KCG 03Mar19

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

March 2019

Flower Winners 2019 All-America Selections Part I

What Butterflies Need Time to put up Birdhouses Trees and Shrubs That Screen Gardening in Shade with Native Ferns

Attention Homeowners!

If you’re thinking of adding a water garden this year, here’s why you should call Swan’s Water Gardens.

Today’s Marketplace We realize that you are bombarded with many companies competing for your business. Everyone claiming to be the best or having the best products with the lowest price.

In search of the ultimate Water Garden

The “Water Garden Village”

After 24 years of researching and installing water gardens, we have refined our building techniques to a level that produces the most naturalistic and easiest maintenance water garden you can have built today.

Located on 8 acres dedicated to building and maintaining water gardens. Make a day of strolling through water gardens and quaint shops of our Water Garden Village.

With so many companies just wanting to sell you their products for a price, then leave you We call it the “Four Season Water Garden” alone to deal with the many costly mistakes that for good reason. It’s the water garden for all first-time pond builders and landscapers make. seasons. From the beautiful flowers of summer, to the magical ice sculptures of winter.

We don’t think that’s right!

The best part of the “Four Seasons Water Garden” is its guaranteed from leaking for When you entrust Swan’s Water Gardens with your business, you get more than just the 5 full years! The longest guarantee in the materials to build your pond. industry.

You’ll be able to see container water features you can build for as little as $295, ideal for small patios or courtyards.

You get over 24 years of pond building experience and knowledge to go with your purchase. We are going to be here to assist you with the step-by-step pond building process from start to finish, or we can build it for you.

Your end result, a Water Garden Paradise.

Why do we stand behind our work for so long? Very simple, when you hire Swan’s Water Gardens to build your water garden, it’s the beginning of our relationship, not the end!

So if you’re looking for a company you’ll never hear from again, we’re probably not the company you’re looking for.

We also have many more display gardens ranging in price from $2,500 up to $40,000 for a more elaborate feature built by Swan’s Water Gardens.

We have many exciting events and classes scheduled for 2019 so be sure to watch for them in upcoming issues of The Kansas City Gardener.

We are Kansas City’s only full service water garden company that carries everything you’ll need to complete and enjoy your water garden lifestyle.

We’re Living and Loving The Water Garden Lifestyle!

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4385 W 247th St, Louisburg, KS Retail hours starting March 15: Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 9am-4pm; Closed Sunday and Monday

We back our Water Garden installations with a 5 year leak free guarantee!

The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

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The Kansas City

editor’s notes

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Gardeners, we grow stories

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Contributors Abby Byrd Nik and Theresa Hiremath Lenora Larson Diana Par-Due Dennis Patton Judy Penner Tamra Reall Ed Reese Chelsea Didde Rice Scott Woodbury Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

How to Reach Us ...

P.O. Box 8725 Prairie Village, KS 66208 Phone: 913-648-4728 For advertising information contact Michael Cavanaugh at mike@kcgmag.com Submit editorial questions to Elizabeth Cavanaugh at elizabeth@kcgmag.com

See us on the Web: www.kcgmag.com

Don’t Miss A Single Issue!

Get a subscription for yourself or your favorite gardener.

See page 31.

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March 2019 | kcgmag.com

J

ust when you have decided for the last time (again!) that no redeeming qualities remain in television network programming, redemption occurs. The local public television channel aired “Changing Season: On the Masumoto Family Farm” (original air date May 2016). This program “chronicles a transitional year-inthe-life of famed farmer, slow food advocate, and sansei, David “Mas” Masumoto, and his compelling relationship with daughter Nikiko, who returns to the family farm with the intention of stepping into her father’s work boots.”

Beyond my personal fondness for tasty peaches–for which they are known–I was keenly interested in learning the history of this three-generation family farm. The feature was filled with vignettes on multiple topics, like farm life versus professional careers, the experience of Japanese internment, relationships among family members, farm workers, and personal conflict, to name a few. Hungry for more, I went searching further.

From their website (masumoto. com), “We grow stories. On the Masumoto Family Farm we culti-

vate Certified Organic peaches, nectarines, and grapes (for raisins). We do our best to sustainably farm our 80 acres south of Fresno and share our harvests through food, writing, and art.

We love what we do.”

That’s it! There it was, my eureka moment: “We grow stories.” Isn’t that what gardeners do? Whether we know it or not, there is a story waiting to be cultivated in every garden.

Perhaps you are unaware of your garden’s history. You’ve only lived there a short while and are just getting to know what is planted. That’s your story!

Conversely, those who have been gardening since ... since ... since walking to school in five feet of snow ... wearing only flipflops and a windbreaker ... uphill both ways ... was commonplace, well they have plenty of stories to tell.

Recently, the high school freshman that lives across the street interviewed me for her journalism project. The follow-up meeting

included a tour of our landscape. Thankfully her smartphone recorded our conversation.

There was so much to talk about, she would be in the 11th grade before I finished.

Mr. Gardener likes to tell the story of a wild geranium that was a gift from his mother. This native perennial returns dependably every season and puts on a lovely show. And characteristically, the geranium has hopped the pathway to reseed the neighboring bed. His mother gets a kick out of that part of the story.

What stories does your garden hold? Which plants were gifted from fellow gardeners? Is there a tree that the kids climbed or that provided a generation of swinging?

How memories generated when you hear the wind chime?

What stories are waiting to be told in your garden?

I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue March 2019 • Vol. 24 No. 3 Ask the Experts ........................ 6 Time to put up Birdhouses ......... 8 Native Ferns for Shade ............ 10 Paola Plant Sale ...................... 12 What Butterflies Need .............. 14 2019 Flower Winners .............. 16 Rose Report ............................ 18 Bird Facts ............................... 19 Tulip Time ............................... 20

Healthy Yard Expo ................... 21 Trees and Shrubs That Screen ... 22 Herb Profile: Marjoram ............ 23 Kids Ask Dr. Bug ..................... 24 Upcoming Events ..................... 25 Garden Calendar .................... 30 Meet a Master Gardener .......... 31 Hotlines .................................. 31 Subscribe ................................ 31

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about the cover ...

It has been almost 50 years since All-America Selections crowned a nasturtium winner, so you know Nasturtium Baby Rose must be good! Learn about all the flower winners beginning on page 16. Photo courtesy of all-americaselections.org.

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Plants don’t get to choose, but you do.

Osmocote® Smart-Release® Plant Food Flower & Vegetable Feeds continuously and consistently for up to 4 full months.

If you grow your own, grow with Osmocote®. © 2019, The Scotts Company, LLC. All rights reserved

The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

5

Ask the Experts DEFINE SWEET AND SOUR SOIL Question: I keep reading about “sweet” soils. What does that mean?

Answer: Sweet and sour when it comes to gardening is not a Chinese entree. The term sweet or sour is slang for the pH level.

A sweet soil would have a higher pH, above 7. Sweet or alkaline refers to high pH. Sour soil, then, could also be called acidic or a pH below 7. Keep in mind the pH of a soil cannot be known without a soil test. There is no way to look at soil, touch it, or smell it to know whether it is sweet or sour. Most plants prefer a slightly sour soil.

By the way, all the areas Extension offices provide soil testing for a nominal fee. Johnson County has a program for a free soil test for county residents. Don’t expect a

fortune cookie with your soil test.

That comes with the Chinese meal.

MOVE HYDRANGEA WHILE DORMANT Question: I need to relocate a few Paniculata hydrangea plants this spring. What steps are needed to ensure they survive and thrive?

Answer: The primary goal is to transplant while they are fully dormant. As soon as the soil is dry and the harshest winter weather has past, lift the plants and move to the new location. Depending on the age of the bush, you have several options. For a smaller plant that can be person-handled, simply dig around the plant, about a foot or so, and lift and move to the new location. Prune back half or more to help balance root and top growth.

For a very mature shrub, you might just want to dig out a por-

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners.

Gardeners have plenty of questions about soil and plant issues, DENNIS PATTON answers a few of them here.

It is best to prune Paniculata hydrangea during dormancy.

For beginner vegetable gardeners, start with planting lettuce. It is easy to grow.

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tion of the larger plant – something more manageable in size. Replant, prune, water thoroughly and treat like a new plant for the rest of the summer keeping it evenly moist. I transplanted one of mine last year when fully dormant, and the soil fell off resulting in a bare root plant. Even though it was a hot, dry summer, the hydrangea did fine.

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JUST A-SWINGIN’ FROM A TREE Question: I am thinking of putting up a tree swing for my kids. Will it hurt the tree? Is there anything I can do to prevent damaging the tree?

Answer: So you want to be a swinger? Go ahead put up the tree swing and have fun. The first job is to select the branch. Strong and sturdy with a wide crotch angle will hold the most weight and withstand the swinging motion. The rope that goes around the branch should not be allowed to cut into the bark layer which will harm the tree. It might be a good idea to place a buffer such as a piece of rubber between the rope and tree.

Also, tie a knot that will expand as the branch grows. It is amazing how quickly the branch expands and over time the rope can girdle

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the limb. This will weaken the limb or cause it to die. Outside of that, I would not worry about the swing harming the tree. You are never too old to swing – so have fun.

GROWING VEGETABLES FOR THE FIRST TIME Question: I have never grown vegetables before. What can I plant in March and what grows best here in Kansas City?

Answer: Here is my short and sweet answer. Google the term “Kansas Garden Guide.” Up will pop a link to your one-stop shopping for everything vegetable gardening in the Kansas City area.

My favorite chart is at the back of the book. It is a graph that shows when to plant and when to expect your harvest of all veggie crops.

We have three distinct planting times for gardens; the early spring period – with planting occurring mid-March through mid-April, the summer season – planting in May/ June, and the fall season – planting in August/September.

Spring crops are mainly the salad plantings. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots, beets, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes and peas, to name a few, all fit in this category. The spring planting season in my mind kicks off with the traditional St. Patrick’s Day planting of Irish potatoes. I also like to get my broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage in as close to that date as possible.

I hope you catch the bug and have great success. Remember, we are there to help. Our gardening hotline is just a phone call away

(913-715-7050) or send us an email to garden.help@jocogov.org.

DIGGING WATER WELL MIGHT BE TOO MUCH MONEY IN THE LONG RUN Question: I want to get a well dug so I can water my landscape in Overland Park. (I saw it on “This Old House.”) Do I start with an irrigation company or should I start with trying to find a service that will dig and install the well?

Where is the best place to locate it in my yard?

Answer: No, you don’t want a well. There are too many hoops and restrictions on digging water wells.

In addition, there are pumps and tanks to keep up. I personally don’t think that the expense will save you money in the long run. Besides, the Johnson County area has very little areas of underground water.

The chances of finding a vein of water on your postage size city lot are highly unlikely. The last few people I know that attempted to dig a water well came up empty. There are no guarantees, and you still pay even if you don’t hit water. My advice is to keep the hose connected to a municipal supply of water.

Trust me as a Kansas farm boy depending on well water to drink, water the livestock and water the garden, it is nice to have the faucet right outside the backdoor.

When Good Plants Go Bad Workshop Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m.

913-715-7000 • $10 per person We all want gardens with beautiful flowers, fruit or foliage. What we may not realize is some plants have the ability to reseed into nature, choking out the native plants.

This class will explore landscape plantings that have escaped and become invasive.

Learn what not to plant to protect our native areas.

Location: Johnson County Extension Office, 11811 South Sunset, Olathe, KS 66061 Presenter: Nancy Chapman, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener Preregistration Requested: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register /eventReg?oeidk=a07eg1ofz00d0f0ed46&oseq=&c=&ch=

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.

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The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

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Time to put up Birdhouses Local birding expert, THERESA HIREMATH discusses birdhouses–which birds use what type and for what reason.

S

pring is a great time of year to put up a birdhouse, and the earlier the house is up, the better your chances of attracting nesting activity. If you’ve left your birdhouses out over winter, it is likely the birds have taken shelter in one during the long cold nights, and they will know the location of your house when looking for a nesting spot. Most backyard birds in our area are beginning to scout for nesting sites, or are even now in the process of final selection.

Cavity-nesting birds will readily use a nest box if it is in the right habitat. Local cavity-nesting birds to attract to your birdhouse include bluebirds, Carolina wrens, house wrens, chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, and nuthatches. In addition to the above birds, Cardinals, blue jays, robins, mourning doves,

and Carolina wrens may elect to use a nesting shelf if provided.

Bluebird houses have been particularly helpful in the conservation of the species. Bluebird populations were decreasing during the early to mid 20th century due to reduced natural nesting cavities, invasive species taking over available nest cavities, and the widespread use of pesticides. In response, bluebird trails with birdhouses were installed across the country, and the population is now recovering.

Birdhouses should be placed in the right habitat for the type of bird you are trying to attract.

Bluebird houses should face south or southeast, should be mounted in a stationary position (not hanging to where the box may sway in the wind), and should be placed in an open area away from shrubs and

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A functional birdhouse does not have a perch. trees to reduce the chances of a house wren taking the house.

Woodpecker houses should be placed within a stand of trees, and should be approximately 12 feet off the ground. Other houses can be hung or mounted from 5 feet to 20 feet off the ground, depending on the bird you are trying to attract.

Do not place birdhouses near bird feeders. Bird moms prefer the relative peace and security away from feeder activity.

As a general rule, goldfinches, house finches, mockingbirds, house sparrows, hummingbirds, and orioles will not make use of a birdhouse, choosing instead to nest in open fields and trees.

It is important that any house you put outdoors meets the proper housing specifications for birds.

Houses should have good insulation and ventilation. Panels of wood that are ¾ inches thick help provide insulation from extreme heat or cold, and recycled plastic should be at least ½ inch thick.

Holes near the top of the house allow for the heat to escape and holes at the bottom are important to the health of the baby birds by ensuring adequate drainage. An overhanging roof provides shade

and protection from driving rains.

A functional birdhouse does not have a perch, as a perch can serve as a platform from which predators can raid the nest.

Birdhouses should be cleaned out at the end of the nesting season.

The box can then be left up for the winter, as the birds will huddle together inside during inclement weather for shelter and warmth.

Covering or blocking the ventilation and drainage holes will help keep much-needed warmth inside the box during the cold winter nights. An added benefit of leaving the box up during winter is that the birds will know the location of the box when they are ready to nest in the spring.

There are several other things you can do to make your backyard more attractive to nesting birds, as well. Ensure your birds have a reliable source of fresh bird food, and fresh water to drink, by installing a birdbath. Leave dead trees standing as long as they are in no danger of falling. Tree snags provide a great source of insect food and nest sites. Remove any dead limbs if necessary, and create brush piles that provide shelter for fledgling birds. Feed high-protein foods such as mealworms, peanuts, and suet.

Additionally, calcium enriched bird foods help replace the calcium females lose during egg production and provide for quick-growing baby bird bones.

Enticing birds to nest in your yard through proper habitat and safe birdhouses is great for your birds and a fun, rewarding activity for your family. If you would like more information about nesting boxes and making your backyard more attractive to nesting birds, our backyard birdfeeding experts are here to answer any questions and help you.

Nik and Theresa Hiremath own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.

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Gardening in Shade with Native Ferns Native plant guru, SCOTT WOODBURY discusses native ferns suitable for shade gardening.

dreaming of warm weather and lots of blooms...

Photos by Scott Woodbury.

T

here are places where even ferns won’t grow, like in the back of Jam-up Cave on the Jack’s Fork River in the Missouri Ozarks, or under porches and under interstate bridges (unless you use grow-lights), and for good reason.

Like the vast majority of plants, ferns use chlorophyll (a green pigment) to convert sunlight into food—food for the plants themselves and every living thing that eats. No sunlight, no survival.

However, ferns perform really well in low-light conditions in woodlands around the entrances of caves, on shady north- and eastfacing wooded slopes, and on cliff faces. In general, ferns need the shade of canopy and understory trees, so let’s begin there.

Not all canopy trees are compatible with ferns or other plants.

Adiantum pedatum

Athyrium pycnocarpon

Maples are notorious for this because they produce a shallow, dense root system that prevent other plants from growing under them. If you walk through a sugar maple forest, you will discover that the understory is empty, like a desert. The same can happen in gardens over time, so avoid gardening under maple trees, especially sugar and red maples. Mature hackber-

ries and bald cypress are also difficult for the same reason, although the roots are a bit more forgiving to plant under. You might think that black walnuts would be bad for ferns, but sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) grows well under them.

Oak, hickory, pine, elm, and black gum are ideal trees to garden under because their trunk-like roots are coarse and spread far apart and wide. This allows ferns and other wildflowers to grow roots down between the tree roots. I particularly love gardening with shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) because they grow fast and are tall and narrow and therefore fit in small garden areas.

Native understory trees like red and Ohio buckeye, rusty blackhaw viburnum, flowering dogwood,

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Common Wood Fern pagoda dogwood, spicebush, serviceberry, witch hazel, pawpaw, persimmon, redbud, wild plum, hornbeam, and hop hornbeam work well with ferns. They are small flowering trees that fit well in tight residential spaces.

If you are wanting to create shade in your yard from full sun, it can take decades for large shade trees to get big enough. The trick is to interplant canopy and understory

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trees to get short-term shade (3–5 years) from the understory species and then long-term shade (10– 30 years) from the canopy trees.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis), wild plum (Prunus americana), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), and hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) grow quickly and will begin to provide a small amount of shade in three to five years. Of the large shade trees, shortleaf pine, bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) grow the fastest, up to 20–25 feet, and, with good soil present, provide decent shade in ten years.

When starting with full sun, plant canopy and understory trees first. Then, as shade patterns get big enough (in 3–5 years), plant ferns and other shade-loving perennials and grasses. As the trees cast more and more shade, plant more and more ferns and perennials to expand planting beds incrementally over time. If you are lucky enough to begin with large canopy and understory trees, then proceed to the next paragraph.

The easiest native ferns to grow and buy are sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), lady fern (Athyrium felix-femina), and the fern relative, scouring rush (Equisetum hyemale). These are relatively easy to grow in gardens and are rabbit resistant. Each have special needs and uses. Ostrich fern, sensitive fern, and scouring rush sucker to form groundcovers.

Ostrich fern fiddleheads (unfurling fronds in early spring) are edible.

Scouring rush, with upright rushlike, ridgid stems, is very aggressive and should be either contained or let go to form large colonies.

Maidenhair, lady, and Christmas ferns are clump-forming and grow relatively slowly. Christmas is the most drought-tolerant of the above ferns and is evergreen. Lady and maidenhair ferns need supplemental watering to stay green during drought periods and must be protected from overcrowding by neighboring plants. Sensitive and royal ferns grow well in wet sites like shady rain gardens and poorlydrained low areas.

There are about 70 fern species that grow wild in Missouri,

yet fewer than a dozen native species are available commercially in the Midwest and southeastern United States because ferns are difficult for nurseries to propagate. Shaw Nature Reserve sells a handful of species at our annual Mother’s Day weekend Shaw Wildflower Market. Several Grow Native! professional members sell

ferns (consult the Resource Guide at www.grownative.org). The next closest native plant nurseries who sell native ferns are Prairie Nursery in Wisconsin and North Creek Nursery in Pennsylvania.

Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature

Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 27 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of ferns and other native plants and native plant services, at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide.

Talk with the experts Discover greener choices for your yard and home How-to tutorials & seminars StoneLion Puppet Theatre: Frog Prints 10 a.m. – noon

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The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

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Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale in Paola This year, choose plants for butterflies and bees

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he butterflies and bees need your help. As a gardener, you have the power to help rescue our pollinators and halt their declining numbers. All they need is food and shelter. All you need to do is plant the right plants.

Paola-area Extension Master Gardeners are on a mission to educate the public about the need to help save the butterflies and bees.

That’s why the Marais des Cygnes EMG Plant Sale will feature an extensive collection of beautiful butterfly host plants—caterpillar food plants sought out by certain persnickety species of butterfly moms on which to lay their eggs.

Butterfly expert Lenora Larson will be on hand during the sale to answer questions, provide handouts, and guide shoppers toward the best selections.

Not all flowers produce nectar or make it readily accessible to

Pollinators attracted by these colorful marigolds will also visit and fertilize your bean flowers.

Result: more beans for eating and canning. pollinators. So the EMGs are also gathering the best pollinator plants in one place so that you can choose those varieties most beneficial to our bees and other pollinators.

Beekeeper Vickie Vetter-Scruggs will be ready to answer pollen and nectar questions.

Finch love sunflower and nyjer!

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

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The sale will be held on April 25-26-27 in the Family Center parking lot, 808 Baptiste Drive, in Paola. The timing is perfect for home gardeners who are itching to get outside and begin working in their 2019 gardens.

Plants are all locally grown, so buyers can be confident their purchases are right for Midwest clay soil and unpredictable weather conditions.

In addition to host and pollinator plants, shoppers will also find other native plants and perennials; native woodies; colorful annuals for containers and bedding; tropicals and succulents; vegetable transplants for unbeatable homegrown taste; and gorgeous hanging baskets for instant beauty.

Mark your calendar now, and save the last weekend in April for the Paola Plant Sale.

For more information contact the Extension Office at 913-294-4306.

Did you know that Honey Bees can’t pollinate your tomato flowers? Our native Bumble Bees are the pollinators for Tomato flowers which require “sonication” to release their pollen.

Attracting Pollinators to Increase Yields Seventy percent of the food we eat depends on the services of pollinators, primarily bees. Adding beefriendly plants to your vegetable garden can increase your harvest of delectable fruits and vegetables. Come shop our selection of bee-friendly plants.

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Here’s to the tickle of grass between your toes, games that can be played with a drink in hand, and a fireworks display of amazingly colorful blooms.

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The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

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What Butterflies Need LENORA LARSON teaches valuable information about critical elements necessary for butterflies and caterpillars.

Understanding Complete Metamorphosis A brief biology lesson assists in understanding why butterfly gardening emphasizes caterpillar food plants rather than flowers. Insects such as butterflies, moths, beetles, bees, flies and ants experience life in four completely separate stages.

Called “complete metamorphosis,” each step of the life cycle looks very different and has different needs and purposes. Until the 1800s, scientists assumed that caterpillars and butterflies were different, unrelated animals! The first stage, the egg, functions like a plant’s seed, carrying the genetic information for the next generation. The caterpillars are singleminded eating machines, shedding their skins five times as they grow to full size. Then they must find a

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March 2019 | kcgmag.com

This glorious adult Pipevine Swallowtail will nectar on many different nectar-rich flowers.

Photos by Lenora Larson.

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ll animals need the basics of life, including shelter, food, water and freedom from the three Ps: Predators, Pollution and Pesticides. Insects like butterflies may be confusing because the habitat and dietary needs of the immature larval stages are usually quite different from the adults.

Most beginning butterfly gardeners focus on the needs of the adults and proudly boast about their flowers, not realizing that they do not have a butterfly garden unless they meet the needs of all four stages of the butterfly’s life. The beautiful winged adult butterfly is only one of four stages and focuses solely on reproduction; they do not eat or grow. Caterpillars do all the eating and if you do not feed these children, you will not have the glorious adults.

However, the picky Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar can only eat pipevines. Unless you or a near neighbor has a pipevine, you will never see the beautiful adult in your garden. suitable spot to pupate as a chrysalis, which is the magic chamber where the caterpillar transforms into the reproductive winged adult.

Additional Needy Details Yes, most butterflies visit flowers, but not just any beautiful flower, it must be “nectar-rich.”

Hybrids and cultivars may not have nectar so you should focus on the straight species of native flowers and your grandmother’s heirloom flowers. All these nectar-rich flowers require full sun because it takes a lot of energy to produce nectar.

Likewise, the cold-blooded butterflies need the energy of the sun to jump-start their metabolism. If you have only shade in your yard and are determined to have butterflies, get out the chainsaw. Adults also need wind-breaks, sunny rocks for basking and males need a puddling area. The chrysalids and adults require shelter during inclement weather and winter. A brush pile is perfect plus areas with standing stems and leafy debris year-round.

Do NOT clean up your garden in the fall, you risk killing next year’s butterflies that are sleeping among the fallen leaves or on twigs and bark.

Summary The butterfly lives its life in four stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult. You can attract the largest number and variety of butterflies to your garden by providing the requirements for all four stages

Butterfly Gardener’s Checklist NO INSECTICIDES Caterpillar food plants Nectar-rich flowers Sunny with windbreak Flat rocks for basking Wet spot for puddling Areas of brush and stems No winter clean-up of each species’ life cycle. The egg and caterpillar depend on their unique plant host. The chrysalis needs an undisturbed area while it transforms, and many of the adults sip nectar, rotting fruit, tree sap or moist scat. The universal requirements? FULL SUN and NO INSECTICIDES! Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardener, Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society member, Lenora Larson gardens and hosts butterflies in the cruel winds and clay soil of Paola, Kansas. She may be contacted at lenora.longlips@gmail.com.

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The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

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Flower Winners 2019 All-America Selections Part I As we welcome spring, CHELSEA DIDDE RICE introduces the All-America Selections 2019 Flower Winners.

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s we officially begin the gardening season, take a moment to learn about some newcomers–the 2019 All-America Selections Flower Winners! AllAmerica Selections (www.allamericaselections.org) is an independent non-profit organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties for the home gardener.

After a full season of anonymous trialing by volunteer horticulture professionals, only the top garden performers are given the AAS Winner award designation for their superior performance.

Because these varieties are so new to the market, it may be tough (but not impossible) to get your hands on them for the 2019 growing season. If you are searching for one, I’d suggest calling around to several garden centers and asking about availability before making the trip.

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Begonia Viking™ XL Red on Chocolate F1 This dark leaved begonia remains richly colored throughout the whole season, no matter where it’s located: north, south, east or west. Bright red, one-inch wide flowers cover the plant and bloom continuously. Professional landscapers choose this extra large begonia to make a statement in large public gardens because it grows 28-34 inches tall and maintains a tight, mounded shape without becoming rangy.

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Marigold Big Duck Gold F1 Big Duck Gold pops out so many fluffy golden blooms all season long that you will swear there’s a group of ducklings in your flower bed! The 15-inch tall plants are lauded by experts as being the perfect size for beds, containers, landscapes, mini hedges or between young perennial plants just starting to bulk up.

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Marigold Big Duck Orange F1 The second winner in the Big Duck series, Big Duck Gold continuously blooms throughout the season, showcasing fully double and vibrant four-inch orange blooms on top of sturdy plants. Judges praised this plant’s superior disease, rain, heat and drought resistance. It’s a solid, easy-to-grow, low maintenance annual.

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Marigold Big Duck Yellow F1 A yellow variety of the Big Duck series, Big Duck Yellow has fully double, bright yellow blooms that dramatically contrast the deep green foliage for a show stopping display. This one is a must-have for landscapes and containers where you need a cheerful pop of pure happiness.

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Marigold Garuda Deep Gold F1 If you’re looking to bring the beauty of the garden inside with freshly cut flowers, here is one to add to your list. Marigold Garuda Deep Gold grows two to four feet tall and provides bright orange flowers on a strong, vigorous plant, producing through the end of September. Flowers from this marigold can last up to 10 days in a vase.

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March 2019 | kcgmag.com

Nasturtium Baby Rose It’s been almost 50 years since AAS crowned a nasturtium winner, so you know this one must be good! Baby Rose is a mounding, small flowered variety with dark, subtle foliage that’s perfect for containers and small space gardens. The careful breeding of Baby Rose produced a consistent flower color and upright stems, so no more “flower flopping!” Isn’t that an exciting development?

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Petunia Wave® Carmine Velour F1 Wave® petunias have another winner with Carmine Velour. This vibrant, vigorous plant is perfect for in ground planting, containers or hanging baskets and will reach a size of six to eight inches tall and three feet wide. Worried about deadheading spent flowers on this stunner? Never fear–this top performer rarely needs spent blooms removed because new blooms continuously open and cover old ones.

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Vinca Mega Bloom Polka Dot F1 Mega Bloom Polka Dot is aptly named, considering the large (three to four inches) blooms each have bright white petals connected by a bright pink center dot. The entire Mega Bloom series has been bred to withstand humidity and hot weather without falling to disease, and this one is no exception.

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Zinnia Holi Scarlet F1 Named after the famous Holi Festival of Colors, this vivid zinnia displays strikingly colored, deep red flowers all season long. AAS judges applauded the variety’s number of blooms, bright color and disease resistance, which is far superior to its competitors. Add Holi Scarlet to your garden and enjoy compact, mounding plants full of fresh blooms.

Now that we’ve covered the flower winners, keep an eye out for the April 2019 issue which will profile the 2019 All-America Selections Vegetable Winners!

When Chelsea Didde Rice isn’t at work as a senior communications specialist, she’s an avid gardener who enjoys teaching people how easy it can be to garden.

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Photos courtesy of All-America Selections, www.all-americaselections.org

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March Rose Report JUDY PENNER talks about the importance of rose garden soil and adding organic materials.

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oses that have been in your garden for many years can start to gradually decline.

Many times when you dig up these plants you may find that the soil near the root zone is compacted, as if no soil amendment has been done. The common belief that adding organic matter to the planting hole will keep the soil around the rose roots crumbly forever is a myth.

Organic material is constantly being broken down (eaten) by soil bacteria. When soil has a good structure due to organic material, oxygen in the air moves readily into it, which increases the rate that bacteria breaks down the organic material.

This loss of organic material through bacterial digestion will eventually reduce the good soil

structure. The loss of organics and soil structure leads to increased soil compaction and reduction of oxygen for the roots. This lack of oxygen will literally suffocate the roots leading to a loss of plant vigor.

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One remedy to this problem is total renovation of the rose bed, deeply digging in large quantities of organic material. A very effective technique but a costly and time-consuming project.

Another remedy is adding significant organic material to the root zone on a regular basis. Two to four inches of compost applied and worked into the soil annually will prevent the loss of good soil structure.

After spreading the compost dig it in well to a depth of eight to 10 inches in the areas between the plants. Continue digging right up to the crowns but taper the depth to around 4 inches near the trunk making sure you do not damage the trunk.

Many times people are concerned about damaging the feeder

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Judy Penner is Expert Rosarian at Loose Park, Kansas City, Mo. You may reach her at judy.penner@ kcmo.org.

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roots of the roses that are near the soil surface. But if your rose is suffering, the feeder roots are not going to be of much value anyway.

When digging in the compost, some rose roots may be encountered. Don’t worry. Cutting a few roots will not harm a healthy rose, especially when the benefit of adding compost outweighs the decline of roses without compost amendment.

If you routinely incorporate organic matter into the root zone, you will ensure continued soil health and structure, which will prolong the health of your rose plant.

I also wanted to remind you that the Spring Demonstration/ Workshop will be happening on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will be held at the Loose Park Garden Center, in the Loose Park Rose Garden. I will show you how to plant and prune your roses for spring. We will have a special speaker Dr. Raymond Cloyd, K-State Entomologist. The title of his talk is “OH NO… what can I do about Japanese Beetles?”

You won’t want to miss this!

Hope to see you there, and remember to stop and smell the roses!

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KCGMAG.COM

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Bird Facts ED REESE talks about March migrators Orioles and Hummers.

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arch is the month we say goodbye to dreary winter days, and realize that spring is in the air. A few other things will be in the air too.

March is also the start Baltimore Orioles and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrating from their over wintering grounds of Central and South America. They don’t travel all at once though. Orioles, and Rubythroated Hummingbirds will start to arrive at the end of March.

Both species may take anywhere from two to three months to complete the journey. This prevents either species from experiencing a catastrophic weather event, while traveling north. Usually, the first ones spotted in this area, proceed to their old “haunts” further north. With these birds traveling

through, or stopping, mid to late March is a good time to catch sightings of both birds.

An orange feeder with grape jelly will be a welcomed sight for Orioles, and a red nectar feeder will be welcomed sight by Hummingbirds too.

Having both types of feeders out by late March will often lead to the Orioles and Hummingbirds that do hang around here for the Summer, to keep the feeders on their visitation list through the summer.

Ed and Karen Reese own and operate the Wild Bird House in Overland Park. The store has been provisioning outdoor backyard bird lovers for over 26 years.

Contact them at 913-341-0700.

It’s a great time to add nutrient-rich compost for a better planting season and a more beautiful yard.

Compost improves soil structure, helps retain moisture and protect plants.

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Tulip Time 2019 100,000 tulips in three locations plus two special events usher in spring in Shawnee County.

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ulip Time 2019 is set for April 5-22. The event features more than 100,000 tulips in Shawnee County Parks + Recreation’s three featured gardens – Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee, Old Prairie Town/ Ward-Meade Botanical Garden and Doran Rock Garden and surrounding areas in Gage Park.

There are two special events in addition to regular self-guided tours through the gardens. Tulips at Twilight was a hit in its first year, last year with more than 40,000 tulips illuminated by candle light and lighted displays. This year features more than 30 lighted displays including 15-foot tall illuminated tulips and larger-than-life illuminated flowers along candlelit pathways. Patrons may enjoy live music and Old Prairie Town building

tours on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tulips at Twilight is set for 6-10 p.m. April 12-28. Admission

is a $5 donation with children five and under free.

Tulip Time Festival the Lake is back for a fifth year at Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee.

The event is from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

April 7. A $5 donation is suggested for the day which features classic cars, food trucks, photography and musical performances.

Tulip Time has been attended in the past by people from 86 cities in 30 states, as well as visitors from the United Kingdom, India, Russia, Australia and the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Tulip Time is an annual destination popular with everyone from area residents to out-of-state visitors on bus tours. A $5 donation is suggested at Ted Ensley Gardens and Old Prairie Town/Ward-Meade Botanical Garden to help cover the cost of the event and enable Tulip Time to continue in future years.

Guided tours for groups of 15 or more with advance reservations are available at Ted Ensley Gardens (785) 251-6800 and Old Prairie Town/Ward-Meade Botanical Garden (785) 251-6989.

Tulip Time began nearly 30 years ago in the home gardens of Jerold and Joan Binkley. Mr. Binkley desired to create an ongoing and beautiful countywide event with Tulip Time. Today the event draws visitors from around the nation.

Following the blooming season for the tulips, the bulbs are removed from the gardens and sold to the public. The dates for the sale are contingent upon when the tulips bloom this year.

Tulip Time is a combined effort of Friends of Ted Ensley Gardens, Friends of Ward-Meade, the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Foundation, Shawnee County Parks + Recreation and Visit Topeka.

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March 2019 | kcgmag.com

Healthy Yards Expo promotes green lawn and garden practices

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he Tenth Annual Johnson County Healthy Yards Expo on Saturday, April 6, can help you make greener choices for your yards and homes. This free Earth-friendly lawn and garden event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shawnee Civic Centre, located at 13817 Johnson Drive in Shawnee.

The expo highlights many simple and easy environmentallyfriendly practices that can be done to achieve a nice yard. Johnson County K-State Research and Extension is teaming with Johnson County Stormwater Management and the cities of Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe and Shawnee to present the event.

Local businesses, non-profits, city and county departments will offer seminars and tips that help Johnson County and surrounding area residents. “The expo promotes eco-friendly practices and provides education so that you can do your part for clean water, air and healthy soils while maintaining an attractive landscape,” said Dennis Patton, horticulture agent for Johnson County Extension.

Visitors to the Expo can: Enter to win door prizes Get a free tree seedling (while supplies last) Visit with Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners and local plant

societies for expert advice on gardening and plant cultivation.

Talk with city representatives to find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about cost share programs for establishing rain garden and rain barrels.

Listen to informative speakers on topics such as native plants, composting, organic gardening and edible landscaping Kids can enjoy a free performance by Stone Lion Puppet Theatre with their new show, The Frog Prints. Showtime 10 a.m. followed by a craft time with Stone Lion.

Shop our Native Plant Sale!

Choose from over 1,000 native plants selected specifically to thrive in your garden. Locally and organically grown, shop the best native plants for our area.

Free soil tests Johnson County residents get one free soil test, compliments of Johnson County Stormwater Management and Johnson County Extension. It is important to know the nutrient levels in order to grow healthy plants and protect the water quality in our local streams and lakes. Bring your soil sample to the expo. Learn how to take a soil sample by visiting the website.

For more information on the Healthy Yard Expo, visit www. johnson.k-state.edu or call 913715-7000.

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21

Trees and Shrubs That Screen ABBY BYRD guides us through the top five choices for trees and shrubs that will screen ugly, awful views.

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oes one side of your house have an unsightly view that you cannot ignore while lounging on your deck? Do you have a pool or a spa, of which you don’t want others having a plain view? While a privacy fence might be an option, there are several trees and shrubs that just might do the trick for a more natural or taller screen. Here are the top five picks for fast-growing, view-blocking, landscape-beautifying trees and shrubs.

Green Giant Arborvitae A fast-growing, narrow evergreen tree, the Green Giant Arborvitae can grow as much as 3 feet per year. It will eventually mature to 40’-50’ tall and 12’-15’ wide, making a dense screen that is sure to block any view.

Canaerti Juniper This tree is a durable, easyto-grow evergreen with a unique, irregular growth habit. This cultivar of the native Eastern Red Cedar will grow in a variety of soils and growing conditions. The growth rate is 12 to 18 inches per year and will mature to 25’-30’ tall and 12’15’ wide.

Green Giant Arborvitae

Canaerti Juniper

Eastern White Pine

Colorado Spruce

Green Mountain Boxwood

tall and 2’ wide. This easy to grow shrub will grow in sun or shade in a variety of soils and growing conditions, making it a great choice for blocking views of unsightly HVAC units or utility boxes.

These evergreens can be planted nearly any time of the year, as long as the ground isn’t frozen.

March is ideal because it allows them time to set some roots before the heat of summer arrives. Be mindful of the amount of rain-

fall we receive throughout the first few years. Newly planted trees and shrubs do best with an average of one inch of rainfall per week.

The first winter, it’s important to make sure the new plants receive adequate water, as well.

Eastern White Pine A fast-growing evergreen tree, the Eastern White Pine is pyramidal when young, becoming broad and irregular as an older tree. It can grow up to two feet per year and matures to 40’-50’ tall, 20’-30’ wide.

Colorado Spruce This evergreen tree is slow growing and pyramidal shaped. Its blue-green needles make for great contrast in the landscape. The Colorado Spruce will grow eight to twelve inches a year maturing to 40’-50’ tall and 15’-20’ wide. It may require supplemental water during periods of heat and drought.

Green Mountain Boxwood This dense, pyramidal evergreen shrub grows slowly to 5’

Abby Byrd has worked at Colonial Gardens for 12 years. She serves as the Greenhouse Coordinator and teaches workshops and painting classes at the garden center.

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March 2019 | kcgmag.com

Marjoram

Happenings at Discovery Center

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arjoram is a beautiful herb whose origin is in the Mediterranean region and packs a punch in flavor and health.

Growing marjoram is surprisingly simple which makes sense as it is closely related to oregano which can thrive in our climate and many other climates around the United States. Kansas City is zone 6 which is slightly out of the hardiness zone for marjoram so in general, unless we have a mild winter, it won’t survive the winter in the ground.

However, it grows well in a pot and can be brought inside for the winter or heavily mulch the plant for the winter and cross your fingers for a warm winter.

Marjoram has a flavor closer to thyme than oregano and can be used dried in soups, salads, rice, meat dishes and more. The real value lies in its medicinal properties which can be realized simply by using it in normal amounts on the foods you already make.

Studies have shown that a mere sprinkle of marjoram can double oxygen radical absorbance capacity or ORAC. What does that mean?

Well, perhaps you’ve heard of antioxidants, which fight oxidation of our cells, the root cause of chronic diseases and aging. So adding marjoram to a salad or smoothie can

double the antioxidants in your food, which is very extraordinary.

Aside from its antioxidant power, marjoram also contains disease fighting properties that slows progress of Alzheimer’s disease by increasing acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter for brain communication, fights growth of leukemia cells, and protects against heart attacks by thinning blood.

Marjoram is a revered herb in Mediterranean that symbolizes love and joy. Brides and grooms in ancient Greece would wear crowns of blooming marjoram on their wedding day because aside from being powerful medicinally and delicious to eat, it also is beautiful and can increase the aesthetics of your herb garden, landscape or pot garden.

Try it this spring and plant it early so it can mature into a large blooming herb during the warm season.

Diana Par-Due is an avid gardener who, when not raising children, raises plants. She dreams of beekeeping and chickens one day when her town makes it legal. Until then, she spends her time writing, reading, and studying as a mature student at a local college and making garden plans she never actually keeps.

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Build a Bluebird House March 16 ∙ Saturday ∙ 10:30–11:30 AM or 12:30–1:30 PM Registration required (ages 10+). Bluebirds are year-round residents in Missouri. They usually begin nesting the first half of March. Perfect timing for this project! Would you like to help increase the local bluebird population while having many hours of enjoyment watching our beautiful state bird? Register for one of these sessions and you will build a bluebird house of your own! Please register only those planning to build a bluebird house. Children must be ages 10+ to register and must be accompanied by an adult. We request a one adult to every four registered children ratio. If you have any questions about registration, please call 816-759-7300.

Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110 816-759-7300 www.mdc.mo.gov/discoverycenter For more information, email discoverycenter@mdc.mo.gov

WATER’S EDGE

DIANA PAR-DUE talks Marjoram that hails from the Mediterranean.

The Eastern Bluebird of Missouri March 16 ∙ Saturday ∙10 AM–2:30 PM Walk-in (all ages). The state bird of Missouri is often associated with cheerfulness! Some say it’s song sounds like “Cheer Cheerful Charmer.” Perhaps that is why the Eastern bluebird is commonly thought of as a symbol of happiness. Join us at the Discovery Center as we learn to identify, foster and monitor Missouri’s beautiful state bird!

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The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

23

Kids Ask Dr. Bug Home to more than plants, kids ask DR. TAMRA REALL about the curious things found in the garden.

Why don’t moths have color?

Aliya, 9 Most, but not all, moths fly at night when there isn’t much light.

As moths are a tasty meal for other animals, camouflage is critical.

Like ninjas, the unshowy colors blend into the background. Many moths look like tree bark, dried-up leaves, or even bird poop. On the other hand, some moths are very colorful as bee or wasp mimics, and some look like hummingbirds.

And still, others are huge, beautiful, fluttering-flowers, such as the Luna and Cecropia moths.

How do insects know when to come out of hibernation?

Caleb, 8 Insects in a hibernation-like state, called diapause, have an impressive ability to “wake up”

at just the right time to start doing their buggy things. Some insects start moving as soon as temperatures outside reach ~50° F, for others it isn’t the temperature that wakes them up. If these insects were to start moving too early and then it got icy again, they wouldn’t survive. What else changes besides temperature throughout the seasons? If you said daylight, you’re right! Many insects respond to the changes in daytime length. When the days are long enough, they know spring is here!

under there–all sorts of organisms thriving on a microscopic scale in a network of tunnels and crevices.

This includes centipedes that hunt other critters and live most or all of their lives without ever seeing the sun. Note: not all centipedes live in the soil! Are you squeamish? If so, don’t read the next part. . . there is a common house centipede that may be a guest in your house. While all those legs look intimidating, it is harmless to you and very helpful by eating other less desirable critters found in your home.

Why do centipedes live in the soil?

Emmanuel, 10 If you could look underground, what do you think you would see?

Even though we feel we’re walking on a solid mass of dirt, there’s a highly structured system going on

I just learned how honey bees stay warm in the winter, but it’s been so cold this year. Are the bees going to be okay?

Emma, 9 You may have learned that honey bees buzz their wings to keep the colony warm through the winter. When hive temperatures dip below 64° F, honey bees cluster together to keep each other, and especially the queen, warm. They move deep into the hive and move around as a group to feed on the honey gathered in the summertime and stored for the cold season. As long as they have enough food nearby, the colony will probably be

April 6- May 25 powellgardens.org/frida

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24

okay even though many individual bees will die. I used to check my hives in the winter by putting my ear on the hive. If I could hear it humming, I knew my bees were still alive.

Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see

Club Meetings African Violet Club of Greater Kansas City Sat, Mar 12, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Membership.

Bonner Springs Garden Club Wed, Mar 20, 12:30pm; at Bonner Springs Methodist Church. A workshop “Petite Design Class” will be given by NGC Master Flower Judge Elaine Holmstrom. Members are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Vaugh-Trent Food Pantry. Everyone is welcome. For more information email bonnerspringsgardenclub@gmail.com.

Bonsai Society of GKC Sat, Mar 23, 9am-12pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Workshop. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Sun, Mar 17, 1-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America Mon, Mar 4, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Basics of vegetable gardening, by Nancy Chapman, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener, in a two-part series. Part 1, Mar 4– what to grow and where to grow it including starting transplants and soil preparation, plus containers, raised beds, trellising and irrigation. Part 2, Apr 1–growing needs of different vegetables, perennial vegetables, and how to deal with insects, disease and animal control.

Questions? Call Joyce at 913-383-0499.

Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group Wed, Mar 13, 11am-12pm; at Rose Room, Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Questions: call Nancy at 816-478-1640.

Leawood Garden Club Tues, Mar 26, 10:30am, at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. This is our Annual Fundraising Auction for donations to gardening-related charities.

Horticultural Hints “Container Gardening” will be presented by club member Nancy Meditz. The meeting and our membership are open to everyone and guests are most welcome. Bring a sack lunch–beverages and desserts are provided. For more information, please visit our website www.leawood.org/ committees/lgc or send an email to leawoodgardenclub@gmail.com.

Mid America Begonia Society Sat, Mar 16, 1-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590

(continued on page 26)

Pure plant inspiration!

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Come pick strawberries later this spring!

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CHECK WEBSITE FOR HOURS, MAILING LIST & SPECIAL EVENTS Downtown Kansas City KS MO

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Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City Sun, Mar 10, Beginners Group for new growers 1:30-2:15pm, General meeting and presentation at 2:15. Film at 3pm; at Lenexa Senior Center, 13420 Oak St, Lenexa, KS. Bill Thoms, “The Amazing World of Bulbophyllums.” Bill is a nationally recognized expert in this genus.

Open to the public. Ribbon Judging of locallygrown orchids. Come join the fun. For more on the KC Orchid Society: www.osgkc.org.

And find us on Facebook.

Plants & Pumpkins

Holmes Rd.

KC Cactus and Succulent Society Sun, Mar 17, 1:30-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City,

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Mar 13, 11am; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Mark McKellar, a wildlife biologist and owner of Backyard Bird Center, will give a presentation on how to attract birds to your garden. He will cover what plants, trees, shrubs and flowers will attract and benefit birds. Also the types of feed to attract specific birds; how to keep squirrels out of your feeders; birds found in our area and other useful topics for the bird enthusiast. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110 816-759-7300 www.mdc.mo.gov/discoverycenter For more information email discoverycenter@mdc.mo.gov

State Line Rd.

Heart of America Gesneriad Sat, Mar 16, 10am-12pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590

Kansas City Garden Club Mon, Mar 4, 10am-2pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, KC, MO 64112.

The public is welcome. ‘Plants Gone Wild’ by Lynn Loughary, Wyandotte County Extension Agent. What have you planted in your garden that has gone out of control? Lynn will show photos and discuss where these plants came from, why they are harmful and what we can do about them. Bring a sack lunch and join us for drinks and dessert after the meeting.

913-636-4956 And Mon, Apr 1, 10am-2pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, KC, MO 64112.

The public is welcome. ‘The Scrounge of the Earth–Japanese Beetles! What Can One do?’

by Chris Veach, Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City member. Where and why did these plant destroyers so suddenly show up in KC to create such havoc in our gardens and lawns? Chris will give you the most upto-date details. Bring a sack lunch and join us for drinks and desserts after the meeting.

913-636-4956

Do you have soggy spots, drainage problems or erosion in your yard? Do you also like flowers and butterflies? Then join Stephen VanRhein, MDC Community Conservation Planner, and David Dods, Environmental Engineer of Hazardous Waste Sites, to learn how to choose native plants for water smart landscaping. This presentation will include plant adaptations for wet and dry conditions, analyzing moisture and drainage conditions in your yard, managing water movement through your landscape, improving soil to help infiltration and hold moisture and picking plants for soggy spots, drainage and erosion. Control and conserve water in your yard while also creating beautiful habitat for butterflies and pollinators. All proceeds support KCNPI’s mission to promote more native landscapes in the Kansas City region.

Advanced tickets are required and are available at https://kcnpi.org/2019workshops.

State Rte D

GKC Water Garden Society Tues, Mar 19, doors open 5:30pm for snacks and socializing; at Our Lady of Sorrows Church lower level meeting room, 2552 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. At 6:30pm our first speaker is Keith Wheeler, a retired engineer who uses his engineering background and his artistic eye to design light weight custom made hypertufa planters for mini-hostas, succulents, herbs, annuals, perennials and fairy gardens. He also uses antique metal and re-purposed objects to create planter stands. Mr. Wheeler will show us his process, offer classes and bring a variety of samples that will be for sale. At 7:30pm our featured speakers are Kevin and Dan Stanza from Good Earth Watergardens. Their topic for this evening is “Diving into Bogs”. How can you add a bog to an existing pond and how can you incorporate a bog in your dream pond design of the future? What does a bog do to your ecosystem? These questions and more will all be answered. Visitors are always welcome!

MO. Visitors are welcome. For information on the Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society, call 816-444-9321 or visit our website: kccactus.com.

Rain Water in Your Back Yard: Native Plants for Soggy Spots, Drainage and Erosion Control March 19 ∙ Tuesday ∙ 6:30–8 PM

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The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

25

1/4 pg ad for March and April issues of KC Gardener magazine

Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see

Paola Plant Sale Thursday, April 25 11 am to 5 pm Friday, April 26 8 am to 5 pm Saturday, April 27 8 am to noon Pollinator Plants 808 Baptiste Drive, Butterfly Host Plants Paola, KS 66071 Midwest Native Plants the Baptiste Drive exit Annuals • Perennials Take off Hwy. 169 and turn west.

Tropicals • Succulents The sale is in the Family Vegetable Transplants Center parking lot.

Sponsored by Master Gardener Research and Extension

Marais des Cygnes District

(continued from page 25) Overland Park Gardeners of America Mon, Mar 11, Meeting and hospitality at 7pm, Speaker at 7:30pm; at Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Chris Veach of Kansas City Master Gardeners tells us how to manage Japanese Beetles in our gardens.

Everyone is welcome, we have treats. Contact Holly Ramsay (913-302-2014) for more info.

Raytown Garden Club Tues, Mar 5, 10am; at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. Our program is entitled “Planting Natives”, a lecture and PowerPoint presentation by Natalie Gibson, co-owner of Green Thumbs Gardens, which is a native plant nursery. We will also hear from “Down To Earth Services”, a landscaping company. Refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome. As a new member who visited for a while, I can say that this is an extraordinarily friendly group and we would love to get to know you!

Check out our Facebook page at Raytown Garden Club or visit our website at https:// sites.google.com/site/fgcmwestcentral/clubs/ raytown.

Sho Me African Violets Fri, Mar 8, 11am-1pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Visitors welcome. 816-513-8590

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March 2019 | kcgmag.com

March Vegetable Gardening Basics Mon, Mar 4, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Basics of vegetable gardening, by Nancy Chapman, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener, in a two-part series. Part 1, Mar 4– what to grow and where to grow it including starting transplants and soil preparation, plus containers, raised beds, trellising and irrigation. Part 2, Apr 1–growing needs of different vegetables, perennial vegetables, and how to deal with insects, disease and animal control.

Presented by Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America. Questions? Call Joyce at 913383-0499.

Monarch Habitats Tues, Mar 5, 4pm; at Lansing Community Library, 730 1st Terr, Ste 1, Lansing, KS 66043. Patti Davis, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will give a presentation on how to make your backyard a Monarch Butterfly habitat. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

What’s New in Annuals, Perennials and Vegetables Thurs, Mar 7, 11:30am-1pm; in Sunflower Room of Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1216 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners invite you to join them for a presentation by Megan Glavin from Suburban Lawn and Garden. Fee: $5 (waived for currently certified EMGs). For further information, call 913-299-9300.

Vegetable Gardening-Summer Crops Thurs, Mar 7, 6:30-7:30pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS

66047. How to grow summer vegetables, 4-5 different summer vegetables to be discussed (think peppers, eggplants, melons, cucumbers, squash). Which ones depends on a vote from the workshop attendees. Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, seating is limited, RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081.

Spring Gardening Seminar Sat, Mar 9, 8am-3pm; at Rockhurst University, 1100 Rockhurst Rd, Kansas City, MO. An all day event offering a variety of presentations for the avid gardener. You can learn about the Best Veggies for our Midwest Climate, Gardening with Natives or everything you ever wanted to know about Evergreen Pruning. These are just three of the 13 presentations to choose from during the event! Also included is Dr Tamra Reall’s keynote address, Beyond Butterflies: The Microcosm in your Backyard. For more information and registration please visit www.mggkc.org/publiceducation/spring-seminar/. Presented by the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City.

Beginning Vegetable Gardening Sat, Mar 9, 10:30-11:30am; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn how to start a simple and manageable vegetable garden. Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081. Handouts provided.

Microgreens Wed, Mar 13, 7pm; at Basehor Community Library, 1400 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007.

Mark and Donna Olson, both Leavenworth County Master Gardeners, will give a presentation on growing and the healthful benefits of microgreens. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Beekeeping I Wed, Mar 13 & 20, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This is an introductory course into beekeeping. We will review the importance of honey bees in our everyday life. Participants will learn about the life cycle of the honey bee, their history, and become familiar with today’s beekeeping techniques.

Instructor: Robert Hughes. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Growing the Perfect Tomato Thurs, Mar 14, 6:30-7:30pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn how to grow a great tomato whether it be a cherry or a beefsteak, in the ground, or in a container. Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081.

Handouts provided.

Naturescaping Workshop Sat, Mar 16, 8am-12:45pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015.

Registration required. Beautify your landscape with some of Missouri’s best natural resources, native plants! Learn how to save time and money and create wildlife habitat with educational sessions on native plants, landscape design and many more. For more informa-

tion email burr.oak@mdc.mo.gov; www.mdc. mo.gov/burroakwoods; 816-228-3766 Bird in the Hand Sat, Mar 16, 10am-1pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Walk-in (all ages). Missouri River Bird Observatory staff and Burr Oak Woods partner in an on-going project to identify and track the birds that come to our feeders each winter. From the resident chickadees and cardinals to the migrating juncos and sparrows, we capture, apply colored bands, and release these fascinating creatures. Once banded and recorded, you will be able to track individual birds through this and future seasons. This program is weather permitting. For more information email burr. oak@mdc.mo.gov; www.mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods; 816-228-3766 Native Plant Sale Sat, Mar 16, 1-4pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Beautify your landscape with some of Missouri’s best natural resources, native plants! Missouri Wildflower Nursery and Green Thumb Nursery will be on site with native plants for sale while supplies last. For more information email burr. oak@mdc.mo.gov; www.mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods; 816-228-3766 Indoor Garden/Urban Farming Classes Sat, Mar 16, 11am-Noon (Entry level Class), 1-2pm (Advanced Class); 117 S Mur-Len Rd, Olathe, KS 66062. Classes are FREE but seating is limited so please sign-up via our website year-roundgarden.com. Learn tips and tricks of how to grow a successful garden indoors, new topics every month, and discounts offered to class attendees. 913-397-0594 Monarch Habitats Thurs, Mar 21, 7pm; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Patti Davis, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will give a presentation on how to make your backyard a Monarch Butterfly habitat. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Growing & Storing Herbs Thurs, Mar 21, 6:30-7:30pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn how to grow and store your herbs. Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081. Handouts provided.

Planting for Butterflies Sat, Mar 23, 2-3pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Can you imagine a world without butterflies? Although the Monarch gets all the press, many butterfly populations are in decline. Watching these flying jewels flitter and float helps to calm the mind and warm the heart. Please join us to learn about Missouri butterflies and how you can help them. Families will take home a native wildflower plant and seed packet as long as supplies last. For more information email burr.oak@mdc.mo.gov; www.mdc. mo.gov/burroakwoods; 816-228-3766 Create a Butterfly Garden Sat, Mar 23, 11-am-4pm; at Wild Birds Unlimited, 11711 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS. Lenora Larson will be at the store to talk about how to convert your yard to a butterfly garden.

FREE. 913-491-4887 Building a Raised Bed Sat, Mar 23, 10:30-11:30am; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy,

Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn how to build a simple wooden raised bed as well as what media to put in it for maximum results.

Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081.

Handouts provided.

Backyard Oasis: Spring Inspiration and Celebrity Speakers at 2019 Home and Lifestyle Show Fri, Mar 23, Noon-9pm; Sat, Mar 24, 10am7pm; and Sun, Mar 25, 10am-5pm; at Bartle Hall Convention Center, 301 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO 64105. Entrepreneur & TV Personality Bethenny Frankel to Headline Greater Kansas City Home & Lifestyle Show.

Our Backyard Oasis offers an impressive array of landscaping that transforms Bartle Hall into a plush garden fit for entertaining friends and family. Find ideas for creating your own beautiful green space and take home bulbs, flowers and other items needed to start your project as soon as it warms up. Purchase tickets in advance online for $10; $12 at the door. Kids 12 and under and Veterans with ID free. For more information, please visit kchomeshow.com.

Beekeeping II Wed, Mar 27 & Apr 3, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This course offers an in depth review of current beekeeping practices. You will study beekeeping in the classroom and explore a beehive in the field. The course will give you hands on experience working a beehive. Instructor: Robert Hughes. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Pruning Fruit Trees Thurs, Mar 28, 6:30-7:30pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn how to prune cherries, apples, peaches and pears for fruit production. This workshop will be held outdoors with a demonstration (weather permitting). Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081.

Handouts provided.

April Edible Garden Design Thurs, Apr 4, 11:30am-1pm; in Sunflower Room of Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1216 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners invite you to join them for a presentation by Sherry Thomas, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener, that will touch upon the subject of the ornamental value of edibles that should pass homeowner association restrictions. Fee: $5 (waived for currently certified EMGs). For further information, call 913-299-9300.

Caring for Roses Thurs, Apr 4, 6:30-7:30pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn how to care for your roses; when and how to prune, fertilize, and general care. This workshop will be held outdoors with a demonstration (weather permitting). Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081.

Handouts provided.

Healthy Yard Expo & Native Plant Sale Sat, Apr 7, 9am-2pm; Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS 66216. (continued on page 28)

Powell Gardens Reopen for Daily Admission Friday, March 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Join us as we reopen for the 2019 season. Enjoy our seasonal conservatory display and browse our Visitor Center galleries for a look at Flores de Color: Drawings by Fuko Ito and Eugene Sarmiento, part of our rotating art exhibitions.

Drop in and Draw!

Saturday, March 9, 2-4 p.m.

Celebrate the opening of Flores de Color and draw from live fresh flowers with our featured artists in the Grand Hall of the visitor center. Fun for all ages. Refreshments provided.

Garden admission applies.

Hideout at Powell Gardens: Fort-Building Day Camp March 18-22, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily | $225 (aftercare options available) Imaginations will run wild at this day camp providing opportunities for your first or second grader to design and construct play homes, forts, and hideouts during spring break!

Each day features a theme focused on the lives of birds, terrestrial insects, mammals, aquatic insects, or humans in the gardens, on the Byron Shutz Nature Trail, and in some areas that visitors rarely get to explore. Children will investigate Powell Gardens’ resident builders including mammals, birds, insects, and amphibians, and construct play homes for the gardens’ inhabitants indoors and out. Participants should dress in layers for changing weather conditions during the day. Boots or sturdy shoes, coats or heavy jackets, hats, and gloves are encouraged. Children should come to camp with a sack lunch, two snacks, and a water bottle. *$295 for daily aftercare Monday-Thursday until 5:30 p.m.

Visit powellgardens.org for more information.

J

Use Our Natural Products All Year For Containers, Gardens, Turf, Shrubs, Trees and Ponds.

Join Judy Penner, Director/Rosarian of Loose Park & Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in the garden center on Saturday, March 23rd from 10 - Noon for a discussion of how to give your roses the care they need after a snowy winter. Dr. Raymond Clyod, K-State Entomologist, will present “OH NO... what can I do about Japanese Beetles? After last year I am sure many of you will be interested in joining us.

EARTH RIGHT SUPER STUFF is the perfect product to apply in spring, especially before a rain. Prepare the soil now for a better lawn and great gardens.

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For information on all Earth Right products call us at 913-492-2992 If you want to have our products applied contact Tobin Lawn & Landscape at 816-765-5565 or Sonshine Lawn at 816-525-7111.

The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

27

Now Hiring

Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see

for Spring

(continued from page 27) Details, seminars and schedule at johnson.kstate.edu. 913-715-7000

We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic people to fill positions at our Lenexa, Overland Park and So. Kansas City locations.

Cashiers Phone Operators Hardgoods Sales Plant Sales Merchandising Receiving Clerk Mechanic

Truck Drivers, (CDL & non-CDL) Equipment Operators Landscape Maintenance Trimming, Mowing, Planting Horticulturist

Fax resume to 816-941-3838 Email resume to suburban@suburbanlg.com Apply in person at our Corporate office.

13635 Wyandotte // Kansas City, MO 64145 Questions? Contact Human Resources at 816-941-4700.

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Keeping Backyard Chickens Tues, Apr 9, 6-9pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. An animal’s lover’s guide to sustainable agriculture on a small scale.

Chickens provide natural bug control, as well as breakfast. Learn the how and why and what in order to avoid the perils of raising chickens on a domestic scale. Instructor: Emily Winchester. Fee: $39. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Beekeeping III Wed, Apr 10 & 17, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This class will be a fun and active way to learn how to be a successful backyard beekeeper. We will provide the basic knowledge needed to keep and manage a healthy beehive, and produce honey and beeswax. This class will cover bee behavior, hive management, diseases, pests, swarming and how to harvest honey right from your own backyard. Instructor: Robert Hughes. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Vegetable Gardening in Containers Thurs, Apr 11, 6:30-7:30pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn how to grow vegetables in containers. What veggies work best.

What soil to use and how to care for them to maximize production. Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081. Handouts provided.

34th Annual African Violet Show and Sale Sat, Apr 13, 9am-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, W 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64112, west driveway immediately south of 51st St. The Garden Center side street is located just past the Pavilion. We suggest not following GPS directions. Let us provide a colorful gift for the coming Mother’s Day celebration. Then brighten up your own home with a variety of plants and colorful blossoms. No admission fee. Presented by Sho-Me African Violet Club. If further information is needed, call Lynn Canning 913-749-7334.

TreeKeepers Apr 16-18, 9am-1:30pm; at Anita B Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Heartland Tree Alliance is offering a daytime course for anyone wanted to learn more about shade and ornamental trees. Learn about soils, biology, selection, pruning, ID, and planting. Classroom and hands-on learning taught by MDC Forester Chuck Conner.

All tools provided, must register in advance, $50 fee https://tinyurl.com/treekeepers or call Sarah 816-561-1086.

Creating a Pollinator Garden Thurs, Apr 18, 6:30-7:30pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn what it takes to create a garden that the Bees & Butterflies will love. Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, seating limited, RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081. Handouts provided.

Indoor Garden/Urban Farming Classes Sat, Apr 20, 11am-Noon (Entry level Class), 1-2pm (Advanced Class); 117 S Mur-Len Rd, Olathe, KS 66062. Classes are FREE but seating is limited so please sign-up via our website year-roundgarden.com. Learn tips and tricks of how to grow a successful garden indoors, new topics every month, and discounts offered to class attendees. 913-397-0594 Advanced Beekeeping – Spring Management Wed, Apr 24, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Review the steps to help your bees prepare for the Honey Flow.

Review different processes and techniques to add honey supers, equalizing your hives and most important, learning how to keep ahead of the honey that your bees bring to the hive.

Instructor: Robert Hughes. Fee: $29. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Paola Spring Plant Sale Thurs, Apr 25, 11am-5pm; Fri, Apr 26, 8am-5pm; Sat, Apr 27, 8am-noon; in the Family Center parking lot at 808 Baptiste Dr, Paola, KS. As part of the Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardeners’ mission to educate the public and help save our essential insects, the sale will feature butterfly host plants and the best pollinator plants, as well as other annuals, perennials, natives and veggies, all from local growers. Expert EMGs, including Lenora Larson, will be on hand to assist shoppers throughout the sale.

Overland Park Gardeners of America Plant Sale Thurs, Apr 25 and Fri, Apr 26, 10am-7pm, Sat, Apr 27, 9am-3pm; at Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Annual indoor plant sale.

Thyme for Kids Plant Sale Fri, Apr 26, 9am-6pm and Sat, Apr 27, 9am-5pm; at Cornerstones of Care–Ozanam Campus, Sims Greenhouse, 421 E 137th St, Kansas City, MO. Your purchase supports our horticultural therapy program, which gives youth the opportunity to heal by spending time in a greenhouse nurturing living plants.

Through this program, youth experience firsthand the calming effects of nature while gaining valuable work experience and achieving a sense of accomplishment as they watch their plants flourish. Choose from a wide variety of plants and other garden items! Free to attend and open to the public. Contact Stefanie at Stefanie.lindsay@cornerstonesofcare.org or learn more at cornerstonesofcare.org/plantsale.

Uptown Garden Faire Sat, Apr 27, 8am-2pm; at 211 W Truman Rd, Independence, Mo 64050. Celebrate Arbor Day, Earth Day and Spring at the Garden Faire with on-going demonstrations and raffles.

Plants, gardenalia, plantiques, garden art, and much more for sale by local vendors. For more information call 816-797-8711 or 816325-7843.

Native Plant Sale Sat, Apr 27, 9am–2pm rain or shine; at KC Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132 (Swope Park).

Sponsored by the Westport Garden Club.

Plants are from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery of Jefferson City. Plants may be pre-ordered

by Tues, Apr 23 by calling (573) 496-3492 or online mowildflowers.net: be sure to mention it as a Westport Garden Club order and that it is to be delivered to the KC Community Gardens for Sat, Apr 27 pick-up.

May Annual Plant Sale to Benefit Cross-Lines Wed, May 1, 4-7pm; Thurs, May 2 & Fri, May 3, 8am-7pm; Sat, May 4, 8am-1pm; at Shawnee Presbyterian Church, 6837 Nieman Rd, Shawnee, KS. The sale will be held rain or shine under a tent. New varieties of perennials and annuals along with hostas, herbs, tomatoes, and peppers will be available. There will be a large variety of sun and shade hanging baskets & patio planters, as well as flowering pots. There will also be a large selection of individual and pots of succulents. Volunteers will be available to custom design pots for you. Bring your own or buy them at the sale.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit CrossLines Community Outreach Inc. If you have any questions about the sale you can contact Kelly Carpenter at 913-281-3388.

Central Missouri Master Gardeners’ Annual Plant Sale Sat, May 4, 7am-noon; at the Jaycee Fairgrounds, 1445 Fairgrounds Rd, Jefferson City, MO. The indoor plant sale features tomatoes, vegetables, peppers, herbs, annuals, perennials, natives, hanging baskets, container plantings, shrubs, and trees. Proceeds from the sale fund scholarships, community garden projects, and the River City Gardens.

Farmers’ Market and KC’s Local Food Movement Sat, May 4, 9am-12pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Do you love shopping the local farmers’ market, but get overwhelmed deciding who to support, who are the real farmers, how and what to buy? Learn how to shop the market wisely and what to know about the vendor guidelines. Farmers’ markets are just a part of the active local food and farmer movement. Also look at the city’s historical farming roots and discover the myriad of resources that connect us to our local food growers. Discover farm to table, organic, urban and local trends. Learn about KC organizations collaborating to feed our city on many levels and key programs that are training our next gen farmers. Instructor: Sherri Thomas. Fee: $39. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Herbs for Beginners Sat, May 18, 9am-12pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. May is the perfect time to plant more herbs! Become more familiar with growing herbs and their many culinary and medical uses with this hands-on class. Learn which are perennials or annuals and how best to grow each in your garden. In addition, learn about medicinal uses, useful recipes for the kitchen and the many ways to preserve the

herbs you grow. Instructor: Sherri Thomas.

Fee: $39. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Advanced Beekeeping – Equipment Wed, May 29, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Learn how to assemble and review all the woodware, clothing and hardware needed for your beekeeping hobby. This includes everything needed for your bees, the beekeeper and your honey harvest. Instructor: Robert Hughes. Fee: $29.

To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913469-2323.

June and July Drip, Soaker, or Sprinkler, How should I water Wed, Jun 5, 6-7pm; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66047. Not sure of the best watering method for you? We will talk about the pros and cons of the big “3”; drip irrigation, soaker hoses and sprinklers. Workshop lasts an hour plus time for questions. FREE, but seating is limited, so please RSVP either by clicking on “going” on our Facebook page or call (785) 842-3081.

Handouts provided. This workshop in held in conjunction with the Farmers Market at Clinton Parkway Nursery which runs each Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 from Mid May to the end of September.

Beekeeping 101–Gr. 8-12 Fri, Jun 7 & 14, 8am-noon; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. You will be introduced to the fun and exciting world of beekeeping.

In today’s world, there are many beekeeping opportunities and challenges. Gain a good understanding about beekeeping and learn about the many products that come from bees, like honey, pollen and wax. You will also visit the JCCC Bee Yard and explore a working hive. Identify the honey, baby bees, pollen and find the Queen! This course is for students between the grades 8-12. Instructor: Robert Hughes. Fee: $99. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Sustainability Leadership–Gr. 8-12 Fri, Jul 19, 8am-3pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Do you want to make a difference at your school and in your community? Learn best practices for starting a small and manageable recycling, composting, gardening and farming program. Ideas for mitigating storm water runoff and planting bio swales will also be discussed. In addition, discover how easy it is to implement alternative energy options while enjoying bike blender smoothies and solar smores. This course is great for students in environmental clubs, scouts, etc. This course is for students between the grades 8-12. Instructor: Kristy Howell and Deb Williams. Fee: $79. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery 9814 Pleasant Hill Rd Jefferson City MO 65109 www.mowildflowers.net mowldflrs@socket.net 573-496-3492, fax: 573-496-3003

Opening day at our Brazito location is March 16.

Meet us in the KC area at one of these locations. Give us your order by Tuesday before a sale, and we will bring it to the location.

Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO 64015.

Native Plant Sale, March 16, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Naturescaping Workship: 816-228-3766 to register Workshop hours 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave. KC MO 64110.

Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale, 816-716-9159 www.moprairie.org April 20 & May 18, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Kansas City Community Gardens, 6917 Kensington Ave, KC MO 64132 (Swope Park). Westport Garden Club Native Plant Sale April 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Shawnee Indian Mission, 3403 West 53rd St, Fairway KS 66205. KCNPI/Deep Roots & Shawnee Indian Mission Foundation - Native Plant Sale. Info: 913-2620867, simfoundation.org. April 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Powell Gardens, 1609 US-50, Kingsville, MO 64061. Best of Missouri Life Market Fair. missourilife.com. April 27 & 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Road, KC MO 64154, Native Plant Sale by Burroughs Audubon, Backyard Bird Center 816-746-1113, May 4, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Immediate Openings!

Swan's Water Gardens is now HIRING friendly, hardworking people for these positions: • Gardeners • Landscapers • Retail Full- or part-time positions available. Interview today and start tomorrow.

More events are posted on our website, KCGMAG.COM, click on “Events.”

Promote club meetings, classes, plant sales and other gardening events for FREE! Send details to:

elizabeth@kcgmag.com

Deadline for publishing in the April issue is March 5.

“Creating Paradise ... in Your Backyard”

www.swanswatergardens.com 913-837-3510 4385 W 247th St, Louisburg, KS

The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

29

March

garden calendar n LAWN

• Spot treat for dandelions, henbit, chickweed, and other weeds. Spot spraying reduces the amount of chemical used and reduces drift.

• Apply crabgrass controls in late March through mid-April.

• Seed thin areas in bluegrass and tall fescue lawns.

• Miss fall fertilizer of bluegrass and tall fescue? If so, then apply nutrients with crabgrass control.

• Avoid March fertilization if applied in fall as it increases weed pressure and weakens grass reserves. It also results in more mowing.

• Lower mowing height about ½-inch to remove winter debris, do not scalp.

• Mow lawn at 3 to 3 ½ inches all season long for a healthy bluegrass and fescue lawn.

• Test soil to determine fertility needs.

• Tune-up lawn mowers for another season.

• Sharpen mower blades for a quality cut.

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Prune trees, except birch, maple, and walnut which are best pruned after they leaf out.

• Prune spring-flowering shrubs soon after blooming.

• Prune summer-blooming shrubs now for good flowering.

• Mulch trees and shrub plantings up to 4 inches deep, keeping mulch away from trunks.

• Fertilize trees and shrubs.

• Plant new trees in the landscape.

• Remove tree wraps from young trees for summer growth.

• Rake and clean ground cover plantings.

n FLOWERS

• Plant pansies, snapdragons, calendulas, and other cool-loving annuals.

• Clean up the perennial bed by cutting back foliage and removing winter mulch layer.

• Prepare soil for annual planting by adding organic matter like compost.

• Take a soil test if one has not been done in the last five years.

• Fertilize gardens based on results of the soil test.

• Start seeds under lights indoors for transplanting to the garden.

• Cut ornamental grasses back to within 3-5 inches off the ground.

• Plant new roses.

• Divide and plant perennials in the garden.

• Fertilize spring flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils.

• Remove seed heads from spent bulbs.

• Control iris borers by destroying old foliage before new growth begins.

• Unwrap mail-order plants. Keep cool and moist until planting.

n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Prepare soil for spring planting.

• Take a soil test, if needed.

• Fertilize garden soil before planting as recommended by soil test.

• Plant broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage in late March.

• Plant potatoes, peas, onions, lettuce, and other salad crops.

Asparagus, rhubarb, and strawberries can also be planted.

• Start seeds of tomatoes, peppers, and other warm season vegetables indoors for May planting.

• Sharpen garden tools and repair.

• Apply dormant oil to fruit plantings to reduce scale and mite insects.

• Make a fungicide application to control peach leaf curl before growth begins.

• Prune fruit plantings, fruit trees, grapes, raspberries, and blackberries.

• Remove mulch from strawberries when growth starts.

• Turn the compost pile.

n HOUSEPLANTS

• Fertilize to encourage rapid spring and summer growth.

• Repot crowded plants in a 1-inch larger pot.

• Shape plants by pruning and trimming.

• Remove winter dust from leaves with a damp cloth or by placing in a warm shower.

• Check for insects.

• Start cuttings of plants.

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.

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March 2019 | kcgmag.com

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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, or perennial flower gardening.

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

Hotlines for Gardeners Extension Master Gardeners are ready to answer your gardening questions.

CASS COUNTY

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GAR RENEDREN GAR DGEANRED ER Beyond The K T ty K an sa Cihe s C it y a n s a s C Th e Ka ns as ity A M on th ly

816-380-8460; Wed, 9am-noon

DOUGLAS COUNTY

785-843-7058; mastergardener@douglas-county.com; Mon-Fri, 1-4pm

GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AREA

816-833-8733 (TREE); Mon-Fri, 9am-noon; mggkc.hotline@gmail.com

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For convenient mail delivery, complete the form below and send with your check for $25.00. You will receive a one-year subscription to The Kansas City Gardener.

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Name: Address:

JOHNSON COUNTY, MO

660-747-3193; Wed, 9am-noon

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E-mail: Where did you pick up The Kansas City Gardener?

913-364-5700; Apr thru Sep, Mon 10am-4pm, Thurs 10am-4pm 913-294-4306; Thurs, 9am-noon

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913-299-9300; Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am-4pm

QUESTIONS ABOUT ROSES?

G ui de

A Mon thly Guid e to Suc October 2014 cess ful Gard Garde ning enin g to Succe ssful A Mont hly Guide

Ask a Rosarian; kcrosehelp@gmail.com; www.kansascityrosesociety.org

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.

Meet Master Gardener, Gary Helmers

Gardening interest: My grandmother drew me to gardening. I lived near her when I was a child and enjoyed her garden. During one of our visits, she shared perennials from her garden. From then on I was struck. (As a side note, I planted them in a border that I dug but didn’t know about ‘right plant, right place.’

Needless to say, they met their demise.) When I was first married, I worked at the Johnson County Courthouse in the Maintenance Dept.

and was fortunate to have contact with Fred Stouse, a horticulture agent. He shared plant knowledge with me as I took care of the grounds around the courthouse.

Becoming a Master Gardener: I loved to garden, and had a healthy eagerness for more knowledge. I purchased the Missouri Extension publication ‘Grounds for Gardening’ to feed my desire for more education. I wanted to become a Master Gardener, but the biggest road block to becoming a Master Gardener was my work schedule. As a result of my kind manager, he wanted to make it possible for me to attend classes. I applied for acceptance and I have now been a Master Gardener for 10 years.

Favorite tool: I have a garden knife that is a multipurpose tool. I love it, serving as a trowel, cultivator and knife all wrapped up in one. I purchased one with an orange handle to help me locate it. I have been known to lose things!

Most valued information I have learned: Proper planting procedures for trees and shrubs. It protects your investment for years of enjoyment!

Best advice to give fellow gardeners: Do your research! Any plant may catch your eye.

Keep in mind, however, that it may not be a

good choice for the location you have in mind or perhaps it’s a garden thug that will wreak havoc in the landscape.

Favorite tree, shrub and perennial: SevenSon Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) is my favorite tree. I fell in love with it at Powell Gardens. It has exfoliating bark, white flowers in August (hence the common name) which attract loads of pollinators and then the racemes change to a beautiful pink for September and early October. The shrub ‘Dark Knight’ Caryopteris shows off in August with beautiful blue flowers, and is a pollinator magnet. Daylilies are by far my favorite perennials. I have over 100 varieties in my garden. With proper planning, you can have color from May through October, short and tall, small and large flowers, single, doubles, spiders and more.

Challenges I face in the garden: The changing climate and its effect on the garden. I wonder what the future holds. Critters (like cute little bunnies) who sharpen their teeth on my favorite peony stalk of blooms are heartless destroyers.

Passion: I am passionate about using as few chemicals as possible when gardening. I want to offer a yard where pollinators can prosper in my little corner of planet earth.

The Kansas City Gardener | March 2019

31

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