KCG 08Aug18

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Daylilies you can never have too many It’s In The Bag(worm) Hop Hornbeam Tree 8/11 Reminder: Call Before You Dig

August 2018

The Kansas City

GARDENER

editor’s notes

A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Contributors Nik and Theresa Hiremath Lenora Larson Marion Morris Ken O’Dell Diana Par-Due Dennis Patton Judy Penner Ed Reese Scott Woodbury Gayle Yelenik 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

W

ithout a doubt, one of my most favorite outings is to tour gardens.

Whether self-guided or with a group, a large-scale public garden or an intimate backyard setting, exploring spaces thoughtfully created and passionately nurtured, is a source of inspiration for me.

Recently I had the pleasure of spending time with local daylily expert Lois Hart, of Hart’s Daylilies in Louisburg, Kansas. A scheduling conflict kept me from visiting during her open house the first week of July, which prompted us to find another convenient time.

I met this long overdue occasion without preconceived expectations, yet I was hungry for a mid-summer boost. This visit did not disappoint.

There are multiple gardens stretched out across her property, a fitting tribute to the 900 varieties of daylilies she grows. With additional perennials mixed in, there is plenty of sun for those that like it best. For hosta and overheated gardeners, there is no lack of shade.

Refreshing iced tea in hand, we strolled and talked about all things gardening, and more. I came away more educated about daylilies, and

re-energized to finish the growing season strong.

No matter where I go, every visit teaches me something new, not only about gardening and horticulture in general, but also about myself. This trip was no exception.

While appreciating her impressive garden in shipshape condition with labeled plants and without weeds, I made this statement to Lois, “I make no apologies to visitors for the state of my garden,” as a comparison to my current untidiness at home.

As soon as those words left my lips, I wished they were on a string so I could easily pull them back.

First of all, that’s not me-the-gardener today. Secondly, no one has asked for nor is expecting an apology, I say to my old eager-to-please, perfection-driven self. For years, I was unable to rectify my inability to “be finished.” An unending list of garden chores translated into unnecessary stress instead of opportunities for relaxation. There

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August 2018• Vol. 23 No. 8

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the state of gardens

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Herb Profile: Plantain ............... 4 Ask the Experts ........................ 6 Hop Hornbeam Tree ................ 8 Call Before You Dig ................. 9 Rub Shoulders with Garden Celebrities .............................. 10 Persimmons ............................ 12 It’s in the Bag(worm) ................ 13 Daylilies ................................. 14

about the cover ...

never seemed to be enough time to pursue the garden of my dreams.

Of course all of the reasons were obvious–fulltime job, raising a family, etc. That’s right Mrs. Gardener, you cannot have it all.

What I have learned (again and again, it seems) is that the garden is my place to relax, not be under pressure to finish. There are plenty of weeds that need pulling, sycamore sticks to gather, and daylilies to deadhead. In fact, in the front garden, up against the house, I’m in the middle of pruning the boxwood. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, I left the job half-done.

Even better, I have no idea when I’ll finish.

Now when I’m in the garden, I am fully present with my authentic self. My inadequate, judgy self is no longer allowed because I want peace to reign. I pray the same for you.

I’ll see you in the garden!

Rose Report ............................ 16 Horseradish ............................ 17 Bird Seed Storage .................... 17 Powell Garden Events ............... 18 Wonderful Woodpeckers .......... 20 Upcoming Events ..................... 21 Garden Calendar .................... 26 Subscription form .................... 27 Meet an EMG ......................... 27

You can never have too many daylilies, especially this beauty ‘River Hills’.

Learn more about daylilies beginning on page 14. Photo by Gayle Yelenik.

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Plantain Underfoot DIANA PAR-DUE, local herb maven, underscores the value and details the gifts of this landscape weed.

T

hough broadleaf plantains are not native to North America they are a surprisingly resilient herb. You may recognize them growing in your lawn or next to your driveway, a hidden gem that is overlooked and underfoot.

Even to the most inexperienced person, plantain can be incredibly beneficial. It is known historically for the medicinal properties, most conveniently, the topical treatment of bug bites, scrapes and burns.

A child who learns to identify this plant can simply pluck a leaf, chew it up and apply it to a bug bite and find relief. This is because plantain has properties that are not just anti-inflammatory but that also promote cell regeneration and can slow bleeding.

This kind of makeshift poultice is simple and easy. However, there

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August 2018 | kcgmag.com

are many more ways to utilize plantain’s riches.

The younger leaves are tender and can be eaten in a salad or added to soups, stir fry’s or even

smoothies. There are no negative side effects to consuming this pot herb or restrictions on who can use them including children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Plantain can be infused into oil and used to apply on dermatitis or made into a salve to treat burns. It can be juiced or brewed into tea for treatment of digestive issues, liver disease and kidney troubles.

It is effective in treating menstrual symptoms as well as steadying menopause transition.

The plant can grow anywhere and if allowed to mature (that is, try not to mow over it) the leaves

are beautiful looking even growing to look like a small hosta. Plantains feel cool and calming to walk over with bare feet and thrive in heat, drought and underfoot. It’s easy to assume they’ll be a constant year round but harvesting and drying it can give you access to the many benefits through the winter time.

Making it into a salve would also be wise, combining it with other herbs such as comfrey, borage and calendula to increase the range of healing.

You many not need to deliberately plant plantains in your herb garden, simply allow them to grow and recognize their benefits. We often consider weeds in our plots as if they are enemies to be fought off but the energy we expend to demonize certain plants can be turned to seeing their value and considering their great gifts.

Diana Par-Due is an avid gardener who, when not raising children, raises plants. She dreams of beekeeping and chickens one day when her town makes it legal. Until then, she spends her time writing, reading, and studying as a mature student at a local college and making garden plans she never actually keeps.

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The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

5

Ask the Experts Gardeners have plenty of questions about landscape issues, DENNIS PATTON answers a few of them here.

CLEMATIS TROUBLES Question: For two years in a row, all of my clematis have wilted and died. Three different varieties. Three different locations. I put down commercial cow manure and then mulch in the spring.

Water when needed. Am I doing something wrong?

Answer: When I first started to garden I was under the impression that clematis was a fussy plant.

I have since learned differently.

This plant I find to be easy to grow given a couple of requirements.

Best flowers are with a little sun, even moisture, and excellent drainage. The cow manure should be worked into the planting area, not planting hole prior to planting along with additional organic matter to provide good drainage. When I hear of the plant wilting I think of

either poor drainage or the root rot disease, Clematis Wilt. Both are best controlled with quality soil.

Another thought; there are a number of varieties on the market, and like all plants, some are better than others. So outside chance, just not a good variety.

MAGNOLIA MISSING LEADER Question: This past spring my tree trimmer accidently knocked the leaf bud off the leader of my Bracken’s Brown Beauty magnolia. There are still no leaves. I bought this particular plant for its single leader. Is the leader dead or will it come back next spring?

Answer: One of my favorite sayings is “dead is dead.” Dead growth does not resurrect. Dead wood provides no benefit to a plant and should be removed. In your

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Best results with clematis flowers are with a little sun, even moisture, and excellent drainage. case, I would not give up hope.

Many trees have a desire to have a strong central leader. Many times when one is lost a new branch will curve upward and take over this role. In other cases a number of limbs will compete to be the leader.

Multiple leaders can lead to weak branch angles. This can be corrected with a little pruning.

Watch the area over the coming years. The new leader will be the tallest, straightest. If multiple limbs compete for this role, simply remove or cut back all but one.

The tallest limb gets the domi-

nance. This one will form your new leader. It may take a season or two but with a little training it can be as good as new.

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES DISAPPOINTING RETURN Question: This spring my old, established clumps of ornamental grasses came back poorly. I didn’t think they had any issues. What caused them not to return?

Answer: You are not alone as ornamental grasses all over the area returned poorly this spring.

Old, large clumps may have just

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this case, it is too late to do anything once they are dead.

Did your ornamental grasses fail to come back in spring? You are not alone. a little green at the edges in many cases. The issue was the extremely dry fall, winter and spring coupled with the temperature fluctuations.

This combination was not kind to grasses and many evergreens.

Although we did not come close to record lows, plants under drought stress have less resistance. How to prevent this from happening again?

Make sure our plants have ample moisture headed into winter. As in

SMALL CALADIUM BULBS Question: When I dug up my container-grown caladiums last year the bulbs were the size of marbles. Will fertilizing the plants this summer increase the bulb size for next year?

Answer: I don’t think you are doing anything wrong as it is more a factor of our climate. If your plants are growing happily all summer, then you are doing everything right. I think it is our growing conditions. Bulbs regenerate each year and naturally divide. Our problem is summer heat and the shorter growing season is not conducive to the development of a new bulb with good size. This is the same issue with tulips in our climate.

Continue what you are doing and maybe this is just a plant that will need to be purchased each year instead of overwintering.

DOES PRUNING CAUSE AZALEA DIE BACK? Question: I lightly pruned my Girard azaleas and Purple Gem Rhodies after they finished bloom-

ing. A few of them are dying back.

Did my pruning cause this?

Answer: It is very difficult to tell based on this information. If pruned properly the answer is no.

If improperly pruned, then yes.

How is that for an answer? These plants are like many evergreens with the so-called dead zone. If you cut back into areas with no foliage, just woody stems, then yes pruning led to this issue. These plants are best pruned back to a lower branch or bud that has good leaf growth.

This plant does not set buds well when pruned into the dead zone. If this is the case, simply remove the stems and hope the plant will send up some new ones from the base.

These plants also stressed over the winter drought. So maybe the plant had scarcely enough energy to bloom and then died, which just happened to be around the time of your pruning.

ATTRACTING MOCKINGBIRDS TO SING IN MY GARDEN Question: I have visited the Garden Gallery there at your office many times over the past couple of years. It appears you have a resident Mockingbird who

sits at tree top and sings his little heart out. What can I plant to attract my own Mockingbird? I have many other birds but no Mockingbird.

Answer: You have me stumped.

We did nothing special to attract this bird or any other species. I think we followed the Field of Dream’s mantra, that is “if you build it, they will come.” We, our Extension Master Gardeners, really just made a garden that meets the needs of birds; an area that provides food, water and shelter. We planted a mix of plants for seeds and berries, provided evergreens for protection and added several water features. In this case, what probably helped us the most is that several hundred feet away is a naturally wooded area. This native area provides even more habitat for birds. The garden gave another location for the mockingbird, or any bird in this case, to call home.

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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The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

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Hop Hornbeam Tree KEN O’DELL, local plantsman and top-notch tree expert, highlights this easy-to-grow all-season tree.

Photos by Ken O’Dell.

H

op Hornbeam, Hornbeam, and Ironwood are all commonly used names for this excellent tree native from the eastern edge of the Great Plains in Kansas to the East Coast of the United States. Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) grows naturally in dry, rocky soil in woodland areas on slopes. It can be found occasionally near dry stream banks where the seed has flooded into the area. When transplanted into the landscape and home woodlands it is an easy tree to grow and has the same beautiful seasons it enjoys in the woodlands.

Soft, tissue paper thin green leaves look similar to the elm or birch leaf but the Hop Hornbeam leaf has the softest feel of all. The green leaves change to brilliant golden yellow in autumn then to a

Ostrya virginiana leaf light brown color and sometimes hang on the trees during the winter.

Mature trees will grow to 45 feet or more. Separate male and female flowers in the form of catkins appear on the same tree. The female catkins will produce the familiar hops which give the name Hop Hornbeam. The hornbeam part of the common name is because the wood is hard and durable. It once was used for yokes on teams

Hummingbird

Ostrya virginiana fruit

Ostrya virginiana late October

of oxen to help them work and pull together. These yokes were also used on cattle and goats to keep them from jumping over or through fences.

The scientific name for the American Hop Hornbeam is Ostrya virginiana. Ostrya comes from the Greek word osteo for bones, hence the common name Hornbeam or Ironwood. The name Virginiana because this is most likely where it was first found and described indicating it is from Virginia.

Other similar trees in this family are the American Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana, which is growing native in Missouri and Arkansas to the East Coast. These trees are very similar and can be difficult to tell apart.

Visiting parks and arboretums we frequently find similar trees such as Carpinus betulus which is the European Hornbeam and is widely planted. Linda Hall Library has a nice European Hornbeam

on the northwest corner of the main building. They also have the American Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana planted on the first corner south of the European Hornbeam.

Many of the trees in this family are usually on the smaller scale and for this reason make excellent specimens in smaller yards.

The champion Hop Hornbeam tree in Kansas is 70 feet tall in VA Park in Leavenworth, Kansas.

The champion Hop Hornbeam in Missouri is in Cape Girardeau and is 36 feet tall.

Take time to look at the flowers, fruit, leaves, bark and twigs and see the beauty in all trees.

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Ken O’Dell is a lifetime member of the Friends of the Arboretum.

He is a long-time volunteer at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden and the Kansas City regional leader of the Kansas Native Plant Society.

DAYLILY SALE Saturday, August 18 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

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

ALWAYS CALL 811 BEFORE DIGGING

K

ansas 811 & Missouri One Call encourage people to make a free call 2 full working days before digging to know what’s below With Aug. 11 almost here, Kansas 811 & Missouri One Call 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 hour, more than six damages to buried utilities occur because someone decided to dig without first calling 811.

When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to the local one call center for Kansas or Missouri, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent 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 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 in Kansas or www. mo1call.com in Missouri for more information about 811 and safe digging practices.

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Rub Shoulders with Garden Celebrities Armitage, Dirr, Dooley, Hamill at Mizzou Botanic Garden

Allan Armitage

O

fficially designated the Mizzou Botanic Garden (MUBG) in 1999, the University of Missouri campus in Columbia charges no admittance fees to its very public 735-acre garden, instead relying on gifts and memberships in the Friends of MUBG for support.

To raise awareness of the garden and attract new members, MUBG and the Friends group annually sponsor a program featuring a garden expert of note.

Michael Dirr

Natalia Hamill

VinceDooley

This fall, “Georgia Champions of Landscape Gardening & their Published Passions for Plants” features a team of gardening celebrities with ties to the Peach State.

Two events featuring guests Allan Armitage, Michael Dirr, Vince Dooley, and Natalia Hamill are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 23.

tration and a fee of $50 are required to participate.

• At 2 p.m., a free and open to the public Garden Symposium with featured guests and others will be held in Room 22 of MU’s Tate Hall auditorium. Authors’ books will be on hand for purchase and autographing. An ice cream social will follow.

Culture and Propagation and Uses, which has sold more than 500,000 copies. In addition to more recent general works, he wrote Hydrangeas for American Gardens and Viburnums: Flowering Shrubs for Every Season.

The name Vince Dooley is synonymous with football but more recently, the retired UGA head football coach has gained renown for his and wife Barbara’s spectacular garden. In addition to several books about his career, Dooley penned Vince Dooley’s Garden: The Horticultural Journey of a Football Coach.

Natalia Hamill works as brand and business development manager for Bailey Nursery. An MU grad, she did her graduate work at UGA. She is the author of 100 Easy Perennials and has contributed articles to Fine Gardening and Missouri Conservationist, among other publications.

For more information about MUBG, Friends of MUBG, September’s events or to register for the Walkabout, call 573-8826896.

• Featured guests will lead a Walkabout and Plant Talk in the garden beginning at 10 a.m. With a limit of 50 participants, preregis-

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TUNE UP: Get your mowers and equipment in for a SUMMER TUNE UP! Tune ups include changing the oil and filter, replacing spark plug, air filter, and sharpening blades.

Plan for fall lawn renovation, aerating and seeding.

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Gardeners Gathering Aug. 23 Appreciating the Philosophy and Aesthetics of Japanese Gardens

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oin local gardener Bryan Boccard on a journey through the myth, history, philosophy, and aesthetics of the Japanese garden identity. Bryan will compare and contrast Japanese and western gardens and discuss Japan’s unique connection to nature through Shinto with its reverence and gratitude to the land, to nature, and to the life that these natural elements give human beings. He will address the use of negative space, seasonality, the function of gardens in Japan, and the essential components of a Japanese garden.

This year, Bryan has been cultivating beauty at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden.

Prior to moving to Kansas City, he spent four years in horticulture training at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. As

a ‘Great Gardens of the World Triad Fellow’, Bryan lived in Japan for four months while working at several Japanese gardens, both traditional and modern. His firsthand experience brings a unique perspective to a garden style so popular, yet not fully understood by many westerners. Maybe you will find some ideas to carry over to your own garden.

Please join us, the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City, at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m.

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11

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August 2018 | kcgmag.com

Photo by Scott Woodbury.

E

need only fall naturally from the tree or be coaxed by a firm shake of the trunk. Not attached to a broken branch. Not hand-picked from the tree. They must be picked off the ground, preferably fresh, unmashed, and without yellow jackets attached! If you taste a fruit picked off the tree it likely will bite you back because it still has astringent tannins in it. The tannin dissolves away when the fruit is fully ripe, which is when it falls from the tree. Not a day sooner or your tongue and cheeks will suffer an immediate sensation like chewing an aspirin. It’s an awful sensation, but quickly fades.

Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) grows wild in the southern

very year I am required to bake a persimmon pudding on my wife’s birthday. It’s not a chore. It’s a celebration, because we both love moist English puddings, especially persimmon pudding. I have a well-worn and stained recipe given to me

by Maxine Schuler many years ago. The pudding has become an annual tradition, and when we collect extra persimmons we get to enjoy it again and again because persimmon pulp stores well in the freezer. More on that later.

Persimmons will be ripening as early as August and will continue right through October. Contrary to common lore, persimmons don’t need a cold frost to ripen. They

Photo courtesy of MO Dept. of Conservation.

Native plant guru, SCOTT WOODBURY explores persimmons, how and where they grow, and a delicious dessert.

Collecting persimmons from the ground

Small persimmon tree on glade

two-thirds of Missouri in a widearray of light and soil conditions, and tolerates full sun or part shade.

Permission grows in prairies, along streams and on rocky glades. It typically grows tall and narrow, and so it fits into small landscapes.

Avoid planting female trees over patios, driveways, and buildings as fallen fruits can make a mess if they aren’t cleaned up.

Its rate of growth is slow or fast depending on the soil it is growing in, but the trees are known to live a long time. A fifteen-year-old seedling in Shaw Nature Reserve’s Whitmire Wildflower Garden is 25 feet tall, growing in deep fertile topsoil. In contrast, a ten-foot tree growing on a rocky sterile glade on the Reserve is confirmed to be at least 80 years old.

Trees often (but not always) spread by suckering roots into colonies. Male and female flowers exist on separate trees, so be sure to plant multiple seedlings to get at least one of each. Female flowers are about one-half-inch wide and solitary. Male flowers are smaller and appear in pairs. The flowers are noticed on the ground when they fall from the tree like magnolia petals, fresh and white in late spring. Fruits of different trees vary widely in size, from tiny with many seeds to plump with few seeds.

The larger the fruit, the quicker and easier it is to extract pulp for cooking. Nocturnal mammals of all kinds enjoy eating the fruits and

so do yellow jackets, so be careful when gathering fruits from the ground. Fruits that don’t fall from trees become food for woodpeckers in winter.

A Foley’s food mill is useful to separate the seeds from the pulp, making short work of an otherwise tedious, messy, and sticky job. Bag the beautiful orange pulp in onecup measurements and place in the freezer. The pulp lasts for years this way, if you can resist baking it all at once. When ready to make a batch of persimmon pudding, which is any day of the year for me, be ready with a copy of Fields of Greens by Annie Somerville.

The persimmon pudding recipe in this book is the best I’ve tasted. It involves slow-baking in a steam bath, which results in a very moist and dense cake. I don’t know why it’s called pudding, but a word of warning: served with fresh whipped cream it can become addicting. Bon appétit!

Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 27 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of persimmon trees and other native plant resources at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide.

It’s in the Bag The Butterfly Lady, LENORA LARSON discusses the dreaded Evergreen Bagworm life cycle and eradication.

Bagworm Romance By mid-July, the caterpillar stops eating and pupates in its bag. Come September, it has metamorphosed into an adult and the winged males emerge from their bag to look for love. However, an adult female has no wings so she’ll remain in her bag, now the bridal suite as she emits pheromones to attract suiters. After she lays her eggs and dies, the bag becomes her coffin and her children’s nursery.

Every female bag left on the tree or on the ground is potentially another 500 to a thousand Bagworms next June. The males die after breeding, so their empty bags are harmless but ugly. Note: at no time does the

Bagworm live underground. If you see them crawling up a tree trunk, they are returning home after being accidentally knocked to the ground.

Eradication Strategies Bagworms have many predators, such as birds that tear the bags open for a winter egg feast.

Predatory and parasitoid insects also target Bagworms. But in an epidemic like this year, nature’s way doesn’t provide adequate control to prevent host plant death.

You must take action to save not just the appearance but also the life of affected plants.

Each homeowner will make their own decision about chemical options. To me, spraying poisons on a large shrub or tree is like dropping a bomb on a city. Yes, a few bad guys are killed, but the collateral damage is unacceptable as thousands of innocent lives are lost.

This includes the gorgeous Juniper Hairstreak, the only green butterfly in North America, whose caterpillar dines solely on the leaves of Junipers without the protection of a bag. Chemicals work only on the feeding caterpillars, so mid-June to mid-July is the window of opportunity.

Without chemical intervention, every bag must be collected by hand. These bagged beasties are remarkably resilient and can survive baths of soapy water and incineration. Several hours later, you’ll see the still alive caterpillars, bags at a jaunty upward angle, hiking back to their host plant. I recommend hand-crushing as you pick them. Squeeze until you feel the pop and green goo oozes out. After September’s breeding, most of the bags contain hundreds of eggs, so remove and destroy rather than sim-

Photos by Lenora Larson.

2nd instar cat pokes its head and shoulders out of its bag, ready to stroll about and eat.

The free-flying adult male (left) comes to lights where you can admire his cute hairy body and clear wings. This Pfitzer Juniper (right) will need daily debagging for at least two weeks to save its foliage and prevent re-infestation next year. ply leaving on the tree or ground. I usually preach love and acceptance of insects, but this is war!

Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardener, Idalia Butterfly

WATER’S EDGE

Life Cycle Life begins as an egg. The caterpillar emerges and immediately begins feeding. After 5 molts, the full-grown caterpillar pupates and metamorphizes into the reproductive adult stage. Sound familiar?

Yes, the despised Bagworm is a moth! Bagworms are unique in that all these familiar functions are performed in its bag, which the caterpillar manufactures from silk and bits of the host plant. The eggs snooze through the winter in Mom’s bag and hatch in June. The youngsters scramble out and begin eating and manufacturing their own protective bags. They may remain on Mom’s plant or spin a life line of silk and float on the wind to a new host plant.

Photo by Betsy Betros.

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omeowners should examine their conifers in early to mid-June for hanging bags, the dreaded Evergreen Bagworm.

This insect pest dines on leaves of Junipers and over 100 other species of plants, especially Arborvitae and Spruce. Ugly shaggy bags adorn the victim as its nibbled leaf tips turn brown. Even worse, a heavy infestation can kill young and stressed specimens. Clearly, this pest is not welcome and understanding its lifestyle helps plan a successful eradication.

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.

Shop with the Water Garden Specialists SPRUCE UP YOUR POND for those quiet evenings and summer parties.

Trop Lilies, Cork Floats, Island Planters, ‘Nitchers’ and ‘Filters’, Pondside Ornaments

STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES while you’re here...

Water Conditioners, Aquatic Plant Fertilizer, Fish Food

9th & Indiana, Lawrence, KS 785-841-6777 Open Tues-Sun (Closed Monday) www.watersedge.com The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

13

Frances Joiner

Carnival in Mexico

Wilson Spider

Dan Mahony

Primal Scream

Flutterbye

My Wife Jane

Layers of Love

Photos Carnival in Mexico and Layers of Love by Carl Hamilton. All others by Gayle Yelenik.

Amethyst Art 14

August 2018 | kcgmag.com

Fun de Mental

Daylilies

you can never have too many

Daylily aficionado, GAYLE YELENIK describes various daylily forms and provides gorgeous examples to inspire.

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he familiar expression, “if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” does not apply when referring to daylilies. A more befitting description might be “variety is the spice of life!” The daylily is a popular flowering perennial plant because of its beauty, variety, hardiness, and ease of care. There are currently 87,420 registered cultivars in the daylily database of the American Daylily Society (formerly the American Hemerocallis Society). It is not surprising then why so many passionate gardeners who grow daylilies assert that you can never have enough.

Daylilies have a remarkably diverse range of colors and color combinations. These include shades of yellow, orange, pink, near white, red and purple. They also vary by form, shape, pattern, edging, substance of petals, scape height, bloom size, type of foliage, season of bloom, and growing habits. Unique features include patterned eyes, watermarks, edges with darker or lighter colors, and ruffled and toothed edges.

Most gardeners are familiar with the form called a single daylily. Here are three other daylily forms which tend to be less well known: doubles, spiders, and unusual forms.

Doubles Enthusiasm for double daylilies has increased significantly in recent years. While a single daylily has two whorls (or layers), consisting of three petals and three sepals, a double daylily has more than two layers. Prior to 1970, there were only 52 registered double daylilies, and few people were hybridizing them. These flowers were

often overlooked, as it was difficult to compete with the high number of single daylilies. Now there are 4,055 registered double daylilies.

They dazzle with a range of solid and blended colors, multiple patterns and bold eyes. Some of the double blooms resemble a peony or a rose. Double daylilies appear elegant, delicate, and distinctive.

They give the flower a new dimension with the depth of their layers.

The two forms of doubles are hose-in-hose and peony type.

Individual flowers may also be a combination of both double types.

A daylily with extra whorls or horizontal layers of petals is called a hose-in-hose double. This gives the appearance of a flower within a flower. A daylily with petal-like stamens inside the normal petal whorl is a peony-type double.

‘Frances Joiner’ is a hose-inhose double, registered by hybridizer, Enman Joiner in 1988, and named for his wife. Dedicated to the doubles form, he was a dominant force in hybridizing doubles since the early 1970s. The Joiner hybridizing program was continued by second and third generations of this family. ‘Frances Joiner’ is a stunning soft pink to rose blend with a green yellow throat, and it is fragrant. It is 24 inches tall with a 5.5-inch bloom. This cultivar is listed as the parent of more progeny than any other double in history.

‘My Wife Jane’ was hybridized locally by Marvin Shepherd, a Missouri-Kansas Daylily Society member. It was registered in 1996.

It is a beautiful creamy soft yellow peony type double that is fragrant and shows cinnamon dusting, depending on the time of day. It is 30 inches tall with a 5-inch bloom.

It is a prolific bloomer and a favorite of the club’s members. His wife, Jane, is still an active member of Mo-Kan Daylily Society.

Spiders and Unusual Forms Spiders and unusual forms have been described as whimsical, graceful, elegant, airy, and eye-catching, depending on what is in the eye of the beholder. Spiders are open form daylilies with narrow petals that do not overlap. To be officially registered as a spider, the petal must be four times or greater in length than the petal width. ‘Wilson Spider’ is a purple bitone spider with a white eyezone and chartreuse throat. It has a spider ratio of 4.60:1. The scape height is 28 inches, and the bloom size is 7.5 inches. It was registered in 1987 by hybridizer William Oakes.

Unusual form daylilies are a more recent registration class based on form. The flower must have distinctive petal or sepal shapes, including crispate (pinched, twisted, or quilled), cascade (curling), or spatulate (wider at the end). ‘Primal Scream’ is an unusual form daylily crispate-cascade with a scape height of 34 inches and a bloom of 7.5 inches. It was registered by hybridizer, Curt Hanson, in 1994.

It is a bright orange tangerine with a green throat. ‘Primal Scream’ is aptly named, as it is immediately noticed in the garden!

Growing Daylilies in Your Garden While daylilies are easy to grow, they will benefit from care.

They love water. Daylilies thrive in full sun and partial shade. Pastels tolerate full sun better while reds and purples prefer partial shade, especially in the afternoon, to

reduce fading. The best time to plant and to divide daylilies is either in the spring or fall. If planting in the heat of summer, ample water is essential to establish the root system. Plant daylilies in welldrained soil and space them 18 to 30 inches apart to allow the fans to multiply and the clump to grow.

Daylilies are striking when planted all together or when included in a garden with companion plants.

Among popular companion plants with daylilies are hostas, iris, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, shasta daisies, yarrow, and phlox. Enjoy your daylilies, as they can last for decades!

Mo-Kan Daylily Society Members of the MissouriKansas Daylily Society invite you to our annual daylily sale on Saturday, August 18 at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st Street and Wornall Road, Kansas City, Mo. Sale hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be hundreds of varieties with pictures to choose from, including bare rooted, potted, and bargain clumps. All daylilies have been grown in members’ gardens or in our Loose Park display garden. Purchases can be made with credit card, check, or cash.

We also offer education on how to plant and care for daylilies with a planting demonstration station.

Members will be available to assist you.

Gayle Yelenik is a member of Missouri-Kansas Daylily Society, helps maintain the Mo-Kan daylily display garden at Loose Park, and is Mo-Kan’s 2018 Plant Sale Coordinator. You may reach her at gyelenikinfo@gmail.com.

The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

15

Rose Report JUDY PENNER talks about the rose garden nemesis, the Japanese Beetle and efforts to eliminate.

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hat do bugs call a Rose Garden that has thousands of roses in the middle of the city? Answer: An all-you-can-eat buffet!

Unfortunately, this is not a joke.

It seems that large numbers of insects find the roses a delicacy and want to stop by for a nibble.

We rosarians, as protectors of the roses, must uncover the insects’ life cycle in order to lower the number of insects that eat our roses, and to keep our rose gardens beautiful.

At this writing, it is the third week in June. The Japanese Beetles have been enjoying the samplings at the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden, starting the second week in June. The Japanese Beetle has a selective palate preferring the taste of the white, pale pink and yellow roses. Our ‘Tiffany’ and

‘Elina’ roses are true delicacies for these pesky beetles.

In our garden, the gardeners and garden groomers carry plastic baggies so when they see the Japanese Beetles they can pick them off the roses and put them in the baggie or tap them into the baggie and seal it shut. It is not too difficult

Some like it Hot. (Critters, not so much)

to capture the unsuspecting, vigorous eating beetles. The picking off can be time consuming, especially when the beetles seem to invite all their relatives and friends to a good restaurant like the LCS Rose Garden.

We try to make the roses less appealing to the beetles by applying Merit™ granular insecticide to the soil and the surrounding grass area where the larvae are eating and growing. Timing of insecticides is important! You should apply insecticides for grubs from May thru June, when recently overwintered grubs start feeding. The overwintered grubs can be large and hard to kill. Most grubs are in the pupal stage in mid-June and

insecticides are not effective. In late June early July adults emerge to feed on plants, mate and then at night fly to the grass to lay eggs.

The best time to apply insecticides for grubs is from mid-June until early September. Merit granular insecticide should be applied on soil and grass with a spreader.

Please do not squash the beetles! This will attract more beetles to your garden. Also, do not buy the traps that attract the Japanese Beetles, since this also attracts more beetles.

The Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden is one of the largest “all-you-can-eat buffets” for Japanese Beetles in the mid-town area. However, with the use of Merit and manually removing them, we hope the Japanese Beetle food critic will boldly strike our garden from the list of desirable buffets.

I hope this helps you with the pesky Japanese beetles this year.

Remember to Stop and Smell the Roses!

Judy Penner is Expert Rosarian at Loose Park, Kansas City, Mo. You may reach her at judy.penner@ kcmo.org.

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BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • GARDEN ACCENTS

16

August 2018 | kcgmag.com

New Installations, Remodels Upgrades, Repairs and Maintenance Services Wendy Hix • 913.481.5416 Tate Foster • 913.406.6804 www.hixandsonaquatics.com

Plant Profile: Horseradish

Bird Seed Storage

MARION MORRIS says yes you can grow horseradish if contained.

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here is nothing that adds more zing to a pastrami sandwich than freshly ground horseradish! These plants are incredibly easy to grow as long as you remember to keep them contained, either in an isolated part of the

garden or in a large pot. A half barrel or a fabric Smart Pot is a good choice because the roots can develop without any concern on the part of the gardener. Otherwise, in a cultivated area, horseradish runs amok and will become invasive.

You can buy horseradish as rooted/leafing plants in gallonsized pots. Let them grow for a full year, fall to fall, before harvesting.

It gives them the opportunity to get adjusted to their new garden home and to reach an appropriate size.

They can sometimes be found as roots. If purchased like this, they

should be planted on the diagonal, point down and flat side up. Plant these 12 inches deep.

Horseradish is perennial, meaning it is winter hardy in Zones 4 to 7. We are in Zone 6 here in Missouri. They are pretty adaptable but ideally prefer moist, silty soil that is not soggy.

Root vegetables do not appreciate wet bottoms!

Generally, two or three plants will provide enough of this peppery condiment for a single family through the year. If kept in a zipper-style plastic bag in the refrigerator, most roots will stay usable for up to three months. When harvesting, make sure you wear gloves and refrain from touching your eyes.

If you are forgetful, you might consider eye protection; like hot peppers, these herb roots can pack a punch!

Harvest in late fall after a few frosts. The flavor is better in the cold season.

When ready to use the stored roots, peel and cut the root in small pieces. Puree lightly with a little bit of salt and white vinegar. You can store this in a baby food jar or mix it with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a creamy sauce. Delicious!

Marion Morris is a longtime gardener and works at Farrand Farms, 5941 Noland Road, Kansas City, MO 64136.

Top Soil • Mulch • River Rock • Sand • Gravel Fireplace Materials • New & Used Brick • Pavers

ED REESE gives tips for keeping bird seed fresh.

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tart out by purchasing fresh bird seed. Bird seed is a live product, so it is important that it is stored properly. Manufacturers use seed storage systems that work well to preserve freshness. When buying seed, make sure the product is free of insects and mold.

Specialty stores selling bird seed are ideal in finding fresh seed.

A good way to ensure freshness is to limit your storage time to three months or less.

Store your seed in a clean, dry container with a secure lid.

This is key to preventing access to insects and mice. Containers mainly made to hold bird seed are available at specialty stores too. Other containers such as plastic pails or small trash cans are a good option as well.

The best location to store bird seed especially during warm months is in a cool, dry ventilated area in your house. During cool/cold months your garage will work. Remember to protect from mice and insects. Also, the location should allow easy access, which makes filling feeders a breeze.

Finally, make sure you have bird feeders filled with fresh seed. Topping off feeders, without consideration for older seed that’s still in the feeder can lead to problems quickly.

Ed and Karen Reese own and operate the Wild Bird House in Overland Park, that has been provisioning outdoor backyard bird lovers for over 26 years.

Contact them at 913-341-0700.

Bugs Bugging You? Apply MosquitoGo Aids in Reducing Annoyance from Mosquitoes and other listed Flying Insects.

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The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

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Powell Gardens in August Festival of Butterflies July 27–August 12 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each day Join us for this family favorite and immerse yourself in the world of butterflies native and exotic! Special programming, family-friendly activities, free expert advice and food vendors available each weekend (Friday-Sunday) of the festival.

chase and the Monarch encourages additional donations to Powell Gardens during its annual Butterfly Festival July 27 through August 12. PRESENTER: Eric Perrette, senior gardener and butterfly expert at Powell Gardens

Monarch Butterfly Social & Release Friday, August 3, 5-7 p.m.

Release, Short Presentation at 6 p.m.

Join us for a truly unique happy hour featuring a live Monarch butterfly release from the newly renovated terrace at Kansas City’s Monarch Cocktail Bar & Lounge.

The cocktail menu features specialty creations inspired by seasonal migratory pattern of the Monarch butterfly created by Kansas City star bartender Brock Schulte.

During this exclusive cocktail

party, sip on a premium butterflythemed cocktail and learn how to promote Monarch butterfly populations by offering the right host and nectar plants in your home garden or landscape. COST: $35 (ticket includes one Monarch craft cocktail, bar nuts, a spectacular live butterfly release, a 15-minute presentation about Monarchs and a discussion of host plants, plus a donation to Powell Gardens) Additional cocktails and bar snacks will be available for pur-

Pruning for Beginners

Cool off with a HOT deal at Van Liew’s

Down by the Water Sunday, August 5, 2 p.m.

Meet in the Visitor Education Building to join docent Betty Gember on a walking tour in the garden to explore aspects of the island garden including the water lily collection. Dress for the weather. Free with garden admission.

Space is limited to 25 persons.

Missouri Barn Dinner: Into Kansas City’s Melting Pot Sunday, August 12, 5-9 p.m.

Chef Katee McLean of Krokstrom Klubb & Market on Broadway, Anourom Thomson of Anousone’s Mobile Cuisine at

Hands-on instruction for shade and ornamental trees presented by

Celebrating our 91st year in business

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For more details: https://tinyurl.com/pruning18 816-561-1086 $5 includes USFS pruning booklet 18

August 2018 | kcgmag.com

816-523-1760

74th & Prospect, Kansas City, MO

www.vanliews.com

Greater Kansas City Iris Society Plant Sale Saturday, August 18 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!

Bring this coupon to our sale to receive one FREE Median Iris.

No purchase necessary.

www.kciris.org

the food truck hub Little Piggy and Carlos Mortera of The Bite in the River Market combine forces: These Kansas City chefs will share dishes reflecting their family roots of Scandinavia, Laos and Mexico. The cocktail hour will start with three hors d’oeuvres in the Heartland Harvest Gardens, then guests will be seated at one long table for dinner. Each chef will start the culinary journey using a different part of a pig: pork sausages from Laos, achioterubbed pibil pork from Mexico and a Dijon-crusted cold sliced pork dish representing Scandinavia. The meal will be served family-style with complimentary sauces and sides. Dessert will feature large sponge cakes topped with different sauces, fruits and garnishes. This meal is designed to be “laid back,” “interactive,” “with mountains of food and stories.” Expect unique ingredients and some spice to some of the dishes, so this dinner bestsuited for adventurous palates. The feast includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink options. COST: $75 per person SAGES: Butterfly Gardening with Lenora Larson Thursday, August 2, 10 a.m.-noon talk followed by lunch-1 p.m.

Many gardeners aspire to attract butterflies but did you know that more than 60 species of butterflies call Western Missouri/Eastern Kansas “home?” Like all wildlife, butterflies have specific needs that must be met, including host plants for the caterpillars and flowers for the adults. However, if you offer only flowers in your garden, you are really not a true butterfly gardener! In this talk, learn how to become a butterfly bartender, a saloon-keeper, and a butterfly voyeur–to best spot butterfly courtship behaviors at the “Nectar Bar.” This presentation will also review butterfly biology and habitat requirements with an emphasis on garden design and will feature sexy photographs of butterflies, caterpillars and their host plants to best illustrate the butterflies’ field of dreams: “plant it and they will

come.” COST: $35 (includes box lunch) PRESENTER: Lenora Larson The Potted Butterfly Garden: Getting Up Close and Personal with Butterflies Saturday, August 4, 9 a.m.-noon If you love butterflies and lack yard space or just want a closer relationship with butterflies and caterpillars, this presentation is for you. This hands-on presentation will review the basics of container gardening, and apply those principles to butterfly gardening.

Participants will have the opportunity to build a potted butterfly garden and will receive information to take home that will help them choose the best plants for their landscape. COST: $60 (includes festival admission) PRESENTER: Lenora Larson Winging It: Guided Tour Sunday, August 5, 10 a.m.

Join botanist Bret Budach for a walking tour through the gardens to locate and identify dragonflies and butterflies and host and nectar plants. Please dress for the weather.

COST: $15 per person (does not include festival admission) Native Butterfly Release Day Sunday, August 5, noon Join our horticulture staff member Eric Perrette for a live release of native butterflies in our Fountain Garden. Free with garden admission Backyard Birthday Bash Saturday, August 25, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

2018 marks the 30th anniversary of Powell Gardens as an official botanical garden. Join us to celebrate this major milestone with activities, live entertainment, giveaways and cake! Free with garden admission Cocktails, Constellations & Charcuterie Friday, August 31, 8-10 p.m.

Join KC Skyentist Patrick Hess for this great date-night outing and unique experience that will take you to the stars and back! Try our adult viewing of moon showers and the planets, along with a cocktail class by Till Vodka, a farm to cocktail purveyor. Enjoy mocktails utilizing infused cocktail simple syrups by Boozy Botanicals, plus a stellar selection of custom charcuterie to nibble on prepared by sous chef Justin Kent of the Classic Cup. Rain date: Sept. 7. COST: $45 per person

Speakers available to clubs and groups 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, give us a call at 913-715-7000.

Take the guesswork out of fertilizing

By Dennis L. Patton, M.S., County Horticulture Agent, K-State Research and Extension/Johnson County

I’m often asked, “Why should I get a soil test?” The first key to lawn and garden success is knowing soil fertility.

A soil test reveals the baseline nutritional values of your soil. A test can determine the type and amounts of fertilizer needed for optimal plant health. A good soil test also determines the pH level of the soil so corrections can be made.

Soil fertility is something that cannot be seen, felt or guessed. It varies from one yard to the next. In many cases the test shows that too many nutrients have been applied and additional chemical elements such as phosphorous and potassium may be harmful.

Phosphorous and potassium levels build up in KC soils. Excess can harm growth, or worse, leach out and pollute streams and lakes. Many garden resources recommend a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5. Long term use of these products can lead to chemical buildup. Soil testing takes the guesswork out of fertilizing.

A common misbelief is that our local soils need lime. Lime raises the pH, and most KC soils already have high levels. A simple soil test will

determine soil pH. You’ll then learn the correct treatment options, saving you money.

Extension recommends a soil test every three to five years. All local extension offices provide soil testing services. Soil samples brought or mailed to the Johnson County Extension office are sent to the Soil Testing Laboratory at Kansas State University in Manhattan. I analyze the lab results and write a personalized recommendation.

Your report is usually mailed to you in two to three weeks.

August is an excellent time to test the soil, especially if you are planning on a late summer lawn renovation. Save yourself time and money by getting your soil tested today.

It all starts with a soil test!

If you crave that spring green, fertilize this September.

• September fertilization is critical to your lawn’s health • Applying just the right kind and amount of fertilizer saves you money and protects our water quality

Start your lawn off right!

Johnson County Residents, get one FREE soil test.

Learn more at

johnson.k-state.edu or call 913.715.7000

• JoCo Residents: Get one free soil test and a personalized recommendation for your lawn Funding provided by the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program.

Limit one per Johnson County household.

Johnson County

In p a r t n e r sh i p to ge t h e r The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

19

Wonderful Woodpeckers Local birding expert, THERESA HIREMATH talks about woodpeckers likely to visit area backyard birders.

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oodpeckers are some of the most beautiful and unusual birds that visit my backyard feeders, and luckily, they are some of my most reliable visitors! When my first Downy visited me, I felt like I had won the backyard bird feeding lottery and have been enchanted by these industrious avians ever since.

Woodpeckers can be found on every continent except Australia.

Our local woodpeckers are primarily year-round residents (as are most woodpeckers) and include the Downy woodpecker, Hairy woodpecker, Red-bellied woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Pileated woodpecker, Red-Headed woodpecker, and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

All woodpeckers are members of the Picidae family, and the little

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

downy woodpecker is the most common. Although the red-headed woodpecker used to be abundant, its population has declined 2% per year since 1966, resulting in a cumulative decline of 70%. The decline has been attributed to a reduction in nut producing trees in mature forests, and reduced avail-

ability of dead trees within which to nest. As a result, it is on the 2014 State of the Birds Watch List, which lists bird species that are at risk of becoming threated or endangered without conservation action. The Pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in the US and Canada.

Our most common local woodpeckers are primarily black and white with a splash of color, usually red, to identify males. This dramatic coloring really catches your eye when they visit your backyard!

Woodpeckers are not songbirds and do not sing, although each species has its’ own unique call. Another difference between woodpeckers and songbirds is that woodpeckers rarely take a bath.

Unlike other birds, woodpeckers have two toes that point forward and two toes that point backward. This toe configuration helps them to land vertically on surfaces,

rather than horizontally as most other birds do. In addition to their unique toes, woodpeckers have 10 stiff tail feathers that form a tri-pod configuration with their toes while clinging vertically.

Most woodpeckers do not migrate, and this gives them an early start in the spring to attract a mate and to establish their territory.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the only migrator of these, and can be found here in winter months. Its breeding ground lies across much of Canada and the northern central and Eastern US. In spring and into early summer, woodpeckers can be heard drumming loudly on hollow logs and branches. Drumming behavior helps them attract a mate and establishes the territory as theirs. As a result, they will frequently drum on gutters, downspouts, and chimneys of homes since these structures produce a very loud sound. Drumming

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Red-headed Woodpecker usually stops midsummer as the woodpeckers turn their attention to raising their young. Males incubate the nest at night and females incubate during the day.

Woodpeckers live in wooded areas and forests, and excavate nest cavities in dead trees and branches to raise their young. After the woodpeckers leave, house wrens, bluebirds, and other cavity nesters will then move in and re-use the cavity for their broods.

A woodpecker’s diet primarily consists of insects, but they also eat fruit, acorns, and nuts. The flicker is the only woodpecker to regularly feed on the ground, and the sapsucker don’t actually suck the

Red-Bellied Woodpecker sap. They lick it up and also eat the insects that are drawn to the sap.

Woodpeckers tap on trees to find insects, and it is estimated that a woodpecker taps 10,000 to 12,000 times each day! Specialized bone, bill, and cartilage structures in their heads protect their brains from damage during tapping and drumming. To reach insects buried deep in crevices, they have an incredibly long tongue they can deploy to reach the food. Their tongues are anchored near the forehead, then wrap around the outer skull and extend to the tip of their bill.

In addition to unique tongue, toe, and tail feather structures, woodpeckers possess several other

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Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker unusual physical and behavioral characteristics. Their bills grow out from the base (like our fingernails do), and the bill is thicker at the base than at the tip.

Tapping for food and excavation wears down the bill and it selfsharpens. Excavation creates wood chips and dust, so woodpeckers have specialized feathers covering their nostrils. These feathers act like air filters, allowing the bird to breathe while filtering out debris. To protect their eyes during tapping, woodpeckers close their eyes tightly just before each blow is delivered. This rapid blinking keeps their eyes safe from the dust and debris that is generated.

Yellow-Shafted Flicker If you would enjoy watching these unique and fascinating birds, providing foods they like is a great way to attract woodpeckers to your yard. They are especially attracted to peanuts in or out of the shell, and suet is a favorite, especially if it includes insects and nuts. If you’d like to learn more about woodpeckers and how to attract them, our backyard bird feeding experts always enjoy talking about our birds!

Nik and Theresa Hiremath own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.

From patio pavers, to seat walls, to DIY fire feature kits, we have every hardscape material you could imagine to take your outdoor living space to its full potential. Stop by our showroom, and let our sales staff help you explore the possibilites for your home!

Building your community one block at a time!

The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

21

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

CASS COUNTY

816-380-8460; Wed, 9am-noon

DOUGLAS COUNTY

785-843-7058; mastergardener@douglas-county.com; Mon-Fri, 1-4pm

GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AREA

816-833-8733 (TREE); Mon-Fri, 9am-noon; mggkc.hotline@gmail.com

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 thru Sep, Mon 10am-4pm, Thurs 10am-4pm

MIAMI COUNTY

913-294-4306; Thurs, 9am-noon

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

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

QUESTIONS ABOUT ROSES?

Ask a Rosarian; kcrosehelp@gmail.com; www.kansascityrosesociety.org

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.

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August 2018 | kcgmag.com

Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see Club Meetings Bonner Springs Garden Club Tues, Aug 21, 1pm; at United Methodist Church, 425 W Morse, Bonner Springs, KS. The workshop will be presented by Donna and Merle Schneck. They will provide gourds they have grown and dried.

We will be painting, carving creating bird houses or planters or anything else desired while having fun and enjoying time with our gardening friends. Supplies will be provided and a fee will be charged. Donna Schneck KAGC Butterfly Chairman will share some of her butterfly knowledge with the group. Roll call will be “What is your hobby?” Everyone is welcome. For more info contact: bonnerspringsgardenclub@ gmail.com.

Bonsai Society of GKC Sat, Aug 4, 9am-4pm and Sat, Aug 18, 9am1pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Workshop. www.bsgkc.org. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Sun, Aug 5, 1-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America Mon, Aug 6, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. For any questions, please contact Margaret at 816-942-8889.

Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group Wed, Aug 8, noon; at Rose Room, Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Program: Harvest Potluck, Plant and Tool Sale/Swap. Do you have an overgrown garden plat, or tools that no longer are being used, perhaps a gardening book? Bring your divided plants and items to our sale...it’s a great opportunity to donate unused things, and help us to raise money for our Herb Study Group. Lunch: Harvest Potluck, bring a dish to share with the group. We invite anyone interested in Herbs to join our group. We meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Dues are $15, we have an Herb garden at Loose Park we maintain, and have wonderful classes and luncheons to learn all aspects of herbs and how to use them in our lives.

We hope you will join us. Facebook: check us out at Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group. Friends, visitors always welcome.

Questions: call Nancy at 816-478-1640.

Heart of America Gesneriad Society Sat, Aug 25, 10am-noon; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Heartland Hosta & Shade Society Sat, Sep 8; Check-in and Hospitality at 9:30, Meeting at 10am; at First Lutheran Church, 6400 State Line Rd, Mission Hills, KS 66208. Speaker Don Dean was introduced to hostas in 1984 and has spent years growing them from seed and has registered over 50 unique hostas. His presentation “Darn Right

I’ve Got the Blues”. The Club will provide grilled and baked chicken for a potluck at noon, bring your favorite dish to share.

Come for great information, food, door prizes, and great raffle options. Everyone is welcome! For more information, please visit our website www.heartlandhosta.club, our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ HeartlandHostaAndShadePlantSociety/, or email drileycook@aol.com.

KC Cactus and Succulent Society Sat, Aug 11 and Sun, Aug 12; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. 40th Annual Show and Sale on Sat, Aug 11, 9am-5pm (Judged show opens to the public at 11am. Sales open at 9am.) and Sun, Aug 12, 11am-4pm. Show and Sale are free and open to the public.

Contact 816-444-9321 or evaal@att.net; kccactus.com Kansas City Garden Club Mon, Aug 6, 10am; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 913-636-4956 Kaw Valley Herbs Study Group We meet bi-monthly near Lawrence to learn about herbs. We explore all aspects of an herb: growing and harvesting, historical lore, culinary virtues, medicinal merits, and aromatherapy, household, and cosmetic applications. Our gatherings are fun and educational, and jam-packed with useful information, including relevant demonstrations. We meet every 2nd Tues evening in Jan-Mar-May-JulSept-Nov. Everyone with an interest in herbs is welcome. More info/newsletter: email herbstudygroup@gmail.com.

Leavenworth Co Master Gardeners Wed, Aug 12, 11am; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. A Johnson County Master Gardener will present, “Plant Tissue Culture for Dummies…Like Me”. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more info contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Mid America Begonia Society Sat, Aug 25, 1-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Mo Kan Daylily Society Sat, Aug 18, 8:30am-3:30pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Sale. 816-513-8590 Olathe Garden & Civic Club Tues, Aug 21, 12:30pm; the meeting room at The Bass Pro Shop, 12051 Bass Pro Drive, (I-35 & 119th) Olathe. The program will be a review of entry cards, rules, and the classification process to ensure proper Flower Show entries and will be led by Debby Brewer and Sue Ercolani. The public is welcome. Prior to the meeting, lunch at Uncle Buck’s at 11am. For information, email Cathy at fraucathya@gmail.com.

Overland Park Gardeners of America Mon, Aug 13, 7pm; meet at Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Rd, Prairie Village,

KS. We will have Monty Williams of KC Master Gardeners speaking to us about practicing safety in the garden. Join us at 7 for social hour with our speaker at 7:30.

Call Holly at 913-302-2014 with any questions.

Events, Lectures & Classes August Pest of the Week Thurs, Aug 2, 11:30am-1pm; at Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Sponsored by Wyandotte County EMGs. Most gardeners feel they are continually fighting one problem or another in the garden, whether it’s insects, weeds, critters or the weather (too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry). Ward Upham, KSU Master Gardener Coordinator & Hotline Response Manager, and author of the weekly online Horticulture Newsletter and “Pest of the Week” for homeowners, will teach this class. He will feature timely problems faced by gardeners. Learn when to expect what problems and the best practices to combat them. Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For info, 913-299-9300.

Make a Kokedama Mon, Aug 6, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Class on making Kokedema (moss planter) hosted by Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America. This is an easy family-friendly class on making a planter from moss and string. Great for kids and adults of all ages. This is a free class. Please call Margaret 816-942-8889 for reservations, so we can have materials available.

Fall Vegetable Gardening Tues, Aug 7, 4pm; at Lansing Community Library, 730 1st Terr, Ste 1, Lansing, KS 66043. Leavenworth County Master Gardener, Loretta Craig, will give a presentation on Fall Vegetable Gardening. It’s that time of year again to get organized for fall vegetable gardens. Come learn some tips and tricks to getting an abundant harvest.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Pruning for Beginners Tues, Aug 7, 6-8pm; at Strang Park, W 88th Ter and Farley St, Overland Park KS. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl. com/pruneop or call Sarah 816-561-1086.

Fall Vegetable Gardening Wed, Aug 8, 7pm; at Basehor Community Library, 1400, 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Loretta Craig, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener will give a presentation on Fall Vegetable Gardening.

Now is the time to get organized for fall vegetable gardens. Come learn some tips and tricks to getting an abundant harvest.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Native Trees of Kansas Wed, Aug 8, 1pm; at the Mr and Mrs F L Schlagle Library & Environmental

Learning Center, 4051 West Dr, Wyandotte County Lake Park, Kansas City, KS 66109. Jim Earnest will give a one hour PowerPoint presentation. Jim Earnest is with the Kansas City Region of The Kansas Native Plant Society and has given several tree tours and presentations in this area. This will be a good event for master gardeners needing advanced training.

Reservations are not needed or taken as we will have seating for 50 people. The Mr and Mrs F L Schlagle Library & Environmental Learning Center is located in the 1400-acre Wyandotte County Lake Park. Walking trails are nearby. The Kansas City Region of the Kansas Native Plant Society is sponsoring this important presentation.

KC Cactus and Succulent Society 40th Annual Show and Sale Sat, Aug 11, 9am-5pm (judged show opens to the public at 11am; sales open at 9am) and Sun, Aug 12, 11am-4pm; at the Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Contact 816-4449321 or evaal@att.net.

Noxious Weeds of Kansas Wed, Aug 15, 10-11am; at Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St, Dreher Bldg, Lawrence, KS. Sponsored by Douglas County Master Gardeners Class. Presented

by Alan Hollinger, City of Lawrence. Open to the public. 785-843-7058 Fall Vegetable Gardening Thurs, Aug 16, 7pm; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Pat Matthews and Paula Darling, both Leavenworth County Master Gardeners, will give a presentation on Fall Vegetable Gardening. Join us as we learn some tips and tricks on successful fall vegetable gardening. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Mo-Kan Daylily Society Sale Sat, Aug 18, 8:30am-3:30pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Members of the Missouri-Kansas Daylily Society invite you to our annual daylily sale. There will be hundreds of varieties with pictures to choose from, including bare rooted, potted, and bargain clumps. All daylilies have been grown in members’ gardens or in our Loose Park display garden. Pay with credit card, check, or cash. We also offer education on how to plant and care for daylilies with a planting demonstration station. Members will be available to assist you.

Safe Digging starts with

YOU

1

Call or Click 3 Working Days Before You Dig.

2

Wait the Required Amount of Time.

3

Confirm Utility Response.

4

Respect the Marks.

5

Dig with Care.

Greater Kansas City Iris Society Plant Sale Sat, Aug 18, 10am-3pm; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes, Kansas City, MO. Add color to your garden by selecting from hundreds of locally grown iris varieties for sale. Includes 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!

Beekeeping I Wed, Aug 22 & 29, 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 (continued on page 24)

mo1call.com

1-800-DIG-RITE or 811 The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

23

Missouri GOURDen, grow a music maker

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

W

GOURDen Facebook ith its vinepage, or missouri. covered roof, gourden@gmail.com / the “gourd-zebo” at 48th & Troost serves (347) 687-5247. both as a shady Missouri GOURDen is located summer refuge and at the southwest corner the site of Missouri of 48th Street & Troost GOURDen, a community arts and Avenue, by the Anita garden project. And Gorman Discovery Center. Vehicle and with its three open doorways, the garPhoto by Maria Ogedengbe. bike parking are availden house welcomes able.

For details and further news people from across the city to about the Missouri GOURDen join in raising gourds and crafting project, see www.missourishekere instruments from them. gourden.tumblr.com, the Missouri Missouri GOURDen’s arts and garden gatherings are held GOURDen Facebook page www. facebook.com/kcmoGOURDen/, on first and third Saturdays from or contact project coordinators at 8:30-10am on the following dates: Aug 4, Aug 18, and Sep 1. RSVPs missouri.gourden@gmail.com or (347) 687-5247. appreciated via the Missouri

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August 2018 | kcgmag.com

The Philosophy and Aesthetics of Japanese Gardens Thurs, Aug 23, 6:30-8pm; at Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd, KC MO. Join local gardener Bryan Boccard at “Gardeners Gathering” on a journey through the myth, history, philosophy, and aesthetics of the Japanese garden identity. Bryan will compare and contrast Japanese and western gardens and discuss Japan’s unique connection to nature through Shinto with its reverence and gratitude to the land, to nature, and to the life that these natural elements give human beings. Bryan is now cultivating beauty at Powell Gardens. Prior to moving to Kansas City, he spent four years at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

As a ‘Great Gardens of the World Triad Fellow’, Bryan lived in Japan for four months while working at several Japanese gardens. His first-hand experience brings a unique perspective to a garden style so popular, yet not fully understood by many westerners. Maybe you will find some ideas to carry over to your own garden. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City is hosting this program. Free and open to the public.

No registration required. Door Prizes. For further info call 816-523-5526 or e-mail chronwall@umkc.edu

Pruning for Beginners Sat, Aug 25, 9-11am; at Buffalo Meadows Park, 9650 Lone Elm Rd, Lenexa KS. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl. com/pruneLenexa or call Sarah 816-5611086

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2499

will learn about the life cycle of the honey bee, their history, and become familiar with today’s beekeeping techniques. Fee: $59.

To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

BIG Backyard Birthday Bash Sat, Aug 25, 9am-6pm; at Powell Gardens.

2018 marks the 30th anniversary of Powell Gardens as an official botanical garden.

Join us to celebrate this major milestone with activities, food, live entertainment with music and performers, giveaways and cake! Free with garden admission. powellgardens.org; 816-697-2600

List Price

$

(continued from page 23)

Pruning for Beginners Wed, Sep 5, 6-8pm; at Loose Park, 5200 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl.com/pruneKCMO or call Sarah 816-561-1086

Beekeeping II Wed, Sep 5 & 12, 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: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Potpourri, Sachets & Teas Thurs, Sep 6, 11:30am-1pm; at the Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Sponsored by Wyandotte County EMGs. Anyone who grows herbs and flowers knows firsthand about the wonderful aromas to be enjoyed when working among these plants. But how can you capture these fragrances to enjoy long term? Paula Winchester, who until recently operated Herb Gathering, a business growing and supplying fresh herbs to area grocers and restaurants, will demonstrate how to prepare, and then assemble the ingredients for potpourris and herbal teas, using easily attainable ingredients from the garden.

Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For more info, call 913-299-9300.

Farmer/Florist Meet and Greet with Debra Prinzing Tues, Sep 11, 5:30-8pm; at The Homesteader Café, 100 East 7 St, Kansas City, MO 64106. Cost: $45. Join Andrea K Grist Floral Art (andreakgristfloralart.com) and Florasource KC in welcoming Debra Prinzing, the founder of Slow Flowers to the Kansas City area. Whether you are a farmer, florist, gardener, writer, landscape designer, or a fan of American grown flowers this evening is for you. Debra is an award-winning author, speaker and leading advocate for American-grown flowers. She is the creator of Slowflowers.com, a free online directory that helps consumers find florists, designers, studios and farms that supply American grown flowers. Debra’s book Slow Flowers (St Lynn’s Press, 2013) received a Silver Medal from Garden Writers Association in 2014. Learn more and purchase tickets at: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/farmerflorist-meet-and-greet-withdebra-prinzing-tickets-46309391637?utmmedium=discovery&utmc a m p a i g n = s o c i a l & u t m content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utmsource=cp&utm-term=listing Winter Gardening: Growing Greens to Beat the Blues Thurs, Sep 13, 6-9pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Growing nutritional edibles during the dreary fall and winter months has many advantages. It is easier gardening than in the heat of the summer, less watering is needed and there are fewer bugs and weeds! Discuss the science, methods and some simple structures that work well for a small scale home garden and learn which plants do well in the cold.

Leave excited about growing in an unex-

pected, yet productive season. Early Sept is the time to plant! Fee: $39. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Insect Symphonies in Your Backyard Wed, Sep 15, 5:30pm Pot-luck Dinner and 6:45pm Presentation; at Prairie Village Community Center, 7700 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208. On warm summer nights and into the fall, a chorus of insects can be heard battling acoustically for territory and mates. We will discuss how and why insects make sounds with an emphasis on Missouri’s meadow katydids, who are among the loudest and most musical of our insect choristers. The presentation will include a powerpoint, live katydids (hopefully singing) and recordings. Ginger Miller studies insect communication and graduated from the University of Kansas with her PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She has been teaching classes and workshops for over 15 years. She currently works as a Conservation Education Consultant for the Missouri Department of Conservation where she provides guidance and resources for K-12 teachers as they help their students to discover nature.

MPF Kansas City Native Plant Sale Sat, Sep 15, 9:30am-2:30pm; at Anita B Gorman Discovery Center’s Monarch Mania event, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery. Pure Air Natives, Gaylena’s Garden, and Green Thumb Gardens will sell a variety of natives, donating a portion of proceeds to support MPF’s prairie conservation work. Customers may place pre-orders with some of the vendors. Some vendors accept credit cards; some only cash or check.

Beekeeping III Wed, Sep 19 & 26, 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: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Learn to Make a Pine Needle Basket Sat, Sep 22, 12:30-4:30pm. Join us as an experienced guest instructor guides us in the making of lovely traditional pine needle baskets. Take home a basket you’ve made! $39 (supplies included). Register now: www.GoodEarthGatherings.com.

Rub Shoulders with Garden Celebrities Armitage, Dirr, Dooley, Hamill at Mizzou Botanic Garden Walkabout and Plant Talk Sun, Sep 23. Univ of Missouri, Columbia.

This fall, “Georgia Champions of Landscape Gardening & their Published

Passions for Plants” features a team of gardening celebrities with ties to the Peach State. Two events featuring guests Allan Armitage, Michael Dirr, Vince Dooley, and Natalia Hamill are scheduled for Sun, Sep 23. Featured guests will lead a Walkabout and Plant Talk in the garden beginning at 10am. With a limit of 50 participants, preregistration and a fee of $50 are required to participate. At 2 pm, a free and open to the public Garden Symposium with featured guests and others will be held in Room 22 of MU’s Tate Hall auditorium. Authors’ books will be on hand for purchase and autographing. An ice cream social will follow. For more information about MUBG, Friends of MUBG, September’s events or to register for the Walkabout, call 573-8826896. More details on page 10 of this issue.

Pruning for Beginners Wed, Oct 3, 9-11am; at Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Rd, Merriam KS. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl.com/pruneJOCO or call Sarah 816-561-1086 Advanced Beekeeping – Fall and Winter Honeybee Management Wed, Oct 3, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Proper preparation of your hives for winter is the most important activity for a beekeeper. The better you manage your hives for Winter, the better the odds are that your bees will not only survive but will thrive when spring arrives. Review harvesting, processing and storing honey, processing beeswax, securing your hive from pests, verifying your bees have adequate honey stores and the methods of feeding when necessary, treatments for varrora mites, wind breaks, and how and when to check your hive over the winter. Fee: $29. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People!

Sat, Oct 13, 9am-12pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Not all dirt is dirty.

Discuss the importance of composting, its many uses and advantages, and the basics of the process, including how to build and manage a compost pile. Also review other methods of handling food and yard waste such as mulching and worm composting.

This course focuses on the micro-biome of the soil, the ecology of the soil food web and the complexity in the underground environment. Guest speaker Stan Slaughter will share best practices from his 25 years composting and recycling. Healthy soil makes healthy food, which makes healthy people! Fee: $39. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.

More must-see events are posted on our website, KCGMAG.COM, and click on “Events.”

Promote club meetings, classes, plant sales and other gardening events for FREE! Send details to:

elizabeth@kcgmag.com

Deadline for publishing in the September issue is August 5.

Insects at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center Insects: Caterpillar Hunt Saturday, August 11, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Become a Citizen Scientist! Break out your magnifying glass and help us survey the caterpillars of Burr Oak Woods! We will track the number and variety of butterfly species in the native gardens around the nature center by looking for larva, adults and maybe even a chrysalis. Create a life cycle craft while supplies last. Just drop by and join in the fun.

Insects: Citizen Scientist Saturday - Butterflies and Moths Saturday, August 18, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm We will participate in the Butterflies and Moths of North America project. Citizen scientists of all ages and experience levels can participate by taking photographs of butterflies and moths and then submitting their observations. Data collected helps scientists understand more about these beautiful pollinators.

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015 816-228-3766 No registration required (all ages)

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August

garden calendar n TREES AND SHRUBS

n LAWN

• Water bluegrass one to two times per week, applying a total of about 1 ½ inches.

• Water tall fescue one to two times per week, applying a total of 1 inch.

• Apply the last application of fertilizer to zoysia by mid month.

• Be on the lookout for grubs and apply proper control methods, if necessary.

• 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.

• Treat 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 making orders, and researching varieties.

• Take cuttings from geraniums, coleus and begonias for wintering indoors.

• Water young trees every one to two weeks by deeply soaking the root system.

• Prune and shape hedges.

• Check mulch layer and replenish.

• Prune broken, dead or crossing limbs for healthier plants.

• Check young trees, shrubs for girdling wires and ropes for planting.

• Avoid fertilizing ornamentals now so they harden off before winter.

• Remove bagworms by handpicking.

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 summered 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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Meet Extension Master Gardener, Laura Sloan

What first drew you to the hobby of gardening: My parents loved gardening, and in turn, inspired my learning. One of my favorite memories is “walking the yard” with my dad

especially. We would slowly meander noting changes in the garden, what needed tending, and what we really liked. These are treasured times of my childhood.

Why be an Extension Master Gardener: After retiring from higher education, I was eager to spend more time in my garden. Additionally, I wanted to learn more about plants and correct practices, meet fellow gardeners, and give back to my community. I took my extension classes in the fall of 2009 and became a “bonified” master gardener in 2010. Each year I learn more about plants, soil and the environment, as well as volunteer my new-found gardening skills in the community. I have met so many wonderful people through the program who have become good friends.

What has been the most valuable bit of information: Wow, there are so many, but one that stands out is to do your research before you buy. Avoid purchasing plant material just because it’s pretty. Use the vast internet sources available to hunt for options. Put the right plant in the right place and you will save time and money, and you’ll have a more beautiful garden.

Favorite shrub, tree, perennial: I love my Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac Tree that have been

recently added. They have lovely blooms in the spring and a nice shape and don’t grow too large. For shrubs, I love all varieties of hydrangea. I especially love the paniculatas as they bloom reliably every year and the blooms last forever! My favorite is ‘Pinky Winky.’

With perennials, there are so many, it’s difficult to choose. My fall anemone is gorgeous in September. Since I have a mature yard with lots of shade trees, I rely on many hosta for accents and beauty.

Challenges: Water flow has always been an issue in the yard. To keep our backyard from becoming a swamp, we added a French drain.

We used smooth larger pebbles to line the drain which makes it attractive as well as functional. Over the years, we have learned by trial and error. When we add to or change the landscape, we must keep in mind drainage issues. Despite these challenges, we have built our own little oasis of serenity.

Best advice: Start small. Make the garden your own with colors and plants (remember, right plant, right place) that meet your likes and your ability to care for them. There is no such thing as a “no work garden”, but you can create a “less work” garden if that is what you want.

The Kansas City Gardener | August 2018

27

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