KCG 07Jul17 by The Kansas City Gardener

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

August 2017

Daylilies summer garden delights

Call Before You Dig No Food for You Recreating an Orchard and Garden Ideas for Tackling New Home Landscaping

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7/7/17 The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

8:38 PM

The Kansas City

editor’s notes

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

A Journal Entry

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Contributors Carl Hamilton Nik and Theresa Hiremath Lenora Larson Dennis Patton Chelsea Didde Rice Drayton Riley Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

How to Reach Us ...

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

See us on the Web: www.kcgmag.com

Don’t Miss A Single Issue! Get a subscription for yourself or your favorite gardener. See page 23.

August 2017 | kcgmag.com

espite the dirty windows, the view outside my office is lovely. Whether catching a glimpse of lemon yellow blooms on the hibiscus, flowers of the trailing lantana, or the newly planted assortment of daylilies, there is no shortage of summer color. With double glass-sliding doors on one side, and a wide bay window on the other, I’m practically sitting in the garden. In every season, no matter the weather, the garden is within reach. Two antique farm implements are parked in the backyard–a plow and a seed spreader–that were acquired in the 1980s during our time in Florida. Neither have sentimental value, nor their origins known. Nevertheless, they are unique and of interest to us. They are a subtle reminder of the true definition of hard work. Unsure and indecisive about where to orient them in the landscape, we could never agree on a permanent place. Every new attempt was met with, “that’s awkward” or “it just doesn’t look right.” The search for the right place continued. When large-item-pickup day was scheduled in our area, Mr. Gardener asked if we should get rid

of them. Absolutely not, I yelled. There is a use for them, we simply haven’t discovered it yet. As you know, we’ve been hard at work with a project in the backyard. (If you are new to this column, in summary, massive ash tree removed, shaded backyard now full sun, new patio, firepit, new landscaping.) Lo and behold, while deciding plants for a full sun space, it came to me. Position the seed spreader in the middle of the bed, surround it with perennials, then use the seed container to seat the mandevilla, letting the vines run riot. Ding, ding, ding! Winner, winner, chicken dinner. It’s complete, and looks great! Why it took 20 years to figure it out I’ll never know. Maybe a lack of creativity, or attention deficit. Either way, I sensed their purpose would be revealed. The plow sits cozy in the shade of the crabapple tree, among the hosta and fern. It seems we may have finished the project. Mulch is needed in a couple of small areas, even so, the major planting is complete. It’s a

good thing too. We were reminded by an industry professional at our local garden center that most planting is finished by the end of June. Mostly because summer is a difficult time to get plants established. We made no apologies and shared that we have a home office. It allows us to care for the landscape whenever needed. For the remainder of summer (and through fall) the focus turns to watering. Taking care of the newly planted is top priority. Hand watering, akin to meditation, is beneficial for me. So if you’re looking for me, check the backyard. I’ll be the one with a hose in my hand. Oh, and about those dirty windows, Mr. Gardener says it’s ‘mood’ work. Because it’s a twoman job, I suppose I’ll wait for the mood to arrive. Until then, standing on the other side of the glass to see my garden is an option. Here’s a question for future discussion: Do gardeners have clean windows? I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue August 2017 • Vol. 22 No. 8 Ask the Experts ........................ 6 Call Before You Dig ................. 7 No Food for You ...................... 8 Pollinators and Butterfly Gardens ................................. 10 Ideas for Tackling New Home Landscaping ........................... 11 Daylilies summer garden delights ........... 12

about the cover ...

Recreating an Orchard and Garden .................................. 14 A September to Remember ....... 16 Upcoming Events ..................... 18 Powell Garden Events .............. 21 Garden Calendar .................... 22 Subscribe ............................... 23 Professional’s Corner ................ 23 Hotlines .................................. 23

Daylily ‘Matchless Fire’ is one of thousands that you’ll want to include in your summer garden. Read more starting on page 12.

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The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

Ask the Experts Readers share their questions about landscape issues, and DENNIS PATTON gives expert tips and advice. SOIL AMENDING Question: I built several bermed garden beds using enriched topsoil from a local vendor. It is 50% pulverized topsoil and 50% compost. After two years, the soil is very hard; it’s difficult to plant annuals in. Should I have purchased the garden mix instead: 1/3 pulverized topsoil, 1/3 compost, 1/6 aged manure, and 1/6 sand? Answer: Improving our clay soils to have that shovel-ready structure is everyone’s dream but rarely happens in reality. The problem is overcoming the high clay content that naturally occurs in our local soils. The mix you purchased was just as good as the other mix. Unfortunately, as we turn the soil the organic content decreases. The secret is to continually add more

organic matter as you turn the soil each season to plant the annuals. Even though the soil is hard it still has a better structure than the native clay soil. You just cannot see the differences but the organic matter mixture did help. We just need to continually work on maintaining and improving the soil with additional applications. Sorry, there is not an easy one-time fix when it comes to amending the soil. HOSTA SMALLER THAN USUAL Question: I have several hosta that came back much smaller (shorter height, smaller leaves) than their normal size this spring. Spring 2016 was wet and cool. Why would my hosta be smaller this year? How can I prevent it from happening again? I don’t want to lose them.

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Answer: Not sure if I can answer with this information. In the last couple of years hostas have thrived with our cooler and moist summers. Mine are bigger than ever been. My thought is maybe it is the variety. All hostas are not created equal when it comes to vigor. Some varieties, those with more white in the leaves, tend to grow less vigorously in our climate as they need more sunlight to make up for less chlorophyll. But on the other hand, they cannot tolerate our hot sun. Also many of the miniature hostas that are all the rage are smaller as they tend to have less vigor. So based on what you have said I am going to assume good care so it could just be less vigorous varieties in our climate.

they’re not blooming. They don’t look anything like they did at the nursery. I’m very disappointed. Answer: New Guinea Impatiens are a finicky plant. They need excellent soil with high organic matter content and drainage. As a result we usually recommend them to be planted in containers, which you did. I have several thoughts on the lack of blooms. First is not enough sunlight. They require more sun for blooming. Morning sun would be best as they cannot tolerate or don’t like the afternoon sun. So maybe too much shade? Second is many varieties do not bloom with heat. If it makes you feel better I have not be able to grow this plant either. I have had the same luck in a container. They just set there, not blooming and they seem to melt away over the summer. Honestly let’s just move away from this plant. I have seen more promise for the series called Sunpatiens than New Guinea types.

NEW GUINEA IMPATIENS FAIL Question: I planted New Guinea Impatiens as a substitute for regular impatiens in containers with a northern exposure. But

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August 2017 | kcgmag.com

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For those that have had success let me know your secret. START COOL SEASON VEGGIES Question: I’ve heard you say you can sow cool-season veggies in August. Isn’t it too hot? Answer: The fall vegetable gardening season is a great time in KC. We have a longer cool period in the fall than spring making it excellent growing conditions for many spring crops, resulting in higher yields and better flavor. The disadvantage is that in order to give many of the crops time to mature they must be planted in August while it is usually very hot and dry. But bite the bullet, plant, provide extra TLC and it will pay off come harvest time. K-State Extension has a great resource; simply search Kansas Garden Guide and it will become your go-to reference for vegetable gardening. HAND WATERING Question: I like to water my young shrubs with a watering wand. How long should I water each shrub? How far out from the base of the plant should I water? Answer: I really like this question. The answer is long enough to do the job. I know that is worthless information. But here is my take. A young newly planted shrub will need about five to ten gallons of water per week if not provided by rainfall. The water should be applied around the base of the plant and out a couple feet from the rootball. This soaks the existing roots and moistens the soil so new roots will venture out.

Now how long will it take to apply five to ten gallons that soak into the soil and not run off. Take your watering wand and time how long it takes to fill a five-gallon bucket. This will then tell you how long you must move the wand around the given area to water the plant. If you have a number of plants it will take great patience to stand there long enough to completely saturate the roots and soils of the new plant. FUSSY RHODODENDRON Question: My rhododendron Purple Gem are leggy. How can I make them leaf out fuller? Answer: Rhododendrons are a little fussy in our climate. As an evergreen there is not as much leeway in regards to pruning. Cutting back into older wood does not usually stimulate new growth and causes the limb to dieback. If you have a plump bud lower on the plant you could cut back to this point and allow new growth from the base or lower on the plant to provide additional foliage. My other recommendation is to leave the plant alone and plant a smaller perennial or shrub at the base to cover up the legs of the shrub. This can also create a layering effect and bring more interest to the bed. As they say there is more than one way to solve a problem. 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.

Welcome to the 2017 Miami County Garden Tour Sponsored by the Marais des Cygnes Extension District Master Gardeners

Featured Gardens _ Casa de Mariposa 105 East Miami St, Paola _ Long Lips Farm 27995 Plum Creek Rd, Paola _ Boston Berry Farm 27750 Normandy Rd, Louisburg _ Green’s Natural Creations 12071 K68 Highway, Louisburg _ Spring Valley Farm 14485 West 303rd St, Louisburg _ Wood Gate Hill 5280 West 263rd St, Louisburg

Aug. 11 (8/11) serves as convenient reminder for Kansas & Missouri residents to

ALWAYS CALL 811 BEFORE DIGGING

ansas 811 and Missouri One-Call encourage people to make a free call 3 working days before digging to know what’s below. With Aug. 11 almost here, Kansas 811 and Missouri OneCall hope this date on the calendar, 8/11, will serve as a natural reminder for residents to call 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every eight minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811. When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to their local one-call center, which will identify affected member utility companies, who will then send professional locators to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both. Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large

A September to Remember Garden Tour Visit unique gardens in Miami County

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or small, warrants a call to 811. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects that need a call to 811 before starting. “On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, we remind homeowners and professional contractors alike to call 811 before digging to eliminate the risk of striking an underground utility line,” said Max Pendergrass, Public Relations Coordinator for Kansas 811, “It really is the only way to know which utilities are buried in your area.” The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, such as erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. Utility lines need to be properly marked because even when digging only a few inches, the risk of striking an underground utility line still exists. Visit www.call811.com, www. kansas811.com, or www.mo1call. com for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.

Tour tips and details _ Tickets $10 per visitor (cash or check). _ Tickets will be available at each garden on the days of the tour or can be purchased in advance at the Marais des Cygnes Extension District Paola Office or online at www.mdcextension.eventbrite.com. _ Begin your tour at any garden. _ Bring your picnic to enjoy on the lovely patio at Wood Gate Hill.

(Rain or Shine)

_ Wear comfortable shoes.

For information – call 913-294-4306 Visit us at www.maraisdescygnes.ksu.edu Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdcemg

_ No pets or strollers, please. _ Look for garden related items for sale!

Garden Tour Map will be available on the website and Facebook.

_ Restrooms available at several locations. _ Sign up for the raffle at Green’s Natural Creations. _ Gardens maintained by Marais des Cygnes Extension District Master Gardeners: • Miami County Courthouse 102 South Pearl St, Paola • Marais des Cygnes Extension District Office 104 South Brayman, Paola

The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

No food for you! Keeping critters out of the bird food is often a challenge. NIK HIREMATH shares solutions on protecting feeders.

re unwanted critters at your bird feeder munching on food meant for your birds? Or is the feeder totally empty in the morning, even though you filled it the night before? You are not alone! This is a common complaint among birders who, like you, are frustrated and searching for solutions. Keep in mind that some solutions might not be foolproof or guaranteed to eliminate the problem. Most likely though, you’ll minimize the number of intruders. The most common offenders are squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, opossum and deer, as well as grackles and starlings. An effective physical solution is to prevent access, or at least make it difficult. Place feeders inside a wire cage with the wire square

openings smaller than 2 inches by 2 inches. A bonus is that the cage will keep out larger birds such as grackles, starlings and cardinals. There are also special cage feeders for offering suet too. If you have a feeding station which is on a pole, add a baffle. It will keep the critters from climbing past the baffle to any feeders you have mounted above on the pole. When considering a baffle solution, remember that squirrels are extremely athletic, and able to jump vertically 5 feet and horizontally 10 feet. So your pole system needs to be clear of anything in a 10 foot radius that squirrels can use as a launching pad and the top of the baffle has to be at least 5 feet off the ground. You can also use a variety of baffles which can be mounted above a feeder if they’re

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hung from a branch or overhang around your home. In this case, you want to ensure the baffle is sufficiently large in diameter so they don’t just reach past it and grab onto your feeder. Also there are a number of feeders that are designed to deny access to food by utilizing a spring activated mechanism to close the opening to the feeder. These feeders can accommodate a variety of food such as seed, seed blends, peanuts, or nyjer seed. Let’s discuss the food options. Safflower is a seed in the shell which has a bitter flavor and will deter many squirrels. It is a widely popular seed with the birds and because they don’t have taste buds, the bitterness doesn’t deter them. Similarly, since squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, deer, and

opossum have taste buds, there are a number of solutions which use hot pepper additive. Suet and seed products both are available in hot pepper flavors. There’s also a hot pepper sauce of concentrated Habanero and soybean oil which can be mixed with any seed. Please use extreme caution when handling hot pepper solutions. Just as you would in your kitchen, use in a well-ventilated area, use gloves, don’t touch any part of your body or face, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Another remedy, bring the feeders in. Night feeding wildlife won’t stop in for a meal if there’s no food. In the morning, put the feeders back out. If the grackles and starlings are the problem, wait 10 days or so to put feeders back out. By then the unwanted birds have moved on to another food source. One of these solutions should solve the problem—allowing more food for your birds, and less for those unwanted critters. Nik and Theresa Hiremath own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.

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The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

Pollinators and Butterfly Gardens LENORA LARSON outlines the differences between pollinators and butterfly gardens, and why it matters.

Saving Pollinators Although pollinators are responsible for about 70% of the food products that we eat, modern agricultural practices directly harm them and

Photos by Lenora Larson.

lowering plants (angiosperms) evolved from the primitive gymnosperms about 250 million years ago. Some flowering plants rely on wind to pollinate their flowers; however, most require an animal mediator to carry the male pollen from one flower to another’s female stigma and ovary. Insects such as bees, flies, beetles, moths and butterflies don’t know that they are the love connection for plants, so the flower must first attract them with color, fragrance and/or shape. They then bribe the pollinators into returning by repeatedly dispensing small doses of delectable nectar.

A plentitude of flowers make this a pollinator garden, but it is not a butterfly garden. most species are declining in number. Someday, we could be like areas of China where all the pollinators have been killed and workers must go into the fields with little paint brushes to hand-pollinate food crops. We gardeners can help pollinators by planting nectar-rich flowers blooming from early March to late November. Beware of fancy sterile

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You must include caterpillar host plants like this Fennel and Wild Senna to be a butterfly garden. hybrids! And minimize or eliminate the use of insecticides. Before purchasing plants, confirm with the seller that no systemic insecticides like Imidacloprid were used. This class of insecticides, the neonicotinoids, is ‘organic’ but they are deadly to pollinators because the residual poison remains in the plant’s nectar and pollen. It’s About the Children! A pollinator garden is not necessarily a butterfly garden because these two insects feed their children very differently. Both adult butterflies and bees appreciate nectar-rich flowers, but bees also feed a mixture of nectar and pollen to their larvae. Consequently, flowers suffice for all their needs. Adult butterflies drink nectar but they don’t feed their children, the caterpillars. Instead, each species of butterfly lays its eggs on a specific host plant. Consequently, you must include the host plants if you

wish to have a butterfly garden. For Monarchs, that plant is Milkweed. Black Swallowtail caterpillars eat members of the Carrot family such as Parsley and Fennel. More examples: Fritillary caterpillars eat Violets and Sulphurs eat members of the Pea family like Wild Senna. Resource the caterpillar host plants with a field guide such as A Photographic Field Guide to the Butterflies in the Kansas City Region by Betsy Betros. This guide not only helps identify adults, but also lists caterpillar foods for each species. Or, you can Google the particular butterfly to learn the host plant. Humans have a vested interest in protecting pollinators since our food supply depends on these hardworking insects. It is also our moral duty as stewards of this beautiful planet to preserve the pollinators, and we need to do better. NOTE: Long Lips Farm will be open to the public as part of the Miami County Garden Tour, September 8th and 9th. Come meet Lenora and the butterflies! More information in this magazine and at www.maraisdescygnes.ksu.edu. Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardener, Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society member, Lenora Larson gardens and hosts butterflies in the cruel winds and clay soil of Paola, Kansas. She may be contacted at lenora.longlips@gmail.com.

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Ideas for Tackling New Home Landscaping If you just bought a home, and the landscaping is unfamiliar, CHELSEA DIDDE RICE offers tips on howh to start.

ongratulations! You bought and moved into a new house. What next? If you’re like me, you’d rather be exploring the new landscape than measuring shelf paper or unpacking boxes. But before you dig in, start ripping things out from the previous owners, or plant your favorite Tahiti daffodils, here are a few things to consider. Wait a year. If you have no knowledge of the plants on your new property, it’s worth waiting an entire calendar year before making any drastic changes. I know, it’s really hard. Keep an eye on the landscape and take notes (or better yet, pictures) every few months. Notice which evergreens provide winter interest, what bulbs pop up in the spring, what hostas appear in early summer and which shrubs turn red in the fall. Knowing what you’re starting out with will give you a baseline and prevent you from planting daffodils on top of tulips you didn’t know were there. Take it slowly. On top of a new house, a new landscape can be overwhelming. Divvy it up into sections and tackle one at a time, starting with the one you spend the most time around, like a back patio or front porch. Knocking out one section completely (versus doing small amounts here and there) gives a feeling of accomplishment. You can do it! And remember, it’s not the end of the world if you

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don’t get to all of the sections the first year (or two or three years). Don’t hate it. I know I may get some flak for this, but I’m a firm believer that if you hate a plant in your landscape, take it out. Even if it’s perfectly healthy. This is your home and you should feel happy about it. So if you’re not a big fan of pink and have a six-foot row of pink peonies right beside your back deck, find a friend who loves pink and get to transplanting. Just be sure to research the best time to transplant various species. Look around. If you’ve relocated to a different zone or climate, take note of what plants have flourished in your neighbor’s yards. Take walks around your neighborhood to look at landscaping and speak to experts at your local nursery. Your favorite variety of rhododendron may not thrive in the hot, humid summers, but the butterfly bushes you like could be a great choice. Have fun! Moving is stressful. Gardening shouldn’t be. This is your new home and you should

enjoy it. If you’ve always adored hellebores but didn’t have a place to plant any in your old place, guess what? Now you can. Take a look at your “plant bucket list” (which I believe everyone should have) and see which items might fit right in. Taking it slowly, doing it right the first time and surrounding your house with a landscape you love is well worth the time, effort and

money spent. Once you feel you have a handle on the house and the landscape, don’t forget to invite friends and family over to show off your hard work! When Chelsea Didde Rice isn’t at work as a communications specialist, she’s an avid gardener who enjoys teaching young and old how easy it can be to garden.

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Above: ‘Vanilla Gorilla’

Above: ‘Condilla’

Above: ‘Bold Tiger’

Above: ‘Alpine Mist’; Below: ‘Missouri Gold’

Above: ‘Silver Moon Sparkle’

Above: ‘Burgundy Sun Light’; Below left: ‘Buckskin Tales’; Below right: ‘Lavender Stardust’

Below: ‘Mapping Kansas’

August 2017 | kcgmag.com

Below: ‘Neon Rainbow’

Below: ‘Polkville Princess’

Below: ‘Tom Collier’

Daylilies

summer garden delights

hen daylilies are mentioned, many people picture the orange daylilies from their childhood. These “ditch lilies” as they were called, could be seen in the ditches of rural areas, along streams and around many rural and city homes. Even today, ditch lilies still thrive in these locations. Today, daylilies offer a rainbow of color combinations and a variety of characteristics, offering texture and variety to any garden. Yes, there are oranges but add to that an assortment of reds, yellows, pinks, greens, purples, lavenders, creams … you get the idea. Now add a multitude of different colors, designs and shades on the bloom. Surround them with ruffled edges, pleated edges, straight edges, multicolored edges and more. Another variable is bloom size. Blooms are miniature (less than 3 inches in diameter), small (3 to less than 4.5 inches), large (4.5 to less than 7 inches) and extra large (7 inches and above). Scapes, the stalk on which the blooms grow, can measure under 12 inches to more than six feet tall, with the majority being two to four feet. As for when a daylily starts to first bloom, there is wide variance in that, too. Daylilies are given bloom times of extra early, early, early midseason, midseason, late midseason, late, and very late. They tend to follow this in whatever zone the garden is located. Daylily plants have three types of growth habits: • Dormant: lose all foliage for winter, reappear in spring. • Semi-evergreen: foliage will die back near to the ground in cold climates and generally

all gardeners, beginners and experienced alike. They need four to six hours of sunlight, although they aren’t fussy about which part of the day. They are extremely hardy plants, and have less pests and diseases than many garden plants. They will grow in a variety of soil types with varying amounts of attention. Meet the perfect companion plant. With assorted scape heights, bloom times and color options, you are certain to find just the right plant for your garden design. Of course, they’re striking when planted en mass. Whether you are fairly new to gardening, or a longtimer, consider welcoming daylilies into your garden. The colors, patterns and shapes will delight and amaze you and all your garden visitors. ‘Ruby Spider’ wait until spring to resume growth. • Evergreen: retain foliage and in cold climates over winter as a mound of pale green frozen foliage. Steady growth returns when all freezes have passed. Every daylily is named by its hybridizer when it is registered. You may find silly names (‘A Moose Fishing On A Pond On Monday’ and ‘Crazy As A Loon’), location names (‘Mapping Kansas’ and ‘Missouri Gold’), people names (‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ and ‘Aunt Nellie’), plus names to honor special occasions (‘Beth and Jeremy’s Big Day’ and ‘Fiftieth Anniversary’). The subjects for names are limitless.

Are you looking for a particular daylily? The American Hemerocallis Society (AHS) makes available to everyone, a searchable database (www.daylilies.org). Enter a word, and the name of every registered daylily with that word in its name is listed. The AHS site also allows the user to search for the name of a specific daylily. Information about each registered daylily in the database is shown (pictures, registration year, hybridizer’s name, plant habit, scape height, bloom size, bloom time, bud count, etc). With over 83,000 registered daylilies, it’s good to have a tool that narrows the field. Daylilies are easy to grow and maintain, and wonderful plants for

MO-KAN DAYLILY SOCIETY The Mo-Kan Daylily Society is celebrating its 40th birthday and invites you to its annual daylily sale on Saturday, August 19th at the Loose Park Garden Center located at 52nd and Wornall Rd., Kansas City, Mo. The sale hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be hundreds of bare root and potted daylilies available for purchase, all from Mo-Kan members’ gardens. Payment may be made by credit card, check or cash. Also, Mo-Kan Daylily Society members will be on hand to answer questions, assist buyers and demonstrate daylily planting. Carl Hamilton is Co-President of the Mo-Kan Daylily Society and may be contacted at farmboycarl@ yahoo.com.

The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

Recreating an Orchard and Garden DRAYTON RILEY shares how The Gardens at Unity Village have been brought to life, and what is offered today.

uring the fall of 2008, 25 or so like-minded folks came together to explore the possibility of recreating a garden and orchard at Unity Village. Unity Farm, which shuttered its operations in the early 1980s had been a self-sustaining operation dating back to the 1920s with thousands of orchard trees, a dairy and vegetable gardens. With plenty of land available and an avid core of volunteers willing to work it, these kindred spirits wanted to become a new version that would address two desires…a venture that would lift with the rising tide of the local food movement and a nostalgia for what Unity Farm once was. By summer 2009, a Board was in place and Unity Village provided a generous lease. A new community was born called The Gardens

A view of the historic apple barn (circa, 1927) where The Gardens operate it’s Saturday morning Market Stand. at Unity Village. Several thousand dollars in individual donations capitalized the new 501(C)3 enterprise. Since its onset The Gardens have been totally volunteer driven with no paid employees. The Gardens primary face to the public and chief funding mechanism is the Saturday Market

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Jim Miner, who manages the Market Stand interacts with a Saturday morning customer.

On Saturday mornings the Market Stand can become quite a busy hub of activity.

Stand, which began under a cobbled together canopy with display stands built from old wooden platforms stored in the barn. A new metal canopy now exists thanks largely to donations. The Gardens homegrown vegetables are sold from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are supplemented by product procured from a central Missouri produce auction. Fresh tomatoes are a big draw. Market Stand volunteer Floyd Pearl’s predictable slogan is: “If there’s something wrong with your BLT, you’d better check your bread, your bacon and your lettuce, because I guarantee you it’s not the tomatoes.” The Gardens provide an educational piece as well. Workshops and demonstrations dot the Saturday schedule with a new emphasis on children built around a “Little Sprouts” theme developed by Board VP Barbara Kellogg. From the beginning, the idea of producing Apple Butter emerged.

Unity Farm had been renowned for its cider, jams and jellies. Piggy backing on that reputation seemed like a good idea. A weekend in September was picked and dubbed The Apple Butter Fest and continues each fall. This year’s event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 15 and 16. On Friday night volunteers gather in the barn to peel and pare apples, and fire pits are dug and stocked with cured oak. Before dawn on Saturday, the pits are lit. After sun up tripods hold large copper kettles, loaded with prepped apples, above the flames. Cooking the apples into mash takes several hours and wooden oars are used to stir continuously for all that time. “It’s a labor of love. Twenty hours of labor goes into each of those $6 jars of apple butter,” Market Stand manager, Jim Miner likes to say. When the cooking is done, Ellen Callen, sets up a streamlined human conveyor belt for canning

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Volunteer Dale Peery uses a vintage hand cranked apple slicer on Friday night of the Apple Butter Fest. Steaming hot apples are constantly stirred for six or more hours over open flames in large copper kettles, giving the apple butter a distinct smokey flavor. inside the barn. About 3 p.m. or so several hundred quart jars of the Gardens’ signature product are cooling down and waiting for labels. Last year, volunteers Alice Catalano and Debbie Epley introduced hay rides, live music and face painting among other activities. “We wanted more of a family atmosphere,” said Catalano. “And it worked,” added Epley. “There were lots more people and they loved it.” More of the same is prepared for this year, including garden tours. Meanwhile Roger Otterstrom and David Verhoff along with other volunteers grow varieties of veggies and herbs…including some 200 tomato plantings and several rows of sweet corn. Getting good water to all those raised beds and crop rows is critical. Otterstrom

and Verhoff along with James Roberts, who manages infrastructure and Jerry King, whose wife, Cheryl, is the Board’s secretary, developed a system of harvesting rain water and pond water and pumping it to the crops. There is no claim to be strictly organic, but the intention is to avoid chemical sprays and artificial products. Soil samples are done annually. The Gardens is confident it is producing healthy food. Asked why and how he spends so much time working at The Gardens, Otterstrom, speaking for all the volunteers, smiles and says, “It’s not work. It’s play.” Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or attending a workshop may contact us at gardens. unity@yahoo.com or by calling 816-682-9725. Drayton Riley is currently the Board President and one of the founders of The Gardens at Unity Village. He is an insurance agent, lives in Lee’s Summit, Mo. and is an avid photographer.

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The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

A September to Remember Garden Tour Sept. 8 & 9

nas. Multitudes of colorful perennials and annuals, many one of a kind, bloom from spring to fall. Hostas thrive. These gardens exemplify hardscaping designs and ideas. Delight in the ever-changing mirror images while strolling through the peaceful backyard waterfall garden. Wander through the inviting pergolas as you enter and exit the backyard. Natural artworks— a curved walnut bench, one of several resting spots, a curtain of bark, birdhouses, twisted hedge and driftwood backdrops. You will take home many imaginative ideas. Discover serenity here and it’s just off Highway 68. Please make sure you sign up for the free drawing at this garden.

oin us for the captivating Marais des Cygnes Extension District Master Gardeners biennial garden tour in Miami County. This is your chance to experience six diverse, eclectic private gardens. Three gardens are featured here and three were featured in the July issue of this magazine. Come learn and stimulate all your senses from butterfly gardens to wildlife habitats, natural settings to English style gardens, diverse styles and flora and wonderful artworks. Green’s Natural Creations Owners: Lynn and Bob Green Dream of a beautiful, relaxing nature haven? This parkland is nestled among mature woodlands. Lynn and Bob have designed and created a smooth nature blend— adding unique magnolia trees and shrubs, fringe trees, viburnums, wiegelas, hydrangeas, and nandi-

Spring Valley Farm Owners: Judy Moser and Ken O’Dell Judy Moser and Ken O’Dell of Spring Valley Farm have been

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working to turn their extensive collection of nursery stock plants into ornamental gardens that can be maintained by two septuagenarians. The cultivated gardens are in the middle of 80 acres of wildflowers, grasses and woods that have been untouched by agriculture for 30 years. Ken knows every tree, shrub and native plant on the property and occasionally leads wildflower tours. Under the walnuts and hackberries around the driveway, woodland wildflowers are the highlight in spring, followed by an extensive variety of hostas. Plantings around the house and cabin are now limited to those requiring relatively little care. Judy has placed annuals elsewhere for maximum color and ease of watering. Hostas from Made in the Shade Gardens will be for sale, fresh out of the greenhouse, at the optimum time for fall planting. Wood Gate Hill Owners: Chris Coffey & Chuck Michel Wood Gate Hill, set on 80 acres, has been evolving for 30 years under the talented hands of landscape designers, Chris Coffey and Chuck Michel. Inspired by English gardens and fine art, their love of collecting and growing have given this colorful, tasteful garden its character and charm. Appreciate the color and fragrance of gardenias, jasmine interspersed with rare eclectic treasures—bronze, marble, stone statues and sculptures as well as some whimsical and modern art.

Chris and Chuck are exceptional in creating eco-climates—from shade with an accompanying water garden to full sun which allow a surprising diversity of plants and trees to reach their full potential in size and beauty. They prize their many trees, the large green ash tree in the front yard, various spruce trees, the weeping Alaskan cedar, mulberry, and boulevard cypress. Take a moment to relax on the lovely patio and take in the serenity of this picturesque country estate. Delight in visiting these awesome gardens and savor the beautiful countryside. Admission price to view all the gardens is $10. Tickets are for sale online now at Mdcextension.eventbrite.com or at each garden on tour days (cash or check). Gardens are easy to find. Start your tour at any garden. Watch Facebook www.facebook.com/mdcemg OR www.maraisdescygnes.ksu.edu for updates.

Get Ready for Lawn Seeding RODNEY ST. JOHN says that if your lawn is full of weeds, it is time to seed those thin and damaged areas. Best time to seed Late summer and early fall is the best time to seed. Starting as early as late August through early October is best for several reasons: 1) the soil is warm, 2) less weeds are germinating, 3) fall rains usually return, and 4) most importantly, the grass will have 6-9 months to grow and mature before the heat and stress of summertime returns. Seeding in the fall still requires frequent watering. If that’s not possible, the next option is to dormant seed. Dormant seeding occurs December through February. During this time, the soil is usually not warm enough to allow the seed to germinate. The seed will lay on the ground, absorbing water, and getting better seed-to-soil contact with some snows and freezing and thawing of the soil. Then, in the spring time, with warming temperatures and good spring rains, the seed will germinate and fill in the thin areas. Spring seeding can be successful, but realize you are probably going to need to water spring seeded lawns more frequently during the summer due to a shorter, less developed root system. Quality seed There can be large differences among grass varieties. Buy clean, weed free seed. Look at the seed tag for exactly what percentage of the bag is weed seed. I only buy 0% weed seed and 0% other crop seed. Spend the money to buy high quality seed. Prepare a good seed bed Start by mowing the existing lawn and weeds short and remove as much debris and thatch as possible. The grass seed needs sunlight to germinate. Set the mower low, scalp the lawn, and rake and bag the debris. Another key to seeding success is seed-to-soil-contact. If a handful of seed is sprinkled on the soil and watered, some of it might grow. However, if you take a rake

and lightly work that seed into the top 1/4-1/2 inch of the soil, much more of that seed will germinate and thrive. For small areas, use a stiff garden rake or a “Garden Weasel” to disrupt the surface and work the seed into the soil. For larger areas, I recommend using a verticutter/power-rake. A verticutter is a machine that has a set of vertical spinning blades that cut groves into the soil, creating furrows for the seed. I like to spread the seed across the seedbed and then use a verticutter to cut/push the seed into the groves it creates. For maximum lawn improvement, I also recommend aerating the soil, spreading the seed, and then verticutting. Fertilize Apply the starter fertilizer after verticutting and right before you start watering. A starter fertilizer is especially formulated lawn fertilizer that is high in phosphorus to help the seedlings with their short root systems. Do not use 13-13-13 or other garden fertilizers. Lawn fertilizers have the correct formula and are the right size particle for lawns. Water frequently This is where most fail. Watering grass seed takes a lot of water. The key is to keep the soil moist during the hottest, driest part of the day. I recommend watering in the early afternoon, between 1 and 4. Keep the soil damp, not squelchy and soupy. It is better to water lightly and frequently, every day, rather than water heavily every few days. During the first 2-3 weeks, I recommend watering daily. If it is hot and windy it might be 2-3 times a day. About 2 weeks after the grass has germinated you can cut the water back to every other day for a week, and then after that, try every 3-5 days. The grass seedlings have short roots, so keep the top ½ inch of soil damp for several weeks after it germinates. Keep the lawn irrigated as late into the fall as possible.

Mow it, don’t over grow it Once the seedlings get to be about 3 inches tall, mow it at about 2 inches tall. While tall fescue doesn’t spread laterally across the lawn it will grow daughter/tiller plants beside itself. If you let the grass plant grow too tall, it will not create these tillers and the lawn won’t become as thick as possible. Mow it ... don’t let it grow too tall.

Seeding does require some elbow grease and time, but in the end, a thick, healthy lawn is beautiful, has less weeds, holds soil in place, cools the neighborhood, and is beneficial to the environment. Dr. Rodney St. John is an agronomist at Ryan Lawn & Tree. Contact him at rodneystjohn@ryanlawn.com or calling 913-381-1505.

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The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

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

One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked AND helps protect you from injury and expense. Safe Digging Is No Accident: “Always Call Before You Dig in Kansas” Call 811, 1-800-DIG-SAFE, (800-344-7233) or visit us at www.kansas811.com.

Bonner Springs Garden Club Tues, Aug 15. Will tour Bird’s Botanicals. Carpoolers will meet at 9am at the parking lot on the SE corner of Third Street and Cedar Street, Bonner Springs. There is a charge of $7.00 per person for the tours. David Bird has been growing orchids since 1978 in the climate controlled caves. Guest will visit 3 different growing rooms. We will have lunch in Independence. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Nicky Horn 816-807-5170. Gardeners of America Mon, Aug 7, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Garden Club of Shawnee Thurs, Aug 3, 7pm; at Old Shawnee Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. Reducing the use of chemicals, conserving water, and planting for pollinators are hot topics in the gardening world these days. Dennis Patton, horticulture agent at Johnson County’s K-State Research and Extension Office will talk about being “Environmentally Friendly in the Garden.” Dennis will allow time to answer questions from the audience. This will also be our annual Ice Cream Social. You won’t want to miss this meeting! As always, door prizes given away and everyone is welcome. Greater Kansas City Bonsai Society Sat, Aug 5, 9am-noon; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Workshop. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Sun, Aug 13, 1-3pm; Tour more than 100 dahlias in the garden of Bernard Lohkamp, 13134 Sycamore Ave, Grandview, MO. Questions can be directed to Bernard at 816-763-7526 or belohk@yahoo.com. Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group Wed, Aug 9, 12pm; in the Rose Room at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Program: Linda Landreth, member of our group and a Master Food Volunteer at K-State Research will be teaching our class on How to Harvest Herbs and Various Methods to Preserve, Freeze, Dry, Infuse, etc. There is always a sharing time and you will go home with lots of information and encouragement to try new things. Come check out our Herb Garden just outside the center which our group maintains. Bring your own lunch and drink. Facebook: check us out at Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group. Friends and visitors are welcome. Questions: call Nancy, 816-478-1640 Heart of America Gesneriad Society Sat, Aug 19, 10am-12:30pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society Sat, Sep 9, Hospitality beginning at 9am and a brief meeting, followed by the Program at

August 2017 | kcgmag.com

10am; at First Lutheran Church, 6400 State Line Rd, Mission Hills, KS. Matt Evans, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, will be presenting on the symbiotic relationship between small trees and shrubs with perennial garden plants. There will be a potluck with the society furnishing the meat and members bringing a dish to share. There will be a second chance sale of lovely hostas. A raffle will be conducted and there will be door prizes! Come and bring a friend, everyone is welcome! For more information, call Gwen 816-213-0598. Kansas City Garden Club Mon, Aug 7, 9:45am-12:30pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-5138590 Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Aug 9, 11am; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Jack Smith, a former Leavenworth County Extension officer, will be speaking about Championship Trees in Leavenworth county. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information, contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Leavenworth Garden & Civic Club Thurs, Aug 3, 10am; in the Jahn Room at the Leavenworth Public Library, 4th and Spruce Streets, Leavenworth, KS. We will have a speaker and a light lunch will be served. For more information, contact Mary Sue Winneke at 913-682-7480. Lenexa Field and Garden Club Tues, Aug 8, 7-8pm; a member garden tour. For more information, contact the club at Lenexa.fieldandgarden@gmail.com or www.lenexafieldandgardenclub.org. Mid America Begonia Society Sat, Aug 19, 1-3:30pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Olathe Garden & Civic Club Tues, Aug 15, 12:30pm; at the Bass Pro Shop, 12051 Bass Pro Dr, Olathe, KS 66061 (I-35 to 119th, West on 119th to Renner, South on Renner, to round-about, Bass Pro will be visible on the East). A program on Flower Show Entry Card Training will be presented by Sue Ercolani and Gerry Buehler. Visitors and prospective flower show participants are welcome to attend. For further information, please contact Karen Ragland at 785-766-4678 or Caren Burns at 913-764-2061. Overland Park Gardeners of America Mon, Aug 14, 7pm social, 7:30pm meeting; at Colonial Church, 71st & Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS, Lower level. Speaker will be Bailey Patterson, City Forester of Overland Park, KS. She will be presenting on the city’s response to the Emerald Ash Borer and the criteria used to choose replacement trees when the Ash trees are removed. Come learn more. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Questions, contact Karen Clark 785-224-7279.

Raytown Garden Club Tues, Aug 1, 10am; at the Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, Mo. Program: “Growing, Preserving, and Using Culinary Herbs” presented by Elizabeth Cutting, long-time herb grower and member of the KC Herb Society. Visitors are always welcome. Please visit our website at www.sites. google.com/site/fgcmwestcentral/raytown

August

hear about pollination and which native plants are specifically pollinated by bees or butterflies. The top native plant species for different habitats will also be highlighted for both bees and butterflies including butterfly host plants. It is free and open to the public with no registration required. Door Prizes will be copies of Heather’s books. We will have a book signing staring at 5:30 so come early and bring copies for Heather to sign. You can purchase her books on her website at www.pollinatorsnativeplants. com. For further information call 816-6654456 or visit our website www.mggkc.org and browse Gardeners’ Gathering.

Fall Vegetable Gardening Tues, Aug 1, 6pm; at Lansing Community Library, 730 1st Terr, Ste 1, Lansing KS 66043. Loretta Craig, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will present Fall Vegetable Gardening. Now is the time to get organized for fall vegetable gardens. Come learn some tips and tricks on getting an abundant harvest. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Fall Vegetable Gardening Thurs, Aug 17, 7pm; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Loretta Craig, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will present Fall Vegetable Gardening. Now is the time to get organized for fall vegetable gardens. Come learn some tips and tricks on getting an abundant harvest. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

De-Bugging Your Garden Mon, Aug 7, 6:30pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Presented by Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America. Chris Veach, Master Gardener, will teach how to identify and treat harmful pests in your garden using the least toxic appropriate method. Genetic, cultural, mechanical, biological and, as a last resort, chemical controls are discussed. The use and preservation of beneficial insects is emphasized. Ninety five percent of the insects in your garden are beneficial.

Missouri State Fair Dahlia Show Aug 18 and 19. The Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society is hosting the Missouri State Fair’s Dahlia Show. This public event is at the fairgrounds Floriculture Building, Sedalia, MO. Bring your dahlia blooms to the show or drop by to see the range of colors and shapes of dahlias on display. See www.mostatefair.com for entry and show details.

Events, Lectures & Classes

Why I Became a Master Gardener Wed, Aug 9, 7pm; at Basehor Community Library, 1400 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Pat Matthews, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will talk about the Leavenworth County Master Gardener program, why the program is beneficial to gardeners and how to join. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Kansas City Cactus & Succulent Society Show and Sale Sat, Aug 12, 9am-5pm (judged show opens to the public at 11am; sales open at 9am) and Sun, Aug 13, 11am-4pm; at the Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. The 39th Annual Show and Sale. Contact 816-444-9321 or evaal@att.net for more info. Gardening for Bees and Butterflies Thurs, Aug 17, 6:30pm; at Kauffman Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City, MO. The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City present “Gardening for Bees and Butterflies” by our special guest, Heather Holm. She is the author of “Pollinators of Native Plants” and “BEES: An identification and Native Plan Forage Guide”. There has been a lot of “buzz” about pollinators and native plants and as gardeners we need to become a part of the support system that will help our gardens become alive with activity. Pollinators are vital to the production of many food crops and provide a service essential to the survival of many native plants. Learn about the life cycles of bees and butterflies including where and when they nest, forage and seek shelter and food in our landscapes. Also

Daylily Plant Sale Sat, Aug 19, 8:30am-4pm. The MO-KAN Daylily Society will have a huge plant sale, held indoors at the Loose Park Garden Center, at 52nd and Wornall, Kansas City, Mo. For the 3rd year we have included the premium plants offered to the public for a fraction of the hybridizer’s price. This is an opportunity to upgrade your gardens to some of the newest varieties not yet on the market. A wide variety of daylilies will be offered at very low pricing, including doubles, spiders, UFO’s and merit winners. Demonstrations on how to plant a daylily will be on-going during the day and knowledgeable club members will be available to answer any questions. Photographs of most of our bare root and premium plants will be on display. We want to remind guests to bring their postcards for a free daylily with minimum $5.00 daylily purchase. Greater Kansas City Iris Society Plant Sale Sat, Aug 19, 10am-3pm; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes, Kansas City, MO. Hundreds of locally grown iris varieties for sale Including TB, BB, IB, SDB and MTB. Don’t know what these designations mean? Come visit us and find out or check out the American Iris Society website: www.irises. org or the GKCIS website: www.kciris.org. Come early for best selection! Rose Rosette Workshop Mon, Aug 21, noon-4pm; at Jacob Loose Memorial Park Garden Center, Kansas City, MO. Presented by the Kansas City Rose Society. The American Rose Society has identified rose rosette disease as the greatest threat to the future of commercial and recreational growth and enjoyment of roses. The Kansas City Rose Society, in conjunction with the Mid-American Green Industry Council, will present and informa-

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(continued on page 20)

The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

Save Your Trees!

Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see (continued from page 19)

EAB Will Kill Your Tree!

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August 2017 | kcgmag.com

tional workshop which will feature three nationally recognized experts in the study of the disease in order to provide attendees with the most current research and management practices on rose rosette. Registration fee: $25 covers all materials and a box lunch. One hour of Consulting Rosarian credit will be given for CR’s in attendance. For further information and to register visit: www.kansascityrosesociety.org/rose-rosette-workshop.html or contact Rob Gray at 816-5203291 or rgray@hoerrschaudt.com.

Garden and Civic Club present this Annual event. Open to public Fri, Sep 8, 1-8pm and Sat, Sep 9, 9am-3pm. Entries will be accepted from amateur (non-commercial) gardening enthusiasts 6-8pm Thurs, Sep 7, and 7:30-9am Fri, Sep 8. The public is welcome to submit both flower and horticulture (garden produce) entries. For further information contact Karen Ragland at 785-766-4678.

Beekeeping I Wed, Aug 23 & 30, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This is an introductory course into beekeeping. We will review the importance of honey bees in our everyday life. Participants will learn about the life cycle of the honey bee, their history, and become familiar with today’s beekeeping techniques. Fee: $49. To enroll call 913-469-2323.

Easy to Grow “Super Foods” Sat, Sep 9, 9am-12pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Growing your own “superfoods”, those considered to be powerhouses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, can offer you super health benefits. Discover which plants are the easiest and hardiest to grow in our midwest climate. Learn which garden choices are highly nutrient dense and even medicinal. Discuss methods to preserve them for year-round health benefits. Fee: $39. To enroll or to get more information please call 913-469-2323.

Four Season Harvests Sat, Aug 26, 9-11:30am; Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Growing nutritional edibles during the dreary fall and winter months has many advantages. Less watering, fewer bugs and weeds! Plus the bonus of fresh produce in your winter diet! Discuss the science, methods and some simple structures that work well for a small scale home garden. Learn which plants do well in the cold. Leave excited about growing in an unexpected yet productive season. Fee: $39. To enroll call 913-469-2323.

Beekeeping III Wed, Sep 20 & 27, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This class will be a fun and active way to learn how to be a successful backyard beekeeper. We will provide the basic knowledge needed to keep and manage a healthy beehive, and produce honey and beeswax. This class will cover bee behavior, hive management, diseases, pests, swarming and how to harvest honey right from your own backyard. Fee: $49. To enroll or to get more information please call 913-469-2323.

Sept, Oct and Nov

Advanced Beekeeping, Pests and Diseases Wed, Oct 4, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Explore the greatest challenges in today’s beekeeping world. You will do an in-depth study and review of beekeeping diseases and pests. Learn how to identify pests and diseases in the early stages and the best practices for treatment alternatives. In addition, review new regulations and laws that impact our bees. Fee: $29. To enroll or to get more information please call 913-469-2323.

Beekeeping II Wed, Sep 6 & 13, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This course offers an in depth review of current beekeeping practices. You will study beekeeping in the classroom and explore a beehive in the field. The course will give you hands on experience working a beehive. Fee: $49. To enroll or to get more information please call 913-469-2323. Master Gardener 2017 Garden Tour Sep 8-9, 9am-5pm. Sponsored by the Marais des Cygnes Extension District Master Gardeners. Driving tour to visit various locations in Miami County to view some amazing garden creations by our Master Gardeners. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/mdcemg or call 913294-4306. Visit the Marais des Cygnes Extension District website for more information www.maraisdescygnes.k-state.edu. Johnson County Old Settlers’ Community Flower Show Sep 8-9, at the Olathe City Hall, 100 East Santa Fe, Olathe, KS 66061. The Olathe

The Local Food Movement: Then & Now Sat, Nov 11, 9am-12pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Did you know Johnson County’s leading industry once was dairy farming? Now JoCo is part of Kansas City’s active food and farmer movement. Explore our farming roots and discover the myriad of resources that connect us to our local food growers including farmers’ markets, farm to table, organic, urban and local trends. Learn about organizations collaborating to feed our city and the key programs that are training our next generation farmers and chefs. Fee: $39. To enroll or to get more information, call 913-469-2323.

Promote club meetings, classes, and other gardening events! Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com Deadline for September issue is August 5.

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Powell Gardens Butterflies Abound

Festival of Butterflies August 4-20 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Walk among native butterfly species in the flower-filled “Butterfly Breezeway”, touch live caterpillars and learn about Monarchs, or experience the tropics in our lush Martha Jane Phillips Starr Butterfly Conservatory where a close encounter with the Blue Morpho, Golden Birdwing, or Emerald Swallowtail is almost guaranteed. New this year, encounter wild dragonflies up-close and personal in the “Dragonfly Den”. Return each weekend to enjoy special programming and activities. Festival admission applies. Visit powellgardens.org for more details. Butterfly University: Mini Symposium Saturday, August 5 | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Butterfly University covers everything you need to know about our local butterflies and more. This mini-symposium takes you behind the scenes of Powell Gardens 21st Festival of Butterflies and connects you with landscape design gurus and moth and butterfly experts. Spend the day discovering the many species of local butterflies and their host plants, explore the tropical butterfly exhibit with Powell Gardens staff, learn to design a home butterfly garden, and pick up tricks of the trade for caterpillar rearing with local caterpillar rancher Eric Perrette of the Occasional Butterfly. Fee: $75 (Powell Gardens members 10% off). Visit powellgardens.org for more details. Photography Day in the Martha Jane Phillips Starr Butterfly Conservatory Tuesday, August 8 | 8-10 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Join us for the one opportunity of the year to photograph in our conservatory with tripods and monopods. Fee: $5 in addition to festival admission.

Play Late Thursdays | Cocktails and Chrysalis Thursday, August 10 | 6-8 p.m. Experience the Festival of Butterflies during the evening hours for the first time ever! Receive ½ off admission after 6 p.m. Cash bar and light bites available for purchase. Family Frolic: Learn About Lepidoptera! Saturday, August 12 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Butterflies, moths and caterpillars, just some of the insects that make up the order of Lepidoptera, are featured at this family event will providing opportunities to learn more about their life cycles, and their important relationship to plants and us! Join us for this all day family-friendly event as part of the Festival of Butterflies at Powell Gardens. Enjoy hands-on activities, special performances, food vendors and a butterfly parade. Festival admission and parking fees apply. Visit powellgardens.org for details. Solar Eclipse Watch Party Monday, August 21 | 9 a.m. to noon The first 100 visitors will receive a pair of glasses specifically designed for watching solar eclipses. Grab a picnic basket and bottle of wine from reFresh, lay out a blanket on our prairie and let the eclipse come to you. General admission applies. Docent Program Recruitment Interviews Beginning in Late August The Powell Gardens education department is currently seeking garden enthusiasts to join the new volunteer docent group Garden Guides, a committed group of tour guides who will engage with Powell Gardens K-12 student and adult tour groups and help them discover the many aspects of the Gardens, while discussing unique plant collections and landscapes. Volunteers selected for this special role will participate in training courses beginning in October.

Greater Kansas City Iris Society Plant Sale Saturday, August 19 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Trailside Center 99th & Holmes, KCMO Bearded iris in a variety of classes will be available for sale: TB, BB, IB, SDB, MTB Come early for best selection as last year was a sell out!

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www.fertilome.com Have a lawn and garden question for the Gard’n-Wise Guys? Go to Facebook and ask them your question. NOW AVAILABLE AT: Jacksons Greenhouse & Garden Center, Topeka v Doctors At the Lake, Lake of the Ozarks v Manns Lawn & Landscape, St. Joe v Gronis Hardware and Seed, Leavenworth v Clinton Parkway Nursery, Lawrence v Barnes Greenhouses, Trenton, MO v Soil Service Gdn. Center, Kansas City, MO v Loma Vista North, Kansas City, MO v Skinner Garden Store, Topeka v Full Features Nursery, Smithville v Springtime Garden Center, Lee’s Summit v Heartland Nursery, Kansas City, MO v Planter’s Seed, Kansas City, MO v Penrod’s Greenhouse, Kearney v North Star Garden Center, Liberty v Grimm’s Gardens, Atchison v Moffet Nursery, St. Joe v Suburban Lawn & Garden, Kansas City, MO

The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

August

garden calendar

n LAWNS

• Desire a green lawn, water bluegrass one to two times per week, applying about 1 ½ inches. • Tall fescue will need about 1 inch of water per week to remain green under summer temperatures. • Apply last application of fertilizer to zoysia by mid month. • Be on lookout for grubs and apply proper control methods. • Start planning for fall renovation projects such as aerating and seeding. • Check sharpness of mower blade and repair. • Mow turf as needed depending on summer growth. • Kill out unwanted zoysia and Bermuda grass. • Take a soil test to determine fertility program.

n FLOWERS

• Apply 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per week to gardens. • Divide iris and daylilies during dormant period. • Make last application of fertilizer to roses by mid-month. • Control black spot and other rose diseases. • Fertilize mums, hardy asters and other fall-blooming perennials. • Deadhead annuals to encourage late-season blooms. • Cut back and fertilize annuals to produce new growth and fall blooms. • Sow hollyhocks, poppies and larkspur for spring blooms. • Prepare for fall bulb planting by placing orders or researching varieties. • Take cuttings from geraniums and begonias for wintering indoors.

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Water young trees every one to two weeks by deeply soaking the root system. • Check mulch layer and replenish. • Prune broken, dead or crossing limbs for healthier plants. • Check young trees and shrubs for girdling wires and ropes from planting. • Avoid fertilizing ornamentals now so they harden off before winter. • Remove bagworms by hand picking.

n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Water about 1 inch per week. • Plant a fall garden: beets, carrots, beans and turnips for autumn harvest. • Plant transplants of broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage for fall production. • Harvest crops on a regular basis for season-long production. • Ease fruit loads on branches by propping with wooden supports. • Net ripening fruit to protect from hungry birds. • Fertilize strawberry bed for added flower bud development. • Turn compost pile and add water when dry. • Keep weeds under control to reduce problems next year.

n HOUSEPLANTS

• Water summer houseplants regularly and fertilize to promote growth. • Check plants for insects such as scales, aphids and spider mites. • Wash plants to remove dust layer. • Make cuttings and repot plants before summer sun slips away.

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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Professional’s Corner

Kyle Vanderpool

Profession: I have worked in the landscaping industry since 1985 and with Landworks since April 2014. I have multiple certifications in the landscaping industry, have taught hardscape certification classes, and have won numerous design awards through Mid America Green Industry Council.

landscape designer with Landworks, Inc.

What inspires your work in the green industry: Nature! I grew up with a passion for drawing and building things. I love developing a sense of beauty and joy in nature—making recommendations on plants, design layout and solving outdoor problems. My motivation comes from our clients that are amazed

at how we have transformed their outdoor areas. What are your landscape industry certifications? NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician–Softscape Installation, ICPI Certified Paver Installer, NCMA Certified Segmental Retaining Wall Installer, and Techniseal Certified Applicator. Favorite project: There are countless materials to work with in landscape design. For me, the best part is combining hardscape and softscape materials, creating a cross between art and science. I appreciate all of my designs in general, but I think a favorite would be a recent project for a children’s playground. It’s a place where kids can play, read or simply experience nature. Favorite tree: The Aspen tree is my favorite. The leaves attach to the branches via a long

and flattened petiole. The slightest breeze causes the leaves to shimmer and flutter, and makes a wonderful sound. What every gardener should know: Start with a good plan. A well-planned design will be rewarding for years to come. Remember, just because you come to a project with the right materials, does not mean you will end up with a great design. Non-green industry interests: I have three daughters and a passion for nature, so we love exploring and learning new things outdoors. I love guiding them, teaching them life lessons and watching them grow. I also play golf. Contact information: Landworks, Inc. 913-422-9300 www.Landworks-Inc.com contact@Landworks-Inc.com

The Kansas City Gardener | August 2017

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