KCG Feb22

The Kansas City

GARDENER February 2022 | kcgmag.com

Picture Perfect

Peperomia

Ask the Experts | Classes | Kids Ask Dr. Bug | Garden Calendar

editor’s notes

The Kansas City

GARDENER Independently owned and operated since 1996 EDITOR Elizabeth Cavanaugh CONTRIBUTORS Jason Mispagel Dennis Patton Tamra Reall Jessica Sharp 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 EDITORIAL Elizabeth Cavanaugh elizabeth@kcgmag.com 913-648-4728 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE See details on page 19.

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F

While dormant

ebruary is a middle-of-winter month where gardeners endure the season by refocusing.

Dreaming of warmer garden days to come, we contemplate the next growing season through the pages of seed catalogs. We replenish our gardening proficiency with classes, books and connections with green industry professionals. Pausing to notice beyond the plants, we learn about the winged wildlife within the landscape. Like the plants in our garden, a gardener’s dormancy is but a stage, a necessary time of transition.

British horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) is quoted as saying, “The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.”

Perhaps the same could be said about birding. Once discovering the importance and pleasure of birding, I have been intrigued, and curiosity keeps me yearning for more.

February is National Bird-Feeding Month, and was proclaimed by Congressman John Porter (R-IL) in 1994. His resolution spoke of the need to provide food, water and shelter to help wild birds survive, especially during the environmentally depleted winter months. Congressman Porter continued, “Feeding wild birds in the backyard is an easy hobby to start and need not overtax the family budget. It can be as simple as mounting a single feeder outside a window and filling it with bird seed mix. For many

people, the hobby progresses from there. They discover the relationship between the type and location of feeders, and the seeds offered in them, and the number and varieties of birds attracted.” For me, bird feeding has become another winter hobby that that appeals to my affection for wildlife—all creatures, great and small.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will be held this month— Friday, February 18 through Monday, February 21. This is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the fourday event and report their sightings online. Anyone can take part, birders of every level of interest can participate in collecting much needed information about birds in your backyard, or anywhere in the world. Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. It is like being a citizen scientist and it’s fun to watch the real-time reporting.

The official website (birdcount.org) has more information on how to get involved.

Birdwatching does wonders for me. I am headed to the dentist this month, and I am not a fan! Not be-

cause of the people, heaven knows they are friendly and professional.

But for a bird feeder outside the hygienist’s office, I’m able to release the anxiety and calm myself, making the visit tolerable. There is a level of serenity gained while watching the birds. This same technique is useful while working as well. When stress needs taming, I walk away from my desk, then look out into the garden where birds are sure to gather. This simple behavior has immeasurable value.

Whether birding, reading, or connecting with fellow gardeners, we spend our dormant garden days replenishing mind and spirit, and looking forward to the next growing season. For this I am grateful.

I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue

February 2022 | kcgmag.com 4 When Spring Wildflowers Bloom like Crazy 6 Kids Ask Dr. Bug 8 Ask the Experts 10 Picture Perfect Peperomia 12 Plants on Your Plate 13 K-State Garden Hour

14 Indoor Gardening—Homegrown Hops 16 Upcoming Garden Events 18 Garden Calendar 19 Using Ice Melts 19 Virtual Gardening Classes 19 Subscribe

About the cover: Peperomia is a popular houseplant. See more gorgeous varieties beginning on page 10.

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February 2022 | kcgmag.com

Indoor plant care, simplified.

Nourish your home. © 2022, The Scotts Company, LLC. All rights reserved

The Kansas City Gardener | October 2020

3

here is a correlation between winter freeze and spring bloom. When winters are consistently cold and the ground is frozen for longer periods, spring floral display is at its best. When winters are warmer, and the ground is mostly wet, rather than frozen, flower displays suffer. I’m talking about early spring-blooming wildflowers like celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), bellflower (Uvularia grandiflora), sweet William (Phlox divaricata), dwarf larkspur (Delphinium tricorne), crested iris (Iris cristata), Solomon’s plume (Smilacina racemosa), mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), Palmer’s spiderwort (Tradescantia ernestiana), yellow violet (Viola pubescens), wood lily (Trillium recurvatum), and round-leaved groundsel (Packera obovata). Bloom quality and plant vigor decline after unusually warm winters.

One reason behind this is that soil drains poorly in this cool, unfrozen environment. Persistent wet soil causes enough root rot to impact plant performance, but usually not enough to kill it. It’s not warm enough to dry the soil, and not cold enough to keep it frozen.

Also, plants are not actively growing and pulling moisture out of the soil. The problem gets worse when we have rainy winters.

What is a gardener to do? Not much, unfortunately. Keep leaves from gathering into piles in the areas where you have wildflower displays. Spread the leaf litter out evenly or remove some of it in fall, when the leaves first come down.

Leave them alone for the remainder

Photos by Scott Woodbury.

T

When Spring Wildflowers Bloom like Crazy

Yellow celandine poppy with Virginia bluebell of winter and spring. Remember that keeping leaf litter is important to promote overwintering insects like luna moths and great spangled fritillaries.

Also use the right plant in the right location. If you have poorly drained, moist soil shaded by trees, plant moist-loving shade species like rose turtlehead (Chelone obliqua), purple Joe Pye (Eutrochium purpureum), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), red buckeye (Aesculus pavia), hop sedge (Carex lupulina), and golden groundsel (Packera aurea).

These plants thrive when soil stays wet.

In a changing world where winters are milder, and wetter, expect surprises. As I write this in early January, Ozark witch hazel is in full bloom. It normally blooms in Feb-

SCOTT WOODBURY Horticulturist 4

February 2022 | kcgmag.com

Round leaved groundsel and spring daisy ruary or March. Earlier in winter, I saw an unusual number of butterflies and bees flying around. Spring wildflower displays change from year to year, because they are at the mercy of winter weather, among other things like root-eating voles.

When wild geranium and celandine poppy bloom poorly, remember, it isn’t your fault. Try to be patient and look on the bright side, because they will probably come back a year or two later, blooming like crazy.

Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmore Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 30 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of native plants and seeds at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide.

The Kansas City Gardener | February 2022

5

Kids Ask Dr. Bug

about the curious things found in the garden What was the first insect?

The oldest insect fossil is of a wingless critter that looks somewhat like a silverfish you might find in your bathroom. This insect lived about 385 million years ago.

Around 60 million years later insects developed wings and became much more abundant, and we have

stage at six days and their bodies are longer than before. The worker bees place a wax cap over the prepupas’ cells where they finish their pupal stage. About ten days later, adult bees chew their way out of the cells. This entire period takes about 21 days for a worker. Because this process is well-studied, a bee’s age

Meganeura monyi insect fossil by Alexandre Albore, Wikimedia Commons many more fossils to study. The first winged insects in the fossil record are dragonfly-like and grasshopper-like insects.

How can you tell the age of an insect age?

If you know what kind of insect you are looking at, you may have a lot of information to help you determine the insect’s age. For example, a worker honey bee starts as an egg, then is a larva, then pupa, then an adult. Eggs hatch after three days and tiny, white, grub-like larvae emerge that are fed by adult worker bees. The larvae enter a prepupa

can be determined by its size and stage of development.

When and what was the last insect discovered?

There were quite a few insect species discovered recently. Here are some of the recently described/ discovered insects in 2021. Six new species of Strumigenys ants were found in western North America and one species from Ecuador. Twentyeight Trignopterus weevil species were found in the Indo-AustralianMelanesian archipelago. A tiger beetle species (Eunota mecocheila) was discovered in Mexico. And, the

TAMRA REALL Horticulture Specialist 6

February 2022 | kcgmag.com

Wallace’s Sphinx moth (Xanthopan praedicta) was raised to species rank when morphological and genetic work proved it was a separate species from the Morgan’s Sphinx moth.

New insect species are discovered frequently! While it is less common to discover new mammals, birds, or reptiles, there are many undiscovered insects because they are small, in remote locations, or because many undescribed insects look like insect species we already know. Scientists sometimes travel to faraway places to look for new species.

Sometimes, nearer to home, they decide to look at what is around them more closely.

One of the new Strumigenys ant species (S. ananeotes) discovered last year was found in an ant experts’ backyard garden!

How do flies know how to get out of the way of a fly swatter?

Fly brains can process more information per second than our brains, making our super-fast flyswatting maneuvers seem like they are happening in slow motion. Flies also have a very fast reaction time.

Scientists determined that, in 100 milliseconds, a fruit fly was able to calculate the location of the impending threat (the swatter), come up with an escape plan, and posi-

tion itself in such a way so it can leap in the opposite direction to get out of the way when the swatter comes toward it.

Pro tip: instead of aiming for the fly when you see it, aim a little further ahead of where you think the fly will go when you swing your swatter!

What is an insect not many people know about?

So. Many. Insects. To. Choose.

From! One of my favorite lesserknown insects is the mantisfly, also known as a mantidfly. This little insect looks like a tiny praying mantis, complete with predatorial forelegs, a triangular head, and big eyes.

It is in the Neuroptera order (same as green lacewings) and is only about an inch long as compared to praying mantises (in the Mantodea order) that are 3-6 inches long, depending on the species. These fascinating insects are found throughout the state of Missouri, although they are more common in the south. We have eleven species in the U.S. and there are about 400 species worldwide. They are more common in tropical areas in the world. This insect has an interesting life cycle.

Mantisfly larvae catch a ride on passing spiders until they find the spiders’ egg sac. Then, they prey on the spiders’ eggs. Adult mantisflies capture small prey with the raptorial forelegs, much the way praying mantises do.

Do you have questions about bugs found in your garden for Dr. Bug? Send them to ReallT@ Missouri.edu or bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug. Include your name and age. To help me learn what you learn from this monthly column, would you please consider filling out this survey: bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey. Thank you!

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.

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7

Ask the Experts

When temperatures allow, winter watering is appropriate.

Stand of Bradford pear trees WONDERING ABOUT WINTER WATERING Question: There has been very little rainfall during this fall and winter. I heard watering during the winter months can harm the plants. Is this true? Or is winter watering okay?

Answer: Whoever told you winter watering is harmful is well out of touch. Water plants anytime during the winter as long as the soils are not frozen, and the temperatures are above freezing. Water will not soak into frozen soil, providing less benefit. Do not water when freezing; this creates ice and can damage sprinkler heads or the faucet. It does not matter if the temperature drops below freezing after

Monarch on tropical milkweed the application.

Research has shown plants with good soil moisture in winter tolerate temperature change better and are more robust come spring when growth begins. Unfortunately, with our changing weather patterns, expect more extremes, with periods of prolonged rainfall followed by longer drought periods. These conditions are not ideal for growing plants.

CONFUSION ABOUT TROPICAL MILKWEED PARASITE Question: I read tropical milkweed may not be beneficial for monarchs. There is a disease it can carry and spread to them. In my garden, the tropical milkweed

DENNIS PATTON Horticulture Agent 8

February 2022 | kcgmag.com

seems to be their favorite food source. I also have natives in the garden. Should I stop planting the tropical variety?

Answer: The information on tropical milkweed can be confusing. Here is what I have learned and recommend. A protozoan parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE, can be found on tropical milkweed foliage. When caterpillars hatch and ingest OE, it greatly effects their migration, ability to mate, and lifespan.

OE issues are most significant in temperate, southern climates where tropical milkweed is a perennial and does not die back. It is much less of an issue in northern climates where the plant dies off. Tropical

milkweed is a readily available food source for monarchs. But because it is still available so late in the season, it may delay the migration of some adults.

You will see various recommendations for planting or not planting, leading to confusion. My take from reviewing the literature is not to overwinter tropical milkweed.

Plant both native and tropical species in Kansas City area gardens.

The additional food source helps grow more offspring than the few that might hang around to feed here instead of heading to Mexico.

FLUORESCENT OR LED Question: I want to start some of my own transplants this spring.

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.

I know that supplemental lighting is necessary for best results.

Should I invest in fluorescent lights or go with LED lighting?

Answer: Here is the good news.

You cannot go wrong with either system as there are advantages and disadvantages to both. The advantage to fluorescent lighting is lower cost to purchase, but the downside is lower light levels and higher energy cost to operate. On the other hand, the advantages to LED are higher, more intense light and can potentially provide the full spectrum of light, while the disadvantage is greater investment cost.

Fluorescent tubes and shop light fixtures come in various tube sizes such as T5, T8, and T12, which are based on the tube diameter. You can find these bulbs and fixtures at local hardware stores. Keep the light source within a few inches of plant growth to avoid the stretching of the seedlings. Lights can be left on 24/7 or for at least 16 hours each day.

LED lights for seed starting may need to be ordered over the internet or found at specialty stores.

They put out higher quality light at a lower cost to operate. But for a small grower, you will not see much energy savings between the light sources. Because of the higher light levels, they may not need to be placed as close to the plants. Leaving the lights on 24/7 may be best.

Depending on the type, LEDs can get confusing since they provide a full spectrum, including red and blue giving off a purple glow or a natural daylight white. Either work well for seed starting and

growing transplants for 8 to 10 weeks. Full spectrum has its advantages for growing plants yearround.

The bottom line is they both work. So it is up to you, your budget, and whether you need the latest and greatest technology.

ORNAMENTAL PEAR TREE SHOULD COME DOWN Question: A gardening friend is pressuring me to cut down my ornamental pear tree. They say it is invasive, but I love the white spring flowers. Is this plant invasive? Should I cut it down?

Answer: When the first ornamental pear variety (Bradford) was released on the market, it was heralded as the best tree ever. Soon we realized this tree was a disaster in the making with a poor branching structure. What followed were improved varieties with better branching habits. But the unintended consequence was a tree once selfsterile started to cross-pollinate, setting seeds devoured by birds.

Soon seedlings began to pop up everywhere.

You will see roadsides and open fields full of ornamental pear seedlings in the spring, choking out the native flora and fauna. Yes, this tree is invasive, and no matter how pretty it looks, you should have it removed. The problem is, as they say, “the genie is out of the bottle.”

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@yrroundgarden www.year-roundgarden.com The Kansas City Gardener | February 2022

9

Picture Perfect

Peperomia

T

he predictions for 2022 are in and they point to the Peperomia as tropical plant of the year. Peperomias are by no means new to the houseplant scene. However, their increasing availability has brought them into the spotlight. There are over 1500 reported species thus leaving much room for variation.

With so many varieties to be had and their ease of care, Peperomias make a great plant for collectors and novice growers alike.

Grown for their varied and interesting foliage, Peperomias are a diverse genus belonging in the Piperaceae family. The same family as black pepper. Although, this genus is strictly ornamental, its inflorescence closely resembles that of the black pepper plant. These insignificant tail-like blooms are no match for the peperomia’s striking foliage.

Peperomia foliage comes in numerous colors such as red, green, pink, gray and white. Leaves even can exhibit multiple colors on the same leaf. A stunning example is Peperomia argyreia also called the Watermelon peperomia. This variety has rounded green leaves with gray stripes that resemble the rind of a watermelon. Foliage on peperomias can be different colors on the top and bottom as well. Peperomia ‘Rosso’ is green on the top side of the foliage but is a vivid scarlet red on the bottom.

There is a range of leaf texture too. Leaves can be smooth with a glossy finish or wrinkly in texture like the Peperomia caperata.

P. caperata ‘Frost’ Thickness of leaves also varies by variety. Some are very plump and succulent-like, while others have thinner flat leaves. Foliage is not the only thing making this plant so unique. Growth habit plays a huge roll in their diversity.

Peperomias exhibit differing

JESSICA SHARP Tropicals Enthusiast 10

February 2022 | kcgmag.com

growth habits amongst varieties.

Mounding varieties have a bushy appearance and can grow to be 1218” tall when kept indoors. Others present a prostrate habit. Peperomia rotundifolia or creeping buttons has a trailing habit and makes it a great plant for hanging baskets.

Another fabulous trailer is Peperomia prostrata or more commonly known as the very popular string of turtles. Their smaller stature makes Peperomias the perfect container plant.

When raising plants in containers it’s important to take their natural environment into consideration.

The closer you can mimic it the better plant you will produce. Peperomias come from a tropical environment. They can be found growing in the understory of the rain forests in the Amazon region of South America. Many thrive by growing on living and non-living things, such as the nook of a fallen tree.

Planting them in well-draining soil will help replicate this natural environment. To keep your peperomias happy place them in a spot where they will receive bright but filtered light from an east or north facing window. When watering peperomias take into account how fleshy the leaves are. The thicker the leaf, the longer they can go without water.

Generally, let the soil dry completely on the top half of the container then water thoroughly. During winter when growth is slow water sparingly. In addition, maintain the plant at an average room temperature of 65 to 75 degrees and no lower than 50 degrees in the winter.

This is easily accomplished indoors without any extra effort.

Ultimately, the Peperomia is not only beautiful but also easy to grow.

With so many types to choose from they are sure to impress any firsttime plant parent or longtime house plant collector.

Jessica Sharp is the Tropical Department manager at Suburban Lawn and Garden, on Roe Avenue in Overland Park, Kansas. You may reach her at jessicas@suburbanlg.ddns.net.

P. rotundifolia ‘Hope’

P. albovittata ‘Piccolo Banda’

P. argyreia ‘Watermelon’

Above: P. albovittata ‘Rana Verde’; Below: P. caperata ‘Rosso’

Above: P. prostrata ‘String of Turtles’ Below: P. caperata ‘Schumi Red’

The Kansas City Gardener | February 2022

11

PLANTS ON YOUR PLATE Pineapple

I

n the middle of a Midwest winter, finding locally grown produce is a bit of a challenge except for maybe some hold-over winter squash. This is the time of year when I’m thankful for growers across the country and world that continue to provide us with tasty and nutritious fruits and vegetables. While the temperatures might be chilly in our zone, southern regions can keep tropical style fruits stocked in the produce section of our supermarkets. One of my favorites to look for is pineapple, and it’s also one fruit that I don’t even mind reaching for in the canned section all year round.

Pineapple is believed to have originated in the Brazilian rainforests. They were harvested by the native tribes and spread throughout South and Central America. When Christopher Columbus landed in the new world, the Spaniards named the fruit “piña” due to its resemblance to a pinecone. Columbus returned to Spain with pineapple, where the fruit became very popular with Queen Isabella. The English added the word “apple” to the end of piña, which associated the new fruit with other delicious fruits.

When thinking of pineapple production, most people think of Hawaii, where commercial production was introduced in the 1800s.

However, production declined in the 1970s and most of the pineap-

ple that we enjoy now comes from the Philippines and Costa Rica.

When choosing a fresh pineapple, select one that is heavy and fragrant with firm shell and green leaves that are firmly attached at the crown. Pineapples can be stored at room temperature if used within two days, but should be refrigerated if stored longer, up to five days.

Cutting a pineapple can be intimidating to some people but doesn’t need to be. Start by cutting off the bottom and the crown, and then remove the shell by ‘carving’ down the sides in sections, being sure to remove the prickly eyes. Once the peel is removed, the fruit can be cut into slices or cut lengthwise in half and then quarters and then cut into chunks. Most people like to remove the core, which can be a little tough (but that is my husband’s favorite part). There are also specialty tools that can make cutting and coring easier, as well as a tiktok hack that I didn’t have much success with.

If you are feeling adventurous, you might save the crown of the pineapple and try to grow your own, like a friend of mine recently did. To try this, cut it off the crown, about an inch below the leaf cluster. Trim away the outer fruit portion and a few of the leaves, leaving some of the inner core. Allow the wound moisture to dry up for a week to discourage rotting, then plant in a large pot with moist, well-drained soil and place in a window with bright, indirect light.

When the weather warms, move it outside for the same lighting conditions. Then, be prepared to move the pot in and out of the house for 2-3 years – or more. My friends moved their plant in and out for 7 years and were finally rewarded with a delicious pineapple!

Pineapples are a rich source of vitamin C, an assortment of B vitamins, fiber, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. Pineapple is

DENISE SULLIVAN Nutrition Ninja 12

February 2022 | kcgmag.com

also a source of bromelain, an enzyme compound that helps to break down collagen fibers in meats and is often used in marinades. That same compound will also inhibit gelatin from setting up, so fresh pineapple should not be used, however canned pineapple is fine because the bromelain has been deactivated during canning. Bromelain also aids in digestion and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent which can be beneficial in chronic disease

management.

One of my favorite things to do with fresh pineapple is to dehydrate it…it tastes as good as candy to me!

Instructions for dehydrating can be found at the MU Extension website at https://extension.missouri.edu/ publications/gh1563 I like to keep crushed pineapple on my shelf to make the tasty muffin recipe below…it’s a favorite at my house and our Cooking Matters classes!

Carrot Pineapple Muffins MAKES 12 MUFFINS INGREDIENTS 1 medium carrot, grated (about ¾ cup) 1 cup canned crushed pineapple with juice 4 Tablespoons canola oil ¼ cup cold water 1 Tablespoon white distilled vinegar ¾ cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup whole wheat flour ½ cup light brown sugar, packed 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional) Preheat oven to 350°F. Wash hands and work surfaces.

Rinse and peel carrot. Shred with a grater. Measure out ¾ cup shredded carrot.

In a medium bowl, add pineapple with juice, oil, water, vinegar, and shredded carrot. Mix with a fork to combine.

In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Blend well with a fork to break up any lumps.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

If using walnuts or raisins, gently stir in now.

Coat muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full with batter.

Bake on middle rack of oven until muffin tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 20–25 minutes.

NUTRITION INFORMATION Calories: 167, Total Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: .6g, Sodium: 161mg, Carbohydrates: 22g, Fiber: 2g, Protein: 3g Recipe adapted from Cooking Matters, analyzed by verywellfit.com.

Denise Sullivan (@MUExtJacksonCo) is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For research based nutrition and food safety information and programs, call 816-4825850 or visit https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/urban-west-region.

K-State Garden Hour

Access to experts in FREE monthly workshops

T

he K-State Garden Hour began in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as a way for K-State Research and Extension horticulture experts to share research-based information to gardeners of all abilities and experience.

It has blossomed into a program that, in 2021, was watched by viewers in 39 states, five countries and four continents. Between February and December, the program drew 16,326 viewers, including a single-session high of 1,034 live viewers for a workshop on container gardening.

A one-time registration gives viewers free access to all of the 2022 sessions, which include: Feb. 2 – Indoor Seed Starting.

March 2 – Landscape Design 101.

April 6 – Pollinator Plans for Continuous Food Sources.

May 4 – New and Improved Annual Flower Varieties.

June 1 – Organic Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens.

July 6 – Growing Culinary Mushrooms at Home.

Aug. 3 – Landscaping for Wildlife.

Sept. 7 – Recommended Trees for Kansas.

Oct. 5 – Improving Soil Health in the Landscape and Garden.

Nov. 2 – Wildlife Damage Prevention and Control in the Lawn and Garden.

Dec. 7 – Accessible Gardening for All. Each program is held online from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

(CST), including a 45 minute presentation and 10-15 minutes for viewer questions. Register at: ksre-learn.com/ KStateGardenHour or search “K-State Garden Hour” to find additional information.

Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Speakers Bureau is ready for 2022!

Our Master Gardener volunteers bring science to gardeners in the metropolitan Kansas City area through fun, engaging talks based on research-based gardening information. The Speakers Bureau offers a wide variety of topics to garden clubs, plant societies, adult education programs and community groups. Check out our available topics and contact information on our website: http://www.mggkc.org/

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Job Description and Requirements • Greet customers and offer assistance in getting the products and/or information they need, in person or on the phone.

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• Cleaning duties include, but not limited to dusting, mopping and straightening the store.

• Stocking and packing and shipping merchandise.

• Must be able to stand for long periods and able to lift 50 lbs.

• Be able to perform multiple duties within the store as needed.

Contact: Please apply in person Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Kansas City Gardener | February 2022

13

Indoor Gardening: Homegrown Hops

A

s homebrewing continues to grow in popularity, so does the desire for fresh ingredients with unique and interesting palates. Crafting a great beer is both art and science, but more than anything, it can be a whole lot of fun. Many find experimenting with different styles, flavor combinations and brewing methods to be a fulfilling challenge, topped only by the enjoyment of sharing the final product with family and friends. But this isn’t a magazine about beer, it’s about gardening.

And that’s where things get really exciting. Beer is made using four primary ingredients – grain, hops, yeast and water. We’re going to focus on one of those ingredients particularly well-suited for indoor gardeners. Hops.

Hops provide the aroma and bitterness that often define our beer’s character. If harvested at the proper ripeness and dried to the correct degree, these springy, sticky cones can become the backbone or even the life of a brew. A close relative to Cannabis, Humulus Lupulus L., the plant from which these conical female flowers are derived, resides in the same family: Cannabaceae.

Their shared traits set them apart from many traditional edible plants, simultaneously making them ideal candidates for indoor growing.

Humulus is dioecious, meaning that each plant is either male or female. It’s the female plants we’re after because only females produce flowers used for brewing. These “cones” are filled with lupulin glands, chalk full of essential oils and soft resins. Cuttings can be taken from existing female plants and rooted to produce clones, genetically identical and of the same gender as their parent. Additionally, Humulus is a short-day, photoperiodic plant.

When days are longer, as they are in spring and early summer, a period of vegetative growth will en-

sue. Then, when days grow shorter and the plant receives an increasing amount of consistent darkness each night, flowering is triggered and the familiar-looking “hops” begin to develop.

Unlike its much more regulated cousin (Cannabis), Humulus has a few notable and quite important differences. First, Humulus is a

to something larger in the near future, even up to 15 to 20 gallons.

The good news is that each plant can produce upwards of a pound of hops, so it’s likely you’ll only need one or two plants, depending on how much beer you’re planning to brew.

The roadmap to growing indoor hops starts with acquiring your first

perennial plant that experiences dormancy through the cold winter months. While the above-ground growth will die-off annually, the roots, or rhizomes, will survive.

Second, not only can it be cloned from cuttings, Humulus can also be propagated from its rhizomes because they continue to produce new bud sites as the plant grows. Lastly, it’s a vining plant that requires support by way of stake, trellis or pole in order to grow to its full potential. And speaking of full potential, container size can often be the limiting factor on how large Humulus will grow due to constraints on root expansion. If you start with a small pot, be prepared to transplant

female plant. Most people choose rhizomes (root cuttings) since they are much easier to transport or ship.

It’s equally acceptable, though, to take a vine cutting from a friend’s already established Humulus. Place the rhizome or rooted cutting into a nutrient-dense, well-draining soil.

Water whenever the soil becomes dry – likely on a daily basis if growing conditions are ideal.

In the surrounding environment, you’ll want to maintain good air circulation, temperatures between 50°F and 80°F, and humidity levels ranging from 40% to 70%. A full spectrum LED grow light of at least 100 watts should be sufficient if placed approximately 12” from

JASON MISPAGEL Indoor Gardener 14

February 2022 | kcgmag.com

the plant. Humulus struggles to grow when conditions become too hot, making LEDs ideal because of their minimal heat output. Consider additional lights or greater wattage if you intend to grow larger plants.

For the first 4 to 8 weeks, run your lights for 18 hours a day with 6 hours of darkness. Once your plants have reached their desired size, adjust your light cycle to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of consistent darkness – “consistent” being the key term. Interruptions during the 12-hour dark period can cause irregular growth or even reversion back to a vegetative state.

The vining nature of Humulus allows it to reach up to 20 feet in length before flowering, but only with proper support. Since most people don’t have 20-foot-tall ceilings, stakes and poles can be effective for growing many smaller plants. If you’re looking to maximize the size of a single plant during its vegetative state, consider hanging a trellis net or wire frame along a wall and manually weaving new growth through the openings until they are completely full. Using this method, a 20-foot plant can easily fit in a 4’ x 4’ space.

As flowering progresses, the hop cones will expand until they reach a point where they can be squeezed but immediately spring back to their full form. They should be papery at the tips, sticky to the touch and you’ll be able to visually observe yellow lupulin emerging around the cone. At this point, they’re ready to harvest. Pluck each cone from the vine and place them in a warm, dark, dry area on a mesh drying rack or window screen with an oscillating fan gently moving nearby air. Turn and fluff the cones each day for 3 to 5 days. Your hops are now ready for brewing. If you can’t use them immediately, vacuum seal and place in the freezer where they’ll stay fresh for 6 to 12 months.

Jason Mispagel is the co-owner and operator of Year-Round Garden, a grower’s supply center serving both home and commercial customers since 2016. To contact Jason, call 816-216-6917 or jason@year-roundgarden.com.

FLOWER, HOME & GARDEN SHOW Saturday, March 12, 2022 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Heritage Event & Arts Center • 109 Delaware St, Leavenworth, KS 66048 (913) 682-2122 • heritagecenter-Leavenworth.com

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Join us and enter to win GRAND PRIZE – Complimentary lodging plus 2 tickets to the St. Louis Botanical Gardens Leavenworth County Master Gardeners will be making presentations throughout the event.

Join us for a fun-filled and informative event! Show features flowers, plants, home décor and garden equipment.

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Paola Plant Sale, sponsored by the Marais des Cygnes Extension 913•486•6368 Master Gardeners (MdC EMGs). April 28-29-30 in the Extension Office parking lot, 913 N. Pearl, Paola, KS 66071. Mark your calendars now!

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The Kansas City Gardener | February 2022

15

Upcoming Garden Events Native Plants: Native Landscape Chat Fri, Feb 4, 1-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Registration required (ages 14+) February is a great time to gear up for spring planting. Bed prep, plant choice and layout design are all very important to the success of native plant gardens. Visit with our native landscape specialists to get tips on how to prep for spring. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364.

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Feb 9, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. The program is Hydroponic Growing presented by Christy Allen. Christy has been involved in the study of nutrition and health for 18 years.

Her passion for educating others on the benefits of whole food has put her in front of many audiences nationwide since 2012. She has become an urban farmer, growing her own produce in Tower Gardens.

She loves showing others how to grow clean, fresh food year round.

The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

Helping Birds–It’s Easier Than You Think: Conservation Celebration!

Sat, Feb 12, 11a-1p; at Burroughs Audubon Nature Center, 7300 SW West Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. FREE. Join the Missouri River Bird Observatory and the Burroughs Audubon Society to take a deep dive into the “Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds” and find out how you can make simple changes to help birds and enrich your own life! Each event will explore two of the seven actions and will include going birding, a brief chat about the topic, and ways for you to take action that day and into the future. All events in the series

16

February 2022 | kcgmag.com

will be held outdoors so make sure to dress snugly. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there!

For Feb. 12th, we are celebrating the successes of conservation in Missouri and elsewhere! Join us for a bonfire, bird-friendly coffee, chili with bird-friendly beef, and some great conversation. Sign up at mrbo.org/events.

Birds: Woodworking for Wildlife: Wren Houses Sat, Feb 19, 10-11:30a; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300.

Registration required (ages 10+) Missourians welcome the energetic and exuberant wren each spring.

This small summer resident is a common backyard bird and will utilize abandoned woodpecker holes, bird boxes and other cavities for its habitat. Building your own wren box is a rewarding nature experience and the perfect thing to do on a winter day. Make plans to reserve your spot to learn about wrens and build your own nesting box. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364.

KC Cactus and Succulent Society Club Meeting Sun, Feb 20, 1:30-4p; at Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. Visitors are welcome to attend. See our website: www. kccactus.com or visit us on Facebook.

Virtual Lunchtime Lecture: Harry S Truman, Presidential Farmer Thurs, Feb 24, 11:30a-12:30p; $25 | $12.50 for members; Virtual program via Zoom. Join Doug Richardson (Program Manager, Interpretation and Visitor Services at the Harry S Truman National Historic Site) to learn about how Truman’s upbringing working on his family’s Grandview farm shaped his po-

litical career. Each person will also receive a free general admission ticket to use at Powell Gardens in 2022. Participants must register by Feb 23, 2022. The Zoom link will be sent out 24 hours in advance to registered attendees.

Native Plants: Introduction to Native Landscape Design Virtual Fri, Feb 25, 12-1:30pm; Location: Online only. Registration required (adults) Winter is the perfect time to plan your native plant garden for the upcoming spring. Join our native landscape specialist to learn basic tips and tricks for implementing a successful native landscape design. We’ll discuss various stages of this process including where to draw inspiration from, selecting the right plants and designing with intent. Register online mdc. mo.gov/events or call 1-888-2830364.

Garden to Glass: Tropical Edition Sat, Feb 26, 3-4:30p; at Powell Gardens Greenhouse Complex; $20 per attendee. Take a behind the scenes tour of the Powell Gardens greenhouses while sipping on a tropical favorite, the Mai Tai. Guests will learn the history of the cocktail, then Lead Horticulturalist Eric Perrette will give a tour of the tropical greenhouses within Powell Gardens’ Greenhouse complex.

Flower, Home & Garden Show Sat, Mar 12, 10a-4p; at Heritage Event & Arts Center, 109 Delaware St, Leavenworth, KS 66048.

FREE admission. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners will be making presentations throughout the event. Join us and enter to win GRAND PRIZE–Complimentary lodging plus 2 tickets to the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. Show features flowers, plants, home decor and garden equipment.

Douglas County Master Gardeners Garden Show Sat, Mar 12, 9am-3p; at the Doug-

las County Fairgrounds in Lawrence. “Gardening for a Sustainable Future” show includes expert speakers, educational booths, a bird house and feeder building workshop, a garage sale filled with garden related items, outdoor craft items, vendors, food trucks, and raffle items. If you love all things botanical and meeting fellow gardeners, this is the event for you!

Native Plant Sale Sat, Mar 12, 1-4p; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816-2283766. Walk-in (public) Beautify your landscape with some of Missouri’s best natural resources, native plants! Missouri Wildflower Nursery, and City Roots will be on site with native plant for sale while supplies last.

Paola Plant Sale Apr 28, 29, 30; in the Extension Office parking lot, 913 N Pearl, Paola, KS 66071. Sponsored by the Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardeners (MdC EMGs).

Mark your calendars now!

Promote plant sales, club meetings, classes, and other gardening events for FREE! Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com.

Deadline for publishing in the March issue is February 5.

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The Kansas City Gardener | February 2022

17

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

LAWN

• Rake fallen leaves to prevent lawn suffocation.

• Review lawn service contracts.

• Tune up and repair lawn mowers before the spring rush.

• Avoid injury to the grass by keeping foot traffic to a minimum when soil is frozen.

FLOWERS

• Start seeds for transplanting in spring.

• Check fall planted perennials and water as needed.

• Watch for frost heaving of tender perennials and cover.

• Replenish winter mulch around roses and other plants.

• Check bulbs in storage for decay and discard as needed.

• Prepare orders for mail.

• Take a soil test and make needed improvements.

TREES AND SHRUBS

• Check and prevent rabbit damage on young trees and shrubs.

• Water newly planted trees and shrubs as needed.

• Water evergreens if soil is dry and not frozen.

• Apply dormant oil for control of scale and mites.

• Take advantage of warm days and begin spring pruning.

• Wait to prune spring flowering trees and shrubs until after bloom.

• Force twigs of spring shrubs into blooming indoors, adding a splash of color.

• Remove snow carefully from limbs with broom.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Design garden layouts to assist with planning process.

• Order seeds for spring planting.

• Take a soil test. Testing is conducted at all Extension offices in the KC metro.

• Start broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage transplants.

• Prune apple, pear, and cherry trees.

• Prune peach and nectarines just prior to bloom time.

• Select varieties and order new fruit trees.

•C heck for rabbit and rodent damage on fruit trees.

• Apply manure or compost to garden areas and incorporate for soil improvement.

• Prepare garden soil for early planting.

• Avoid working the soil when wet.

•C heck stored seeds for viability and discard old ones.

• Prune grapes, raspberries, and blackberries.

INDOOR PLANTS

• Rotate plants to produce a balanced plant.

• Withhold fertilization until spring light arrives.

• Check plants for insects, mites, and other problems.

• Remove dust from plants by placing in the shower under room temperature water.

• Give a plant to a friend for a winter pickme-up.

• Repot root-bound plants in a 1-inch larger pot.

• Take cuttings of plants to make new ones for friends.

• Shape plants for spring growth to produce a more balanced and attractive plant.

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

February 2022 | kcgmag.com

Using Ice Melts or De-icers

A

lthough freshly fallen snow is beautiful, it brings with it patchy ice that can be hazardous for walking and driving. Beside shoveling and chipping the ice, we often look for other tools to aid in melting the winter precipitation.

Several products on the market, commonly referred to as ice melts or de-icers, can be useful in our battle with old man winter.

Get Growing with Virtual Gardening Classes

chloride can damage the roots of plants.

Urea Urea is a fertilizer that is sometimes used to melt ice. It is much less corrosive than salt but it can still contaminate ground and surface water with nitrates. Urea can damage plants if overused. It is effective to about 21 degrees.

J

ohnson County K-State Extension will be offering classes for the gardening public. Classes are free but registration is required. Classes will be held virtually and start at 6:30 p.m. Upcoming classes include: February 8 – Go Native! Using Native Plants in Your Landscape, Presenter, Lenora Larson, Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardener February 22 – Tips for Seed Starting Success, Presenter, Zac Hoppenstedt, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent March 15 – Incorporating Ground Cover into the Landscape, Presenter, Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent March 29 – Moon Gardening, Presenter, Nancy Chapman, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener April 12 – Successful Organic Gardening, Presenter, Zac Hoppenstedt, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent

Ice melts or de-icers These products can be very effective if used correctly. But if they are overused or misapplied, they can damage the concrete, as well as nearby plant materials, including the lawn and shrubs.

There are five main materials that are used as chemical de-icers: • calcium chloride • sodium chloride or salt • potassium chloride • urea • calcium magnesium acetate.

Calcium chloride The traditional product that has been used is calcium chloride. It will transform ice into a slippery, slimy surface. This product is effective to about minus 25 degrees.

Plants are not likely to be harmed unless excessive amounts are used.

Sodium chloride or salt Salt is the least expensive material available. It is effective to approximately 12 degrees but can damage soil, plants and metals.

Potassium chloride Potassium chloride can also cause serious injury when washed or splashed on foliage. Both calcium chloride and potassium

Calcium magnesium acetate Calcium magnesium acetate or CMA is a newer product that is made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid, the main compound found in vinegar. CMA works differently than other materials in that it does not form brine like salts, but rather helps prevent snow particles from sticking to each other on the surface. It has little effect on plant growth or concrete. The product works best when temperatures remain about 20 degrees.

De-icer Damage All of these products are acceptable for use. Limited use of any of these products should cause little damage. Problems accumulate when they are used excessively and there is not adequate rainfall to wash or leach the material from the area. It is still best to remove the snow and ice by hand when possible and spot treat with the ice melts, thereby using lesser amounts.

If damage from de-icers is going to occur, it will not be noticeable right away. Problems are uncovered in the spring when the plants and grass along the walks are dead.

At that point, there is no remedy for the winter problem.

Article courtesy of K-State Research and Extension, Johnson County.

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Go to https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/classes-events/index.html

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