KCG 09Sep13

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

September 2013

Color Your Landscape with Crapemyrtles

Prune or Cable Felines in Your Flowers A Summer of Favorites Feeding Fall Migrants Grow Native: Rain Gardening

Living and Loving The Water Garden Lifestyle…

With

Swan’s Water Gardens

What Is a Water Garden?

A Water Garden is not just a body of water with a bunch of fish and plants, it is a way of life. Water Gardens are about everything good that nature has to offer us.

When you walk into a forest and sit down on a rock beside a peaceful stream you always feel an inner peace, an inner calm. What’s happening is you are connecting with the energy of nature. An energy so calming and relaxing you can actually feel the healing powers taking over your entire being. You feel refreshed and energized with a whole new outlook on life.

And so it is with Water Gardens. Nothing transforms a backyard like a Water Garden does. With its soothing sounds of cascading waterfalls and murmuring streams flowing into peaceful ponds. With beautiful flowering lilies, majestic lotus blooms and other aquatic plants and flowers along with colorful fish swimming about. Without all of these elements combined, a pond is naked and unappealing.

To truly create a Water Garden Paradise you must first love and appreciate nature. Without it your Water Garden will lack character, life and spirit.

It will simply be a garden that contains water.

As in nature, streams and waterfalls add a sense of magnetism to a water garden. Imagine a natural mountain stream where a river runs down through a rugged gorge. This same effect can be achieved in a water garden by creating a narrow stream with a mix of large and small rocks on each side. Make the stream narrow to speed up the water and wide to slow the movement down. All this turns a boring backyard into a breathtaking backyard paradise.

Imagine how inspiring and satisfying your weekend vacations at home can be.

Isn’t time you started “Living and Loving the Water Garden Lifestyle?

Our New Turtle Pond

Without question one of the most exciting things we have ever done here at Swan’s Water Gardens is adding a turtle pond. The response from our customers has been incredible. Young and old alike spend more time watching the turtles than any of the ponds with fish. I don’t know what it is but there seems to be a certain magnetism with the turtles. Maybe it’s just the fact that there are so many ponds with fish and very few with just turtles.

The turtles alone are worth coming to see.

Swan’s Maintenance Team

Our experienced maintenance team of Keith Wright and Liz Corder stand ready and our van is packed full with all the pond supplies and maintenance equipment to help you make this your most enjoyable Fall water garden season ever. Everything you’ll need like aerators, leaf nets, ML Autumn/ Winter prep and more. We can take care of all the Fall maintenance for you so all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful Fall season with all its breathtaking colors. Call today to arrange your Fall maintenance.

Five Biggest Myths In The Water Garden Industry Today

Myth #1. You can’t have Koi in a water garden. Absolutely not true! You can have Koi and have a beautiful water garden at the same time. We have hundreds of customers with Koi that also have a balanced ecosystem using no chemicals, no sterilization (uv lights), with a nice assortment of aquatic plant life.

The key is balance. A balanced ecosystem with the right amount of fish, plants and other aquatic life that creates what’s known as the life cycle. When fish eat they produce waste, this waste is broken down by beneficial aerobic bacteria, which in turn produces the fertilizer that helps grow more healthy plants for the fish to eat. And yes, you can feed your fish, but in moderation. The biggest problem we see in most ponds is over population and overfeeding of fish. The pond owners response is always the same. The fish always act as though they are hungry so we feed them. Just remember, balance is the key to success. Watch for next month’s issue for myth #2.

Water Garden DIYers

Our shelves are packed full of all the pond supplies you’ll need for the Fall water garden season. Leaf nets to keep leaves and debris out of your pond, aerators to keep your water fully oxygenated for optimum fish health and gas transference during the Fall and Winter seasons. Come explore our “Water Garden Paradise” where “Living and Loving The Water Garden Lifestyle” isn’t just a slogan it’s actually our way of life.

With Swan’s Water Gardens You Get The Entire Experience

Swan’s Water Gardens

20001 S. Padbury Lane, Spring Hill, KS 66083

Open: Mon-Fri. 9-6 Sat. 9-4 913-592-2143

www.swanswatergardens.com

EARLY FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO FERTILIZE! MANY HOMEOWNERS THINK LAWNS NEED LESS CARE IN THE FALL BECAUSE THE GRASS GROWS MORE SLOWLY. IN FACT, ITS JUST THE OPPOSITE. IN THE FALL GRASS IS ABSORBING ENERGY, MOISTURE & NUTRIENTS TO PREPARE FOR A LONG & DORMANT WINTER.

GIVE YOUR LAWN A LITTLE TLC NOW FOR A GREEN LAWN NEXT SPRING SEED

FERTILIZE

+

6 EASY FALL LAWN CARE STEPS KEEP ON MOWING MAKE SURE TO KEEP BLADES SHARP

CONTROL WEEDS NOW SO THEY DON’T COME BACK IN THE SPRING FERTILIZE FOR FUTURE GROWTH

RAKE THE LEAVES

AERATE THE SOIL

FILL IN BALD SPOTS

= NEW LAWN

FALL BULB PLANTING BULB PLANTING TIPS & TRICKS YOU CAN PLANT BULBS JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE IN YOUR GARDEN, AS LONG AS THE SOIL DRAINS WELL. AVOID AREAS WHERE WATER COLLECTS. BULBS ALSO LIKE SUN. PLANT THE BULB POINTY END UP. PLANT BIG BULBS ABOUT 8-IN. DEEP AND SMALL BULBS ABOUT 5-IN. DEEP. PLANT BULBS IN CLUSTERS, OR MAKE A LONG THIN LINE ALONG THE WALK. CLUSTERS WILL GIVE A CONCENTRATION OF COLOR FOR A GREATER IMPACT.

TULIPS ARE GREAT FOR BULB PLANTING! WESTLAKE ACE HAS A WIDE SELECTION TO CHOOSE FROM! STORE HOURS

MONDAY - SATURDAY 8AM TO 9PM SUNDAY 9AM TO 6PM*

May vary, check online for your specific location

September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

20 STORES IN THE KC METRO! WWW.WESTLAKEHARDWARE.COM

VISIT US FOR GREAT TIPS, ADVICE & A LOCATION NEAR YOU.

3

The Kansas City

editor’s notes

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Autumn Arrives

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Editorial Assistant Hannah Cavanaugh Contributors Charles Anctil Leah Berg Erin Busenhart Tom DePaepe Cindy Gilberg Diane & Doc Gover Rachel Hodgson Lenora Larson Marjorie Meyer Dennis Patton Phil Roudebush Teede Stipich Diane Swan Brent Tucker Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

How to Reach Us ...

P.O. Box 8725 Prairie Village, KS 66208 Phone/Fax: 913-648-4728 For advertising information contact Michael Cavanaugh at cavsgarden@kc.rr.com.

Submit editorial questions to Elizabeth Cavanaugh at editorcavsgarden@kc.rr.com.

Join us and fellow gardeners.

Become a fan.

Don’t Miss A Single Issue!

Get a subscription for yourself or your favorite gardener.

See page 31.

4

T

hese are the glory days of my garden. While there’s much to brag about, especially after experiencing such a mild summer, the zinnias have put on a stellar performance. In vivid orange, yellow, pink, magenta and white, they stand curbside causing cars to slow as drivers get a glimpse.

Dog walkers stand on the sidewalk and gaze from across the street, soaking in the color parade. And of course, they’ve provided endless cut flowers to brighten the kitchen window.

‘Julia Child’ came to my garden this season, and what a joy she has been. Unlike my antique climbing rose that throws just one pink flush around Mother’s Day, this golden butter yellow rose has bloomed nonstop since planted in spring. I look forward to watching her flourish.

We’ve collected a nice sum of tomatoes, much better than years previous. Some were eaten before they made it to the kitchen, because there’s nothing like devouring a garden fresh tomato. Others were paired with herbs to create a healthy summer salad, or layered with slices of avocado. Sweet summer goodness!

In my ongoing education about butterflies and their needs, I included parsley and fennel in the spring herb garden. It didn’t take long for a reward. ‘Cats’ soon appeared, and as quick as the fennel would grow, that’s how fast the caterpillars were nourishing their growing bodies.

This will seem very elementary, but it was exciting for me to actually see the process, from egg to larvae, with my own eyes. It was also something I could share with my granddaughters and the neighbor girls. Mother Nature continues to amaze me.

As long as we’re bragging …

I think my landscape deserves a prize for having the most mosquitoes in the state of Kansas. Every year these torturous fiends wreak havoc all summer long. In order to work in the garden, I must wear long sleeves and pants (because I despise spray). If it weren’t for the screened gazebo, we wouldn’t have

been able to enjoy the mild summer evenings. We are really looking forward to the first freeze.

Seriously though, autumn’s arrival means more than fewer mosquitoes and quieter cicadas. It marks the beginning of our waning garden days.

There’s still much to be done. With the mellow golden sun at our back, we’ll finish planting our wish list.

This gives those new additions a chance to establish and gain a head start on spring.

If the rain has been minimal, we’ll need to keep up with watering. And in a blink of an eye, it’ll be time for pumpkins and mums.

For now though, I intend to cherish every garden moment, collecting zinnias and tomatoes until freeze or frost puts an end to this awesome season.

I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue September 2013 • Vol. 18 No. 9 Ask the Experts ......................... 6 Rose Report ............................. 7 Tropical Plant Profile ................. 8 Bird Brain ................................ 9 Attention Peony Lovers ............... 11 Pets & Plants: Plant Intoxication ... 13 Felines in Your Flowers .............. 14 KCCG Fall Festival .................... 15 Color Your Landscape With Crapemyrtles .................... 16

about the cover ...

Summer of Favorites ................ 18 Prune or Cable ....................... 19 Feeding Fall Migrants .............. 21 Rain Gardening ...................... 23 Garden Calendar .................... 25 Upcoming Events ..................... 26 Hotlines .................................. 29 Weather ................................. 29 OPA Fall Plant Sale ................. 30 Professional’s Corner ................ 31

‘Pink Velour’ Crapemyrtle is quite showy at Kauffman Memorial Garden.

Learn about others that perform well in our area starting on page 16.

11

30 The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Run Fast, Eat Slow at Powell Gardens A 5K Run/Walk with a rewarding finish plus the last chance to see Nature Connects

S

eptember brings beautiful blooms, the last chance to see the Nature Connects LEGO® brick sculpture exhibit, a 5K run/ walk and much more to Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden.

Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Show at Powell Gardens 9 a.m-5 p.m.

Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Colorful dahlias will be on display at the Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society’s fall show in the Visitor Education Center. Learn the many ways to use dahlias, considered to be the national flower of Mexico, in your garden design.

Run Fast. Eat Slow. 5K Run/Walk & Trail Trek, Sept. 7 8 a.m. Run/Walk and 9:30 a.m. Trail Trek Lace up your running shoes for the third annual Run Fast|Eat Slow event at Powell Gardens on Sept. 7. This 5K Run/Walk and Nature Trail Trek offers a new way to experience the beauty of Powell Gardens. After the race, participants can discover delicious ways to “eat slow” with activities in the Heartland Harvest Garden.

The day begins with an early morning run/walk and optional nature trail trek. The paved course starts in front of the Visitor Education Center and includes

Manager at Vagabond Culinary Events and blogger; * Sept. 15: Craig Howard, Howard’s Organic Fare and Vegetable Patch; * Sept. 22: No demo (Join us for Under a Harvest Moon: A Farm-to-Table Dinner with Chef Alex Pope); and * Sept. 29: Richard W. McPeake, Educator of “Que” at Midwest Barbecue Institute and Culinary Center of Kansas City. lakeside views. The registration fee is $30 and includes a T-shirt, timed course and all-day access to the Gardens. See more details at www. powellgardens.org/5K. Scarecrows in the Garden: Call for Entries Deadline: 5 p.m. Sept. 25 Families, school classes, scouts, garden clubs, businesses and individuals are invited to enter this salute to the icon of autumn.

Scarecrows will be displayed throughout the month of October.

No fee is charged to enter a scarecrow, but Garden admission applies to view them. See details at powellgardens.org or call 816-697-2600 x208. (A limited number of rebar scarecrow frames are available for loan or purchase.)

Chef Demonstrations and Tastings See how chefs and culinary experts use fresh food grown in the

Planttasia An early fall is on the way. It’s time to get things pruned up and tucked in for cooler weather ahead.

Give us a call and let us take care of your garden.

Visit our beautiful new website at www.planttasia.com 1-877-755-6086 • 913-522-1697 Planttasia@hotmail.com

Winterizer 8-0-12

Toby Tobin

One Price Weekend

September 28th & 29th

September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Powell Gardens is a not-forprofit botanical garden located 30 miles east of Kansas City on Highway 50. The Gardens are open daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Regular admission is $10/adults, $9/seniors and $5/children 5-12. www.powellgardens.org; phone 816-697-2600.

U-PICK PUMPKINS

KANSAS CIty’S PREMIER PUMPKIN FARM OPENS SEPt. 21 Fall vegetables • Playgrounds • Jumping Pillow • Wagon rides • Farm animals

Adult Season Pass available for $15. Perfect for grandparents!

HUGE FARM GROWN 3 GALLON MUMS Pre-season Discount of 3/$22.95 through Sept. 20

Plants & Pumpkins

Your Personal Gardener

Your Garden ... Made Easy! We can help:

Heartland Harvest Garden at 2 p.m.

Sundays, with free samples while supplies last. Then taste what’s in season from the daily tasting station. The September chef demo schedule includes: * Sept. 1: Jasper Mirabile, Jasper’s Restaurant, Owner/ Chef; * Sept. 8: Jenny Vergara, Owner at Foodie, LLC, Event

Check our website for fall hours, events, and specials.

www.johnsonfarms.net 177th and Holmes 816-331-1067

5

Ask the Experts! questions from our readers

Dennis Patton LAWN OVERSEEDING Question: Do I need to overseed my lawn every year? I have a mix of bluegrass and tall fescue?

Answer: This is a great question. The goal is to never have to overseed your lawn. I think for some reason many people think that overseeding is a yearly process. Each fall you aerate, fertilize and overseed. Overseeding should only be performed on lawns that have dieback. It is hard to explain how to tell when to overseed but if you look at your lawn and it is

thin with a few dead patches then good fertilization and good fall growth will help fill in the areas.

That is the real advantage of bluegrass over fescue. Bluegrass has rhizomes that with good care will fill in an area about the size of a dinner plate from fall to the next spring. On the other hand if you look over the lawn and there are many areas larger than a dinner plate, or the stand is all fescue, you will need to overseed to thicken up the stand.

The best time to seed is in early September. I know last year in my own lawn, which is mostly bluegrass looked literally half dead in early September. But with a couple of fertilizer applications in the fall and a little extra water, it came back this spring and was almost completely covered.

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I need to also add that I water sparingly in the summer, usually letting it go slightly dormant.

I think we oftentimes panic and don’t give the grass enough time to recover before seeding.

SWEET POTATO HARVEST Question: When should I dig my sweet potatoes? I have read to wait until after a frost and some sources say before a freeze. Which is correct?

Answer: Either time is correct depending on the growth. Sweet potatoes develop late in the summer, August and September. The development of the tuber is triggered by the length of daylight. My recommendation is to start digging when the tubers reach a desirable size for use. Leaving the plants growing can result in oversized potatoes that are difficult to use. I have seen people dig football sized tubers waiting until a frost later in the season.

So maybe late September dig around under a plant or even uproot a hill and see what size of sweet potatoes are under the plant. If they are pretty much the right size go ahead and dig. If the tubers are small leave them in the ground a few more weeks or until frost.

HOLLYHOCK BROWN FOLIAGE Question: I love growing hollyhocks but just when they look their best in flower all the lower leaves at the base get orange spots.

Within days, the leaves brown out looking ugly. Is there anything I can do to prevent this problem?

Answer: Hollyhocks are an old time favorite. I can remember them growing in my grandmother’s garden. There is just something about them that makes you smile.

Unfortunately you have seen the other side of this plant. The problem you have is a foliar disease called rust. Rust is an airborne disease that causes the spots. Control

ROB MORTKO—THE HOSTA GUY

Fall Saving at Colonial Nursery!

KC’s largest selection of the newest and most popular hostas Unmatched quality, selection, price and service Visit our website for complete listing and monthly specials www.HostaGuy.com

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Fri (3-7pm), Sat (9am-4pm), Sun (1-4pm) Tour our extensive shade gardens

6

Purchase any (above ground) Nursery stock item that has a one year warranty & not on Sale.

Includes: Shrubs, Evergreens, Shade, Ornamental, Flowering & Fruit Bearing Trees!

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Bronze • Sundials • Bird Baths • Concrete Urns Home Décor • Gazing Balls • Statuary Fountains • Cast Aluminum • Furniture

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3 Gal. Double Knock Out Roses on Sale for only $14.99 (Cannot be combined with any other specials.)

Mark your Calendar! Colonial’s Fall Festival, It’s a Family Event! Oct. 12–13 Check our Website & Facebook Page for all upcoming Events & Classes!

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Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:00-6:00 • Sunday 11:00-5:00

816-229-1277 • www.colonialnurserykc.com The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

is very difficult as it infects the plant during the period of spring rains. Fungicide applications are not practical so we must learn to live with the problem. Here are a couple of suggestions. Plant the tall hollyhocks in the back of the garden where other plant foliage will cover up the ugly base. Another option is just to cut off the foliage and leave the bare stems of the plant. The disease does not harm the plants just causes them to look bad. I guess the bottom line is we must overlook this blemish of an otherwise garden worthy plant.

VELMA’S ROYAL DELIGHT Question: I have been hearing a lot about a crape myrtle called ‘Velma’s Royal Delight.’ Is it a good plant for Kansas City gardens?

Answer: ‘Velma’s Royal Delight’ is an excellent crape myrtle for the garden. This plant was released by Kansas State University in the early 90’s by the late Dr. John Pair. Dr. Pair found this plant growing in the backyard of Wichita gardener, Velma. He was attracted to this plant for its vivid magenta flowers. We have been growing this crape myrtle along with several other varieties in our extension master gardener demonstration garden located next to the Johnson County Extension office in Olathe for several years.

Our plant stays low, under 4 feet and is in full sun all the day. As our winters have been warming this once southern staple is now right at home in our gardens. What more could you ask for a shrub that

tolerates and thrives in the heat of summer covered with brightly colored flowers for weeks.

BURNING BUSH LEAF DROP Question: Help! My burning bush lost all its leaves this summer. It was doing just great and then seemingly overnight all the foliage turned tannish-brown and dropped.

Answer: Your burning bush euonymus was infested with spider mites. This mite feeds by sucking the juices from the plant which causes the off color. Mites do the damage from the underside of the leaf. Mites are not true insects so our general use insecticides do little or no good. Control is next to impossible as the damage happens quickly, oftentimes going unnoticed until it is too late. Here is more good news, bad news. The bad news is that oftentimes this pest must just run its course. The best method of control may be strong sprays of water targeted at the undersides of the leaves to dislodge the mites. Do this every day for three to five days in a row. The good news is that the mites will not kill the bush, just make it look bare for the rest of the summer. Hey, here is another option, read about ‘Velma’s Royal Delight’ it might be time for an upgrade in shrub selection.

Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.

Stop in for our Huge perennial Blowout Sale!

September Rose Report

Charles Anctil

N

o! Not yet! I’ll bet you thought you were done for the year! Too bad, so sad! {giggle} You can get some awesome blooms in September and October. If it does not rain, continue watering and fertilizing.

Cut back on the nitrogen part of your fertilizer. Phosphorus hastens root development, hastens maturity, and provides for winter hardiness. Potassium adds stiffness (canes), increases disease and drought resistance, regulates opening and closing of stomata, improves firmness. Good, healthy plants will always come through harsh winters.

Do not back off your spraying. If you had problems with either insects or disease, make sure you spray before you mulch. I usually start defoliating mid-October and will spray several times, weather permitting, to keep these problems to a minimum going into winter.

Fall is a good time to evaluate your roses. Were you satisfied with the quality of the blooms? Do you think they repeated fast enough?

Keep your eyes peeled for “Witch’s Broom”. Customers are still bringing in samples. Call me if you need clarification.

See you next month!

Charles Anctil has been an active Rosarian since 1958, Kansas City Rose Society, ARS Judge Emeritus, ARS Master Consulting Rosarian. If you need help, call him at Moffet?s Nursery, St. Joseph, Mo., 816233-1223.

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September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

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“The pros you know in the clean red truck.”

7

Miami County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale in Paola, Kansas

R

eady to think about the bigger, better garden you want to have next year?

The Miami County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale will be just what you need to get a head start.

The sale will be held September 26-28, 2013, at the Miami County Extension office in Paola, Kan., in the Extension Master Gardeners parking lot.

The sale features an impressive selection of hosta, including miniatures, and many native plants—coneflowers, buckeye, Kansas blazing star, plants for butterflies, and native grasses.

From other parts of the world there will be mimosa, golden caryopteris, redwood trees, honeysuckle vines, ornamental grasses and crape myrtle—including some named varieties developed at the U.S. National Arboretum.

Plants are selected for their suitability for fall planting in our climate, and are grown in Miami County. Proceeds of the sale go toward fulfilling the Master Gardeners’ mission of providing the public with researchbased horticultural information primarily through public programs, the garden hotline, consultations, newspaper articles, demonstrations and trial gardens.

Expert gardeners will be on hand to assist shoppers on Thursday from noon to 5, Friday from 8 to 5, and Saturday from 8 to noon. Paola is 15 minutes south of Olathe on 169 Highway.

The Extension office is located near the intersection of Wea Street and Hospital Drive. Enter the grounds from the Wea Street entrance.

ROSEHILL FARM

Tropical Plant Profile: Peperomia

Brent Tucker

P

eperomia is one of my favorite family of plants because of their ease of care and many plant forms. Their leaves are fleshy like a succulent so most only want moderate water and a few are low light tolerant since they are found in shady jungles in nature. There are some that require high humidity which makes them great candidates for terrariums. There are even a few Peperomia that can be found in arid climates just like cactus.

Here are some of my favorites.

Peperomia obtusifolia has several leaf variegations as well as the standard green. It’s an upright grower and can often be confused with a jade plant (Crassula argentea).

Peperomia argyriea or watermelon Pep (pictured above) has large, silver peltate leaves with green along the veins giving the appearance of a watermelon.

There is a mini watermelon Pep (P. verschaffeltii) that’s half the size of P. argyriea which makes a good terrarium sized plant.

Peperomia caperata being one of the most common Peps has several leaf colorations from silvery purple to green and even one with blotches of pink and cream.

Leaves are heart shaped and create a mounded plant.

Peperomia scandens is a trailing variety and is sometimes called false philodendron. Surprise! It’s just as easy to grow as a philodendron. Try it in a hanging basket.

All these varieties produce rattail like flower spikes from time to time but you can keep them trimmed off for tidiness. As mentioned above they prefer to be watered only when near dry and feed them once a month with a houseplant food.

Provide medium to bright indirect light for most species or morning sun to afternoon shade depending on the variety. I like to keep them under-potted and add some perlite to a quality container soil.

The only pests I’ve encountered are mealy bugs so keep an eye out for them.

There are many more species worth mentioning but far too many to list. Try a Peperomia. I’ll bet they will be a favorite of yours too!

Brent Tucker has been growing plants for 20 years. He is the Tropical Plant Manager at Heartland Nursery and Garden Center, Kansas City, Mo.

FALL TREE SALE Sat., Sept. 7, 2013 8:00am- 4:00pm

At our Belton Farm Location!

We’ve trimmed 25-50% off our trees. One day ONLY!

Follow the signs posted along Holmes and 155th Streets.

Call 816-331-4450 for info and questions.

rosehillgardens.com

8

The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

The Bird Brain

Out with the Old, In with the New

Now available oNliNe Th e Ka ns as Ci ty The Kansas City Th e Ka nsa s Ci ty

NER GAR D ENER GAR D EGARDENER h 2012 Marc g thly G A Mon u i de t o S u cces s ful Gar dening November 2012 enin ssful Garde ning to Succ essfu l Gard A Mont hly Guide to Succe A Mon thly Guid e

is important to avoid predators.

You will also notice that birds are much quieter during the molting period.

Doc & Diane Gover

B

irds have something that no other creatures on earth have – feathers. Feathers get heavy use and, as a result, they wear out.

This time of year we receive calls from birdwatchers finding feathers on the ground or questions about adult birds whose feathers seem to be falling out in clumps. The birds are molting (a complicated process in which a bird replaces its feathers) or, as we like to say “changing their outfits.”

Feathers are responsible for more than just a bird’s ability to fly; they provide weather protection, making a bird virtually waterproof as well as insulating them for cold weather. They are growing their clothes which takes time and tremendous energy. Typically, birds molt feathers in regular patterns or on specific parts of their bodies. It may take weeks or months for birds to complete the molting cycle. They shed their flight feathers symmetrically, the first one on each wing at the same time, then the second and so on, so they can molt wing feathers without affecting their ability to fly. Swift flight

High Protein Foods The main ingredients in growing these new feathers are proteins (over 90% of the feather) and fats.

Birds will eat more of their daily diet and seek out foods high in protein and fat to satisfy both the extra energy requirements and the needed building blocks. They also need extra fats for energy to grow feathers and provide proper coloration to best attract a mate. If they lack these proper nutrients, it could be a difficult winter and a lonely spring!

You can readily attract molting birds to your feeders with highprotein foods like Bark Butter, suet and suet nuggets, mealworms, peanuts and tree nuts, sunflower and safflower seed, white millet and Nyjer. Be sure to continue offering fresh water.

Having the right foods in your feeders and offering a fresh supply of water is a wonderful way to help birds during this crucial time in their lives.

Doc and Diane Gover own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.

Debbie’s Lawn Busters

Beautiful Bright and uals for 2012

Attracting Flying Flowers

New Ann

Not So Minor Bulbs Heirloom Annuals

Miniature Hosta n trees Dogwoods are fine garde Memory Gardens Soil Test Interpretations

Hangin’ Out For Winter Care for Your Newly Seeded Lawn Falling ... Into Winter Ponds The Bird Brain answers your questions

The Grand Magnolia

A Landscape With Flavor Year of the Geranium 2012 All-America Selections

www.issuu.com/thekansascitygardener For help with reseeding, call Tobin Lawn & Landscape at 816-765-5565 or Sonshine Lawn at 816-525-7111.

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New Dahlia Show Garden at Loose Park

By Marjorie Meyer

T

he Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society members were given a section at Loose Park Garden Center to install a Show garden. It’s located next to the stairs from the turnaround-parking.

It is planted and being maintained by members of the Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society. Randy Burfeind and Bernard Lohkamp are interviewed about the design, planting and the care given the dahlias they’ve planted.

Could you share the ideas that went through your mind when designing the dahlia garden?

BL: A demonstration of the beauty of dahlias and a “handson” example of what we do when growing dahlias and examples of different varieties from dwarf border to tall varieties.

RB: It was Bernard’s idea to plant three different sizes of dahlias which were small border dahlias in the front row nearest to the sidewalk, then the next row was planted with container dahlias which are medium in height (18 to 24 inches tall) and then toward the back are dahlias we normally think of as show/cut flower dahlias (3 to 6 ft. tall). This gives the visitor a good idea of the characteristics of the three types of dahlias involved.

What are some of the standout plants used in this year’s bed?

BL: Colorado Classic, Sterling Silver, Valley Porcupine

and Kelvin Floodlight.

RB: Kelvin Floodlight is classified as AA (the largest size of dahlia blooms) which has a bright yellow color. Colorado Classic is a BB (medium sized dahlia) which has a dark pink and white colored bloom.

Tell me about the schedule for caring for the dahlias.

BL: Planting them, pinching out the center to encourage lateral growth. Fertilizing them, tying them up for straight stems, disbudding for bigger blossoms.

RB: We are taking turns watering the plants and we are also getting some help from the Garden Center employees, especially in hot, dry weather. Fertilizer was added to the soil at planting time.

As the plants start to bloom, we will have to watch for cucumber beetles which are the main enemy

of dahlias causing damage to the blooms.

How have your members benefited from having the show garden?

BL: A hands-on demonstration of what the dahlia growers do throughout the season.

RB: At our monthly meetings, we have been able to use the dahlia plants for demonstrations to members and other dahlia growers on tying up the plants to stakes, removing the side buds from the two sides of the main blooms, and topping/stopping the dahlia plant by removing the main stem after 3, 4, or 5 five sets of leaves have developed (different sizes of plants are topped at different numbers of leaves depending on the size of the plant (large plants - 3 leaves and plants with smallest blooms - 5 leaves).

For information about growing dahlias and about the Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society please email greaterkcdahlia@gmail. come or call Randy Burfeind at 913-451-3488. You can find the Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society on Facebook or at http://kcdahlia. blogspot.com/.

Marjorie Meyer is the Publicity Chair of the Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society.

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The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Attention Peony Lovers: One-Day Peony Sale October 5

E

very two years the Heartland Peony Society organizes the largest one-day peony sale in the country. That sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 5 at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As usual, it will feature peonies from growers across the United States and from overseas. Over 700 very reasonably priced peonies will provide something for everyone, from the casual novice to the discerning collector.

HPS board members work hard to make the sale a success, as it is the organization’s main moneyraising venture. Proceeds from the sale support all HPS activities.

Every two years, alternating with the sale years, HPS brings to town a peony expert for a free, open-to-the-public presentation.

Speakers have come from China, Germany, Canada and all across

the United States. A few years ago, the speaker from Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm and Nursery brought nearly 200 plants. Everyone attending walked away with a terrific door prize.

Each spring HPS offers a bus trip visiting Midwest peony grow-

June 1 - September 29

ers, botanical gardens, specialty nurseries, and private gardens. HPS partially underwrites the cost of the trips to keep costs low. A typical full-day trip costs around $35 or so, enabling even gardeners on tight budgets to visit some wonderful locations.

A few years ago HPS made a sizeable donation that enabled Timber Press to publish a gorgeous peony book.

Every year there is a pot luck and auction, the only HPS event not open to the public. Because of the extensive personal connections that board members have in the world-wide peony community, exceptional peonies that are unavailable anywhere else are brought in. And they’re quickly snapped up by eager bidders.

In its latest project, HPS is partnering with the Gardeners Connect effort to continue beautifying Loose Park. HPS will donate, plant, and maintain a peony garden near the Rose Garden.

And these same HPS experts will be available at the October 5 sale to answer questions and offer peony advice to anyone, no purchase necessary!

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Choosing a Fall Water Garden

Diane Swan

A

utumn will be in the air soon. Cooler days and nights will invite us outside again after the long hot summer months. Mums, Asters and Sweet Autumn Clematis will dot

the landscape with brilliant Fall colors. Trees will be slowly changing colors. Occasional Fall rains will soften the hard dry soil.

Fall is a perfect time to design and install your water garden.

When you normally think of water gardens, you think of beautiful rushing waterfalls, meandering streams, and a peaceful pond complete with aquatic plants and fish.

The pond’s surface will reflect the rich colors of Autumn giving it a special kind of warmth and glow only seen during this special season.

Fall Plant Sale Thursday, September 26 — noon to 5 pm Friday, September 27 — 8 am to 5 pm Saturday, September 28 — 8 am to noon All plants pot grown and ready to plant.

Many Perennials, Large Selection of Hosta, Miniature Hosta, Crape Myrtles, Native Plants, Hydrangea, Trees, Shrubs, Native & Ornamental Grasses, and Butterfly Plants Miami County Master Gardeners 104 S. Brayman, Paola, KS

Enter from Wea St.—follow signs off Hospital Dr. Paola is 15 minutes south of Olathe on 169 Hwy. 12

Miami County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale 2013

Colorful butterflies are attracted to the water and plantings. Frogs and toads are jumping everywhere eating the Fall bugs. Dragonflies can be seen darting around the pond like little helicopters.

Hardy aquatic plants introduced now will have a chance to take a hold and flourish before Old Man Winter comes to visit, and gives you a head start on next Spring.

The Autumn season gives your pond a chance to mature during the less stressful winter time. By adding ML Autumn Prep, you can help maintain your beneficial bacteria levels up during the winter. It will also help keep the dead leaves and organic sediment buildup to a minimum. It will give you time to get your ecosystem in balance.

Fish are part of this ecosystem and you will be able to enjoy them and they will go into their semihibernation state for the winter.

This is the ideal picture of a peaceful and tranquil backyard where you can sit and relax on a patio with a fire pit nearby to keep on that cooler night.

Maybe when you look in your backyard, you feel you don’t have enough room, or maybe you love the idea of a stream but don’t really want a pond with fish and plants.

Maybe you have problems in your yard with runoff.

Luckily there are alternatives.

1. First of all you could do a complete water garden but just on a much smaller scale. The principles of building a water garden are basically the same regardless of the actual size of the pond or length of the stream. Waterfalls can be on the edge of the pond instead of a stream.

2. Pondless Waterfalls are getting more popular. This water fea-

ture is where you get the benefits of waterfalls and stream, you just don’t have the pond. The water terminates into holding tanks covered in gravel and rocks to give enough water volume to run the feature but no pond.

3. Rain harvesting is almost the exact same as a Pondless water feature except you have more water storage capacity. It can be installed in problem areas of the yard to gather the excess runoff or even to capture the water from the roof of your house. You can take this problem area and turn it into a beautiful, peaceful water feature.

4. Bubbler rocks are great for small areas, especially by front entryway. They take up very little room but still give you the sights and sounds of water.

5. Mini waterfalls and streams are fantastic to add to small areas whether it be in the front of the house or a small area tucked in an existing garden in your backyard.

These minis are also prefect to fit in your miniature garden or even railroad gardens.

Let your imagination go and you find a water feature to adapt to almost any situation in your yard.

Once you do decide on the one that is right for you, always seek professional help and advice before having the feature installed whether you do it yourself or have a professional do it for you. Planning ahead will help you from making common mistakes.

Find the water feature right for you that promises to bring peace and tranquility to your own backyard.

Kevin and Diane Swan own Swan’s Water Gardens, a full service water garden center. You may contact them at 913-592-2143.

The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Pets and Plants: How to Recognize Plant Intoxication

By Phil Roudebush

Jazz in the Roses featuring Mike White Quartet

U

nfortunately, each year thousands of dogs and cats suffer from accidental ingestion or exposure to household or outdoor poisons. According to the Pet Poison Helpline® (www.petpoisonhelpline.com) and Animal Poison Control Center (www. aspca.org) plant-related poisoning is among the top ten reasons that pet owners or veterinarians contact animal poison centers.

However, health problems associated with potential plant poisoning are often non-specific and may be due to a large number of different problems or diseases.

Common signs of potential plant poisoning in dogs, cats or people include general problems (depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, rapid breathing); gastrointestinal upset (excessive salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea); nervous problems (muscle tremors, muscle rigidity, unsteady gait, excessive excitement, paddling, seizures); skin problems (irritation, redness, itching); and other conditions such as pale gums due to anemia, rapid heart rate, irregular heart rhythm or excessive bleeding.

Because these signs and problems can be due to a large number of different conditions, it is often difficult to diagnose plant intoxication unless the animal is seen eating inappropriate plants or plant-related

Kansas City Rose Society invites you to two events in September.

Sunday, September 8, 2013, 4:30 to 6:30 pm in the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden Jacob l. Loose Memorial Park, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO 64112 Free and open to the public

Wine & Roses Fundraiser

materials. If a pet animal shows any of the health problems listed above, be sure to contact a veterinarian and provide a list of plants or plant-related materials to which the animal could have been exposed.

On their website, the Pet Poison Helpline has a list of poisons that commonly affect pet animals, including hazardous plants and the health problems they can cause.

Plants, foods and horticultural practices that are potentially hazardous to cats and dogs will be covered in more detail in future articles.

Phil Roudebush is a retired veterinarian, specialist in small animal internal medicine and adjunct faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. He is an Extension Master Gardener in Shawnee County, Kansas. He can be reached at philroudebush@gmail.com.

Bannister Gardens is your fall Peony headquarters!

OVER 100 VARIETIES

of peony roots available.

Visit www.peonies.net to see pictures and descriptions of your favorite variety.

FALL NURSERY STOCK SALE • 35-75% OFF Beautiful fall pansies • Fall vegetable plants Colorful Belgium mums • 25% off Pottery

Redeem bannisteR bucks now!

10001 E. Bannister Rd., Kansas City, MO • 816-763-4664 September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Thursday, September 26, 2013, 5:30- 7:00 pm Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden at Loose Park, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO 64112 Entertainment provided by the Mike White Quartet Tickets are $75.00, reservations required For more information, please see www.kansascityrosesociety.org

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Before fall Seeding ... ask for these products at your favorite retailer!

We recommend an application of enviroMax mixed with envirolife (2 to 1 ratio) be used 7 to 10 days before verticutting and seeding.

The ground will become softer, as pore space is added to the soil profile. This will make your job in verticutting a much easier task. You will prepare the soil to properly absorb water and nutrients, and the microorganisms in envirolife will begin to flourish throughout the soil profile.

We have found by spraying PlantMaster over the seeds germination rate increases and germination time shortens. after the seed germinates, the grass will be able to grow longer roots, due to the fact that enviroMax has created pore space.

MFG. BY: ChemCraft, Inc. 913-579-3903 Overland Park, KS • Visit our WebSite at www.chemcraft.net 13

By Rachel Hodgson

Felines in Your Flowers

M

aybe you’re an animal lover, but you’re not too sure about those cats in the neighborhood, and how they could affect your garden.

Every community is touched by animals, and many neighborhoods have feline residents. Great Plains SPCA is a destination for Kansas City pet owners providing adoptions, affordable medical care and much more, but the nonprofit is also a resource for pet questions such as what to do with cats in your community.

The felines in your neighborhood may be owned cats on a stroll, or they could very well be feral or free-roaming cats. These cats live outdoors where they can find food and shelter, typically near people’s homes. Free-roaming or stray cats are friendly with humans and could potentially be adopted by a family.

Feral cats are not socialized and avoid interaction with humans.

A local organization supporting Alley Cat Allies, Great Plains

SPCA has some quick tricks for your qualms with kitties in the garden.

Keeping Cats Out of the Garden If unwanted cats are hanging out on your porch or around your yard, you can use cat repellents such as non-toxic powder, spray or fresh citrus peels. You can spread these materials along the edges of your yard and specific spots from which you need to deter them. Cat repellents can be purchased at local pet supply stores or online.

Cats have a natural instinct to dig in order to bury their waste, not an ideal next to your recently planted flowers. The solution can be as simple as spreading citrus peels, coffee grounds or even pipe tobacco in your garden. If you’re not thrilled about those materials, try spraying the area with citrus fragrance, or oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus or similar scents.

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The glorious beauty of Fall is now being presented for your review.

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You’ll love the unique presentation of our healthy ‘homegrown’ flowers and plants of all kinds.

You’ll be amazed at the organization and how neat and clean our facility is.

Our selection and easy shopping will make your visit a pleasure.

Come and celebrate Autumn with us.

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14

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

We can adapt to meet your group’s needs, from a short 20-minute presentation to a longer format, if needed. While there are no fees for a volunteer speaker, a donation to Extension or the chosen volunteer organization is appreciated.

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

For gardeners who do not want to add a scent to their garden, you can arrange lattice fence materials on the ground, disguising them by planting seeds and flowers in the openings. Gardeners can also use chicken wire but be sure to roll under and bury the sharp edges as to not hurt the cats. The official Cat Scat plastic mats help the same way and can be purchased online.

To not only inhibit a cat’s path but redirect them to a better location, you can create an outdoor litter with tilled soil or sand in an outer area where you prefer them to be. This works best in conjunction with the above methods.

What to do with Outdoor Cats Your first inclination may be to catch the cat and bring them to a shelter, but many of these outdoor cats simply belong outside. Great Plains SPCA provides TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release), the most effective and humane way to treat outdoor cat colonies.

With TNR, volunteers trap cats in humane box traps then bring them to Great Plains SPCA for spaying and neutering at our affordable, quality Veterinary Care Center. This state-of-the-art facility in Merriam, Kan., off I-35 and Antioch Road is open to the public for all pet medical needs. While in our care, the cats are vaccinated, examined and have their ears tipped before leaving – a universal mark that the cat has been treated.

The cats are then released back into their habit to live out their natural lives. Whereas in the past

people might remove a cat from a colony, organizations like ours have all determined that TNR is the best method to help these colonies as the colony size, nuisance factors and undesirable habits all decrease.

If you are interested in TNR for cats in your neighborhood, contact Great Plains SPCA at (913) 831SPCA. The cost is minimal and well worth it.

The next time you see a cat hiding behind a rose bush or walking through the yard, please remember that the outdoors are their home too and you can peacefully coexist.

About Great Plains SPCA Great Plains SPCA is the Kansas City Metro’s most comprehensive animal welfare agency, serving more than 30,000 needy pets annually. With our paws on both sides of the state line, the No Kill nonprofit is now the region’s only bistate organization with campuses in Merriam, Kan., and Independence, Mo. A destination for you and your pets, Great Plains SPCA offers pet adoptions, affordable veterinary care, dog training, volunteer opportunities, and more. At Great Plains SPCA, everyone can be a Hero for pets by adopting, donating, or volunteering. The organization relies on the community’s support to provide its lifesaving work. Learn how you can be a Hero at www.

GreatPlainsSPCA.org.

Rachel Hodgson is the Chief Communications Officer at Great Plains SPCA.

The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Kansas City Community Gardens Fall Family Festival Saturday, September 7 A Day of Free Fun for Children and Adults

K

ansas City Community Gardens invites everyone to enjoy its Fall Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

September 7. Admission is free.

The annual event is at the Leanna Flandermeyer Memorial Beanstalk Children’s Garden, located at 6917 Kensington Ave., just north of Gregory Boulevard in Swope Park.

The Beanstalk garden will be filled with games, demonstrations, and garden foods to sample.

Children can win prizes, including a free book at the Kansas City Public Library’s bean-bag toss. They can paint pumpkins, make peanut butter, and plant herbs to take home.

The day will include scavenger hunts, games, horseback riding, face painting, spinning and weaving, and a bug station. Lakeside Nature Center will be there with animals. Les Dames d’Escoffier,

an international organization of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality, will demonstrate fruit and vegetable grilling, giving away samples of tasty treats.

There’s much more!

Visitors can purchase lunch and drinks. Sales of garden crafts will raise money for the Beanstalk Children’s Garden, where each summer and fall children’s tour groups and families are encouraged to see, touch, smell and taste the plants as they learn about growing a garden, eating healthy foods and identifying plants and insects. Donations are welcome.

The garden paths are paved and fully wheelchair accessible. For information, call (816) 931-3877 or visit us on the Web at kccg.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ TheBeanstalkChildrensGarden.

HUGE Selection of Colorful Mums Winter hardy Pansies arriving weekly Holland Bulbs arriving 100+ Tulip varieties Fall grass seed for reseeding

Fresh fall vegetable & herb plants available thru October!

Fall is THE time to Reseed!

Use Fertilome New Lawn Starter Fertilizer to increase seeding and sodding success.

Tool Time for Roses

E

ver wonder what’s so special about a bypass pruner?

What, exactly, is a lopper?

What tools can help us maintain our rose plants and garden easily and efficiently with out stress on the rose bush?

On Thursday, September 12, the focus of the meeting of the Johnson County Rose Society will be to answer questions about and share experiences with tools for use in our rose gardens. Members and guests are encouraged to bring a favorite tool and share why it holds a special place in their garden tool box. The Consulting Rosarians will lead the discussion of what makes a tool useful for rose care, how to select, use, and care for tools, and answer questions about tool selection, use, and care.

The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Prairie Village

Perennials Wildflowers Huge Selection of Hostas Small Trees & Shrubs, Both Native & Exotic Butterfly Plants Grasses

Community Center, 7720 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS. Refreshments will be provided.

Members and guests can also take advantage of the “Consulting Rosarians Corner” for a free individual consultation with a Consulting Rosarian about specific questions or concerns about all aspects of rose growing and care. The Consulting Rosarians will also give timely tips about caring for roses “This Month in the Rose Garden”.

Election of officers for 2014 will also be held.

All meetings are free and ope to the general public. For more information about the meetings, programs, or other activities of the Johnson County Rose Society, or for membership details, visit their webpage at www.rsoesocietyjoco.org, or visit them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/JoCoRoses.

fall

Friends of the Arboretum

Thursday, September 12, 4 to 7 pm

Preview Sale for FOTA Members Held in conjunction with an Ice Cream Social for FOTA Members

You may join FOTA at any time during the sale and receive a 10% member discount.

Open to the Public on both Friday & Saturday, September 13 & 14, 9 am to 5 pm

Be wise! Plant in fall!

7130 Troost, Kansas City, Mo.

Garden Center • 8am-6pm Mon.-Sat. • Sunday 10am-5pm • 816-444-3403 Nursery • 9am-6pm Mon.-Sat. • Sunday 10am-5pm • 816-333-3232 September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

1/2 mile west of Hwy. 69 on 179th St. • 913-685-3604 • www.opabg.org There is no admission fee for the plant sale

15

2013 OPArb Ad for KC Gardener--4.375” wide x 5.9” deep = 1/4 page Runs in September issue Deadline is August 5

Coral Magic®

Moonlight Magic®

‘Tonto’

Rhapsody in Pink®

Above: ‘Zuni’; Below left: Red Rocket®; Center: ‘Acoma’; Right: Purple Magic®

16

‘Pocomoke’

The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Color Your Landscape with Crapemyrtles

Leah Berg

U

ntil recently, we saw relatively few crapemyrtles around the Kansas City area.

Most weren’t reliably winter hardy to zone 5, and we envied those surviving better in southern Missouri.

Over 10 years ago while I worked at Longview Gardens, we sold ‘Hopi’ (light pink) ‘Zuni’ (lavender) ‘Tonto’ (fuschia) and ‘Acoma’ (white) as tender perennials worth trying in warm sheltered sites.

These are still great selections, but newer hybrids of Lagerstroemia indica often crossed with L. fauriei for improved pest resistance are introduced faster than I can keep up with them.

Some offer increasingly dark foliage contrasting the showy flowers instead of classic green.

Gardening friend Chris Veach in Liberty says her new nearly black-leaved Ebony Embers® is “Stunning!” with one in the ground and two in containers.

Don’t overlook the potential to use crapemyrtles as container plants. They may also be trained patiently as bonsai specimens!

The Black Diamond™ series of 3 cultivars was a hot collection offered at the Powell Gardens “Under a Blue Moon” fundraising auction this June.

Look for a diverse representation of labeled crapemyrtles around the Powell Gardens Visitor Education Center and in the Perennial Garden.

They make great partners for perennials and ornamental grasses.

Once established, these droughttolerant and low maintenance shrubs need heat as well as 6 hours of sun to bloom well.

Slow-release granular fertilizer may be applied, especially in containers watered frequently, but do NOT fertilize shrubs in the ground as heavily as you do annuals – thinking they will flower better.

Crapemyrtles prefer average well-draining soil. Excessive fertilizer may promote tender foliage growth inviting to pests or disease.

Newer hybrids are selected for resistance to problems like powdery mildew associated with older varieties.

In the same family as invasive Lythrum, so far this Chinese native hasn’t proven noxious this far north.

I saw lots of straggly crapemyrtles this summer with just one big flower cluster at each branch tip. Crapemyrtles bloom on new growth, like butterfly bush which also sometimes died or at least often died back to the crowns in years of colder winters. A simple pruning strategy results in more abundant flowers. Remove tips of stems to stimulate development of lateral stems in early summer, stopping by mid-August so new growth hardens off for winter. Like late-blooming panicle hydrangeas, flower clusters form at branch tips (terminals).

Deadhead the first flush of flowers before seed capsules set for extended weeks of bloom into fall. Some cultivars develop nice autumn foliage tones, and some new leaves emerge reddish.

Over the last 5 years as our metro area warmed to USDA zone 6, our local garden centers started

September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

selling increasingly diverse varieties in 3-5 gallon containers as well as the inexpensive #1 pots, allowing gardeners to try them without much cost.

Now we easily spot crapemyrtles in many neighborhoods that have been in the ground 5-7 years growing to heights of over 6.’ When planted near warm southern walls providing protection from winter winds, they’ve grown higher than single story rooflines.

In more exposed windy areas, many stems still die back to the ground but usually will break dormancy and regrow after Mother’s Day in response to warmer temperatures.

We may cut them back to about 1’ above ground knowing they will bloom beautifully on the vigorous new growth, usually July into fall. The typical form resulting is usually vase-shaped – sometimes very full with too many stems to count.

Though not sold here as large balled-and-burlapped tree forms as in southern states, try experimenting with crapemyrtles now to create the look of dwarf trees to fit smaller spaces.

Notice a double row of hybrid Rhapsody in Pink® along the entry walk at the Kauffman Memorial Gardens between the Chinese tree lilacs. Skilled gardeners strategically remove lower branches and new stems sprouting at the base to encourage heavy flowering at eye level.

As stems mature, expect to see interesting bark develop. Other flowering shrubs and perennials have room to be showcased in layers around the base with this strategy.

It reminds me of living in Austin, Texas, for several years with most front yards dominated by crapemyrtles the size of our redbuds or crabapples, typically clump tree forms with several stems.

Weaker stems, low branches and any rubbing or crossing into the middle are removed to exposing attractive bark. and create showy clouds of crinkly flowers.

Southerners detest the bad pruning practice of “topping” these trees, calling it “Crape Murder.”

Consider dwarf crapemyrtles to replace diseased shrub roses where rose rosette has ruined many in our landscapes. A homeowner with a nice row of compact Razzle Dazzle Cherry® edging her driveway (on Wyandotte just south of Linwood) told me passersby have mistaken them for roses.

I enjoy driving by a rich red-flowering group, possibly Dynamite® or Red Rocket® in front of a white stucco house on the SE corner of 36th and Gillham.

A crapemyrtle study is underway at the K-State field trial site in Olathe. Look for nice mature selections growing by the extension office and in the Overland Park Arboretum collection.

Rather like the recent explosion of new weigela, hydrangea, and butterfly bush cultivars these crapemyrtles should help satisfy the demand for more long-lasting color in our landscapes.

Leah Berg is a landscape designer with a conservation emphasis.

She teaches at MCC-Longview and is also the Agribusiness/Grounds and Turf Management department coordinator. To consult privately, contact her at 816-353-7170.

17

A Summer of Favorites

Erin Busenhart

A

s summer comes to a close and we start to think ahead to fall what will you remember from this season? I mean besides the crazy weather?

We are always told to make notes, keep a journal, take pictures.

I don’t know about you but I have yet to properly document a season.

So, I’m going to do the work for you…and for me. Here’s a list of my favorite plants this year, those that exceeded my expectations and I would recommend to anyone.

Have this list on hand when it’s time to plan next year’s garden.

Fingerpaint coleus, Silver Falls dichondra, lemon bush, iboza, and Vancouver Centennial geranium ‘Gold Dust’ Mercadonia Such a great plant! True confession… I actually killed all of these the first year I had these in the greenhouse because I thought (incorrectly) that they were delicate, little water lovers. Crazy drought-tolerant, yellow flowers on a low-growing (under 6 inches), spreading plant. I grew them this year in pots and in the ground.

Beautiful OutdOOr SpaceS that are

Uniquely Yours

El Brighto coleus and Surdiva scaevola

‘Wasabi’, ‘El Brighto’, ‘Fingerpaint’ Coleus All are sun-tolerant coleus and can handle sun or shade and still look great all summer. There are a lot of varieties now and choosing “the best” can be nearly impossible.

These are the varieties that I love this year; they get big, they don’t break and they do not fade in sun!

‘Caliente Coral’ Ivy Geranium Awesome plant! Seriously intense coral blooms that have not quit all summer. I threw a pot together with my “leftovers” of the season and it has become my favorite patio collection.

Tiger Fern Yes, we all know ferns are easyto-grow, low-maintenance, blah, blah, blah. But for those who think that a fern gets a little dull year after year you have to try this. The same care of a Boston fern but with wild variegated green and yellow foliage. Super color for darker, shadier spots, either alone or mixed in.

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‘Surdiva’ Scaevola Have yet to ever jump on the Scaevola bandwagon but this new cultivar knocked my socks off!

Same purple fan-flower blooms but on a plant that actually drips over a pot instead of arming straight out.

‘Purple Flash’ Pepper Deep purple variegated foliage on a compact and well-branched plant. Small round fruits ripen to red and pop against the dark background. You must plant this to

Dragonwing begonia, wandering jew and creeping jenny

Purple Flash pepper

Purslane really understand how cool it is!

And at least this is a plant that the bunnies won’t eat.

And of course, I still have these “tried and true” favorites: Dragonwing Begonias, Purslane, Ixora, Wandering Jew, Purple Heart, ‘Silver Falls’ Dichondra and Persian Shield.

Erin Busenhart is seasonal color designer at Family Tree Nursery, Overland Park, Kan. You may reach her at 913-642-6503.

The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Prune or Cable: Maintaining the Structural Integrity of Trees

Tom DePaepe

E

very year, Kansas City homeowners lose large limbs, or entire trees, to high winds.

While some loss is inevitable, many times proper pruning can prevent major failures. Unfortunately, sometimes a structural problem is identified too late for pruning to be a viable solution. When this happens, homeowners are left with two options – installing a cable and brace system to support weak points in the tree, or removing the tree entirely (a method that many homeowners find drastic).

Subordination Pruning When detected early enough, structural problems can be headed off with pruning. Young maples, ash, lindens and oaks are particularly concerning because of their growth habits, which cause them to develop co-dominate leads.

Co-dominate leads occur when two vertical leads begin to grow at the same point. When you look at these trees, there is no singular “trunk.” (At some juncture, the tree has two.) Trees with two ‘trunks’ are likely to fail in high winds, because the point where the trunks

diverge is very weak and unable to support the weight of the tree’s canopy. As these trees get older, the change for damage increases.

In fact, these trees are VERY likely to split in two.

Homeowners should monitor young trees for structural integrity. You should be able to easily identify one ‘trunk’ (central lead) all the way up the tree. If you notice more than one trunk, you can systematically begin cutting back one so that the tree pushes growth into the other. (While there are some tutorials available online, this type of specialized pruning is better done by consulting a trained arborist.)

Over the years we have seen great results from structural pruning; however, when it comes to large, mature trees, it is not always the best approach. In these cases, cabling is the preferred course of action.

Cable and Bracing Trained arborists can install cables in trees with co-dominate leads to add supplemental support.

This allows the cabled leads to move as one unit during winds instead of oscillating; additionally, extra support is provided in the upper part of the canopy allowing it to successfully shoulder additional weight loads from snow and ice.

Arborists install the cable in the upper one-third of the canopy to attach two or more co-domi-

nate leads. Attaching one lead to another is called a direct cabling system. A tree with three leads may require a triangular system, where all three leads are supported by three cables attaching each lead together.

While cabling provides an alternative to removing large, weak trees, it is important to remember that nothing is ever guaranteed.

Cabling is done because there is a structural defect in a tree, and it is important to remember this fact when setting expectations for the fix.

Trees in our area frequently suffer damage from Mother Nature.

It may seem that such damage is inevitable. However, correcting structural problems in trees can prevent much of this damage.

The best method is to be proactive with young trees. Investing a little

time in a recently planted tree, is cheaper and more effective than trying to correct problems in a mature tree.

If you are concerned about a mature tree, cabling is the best plan of action to reduce the chance of storm damage. While it is no guarantee that the tree won’t fail, it may be a pleasing alternative to removing a loved part of your landscape.

Both of these methods require a little more knowledge than other types of pruning, so I recommend consulting a trained arborist before attempting to do it yourself.

Tom DePaepe is an ISA certified arborist and a ten year veteran of Ryan Lawn & Tree, a lawn and tree care company based in the Kansas City metro area. He has a B.S. in Parks and Resource Management from Kansas State University.

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Fall Learning Fun at

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Wednesdays & Saturdays · 3 PM Walk-in (all ages) Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast every Wednesday and Saturday.

The snakes are fed every other Friday (Sept. 6 & 20).

Monarch Tagging September 7 · Saturday · 10–11 AM or 11–Noon Registration required at 816228-3766 (adults & families with children ages 4+) Monarch butterflies are now migrating to their winter home in central Mexico, and we are ready to tag them! Become a scientist for a day by capturing, tagging and releasing these unique butterflies.

Babes in the Woods: Cruisin’ a Creek September 10 · Tuesday 10 AM–11 AM Registration required at 816228-3766 (babes under 36 months) Let us take your little one to a creek! We will take a short hike to Burr Oak Creek to splash and experience this watery world.

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Conservation Kids Club: Creek Walkin’ September 17 · Tuesday 6:30–8 PM Registration required at 816228-3766 (ages 7–13) It’s time for a wet and wild adventure at Burr Oak Woods! Come with us and take a walk in Burr Oak Creek to see what animals live there.

Streams are a very important part of our forest ecosystem and a great place to explore. See native wildlife, investigate tracks in the mud and have lots of fun!

Little Acorns: How Your Garden Grows September 18 · Wednesday 10–11 AM or 1–2 PM Registration required at 816228-376 (ages 3–5) Plants and flowers are very important to wildlife and us! We’ll learn about some of the beautiful native flowers of Missouri and start our very own Little Acorns garden.

Spectacular Spiders September 21 · Saturday · 1–2 PM Registration required at 816228-3766 (families) There are more than 300 fascinating species of spiders in Missouri! They can be camouflaged, furry or even brightly colored. Join us as we creep into the eight-legged world of spiders.

We will learn about them inside then head out on a trail to see who is hanging around.

Rockin’ & Readin’ Nature Tales September 28 · Saturday 11 AM–Noon Walk-in (ages 2+) Join us for a story hour as we lead you on fantastic nature adventures! We will meet butterflies, birds, mammals and all sorts of magnificent creatures. We will cross rivers, discover mysteries within the forest and fly across the prairies. Our imaginations are the only limits.

I Spy Caterpillars September 28 · Saturday 1–2 PM No registration required (all ages) Why did the wooly bear caterpillar cross the road? To find more yummy leaves of course! It’s that time of year to spy caterpillars munching on savory leaves and scurrying across the road. Join us as we take a hike to find colorful caterpillars and identify if they will become moths or butterflies!

The Wild Ones: Gifts from Missouri Fruit Trees September 28 · Saturday 1–3 PM Registration required at 816228-3766 (adults) Get wild with Missouri plants. Come out and learn about delicious fruit from Missouri’s native trees! Following the program join in on the fun by participating in a native wild edible plant exchange.

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The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Photos by Lenora Larson.

Feeding Fall Migrants

Lenora Larson

T

rue butterfly gardening focuses on caterpillar food plants rather than flowers. I even snidely refer to flower gardens as “low-life nectar bars.” However, in fall butterflies switch from focusing on reproduction to winter survival. No food is needed for the many butterfly species that spend the winter as eggs, hibernating caterpillars or safely tucked in chrysalids. But for species that head south for the winter, nectar is the power drink that fuels the journey.

The Marvelous Monarch During spring and summer, Monarchs migrate, generation by generation, as far north as southern Canada. Why do Monarchs change direction in fall and fly south to the mountainous pine groves near Mexico City? We don’t know the exact mechanism, but multiple factors such as length of day, air temperature, the angle of the sun at the horizon and the earth’s magnetic field all seem to be implicated in both triggering the southern flight and providing directional clues.

Our fall migrants do not seek love and milkweeds; they seek flowers and nectar ravenously to build fat reserves. After surviving the trip, a Mexican winter and breeding, pregnant females must still have sufficient fat reserves to fly back to the Gulf States and lay their precious eggs. Consequently, high-nectar fall flowers are just as essential to the Monarch’s survival as spring and summer milkweeds.

Other Migrating Butterflies While Monarchs are unique among butterflies with their mass migration, many other species have similar migratory lifestyles. You may have noticed large numbers of luminous yellow Cloudless Sulphurs in your fall garden. These beauties over-winter as adults in South Florida and, like Monarchs,

Red Sage (Salvia coccinia) is a favorite fall flower for migrating Cloudless Sulphurs.

Migrating Painted Ladies avidly nectar on Profusion Zinnias. generationally migrate to Southern Canada each spring and summer.

However, their fall return-migration is not as organized as Monarchs and the individuals that foolishly remain behind will freeze to death.

Another example: Painted Ladies occur world-wide and migrate between Northern Africa and Europe, and even over the Icelandic Sea to North America!

Our Kansas City population overwinters in Northwestern Mexico and Arizona. While some Painted Ladies remain as permanent populations in the Southwest, others generationally migrate to the Midwest for the spring and summer breeding season, then fly back south for the winter.

Preserving the Fall Migration Fortunately, many spectacular flowers, both ornamental and native, bloom in late summer and fall to provide nectar for our weary travelers. The composite family members such as Asters, Goldenrods, Blazing Stars (Liatris) and Eupatoriums head the list. The Monarch caterpillars’ favorite food, Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), is also a bountiful nectar source, beloved by many pollinators. Again I warn my faithful readers against the sterile hybrid flowers that have no nectar and are useless to wildlife.

Increasingly, migrating butterflies must depend on us home gardeners. Croplands used to be prime nectar sources, but their flowering

September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

“weeds” have been eliminated by herbicides sprayed on the resistant GMO crops. Climate change has created hotter temperatures and droughts that depress prairie and roadside wildflowers. Last year’s over-wintering Monarch population was the lowest in recorded history, due in part to a lack of fall nectar. We can help butterflies survive, not only by planting spring caterpillar host

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A female Monarch prepares for the long journey and eventual motherhood next spring by sipping Caryopteris nectar. plants, but also by ensuring masses of nectar-rich flowers in the fall.

MICO Extension Master Gardener and Kansas Native Plant Society member, Lenora Larson, gardens and hosts butterflies in the cruel winds and clay soil of Paola, Kansas. Contact her at lenora. longlips@gmail.com.

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Dirty Hands Mean a Healthy Life honorary chairs Nancy Lee and Jonathan Kemper, along with the Kansas City Community Gardens, host The Gardens at Sunset Sept. 15 to benefit KCCG.

W

here do strawberries come from? How do tomatoes grow?

Children living in urban communities such as ours often have no idea where real food comes from.

It’s a sad truth and one that has a very direct connection to our country’s growing childhood obesity epidemic. If you don’t know where to find healthy food, how can you be expected to eat it?

Kansas City Community Garden’s (KCCG) Schoolyard Gardens Program promotes and facilitates food gardens in Kansas City area schools to help our children learn about nutrition and healthy eating habits. Just one example is M.E. Pearson Elementary in Kansas

City, Kansas, where students in an after-school garden club harvest and eat fresh vegetables and fruits they grow in six raised beds. The school sends extra produce, along with bilingual recipes, home with the students for family meals.

In an effort to support this and our other valuable programs that serve the lower-income families of Kansas City, KCCG along with honorary chairs Nancy Lee and Jonathan Kemper are hosting the second annual Gardens at Sunset fundraising event: The Gardens at Sunset, Sunday, September 15, 2013, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. in our extraordinary Children’s Beanstalk Garden, 6917 Kensington Avenue, Kansas City, MO.

PEONY SALE Saturday, Oct. 5, 10am to 3pm Country Club Christian Church 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO

Choose from over 700 very reasonably priced peonies from specialty growers across the U.S. and overseas.

Ask questions and get advice from our experts.

We’ll have something for everyone, from casual novice to discerning collector.

Guests will savor a beautiful fall evening in the gardens and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres full of Kansas City flavor, cocktails, live jazz music and a little friendly competition on our gourmet silent auction. Funds raised from this event will support school, community, and home garden projects that are helping the people of Kansas City get their hands dirty—growing their own produce and living healthier lives.

Tickets for “The Gardens at Sunset” are $75 per person, partially tax-deductible and can be purchased online at www.thegardensatsunset.com. Sponsorship packages also are available.

The Kansas City Community Gardens supports more than 140 local schoolyard gardens throughout KC; plus the nonprofit organization helps more than 1,000 lowincome families grow their own healthy fruits and vegetables.

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www.countryclubtreeservice.com The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Cindy Gilberg

M

issouri Botanical Garden’s parking lot has a new feature – a rain garden (pictured here). It may look like any other garden, but instead of being a raised bed it has a concave swale.

Its sunken shape, permeable soil, and native plant palette provide the benefit of capturing and absorbing rainfall. In this way the rain garden mimics nature, acting as a miniature wetland, by temporarily holding back stormwater rather than letting it run off.

MBG chose to demonstrate a rain garden in the parking lot because impervious surfaces such as pavement contribute a large percentage of stormwater runoff. In the parking lot, rainfall is directed into the swale and temporarily held, long enough to soak into the soil and be used by the plants. This reduces the quantity and velocity of stormwater runoff that previously entered our streams and rivers, carrying with it many pollutants. As soil and plants filter pollutants, the overall effect is improved water quality in our region.

Rain gardens are a part of a stormwater management puzzle.

Permeable pavement is another valuable component that allows rainfall to pass through asphalt and concrete and into the soil rather than run off. Permeable pavement was installed in the Missouri Botanical Garden parking lot in conjunction with the rain garden. This combination of features is designed to capture 100% of an average St. Louis rain event (about 1.4 inches in a 24 hour period). Considering one inch of rain per acre is over 27,000 gallons of potential stormwater runoff, it doesn’t take much math to realize these landscape features have a profound impact on reducing runoff, flash floods, soil erosion, and water pollution.

Landscapes utilizing native plants as sustainable alternatives are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Native plants are used in rain gardens and other landscape designs because they are welladapted and hardy. Many species have extensive and deep roots that increase the permeability of the soil, making it sponge-like and more absorbent. Native plants fit into any design style, from formal to naturalistic, and combine aesthetics with function in the landscape.

Shaw Nature Reserve, located in Gray Summit, Missouri, also developed a series of rain gardens and stormwater ponds as part of the sustainable, native landscape surrounding the newly constructed Edgar Anderson Office Complex. This

Trees Have Positive Impact on Stormwater Management Beyond the obvious benefits of shade, shelter and aesthetics, trees also contribute to reducing stormwater runoff—the primary source of water pollution. When rainfall hits the canopies of trees it is slowed down, lessening its impact on the soil surface. Tree roots soak up moisture for the growth of the tree as well as opening up the soil’s structure, making it more permeable and absorbent. Evapo-transpiration of water from the surface of leaves and branches completes the list of ways in which trees utilize water.

Missouri native trees are excellent choices for use in the landscape and there are several moisture-loving species such as swamp white oak, green hawthorn, and baldcypress. Planting trees, especially in highly developed, urban areas helps create a green infrastructure that has a positive impact on our community. Many native tree species will be available at the Fall Shaw Wildflower Market at Shaw Nature Reserve September 6th from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (www.shawnature.org). A Buyer’s Guide to native plants and native plant services is available at www.grownative.org.

September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Photo by Scott Woodbury.

Rain Gardening … Making a Difference One Storm at a Time

building and landscape has received LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council.

In keeping with a dedication to environmental education and sustainable practices, the new rain garden features at the Reserve and the Garden serve as outdoor classrooms and demonstration areas for

visitors to learn more about the role of native plants in environmentally sound landscapes.

Cindy Gilberg is a horticulturist, landscape designer, and a professional member of Grow Native!, a program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation.

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No Right Ways, No Wrong Ways

By Teede Stipich stores, garage sales and art fairs are some of my favorites.

A fairly easy piece of art to make is an inexpensive glass totem.

I buy several pieces of vintage glass at thrift stores and stack them on top of each other, using Epoxy glue to keep them in place. Start with a rebar pole and build from the ground up.

The sky is the limit when decorating your outdoor art gallery – literally. Go high and low. Utilize all your spaces. I put an old blue wooden chair up in a tree. Behind it my privacy fence is lined with colorful wine bottles. In the sun it is like a stained glass mosaic. The top of my garage is lined with 21 birdhouses. An art student painted murals on the side of my garage that are incorporated with pieces of Haitian metal art I collect.

Find empty picture frames of all sizes, shapes and colors. Hang them on a bare fence or up in trees. I put mine together with dowels and rib-

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bons, mobile style and hung it high in a tree. They are ever changing “natural pictures” depending on the changes in the yard.

An old-fashioned sampler that says “The Flowers of all the Tomorrows are in the Seeds of Today” hangs on an outside wall.

I have scrounged flea markets for old plates, platters and cups that hang on the back of my house facing the garden. If I lose one in a windstorm, I’m not devastated.

I, like many women, love shoes.

I bought a whole family of shoes at a thrift store: wingtips for Dad, sneakers for Mom, pink Barbie boots for Sis and miniature sturdy work boots for Brother. I added faux alligator pumps for a visiting

Water’s Edge

D

uring the winter when you long to dig in the dirt, there are other things to dream about. As a gardener and artist, I use the colder months to make and shop for art to fill my backyard.

Several years ago, I tore all the grass out of my small backyard and installed pathways and beds. This allowed me to turn my backyard into an outdoor art gallery.

There are no right ways or wrong ways when it comes to incorporating art in your yard. The only thing I try to avoid is the number of pieces I will have to bring inside for the winter. Ideally, I would like to leave most of it out in the environment. This makes an interesting winterscape to view from my windows.

If you are a hands-on, do-ityourselfer, there are classes you can take to experiment making things.

If you tend to be a “shopper”, there are numerous venues to encourage the “creative artist” in you. Thrift

aunt. I planted them with annuals and perennials and set a pair under each patio chair.

If it all seems confusing or overwhelming, start with a theme.

It may be as simple as collecting unusual stepping stones, bowling balls or kites. Because I am not a painter or photographer, I purchased an all-weather photographical canvas to adorn a space on a back fence.

The idea to successful yard art is to think outside the box and have fun. Nothing is off limits. It’s YOUR outside art gallery. Plant it with things that please you.

Teede Stipich is a Master Gardener of Greater Kansas City.

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(785) 841-6777 The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

September

garden calendar

n LAWNS

• Plant new bluegrass or tall fescue lawns early in the month for best results.

• Sod new lawns or dead spots for quick recovery.

• Renovate bluegrass or tall fescue by verti-cutting then overseeding.

• Core aerate cool season turf to aid in root development and thatch breakdown.

• Fertilize cool season grasses with high nitrogen sources of fertilizer.

• Mow turf at 2 to 3 inches and sharpen blade for a clean cut.

• Continue to mow zoysia but do not fertilize or aerate this late in the season.

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Plant trees and shrubs, deciduous and evergreen.

• Rake up fallen leaves and compost.

• Prune broken and dead branches from trees.

• Avoid pruning spring flowering shrubs to ensure spring flowers.

• Handpick bagworms to reduce problem infestation next year.

n FLOWERS

• Plant spring flowering bulbs, tulips, daffodils and others.

• Dig, divide or plant peonies.

• Divide perennials, especially spring bloomers.

• Remove seed heads from perennials to prevent reseeding in the garden.

• Plant chrysanthemums for fall color.

• Dig gladiolus as foliage begins to yellow and air-dry before storing for winter.

• Clean up garden areas to reduce insects and disease as plants dieback for winter.

• Enrich soil by adding organic matter such as peat moss or compost.

• Soil test for the next growing season.

n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Continue to harvest vegetables.

• Pick apples and pears and store in a cool place to extend freshness.

• Harvest pumpkins when flesh is completely orange and avoid carrying by the stem.

• Harvest winter squash when the rind cannot be punctured with fingernail.

• Plant lettuce, spinach and radishes for fall harvest.

• Remove weeds from garden plantings before going to seed.

• Herbs can be dug from the garden and placed in pots for indoor use this winter.

• Remove small tomatoes to increase late development of more mature fruits.

• Spade or till garden plots incorporating fallen leaves or grass clippings to improve soil.

• Plant garlic cloves for next year’s crop.

n HOUSEPLANTS

• Bring plants in before temperatures drop into the 50s.

• Clean and wash before moving indoors to reduce insects.

• Fertilize before winter conditions arrive and growth slows.

• Poinsettias can be forced into Christmas bloom by starting dark treatment.

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

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

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September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

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Watch This Space: Find Out What’s New & Exciting for 2013!

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MO 816-769-3106 • KS 913-338-3330

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places to go, things to do, people to see

Club Meetings Bonsai Society of GKC Sat, Sep 21, 9:30am-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Workshop.

Dealer

@ tobytobin.com

Green Industry Directory now available for CONSUMERS! • Rabbits, chipmunks, moles, groundhogs, mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, snakes and bats • Woodpeckers, starlings, pigeons, sparrows and geese • Repairs and chimney caps • Wildlife biologist on staff • Licensed and insured • Celebrating 23 years of service

Upcoming Garden Events

Do you have a LANDSCAPE PROJECT and need HELP or ADVICE from an industry professional? Consider a member of the Hort NetWORK, which membership consists of professionals in all aspects of the green industry.

To connect with a professional, go to

www.hortnetwork.org

for a membership directory.

Still a great time to add new landscaping.

Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America Mon, Sep 9, 6pm meeting, 6:30pm presentation; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Our guest speaker will be Lloyd Harrison, who will discuss different types of Lawns and will teach us how to Develop/Create, Install and maintain them. He is the Store Manager for Grass Pad at the Lee’s Summit location. He has been with Grass Pad since 1999. Lloyd has a Masters Degree in Agriculture with a long term experience in the horticulture trade. This is a FREE meeting so bring a friend, come join us and make a “new” gardening friend! Guest are always Welcome.

Contact Vince at 816-313-8733 for additional information GreaterKCGOA@ gmail.com.

GKC Herb Study Group Wed, Sep 11, noon; at the Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Rob Mortko will speak on “Hot Hostas for Cool Shade.” We welcome visitors. Call 913-592-3546 for luncheon reservations.

Heart of America Gesneriad Society Fri, Sep 27, noon-4pm Sale Only, Sat, Sep 28, 9am-4pm, Show and Sale; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Members meeting.

www.greenleafkc.com

816.916.5171

Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society Sat, Sep 14, Hospitality and Registration at 9:30am, Business and Program at 10am; at Faith Lutheran Church, 4805 W 67th St (67th & Roe), Prairie Village, KS. Our speaker for the day will be Bob Olson, past President of the American Hosta Society and currently Editor of the Hosta Journal. Mr. Olson will be sharing his exciting experiences hunting hosta in the wild in their native Japan. The Club will furnish meat, drinks and table service for a potluck following the meeting.

You may bring a dish to share. There will be door prizes and plants for sale. Guests are always welcome! Info: Call Gwen 816-228-9308 or 816-213-0598.

Idalia Butterfly Society Sat, Sep 21, Potluck Dinner at 5:30pm; Beverages and table service provided. Program 7-8pm; at Prairie Village Community Center, 7700 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Caterpillars are Mother Nature’s perfect fast food and are on the menu for other insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small furry mammals. While they lack the usual

26

defenses of biting, stinging and rapidly fleeing, they do have a large arsenal of clever strategies to avoid being eaten.

Photographs taken at Long Lips Farm illustrate these tactics, including camouflage, mimicry and posturing. Speaker is Lenora Larson, a Miami County Master Gardener and member of local chapters of both the Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society. She maintains a 2 acre NABA (North American Butterfly Association) certified garden on her property, Long Lips Farm, in rural Paola, Kansas. Guests are always welcome.

Johnson County Rose Society Thurs, Sep 12, 7pm; at Prairie Village Community Center, 7720 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. This presentation will answer questions about and share experiences with tools for use in our rose gardens. Members and guests are encouraged to bring a favorite tool and share why it holds a special place in their garden tool box. The Consulting Rosarians will lead the discussion of what makes a tool useful for rose care, how to select, use, and care for tools, and answer questions about tool selection, use, and care.

Election of officers for 2014 will also be held. Meetings are free and open to the public. Refreshments provided.

Members and guests can also take advantage of the Consulting Rosarians Corner for a free individual consultation with a Consulting Rosarian about specific questions or concerns about all aspects of rose growing and care. The Consulting Rosarians will also give timely tips for caring for roses This Month in the Rose Garden. For more information about the meetings, programs, or other activities of the Johnson County Rose Society, or for membership details, visit their webpage atwww.rosesocietyjoco.org, or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/JoCoRoses.

Kansas City Garden Club Mon, Sep 9, 12-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Member meeting.

Leawood Garden Club Tues, Sep 24, 10:30am, at Leawood Presbyterian Church, 2715 W 83rd St, Leawood, KS. Noon program: Judy Pigue will discuss “Gardening with Cacti and Succulents in Our Area.” Bring a sack lunch, beverages and desserts provided.

Open to everyone and guests are most welcome. Call 913- 642-3317 with questions or email Joan at westonsmom@ earthlink.net.

Olathe Garden & Civic Club Sep 5-7; Olathe City Hall, 100 E Santa Fe in conjunction with the Old Settler’s Celebration. Juried flower show. The theme of the show is “Once Upon a

The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

Time”. To register for a design entry and for further information, call co-chairs, Donna Manning at 913-829-2255 or Gerry Buehler at 913-894-0154. Bring in your specimens Thurs, Sep 5, 6-8pm or Fri, Sep 6, 7:30-9am. The event is free and open to the public! We have categories for homegrown vegetables, fruits, herbs or fresh floral arrangements.ˇ Schedules are available at both Olathe libraries.

Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City Sun, Sep 15, 1:30-5pm; at Lenexa Senior Center, Lenexa, KS. Guest speaker is Arthur Chadwick, Chadwick Orchids, Richmond, VA. Topic: “First Ladies and their Cattleyas from 1929 to the Present”.

The slide presentation includes historic photos of the wives of US Presidents, presented with orchids named after them by Chadwick Orchids. Species and hybrid cattleyas will be for sale. Open to the public. www.osgkc.org Overland Park Gardeners of America Mon, Sep 9, 6pm; at the home of Ed & Leonore Rowe, 9200 Craig, Overland Park, KS. Annual potluck picnic, meat and drinks provided. Guided tours of not 1 but 2 member’s gardens will be given.

These lovely mature gardens contain a wide variety of perennials, native plants, shrubs and annuals. Visitors are always welcome. Come get to know and Grow with US. For additional information contact Judy Schuck 913-362-8480 or Lee Rowe 913-642-1371.ˇ ShoMe African Violets Club Fri, Sep 13, 10:30am-2pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Member meeting.

Events, Lectures & Classes September Dahlia Show Aug 31 and Sep 1. at Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Highway 50, Kingsville, MO. Come see the Dahlia Show.

An Organic Approach to Lawn Care Thurs, Sep 5; University of Missouri Extension will host a class on organic lawn care. Lala Kumar, Horticulture Specialist, will speak on Introduction to Organic Techniques for Lawn Management; Dr. Brad Fresenburg, Turfgrass State Specialist, will speak on Organic Cultural Practices for Better Lawn Management; and Jeff Zimmerschied, President of Organic Lawn Care Services in Columbia, MO, will speak on Organic Products for the Lawn. The cost will be $30 per person which includes lunch. For more information and to register, please contact Lala or Cindy at 816-252-5051.

Class size is limited to 30 participants.

Please register by August 28, 2013.

Home Show-Fall Edition Sep 6-8; at the Overland Park Convention Center, bringing with it ideas, inspiration, and solutions for your home this autumn.

Visitors will see nearly 200 exhibits and

meet the experts of home improvement.

This vibrant market place will have new home products and services, decorating, remodeling, and design ideas. Show hours are Fri and Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 10am-5pm. Admission is $7 at the door, $6 in advance and children 16 and under are free. Go to KCHomeShow.com for more information.

Watch This Space: Find Out What’s New & Exciting for 2013!

Visit Your Local Dealer

For Soil

Mender Products!

Flower Show Sep 5, 6 & 7; at the Olathe City Hall, 100 E Santa Fe, Olathe, KS. The Olathe Garden & Civic Club will sponsor a juried flower show. Flower designs and horticulture specimens are encouraged and welcomed. Please call Joan Shriver 913-782-7205 early if you plan to submit an arrangement. For horticultural specimens, they may be entered Thurs, Sep 5 6-8pm and Fri Sep 6th 7:30-9am.

2013 Garden Railroad Tour: We Grow Trains in our Backyard Sep 7 & 8, The Kansas City Garden Railway Society will host our annual tour of 14 locations in the greater Kansas City area. We will be running and sharing the fun of trains. Tour books can be purchased for $12 and allows the whole family to enjoy the great world of garden railroading. Fairy Gardens have become popular and we have combined trains and fairies for a unique prospective as this year’s theme. Books can be purchased at the Great Plains Train Station located at the Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe, KS. Books are also available at other locations around town.

A complete list is on our website at www. kcgrs.com.

Grandparents Day Concert Sun, Sep 8, 4-6pm; at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W 179 St, Overland Park, KS. Concert is free but admission to gardens is required.

Free to FOTA members. Band is MisMash featuring Damon Dennis & Tony Juarez from Louisburg. Country western, gospel & sing-a-longs. Hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks & ice cream available for purchase.

Jazz in the Roses Sun, Sep 8, 4:30-6:30pm; at Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden, Loose Park, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Sponsored by Kansas City Rose Society.

Jazz in the Roses featuring Mike White Quartet. Free and open to the public.

Fall Plant Sale Sep 13 & 14, 9am-5pm; at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W 179 St, Overland Park, KS. FOTA members preview sale Thurs, Sep 12, 4-7pm.

FOTA members receive a 10% discount throughout the sale which features native plants, including a variety of native trees in small containers; perennials, butterfly plants, ornamental grasses and a huge variety of hostas. Also available will be small Leatherwoods, the rare shrub for which the Arboretum Train Garden’s new Leatherwood Depot is named.

September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

• • • • • •

Sand Gravel Top Soil Mulch New Brick New & Used Pavers

• River Rock • Fireplace Material • Keystone Retaining Wall System www.jcbminc.com

9108 W. 57th (One block East of Merriam Drive) • Merriam, KS 66203

Hours: Mon. thru Fri. 7 am–5 pm • Sat. 8 am–12 pm Ed Campbell, Jr.

913-432-8092

Ed Campbell, III

Welcome Fall in Your Garden with Vibrant Hues! a Trees and shrubs~ Come see what shrubs and trees are known for their fabulous fall color and berries! a Fall vegetable transplants and seeds~ Have you ever planted a fall veggie garden? Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Radishes, Lettuce, Spinach, & more can be grown in a fall garden! a The area’s best selection of home grown perennials! a Holland bulbs~ plant tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth bulbs now for a splash of color in the spring!

Bulbs will be available shortly after Labor Day. The following Kansas-grown fall plants will be available by mid September: a Winter hardy pansies in vibrant and pastel hues! a Fall mums and asters in all colors! a Cool flowering kale, ornamental grasses, and other plants that feature the colors of fall!

1430 Hwy. 58 S.E., LeRoy, KS 66857

620-964-2463 or 2423

www.arnoldsgreenhouse.com Monday through Saturday , 9am til 5pm

Always closed on Sundays

(continued on page 28)

Only 1-1/2 hours from Southwest Kansas City I-35 to US 75, South 23 miles to K-58, East 1-1/2 miles (Located 4-1/2 miles West of LeRoy, KS on Hwy 58)

27

KCCG Fall 2013 Workshops

The following workshops will be held at KCCG offices in Swope Park - 6917 Kensington, Kansas City, MO 64132. Workshops are all on Fridays from 12-1:30pm unless otherwise noted. Space is limited; call 816-931-3877 to register.

September 27: Soils and Soil Amendments The condition and health of your garden’s soil is a major factor in the success of your garden. Learn how to determine your soil’s condition and how to use soil amendments to increase the harvest from your garden.

October 4: Growing Great Garlic You can plant garlic in November for a June harvest. Learn about planting and caring for garlic so that you can harvest large, healthy bulbs. We will also discuss different garlic varieties.

October 11: Fruit Trees and Berry Plants Join us for a special combined workshop on growing fruit trees and berry plants. Learn what varieties are best for this area and how to plant and care for them to get a bountiful harvest. We will focus on the major fruit trees for this area (apple, peach, cherry and pear) and will learn about the different varieties of fruit-bearing shrubs (strawberries, blackberries and raspberries) as well as some more exotic varieties. (Note: this is a two hour workshop with the first hour (121pm) covering tree fruits and the second hour (1-2pm) covering berry fruits).

October 12: (Saturday, 10-11:30am) Starting a Schoolyard Garden This workshop is a great opportunity for parents, teachers, principals, volunteers or friends of schools to learn information about beginning a schoolyard garden at their school. Schoolyard gardens are a great opportunity for students from preschool through high school to learn about gardening, plant science, healthy eating and nutrition while being physically active and enjoying time outside. Schoolyard gardens can be big or small - and are built to meet a school’s needs.

This workshop will outline program membership, typical schoolyard garden models, how KCCG can support your school, ideas and activities to weave your garden into your whole school community, and basic garden management.

October 18: Fall Harvest Cooking Learn fun and creative ideas for cooking with fall garden veggies, including winter squash, collards, spinach, cabbage and root vegetables. This workshop features cooking demonstrations and recipes.

October 25: Vegetable Gardening Basics This workshop is helpful for beginning and experienced gardeners. Learn the fundamentals of successful vegetable gardening including: site selection, soil improvement and preparation, garden planning, planting techniques, variety selection, garden maintenance and harvesting.

Independence workshop will be held from 6:00-7:30pm at The Independence Health Department 515 S. Liberty St. Independence, MO 64050.

October 7: Garden Season Extension Harvest from your garden through the fall and into the winter.

This workshop will discuss season-extension techniques, such as row covers and cold frames. We will also discuss how to get your garden started earlier in the spring.

28

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

(continued from page 27)

Annual Show of The Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Sep 14-15; at The Garden Center, Jacob L Loose Park, Kansas City, MO. The 66th Annual Show of The Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society affiliated with the American Dahlia Society and The Midwest Conference. For details on participating contact Randy Burfeind at 913-451-3488.

Pruning Skills Mon, Sep 16, 6:30-8:30pm; at Raytown Middle School. Learn proper hand-pruning skills to improve the appearance and health of woody ornamental plants like shrubs, trees, and certain perennials. Consider optimum timing, tools, and techniques and when a credentialed professional may be needed compared to what you may safely do yourself.

Instructor: Leah Berg. Call Raytown Community Education to register 816268-7037.

Apple Butter Event (Day 1) - Free (bring your apple peeler!)

Fri, Sep 20, 4-8pm; at the Gardens at Unity Village, 150B NW Colbern Rd, the Historic Unity Apple Barn, 1/4 mile west of the Lee’s Summit/Colbern Rd intersection. Join us for fellowship and fun as we wash, pare and core apples in preparation for making our signature Apple Butter. Call 816-769-0259 and leave a message to make a reservation.

Apple Butter Event (Day 2) - Free Sat, Sep 21, 8am-4pm; at the Gardens at Unity Village, 150B NW Colbern Rd, the Historic Unity Apple Barn, 1/4 mile west of the Lee’s Summit/Colbern Rd intersection. Stirring the pot or assisting in the canning line – this is fast becoming one of our favorite volunteer events.

Come join the fun and place your order for some of this smoky goodness! Call 816-769-0259 and leave a message to make a reservation.

Ozarks-style Garden Party It’s a Garden Party! And the Master Gardeners of Greene County are gearing up to host the 18th Annual Master Gardener State Conference Sep 20-22 in the Springfield, MO area. You are invited to expand your gardening knowledge, enjoy an entertaining evening presentation by Dr F Todd Lasseigne of the Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden, and tour the beautiful Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center & Gardens and private area gardens. Reserve your spot early for the conference by registering online at http://www.missourimastergardener.org. Early bird registration for the full conference is $160 through Sep 2.

The cost is $180 after that date. If you cannot attend the entire conference, a la

carte registration is available. For additional information, call 417-881-8909, ext 320 or email missourimastergardener. org. Registration will open to the public on Sep 3.

Beekeeping 301: Seasonal Management Sat, Sep 21, noon-5pm; at Powell Gardens. Learn how to inspect the hive, about hive maintenance, how to check for food stores, how to feed bees in the winter and about spring build-up feeding and medication. Plus learn the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of the fall honey harvest, the importance of journal entries and the proper set up of the hive in the apiary. $24/person, $19/Members. Registration required by Sep 16. To register call Linda Burton at 816-697-2600 ext 209. Or register online at www.powellgardens.org/ AdultClasses.

Tending the Garden Sun, Sep 22, 2-3:30pm; in the Grace Gathering Room at Grace United Methodist Church, 11485 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66061. The Green Team of Grace United Methodist Church is hosting an afternoon seminar, Tending the Garden: a Guide to Spiritual Formation and Community Gardens. Tending the Garden presentation is a unique perspective and approach nurturing Christian spirituality using the garden and gardening as a metaphor. Marshall and Julia Welch, from Walnut Creek California, combine their experience and expertise in spiritual formation and gardening as an invitation to tending to one’s spirituality.

As an experienced or novice gardener, the class participant will gain insight not only into the art of gardening, but Christian spirituality as well. This presentation is especially well suited for churches who have or are considering a community garden and/or food pantry.ˇ Miami County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale Sep 26-28; at Miami County Extension office, Paola, KS, in the Extension Master Gardeners parking lot. Expert gardeners will be on hand to assist shoppers on Thurs noon to 5, Fri 8 to 5, and Sat 8 to noon. The sale features an impressive selection of hosta, including miniatures, and many native plants – coneflowers, buckeye, Kansas blazing star, plants for butterflies, and native grasses. From other parts of the world there will be mimosa, golden caryopteris, redwood trees, honeysuckle vines, ornamental grasses and crape myrtle. The Extension office is located near the intersection of Wea St and Hospital Dr. Enter the grounds from the Wea Street entrance.

Wine & Roses Fundraiser Thurs, Sep 26, 5:30-7pm; at Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden, Loose Park, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City,

The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

MO. Fundraising event sponsored by Kansas City Rose Society to benefit the Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden.

Entertainment provided by Mike White Quartet. Tickets $75. Reservations required. For details, see www.kansascityrosesociety.org.

Fall Gardening Workshop Sat, Sep 28, 9:30am-2:30pm; at Kimberling City Senior Center. Again this year the Master Gardeners of the Ozarks along with Missouri University Extension, will bring to the public another successful garden workshop. The workshop will include a catered lunch of Bourbon Chicken. Topics that will be presented are: Succulents, Vermiculture, Creating a Garden in the Ozarks, Raised Beds and the always popular Question and Answer Clinic. Each topic is presented by a expert in that field. Advanced registration is recommended either on line www.mgozarks.com, or call 417357-6812, space is limited. Deadline is Sep 20. Cost is $18 per person.

End of the Season Butterflies Sat, Sep 28, 9am-noon; at Powell Gardens. Learn how to identify many native species of butterflies. Also, learn where our butterflies go during winter months and how to attract butterflies at home. Plus, you will take home seed packets for your butterfly garden! This class includes a guided walk through Powell Gardens so dress accordingly. $24/person, $19/Members. Registration required by Sep 23. To register call Linda Burton at 816-697-2600 ext 209. Or register online at www.powellgardens.org/ AdultClasses.

Ornamental and Native Grasses Sat, Sep 28, 9am-noon; at Powell Gardens. Learn how to grow ornamental and native grasses, landscape with them and see firsthand how to divide them in the spring. A slide presentation will be followed by a trolley and walking tour to plantings on the grounds so dress accordingly. $24/person, $19/Members.

Registration required by Sep 23. To register call Linda Burton at 816-697-2600 ext 209. Or register online at www.powellgardens.org/AdultClasses.

October Water-Wise Gardening Sat, Oct 5, 10am-noon; at Powell Gardens. Learn about drought tolerant plants and cultural strategies to minimize the watering needs of your landscape.

Discover how to take advantage of natural microclimates and put the right plant in the right place. This class includes a lecture and tour to observe some of these plants so dress accordingly. Consider sunglasses and sun block. $19/person, $14/ Members. Registration required by Sep 30. To register call Linda Burton at 816697-2600 ext. 209. Or register online at www.powellgardens.org/AdultClasses.

Sweet & Spicy Pepper Jelly Workshop Sun, Oct 6, 2-4pm; at Powell Gardens.

Basil, banana peppers and habeneros from the Heartland Harvest Garden combine to create a festive spread sure to warm the heart as well as the taste buds. You will learn how to prepare this jelly, sealing the jar with the water-bath method of preserving. Leave with one ´ pint of preserved jelly. $19/person, $12/ Members. Registration required by Sep 30. To register call Linda Burton at 816697-2600 ext 209. Or register online at www.powellgardens.org/AdultClasses.

Hands-on Honey Harvest - $10 (free for Garden Members) Sat, Oct 19, 10am-noon, at the Gardens at Unity Village, 150B NW Colbern Rd, the Historic Unity Apple Barn, ¨ mile west of the Lee?s Summit/Colbern Rd intersection. Join beekeeper Rick Drake for our annual Honey Harvest. Attendees receive a jar of local honey extracted on-site. Call 816-769-0259 and leave a message to make a reservation.

November African Violet Annual Show and Sale Nov 2, 9am-3pm, Nov 3, 10am-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. AVC of Greater Kansas City Annual Show/Sale.

Info: Fred & Pat Inbody, 816-373-6915.

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

DOUGLAS COUNTY

785-843-7058; dgemg@sunflower.com; Mon-Fri, 1-4pm

GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AREA

816-833-8733 (TREE); Mon-Fri, 9am to 3pm

JOHNSON COUNTY, KS

913-715-7050; Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; garden.help@jocogov.org

JOHNSON COUNTY, MO

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

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

913-364-5700; Apr 15 thru Jul 1, Monday 10am-1pm, Thursday 1-4pm

MIAMI COUNTY

913-294-4306; Mon-Fri, 9am-noon

PLATTE COUNTY

816-270-2141; Wed, 1-4pm

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

913-299-9300; Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am-noon and 1-4pm

September

Weather Repor t

The Kansas City Gardener P.O. Box 8725, Prairie Village, KS 66208 E-Mail: editorcavsgarden@kc.rr.com Deadline for October issue is September 5.

Avg high temp 80° Avg low temp 60° Highest recorded temp 109° Lowest recorded temp 34° Nbr of above 70° days 26

Avg nbr of clear days 12 Avg nbr of cloudy days 10

Rain and Snow Avg snowfall 0 Avg rainfall 4.3” Avg nbr of rainy days 9 Source: WeatherReports.com

From the Almanac Moon Phases New Moon: Sept. 5 First Quarter: Sept. 12 Full Moon: Sept. 19 Last Quarter: Sept. 26 Source: Harris’ Farmer’s Almanac

September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Avg temp 71°

Clear or Cloudy

Promote your gardening events!

Send information to:

Highs and Lows

Plant Above Ground Crops: 7-11, 14, 15, 18, 19

Plant Root Crops: 19, 22-24

Control Plant Pests: 3-5, 26, 30

Transplant: 18, 19

Plant Flowers: 7-11

29

Fall Plant Sale at the OP Arboretum Be Wise! Plant in Fall!

Y

p o t s

Ice Cream Social for FOTA Members

the Ice Cream Social for FOTA members.) Come early for the best selection, as some varieties are available in limited quantities.

As always, the Arboretum sale features the native plants that aren’t easily found elsewhere. In addition to wildflowers, there will be grasses and small trees and shrubs (both native and exotic), grown by Arboretum volunteer Ken O’Dell.

In addition to favorite perennial plants there will be a huge selection

SAVE YOUR TREE FROM EMERALD ASH BORER! The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive pest that will kill any untreated ash tree.

of hostas from Made in the Shade Gardens’ Rob Mortko.

Also for sale will be small Leatherwood plants. This is a rare plant (Dirca decipiens) that has been found to exist in only two places, one of which is the Overland Park Arboretum. It is the shrub for which the Train Garden’s new Leatherwood Depot is named.

Be wise! Plant this fall so root systems will be well established and take off like gangbusters next spring.

The Arboretum is located approximately 1/2 mile west of Highway 69 on 179th Street. There is no admission fee to attend the plant sale. For more information go to www.opabg.org or call 913685-3604.

If you haven’t been to the Arboretum lately, you don’t know what you’re missing!

Photo by Judy Moser.

ou’ve seen the spectacular perennial gardens around your neighborhood this summer, and now you are daydreaming about putting more excitement in your own garden next year.

How do you make that happen? Go to the Fall Plant Sale at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, and give your 2014 garden a head start by planting in September.

The sale will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14, from 9 am to 5 pm. Friends of the Arboretum (FOTA) members receive a 10% discount on their purchases, and non-members can join FOTA at any time during the sale.

You can even join on the spot at the Thursday evening, September 12th Preview Sale from 4 to 7 pm, for FOTA members only. (See sidebar article for information on

The Thursday evening (September 12) Preview Plant Sale for FOTA members will be held in conjunction with the annual social event for FOTA members. This year that event takes the form of an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social, also from 4 to 7 pm, with the corresponding theme, “Be Wise! Join FOTA!” FOTA members will be able to shop while simultaneously indulging in ice cream treats from Foo’s in Brookside, complete with yummy toppings.

Bottled water is being provided

by The Fresh Market, opening soon at 135th and Lamar.

At 6 pm the FOTA Volunteer of the Year and Sapling (first year volunteer) of the Year awards will be presented.

Join FOTA at www.opabg. org. Members will be sent an online invitation to which they can conveniently RSVP.

We’re in full bloom at Sunrise!

Come see our great selection of fresh perennials, trees, shrubs, garden mums and pansies. Fall is the perfect time to plant!

N RDE GA NTER CE

Saving Your Trees SAVES YOU MONEY! (913) 390-0033 www.KCArborist.com 30

No Ordinary Gardening Adventure gorgeous plants, wonderful staff, unique garden store

1501 Learnard, Lawrence, KS • 785-843-2004 www.sunrisegardencenter.com The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013

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

September 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Tracy Flowers keeps Kansas City’s local public garden looking gorgeous.

Company: The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden/ Powell Gardens Job description: I am a gardener at one of Kansas City’s most special gardening gems, The Kauffman Memorial Garden. If you can name a gardening task, we do it there. From glamorous, high profile plant design down to the not-so-glamorous jobs like snow removal.

I am officially a Powell Gardens employee and we work in collaboration with the Kauffman Foundation to keep the Kauffman Memorial Garden looking beautiful.

Are your gardening challenges similar to home gardeners: Yes! Anything that we do at the Kauffman Memorial Garden can be accomplished in a home garden in Kansas City. Which also means any challenge that a home gardener has, we can experience at The Kauffman Memorial Garden. We are a certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation through the Monarch Watch organization (http:// www.monarchwatch.org/). Through them we made a promise to not use harmful insecticides and to provide nectar sources for the butterflies during their migration. We have also recently added a sculpture that houses bees (http://www.jarrettmellenbruch.com/haven/). If we spray insecticides on the flowers the bees can take those chemicals back to the hive. This degrades their ability to fight the parasites that are believed to cause colony collapse.

Other than KMG, name another favorite garden destination: I have two local favorites. Bird’s Botanicals is by far my favorite garden destination in Kansas City. Even though it is a retail business, this underground growing facility is a true wonder! I love taking people there and David, the owner, has a huge passion for plants. My other special garden destination is a specific spot at Powell Gardens. If you go into the chapel across the lake and look back at the prairie and the Island Garden you get a real sense of how beautiful our natural local landscape can be.

Other than gardening: I play bass and sing in a local rock band called Deco Auto (http://www.reverbnation.com/decoauto). My two biggest passions growing up were plants and music. It looks like they still are.

Contact: The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is located at 4800 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64110. Open every day of the year 8am until dusk; ph 816-932-1200. Ample parking, no fee to visit. Great destination for out-of-towners and locals alike.

Close to UMKC, the Nelson-Atkins museum and The Plaza. Facebook page is called, ‘Kauffman Memorial Garden’ and our blog can be found at http://inthekauffmangarden.wordpress.com/.

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The Kansas City Gardener / September 2013