6 minute read
Garden Events
Five private gardens will be opened to the public during the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener Public Tour, May 21 and 22. Kansas City’s premier garden tour is an opportunity to get up close and view some of the most beautiful private gardens in Kansas City. The tour was originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each garden is owned and maintained by an Extension Master Gardener. The gardens are selected for their individual qualities and personalities with something for everyone.
This tour is popular because the owners are passionate about gardening and have transformed suburban lots into their own personal oasis. The garden owners and Extension Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to answer questions. Visitors receive information about the garden’s development, along with educational tips to take home and incorporate into their own landscapes. Photography is encouraged.
Tour tickets for this springtime, rain-or-shine event are $20. Tickets are available through Johnson County Extension beginning April 1. Check the website for additional outlets for purchasing tickets. Learn more and take a virtual tour at www.johnson.k-state.edu or call (913) 715-7000.
Water Garden Society 2021 Tour
The 28th annual Greater KC Water Garden Society tour will have a new and improved look for the 2021 summer season. In gardening terms, we have hybridized and divided the July weekend-only tour, we are distributing an inoculation of blooming happiness on six different Saturdays. Our “Puddle Jumping Water Garden Tour” will span most of the summer spotlighting locations around the entire metro area including Lawrence, Kansas.
A season pass for the six tours is $20 and single tours are available for $5 and are available now on Eventbrite. Garden centers across the area will also have season pass tickets and tour books available June 1st. While being socially responsible, a summer of tours would be a wonderful gift idea for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Another new feature for this summer is the inclusion of one builder-sponsored night party at each of the six tours. A water garden takes on a different ambience with lighting, music, and those magnificent night-blooming tropical lilies. If you are considering having a water feature in your own yard, you won’t want to miss these opportunities to meet and see different styles of water gardens and get your questions answered.
The 2021 KC Water Garden Society season of tours are the following Saturdays:
Tour #1, June 26, South KC, Cass County, MO., and Southern Jackson County, MO.
Tour #2, July 10, Central KC, and Northern Jackson County, MO.
Tour #3, July 24, Central Johnson County, KS.
Tour #4, Southern Johnson County, KS.
Tour #5, August 21, Lawrence, Kansas
Tour #6, September 11, Missouri & Kansas North of the River.
Each tour will feature six to ten water gardens in a relatively small geographic area. These six tours give you plenty of time to visit beautiful water gardens in geographic proximity, reducing drive times and maximizing your pleasure. Plan now to attend the Puddle Jumping Water Garden Tour!
Garden Events
Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Speakers Bureau is ready for 2021!
Master Gardener volunteers bring science to gardeners in the metropolitan Kansas City area through fun, engaging talks based on research-based gardening information. The Speakers Bureau offers a wide variety of topics to garden clubs, plant societies, adult education programs and community groups. Check out available topics and contact information at website: www.mggkc.org/.
It’s All About the Soil and Compost
Apr 6, 6:30pm; Virtual session via Zoom. Johnson County Extension class presented by Nancy Chapman, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. Soil is the building block of life. Gardeners can often overlook the importance of improving and maintaining fertile soils for growth. In this class, learn how to create, build and maintain a healthy soil profile and the vital role compost plays in your garden. Register at www.johnson.ksu.edu/classes-events or 913-715-7000. Registration required to receive the link. Cost is $5.00 per person.
TreeKeepers
Apr 6-22, 9-11am; Heartland Tree Alliance is offering an online learning opportunity six consecutive Tuesdays and Thursdays with one hands-on workday, Tues Apr 20, 9am-noon. Great course for anyone wanting to learn more about shade and ornamental trees. Learn about soils, biology, selection, pruning, ID, and planting. Classroom and hands-on learning taught by various local experts. Must register in advance to obtain zoom information, $50 fee. https://tinyurl.com/TKMO21 or call Sarah 816-561-1086.
Thyme for Kids Plant Sale
Apr 14-29; Online at cornerstonesofcare. org/plantsale. Shop our online sale to stock up on plants, flowers and herbs for your home or workspace. Orders can be picked up for free or delivered directly to you. Your purchase supports our Build Trybe program, a vocational and life skills program that empowers youth with employable skills in the culinary, building trades, horticulture and landscaping fields. Dates/times of no-contact pick up and nocontact delivery are assigned once orders are placed. Free no-contact pick up available Sat Apr 24, Sun Apr 25, Sat May 1 and Sun May 2, at Cornerstones of Care–Ozanam Campus’ Sims Greenhouse, 421 E 137th St, Kansas City, MO. No-contact delivery also available for a $20 donation Tues Apr 27, Wed Apr 28, Tues May 4 and Wed May 5. For more information about the Plant Sale, delivery or pick up, contact Stefanie at stefanie.caravella@cornerstonesofcare.org.
High Style Container Gardens
Apr 21, 6:30pm; Virtual session via Zoom. Johnson County Extension class, presented by Karen Lyman, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. Container gardens are some of the most versatile plantings. They brighten up an entryway or bring into focus areas of interest in the landscape. Karen is a professional designer and will walk you through the steps to ensure your containers this year have flare and style. Register at www.johnson.ksu. edu/classes-events or 913-715-7000. Registration required to receive the link. Cost is $5.00 per person.
Wyandotte County EMG Online Plant Sale
Apr 30, 9am-5pm and May 1, 9am-2pm. Vegetable Plants: tomatoes, peppers, herbs and more, and Perennial and Native Flowers grown by our Extension Master Gardeners for this sale. The online sales catalogue will be posted a week before the sale begins. Shopping begins the day of the sale. The link to the catalogue, and further information, will be on our Extension Website: www.wyandotte.k-state. edu. Secure payment online by credit or debit card at the time of placing your order. Order pick-up by appointment during sales hours at the parking lot outside the Extension Office Wildcat Room, 1200 N 79th St, Kansas City KS. Extension Master Gardeners will be wearing masks and practicing social distancing to protect everyone from the spread of Covid-19.
Fabulous Foliage
May 4, 6:30pm; Virtual session via Zoom. Johnson County Extension class presented by Merle Sharpe, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. Flowers are usually thought of as the stars of the show in our gardens. But flowers come and go. It is the foliage that is the workhorse throughout the season. Plants with distinct foliage deserve more attention in our landscape. This class will open your eyes to the wonderful world of fabulous foliage to complete the look in your garden. Register at www.johnson.ksu.edu/classes-events or 913-715-7000. Registration required to receive the link. Cost is $5.00 per person.
Paola Plant Sale
May 6-8, 9am-5pm; NEW LOCATION: 913 N Pearl, Paola, KS 66071. The sale will be held in the parking lot of the new Extension Offices. Native Plants/Trees. Butterfly Host Plants. Pollinator Plants. Annuals. Perennials. Tropicals. Succulents. Veggies. Hanging Baskets. Combination Planters. Sponsored by K-State Master Gardeners Marais des Cygnes District. COVID protocols observed.
Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society Sale
May 22; Location TBD. Details to come.
Kansas City Rose Society Rose Show and Rose Day
Jun 5-6. Activities will be based on the current status of COVID regulations. For updated information, check website www. kansascityrosesociety.org.
Promote plant sales, club meetings, classes, and other gardening events for FREE!
Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com.
Deadline for publishing in the May issue is April 5.
