECTION

Use Sure Bloom® 6-7-6 or Natural on your indoor plants for beautiful blooms and foliage.

Made in the Heartland

of wild bird supplies in the KC area, including bird seed, feeders, houses and hardware.

Family-owned & operated since 1990.

6979 WEST 75TH STREET OVERLAND PARK, KS

4480 SOUTH NOLAND RD INDEPENDENCE, MO

913•341•0700

816-924-4924

HOURS:

HOURS:

MON-SAT 10A-5P | CLOSED SUN

MON-SAT 10A-5P | CLOSED SUN

WildBirdHouseStore.com

Find us on Facebook!

Luminary Walk including two Adults-Only nights and *NEW THIS YEAR* Electric Glow weeknights

Tickets $10-$16 Select nights Nov. 24 - Dec. 20

at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Scan the code to learn more and get tickets!

The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

5

Kids Ask Dr. Bug

about the curious things found in the garden

How do spiders make their webs?

Not all spiders make webs, but those that do are talented architects with special body parts that allow

them to create elegant structures with geometric precision using a surprisingly strong material. First, liquid silk is produced in their silk glands. Then, spiders use their spinnerets, special organs near the end of their abdomen, to pull out this silk which becomes strong and sticky.

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

Do insects have special winter coats like we wear to keep warm?

Even though insects are small

Spiders weave magical webs.

Spiders begin by creating the framework of their web, starting with a bridge line, much like the main string of a kite. Then, they add lines radiating out from the center, resembling the spokes of a bicycle wheel. These non-sticky threads give the web its shape. Next, they make the sticky strands, which is like the spider’s secret weapon.

It’s the part that catches insects.

The spider carefully weaves these sticky strands in a spiral pattern.

Once their web is ready, they wait for insects to get stuck in the sticky part. When they catch something to eat, they wrap it up like a little present in more silk.

Different species of spiders create various types of webs, such as orb webs and funnel webs, each designed for different purposes, in-

TAMRA REALL Horticulture Specialist 6

cluding capturing prey or creating shelter. The construction of a spider’s web is a remarkable example of natural engineering.

Photo credit to Hans Toom, Pixabay.

Are there any Christmas or holiday bugs?

Many arthropods (including insects) are associated with the holiday season, especially Christmas.

These include ladybugs, praying mantises, bees, butterflies, wasps, and spiders. For example, butterflies symbolize rebirth and renewal as they transform from caterpillars. Ladybugs were once known as “Our Lady’s Bug” for their role in saving farmers’ crops by eating aphids. Bees have symbolic meanings in various cultures, representing hard work, love, wisdom, and good luck. They have also been seen as messengers between our world and heaven.

There’s a heartwarming Christmas story about a poor widow and her children who couldn’t afford a tree, decorations, or presents.

One day, a pinecone fell, bringing a small seed with it. A pine tree started growing in their small hut.

On Christmas Eve, while everyone was asleep, a spider adorned the tree with delicate webs. When the morning sun touched the webs, they magically transformed into threads of gold and silver! The grateful widow and her children celebrated their Christmas miracle and lived happily ever after.

So, remember to take care of the spiders because they can also take care of you! While they might not weave golden webbing, they do help by keeping unwanted insects out of your home, which is a gift in its own way!

For more Christmas insect stories, check out this article: All the Folklore of Christmas Insects found at https:// bit.ly/473px1K or scan the QR code here.

and cold-blooded, they have some cool tricks to handle the super cold winters in Missouri. Check it out!

Insect Hideouts: Bugs don’t wear jackets, but they have special spots to stay warm. Bees snuggle underground, and caterpillars cozy up in tree bark. Some butterfly pupae attach themselves to fallen leaves for extra protection. That’s why it’s awesome to leave the leaves in your yard—it’s like a cozy home for beneficial insects, and it helps your garden too!

Warm Getaways: Some bugs head to warm places for winter.

Some even sneak into houses!

Some dragonfly species take a vacation to warmer spots. And, while some insects can’t survive our cold temperatures, new insects come back in the spring.

Group Hugs: Honey bees are pros at staying warm. They huddle in their hive, sipping on honey and taking bathroom breaks on sunny days. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Winter Naps: Some insects take winter naps called diapause, like a super chill version of hibernating bears. They slow down everything to save energy until it’s warm again.

Isn’t it amazing how insects have their own winter survival secrets? Nature is full of surprises!

What’s the weirdest thing about insects in the winter that you know?

One of the most fascinating things about insects in winter is how some of them can survive being frozen solid! They have a special power that allows them to do this.

For example, there’s a type of caterpillar called the “Woolly Bear.” When it gets really cold, it makes a special kind of antifreeze, called glycerol, inside its body that helps protect the caterpillar’s cells from freezing and destroying it’s cells. When it gets warmer in the spring, the caterpillar thaws out and comes back to life, ready to become a butterfly. It’s like a real-life superhero ability.

Some other insects and animals with this ability include the goldenrod gall fly larvae, Antarctic midges, Alaskan Upis beetles, and wood frogs.

Did you know that there is a Kids Ask Dr. Bug video series? Check it out! https://bit.ly/KADBvideos Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug. Please include your name and age. To help me learn what you learn from this column, consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/ KidsAskDrBugSurvey.

Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugN Garden) is the horticulture specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com, or visit www.extension2.missouri.edu.

Paola Spring Symposium Lawn renovation, aerating, seeding and fertilization.

“Gardening Inspirations” will be the theme of the Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardeners’ Symposium on

FALL CLEAN-UPS

February 17, 2024; 8:30 am to 3:45 pm

CALL NOW to schedule and for pricing.

at the Living Proof Church, 32401 Harmony Road, Paola, KS 66071.

Barclay Berberian 913-208-5941 LawnsByBarclay.com

People garden for many different reasons. Four Extension Horticulturists will describe their garden inspirations with topics ranging from Growing Food and Garden Beauty to Native Pollinators and Native Plants.

Then participants will complete a self-assessment to explore their own reasons for gardening.

SCHEDULE YOUR WINTER WORK NOW.

• Drainage projects • Foundation soil • Landscape clean and mulch

Please follow the link to the online registration: https://tinyurl.com/2024MdCEMGSymposium Preregistration is required by February 1st.

Payment may be online with a credit card, or by check via mail or in-person at the Extension Office, 913 N. Pearl Street, Paola, KS 66071.

www.greenleafkc.com

816.916.5171

Don’t delay, as we always sell out early!

We service what we sell and more. Stop in today!

Mowers, Blowers, Hedge Clippers and Chain Saws are in stock now!

All equipment assembled, serviced and ready to go when you buy it.

Lawn & Garden supplies • Pet supplies • Bird seed

e

– for over 30 years – 5 locations to serve you

Oil Sunflower Seed

50# bags ON SALE for $28.99

Wild Bird Seed

50# bags ON SALE for $25.33 Great selection of bird feeders

Mulch

Top Soils

• Premium I • Colored Mulches

• Pulverized Top Soil • Custom Soil Mixes • Garden Soil • Raised Bed Soil • Green Roof Soil Blends • Rain Garden Soil Blends

(red, brown & black)

• Cedar • Hardwood Chips • Erosion Stabilization

Try Our High-Quality Soil Amendments Soil Restoration • JustChar Growing MOR Nutrient Pack TM

TM

TM

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all our loyal customers and friends! Thank you for your patronage the last 45 years!

Compost

• NatureWise • Green Frontier • Composted Forest Products • Composted Pine Fines TM

TM

Services

• Sudden Gardens

Consultation • Soil, Compost and Mulch Delivery and Installation

$2/bag Mulch Brown, Black, Red, and Premium 1 Hardwood (excludes Cedar)

Through December 31st

4807 N. Brighton, KCMO www.mowerpartskc.com 816-452-8393 Mon.-Fri. 9a-6p • Sat. 9a-1p (closed for lunch 12:45-1:30)

You’ll find all of our quality products in bulk or bags at all of our locations. Also look for our bagged mulch at Sutherland’s Lumber.

816-483-0908 | missouriorganic.com The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

7

PLANTS ON YOUR PLATE Pomegranate ties that fight oral germs that cause gum disease and bad breath.

Extracting the arils from a pomegranate can be a challenge, but these steps can make the task easier: 1.

Cut off both ends of the pomegranate to reveal the inner membranes.

2. Cut the skin from top to bottom along the membrane ridges, avoiding the arils.

3. Holding the fruit over a bowl of water, separate the membrane from the arils, the arils will sink, and the membrane will float.

4.

Discard the membrane and drain the water from the arils.

5.

The juice can be extracted

from the ariels but be aware that one large pomegranate only produces between ¼ and ½ cup of juice, and most syrup or jelly recipes need at least 3 cups of juice.

Pomegranates have a keeping quality that is similar to that of apples. They should be kept in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight. Whole fruit can be refrigerated and will keep as long as 2 months. Fresh seeds or juice will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Consider using the arils in this salad recipe for a tasty and colorful addition to your holiday table this year.

Spinach Salad MAKES 4 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

T

his month’s feature fruit often gets a little more attention during the holiday season, due to its higher availability and bright ruby red color.

Oddly enough, this fruit has no real ‘flesh,’ as the true treasure of the pomegranate are the juicy seeds, called arils. The juice is commonly extracted and consumed as is or processed into sauces, jellies, or grenadine syrup. As with most fruits consuming the arils whole, as opposed to juice, will also provide the benefits of fiber.

Pomegranates are part of the Punicoideae family and grow in a bushy shrub that can reach 20 feet tall. They are centuries old with a rich botanical, medicinal, and cultural history. Pomegranates are referenced in many religious writings and are seen in ancient drawings

and sculptures. Ancient writings often described pomegranates as a sacred fruit that provided fertility, abundance, and luck. With origins in the middle east and the Mediterranean region, pomegranates are primarily grown in India, Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey. They are also grown domestically in California and some parts of Arizona and Florida.

Pomegranates are rich in Vitamin C, potassium, manganese, thiamin, folate, a variety of antioxidants, and a good amount of fiber.

Half of a pomegranate contains around 70 calories and 5.5 grams of fiber. Twenty-plus years of research on pomegranates at UCLA has revealed benefits in heart and blood vessel health, urinary health support, gut health and digestive health benefits, and antimicrobial proper-

DENISE SULLIVAN Nutrition Ninja 8

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

10 oz. fresh spinach ¼ medium red onion, thinly sliced ¼ cup alfalfa sprouts ¼ cup chopped walnuts ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles 1 pomegranate, arils separated 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon orange juice 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1. Wash hands, work surfaces and all fresh produce before working with food.

2. Place spinach in large bowl. Top spinach with sprouts, walnuts, cheese, and pomegranate arils.

3. In a small jar with tight lid, combine olive oil, juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper; shake to combine. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Calories: 125, Total Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 300mg, Carbohydrates: 13g, Fiber: 2.4g, Protein: 4g Recipe adapted from University of Florida Citrus Research Center, analyzed by verywellfit.com

Denise Sullivan (@MUExtJacksonCo) is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in the Urban West Region, serving Jackson and Platte Counties. For research based nutrition and food safety information and programs, call 816-482-5850 or visit https://extension2.missouri.edu/.

Embrace the Season of Giving:

A

Bestow the Gift of Year-Round Joy

s the holiday season unfolds, the search for the perfect gift becomes a heartwarming endeavor. This year, consider the extraordinary joy that comes from a gift that keeps on giving throughout the entire year.

Delve into the spirit of generosity by presenting your loved ones with the gift of membership to the Friends of the Arboretum. Picture the joy on their faces as they explore the lush landscapes of the

Pets & Plants Dracaena

to seasonal festivals, these events become cherished moments of connection with the environment.

The best part is that the impact extends beyond personal enjoyment. By gifting a loved one with a membership to Friends of the Arboretum, you’re actively supporting non-profit programs dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Overland Park. Your contribution becomes a vital force in ensuring the continued enrichment

D Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, immersing themselves in the tranquility of nature’s embrace.

With this membership, your cherished recipients gain more than just access to breathtaking gardens—they embark on a journey of discovery, wandering through curated landscapes that change with the seasons. It’s a gift that keeps on growing, much like the vibrant flowers and majestic trees within the Arboretum.

And the magic doesn’t stop there. Your gift opens the door to a calendar of exclusive events, providing an opportunity to attend special gatherings that celebrate the beauty of nature. From guided walks through blooming gardens

of these spaces, fostering educational initiatives and community engagement.

In essence, this isn’t just a membership; it’s a heartfelt investment in the well-being of our community and the preservation of our natural treasures. As your loved ones meander through the Arboretum’s paths, they become part of a greater mission—one that values the importance of nature in our lives.

This holiday season, let your gifts echo with the essence of gardens, the joy of walking through nature, and the enrichment of the soul. For more information on how you can share the gift of arboreal wonder, visit opabg.org and be a part of nurturing the beauty that surrounds us.

racaena species, especially red-marginated dracaena (D. marginata), are attractive, stiff-leaved, evergreen plants with sword-like leaves.

There are over a hundred different species with most native to Africa and southern Asia.

Many species of Dracaena are grown as low-maintenance houseplants due to their tolerance of lower light, a wide range of indoor temperatures and sparse watering. Other common names include corn plant, cornstalk plant, ribbon plant, Spanish dagger and (Madagascar) dragon tree. These plants can be potentially poisonous to both dogs and cats, although cats seem to prefer chewing on the leaves.

In a recent review of poisonous events involving dogs and cats in the United States, ingestion of plant material from dra-

caena specimens was the second most common plant poisoning in cats. The toxic chemicals in the leaves are called saponins and they cause direct irritation of tissues they contact.

Clinical signs in both cats and dogs include vomiting, occasionally with blood, appetite loss, abdominal pain, excessive drooling, weakness and dilated pupils (cats only). These signs can begin within 30 minutes of eating the plant. Treatment includes purging plant material from the body, rinsing the mouth vigorously with water and symptomatic or supportive care.

Prognosis is good beyond the obvious gastrointestinal discomfort.

Enjoy these distinctive houseplants but be especially careful if there are cats in the household.

PHIL ROUDEBUSH Extension Master Gardener Phil is a retired veterinarian and specialist in small animal internal medicine. He was an Extension Master Gardener in Shawnee County, Kansas before moving to North Carolina, where he is an EMG in Buncombe County. Reach him at philroudebush@gmail.com.

The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

9

A

Poinsettia classic holiday showstopper

s the holiday season sneaks up on us again, garden centers and florist shops shift from the usual plants and arrangements to the festive reds, whites, and pinks of the poinsettia. Even the grocery stores seem to get in on the fun. No matter where we turn, it’s hard to go through a day in December without finding a decorative poinsettia bringing a little extra joy to our lives.

Brought to the US from its native Mexico in the early 1800s, the poinsettia received its current name from the US Minister to Mexico, Joel Poinsett. Historically, the Aztecs used the leaves to create colored dyes and paints. In their native environment in Mexico, they may reach heights of 10-15 feet tall.

Don’t worry though, the cultivated varieties that we commonly see will stay compact and keep to a reasonable size. Scientifically speaking, the blooms on this unique Euphorbia are actually a special type of leaf called a “bract.” The flowers are actually the tiny yellow spots in the center of what we generally consider the bloom.

Growing up, decorating for holidays was always an important family activity, and I still enjoy decorating the Christmas tree and putting up garlands around the house. One of the best ways to take your holiday home décor to the next level is by putting some well-placed poinsettias around the house. ‘Christmas Joy Red’ and ‘Toro Red’ give a nice deep red to any room, while ‘Alaska White’ and ‘Jack Frost’ give a hint of bright snow to the display. I try to get a poinsettia worked into every decorated room of the house.

If the traditional red or white isn’t your cup of tea, consider the many other varieties commonly available from garden centers.

‘Orange Glow’ and ‘Viking Cinnamon’ bring fall color into the house, and are perfect for Thanksgiving decorations giving hints of autumn leaves to the display. ‘Lemon Glow’ is a fun, bright plant.

If you are searching for a more delicate, compact plant for the centerpiece of a table, any of the

Princettia Pink ‘Princettia’ varieties make a nice show. Personally, my two favorites year after year are ‘Red Glitter’ and ‘Ice Punch’. Any of these make great gifts, and if you are wanting to get creative, consider putting one in a mixed basket with a Christmas cactus and some greenery and dec-

SEAN HOLLAND Perennials Manager 10

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

orative ribbon for a festive present.

For success, transport and placement of this plant matters.

For a plant commonly called the “Christmas Flower,” the poinsettia sure doesn’t like to dash through the snow. Be sure to put it in a bag to protect its leaves and blooms when you purchase one if outside temperatures are under 50 degrees. Even the brief cold blast of air between the door and the car can cause damage to this tropical

plant, though it won’t show for a couple of days. If you make your purchase from a garden center, not only will the quality be better than the grocery store, but they will properly wrap the plant to protect it for transport. When choosing a location in your home or business,

it is most important to keep them away from areas that commonly get blasted with cold air (front door, drafty windows, etc.).

Perhaps the trickiest aspect of poinsettia ownership is watering.

Not enough and the leaves will drop and make a mess while too much and the leaves will drop and make a mess. Generally speaking, I check mine every couple of days by lifting the pot to see if it is heavy or light, and I make sure to touch the surface of the soil. If it is light and dry to the touch, it is time for a drink. Remove the decorative foil from the pot and put the plant into the sink, fill the pot slowly with water and let it drain completely before returning it to its foil. Leaving a plant in standing water will ensure a second trip to the garden center to buy a replacement.

By following these simple care instructions, poinsettias usually will stay colorful and healthy for months following the holiday season. Though they don’t necessarily need to be in a sunny location once they are in full bloom, it is helpful to move them into a bright room after the holiday decorations come down if you wish to keep them looking at their best. Some gardeners enjoy the challenge of keeping one all season and attempting to get it to rebloom the following year, but I always prefer to get a fresh, new one when the holiday season rolls around again.

Whether using them to decorate your own holiday display, or giving one to a friend to spread a little holiday cheer, the poinsettia is a showstopper for any plant lover.

May your holiday season be filled with fun decorations, bright colors, and good tidings.

Sean Holland is Perennials Manager at Suburban Lawn & Garden, 135th and Wornall location, in Kansas City, Missouri. You may reach him at seanh@suburbanlg.com.

Lemon Glow

Red Glitter

Orange Glow

Alaska White

Jack Frost

Toro Red

Christmas Joy Red

Viking Cinnamon

Ice Punch The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

11

A review of S. Herbert Hare’s Rose Garden Plans 1931

Rose Garden 1932

Rose Report

rose care reminders and a little history December Rose Care Hopefully you winterized your roses the end of November, but it is not too late to cut long canes to a shorter length, so they will not be damaged by wind and ice.

Cover your bushes with compost, shredded leaves, or other organic material up to a foot deep. Mounding keeps the rose uniformly cold, which reduces the chance of damage caused by cycles of freezing and thawing. Do not forget to water your roses at least 1 inch this month on a warmer day if we have not had adequate precipitation.

Loose Park Rose Garden History The end of this month marks the 92nd year of the creation of The Loose Park Rose Garden, officially renamed The Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in 1965, three years before her death. Who was Laura Conyers Smith? The answer is well worth your attention.

Laura and her sister Mary came to Kansas City from Portland, Oregon, “The City of Roses” in 1912.

They married brothers Ernest E. and Clifford B. Smith. Mary built

a large rose garden of 500, mainly pink and red roses, at her home on Westover Road. Laura inherited this garden and home in 1929, following the unexpected deaths of her sister and brother-in-law. Laura sought guidance for her new hobby by listening to the American Rose Society’s “Rose Talks” over the radio from New York. The idea of establishing municipal rose gardens was a popular one in the early 1930s and there was a nationwide enthusiasm for rose growing.

Laura had a passion to start a local Kansas City Rose Society and build a municipal rose garden at the newly dedicated Jacob L. Loose Memorial Park. Ella Loose purchased the 80-acre tract in 1927 from Hugh Ward and donated the land to Kansas City to create a memorial park in honor of her deceased husband Jacob L. Loose, owner of the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company (later known as the Sunshine Biscuit Company). The land had survived the Battle of Westport in 1864 and later became the site of The Kansas City Country Club from 1896 to 1927.

LAUREN ENGLISH Consulting Rosarian 12

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

Eighty-two years ago this December, Laura wrote the following holiday letter (December 1941) to the Kansas City Rose Society membership. I repeat her words of thanks to all of you who have supported this iconic Rose Garden over the years!

Laura Conyers Smith (1939) in the North Garden of the Rose Garden.

On June 7, 1931, Laura achieved her goal with the dedication of 1.5 acres in Loose Park to serve as a municipal rose garden.

This project involved the joint efforts of the newly installed Kansas City Rose Society and the Kansas City Parks Department. Together, they selected Mr. S. Herbert Hare of the famed Hare & Hare Architecture Firm in Kansas City to design the Rose Garden.

“Greetings: Your constant support has made possible the development of the Municipal Rose Garden and I could not let this year come to close without thanking you for all that you have done in helping the Kansas City Rose Society attain its objective.

My sincere wish is that you will always be faithful to the Municipal Rose Garden. It is your child and mine. May it thrive and give to others the deep satisfaction and wealth of beauty that it has brought into the lives of all who have visited the Garden.

The season’s greetings and with kindest thoughts to you.

Your good friend, Laura Conyers Smith”

Lauren English is the Kansas City Rose Society Garden Chair at the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park and an American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian.

She can be reached at laurenenglish.kcrs@gmail.com or at the Ask a Rosarian hotline, kcrosehelp@gmail.com. See kcrsroselibrary.com for more info about the Rose Garden.

Fall is ideal time to set home landscape up for spring success

By Dennis Patton, Horticulture Agent

C

risp, fall temperatures may signal a step away from warmer summer weather, but Johnson County horticulture extension agent Dennis Patton says it’s not a time to completely put away summer work.

Patton says several fall chores can set up lawns and gardens for success next spring.

Home lawns Leaves from trees can create a barrier to healthy lawns by blocking sunlight that the grass receives—creating dead areas in the lawn next spring.

“You need to get those leaves off the grass so that you’ll have a healthy lawn next spring,” Patton said.

“I like mulch mowing,” he said.

“After you get a thin layer of leaves on the layer–not 6-8 inches, but just a thin layer–take the bagger off your mower and mow over the leaves. The mower will chop and shred those leaves and they will filter back to the soil surface.”

Mulch mowing, Patton notes, breaks leaves down as compost to the soil level, releasing organic matter. He said homeowners should consider mulch mowing when a thin layer of leaves covers the grass.

“You know that you’re safely mulch-mowing when you look behind you and what you see is a majority of grass and a few little pieces of leaves here and there,” Patton said. “If you look behind you and you see mostly leaves, then you probably waited too long between those mulch mowings.”

Leaves can be added to a compost pile to mulch gardens next spring, or Patton says they can be spread at the base of shrubs and other areas this fall as soil amendments.

Lawns should be mowed to their summer length before putting the mower away for the winter.

Cool season lawns–tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass–may still be

growing as late as Thanksgiving; warm-season lawns–zoysia and bermuda–are usually done once the first frost hits.

Gardens Patton suggests a full cleanup of gardens this fall, including removing remaining vines and weeds. He said gardeners should also consider spading or tilling the soil.

“Do a ‘rough till’ in the fall,” he said. “Leave it looking chunky.

Then in March or April, hit it with a rake and you’re ready to plant.”

Cleaning up and tilling the soil in the fall saves gardeners a common dilemma of waiting for wet soils to dry up before doing work in the spring.

Garden hoses Patton said homeowners should remember to unhook garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Leaving them attached may cause backup pressure, leading to frozen pipes.

Also, he said, drain hoses after unhooking them. Water expands as it freezes, which could rupture the hose.

“Ideally, you should store the hose inside or in a container out of the sunlight,” Patton said. “Drain them, roll them up, tie with twine and hang in the garage. A good hose is an expensive investment, and you want to be sure you treat it with kindness.”

Watering trees In most winters, Kansas gets adequate rain or snowfall for trees.

“But if we get one of those dry winters with not a lot of precipitation, you might want to check soil moisture around trees in January or February, and give the trees a drink of water on a warm day when the soil is not frozen,” Patton said.

More information on taking care of home landscapes is available online or from local K-State Research and Extension offices in Kansas.

Planters Seed Co. • Since 1924 •

Retail • Wholesale Lawn • Garden • Farm 513 Walnut, KCMO • 816-842-3651 Mon-Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 9am-3pm

MANY UNIQUE GIFTS FOR HOLIDAY GIVING! ~ Largest Selection in the Area ~

Fresh Bulk Spices

for all your holiday cooking and baking needs Flowers & Vegetable Seed • Grass Seeds of All Types • Fertilizers • Mulches Bulbs • Pottery • Bird Supplies • Best Quality of “Locally Grown” Bird Seed!

December Planting Dates

Plant Above-Ground Crops: 14, 15, 18, 19, 22-24 • Plant Root Crops: 1, 27, 28 Transplant: 19, 22-24 • Plant Flowers: 14, 15, 18, 19 • Control Plant Pests: 5, 6, 11, 12

Beautiful OutdOOr SpaceS that are

Uniquely Yours

Happy Holidays from all of us.

Gift Certificates Available

Wendy Hix 913.481.5416 • Tate Foster 913.406.6804

www.hixandsonaquatics.com

A Gardener’s Destination

Fresh Christmas greens, custom planters, wreaths, and swags for decorating inside and out.

Holiday Gift Giving

Decorated lanterns • Wind chimes • Statuary Bird baths • Fountains • Garden benches Great gifts for the gardener

112 E. Green St. • Clinton, MO 64735 • 660-885-3441 • Mon.-Fri. 8-6, Sat. 8-4

The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

13

Photos by Scott Woodbury.

West woodland seedlings

Shady Trampoline Garden transform a garden with seeds

I

n the backyard of our new house is a mulched bed surrounded by lawn where a trampoline used to be. The former owners maintained this circle like a farmer maintains a cornfield—not a weed in sight.

My mind’s eye can see little kids bouncing and laughing the summer away. Looking forward, I see a diverse garden, vibrant with leafy textures and flower colors, equally attractive to bees, butterflies and, well, adults. Foremost in my mind was how lucky we were. How often does a completely bare piece of ground land in your lap, ready to be transformed?

If you’re not so lucky, and are starting with mowed turf grass, you have options for site preparation. You can rent a sod cutter and remove the grass all at once (in November), just before seeding. I like

sod-cutting because it also removes any weedy seed bank (especially clover) along with the grass. The downside of sod-cutting is that it can be tricky under big trees with shallow roots. If this is the case, the alternative is to smother the grass with cardboard and mulch (May through October). This process takes six months to kill the sod. Simply mow or string-trim the area very low, lay down one layer of cardboard, overlapping the edges. Then top with 5 to 6 inches of mulch. I like leaf mulch, because it breaks down quicker than wood mulch. The cardboard/mulch method encourages biological activity in the soil, which increases porosity, nutrient, and organic levels. Solarization with plastic sheets discourages biological activity in the soil.

I thought about planting the whole thing with plugs, but the practical part of my brain engaged and told me it wasn’t the best idea.

Also, I have nagging back problems.

My 225 square-foot trampoline woodland would require about 175 plugs give or take, at an installed cost of $7-9 per plant (estimated total cost is $1,225$1,575, not including site preparation). And so I turned to seeds.

We want a shady backyard, like Margy Terpstra‘s (hummerhavenunltd.com). One can dream! We already have a medium-sized tulip poplar tree shading half the yard, but we wanted a couple more trees to jumpstart our future woodland.

So we asked Mike Sestric of Trees, Forests & Landscapes to plant a black gum, Abigail‘s favorite tree; and I planted a shortleaf pine, my favorite tree.

Then I spent the summer and fall—with permission from friends and neighbors, as well as along roadsides—collecting small quantities of seed pods, capsules, spikes, awns, seedheads, and fluff of various savanna and woodland plants. I collected late purple aster (Symphyotrichum patens), bluestem goldenrod (Solidago caesia), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), Ohio horse mint (Blephilia ciliata), blue

Scott Woodbury was the horticulturist at Shaw Nature Reserve for 30 years and stepped down

SCOTT WOODBURY from that position in June 2022. He continues to work on contract for Shaw Nature Reserve to carry out native landscaping education and has launched his own business called Cacalia: Native Horticulturist Garden Design and Wilding. Find suppliers of native plants, seeds, and services at the Grow Native! Resource Guide: www.moprairie.org.

14

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

wild indigo (Baptisia australis), bur sedge (Carex grayi), woodland wild rye (Elymus virginicus), woodland knotweed (Polygonum virginicum), eastern blazing star (Liatris scariosa), columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), purple Joe Pye (Eutrochium purpureum), golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), Bradbury beebalm (Monarda bradburiana) and elephant’s foot (Elephantopus carolinianus)—about 15 species in all.

Everywhere I went, I tucked away a tiny bit of seed in my pockets, like a chipmunk getting ready for winter. A fair bit of the seed ended up washed and dried in the laundry, which is a seed-cleaning technique I don’t recommend. I hand-cleaned the rest and ran it through a couple of kitchen sieves to separate the seed from the chaff.

I stored most dry seed in the refrigerator in small plastic bags, but a number were squirreled away in drawers, pockets, and bowls around the house. It became a bit of a treasure hunt, remembering where all the seed was.

Columbine, garden phlox, bur sedge and elephant’s foot were seeded directly on the site, the same day I collected the seed (be-

Ratibida pinnata seedling

cause my site was already clear of weeds and lawn). The rest was sewn as I write this article, in late October. As long as you get seed down by the end of January, it will have enough time to break dormancy. Simply throw the seed on top of weed-free and lawn-free ground. In my case, I threw it on top of a thin layer of bare, old, degraded hardwood mulch. If tree leaves have already fallen, rake them aside before you sow the seed. Sow the seed, and then lightly sprinkle the leaves back over the seeded area.

Because my trampoline garden is a tiny 225 square feet, the goal was to collect about one-half ounce of seed in total (Missouri Wildflowers Nursery recommends 1 ounce of seed per 500 ft.²). Working with small amounts of seed can be tricky, so I recommend treating areas that are at least 500 to 1,000 square feet.

Any larger, and my recommended site preparation methods become a heavy burden. If you decide to go larger, then I recommend using herbicides to kill off the lawn, and it may require multiple applications, depending on the weeds. For my trampoline garden, I’m measuring a single large pinch of seed for

Penstemon digitalis seedling

(continued on page 16)

Baptisia australis seedling

Solidago drummondii seedling

Skullcap and Sedge seedlings

Echinacea purpurea seedling

The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

15

Trampoline Shade Garden (continued from page 15)

each species (about 1 gram each).

When the seed is small, like with Ohio horsemint, the pinch is very small (less than one-half gram). If you choose to measure it out, one ounce equals about 28 grams. You will need a very sensitive digital scale to measure these quantities.

They are available at kitchen supply stores.

In March, just before seedlings begin to sprout, rake the leaves off of the area and move them to a different part of your property. At this point, the seed has broken dormancy and is ready to sprout. Through the winter months, freeze and thaw will have shallowly “planted” the seed into the soil. Most seed needs a few rays of sunlight to trigger germination, and new seedlings can’t push up through leaf litter. That’s why it is so important to remove any tree leaf litter in March before seeds begin to sprout in April. Not

Pocket Prairie 16

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

all the seeds will germinate and some species may not survive.

That’s normal. Those that germinate a little too well can be thinned out later in spring or summer.

Seedlings are easily confused with weeds, so consult the Seedling ID Guide for prairie plants, available at grownative.org/learn/seeds/.

Not all of the plants I included in my woodland are listed, but it references similar-looking seedlings, and will give you a certain level of confidence as you learn basic seedling ID. You might also download Picture This, a phone-based app that isn’t perfect, but does wonders with plant identification.

Since seedlings will be germinating and getting established during the rainy spring season, there usually isn’t a need to water until the heat of summer begins. However, rain may occasionally be scarce from April through June. In that case, sprinkle the seeded area

for 60 minutes every 5 days. In July and August, sprinkle the area once a week during dry spells.

If your lawn had a lot of weeds, then your seeding may have them too. If the lawn was in the shade, then weeds likely will be minimal.

But if your seeding receives more sunlight, it may be weedy with crabgrass, barnyard grass, clover, dandelions, and other unwelcomed strays. If their concentrations are low (one every 24 inches), they are relatively easy to hand-pull when they are small. But if concentrations are thick (one every two inches), mowing high every two weeks is recommended during the first year. The good seedlings will survive under the mower height of 5-6 inches, and weeds will never shade out the good seedlings.

I’ve done about thirty large and small-scale seeded prairie and woodland projects, and each one was different. It’s difficult to predict

how they will turn out. Usually, the things that cause failure are a lack of site preparation and weed removal (perennial weeds like clover and Johnson Grass) before seeding. The second pitfall is a lack of mowing in the first year after seeding, when the site is weedy (annual weeds like marestail, Queen-Ann’s lace, and barnyard grass). Annual weeds shade out the good plants.

Lastly is a lack of patience in the first three years. Year one looks weedy. Year two still looks weedy, but with a few flowering plants that give hope. Year three is when the weeds begin to fade, and the good plants begin to shine. If you can survive the weedy years, you will have success. If you keep the weeds suppressed, things should turn out well. And if you are lucky enough to have no weeds to begin with, it will be smooth sailing to the finish line.

Happy gardening ya’ll!

Local Events offered by MDC Native Plants Landscape Chat Fri, Dec 1, 1-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Walk-in (ages 12+) There are many tasks to be done for winter prep in the native plant garden, but also many tasks that should be left “undone.” Join our native landscape specialists for a walk and chat about the many aspects of fall and winter native garden maintenance. This is a cooperative program with Deep Roots KC. Registration is not required.

Birds: Show Me Owls Sat, Dec 2, 10a-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Walk-in (all ages) Whether an eerie hoot in the night or a curious piece of evidence at the base of a tree, prepare yourself to notice the sights and sounds of owls in our very own backyard. Learn the different species of owls found in Missouri and practice the calls they use for communication. We’ll also dissect real owl pellets to discover what kinds of prey these predators prefer.

Trees: Winter Tree ID Sat, Dec 2, 1-3p; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816-228-3766. Missouri trees are relatively easy to identify in the summer when they have all their leaves. As winter approaches these leaves fall off making the trees more difficult to distinguish. Attend this handson workshop to learn the tips and tricks to tree identification throughout the seasons.

Nature Art: Kids Holiday Craft Day Sat, Dec 9, 9a-12p; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816-228-3766. Make one-of-a-kind natural presents to give to the people you love this holiday season. Walk-in anytime between 9 am and 12 pm and stop by our craft tables to create a special native work of art.

Each child will be able to create three beautiful hand-crafted items to take home.

Give as a gift or keep for yourself. You decide!

Nature Art: Boughs of Natives Sat, Dec 9, 11:30a-12:30p or 1-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Registration required. (ages 12+) Making the holidays a little greener this season? Then deck the halls with boughs of native trees and plants. Join us for one of the Discovery Center’s favorite holiday traditions! Fashion a festive holiday swag or wreath to hang using native evergreens, prairie grasses, wild nuts, berries, seed pods, game bird feathers and your imagination.

SPEAKERS’ BUREAU Need a speaker for your church, civic group or garden club? The Johnson County Extension Speakers’ Bureau have the speakers you are looking for on just about any topic like environmentally safe lawn care, mulching, or vegetable and perennial flower gardening.

To schedule a speaker for your group, please contact the office. For more information on this service, call 913-715-7000.

913-837-3510 Email: swanswatergardens@ gmail.com

SwansWaterGardens.com

SERVING THE KANSAS CITY AREA FOR 30 YEARS

Birds: VIRTUAL: Backyard Bird Watching Fri, Dec 15, 9-10a; ONLINE ONLY. Winter is a great time to watch birds at your backyard bird feeders. As we virtually watch a backyard feeder, we will discuss common backyard feeder birds and ideas for attracting more of them. Be sure to include your email address when registering. Registered participants will receive the program link both the day before and day of the program.

Wild Edibles: The Tea About Nature Sat, Dec 16, 10a-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Walk-in (all ages) What’s more relaxing than sipping on a nice hot cup of tea on a chilly winter day? Many people wouldn’t relate tea to nature, but you might be surprised by the connections. Come and learn about different natural teas you can make from native plants while sipping on some Discovery Center made tea! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program. Registration is not required.

Native Plants: at Noon – Virtual Thurs, Dec 21, 12-1p; ONLINE ONLY. Registration required by visiting https:// deeproots.org/native-plants-at-noon (adults) Tour the native landscape at the Discovery Center. Guided by Native Landscape Specialist Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, Outdoor Program Manager with Deep Roots KC, this program features a live look at native plants of interest throughout the year plus landscaping tips and tricks.

This program is a partnership with Deep Roots KC.

Registration is required unless otherwise noted. Register at mdc.mo.gov/events, click on event title, then Register.

Learn about more events offered by Missouri Department of Conservation at mdc.mo.gov/events.

If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program. Email address found on the Event page.

2024 Cleanout and Maintenance Program Signups Begin January.

If you would like help getting your pond ready for the new season a cleanout is the best way.

We also offer several different maintenance plans to help keep your feature looking perfect all year.

Interested in having a new water feature by next spring? Call or email us to set up a consultation.

Retail Open By Appointment Only 4385 W 247th Street, Louisburg, KS 66053 The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

17

GARDEN CALENDAR December list of what to do in the garden.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Store unused seeds in a cool, dry location or refrigerator.

• Check vegetables and fruit in storage for spoilage.

• Mulch strawberries for winter protection.

• Clean and oil garden hand tools for winter.

• Till the soil and add organic matter.

• Store unused garden chemicals in a cool, dry, and safe location protected from freezing.

• Update garden journal for success and failure.

• Start planning for next spring on cold winter nights.

• Soil test to determine fertility needs.

FLOWERS

• Mulch grafted roses by mounding soil 6 to 8 inches deep to protect the graft.

• Cut tall hybrid tea roses back to 24 inches to reduce wind whipping and plant damage.

• Shrub roses need no special winter care. Prune in early spring.

• Continue to plant spring flowering bulbs until the ground is frozen.

• Give plants or gift certificates as holiday gifts for gardening friends.

• Empty decorative pots and containers, store them inside.

LAWN

• Remove leaves, limbs, and other debris from lawn to prevent suffocation.

• Store unused fertilizers in a dry location and out of reach of children and pets.

• Store pesticides in a cool (not freezing) dry location, out of reach of children and pets.

• Review lawn service contracts.

• Water fall planted grass as needed.

• Avoid extensive walking on frozen grass.

TREES AND SHRUBS

• Keep heavy snowfall from limbs, lightly shaking to avoid damage.

• Avoid shoveling snow onto trees and shrubs.

• Check and protect the trunks of young trees and shrubs for rabbit damage.

• Living Christmas trees should be in the home for less than one week, and then acclimate to the outdoors and plant in a desirable location.

• Prune damaged branches throughout the winter months.

• Water newly planted trees and shrubs in winter to prevent dry soil conditions.

• Mulch roots of tender shrubs such as azaleas and rhododendrons.

• Prune branches of junipers, pines, hollies, and other plants for holiday decorations.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Start planning for next year by making notes and preparing orders.

• Turn compost pile to encourage winter breakdown.

• Make your Christmas list and add gardening supplies.

• Keep houseplants out of hot and cold drafts.

• Winter is a great time to soil test.

MY GARDEN (Use this space to list additional tasks to accomplish in your garden.)

• • • •

Johnson County K-State Research and Extension recommends environmentally-friendly gardening practices.

This starts by identifying and monitoring problems. Cultural practices and controls are the best approach for a healthy garden. If needed, use physical, biological or chemical controls. Always consider the least toxic approach first. Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension.

For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.

18

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

Upcoming Garden Events

Raytown Garden Club The Raytown Garden Club is taking a Winter Break in December and January 2024. Meetings will resume on the first Tuesday of the month from February thru November at Connection Point Church in Raytown, MO and Guests are always welcome. Mark your calendar for Feb 6, 2024.

For more information please check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/RaytownGardenClub.

Overland Park Arboretum Luminary Walk Now through Dec 16. Hours are 5 to 10p.

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday evening walks are $15, but children under 5 get a free ticket. The Overland Park Arboretum offers Thursday evening adults-only candlelight strolls from Nov 30 through Dec 14. Tickets are $16. Attendees are required to be at least 18 years old. For more info, visit opkansas.org/events.

MoKan Daylily Society Sat, Dec 2, 10:30a; at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W 75th St, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Entrance is in the back of the church. The meeting starts at 10:30a with a meet and greet. The agenda for the meeting includes guest speaker Elizabeth Stoakes, the club annual photo contest, and a brief business meeting. Elizabeth Stoakes is President of Burroughs Audubon Society in Kansas City and will be speaking on birds in the garden and the plants they need. Meal will be served, so guests and members are kindly requested to RSVP. Guests may RSVP by email to mokandaylilysocietyadsr11@gmail.com.

Fox Hollow Trail Workday Wed, Dec 6, 2-4p; at Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO. Volunteers remove invasive species, plant natives and maintain/improve the Fox Hollow trail system. Please email foxhollow@lakesidenaturecenter. org if you are planning to attend and if you need loppers and/or a hand saw provided.

These workdays are weather dependent.

You will be emailed if the day is cancelled

due to inclement conditions. Volunteers will gather at the pavilion before work begins. The following are recommended for the work days: • wear work gloves, sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeves, if weather allows • apply insect/tick repellent to your skin and clothes • wear sunglasses or protective eyewear • bring loppers and/or hand saw, if you have them • and bring a refillable water bottle. You will encounter insects, poison ivy and/or prickly plants, varied terrain as well as poking eye-level branches.

Growing Tomatoes in Our Changing Climate Thurs, Dec 7, 11:30a; in the Sunflower Room at the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners offer a program titled “Adapting our Tomato-growing Techniques to our Changing Climate.” It will be presented

by Cary Rivard. Rivard is professor of horticulture, natural resources extension specialist, and director of the Olathe Horticulture Center. For more information, e-mail kckim0782@gmail.com or call the office at 913-299-9300.

Nature Rx: Coffee with the Birds Fri, Dec 8, 9:30-11a; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816228-3766. Enrich your life by nature immersion! Warm up with some complimentary coffee or tea indoors and enjoy the relaxing sights and sounds of our winter bird visitors. Then, weather permitting, join the Naturalist on an optional birding hike out on the trail. Register at mdc.mo.gov/ events, click on event title, then Register.

Leawood Garden Club Tues, Jan 23, 2024, 10:30a; Cure’ of Ars Catholic Church, 6401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206. Bob Lane, Leawood Park & Recreation Director will be speaking on the topic of: “Native Plants made Easier.” Native plants are easy to use, and shows how they can be used in all styles of gardening, and gives practical advice. Bob can help you select just the right plants for the right places. An increase in pollinators for native plants will cause your whole garden to be healthier and happier and will aid the environment.

Paola Spring Symposium Sat, Feb 17, 2024, 8:30a-3:45p; at the Living Proof Church, 32401 Harmony Road, Paola, KS 66071. “Gardening Inspirations” will be the theme of the Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardeners’ Symposium. People garden for many different reasons. Four Extension Horticulturists will describe their garden inspirations with topics ranging from Growing Food and Garden Beauty to Native Pollinators and Native Plants. Then participants will complete a self-assessment to explore their own reasons for gardening. Please follow the link to the online registration: https:// tinyurl.com/2024MdCEMGSymposium.

Preregistration is required by Feb 1st. Payment may be online with a credit card, or by check via mail or in-person at the Extension Office, 913 N Pearl St, Paola, KS 66071. Don’t delay, as we always sell out early!

to Overland Park Arboretum

J

Tues., Dec. 5 at 9:00 a.m.

oin us for walk on the wilder side of the Overland Park Arboretum. We’ll search for winter residents like Purple Finch, Brown Creeper, and Winter Wren. The Arboretum’s feeder station has previously (and briefly) hosted some uncommon guests, like the Evening Grosbeak of a few years ago. Some paved, but mostly mulched and gravel trails over uneven terrain.

Your leader for this trip is Mike Stoakes. Meet at 9:00 a.m.

Spot this Brown Creeper on our at the ticket kiosk (free admission next bird walk at OPA. Tuesday) near the old visitor center. For more information, contact Mike at mstoakes@juno.com or call/text 816-283-6258.

Photo credit to ebird.com.

Hike Fox Hollow with a Naturalist Sat, Dec 2, 10a; at Lakeside Nature Center in Swope Park, 4701 E Gregory Blvd, KCMO 64132. All scheduled hikes are open to the public. There is no fee. Hikes will be cancelled in severe weather – call the center (816-513-8960) for confirmation. Please dress appropriately for the weather of the day (i.e., raingear, layers of clothing for cold weather, sunscreen and hats for warm weather, insect repellent, closed-toed shoes or boots). The hike begins at 10a. Please gather outside the main doors of Lakeside Nature Center. There the Naturalist will meet hikers, outline the plans for the day and then lead the group on the trail. The guided walk/hike, which focuses on habitats around the Center, typically occurs on the upper Fox Hollow trail which is primarily covered with rock and accessible for most participants. However, depending on the Naturalist and topic of the hike, another part of the Fox Hollow Trail might also be incorporated, which may be a little more challenging for some hikers. If questions, please contact the Nature Center at: 816-513-8960.

Birding Field Trip

Event by Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City

SUBSCRIBE TODAY For convenient mail delivery, complete the form below and send with your check for $35.00. You will receive a oneyear subscription.

Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: E-mail: Where did you pick up The Kansas City Gardener?

Please enclose your check payable to The Kansas City Gardener and mail with this form to: P.O. Box 8725, Prairie Village, KS 66208 The Kansas City Gardener is published monthly Jan. through Dec.

The Kansas City Gardener | December 2023

19

Your Outdoor Decor

Our in-house designers create beautiful arrangements for your outdoor holiday pots Custom orders available.

‘Tis the season

Fresh Greenery

for

Poinsettias Poinsettias, the Christmas plant, glowing with all the colors of the season and proudly grown in our own greenhouses.

• Locally grown by us • More than 30 varieties • Traditional & contemporary colors • Prices start at $5.99

Nothing says the holidays like the fragrance of real evergreen— whether it’s your freshest ever Christmas tree, garland for your railing, or the wreath on your door enhanced with a colorful handmade bow or clever ornaments.

You’ll find a glittering assortment at Suburban Lawn & Garden.

Trees Swags Boughs Wreaths Garland Greenery Bundles

Gift Cards

Stop in to pick up a gift card or schedule an e-gift card now to be emailed whenever you’d like. suburbanlg.com/egiftcards

105th & Roe (913) 649-8700

K-7 & Prairie Star Pkwy (913) 897-5100 suburbanlg.com

20

December 2023 | kcgmag.com

135th & Wornall (816) 942-2921