The Gateway Gardener September 2013

Gateway Gardener THE

SEPTEMBER 2013

速

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

it reen lth s i V e G ea t th reat Hl a Us es G stiva h! e 28t m F o H t. p e S

Urban Edibles

Easy-to-Grow Fruit for Any Size Garden

Zesty Herbs Gardening for the Bees Restore and Renovate Your Lawn

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Gateway Gardener THE

®

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

Gateway Gardener THE

®

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

SEPTEMBER 2013

Volume 9, Number 7

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

Barbara Perry Lawton Garden Book Author and Garden Writer Connie Alwood Master Gardener Ellen Barredo Certified Nursery Professional Diane Brueckman Rosarian Joyce Driemeyer Master Gardener Cindy Gilberg Landscape Design Mara Higdon Gateway Greening Glenn Kraemer Turf Horticulturist Steffie Littlefield Nursery Professional Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL The Gateway Gardener® is published 9 times/year by Double Dig Communications, Inc. to promote enjoyable, successful gardening and livable landscapes in the St. Louis greater metropolitan area. The magazine is distributed free to the public at designated garden centers, nurseries, garden gift shops, lawn equipment rental, repair and sales establishments, and other locations supporting sound gardening, lawn and landscaping practices.

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

info@gatewaygardener.com www.gatewaygardener.com

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

I

From the Editor

have a confession to make.

I was so frustrated after last summer’s heat and drought and the lack of production in my vegetable garden, I didn’t even plant one this year. Of course, as it turned out, this was one of the best growing seasons in years!

Recognizing the error of my ways, I finally put some tomato and pepper plants in pots around July 4th, and though it came late, I am enjoying a greater harvest this summer from those few pots than I had last summer from the whole veggie garden! Such is the power of container growing (and cooperative weather).

There are many advantages to growing edibles in containers.

Weeds aren’t a problem, the soilless potting mix doesn’t harbor the diseases often found in garden soil, and it’s easier to protect your harvest from marauding predators of all types.

Plus it’s just one strategy for the space- or sun-challenged gardener, since you can grow many vegetable plants in containers just about anywhere.

Even fruit trees will thrive in container plantings. As our experts suggest in our feature on Urban Edibles (pg. 8), most fruit

details.

trees can be grown in containers, and there are many new dwarf and columnar varieties that make them perfect for pocket patio gardens, balconies—anywhere!

Growing one’s own food is past being a trend and on its way to being an entrenched interest for many gardeners, right along with growing more natives. In this issue, Cindy Gilberg offers suggestions for combining the two with woody natives that provide edible fruit (pg.

16) for both humans and our wildlife friends. Incidentally, if you have some of these plants, as well as a favorite recipe for cooking with natives, don’t miss the Native Plant Bake Off held in conjunction with the Fall Wildflower Market at Shaw Nature Reserve. See page 13 for

On the Cover...

Growing our own food has passed the fad stage and is a practice enjoyed by many homeowners, but growing fruit has typically been difficult for spacechallenged urban and suburban dwellers. Now, new cultivars like this columnar Golden Treat™ apple allow anyone to grow their own fresh fruit. See page 8 for more suggestions. (photo courtesy Garden Debut®)

Of course most fruit trees, native or otherwise, depend upon bees (both native and European) to pollinate their flowers. We’ve all read about the plight of honeybees in recent years. Steffie Littlefield gives us some tips on page 6 for “Gardening for the Bees” along with reassurances for those who may be reluctant to attract bees into their yard. As someone who regularly sticks his nose and camera lens deep into the foraging flight paths of bees, I can attest they regard me not at all; they’re too busy gathering nectar and pollen!

If you promise not to sting, I invite you to buzz by our booth at the Green Homes Great Health Festival on September 28th at Missouri Botanical Garden. In the meantime…

Good Gardening!

IN THIS ISSUE 4 Gardening with Zesty Herbs 6 Gardening for the Bees 8 Urban Edibles 10 The Many Faces of Mulch 12 Cornucopia Corner 12 JT’s Fresh Ideas 13 A Taste of Fall 14 House Sparrows 15 Fall Lawn Renovation 16 Natural Edible Gardening 17 Top 10 Native List—Edibles 18 Bringing Houseplants Indoors 20 Dig This 22 Upcoming Events

Gardening with Zesty Herbs

by Barbara Perry Lawton

T

and fennel to name a few.

The onion family also has some wonderfully attractive species to add to your ornamental garden beds and borders—the chives as well as the ornamental alliums.

o my way of thinking, gardens should not be limited to perennials, annuals or any other horticultural plant group.

I think it’s much more fun and more attractive to The Thymes mix up the plant groups.

Thyme (Thymus spp.), A good example would a member of the large be to add a few zesty and useful mint family, herbs to your ornamental offers many species garden. Plants classed as and varieties—300 to culinary, medicinal and 400—that are not only household herbs come great in the kitchen, in many sizes, flavors but also are beautifully and growing patterns. ornamental when used Look for those that are This small ornamental garden has a neighborly mix of herbs such as common as ground covers. All as noteworthy for their sage, anise hyssop, and creeping thyme to complement other, traditionally thymes are small-leafed textures and flowering ornamental flowering plants. and low-growing so you patterns as for their The useful herbs are many and varied, with will probably have to grow traditional usages. each having its own several before you find your favorite. My particular attractive current favorite is one called ‘Mount Horeb’ characteristics, as and reportedly comes (as you might guess) well as outstanding from the Middle East. It is dark green, ornamental values. thick, about five to eight inches tall and, in I’ve chose to start addition to being a handsome groundcover, you off with a few of has a good hearty flavor and fragrance. my favorite members Thyme is a strong-flavored herb so use it of the mint family sparingly.

(Mentha spp.). But There are three to four hundred aromatic don’t let me limit perennial herbs, subshrubs and shrubs in the you. There are great Thyme genus. Many species are grown as ornamental species in ornamentals in paths and along walkways the parsley family— as well as in beds borders and rock gardens.

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Note that the creeping forms require perfect drainage. Flavors and fragrances vary widely, from the basic thyme taste to lemon, camphor, caraway and others. Loose heads of white, pink, rose or lilac flowers appear in spring to summer. The foliage comes in variegated forms as well as several shades of green.

The Sages

The enormous sage (Salvia spp.) genus, another member of the mint family, has 700 to 900 annual, perennial, biennial, subshrub and shrub species. These typically are plants of dry, stony sites. The flowers of many colors grow in terminal or axillary spikes that each may bear a few or many flowers.

inch of soil that they can reach. There are hundreds of cultivars in existence, some erect and others creeping. Propagate these wonderful herbs easily by cuttings. My favorites are spearmint (M. spicata) and peppermint (M. x piperata var. citrata), a cross between spearmint and water mint (M. aquatica). Your favorites might include apple mint, orange mint and pennyroyal.

other mint family herbs you may wish to grow ornamentally. And don’t forget those wonderful members of the parsley family.

Dills, fennels and cilantros make hazy see-through plants for the middle or back of garden beds. Parsleys, both curly and plain, are excellent choices for the edges of borders—had you ever thought of carrots as good choices for borders? The ferny greens can make sensational edgings for ornamental beds.

Grow all of these true mints in large ornamental containers. They will become handsome accents on patios, front entrances The onion family offers chives, great or along pathways. Since they grow so well additions to the menu as well as beautiful and so fast from cuttings you can quickly texture for the mixed garden. fill a container. Let them grow as they will It’s time we expanded our familiar herbs or crop them into dome-shapes—either way from the kitchen to our ornamental gardens.

The common herbal sage (Salvia officinalis) they’ll be handsome.

Splendid is available in a number of colors and A Barbara Perry Lawton is a writer, cultivars. Late spring to summer flowers Palette of white, pink, violet or purple grow in These few examples author, speaker and photographer. She has served as manager of publications get you for Missouri Botanical Garden and as simple spikes. Some well-known varieties should about weekly garden columnist for the Posthave fancy-colored foliage—note that these thinking are hardy only to about Zone 6 or 7. In the using herbs in beds, Dispatch. The author of a number of culinary sense, this sage is, to me, the smell borders, rock gardens gardening and natural history books, and contributor to many periodicals, containers. she has earned regional and national of Thanksgiving. Good cooks everywhere and use sage in meat and poultry dishes as Herbs, plants with honors for her writing and photography. household Barbara is also a Master Gardener well as to add a special touch to steamed special and culinary and volunteers at MBG. vegetables.

The majority of salvias are ornamentals of characteristics, offer many sizes, forms and flower colors from a large and splendid white to purple. Most nurseries carry a palette for your number of these handsome plants and, of gardens. course, you can see quite a few at Missouri Take a look at rosemary (tender Botanical Garden. in our climate), The True Mints catnip, The true mints (Mentha spp.) are superb lavender, horehound, catmint container plants but don’t let them loose in the garden. They will take over every and lemon balm,

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Gardening for the Beezzzz

By Steffie Littlefield

M

any homeowners and gardeners are talking about bees. Naturalists and gardeners are concerned about the native bee population’s decline and are encouraging property owners to adopt bee-friendly gardening practices.

Many homeowners and parents of young children are concerned, however about the presence of bees in the garden. We need bees to help pollinate our fruit and vegetable plants for them to be productive but some are afraid bees can be a health threat.

It isn’t difficult to make your yard, garden or even patio space a haven for beneficial bees. You’ll be helping these important insects, as well as bringing more nature to your back door. In designing your bee haven you may want to put your bee plants away from children’s play areas but closer to the vegetable garden. I do try to avoid areas where food is served when placing bee-attracting plants in a landscape, since

They are not looking for a fight.

The greater the plant diversity, the more bees and other wildlife your garden will attract and support (including both honey bees, which aren’t native to North America, and native bees like orchard mason bees).

Always try to choose as many native plants as possible, and consult with local nursery staff or other experts to find vegetation that will thrive in your specific conditions.

Here are some cultural practices recommended to make our urban areas more bee friendly:

Cut Back (or Out) Lawn Pesticides and Fertilizers. Many common lawn and garden chemicals are lethal to bees, while many people may not like the idea of others may weaken their immune systems, attracting stinging insects where they are allowing parasites, disease or other stresses entertaining guests. Keep in mind that to finish them off. Instead, switch to a stinging is a defensive behavior used for strategy of integrated pest management defending the nest against predators. If you or opt for natural, organic fertilizers and have ever watched a biological controls. bee when it visits a Cultivate Bee-Friendly Plants. Just as flower, you may have many plants need bees for pollination, Let Help us noticed that it is often bees need plants for nectar and pollen. Not Y OU Get Rea too busy to even anything green will do, however. In fact, for F dy all! notice you! Foraging bees tend to be attracted to blue, purple and bees are happy and yellow flowers. Research shows gardens We’re getting ready for FALL, with a GREAT curious, moving with 10 or more bee-friendly plants support selection of beautiful mums, pansies and spring from one flower to the most visitors. bulbs for planting NOW! And don’t forget--Fall is the best time to renew and restore your the next, in search summer-stressed lawn. of nectar and pollen. Allow Weeds to Grow. Many common

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weeds, such as dandelions and clover, are reduce this trend by volunteering to plant bees can be planted between existing flowers popular with bees. Go ahead and let some wildflowers and other native vegetation or potted and placed throughout your yard. flower, then to keep things tidy, pull them along roadways and other common areas.

Providing shelter for bees in the garden up after they’ve gone can be as simple as to seed. maintaining a garden Four Essential Elements for Designing a Bee Garden full of spaces guarded Creating Habitat for 1. Choose plants that are best suited for attracting bees in your region the Nest. Many native 2. Limit the use of insecticides that are toxic to bees and other beneficial from the elements.

Keep in mind that a bees make nests in pollinators wide expanse of green old pieces of wood, 3. Provide shelter in your garden from elements such as wind, rain, or grass or concrete does cavities or even in cold not offer protection the ground. These 4. Create habitat for the nest of the pollinator to support the entire life from wind, rain and nests can be easily cycle of the pollinator from egg to larva to adult. cold for a foraging replicated with a few bee. And remember, supplies and tools.

When choosing plants that attract bees select the more bees you attract, the more your Avoid Heavy Layers of Mulch. Many a variety of flowers that are most attractive gardens will grow, since so many vegetables native bees tunnel and live in the soil, to bees and will bloom at different times and flowers require pollination. but can be blocked by heavy layers of throughout the year for a steady supply of woodchips or plastic liners. Learn to edge nectar and pollen. your lawn tastefully without completely You do not have to Steffie Littlefield is a horticulturist and shutting out bees. uproot your current garden designer at Garden Heights Nursery.

Help Protect Bee Habitat. Some of the garden in order to She has degrees from St. Louis Community biggest threats to bees are urban sprawl and attract more bees.

College at Meramec and Southeast intensive land management. But you can Flowers that attract Missouri State and is a member of Gateway Professional Horticultural Association and past president of the Horticulture Co-op of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Garden Plants and the Bees They Attract FLOWERS

COLOR

SEASON

ORIGIN

BEE VISITORS

Great Blue Lobelia

Blue

Late Summer into Fall

Native

Bumble Bees

Lead Plant

Purple

Early Summer

Native

Long-­‐tongued/ Short-­‐tongued Bees

White Wild Indigo

White

May -­‐ July

Native

Bumble Bees

Hardy Ageratum

Blue

Summer-­‐ Fall

Native

Honey Bees Bumble Bees

Stiff Goldenrod

Yellow

Aug.-­‐Sept.

Native

Honey Bees Bumble Bees

Showy Goldenrod

Yellow

July-­‐Sept.

Native

Honey Bees Bumble Bees

Native

Honey Bees Bumble Bees

Coneflower

Purple

June-­‐Oct.

Wild Bergamot

Pink

July-­‐Sept.

Native

Honey Bees Bumble Bees

Columbine

Orange-­‐Red

April-­‐May

Native

Bumble Bees

Horsetail Milkweed

White

Early-­‐Late Summer

Native

Common Milkweed

Pink/White

June-­‐August

Native

Prairie Milkweed

Pink

June-­‐July

Native

Joe Pye Weed

Mauve-­‐Pink

July-­‐Sept.

Native

White Snakeroot

White

Sept.-­‐Frost

Native

Long-­‐tongued / Short-­‐tongued Bees Long-­‐tongued Bees Long-­‐tongued / Short-­‐tongued Bees Long-­‐tongued / Short-­‐tongued Bees Long-­‐tongued / Short-­‐tongued Bees

Yellow Giant Hyssop

Yellow

July-­‐Sept.

Native

Bumble Bees

Lesser Calamint

White

June-­‐October

Exotic

Bumble Bees

SEPTEMBER 2013

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and Blushing Delight™. Choose at least two varieties for crosspollination.

Grow Low! Stark Bro’s Nursery and Orchards, Missouri’s home-grown fruiting plant experts who practically invented the apple (in fact, they have introduced many popular varieties including the classic Red Delicious) recommended many dwarf varieties of apple and other fruit trees that would fit into most smaller landscapes. ‘Enterprise’, ‘Gold Rush’ and ‘Jonafree’ are three mentioned by spokesperson Sarah Depass. All three are grown on dwarf rootstock, are disease resistant, and will pollinate one another (two different varieties are required). For cherry lovers, she recommended the Starkrimson®

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Well, now you no longer have an excuse. We talked to some local garden centers as well as Missouri’s premier commercial fruit tree grower, and got some excellent recommendations for fruit trees and shrubs that can fit into anyone’s landscape, while overcoming many of those other drawbacks as well. Best of all, fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. So dig in!

Grow Up! One solution to growing fruit in a small space is to choose newer cultivars that produce “fruit on a stick!” Columnar apples like the new Urban Apples® series from Garden Debut® are described as having a bottlebrush shape, growing straight up with short branches and abundant fruit that hugs the main trunk. In addition to their shape—perfect for a

Garden Debut

T

he thought of growing your own fruit is often appealing to homeowners, especially in these “locavore” days. But often after a little research (or worse, after a bad experience), many of us are scared off. Many city dwellers or homeowners with smaller suburban plots just don’t have room for a large fruit tree, and especially not the two usually required for cross pollination. Plus

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fruit trees traditionally carry a bad rap sheet of being disease and pest prone, requiring regular spraying programs. Who wants to take that on? And while berry-producing shrubs and vines manage the size limitations, they too can be disease prone, and many produce nasty, thorny canes that casual gardeners may find undesirable, especially those with young children.

Up Against the Wall!

One way to save space in the garden is to grow fruit trees in the espalier style flat up against a wall, lattice structure or other spacesaving framework. Ellen Barredo of Bowood Farms said they had several varieties of “4-in-1” fruit trees this year that were perfect for espalier. They are grafted trees, providing four different varieties on one tree, so they cross-pollinate one another without the need for another tree—another great space saver! The 4-in-1 trees are available in apple, plum or pear, including a popular combination Asian pear tree (Shinseiki) that produces excellent cooking pears.

By the way, Stark Bro’s has a great intro on pruning for espalier on their website at www.starkbros. com/blog/how-to-espalierfruit-trees/ Contain Yourself!

As Sarah from Stark Bro’s mentioned, practically any fruit tree can be grown in a container.

But some plants were born for a deck or patio! Tammy Behm of Greenscape Gardens suggested the Brazelberry® series of fruiting berry plants, including Raspberry Shortcake™ raspberry (not only compact, but thornless, an added bonus!), Peach Sorbet™ blueberry, and Jelly Bean™ blueberry.

Blueberries, said Tammy— especially these shrubs that top out at 3-4’—thrive in containers, which typically are planted in slightly acidic peat-based potting mixes that blueberries love!

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sweet cherry, a self-pollinating dwarf tree. As with most fruit trees, said Sarah, you can grow it in containers as well as in the ground.

as well of the Brazelberry series, growing multiple cross-pollinating cultivars in near proximity will greatly increase yield.

These are just a few recommendations to help you grow fruit in your own home landscape.

Some other fruits you can grow in containers or small gardens include figs, citrus (moved indoors in winter) and even bananas! And for the native garden enthusiast, see Cindy’s column this issue on native edibles. Then, go forth and be fruitful (in the garden, please)!

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T

The Many Faces of Mulch

by Diane Brueckman

his month, I am going to stray from the topic of roses to talk about mulch. Mulch is one of the most useful tools for the gardener.

It comes in many forms and has infinite uses. Mulch is especially important in the rose garden. Mulch as defined by Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary is “a covering, as of straw, leaves, manures, etc., spread or left on the ground around plants to prevent excessive evaporation or erosion, enrich the soil, etc.” By the Webster definition, mulch is an organic material although “etc.” can cover many other things such as gravel, shredded tires or large decorative stones.

some sort of barrier between the mulch and the soil you eventually have this material in your soil. Another problem is heat reflected up into your plants can encourage things like spider mites.

Robert Weaver

The organic mulches do need to be renewed every year. If you cover your roses for winter protection, all you need to do is spread the mulch as you uncover the roses in spring and add some fresh to finish off the bed. A good 2 to 3 inches of mulch will help to suppress weeds, retain moisture and cool the roots.

These beautiful beds at the Missouri Botanical Garden are tucked in with composted leaf litter.

Your mulch is a soil amendment and weed barrier. It will add porosity to heavy For roses, I strongly recommend clay soils and give sandy soils better sticking with the organic mulches. One of the problems with the inorganic mulches is they don’t break down, and if you don’t put water retention. It also helps to stabilize the pH. Pine needle mulch will add a gentle boost of acid for acid-loving plants, as will cotton burrs. I like acidified cotton burrs for azaleas and dogwood trees.

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The Gateway Gardener™ SEPTEMBER 2013

in your area and if so, are the wood chips available to the public?

I have had the wood chips dropped at my house twice. This is the most basic mulch and I must admit not very pretty but it is what the Earth KindTM Rose folks recommend for their test program. Green leaves are mixed in with the wood chip giving a good nitrogen/ carbon mix. It takes at least a year for it to break down. The negative, besides the looks, is it can form a crust that needs to be broken up by scratching up the surface to allow water to penetrate.

Compost breaks down quickly and needs to be replenished during the season. When compost is used to cover roses for winter protection you need to check to be sure the cover is sufficient half way through winter and add more if necessary. Of course, the obvious free source is making your own compost but that is a topic for another day.

St. Louis Composting is one source for mulch and compost. They have bulk ranging in price from $18.00 to $40.00 per cubic yard Another free source available to the public is compost, consisting depending on the type you want. mainly of shredded leaves. Carondelet has compost free to They will deliver or you can pick Mini Excavating residents, and other communities also have this resource. You up. You can also purchase all Services just have to pick it up. The negative there is you will need to sift kinds of mulch by the bag from Underground Utility Installation • Water Services • Downspout Drains • Stump through the compost for things like plastic bottles and other trash your local nursery. I like a mix of Removal • Grading Excavation for Foundation Issues • Trenching • Site Prep for as well as gum balls from the sweetgum trees. compost and shredded hardwood Drainage Retaining Walls • Ponds • Bobcat Work for my flowerbeds. Grass clippings Licensed, Bonded and Insured in the City of St. Louis & St. Louis County on the paths between the rows of Diane Brueckman is a retired rosarian with my vegetable garden help to keep We Dig Where and Missouri Botanical Garden, and currently the weeds down and by next year owns Rosey Acres in Baldwin, Illinois. will be decomposed and mixed When Others Can’t!

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The Cornucopia Corner September Harvest

Here are some fruits and veggies you might find in the garden or your local farmers’ market this month:

Vegetables

Fall is Farmers’ Market Season!

Hillermann’s Farmer’s Market 2601 E. 5th St. Washington, MO (636) 239-6729 www.Hillermann.com

Hours: Year-Round Thursdays & Fridays 10am-2pm Open air market in the summer, indoors in the winter. Fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and food items, plus crafts and other items for local artisans and craftspeople.

Support local growers and enjoy delicious food fresh from the fields to your table.

Overland Farmers’ Market

2500 Woodson Road Overland, MO 63114 www.OverlandFarmersMarket.com Hours: 8am-12:30pm Saturdays May-Oct. Visit us for locally grown seasonal produce, homemade bread and sweetrolls, entertainment and special events. Food available for purchase. Centrally located and accessible by public transportation. Have fun and eat well. We look forward to seeing you at the market!

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It is the harvest season, after all. Maybe that’s why things seem all the more festive at your local farmers’ market in the fall. Live music (like above at the Overland Market), delicious, locally produced foods like fresh-baked bread, artisan cheeses, and of course fresh produce are just part of what visitors will find in the fall markets.

With hay-bale mazes and castles for the kids, plus mums, Indian corn, corn stalks, and pumpkins and squash as far as the eye can see, there’s simply nothing like your local farmers’ market to fall in love with fall!

Rhubarb Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Turnips

Beans Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Cucumbers Eggplant Garlic Greens Herbs Horseradish Kohlrabi Lettuce Okra Onions Peas Peppers Popcorn Potatoes Pumpkins Radishes

Jt’s

Fruits

Apples Blackberries Blueberries Canteloupe Gooseberries Grapes (wine) Nectarines Peaches Pears Plums Raspberries, red Watermelon

Fresh Ideas

For the Apple Filling

Apple Crisp

4 large Granny Smith apples 1 tablespoon lemon juice 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ cup light brown sugar

Preparation Instructions

For the Crisp Topping

¾ cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1/3 cup light brown sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold butter, cubed

Heat oven to 350 degrees F˚. Peel and core apples then cut into quarters. Next, cut each apple quarter into four thin slices. Add apples to a large bowl with lemon juice and toss to coat. Add the 3 tablespoons of flour, cinnamon and brown sugar then toss until well coated. Transfer apples to a 9-inch pie pan then gently press down so they fit.

To make the crisp topping, whisk the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Add the butter then use your fingers or two knives to work the butter into the flour mixture until pea-size crumbs form. Sprinkle topping over the apple filling. Then, use your fingers to lightly press down, forming a loose crust. Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until bubbling, the apples are tender and the topping has lightly browned. If the topping starts to become too brown, cover with aluminum foil and continue to bake until the apples are done.

This recipe and photo courtesy http://www.inspiredtaste.net/18686/apple-crisp-with-oats-recipe/

Please share some of your favorite recipes with us.

You can FAX your recipe to 314.968.4025 or email us at info@gatewaygardener.com.

The Gateway Gardener™ SEPTEMBER 2013

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

A Taste of Fall at Two September Events Whether you want to show off your own cooking skills, or expand your knowledge, two events coming up this month will give you a taste of something new!

Native Plant Bake Off

will benefit the Whitmire Wildflower Garden, and the winning cook will receive “a fabulous prize” and be interviewed for an article in the Shaw Nature Reserve’s Native Plant School October e-newsletter. If you have questions about participating, contact besa.schweitzer@mobot.org.

Include your recipe and contact information.

September 6 4-7:30pm Shaw Nature Reserve Gray Summit, MO It’s time to break out that old family recipe for persimmon bread pudding or Juneberry jam, chokecherry cobbler or elderberry wine.

In conjunction with the Shaw Wildflower Market in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve is hosting a cooking challenge featuring Missouri native ingredients. Simply create your September 11 6-7:30pm concoction, which must contain at least one native ingredient, and Missouri Botanical Garden bring servings enough to be divided into small samples enough for Join the St. Louis Herb Society attendees of the Wildflower Market. The winner will be decided by the entry that generates the most votes; i.e., money. All proceeds and the Members’ Board for an herb celebration in the Victorian District.

Enjoy cooking demonstrations from herb experts, a cash bar, live music by Rosewood, and a silent auction including paintings, gift baskets, and herbal items. The St. Louis Herb Society’s book, How to Grow Herbs in the Midwest, will be available for purchase and signing. All guests must be at least 21. Reservations required. $10 members, $12 nonmembers.

Herbalooza

Schlafly Farmers Market Schlafly Bottleworks

7260 Southwest Avenue Maplewood, MO 63143 (314) 241-2337 farmersmarket@schlafly.com www.schlaflyfarmersmarket.com Hours: April-Oct. Wednesdays 4-7pm.

One Sat. per month Nov.-Mar. 9am-1pm 28 vendors each week selling local produce, flowers, meats, eggs, cheeses, baked goods and more.

Live music on the Bottleworks patio starting at 5pm.

The Land of Goshen Community Market

South of the Courthouse Edwardsville, IL (618) 307-6045 www.GoshenMarket.org Hours: May 12-October 20th Saturday mornings 8am-noon An open-air farmers’ market that is a great source for locally grown, fresh, naturally ripened farm products, tasty baked goods with locally grown ingredients, and wonderful art and gift ideas. Live entertainment and free demonstrations add to the festive atmosphere. A safe, wholesome place for kids and the whole family.

SEPTEMBER 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

13

House Sparrows: They’re Everywhere!

In fact, thanks to introduction, not only in the United States, but also in Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and South America, the House Sparrow is the most widely distributed bird in the world. It was originally only in Europe and Asia minor. In 1852 they were introduced in Brooklyn.

In 1871 they were introduced in San Francisco.

Someone even released a bunch in Salt Lake City in 1873. Lots of introduced species do not survive for long, but some, like our Rock Pigeon and European Starling, thrive. They thrive by being adaptable. These are all park birds. Go to a zoo, park or any place where people congregate and eat. These three species will be amongst the people, especially the tame little House Sparrow.

I’ve seen them take an empty seat at the table of many an outdoor diner, waiting for that piece of bread or dropped French fry to come their way.

We also deliberately feed them. While visiting

neighborhood. Furthermore, the House Sparrows like each other. When have you ever seen just one or even just a pair? No, they gather together in goodly numbers in shrubs and trees chattering away or to be more exact, chirping away. Some people call them “chippies,” for their constant noisiness. English Sparrow is another name.

Margy Terpstra

W

alking into the local Schnuck’s a few weeks ago, I noticed a pair of House Sparrows making a nest behind the large red “S”. Later that day I looked out the window and saw another pair making a nest in the broken soffitt of a neighbor’s home. That same evening as I walked into the Ballwin Swimming Complex on Holloway Rd. in St. Louis County to watch my granddaughters’ swim meet, I heard the House Sparrows’ unmusical voice.

Sure enough three pairs were calling from their huge, messy nests in the rafters of the entrance.

They are everywhere where people are. Put up a building and, “lo and behold,” House Sparrows.

This is not your forest bird, nor will you find it in the tundra, but anywhere else, especially around human habitation, you will find the House Sparrow.

by Connie Alwood

us, my father-in-law walked into the house one day declaring that I must be rich if I could afford to feed so many sparrows. Judiciously I did not point out to him how many minnows he lost to the bass. Nevertheless, he was right--not about me being rich, but about why I would feed House Sparrows when so many people see them as a nuisance. Well, they come with the cardinals, chickadees and other natives that I want to attract. Besides, they are pretty. At least the male is. He has a gray head, white cheeks, a black bib and a reddish neck and back. She, on the other hand? The plainest Jane in the bird world.

Part of the nuisance factor is that they take over the habitat of our native birds. Put up a bluebird box and chances are a House Sparrow will fill it first, with grass, straw and all kinds of other matter. Sometimes the nesting pair will have as many as four broods in one season. With four to five eggs in a nesting, that makes for a whole lot of young in a year’s time to redistribute in your

Since the beginning of the 20th century, here and in Europe, the population of House Sparrows is declining. Many reasons are offered for the diminishing number, most notably the combustion engine replacing the horse, for House Sparrows used to gather in large numbers in order to glean the corn from the manure. Pesticides probably play an important role in the decline. Although adult House Sparrows eat mostly vegetation, especially millet, corn and weed seeds, the young need insect protein for growth. More pesticides, fewer insects. Since the House Sparrow is an introduced species, there are no federal laws protecting them. Still, their distribution is so wide that they won’t be disappearing anytime soon.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, an organization whose purpose is to track bird populations, lists it as “Least Concerned.”

Connie Alwood is a Master Gardener and co-author of Birds of the St. Louis Area: Where and When to Find Them.

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The Gateway Gardener™ SEPTEMBER 2013

MILDLY Rescue & Renovate Your Cool-Season Lawn

By Glennon Kraemer

W

hat a difference a year makes!

This sentence was from my article last year: “As I write this today (07/26/12) it is 103 degrees with a 112 heat index!” As of 07/24/13 it is 83 degrees and very nice. Reminds me of the summer of 2009!

Cool season lawns need cool temperatures at night for them to recover from the high daytime temps. When we don’t get cool nights and rain, the lawns suffer (get diseases & weeds) and they won’t recover until the cool nights return. Most of the time cool season lawns go dormant in the summer and rebound as soon as September comes around. It is shaping up to be a very mild summer compared to the last 2 years. Also, a lot can happen in 5 weeks so remember when this was written and forgive me if I’m wrong in my weather prediction.

What we can control is how we prepare our lawns for next summer. One of the most important cultural practices we can have done to our lawns is aeration and over seeding. “Core” aeration will relieve compaction, allowing water, air, nutrients and organic matter to get into our soils. A healthy soil is the foundation for healthy grass.

The following steps should be taken to insure a healthy lawn this fall and into next summer: • Spray weeds if needed. Read the label and wait the recommended time before aerating and seeding.

• Remove all clutter in the yard and use topsoil to level any uneven spots.

• Mow down to 2”. You won’t be able to mow again for 2-3 weeks, but remember to raise the mower back up to 3 ½”!

• Mark irrigation heads and or dog fence wires.

• Consider applying ½” of compost over the

lawn to add organic matter to the soil’s profile. excellent herbicide to use in the fall. It works This can be expensive and time consuming, on violets and in cool temps. but if you want a better yard? Core aerate in • Try to get all seed jobs done before October 2 directions.

15th.

• Spread your “starter” fertilizer (I like 11-23- • Consider a fall application of pre-emergent to stop chickweed and henbit next spring.

0 or Milorganite®) and seed. Knowing your Radical concept but it works! square footage is important to be sure you get the right amount seed and fertilizer. An educated garden center will insure you get the Consulting with a knowledgeable garden center is important to get good, quality seed right kind and amounts of seed.

• Power rake or hand rake the yard smooth. and fertilizer. It’s what we do in the fall to our This insures good seed to soil contact with cool season lawns (coupled with our cultural will prevent the seed from drying out and practices) that dictates success next summer! eliminate the need to use straw. (I hate straw Remember folks, its just grass! as I think it adds more weed seeds then anything).

Glenn Kraemer owns and operates GR • Water everyday (and sometimes twice a day) Robinson Seed and for 2-3 weeks. You want to keep the top ½” Service, and can be moist, but not saturated! Penn Mulch® is a reached by phone at good top dressing material as this will not add 314-432-0300 or by weed seeds, but will help prevent erosion and email ag gmmseed@ keep the soil moist. sbcglobal.net.

• Mowing at 3 ½” all fall will be important, as will be removing leaves. Depending on the tree species, you may have to blow or vacuum leaves every other day to prevent “Your Trees Deserve the BEST Care!” the smothering of those new seedlings you worked so hard to establish.

• Water infrequently after mowing 2-3 times.

Usually Mother Nature does this for us this time of year, but don’t let it dry out!

• Spot spray weeds after 2-3 mowings.

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The Native Nook A Seasonal Guide to a Natural and Edible Garden

O

nce again the fall planting season is here, allowing gardeners another chance to add to their landscape and gardens before winter sets in. Edible landscaping continues to be quite popular and fits right in with the local harvest and sustainable gardening themes.

This trend only accounts for feeding humans—what about the multitude of wildlife that has been displaced by human development? Habitat gardens do just that: provide habitat (food, shelter and nesting sites) for wildlife by planting native plants. Is it possible to do both in

By Cindy Gilberg the same landscape? Of course!

There are many edible native plants for humans to enjoy that provide habitat for wildlife.

Shrubs and small trees with edible fruits also provide yearround shelter and nesting for numerous birds in our region as well as being hosts to many insects. The native species may have smaller fruit but it is typically much sweeter fruit. Check with your favorite independent garden center or check the list of nurseries at www.grownative.org for sources.

Include a variety of species

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with ripe fruit at different times throughout the season. This will ensure that there is a diverse supply of nutritious fruits throughout the season. Below are some of the more common, easy-to-find native species that are listed (as best I could) in chronological order according to when the fruit ripens.

Clove or golden currant (Ribes odoratum) has highly fragrant, yellow flowers in March and April. It grows in full sun to light shade to a height of about 6-8 feet. Birds love to hide and build nests among its arching branches. The fruit ripens in June and is a dark blue/black color when ripe.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) is a woodland understory tree that blooms before the

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

Kirkwood Market

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dogwoods with clusters of small white flowers. It can be grown in both full sun or in light shade and grows 20-25 feet tall. Its fruit ripens in June, hence its other common name: Juneberry.

The fruit is flavorful and can be eaten right off the tree. Trees may be pruned to control height and to make it easier to harvest

the fruit.

Raspberries and blackberries (Rubus spp.) are the most familiar of the berry-producing shrubs. Flowers appear in late spring and berries begin to ripen in July and August. Most commercially available plants are not the native species— however, some of the native plant nurseries do offer the native species so it is worth looking for. The long arching branches of these sport sharp thorns making it advisable to wear protection when harvesting the fruit. The canes may be trained onto a fence (as is done in commercial production) to make it simpler to harvest and to take up less room in the garden.

Chokecherry (Aronia melanocarpa) grows 5-8 feet tall and can be grown as a hedge.

White flowers appear in June followed by clusters of dark berries in August-September. It is best to pick these when they are fully ripe and they are not good for eating fresh. Rather, use the berries to make jelly or jam, syrup or sweetened juice.

The fruit is rich in anti-oxidants as well as vitamin C, A, and E. Gooseberry (Ribes missouriense) is also known as Missouri currant and is a small, 3-4 foot tall thorny shrub that grows in woodlands. Most berries are harvested when they are green and sour and made into pies or preserves. However, waiting until the fruit ripens to a dark color will yield a sweeter harvest. Gooseberries need afternoon shade and an average soil for best production.

Wild plum is represented by

The Gateway Gardener™ SEPTEMBER 2013

Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants

americana (shown in photo), P. mexicana and P. munsoniana), as listed in Trees of Missouri.

All have clusters of white flowers in spring and produce small fruit that looks like very small plums. Many prefer to use them for drying or in making jam. The genus Prunus is highly valued as a plant for habitat improvement as it is host to numerous butterfly/moth species, thus providing food (in the form of high-protein insects) for a multitude of birds.

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) has ripe, dark blueblack fruit that appears in August and is popular for making jelly, jam, syrup or juice. The more adventurous make elderberry wine! Elderberry grows 8-12 feet tall in moist to average soils in full to part sun. The flowers in July and ripe fruit in late August

are both edible, but the rest of the plant is poisonous so take care to remove all leaf and stem parts from the berries before processing them. They are an excellent source of vitamin A, C, B6 and of calcium and iron.

Dig Deeper.

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GreenGardeningStL.com for More on Sustainable Gardening

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the only cold-climate representative of a family of otherwise tropical

MBG PlantFinder, Tammy Palmier

MBG PlantFinder

three species in Missouri(Prunus

plants. Dark reddish-brown flowers appear in spring followed by small, banana-like fruit in late summer-fall. Because of the popularity of this fruit among birds and other wildlife, many people pick the fruit just prior to ripening and ripen it inside to ensure that they get a taste of its sweet pulp. Trees tend to be selfsterile so it is advisable to plant more than one tree. They are a woodland species and thus need afternoon shade with adequate soil moisture in order to thrive.

Cindy Gilberg is a horticulturist and Missouri native who writes, teaches and does consulting and design work in the St. Louis area. Her work focuses on both native plant landscapes as well as other styles of landscape design. Contact cindy. gilberg@gmail.com www.cindygilberg. com This column is written in collaboration with Shaw Nature Reserve (Missouri Botanical Garden) in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Visit the Whitmire Wildflower Garden (at Shaw Nature Reserve), a 5-acre display garden, for ideas on native plant landscaping. Native plant conservation and the promotion of native plants in our landscapes is vital to restoring the rich biodiversity of our region.

A Grow Native!

Top 10 List FEATURED CATEGORY: Edible Native Shrubs and Trees NATIVE PLANT NAME 1

Clove or golden currant (Ribes odoratum)

2

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

3

Raspberries and blackberries (Rubus spp.)

4

Chokecherry (Aronia melanocarpa)

5

Gooseberry (Ribes missouriense)

6

Wild plum (Prunus americana)

7

Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana)

8

Wild goose plum (Prunus munsoniana)

9

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

10

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)

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The Gateway Gardener™

17

Bringing Houseplants Indoors

by Ellen Barredo

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in your houseplant’s soil, pot and tray. Typically the recipe is 1-2 tablespoons of insecticidal soap to 1-quart warm water.

ne of the biggest mistakes that cause ‘failure to thrive’ in a houseplant is repotting into too large of a container in the fall. To avoid this and other pitfalls in this transitional season, I once again share some simple steps for bringing houseplants in for the winter.

Save the Repotting for Spring…

Usually! There is no need to repot your houseplants into larger pots for the winter. Plants are going to enter a resting time with the days getting shorter and the quality of light is less. When one repots houseplants in the fall the containers used are often too large and plants often die from too much moisture in the soil.

Tropical houseplants always enjoy spending their summer vacation outdoors, but now that cool autumn nights are upon us, it’s time to bring them back indoors for the winter. The rule of thumb is if you are uncomfortable sitting outside all night in shorts and a t-shirt, your tropical plants are too! Most houseplants will not tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees. So, let’s get them ready to come inside!

If you must refresh the soil because it is old and breaking down, loosen the soil from the plant’s root mass and repot the plant into the same size pot using a quality soil mix from your favorite independent garden center. There are some exceptions to my statement. If you are digging plants up from garden beds you will need to transplant. Try to dig the plant up Plan Ahead! Don’t wait until the frost is on the pumpkin to rush the carefully and try to put the plant in the size pot it was originally plants inside. Several weeks prior to the houseplant move in date planted in. Another reason one might repot and with success is that of mid-October, relocate all your the plant will be placed under grow lights for the winter. plants to a shaded spot. This move BALLWIN NURSERY will help the plants adjust to the Time for a trim! Now is a good time to refresh your plants shape & LANDSCAPE CO. lower light levels they experience for the winter. You will need a quality hand pruners, a bottle of when moving indoors. Now wash rubbing alcohol, and a small spray bottle. Fill the spray bottle with your windows indoors and out! rubbing alcohol, and clean your pruners by misting them between MUMS have This will help increase the light cuts to avoid spreading disease. Cut off old or damaged leaves, arrived! they receive in the winter months! broken or crossed leaves and always clip above a leaf. You may

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decide to reduce the height of the plant. Visually divide the plant top to bottom by thirds and never take off more than a third off the top. The trimming reduces the amount of leaves the plant will have to support during the long winter indoors. There are exceptions to this step. Gardenia, Jasmine, and Bougainvillea will bloom in the winter on new growth. Be cautious about trimming these plants heavily in fall.

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Spray, spray, spray the plant with insecticidal soap. Mix your soap in a spray bottle or tank and apply it to your plant, wetting the leaves— both top and underneath--stems, and trunk to the point of run off.

One week prior to your move in date, inspect your plants again for any signs of insects. Apply a granular systemic insecticide approved for indoor plant use to the soil. It is important that the granules are scratched into the soil and then The Gateway Gardener™ SEPTEMBER 2013

watered in. Once again, spray your plants with an insecticidal soap spray as described earlier.

Moving Day! Now that your plants have had several weeks of shade, have been trimmed and treated for insects, they are ready to move indoors. Remember that once indoors, your plants should be inspected routinely for water requirements, insects, and failure to thrive.

Food? Plants will no longer be actively growing and will not require heavy feeding. Routine feeding will not resume until late winter. Watering may also be less frequent than when the plant was actively growing, so carefully monitor the plant’s soil moisture and adjust your watering habits accordingly. Most houseplants should be watered when the soil feels slightly dry to the touch. When you decide to water, water thoroughly so that the water drains into the tray below. A simple way to remove excess water left in the trays 720 S. is11th St.,a turkey baster. Just remember; never let your plants sit to use in water.

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That’s it. By following these simple procedures, you’ll help ensure your plants a successful winter indoors without sharing the season with unwanted insect companions.

Shopping List

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Barredo is a Missouri Certified Nursery Professional with more than 30 years in professional horticulture. She works at Bowood Farms and can be reached at (314) 454-6868 or ebarredo77@gmail.com.

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Dig This!

Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News New Brightside Demonstration Garden

Applications for the training are available at the U of I Extension Office at 901 Illinois Ave in Waterloo. If you have questions regarding the Master Naturalist training, please contact Sarah Ruth at 939-3434 or ruth1@illinois.edu.

Missouri Master Gardeners to Convene in Springfield

Brightside St. Louis (formerly Operation Brightside) recently dedicated a new Demonstration Garden and Learning Center adjacent to its St. Louis headquarters. The garden features a beautifully designed area of native plants and dry creekbeds that serve to show natural, effective methods of stormwater management, rainscaping and sustainable landscaping. Large, colorful and playful sculptures and shade structures add to the beauty and whimsy of the garden, and educational signage helps visitors learn more about the sustainable methods practiced. The garden is open to visitors at all times, and is part of Brightside’s educational outreach to engage the community to help maintain and enhance the natural environment.

Master Naturalist Training for 2013

The U of I Extension Madison-Monroe-St. Clair Unit will offer the Master Naturalist training in the fall of 2013. The Master Naturalist program provides opportunities for adult volunteers to learn about their state’s natural history, environment, and conservation issues. Master Naturalist programs promote nature-based community service by citizen volunteers and provide continuing education opportunities. Trainings are held Wednesdays, Sept 4th-Nov 6th from 1-5pm, and two field trips will be scheduled for Saturdays in September from 8:30am-2:30pm. Topics include Geology and Soils, Understanding the Prairie, Forests of Illinois, and Herpetology. The training cost is $225.

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The Master Gardeners of Greene County will host this year’s Missouri Master Gardener State Conference September 20-22 in Springfield, MO. Dr. Todd Lasseigne, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden, will be the keynote speaker, and attendees will be able to attend workshops and tour several

One of the beautiful gardens Master Gardeners will tour.

beautiful private and public gardens, including the state’s new Botanical Center and the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden. Plus a field trip is planned to nearby Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, the largest heirloom seed company in the world. For more information, visit www. missourimastergardener.org.

Get Up & Garden Photo Contest

Just try to pick the best part of your garden! Is it the bright red tomatoes that grow bigger every day? The colorful flowers in pots on your front porch? Whatever you choose, your garden can inspire others. The Get Up & Garden Contest celebrates all gardens and how they help to keep people healthy. The contest is sponsored by Get Up & Go!, a non-profit organization that promotes The Gateway Gardener™ SEPTEMBER 2013

healthy eating and physical activity in St. Clair County.

To enter the contest, St. Clair County gardeners need to submit up to three photos of their garden on the Get Up and Go! website (http://getupgo. info/). They also describe how their garden helps to keep them healthy, in 50 words or less. Site visitors can review all the entries and vote for their favorite garden photo. The winner gets bragging rights and a sign that designates their garden as a “Get Up & Go! Garden.”

Contests have already run in August, but there will be others in September and October. The contest is a kick-off to Get Up & Garden, a weekly website post by master gardener Roger Boyd.

Residents can submit their gardening questions on the Get Up & Go! website (http://getupgo. info/), and Boyd will answer them.

New Library Dedicated

Community

Garden

Gateway Greening and the St. Louis County Library District recently dedicated its first in what they plan to be a series of community garden

collaborations between the two groups.

This garden is at the Prairie Commons Branch in Hazelwood.

The garden f e a t u r e Young visitors check out the new 20 raised gardens at the library. beds, easily accessible by a concrete walking path plus a compost bin and storage shed. Local community members, accompanied by Library staff and Gateway Greening volunteers, assembled the raised garden beds. Lumber, tools and soil was generously donated by project grantee Missouri Foundation for Health, along with St. Louis Composting and Accenture. Members of the St. Louis Audubon Society installed a 500-square foot butterfly garden.

HOME OF GEORGE’S MAGIC MIX The only grass seed mix formulated specifically for St. Louis area lawns.

Want to Grow a Business?

Established Retail Garden Center for sale in University City/Clayton neighborhood.

Prime location with dedicated customer base. Priced to sell. Owner retiring.

Serious inquiries only, please.

Reply to: rfwj1440@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2013

The Gateway Gardener™

George’s Magic Mix SUN

A blend of 5 turf-type fescues that test very well for our area.

The absolute BEST mix for St. Louis sunny lawns!

Also available in: SUN PLUS, SHADE and TRAFFIC.

Available at these Retail Locations Clayton/Ladue Schnarr’s Hardware 314-993-0910

Kirkwood, MO OK Hatchery 314-822-0083

University City, MO University Gardens 314-863-1700

Creve Coeur, MO Hartke Nursery 314-997-6679

Richmond Heights, MO

Garden Heights 314-645-7333

West County Sherwood’s Forest 314-966-0028

Kirkwood, MO Kirkwood Material 314-822-9644

South County Fendler Nursery 314-892-1150

St. Peters, MO Ann’s Gardens & Greenhouse (636) 244-5533

21

Upcoming Events Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at GatewayGardener. com, so check there for the latest details. If you have a smartphone, scan this code to go directly to the Upcoming Events online calendar.

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 November/December issue is October 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!

GARDEN TOURS, PLANT SALES AND SHOWS

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Sept. 6th 4-8 p.m.--Native Plant School Fall Wildflower Sale and Open Garden. Purchase native plants for fall planting. Plant experts will be on hand to answer questions, identify plants and give guidance to gardeners wishing to expand their plant palette with native plants. Bring questions, comments, photos, drawings or plant specimens. Also, participate in the Native Plant Bake Off (see page 13). Shaw Nature Reserve, I-44 at exit #253 in Gray Summit, Mo. Wildflower Sale and native landscaping consultations are in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden.

Cost is $5 (MBG members $3).

For more information visit us on the web at www.shawnature.org.

Sept. 7th-8th 9am-5pm-- Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show and Sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Beaumont Room, Ridgway Visitor Center at Missouri Botanical Garden. Entry included with Garden admission. www.gesneriadsociety.org.

Sept. 10th 6pm-dusk—Tour of the Historic Gardens at Faust Park. Tour includes the Medicinal Herb Gardens, Culinary Herb Garden, Dye Garden and Fragrance Beds. Iced drinks and cookies served. FREE. Please RSVP by September 3, Micha Kornblum at 314-434-2030 or michaken@ att.net. Hosted by the St. Louis Evening Herbalists.

Sept. 14th-15th 9am-5pm—Greater St. Louis Daylily Society Show and Sale.

New cultivars and old favorites sold by the area’s top growers who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Orthwein Floral Display Hall at MBG.

Included with Garden admission. www.gslds.com/ Sept. 21st-22nd 9am-5pm—Greater St. Louis Dahlia Society Show. New cultivars and old favorites shown by the area’s top growers who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Orthwein Floral Display Hall at MBG. Included with Garden admission. stldahliasociety.com.

Sept. 22nd 1-5pm—U City in Bloom’s 2013 Garden Tour. Visit some of University City’s loveliest private gardens with “stop offs” at the gardens of special interest.

There will be local artists working in the gardens and offering their work for sale. Wine and cheese after at Centennial Commons.

Bird Habitat Garden designers Cindy Gilberg, Lynne & Jerry Breakstone, and Mary Ann Shaw will be there to answer questions and you can pick up information on the native plants and other ways to attract birds. $15 in advance and $18 the day of the tour. Proceeds support the maintenance of 325 established public gardens, container gardens, and new garden projects. Contact info@ucityinbloom.org.

CLASSES, LECTURES AND EVENTS Now through October 31st 9am-5pm daily— Plastic Pot Recycling. Recycle plastic garden pots, cell packs and trays. Plastic should be separated and empty of soil with no metal hangers; no clay pots or food plastic accepted. Please separate #6 plastic cell packs and trays from #2 and #5 plastic pots into the recycling trailers. West parking lot of the Garden’s Monsanto Center, 4500 Shaw Blvd. at Vandeventer. (314) 577-9441.

Look for Plastic Pot Recycling at several satellite collection centers

throughout the metro area through Sept. 30; for a complete list of participants, visit www.mobot. org/plasticpotrecycling.

Aug. 31st-Sept. 2nd Annual Japanese Festival. Taiko drumming, bon odori festival dancing, martial arts, candlelight walks in the Japanese Garden and more. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 10am to 8pm; Sept. 2 (Labor Day), 10am to 5pm. Doors open at 9am. $15 adults (ages 13 to 64), $10 seniors (65+), $5 children (3 to 12), $5 members. Buy tickets in advance online at www.mobot. org. No trams.

Sept. 3rd, 5th, 17th and 19th, Oct. 1st and 3rd Four Seasons Fall Gardening Series. Topics include Winter Wise Your Landscape, Pollinator Plants and What’s Trending Now in Landscape Design. Classes held at U of Illinois Extension offices at 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo (618-939-3434), and 1 Regency Plaza Dr., Ste. 200, Collinsville (618-344-4230). $10 for color handouts, $5 for b&w.

Call the location you wish to attend for program topics, dates and registration.

Sept. 7th Prairie 5pm—Missouri Foundation Dinner.

Guest speaker Dr. Chip Taylor of Monarch Watch will speak on Monarch Conservation. Event includes presentation, social and drinks, dinner, and a walking tour of Alberici’s native plantings.

Alberici Headquarters, 8800 Page, St. Louis. $45 for MPF members, $55 nonmembers. To register, send check to Missouri Prairie Foundation, PO Box 200, Columbia, MO 65205.

Sept. 8th 1pm—Tree Care. A presentation on sound tree care practices and proper tree selection by internationally recognized arborist Bill Spradley of Trees, Forest and

The Gateway Gardener™ SEPTEMBER 2013

Landscapes in Kirkwood. Public welcome. Kress Farm Garden Preserve, 5137 Glade Chapel Road, Hillsboro, MO. Call Jo at 636-296-9306 for additional information.

6pm—Chefs in a Garden. Local chefs turn locally grown produce from area community gardens into a gourmet smorgasbord, all to raise funds for Gateway Greening, the community gardening organization.

Palladium, 1400 Park Place, St. Louis. For ticket information call (314) 588-9600 x23 or visit www. gatewaygreening.org.

Sept. 11th 6-7:30pm—Herbalooza.

Join the St. Louis Herb Society and the Members’ Board for an herb celebration in the Victorian District. Enjoy cooking demonstrations from herb experts, a cash bar, live music by Rosewood, and a silent auction including paintings, gift baskets, and herbal items. The St. Louis Herb Society’s book, How to Grow Herbs in the Midwest, will be available for purchase and signing. All guests must be at least 21. Reservations required. $10 members, $12 nonmembers.

Sept. 14th 10am—Exquisite Fall and Winter Containers for Entrance Ways and Patios. Learn about outstanding plant combinations and window boxes with color and texture. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood.

FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

Sept. 20th-22nd Missouri State Master Gardener Conference. Keynote speaker Dr. Todd Lasseigne of Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden, tour of the new SpringfieldGreene County Botancial Center and Gardens, plus private garden tours, workshops, and more.

Springfield, MO. Register online at www.missourimastergardener. org.

Sept. 21 10am—Spread the Wealth— st

SEPTEMBER 2013

Propagating Perennials. Learn the basics of plant division along with other techniques of perennial propagation. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

10am-6pm—Poultry Workshop.

Hosted by P. Allen Smith, Moss Mountain Farm, Roland, Arkansas. $90 per person.

Visit PAllenSmith.com, email gardenhome@pallensmith.com or call 501-519-5793 for question or reservations.

Sept. 22nd 4:30-6:30pm—“Embrace Drace” Wine Tasting. Enjoy wine sampling, cheese and savory bites, silent auction, raffle prizes and more. Hosted by The Town & Country GardenClub at Drace Park pavilion and grounds, 2310 Cedar Valley Rd. Benefits the club’s maintenance work around the Kropp Log Cabin and the monthly educational programs. $20 per person (over 21 only, please) in advance at Town and Country Municipal Center (Mary Olsen) through Sept. 15th. $25 at the door. For more info or donations, contact Ann Barron at (314) 229-8686 or mobarron@ charter.net or visit the website at TownAndCountryGardenClub. com.

Sept. 25th 9:30am-noon—“KnowMaintenance” Perennial Garden Design Seminar.

Renowned planstman Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm, leads a presentation on plants that thrive among the rigors of our lower Midwest environment.

Presented by Hort Co-op of Metro St. Louis. Missouri Botanical Garden Shoenberg Auditorium.

Contact Emily Bibens at info@ hortco-op.org or call 816-7184818 for information or to register

by Sept. 20th. $35.

Sept. 28th 9am-4pm—Green Homes, Great Health Festival. Visit

The Gateway Gardener™

The Gateway Gardener booth to learn about native plants, vegetable and herb gardening, as well as other sustainable gardening practices. We’ll be there along with more than 100 other exhibitors promoting green lifestyle activities and products.

Presented by the EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden. FREE for members and with Garden admission.

three topics. Light refreshments available for purchase. Advance registration is $20 (nonrefundable) and closes September 25. At-the-door registration on October 5 is $25 -- class availability may be limited. Visit http://extension.missouri.edu/ stcharles/fallintogardening.aspx or call 636-970-3000 for details and registration.

10am—Let’s Make a Terrarium.

All supplies provided along with an experienced terrarium tutor to guide you through the process. $45, or $35 if you provide your own container. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 9653070.

Sept. 7th 9am—Fun in the Garden.

St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Children’s Garden Club. FREE. Sherwood’s Forest Nursery and Garden Center, 2651 Barrett Station Rd.

Oct. 5th 9am-1:30pm.—Fall Into Gardening. Hosted by The St. Charles County Master Gardeners at the University of Missouri Extension Center in St. Peters.

Registration includes three, onehour sessions on topics of your choice plus demonstrations held between sessions. There will be a total of nine topics from which to create your schedule of

Dig Deeper.

Made in the St. Louis Area

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Fall Shaw Wildflower Market in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden Friday, September 6th 4-8 pm

Shop for locally produced native plants, food and crafts. Also, experts will answer your native gardening questions.

Adults $5 Seniors $3 MBG/SNR Members Free

(Hwy 100 & Interstate 44) Gray Summit, MO

www.shawnature.org 636-451-3512

23

For the GREENEST lawn on the block Top Dress with STA-Certified Compost this fall to reduce water consumption and increase nutrients in your soil Visit St. Louis Composting’s five area locations for the largest selection of STA-certified compost, mulch products and soil blends BELLEVILLE, IL

VALLEY PARK, MO

5841 Mine Haul Rd. 618.233.2007

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO (This is a drop off facility only) 11294 Schaefer Road 314.423.9035

39 Old Elam Ave. 636.861.3344

FORT BELLEFONTAINE COMPOST FACILITY

13060 County Park Rd. Florissant, MO 314.355.0052

Visit us online at www.stlcompost.com

Step-by-Step Guide to Top Dressing:

- Core aerate the lawn, concentrating on the most heavily trafficked sections.

- Apply a ½ inch layer of Field and Turf compost, using the Ecolawn Top Dresser - Smooth the surface using a rake or weighted drag mat to break down soil plugs and backfill holes - Spread grass seed, lightly rake, and water – making sure all seeds are covered with soil/compost layer to guard against winter damage - Water as needed, keeping the soil moist until seeds germinate

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560 Terminal Row 314.868.1612