The Gateway Gardener July/August 2019

Gateway Gardener

JULY / AUGUST 2019

THE

®

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

e m o lc e e W o th ri t sou iety c Misrd So i b e Blu

Bluebird Basics

Tips for Attracting these Beauties to your Backyard

Ornamental Grasses Livin’ the Hive Life!

Native Garden Tips FREE Courtesy of:

JULY // AUGUST 2019

The Gateway Gardener™

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The Gateway Gardener™ JULY / AUGUST 2019

Gateway Gardener THE

®

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

JULY / AUGUST 2019 Volume 15, Number 6

Founded in 2005 by Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver Publisher and Editor Robert Weaver Columnists Diane Brueckman Rosey Acres Joyce Driemeyer Master Gardener Abby Lapides Sugar Creek Gardens Steffie Littlefield Edg-Clif Winery Jennifer Schamber Greenscape Gardens Scott Woodbury Shaw Nature Reserve

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

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

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

JULY // AUGUST 2019

T

From the Editor

hough this issue will come out long after the parade has ended and the initial euphoria has faded (hopefully being refueled by a second-half surge by the Redbirds), I don’t want to let the occasion go by without wishing the St. Louis Blues a hardy congratulations on their Stanley Cup Championship season! LET’S GO BLUES! I’d like to say that’s why we featured Eastern bluebirds on our cover, but in fact, it was to welcome the Missouri Bluebird Society’s annual conference to our fair city. And I’d love to talk of my fondness for bluebirds, but it would be a fondness based upon longing, for I’ve never seen one in my yard, and only a few times out and about. I would set up boxes, but my own occasional attempts to provide bird housing—once with a purple martin condo many years ago, and more recently with a woodpecker box to try to accommodate a pair made homeless by a neighbor’s poorly timed tree removal— attracted no tenants. Even my friend and renowned bird whisperer Margy Terpstra says she’s reluctant to put up bluebird

ornamental grasses, as does Abby Lapides, who cites “graygreen” ‘Apache Rose’ (I call it Championship blue) among the various grasses in a rainbow of colors she introduces us to on page 4.

News stories have documented the “blues” affecting honeybees and other pollinators in recent years. Many homeowners are doing their part, not only in more pollinator-friendly gardening habits such as planting native boxes because of the abundance plants and reducing pesticide of house wrens and Eurasian use, but in many cases caring tree sparrows that always queue for their own honeybee hives. up to squat in her similarly Jennifer Schamber introduces sized chickadee boxes. Still, us to a couple such homeowners by providing enticing natural on page 6, sharing their reasons habitat, Margy has successfully for “Livin’ the Hive Life!” attracted their stopover visits to her woodland, as recorded So, Congratulations Blues! And by her photos on our cover and welcome Bluebird enthusiasts. on page 8, where you can read Both bringing “symbols of more about bluebirds and how happiness” to St. Louis!

YOU might attract them.

Still on the subject of blue, there are many ornamental grasses available in my favorite color. In my garden, native little bluestem starts the list, which continues with cultivated switchgrasses like ‘Dewey Blue’, ‘Dust Devil’ and ‘Heavy Metal’. I love

Good Gardening!

On the Cover...

The Eastern bluebird is Missouri’s State Bird because, it was noted when so designated in 1927, it is a “symbol of happiness.” We’re happy to feature them on our cover this month, and you can read about them on page 8. (Photo by Margy Terpstra)

The Gateway Gardener™

IN THIS ISSUE 4 Ornamental Grasses 6 Livin’ the Hive Life 8 Bluebird Basics 9 Missouri Bluebird Conference 10 Making a Native Garden Thrive 12 Summer Vegetable Garden 13 Harvest Guide 14 Upcoming Events

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Grace and Grit: Ornamental Grasses

by Abby Lapides

D

‘Blonde Ambition’ blue gramma grass is as rugged as it is beautiful. Early to bloom, chartreuse flowers are followed by showy blonde seed heads that shoot out like little flags on stiff stems. The showy seed heads hold on for a long period of time, often looking great well into winter. The steel-blue wispy foliage of this tough sport of the Missouri native grass creates a lovely backdrop for the striking seed display.

isplaying elegant colors and textures, ornamental grasses bring sophisticated layers to the garden. With their delicate leaves and graceful forms one may think ornamental grasses are difficult to grow. But don’t be deceived; these low-care beauties are as durable as they are dazzling.

Prairie dropseed may be my most favorite grass. This Missouriand most of the US- native prairie grass easily grows in the driest, most difficult spots.

Featuring glossy, long hair-like green foliage that tends to fall to the ground, this grass grows into wide swirling mounds that shimmer in the sun. In fall scented airy plumes appear that

Fountain grass ‘Puppy Love’

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The Gateway Gardener™ JULY / AUGUST 2019

Walter’s Gardens

Garden World

‘Bandwith’ maiden grass delivers on many levels. Eye catching foliage with alternating Blue gramma grass How can the ever-popular gold and green bars forms into ‘Blonde Ambition’ a dense, upright, vase-shaped fountain grass get even better?

With even showier flowers, mound. This dwarf grass reaches only about 2-3’ tall and wide, easily fitting into gardens. Showy ‘Puppy Love’ proves there’s always room for improvement. flower plumes that don’t produce seed emerge in late summer, Dark red inflorescences begin to show their color in summer and adding another visual interest. This easy-going grass tolerates continue until frost. Deep green leaves with burgundy highlights drought and deer, in fact deer hate maiden grasses so much they look excellent all season. This low-maintenance grass is a pure delight in the sunny landscape. tend to avoid areas where they are planted.

Walter’s Gardens

Most grasses are tough, easy to grow, drought tolerant, and deer and rabbit Maiden grass resistant.

When ‘Bandwidth’ choosing a location for a grass, be sure some say smell like hay, or coriander. I love this grass planted in to give them plenty masses as a tall groundcover or along the front of a border where of space so you may Switchgrass its delicate blades may fall over the edge. enjoy the full form ‘Apache Rose’ Another favorite ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass is a must-have of these durable for shade gardens. That’s right, I said shade gardens. One of the beauties. few grasses that thrive in shade, Abby Lapides is owner and a speaker at ‘Aureola’ features striking Sugar Creek Gardens Nursery. She has yellow foliage with thin dark degrees from the University of Missouri, green striping throughout. These and is a member of the Landscape and bright leaves form into a gently Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis. arching mound that has a delicate You can reach her at (314) 965-3070. waterfall effect. It looks great towards the front of the garden Japanese or on the side of a hill where its graceful nature can best be forest grass appreciated. The golden narrow ‘Aureola’ foliage mixes excellently with blue and green hostas, ferns, and astilbe.

Walter’s Gardens

Ann Lapides

soft pink flowers in fall.

Switchgrasses are drought and flood tolerant, making them excellent in rain gardens. Their deep roots are excellent for preventing soil erosion.

Need a grass to give a big statement? Look to ‘Apache Rose’ switchgrass. The gray-green leaves with a rose blush on the tips form into an upright column about 4’ tall and 2’ wide. Unlike other switchgrasses that bloom cream or tan, ‘Apache Rose’ blooms REVIVE your garden from the "Dog Days" stresses!

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5

Livin’ the Hive Life!

Text by Jennifer Schamber

“

Jennifer Schamber

but now as I’m experiencing Having honeybee hives has living with hives, I’ve learned definitely changed the way I garden and how we use that it’s not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle,” says Marc, “You can our outdoor space. Now when really observe how what we do I plant something new, I’m has either a positive or negative looking for things that will make our bees happy,” says Amy, as impact on everything. Keeping a balance between what the bees she points out the newly planted Anise hyssop in her garden. Marc need and what we want out of our yard is now top of mind. Every and Amy Milligan of Kirkwood hive has its own personality, I’m have four hives on their half-acre learning how to manage each of property. Their outdoor space is them differently based on their an extension of their home with a pool, kitchen garden and large various temperaments.” play space for their two kids. Set Being tuned in with nature is the into the back corner of the yard, underlying reason many people Marc Milligan of Kirkwood checking out the “flow” in his approximately fifteen feet from become beekeepers. A successful backyard hives through a convenient pop-out window. the pool are three hives, with the hive can be an indicator that we fourth one set back about fifteen feet from the playset. Their yard is are maintaining our outdoor spaces in a healthy manner. Honey is a true demonstration of how to integrate a family’s life with nature. just part of the reward of a thriving hive, we also know that a yard “Originally I just thought it would be a good hobby for me, that supports honeybees can also support a wide range of native pollinators, birds and beneficial insects.

2019 Native Of The Year!

“I look at it as cohabitation, how can we as human beings impact and enhance our surroundings in such a positive way, that our surroundings will, in turn, not just reciprocate, but give back exponentially,” says George Jacobs, a beekeeper in Ballwin.

George installed a “flow hive” two years ago in his backyard to try out new beekeeping technology that was developed in Australia in 2015. This type of hive--also a feature of the Milligans’ hives--was designed to extract honey by simply turning a lever; the hive does not have to be opened and the bees are not disturbed during the process. As with any new technology, there were a lot of unknowns about using this new product in our climate, but so far, the results have been positive. After observing and learning about George’s flow hive, teachers from a local elementary school installed hives last year in the front yard of the school.

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management strategies, we can observe the benefits of building a partnership with nature.

To learn more about beekeeping, check out these regional beekeeper organizations: Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association.

EasternMoBeekeepers.com Jefferson County Beekeepers Association, JeffCoBeekeepers. com The St. Louis Beekeepers, SaintLouisBeekeepers.com Three Rivers Beekeepers, ThreeRiversBeekeepers.com

George Jacobs

And to learn more about gardening for bees and other pollinators, in addition to the above groups, get to know: GrowNative!, GrowNative.org St. Louis Audubon Society, stlouisaudubon.org/conservation/ BCH/index.php

The backyard hive of Ballwin beekeeper George Jacobs, uses new “flow hive” technology to extract honey with minimal disturbance to the bees.

As more people, especially students, have the opportunity to play a role in pollinator health and observe the interworkings of a hive, we build a greater understanding of how our interactions play a crucial role in the ecosystems on our properties. We also change the mindset of how we perceive insects and we learn how to better control our reactions to them. Every yard or property is a piece of a bigger overall picture and by changing some of our habits and land

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Jennifer Schamber is the General Manager of Greenscape Gardens, and plays leaderships roles in the Western Nursery & Landscape Association, GrowNative! and the Landscape & Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis. She has earned Green Profit Magazine’s Young Retailer Award, and Greenscape Gardens was named the National Winner of the 2015 “Revolutionary 100” Garden Centers by Today’s Garden Center Magazine.

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JULY // AUGUST 2019

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Bluebird Basics

L

oss of habitat due to introduction of nonnative bird species and to land being cleared for development has certainly been the greatest challenge for all native cavity nesting birds, including Bluebirds. You can help them prosper and enjoy their company by providing man-made cavities for them to raise their young. Here are some tips:

• Please place boxes on a metal pole, preferably with a predator baffle on the pole. Problems with predators and ants are significantly greater when boxes are installed on trees or wood.

• A properly made nest box can generally face any direction, however do avoid facing toward prevailing winds. Mounting so that the entrance hole is five feet above the ground will help protect from predators and allow for easier monitoring.

A Proper Bluebird Box

• Well ventilated, water tight, has drainage holes, easy to monitor, easy to clean, has adequate roof overhang, and does not have a perch.

• If you decide to paint the box, only paint the outside a light color.

• Treated lumber should not be used.

even metropolitan areas!

• Do not be afraid to try to attract bluebirds in suburban and

• Often, in these areas the only thing lacking to entice bluebirds is a cavity (nest box).

Nest Box Monitoring

• We recommend putting up a Bluebird Box only if you intend to monitor it.

• Check your Bluebird Box a minimum of once per week during the nesting season until the chicks are close to fledging.

• Bluebird usually lay 4-6 light blue eggs. (a small percentage of bluebird nests will contain all white eggs) • Incubation usually lasts 12-14 days, nestlings generally fledge in 18-21 days.

• Bluebirds in most of Missouri will nest up to three times per season.

PLANT FOR POLLINATORS

• Remove the nests after each nesting as soon as the young have fledged. Do not discard old nest material directly below the house, or you will attract predators.

• Keep records!! We have Monitoring Forms for you on the MOBS website.

• We believe that Good Stewardship dictates that you do not allow the non-native house sparrows to nest in your nest boxes.

Please see the MOBS “Bluebird Educational Brochure” on our website for more thorough information and details.

www.greenscapegardens.com 2832 Barrett Station Rd St. Louis, MO 63021

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Article courtesy Missouri Bluebird Society. Photo courtesy Margy Terpstra, https:// hummerhavenunltd.com/blog The Gateway Gardener™ JULY / AUGUST 2019

2019 Missouri Bluebird Conference Orlando’s Event Center Maryland Hgts., MO July 12th-14th

S

t. Louis will be paradise for bluebird lovers in July, when it welcomes the Missouri Bluebird Society and attendees to the 2019 Missouri Bluebird Conference. The conference features educational programs, field trips and opportunities to mingle with bluebird friends and fans, including the annual Bluebird Banquet and Saturday evening picnic and social!

While the focus is on bluebirds, programs cover a broader spectrum of topics, including the importance of backyard habitats to the

conservation of all native birds, an overview of owls in Missouri, and butterflies of Missouri. Of course, bluebirds will get their share of special attention, with programs on “Bluebird Basics” and “Bluebirds in Forest Park”. That program will be followed on Saturday with a tour of Forest Park’s Bluebird Trail.

While early registration for the conference ended July 1st, the Society invites any interested parties in the general public to join in on the activities. (Meals for late and walk-up registrations may not be available.) And while you do not have to be a member, the group invites you to consider joining to learn more about bluebirds all year long (and save on next year’s conference registration fees!)

If you’re interested in attending, check out the group’s website at MissouriBluebird.org for details, then call 573-638-2473 to get late registration details.

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2701 Barrett Station Rd. St. Louis, MO 63021 www.kirkwoodgardens.com 314-966-4840 JULY // AUGUST 2019

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9

Naturally Natives

Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants

The Key to Making a Native Garden Thrive

by Scott Woodbury

I

think often about what makes a garden successful. Time and time again, garden success falls squarely on the shoulders of those who take the time to care for them. Even the best designs with all the right plants, clever design and solid installation can fail when there is no one present to catch potential problems and do ongoing maintenance. Gardens fail all the time because nobody followed up with weeding, mulching, watering, editing, replanting, trimming-back, raking-up or cutting-down; the fundamental actions of horticulture. People often think that native landscapes don’t require much (or any) maintenance. Gardens installed without follow-up fail and they are a waste of time and money, sometimes public money. Also, I find that unskilled labor is not enough. It really takes an experienced gardener or professional horticulturist to know when and what to do in every season, not just somebody with good intentions or someone who can cut the grass. What every garden needs is an experienced person or group of people who care and show up to do the hard work.

Take for instance the Sierra Club garden in Maplewood, Missouri.

Fall Wildflower Market Choose from the widest selection of native plants available in the metro St. Louis area!

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Browse hundreds of varieties of native annuals, perennials, ferns, trees, shrubs, and vines. Market vendors will be selling local beer, wine, snacks, furniture, art, and much more.

FREE for members and their children $5 nonmembers $3 seniors 65+ For more information, visit shawnature.org/wildflowermarket

It’s similar to many native gardens that get installed around St. Louis and is typical of urban spaces. The garden is sandwiched between the Sierra Club parking lot and the street at the corner of Sutton and Maple. Part of the parking lot was removed to create the garden and so the garden has gravel and rubble. It also has two utility poles that seep “goodness-knows what” into the surrounding soil. In spite of this, the garden thrives. It has a diverse selection of Missouri native grasses and perennials that are suitable to the hot, dry sunny site. It was planted in a naturalistic style though with distinctive plants like short leaf pine (Pinus echinata), wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), American feverfew (Parthenium hispidum) and blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis) that make bold statements. Care was taken in selecting plants of different heights, shapes and textures and repeating them through the garden. Most important of all, there are gardeners who show up every month to maintain it. This is the magic ingredient that allows the garden to work. Neighbors always comment on its beauty and thriving wildlife. Skilled gardeners and long-time Wild Ones Members Kathy Bildner, Fran Glass, Penny Holtzmann and others help guide the process. On a recent visit in May, aromatic aster was getting a haircut and was being dug up at the edges to make way for other less aggressive plants nearby. A crop of firstyear golden Alexander seedlings were being thinned and weeded in a bare patch at the base of the utility pole. Worn-out plant tags were being replaced with new ones. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and zig-zag spiderwort (Tradescantia subaspera) plants were being planted into bare spaces and water was being carried in an old ice-cream bucket. Baby brown fox sedge seedlings were being removed where they had sprouted earlier in spring, and in the midst of all these activities, a passer-by took a moment to say, “I love your garden!” And there’s the heart of it. Gardening is an act of people, people who create and care for it, and people who are lucky enough to experience it. That’s why Cindy Gilberg used to say “Gardening is a Verb”. It is rooted in activities like these.

Activities that bring people together, keep us healthy physically and mentally and makes gardens (and people!) thrive.

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

307 Pinetum Loop Rd. | Gray Summit, MO 63039 shawnature.org | (314) 577-9555

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The Gateway Gardener™ JULY / AUGUST 2019

17012 POLLINATOR AD_GATEWAY 9"x11.875".pdf

1

6/10/19

1:23 PM

Birds Bees

the

and the

Pollinators & Native Gardens

Discover the fascinating pollination process when you explore St. Louis Public Library’s exhibit,

The Birds and the Bees: Pollinators & Native Gardens

JUNE 10 -AUGUST 4

CENTRAL LIBRARY, 1301 OL IVE STREET The Pollinator Garden is a gift from Pride of St. Louis Redevelopment Corporation Directors: H. Edwin Trusheim I Dick Mantia I Harvey A. Harris

Support provided by:

................................................................

Garden Storytimes

Central Programs

July 1 I Julia Davis Library 4415 Natural Bridge Ave.

The Buzz on Pollinators July 9 I 10-11 a.m.

July 22 I Walnut Park Library 5760 W. Florissant Ave.

Beekeeping Basics July 13 I 11 a.m.-Noon

July 29 I Julia Davis Library 4415 Natural Bridge Ave.

The Sweet Taste of Success July 23 I Noon-1 p.m.

10-11 a.m. I Families

Adults

Gardening in St. Louis July 24 I 7-8:30 p.m.

Brewz for Beez August 3 I 2-4 p.m.

JULY // AUGUST 2019

The Gateway Gardener™

Seed Swap

Kingshighway Library 2260 S. Vandeventer Ave. Sept. 14 I Noon-2 p.m. I Adults

For more information on these programs, visit slpl.org.

Can’t get to one of these programs?

Visit a Pollinator Garden at these St. Louis Public Library locations: Cabanne, Carondelet, Carpenter, Central, Divoll, Machacek and Walnut Park.

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The Cornucopia Corner

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

Summer in the Vegetable Garden

by Steffie Littlefield

Steffie Littlefield has been a contributor to The Gateway Gardener since its inception in 2005, writing about many subjects, but mostly focusing on perennials. Her first love, however, was always found in the vegetable garden, and she has graciously accepted an invitation to be our new regular cultivator of the Cornucopia Corner.—Ed. Note

W

When you visit my vegetable garden at EdgClif Vineyard, Winery & Brewery the first thing you notice is that I used a raised bed design to organize my vegetable garden. The reason for this is to improve the otherwise rocky clay soils on our farm in the Ozarks and to make maintenance during the summer easier. My beds are filled with lots of friable loam rich in organic matter. Over the years I’ve filled the beds in spring with leaf mold, cotton burr, worm castings and this year compost from our own piles. The dark black material is soft enough for me the run my gloved hand through to cultivate and remove unwanted plants.

In areas where the soil is denser I prefer to use a fork or hoe-type weeder to assist in weed removal. Mulching the large areas does help but beware of adding more trouble instead of preventing the problems. Never accept the gift of un-composted manures or shredded leaves, hay (straw is okay, know the difference!) or even some wood chips. These materials can contain millions of weed seeds and insect eggs to create a disaster in your garden.

123rf

ow!

What a wonderful but busy time in the garden. The main tasks to gear up for at this time of year are weed control, insect control, watering and harvesting (the best part). The first task of weeding can be considered the worst part of having a vegetable garden. Even though it is very necessary to control weeds in the garden this task can be kept manageable by the design of the garden and a few tricks.

But here we are at squash beetle, harlequin bug and flea beetle season. Yikes, they can ruin your precious crops almost overnight.

Rotating crops in the beds, scouting early every time you are in the garden and keeping your plants clean from weeds and debris are the best preventative measures. Removing the insects by hand as they start to appear is very helpful and using some organic sprays or dusts with pyrethrin, spinosad, botanical oils, and sulphur will take care of most insects and fungus issues.

Watering is extremely important as the days are warmer and the frequency of rains slows down. Even though your plants are rooted in, they are still growing very quickly and producing lots of lovely vegetables and fruits. This takes lots of water to the roots. Timing of watering is always something to be discussed. Ground should be kept evenly moist with consistent watering. Deep watering is best and morning or evening is better than mid-day. Some say to avoid getting water on the foliage, that is a problem mid-day and later in evening, but in the morning or early evening I like to wash down the plants like a gentle rain, then reapply organic pesticides if needed.

Harvesting and gathering greens or vegetables is very important to keep the production going in the small garden. As with watering, harvesting is best in the morning or evening when plants are freshly watered and hydrated. Greens like lettuces and kale can be harvested by the plant or individual leaves to keep the plant producing. I love Malabar spinach in the heat of Insect control is something I avoid as long as possible. the summer. It is beautiful and I can just harvest medium 12

The Gateway Gardener™ JULY / AUGUST 2019

succulent leaves for our salads and the plant still looks gorgeous. Keeping beans harvested is essential to production. When the pods start to look full and are stiff, harvest them for dinner allowing the plant to produce more flowers and beans. I grow at least 4 styles of bush beans and some specialty pole beans like yard long beans, hyacinth beans and scarlet runner beans that have decorative flowers as well as unusual pods for the dinner table. Another bean I love to grow is edamame, it’s so easy in our hot climate, so productive and it looks great in the garden. Those pods can be harvested as they look plump with seeds inside. All these plants are legumes and are really beneficial to the soil and compost pile adding nitrogen as they decompose.

Summer is such a fun time in the vegetable garden, enjoy the long evenings watering and harvesting!

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

JULY // AUGUST 2019

The Gateway Gardener™

July/Aug. Harvest Fruits and veggies you might find in the garden or your local farmers’ market this month: Vegetables Artichokes Beets Bean (Snap) Beans ((Lima) Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Cucumbers Eggplant Garlic Herbs Horseradish Leeks Okra Onions Peas Peppers Popcorn Potatoes Pumpkins

Radishes Rhubarb Squash (summer) Sweet Corn Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Turnips Fruits Apples Apricots Blackberries Blueberries Canteloupe Cherries Grapes Gooseberries Nectarines Peaches Pears Plums Raspberries Strawberries Watermelon

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Upcoming Events July 13th 9 am-Children’s Garden Club.

Herbs. FREE. Rolling Ridge Garden Center, 60 N. Gore, Webster Groves, MO.

Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at GatewayGardener. com, so check there for the latest details.

Give us the details of your upcoming gardening, lawn or landscaping event and we’ll add it to our website and include it in our next issue. Deadline for printing in September issue is August 1st.

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

GARDEN CLUBS AND PLANT SOCIETY MEETINGS Interested in Joining a Garden Club or Plant Society? We have meeting dates, locations and contact information on more than 50 area garden clubs on our website at www.GatewayGardener.com.

Don’t have access to the internet?

Just call us at (314) 968-3740, or write us at PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122, and we’ll get the information to you. So share your joy for gardening and join a garden club or favorite plant society today!

FUN FOR KIDS July 1st, 22nd and 29th 10-11am—Garden Storytime.

Hear fun and exciting stories about outdoor adventures! Missouri Botanical Garden staff will read 2-3 stories and lead an herb planting activity with participants. Learn about Tales and Trails, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s nature-inspired Summer Reading Program. St. Louis Library branches, Julia David Library (July1st and July 29th), Walnut Park Library (July 22nd).

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Aug. 3rd 9 am- Children’s Garden Club.

Summer Harvest—Youth Master Gardener. FREE. Queeny Park East Entrance, 1675 S. Mason Rd.

CLASSES, LECTURES AND EVENTS Now through Aug. 4th The Birds and the Bees: Pollinators & Native Gardens.

Exhibit highlights St. Louis Public Library’s new pollinator garden and explores the pollination process.

Programming during the exhibit period illustrates and educates about pollinators, native gardens and the pollination process. For individual dates for information about specific programs, visit https://www.slpl. org/news/pollinatorexhibit/.

St. Louis Public Library, Central Library, 1301 Olive Blvd., St. Louis.

July 6th 10am-5pm—Daylily Daze.

Hundreds of blooms on display.

Growers enter blooms 8:30-10am.

Open to public. Missouri Botanical Garden Beaumont Room. 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis.

9:30-10:30am—Enchanting Bedfellows, Exquisite Shrub and Perennial Combinations.

Discover how to combine leaf and flower colors, shapes, forms and heights to create a beautiful harmonious look for your garden.

Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

July 9th 10-11am—The Buzz on Pollinators. Learn about the different types of pollinators that are found in Missouri and ways you can “bee-friend” native pollinators.

Presented by the Missouri Department of Conservation. St. Louis Public Library, Central Library, 1301 Olive Blvd., St.

Louis.

July 10th 9:30-10:30am—Continuous Blooms with Perennial Plants.

Learn about the showiest, longest blooming, heaviest producing plants available. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 9653070.

July 12th-14th 2019 Missouri Bluebird Conference. Annual Bluebird Banquet, educational programs, Saturday event social, field trip to Forest Park Bluebird Trail and more. Orlando’s Event Center, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza, Maryland Heights, MO. Visit MissouriBluebird.org or call (573) 638-2473 for more info.

July 13th and 16th 9:30-10:30am—Maintaining Perennials and Rejuvenating Your Summer Garden. Learn aggressive pruning techniques that will help you achieve strong, more compact plants and many more blooms in your garden. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

July 13th-19th Perennial Spotlight Week. All week: free perennial classes, specials, flowering perennial displays, free handouts and more.

Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

July 11th 1-4 pm—Native Plant School: Gardening for Insects. What can you plant in your home landscape that will look good and attract birds and butteflies to your yard? This class will examine the best plants for wildlife use in a home garden.

Audience participation encouraged. $17 ($14 Garden members). Joseph H. Bascom House at Shaw Nature Reserve. Registration ends July 8th at 9am. For reservations or more information, call (314) 577-9526 or visit www.shawnature.org.

July 13th 11am-Noon—Beekeeping Basics.

Beekeeper Chas Adams presents the fundamentals of beekeeping. Get an up-close look at the equipment need for maintain the hives and taste the fruits of his labor. St. Louis Public Library, Central Library, 1301 Olive Blvd., St. Louis.

1pm—Pollinator Gardening: They Don’t Eat, We Don’t Eat! Join MaryAnn Fink. St. Louis County Parks Pollinator Pantry ambassador as she shows how to “bee choosy” at finding pollinator food plants for your garden or containers using the 2019 Pollinator Pantry guide. We need to feed, because if they don’t eat, we don’t eat! Come fill a pot or fill a cart with pollinator food staples for your garden! Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood.

FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

July 15th 11am-3pm—American Red Cross Blood Drive at Hillermann Nursery & Florist.

Give blood while the Bloodmobile is collecting at Hillermann Nursery & Florist. Please call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: Hillermann to schedule an appointment.

July 20th 9:30-10:30am—The American Cottage Garden. This American style interpretation will teach you how to incorporate hydrangeas, roses, peonies, iris and other perennials to achieve a charming look with a profusion of color and texture. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

July 23rd Noon-1pm—The Sweet Taste of Success. Ted Drewe’s and Eckert’s Farm will discuss their cooperating roles with pollinators and their products. Learn about Ted Drewe’s secret family recipe. Taste the difference with complimentary samples of Ted Drewe’s frozen custard and Eckert’s tree-ripened peaches. St. Louis Public Library,

The Gateway Gardener™ JULY / AUGUST 2019

Central Library, 1301 Olive Blvd., St. Louis.

July 27th 9:30-10:30am—Low Maintenance, Long-Blooming Perennials. Learn about the showiest, longest blooming, heaviest producing plants available without all the fuss. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 9653070.

July 27th-28th 9am-5pm—Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale. Choose from a wide array of cacti and succulents shown and sold by the area’s top growers, including thousands of rare specimens and starter plants priced from $2. Cactus Society members will be on hand to answer questions and give plant care advice. Missouri Botanical Garden, Beaumont Room. Entry included with Garden admission. www.hscactus.org.

July 28th 10am-2pm—Webster Groves Herb Society Display. Missouri Botanical Garden. Free with Garden admission.

9am-5pm—Henry Shaw’s Birthday. Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw’s 215th birthday celebration. Admission is free for all visitors. Missouri Botanical Garden.

Aug. 3rd 2-4pm—Brewz for Bees. Old Bakery Beer Company, a certified organic craft brewery, hosts an informational beer tasting. Sample the best all-organic, pollinatorfriendly, environmentally conscious and delicious beer being made in the Midwest today while also learning about the important role pollinators perform in managing the world’s fragile ecosystem. This event is only for adults 21 years of age or older. St. Louis Public Library, Central Library, 1301 Olive Blvd., St. Louis.

9am-5pm—Greater St. Louis Iris Society Show and Sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Missouri

JULY // AUGUST 2019

Botanical Garden, Ridgway Visitor Center. Included with Garden admission. www.mobot.org.

Aug. 4th 2pm—How to Frame a Rose for a Picture. Belleville Area Rose Society meeting. All are welcome.

West End Garden, corner of W. Main and 10th St. in Belleville.

Aug. 7th 6:30pm—Metro East Herb Club Raffle. Guest speaker will be the “Illinois Botanizer” Chris Benda, followed by a raffle to fund the club’s horticulture scholarship given to a student at Southwest Illinois College. Open to the public. PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville, IL. Aug. 10th 9:30am—To Prune or Not to Prune. Learn the correct timing and techniques to prune the various hydrangea cultivars and other shrubs for maximum blooming.

Rejuvenating tired old shrubs will also be discussed.Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 9653070.

Aug. 17th 9:30-10:30am—Continuous Blooms with Native Plants.

Learn the secrets of a breathtaking, everblooming native garden. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

9am-5pm—Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Association Sale.

Choose from a wide array of new cultivars and old favorites from the area’s top growers, who will be on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Proceeds benefit the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Aug. 18th Noon-5pm—Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction. New cultivars and old favorites are sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Missouri Botanical Garden, Beaumont Room.

Aug. 24th 9:30-10:30am—Gardening Under Trees. Learn how to combine

The Gateway Gardener™

flower and foliage color, form and texture for season-long interest in your garden. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood.

FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

August 24th Home Grown Farm Tour and Field Dinner. Enjoy the self-guided tour featuring 8 venues highlighting the diversity of local farms and over 250 years of history in Washington County. Start your day off at the Home Grown Marketplace across from the Washington County Courthouse Farmers’ Market in Potosi, Missouri. Saturday evening our 10th annual Field Dinner will hosted by Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery and Brewery. Tickets for the dinner are $60 each and go on sale July 1. Call Debby at 573-4388555 to make your reservations or for more info visit www. homegrownfarmtour.com.

Aug. 27th and 31st 9:30-10:30am—Best Fall Gardening Tips. Discover which varieties are flowering along with the garden practices that will produce the longest-blooming, heaviest producing plants and more. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

Sept. 6th 2-7pm—Fall Wildflower Market.

Browse hundreds of varieties of native annuals, perennials, ferns, trees, shrubs, and vines. Market vendors will be selling local beer, wine, snacks, furniture, art, and much more. FREE for members and their children. $5 nonmembers, $3 seniors 65+. Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit. For more information, visit shawnature.org/ wildflowermarket.

St. Louis Koi Show & Pond Expo The 18th Annual Northern Midwest ZNA Koi Show

September 13-15, 2019 Location: Timberwinds Nursery 54 Clarkson Rd., Ellisville, MO 63011 Hours: Friday: 3–5 p.m.

Open to the public Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Free admission Sunday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Come view the beautiful living jewels on display Koi judging & informational seminars (Saturday) Judges’ talk at the tanks (Sunday) and pond-related vendor booths Raffles and attendance prize drawings

More info at www.nmzna.net Other links: www.timberwindsnursery.com Hosted by:

Gateway Koi and Pond Club Follow us on Facebook Email us at: gatewaykpc@gmail.com Phone us at: 314-276-9461 Visit us at: www.gatewaykoiandpondclub.org

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It’s Summertime!

Apply certified compost to reduce water consumption and increase nutrients in your soil.

Ask your landscape contractor to spread STA-Certified Compost for your next project. Or visit one of our six area locations for the largest selection of STA-Certified Compost, Mulch Products and Soil Blends.

VALLEY PARK, MO

PACIFIC, MO

BELLEVILLE, IL

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO

39 Old Elam Avenue 636.861.3344 5841 Mine Haul Road 618.233.2007

18900 Franklin Road 636.271.3352 11294 Schaefer Road 314.423.9035

Visit us online at www.stlcompost.com

ST. LOUIS, MO

560 Terminal Row 314.868.1612

FLORISSANT, MO

13060 County Park Road 314.355.0052