KCG 12Dec14

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

December 2014

Patrick’s Picks: Gratifying Gifts for the Gifted Gardener

Life in the Winter Pond Tropical Plant Profile: Achimenes Does Your Young Tree Need Structural Pruning?

Grow Native: Gardening Above the Snow-line is Good for the Gander

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POINSETTIA

care

do:

Place your plant in indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. If direct sun can’t be avoided, diffuse the light with a shade or sheer curtain.

Provide room temperatures between 68 & 70 degrees. Generally speaking, if you are comfortable, so is your poinsettia.

Water your plant when the soil feels dry to the touch.

don’t:

Never over water or allow the plant to sit in standing water, best to remove from a decorative container before watering & allow the water to drain completely.

Poinsettias are sensitive to cold & excessive heat, avoid temperatures below 50 degrees. Keep away from drafts & don’t place directly near heating vents.

Never fertilize your plant when it is in bloom.

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The Kansas City

editor’s notes

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Birds, gifts and love

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Editorial Assistant Hannah Cavanaugh Contributors Tom DePaepe Diane & Doc Gover Patrick Muir Dennis Patton Diane Swan Brent Tucker Scott Woodbury Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

How to Reach Us ...

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

See us on the Web: www.kcgmag.com

Don’t Miss A Single Issue!

Get a subscription for yourself or your favorite gardener.

See page 19.

4

W

ell, Royals fever has subsided. Even though they didn’t bring home the crown, Royals fans everywhere have expressed their gratitude for an unforgettable World Series.

What a ride!

Now we get back into the rhythm of life, back to the “real” world. First and foremost, winter temperatures and the holidays were fast approaching, so it was time to focus on garden chores.

We spent two long days in the garden cutting back perennials like hosta and hydrangea, uprooting spent annuals, and gathering leaves for the compost pile. The deck furniture was moved to the gazebo for storage, and containers were emptied and stacked in the garage.

With chores done, the garden is ready for winter.

Next, time for my bird friends.

Making sure they have liquid water access throughout the winter, I pull out the heated birdbath and mounted it on the deck rail. There, from my kitchen window, I can watch them bathe and drink up close.

Because birds need extra fat and calories now, I hang extra suet cages, offering plenty for all visitors. And finally, I top off the seed

feeders. Full feeders keep the birds coming back all season long.

With outdoor chores complete, we turn our attention to gift giving during the holidays.

Whether sharing with a neighbor that lives alone, or as a gift for the hostess of the holiday dinner, a healthy poinsettia is a lovely selection. Found in a growing range of colors, solid and variegated, poinsettias are affordable and available at your local garden center.

Are you looking for something special? We are thrilled that Patrick Muir collected several suggestions to share with our dear readers, starting on page 10. From garden hats for ladies and men to living wall planters, to books, vegetable stakes and gardener gift sets, Patrick’s Picks are ones you’ll want for yourself. (Dear Santa, my list is on page 11.) No matter the recipient, any of these would make great gifts.

The best gift of all is when the family gathers in our home. All of our children are adults now, and

fortunately they live close enough to come home for the holidays.

Some come for just the day, and others spend a night or two. Add in their grandparents, a son-in-law, our two granddaughters, and significant friends, it can be quite a celebration. When all of us squeeze in at the dining room table to share a meal, you can feel the love that tethers us to each other. No matter the miles or the time between visits, we are all nourished by the love, laughter and happiness during our time together.

As we approach the end of 2014, my prayer for you and your family is simple. May the love, laughter and happiness you share with family and friends this holiday season fills you the whole year through.

I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue December 2014 • Vol. 19 No. 12 Powell Garden Events ............... 5 Ask the Experts ......................... 6 The Bird Brain .......................... 8 Young Tree Pruning ............

9 Patrick’s Picks: Gifts for Gardeners .................. 10 Grow Native Gardening Above the Snow-line ................. 12

Trip with Gardeners Connect to Northwest Flower Show ....... 13 Life in the Winter Pond ............ 14 Achimenes plant profile ............ 16 Upcoming Events ..................... 16 Weather ................................. 17 Garden Calendar .................... 18 Professional’s Corner ................ 19

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about the cover ...

Poinsettias are available in a large variety of solid and variegated colors, and are great for gift-giving this time of year. Patrick Muir shares more gift ideas starting on page 10.

16

The Kansas City Gardener / December 2014

Powell Gardens

Your Holiday Home December events make the season merry and bright

V

isitors can enjoy a quiet moment of solitude among the holiday splendor or celebrate treasured traditions with family and friends at Powell Gardens.

Unless otherwise noted, activities are included with regular Garden admission of $7/adults, $6/seniors and $3/children ages 5-12.

Home for the Holidays 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 This festive day is designed to get you and your home in the holiday spirit. Stock up on poinsettias you won’t find elsewhere, including the unique poinsettia “trees” grown on site, hand-crafted gifts and stocking stuffers for everyone on your list. The day includes a full slate of holiday demonstrations and workshops. See the full schedule at www.powellgardens. org/holidayhome.

Holiday Fun with Santa 9 a.m.-noon, Dec. 13 and 20 (Breakfast served until 10:30 a.m.) Prepaid reservations required: 816-697-2600 x209.

Discuss that wish list with Santa over pancakes and eggs—Chris Cakes style! Then take part in the rest of the fun: hear a fireside story in the Grand Hall, make a craft to take home and take photos in the Conservatory decked out in its

luminary walk that follows the concert): $10/members and $14/ non-members. Buy tickets online at powellgardens.org/holidayconcerts or call 816-697-2600 x209.

holiday finest. See more details and purchase tickets online at www. powellgardens.org/Santa.

Holiday Performances in the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel Dec. 13-14 The quiet beauty of the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel offers an unparalleled location to enjoy the sounds of the season. Join us for one of these performances: • 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13: The Jacomo Chorale reminisces holidays past in song while making new musical memories in their first appearance at Powell Gardens.

• 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14: Central Standard Men’s Chorus is Kansas City’s premier men’s barbershop and a cappella chorus. Join them for an inspiring afternoon of good cheer!

Performances require separate tickets, which include all-day Garden admission (including the

Country Club

Gardens by Candlelight: A Luminary Walk 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 Get your glow on and kick up the yuletide spirit during this treasured garden tradition. Live holiday music, homemade cookies and a glowing fireplace add to the fun

of walking along a candlelit path to the Gardens’ architectural gem, the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel. The musical line up includes: • Dec. 13: String Theory and Starlight Theater’s STARS of Tomorrow Ensemble • Dec. 14: Mellisande Trio and the Warrensburg Recorder Consort Additional food and drinks are available for purchase. Help us plan with an RSVP to lburton@ powellgardens.org or 816-6972600 x209.

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Ask the Experts! questions from our readers

Dennis Patton HOW TO PREVENT HACKBERRY FRUIT Question: When I mowed my lawn this fall it sounded like a battle zone. I have several large hackberry trees in the lawn and the noise is the BB size seeds. I also battle them sprouting in the spring. Is there anything that can be done to prevent these trees from setting seed?

Answer: Preventing a tree from producing seeds is a very common question. This would include sweetgums, oaks, walnuts, maples

and just about every tree grown.

The purpose of a tree, or for that matter really any living organism, is to reproduce so the trees are just doing what comes naturally.

Unfortunately there is not a pill for a tree that prevents fertilization.

So as a result the tree produces seeds to carry on the species. There are a couple of chemicals on the market that reduce fruit production.

While this option sounds good the honest truth is that they leave a lot to be desired for effectiveness. You may want to consult a tree care company for more details but they usually provide no guarantees that they work as there are many variables for success.

If the fruiting issue is that much of a concern you could consider replacing the tree.

Call today for a free pruning estimate We offer winter pruning discounts in January, but call today to reserve your spot because our schedule fills up fast.

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One last thought, and that is all trees have some drawback. There is no such thing as perfect tree so we must accept the bad along with the good.

STORE CONTAINERS INDOORS OR OUT Question: I have purchased a few nice ceramic containers for my patio. I am getting mixed answers about whether they can be left outside over winter or must be stored indoors. What is the best thing to do?

Answer: I understand your concern as these ceramic pieces can be expensive. The other problem is that not all are created equal. There are different qualities of materials and firing. Basically that means if manufactured to withstand the freezing and thawing of winter then they can stay out. Unfortunately the ones created for the masses and sold at a lower cost are normally not glazed and fired to withstand winter conditions.

My take is to always err on the side of caution and protect your investment. The damage is caused by the freeze and thaw cycles with moisture, not the cold. With this in mind these ceramic containers can be stored outside as long as they are dry and protected from moisture. Remove the soil and wrap in plastic and store outdoors for the winter. Or bring them into a building to protect from the moisture

and extremes. I know with my own investment I empty all my pots and stack somewhat neatly in the corner of the garage until spring.

EMERALD ASH BORER TREATMENT Question: I keep hearing that the emerald ash borer is spreading in the metro area. Should I treat my tree? It is about 20 years old and appears to be in good health.

Answer: As you probably can guess this is not a simple yes or no answer. The answer is yes the tree can be treated but the question is should it be treated? Extension’s recommendation is to treat only trees in excellent health and condition. Trees that have defects, improperly placed in the landscape, or have other issues should be removed and replaced.

Even with that being said the question really is, is it better in the

(Applies to work completed January 1 thru March 1.)

Watch your trees and shrubs flourish Fertilizing trees and shrubs in the fall will promote growth and vitality in your landscape.

Call RYAN to fertilize today and enjoy lush, vibrant trees and shrubs next spring.

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6

The Kansas City Gardener / December 2014

USING PUMPKIN SEEDS NEXT YEAR Question: This fall season I purchased one of those interesting colored, textured pumpkins.

After the holiday season was over I cut open the pumpkin, scooped out the seeds, dried them and have saved for next year. Was this a good idea?

Answer: It was a heck of a good idea if you would like to grow your own pumpkin next year. The only concern depending on the type of seeds, hybrid or open pollinated, you may not get back the same looking pumpkins. Let me explain.

Hybrids result from the cross of specific parents. The seeds inside your pumpkin were more than likely not from the same hybrid cross.

That means you will have variability in seeds. Simply put, you may get back the same looking pumpkin or something completely differ-

ent. If the parent seeds were open pollinated or just random pollen pollinating a flower then you are more likely to get the same looking pumpkin. Many of the interesting colored, textured pumpkins are old varieties handed down for generations. In this case your pumpkins will look the same. The only way to know for sure is to plant them in late May of next year and wait and see. This is really where gardening gets fun with anticipation.

BARREN SPOTS IN THE YARD Question: I have a few spots in my yard that just don’t grow.

It is in the same area every year.

I have seeded a number of times and the grass keeps dying, any suggestions?

Answer: Since it dies in the same spot over and over the issue is probably more related to the soil than weather patterns or cultural practices. Disease and insects rarely hit the same area over and over. Same goes for cultural practices. My hunch is that there is something buried under the soil. I would recommend that you start digging and see what you uncover.

Oftentimes there is a rock or construction debris buried a few inches below the surface that prevent root development. Dig down a foot or so and see what you find in these areas.

If my hunch is right remove the debris, work in some good quality compost, level off and replant.

I realize this is work but so is replanting grass with the same poor results.

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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December 2014 / The Kansas City Gardener

Be Inspired by Roy Diblik Mon., Jan. 5

P

lantsman, lecturer and landscape designer Roy Diblik excels in creating beautiful, low-maintenance gardens that provide maximum enjoyment. Join Roy to hear more about his approach during a free lecture at 7 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 5, at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road in Kansas City, Mo. Presented by Friends of Powell Gardens and the Westport Garden Club, the lecture will touch on the concepts in Diblik’s book, “The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden” published by Timber Press in 2014.

Diblik, who co-owns Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, Wis., grew many of the plants seen in Millennial Park’s Lurie Garden in downtown Chicago.

WATER’S EDGE

long run to replace or treat repeatedly and forever to keep this tree around. So ask yourself this question, what would I rather have in 10 or 15 years? A tree that continues to be treated with pesticides to keep it alive or a replacement tree that has had time to grow and mature providing benefits for the future.

My concern is that many people are only thinking short-term. Yes, it is a very difficult decision to remove a beautiful tree but what is the best solution for the future? I think most would agree that for the future generation of tree lovers a healthy tree that does not require pesticides that eliminate the bad as well as the good insects is probably best. This answer does not even consider the financial burden of EAB. One way or another this insect will cost us, either to treat or remove and replace. The decision can also be made based on where you would rather invest.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired as you plan your 2015 garden. The lecture is free but space is limited. Please reserve your seat by emailing lburton@powellgardens.org or calling 816-697-2600 x209.

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7

The Bird Brain

answers your backyard birding questions

Doc & Diane Gover

D

uring this busy time of year, take time to discover and appreciate how many creatures live wild and free right in your own backyard. You only need to sit quietly at a window and watch for the activity that occurs right before your eyes.

When so much time is spent indoors because of cold weather, the serenity of an indoor haven is closely linked to an awareness of nature’s patterns. Watching birds is a wonderful place to begin. Place a feeder or two, filled with quality bird seed, outside your favorite

window and add a heated birdbath nearby. Birds perform daily activities, much like our own, but with unusual and often entertaining variations.

Keep a field guide and binoculars nearby to help you identify your visitors and keep a journal of your sightings. As you refer back to your journal, you will begin to realize just how many gifts you were able to list.

Q. How do birds keep warm in winter?

A. Birds are warm blooded. This means they maintain their body temperature within a certain range, even though the temperatures around them dramatically change. Birds fluff up their feathers which help them to keep warm (like a down jacket).

They will also perch on one leg, drawing the other leg to their

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heater for an existing birdbath or a heated birdbath is an excellent addition to any backyard habitat.

breast for warmth. Birds need to eat high calorie, high fat food to maintain their body temperature.

Be sure to offer them sunflower and safflower seeds, white millet, peanuts shelled and in the shell, suet, fruit, bark butter and bark butter bits, and live and dried mealworms. Most songbirds will fill a storage pouch in their esophagus with food just before dark and digest the food overnight to help them regulate their body temperature.

Q. It seems that there is plenty of moisture during the cold months.

Do birds really need a water source in the winter?

A. Absolutely! A source of liquid water is important for drinking and bathing. Feathers must be kept clean and in pristine shape for proper flight and insulation.

Chipping away at ice or eating snow quickly drops their body temperature which creates a vicious cycle of having to find more food to bring their body temperature back up. A birdbath

Q. I just discovered that Carolina Wrens stay here year round.

What foods can I offer them during the winter?

A. Carolina Wrens are primarily insect eaters, but when that food is scarce or nonexistent, they will consume fruits, shelled seeds, suet, peanuts, Bark Butter and Bark Butter Bits, and live and dried mealworms.

Q. My grandparents always placed their Christmas tree out by their bird feeders after the holiday.

Was that a good idea?

A. Yes. Using your discarded Christmas tree as a temporary cover for birds is a great idea.

Place the tree, upright or just lie it on the ground, near the feeders to give the birds a quick escape from predators. It also allows the birds a shelter from inclement weather.

We want to thank you for reading “The Bird Brain” and for continuing to support our store, nature and wildlife. We wish you and your family a magical and healthy Holiday Season.

Sincerely, Doc, Diane, Rod, Janet, Tana, David and Taz the cat Doc and Diane Gover own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.

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LOMA VISTA nursery 5901 NE 96th Street Kansas City, MO 64156 (816) 407-7888 http://www.lomavistanursery.com The Kansas City Gardener / December 2014

Does Your Young Tree Need Structural Pruning?

Tom DePaepe

P

lanting a new tree can really change your landscape. An ornamental tree can serve as a focal point in the landscaping, while larger, more traditional trees are an investment in future shade.

Beyond watering and fertilizing, these new trees should be evaluated for pruning needs.

This may sound strange, as the size of the trees may lull you into thinking pruning isn’t yet necessary. In reality this is the best time for structural pruning.

Structural pruning ensures that your tree’s growth habit is sound and won’t lead to future problems down the road. Healthy, strong trees should have one central leader or ‘trunk.’

However, many trees from the nursery have two or more leads. Maples and oaks are especially susceptible to this growth habit.

If uncorrected, the tree will continue to grow with two ‘trunks.’

(The technical term is ‘co-dominant leaders’.) Trees with co-dominant leaders are much more likely to fail during storms, and could

damage homes or other personal property. This is because the point where the two leaders are joined is weak. As the lateral branches on the tree grow, they put pressure on this weak juncture and the tree can literally break apart under the strain, especially during high winds or under the weight of ice.

Structural pruning involves removing multiple leaders so that the tree is left with one ‘trunk.’

This is usually done in stages, depending on the size of the tree.

At the first pruning, one-third of the co-dominant leader is removed.

After two to three years, another third of the co-dominant leader is removed. Two to three years after the second pruning, the final third of the co-dominant leader is removed.

Starting this process when the tree is young is inexpensive and more effective than undergoing the same process in a larger, more established tree. While the process can seem a bit tedious, it is better to view it as an investment in protecting your tree and personal property from damage down the road.

If you have recently planted a tree, call a certified arborist to visit your property and evaluate its branch structure. (Now is the per-

fect time of year to have all of your trees evaluated – with the leaves gone it is easier to see the structure of trees.)

Visit www.treesaregood.com if you need help finding a certified arborist. Certified arborists must pass a test covering tree care (and pruning) best practices and must participate in continuing education in order to maintain their certification.

Young trees are like your children; if you prune them when they are young and get them growing in the right direction, you will have fewer worries when they are fully grown.

Tom DePaepe is an ISA Certified Arborist and a Consulting Arborist at Ryan Lawn & Tree. He can be reached at 913-381-1505 or at tomdepaepe@ryanlawn.com.

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12 The Kansas City Gardener / December 2014

Patrick’s Picks: Gratifying Gifts for the Gifted Gardener Patrick Muir

H

ave you been good enough this year to receive a gift furthering your obsession with gardening? Did you keep your beds well watered, weeded and mulched?

Did you try something different besides red (bleeping) Knockout roses, Wave petunias and those oh so obligatory mums? Well if you didn’t, Santa Patrick only asks you to strive to do better next year to be worthy of some of the gifts listed here. Gotta deal, my loyal friends?

Let’s start by bettering the potential gardeners on your list (and perhaps yourself) with a few well-chosen books. I think for several reasons, the most exciting title this year is The 20-30 Something Garden Guide: A No-Fuss, Down and Dirty, Garden 101 for Anyone Who Wants to Garden by Dee Nash (Paperback $14.55) (photo 11), one of my long-term blogging friends. The exciting part for us is that she’s from nearby Oklahoma and if this book is as anywhere near as engaging as her blog at reddirtramblings.com, you’ll be giving young people in your life a gift that will last a lifetime!

Fran Sorin, another power blogger, just released her 10-year anniversary edition of her groundbreaking (excuse the justifiable pun) classic Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening (Paperback $13.46) (photo 13). This instructive and inspirational guide is a self-help book laying out a road map to help you grow through her 7 stages of creative awakening.

Terrain (shopterrain.com) is a refreshing site offering such exciting combinations such as their Gardener’s Gift Set ($24.95) (photo 5). This trio includes sporty gloves, lavender-scented shower gel and moisturizing hand soap.

If you’re looking for something a little more utilitarian, dare I suggest their Garden Essentials Tool Kit ($68.95) (photo 12). These four heat-treated metal tools include a spade, cultivator, triangle hoe and ambidextrous scissors that all boast sustainable bamboo handles.

If you’ve run out of room on your deck or porch for containers, it’s time to start laying claim to the walls with the Pamela Crawford Living Wall Planters ($34.95) (photo 10). Each square section comes in at 14”H X 14”W X 5”D with a coco fiber insert with cut out holes for nine front plants, six side plants and three top edging plant.

A set of six planters will hold 72 plants. Let me attest to the quality of Kinsman planters based on the hanging baskets I keeping coming back for year after year. They are made of heavy gage steel, handwelded and covered with a generous coating of black plastic.

Well this proud Australian-bred gardener would be remiss if he didn’t promote that classic import of an idea, the Glazed Down Under Pot (from $16.95 to $42.95) (photo 6) that is also available at the Kinsman Company. Created by a Tasmanian sculptor – what a clever devil – and all you need to do is plant a fitting specimen, wait 2-3 weeks for the roots to develop and invert the pot and hang. Couldn’t be easier to create a growing piece of art for the deck or porch!

The folks at Garden Artisans (gardenartisans.us) have assembled quite a bullpen of garden-inspired ornaments – some so pretty you won’t want to put them away when the tree comes down. Case in point, the Giant Sunflower Ornament ($11.50) (photo 4) lives up to its name coming in at 4”W X 3-3/4”H X 2-3/4”D. You’ll also find roses, orchids and irises from $9.99 to $51.95. Also from Garden Artisan, you can display a little bit of whimsy in the vegetable garden. The steel Vegetable Garden Stakes ($36.00) (photo 8) from artist Elizabeth Keith stand on 36” stakes.

It’s time for a little headgear fashion for men and women from

December 2014 / The Kansas City Gardener

Lee Valley (leevalley.com). Starting with the ladies first, of course, check out the Classic Sun Hat ($26.95) (photo 9). Made of 100% cotton, it has a SPF of 50 and that means only 1/50th of the sun’s UV radiation can penetrate the fabric.

Let’s not forget about the men with the Waxed Garden Hat ($44.50) (photo 7) sporting heavy waxed cotton fashioned into a durable canvas. It has a leather headband and chinstrap with an integral moisture-wicking sweatband.

And finally, can a seed packet be raised up to a level of being declared fine art? They can be if you pick up some Art Seed Packets ($3.95) (photos 1-3) supporting the noble efforts of the Hudson Valley Seed

Library (seedlibrary.org). The company is dedicated to offering only heirloom, open-pollinated varieties. Wouldn’t they make refreshing stocking stuffers for the deserved gardeners in your life?

So Santa Patrick can now rest after tiresome hours of online shopping to ensure his loyal readers are well prepared for this crazy month of merriment. No wait, this has been so much fun playing the gardener’s Santa without paying for anything, so meet me over at patricksgarden.com for ten more grandstanding gifts.

Patrick Muir is a former Johnson County Master Gardener. He can be reached at patrickmuir808@

13 11

Gardening Above the Snow-line is Good for the Gander

By Scott Woodbury

Photos by Scott Woodbury.

I

f last winter is any measure of winters to come, I plan to garden differently this year. It was colder with snow covering the ground longer and with many cold, windy days.

In the garden I noticed footsteps on the snow beneath native plants and seeds still hanging on where I thought they were totally gone.

Blazing star, aster, goldenrod, little bluestem, switchgrass, Texas green eyes, rattlesnake master, roundheaded bush clover, pale purple coneflower and ironweed all had some seed left on dried seed heads.

Perhaps as little as 5 percent on some was clearly enough to feed flocks of hungry birds who foraged above the snowline.

It is entertaining to see sparrows pluck seeds from seemingly bare plant stems. Blazingstar stalks are sturdy and can support the weight of a bird or two yet the stems of little bluestem grass bend over nearly to the ground from the weight of a single bird. In case you were wondering, a song sparrow weighs about one ounce, the equivalent of one slice of bread. No wonder tiny native plant seeds can feed them.

Stems of Indian grass are glassy and birds slip down the stems…oops.

Seeds that fall on the snow become

Junco on Blazing Star

Wild Basil, Aster and Beebalm

food for the juncos and white-throated sparrows who perhaps already know it’s far easier to sit on the snow like fat Thanksgiving turkeys and wait for the food to come to them. Who needs novels for winter entertainment?

One snowy winter morning while cross-country skiing through Shaw Nature Reserve I noticed the footprints of a mouse who left tiny tracks between black-eyed Susan stalks poking above the snow. At the base of each stem was a scattering of seed and chaff. The mouse was moving from stem to stem climbing each like a coconut tree in search of seeds.

As a gardener I plan to keep native plant stems standing all winter. The native garden in winter is essentially a bird feeder that you never have to refill. In spring I’ll plant more blazingstars, which seem to be the preferred food with its relatively large and prolific (10-20% left on the stalk in winter) seeds. A lesser-known native plant to gardeners is false boneset. This one holds on tightly to most of its showy white fluffy seeds in early winter. Same is true of the salt-and-pepper-shaker-type seed heads of Bradbury beebalm, wild basil, black-eyed Susan, and downy pagoda-plant, all of

which dispense seeds throughout winter.

You can find sources of native plants and seeds for your garden, as well as native land care, design, and architecture services, and more, in the Resource Guide at www. grownative.org.

Horticulturalist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for more than 20 years. He also is an advisor the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program.

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The Kansas City Gardener / December 2014

See the Northwest Flower & Garden Show on Feb. 12-15

T

his trip continues a new tradition of attending some of the nation’s top flower and garden shows that began with our 2013 and 2014 trips to the Philadelphia International Flower Show. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Gardeners Connect in Seattle.

Celebrating its 26th year, this year’s show boasts more than 300 exhibitors; eye-popping display gardens that area garden designers, nurseries, artists and garden professionals spend all year planning; and a lineup of 110 seminars presented by top-tier experts, all free with admission to the show.

Attendees will have three days in which to see the show and attend any of the seminars they choose.

The show is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Every night we will relax in the luxuriousness of the Roosevelt Hotel, less than 500 feet from the flower show.

The Roosevelt Hotel a historic three-star hotel with all of the modern amenities a weary traveler could ask for, including Wi-Fi in every room.

We are scheduled to fly out of Kansas City Thursday, Feb. 12 at 6:05 a.m. and arrive in Seattle at 9:35 a.m. after a short stop in Salt Lake City.

We plan to depart Seattle at 10:10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, flying nonstop to Kansas City and arriving 3:30 p.m.

The trip price includes airfare from Kansas City to Seattle and back, three day’s admission to the Northwest Flower Show, three night’s stay and ground transportation to and from the airport in Seattle. You are responsible for all meals and shopping.

The trip costs $1,079 for a single occupancy room or $799 per person for a dual occupancy room during your stay. Register early for this trip because we will only be able to book your trip while flights and hotel rooms are available.

Register online at gardenersconnect.org or send your check payable to Gardeners Connect, to 6911 NW Blair Road; Parkville, MO 64152.

Please include a note with your email, phone number, date of birth and legal spelling of your name as it appears on your photo ID. The last two are required by the airlines to book your flight.

Once your trip has been confirmed you will be notified via

e-mail or phone. Garden Getaways are for only members, so make sure your membership is in good standing for departure in February.

If the show is not enough for you, there is always the Seattle Space Needle or Pike Place Market just a short cab ride away. There is also the Seattle Aquarium, Olympic Sculpture Park, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Art Museum, Frye Art Museum and Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum, all a short distance away.

Closer to the show and hotel and within easy walking distance is a bevy of shopping options, including the Westlake Center, a fourstory shopping center; Nordstrom’s flagship store; a Nordstrom’s Rack; and Pacific Place, an upscale fivestory shopping center.

Now is the time to book this trip. There should be more than enough to keep you enthralled and entertained during our stay.

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Life in the Winter Pond

Diane Swan

F

rigid weather…Ice sculptures sparkling off the waterfalls…

A stream flowing through the snow. A winter wonderland created in your own backyard. But wait, you cannot see anything under all that ice. Is everything OK down there?

Understanding what happens to the aquatic life in your pond will help you feel at ease in winter until spring arrives.

First of all, your aquatic plants go into a dormancy state. Dormancy is a state in which there is metabolic inactivity. For plants, it is temporary phase during the winter. They stop growing and conserve their energy until the water temperatures start rising again.

This is a natural process plants go through to survive, so trimming them off in the Fall does not hurt them. Some plants such as the Lotus do however need to be lowered in the pond so that the tubers do not freeze.

You may think your fish have disappeared but they only go to the bottom of the pond in the winter seeking warmer water where they try to stay concealed. Fish are poikilothermic animals (in other words cold-blooded). Their body temperatures are regulated by the surrounding temperature of the

water. In the winter, the warmest part is the bottom layers of the pond and sometimes you will see fish line up in rows. They are trying to fit in as many to the warm pocket of water as possible.

Fish go into a state of torpor (a semi-hibernation state). Torpor is a shorter phase of being than hibernation. They experience reduced body temperatures, slower metabolism, slow reaction time, reduced breathing rate and other body functions. Therefore, you do not want to feed your fish as they cannot digest foods. During this state, the fish conserve their energy by slowing down. Do not chop or bang the ice on the pond’s surface as the vibrations can harm the fish when they are in this state. Also do not add any salt treatments as the salt will actually lower the water temperatures even more.

That explains plant and fish, but what about the frogs and turtles?

Frogs are found in almost all types of extreme environments.

They have learned to adapt nicely.

Frogs use hibernation to survive cold winter temperatures. In a state of hibernation an animal’s metabolism slows down drastically. They can literally sleep the winter away as it conserves its body’s energy. In the Spring they ‘wake up’.

Aquatic frogs hibernate under water. They need to be near oxygen-rich water and spend most of winter just lying on the bottom of the pond. Frogs do not freeze even though ice crystals can form in their body cavity and under their skin. A high concentration of glucose in their vital organs keeps them from

freezing. Their breathing can stop and their heart stops beating so that they seem dead.

However when water temperatures rise, they thaw out, their heart starts beating and they start breathing again. So in the spring when you have ‘dead’ frogs in the pond you might want to give them a little more time to see if they will hop away!

Turtles now are ectothermic animals that get their body heat from the air, water and ground. Aquatic turtles hibernate in the bottom of the pond. They snuggle deep into the debris in the bottom. They prefer being buried. They let themselves get cold and as a result their bodies slow down and do not eat anymore.

Their hearts slow down so that they only beat once every several minutes. They stop breathing through their lungs. Turtles need very little oxygen to survive. They get their oxygen from the water. Oxygen actually enters their bodies through specialized skin cells that are in the tail. They ‘breathe’ through their tails! Turtles can do this for sev-

Elegance For The Home and Garden

eral months at a time. When spring comes, the turtles will warm back up and again seek warm places to bask in the sun!

Since water is a good insulator and retains heat better than other environments, it is a great place for your aquatic life to hang out until spring. So no worries…it’s Mother Nature taking care of her creatures.

Kevin and Diane Swan own Swan’s Water Gardens, a full service water garden center. You may contact them at 913-837-3510.

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The Kansas City Gardener / December 2014

Gardeners U series on Garden Design

G

ardeners Connect is presenting a four-week Gardeners U class on garden design starting Feb. 3.

The instructor will be Kristopher Dabner, owner and creative director of landscape and garden design company The Greensman.

Kristopher Dabner of The Greensman The class will be held on Tuesday nights starting Feb. 3.

After the first two Tuesdays, there will be a one-week break and then classes resume for the next two Tuesdays, ending March 3.

The classes are scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Mo. The cost for the four-week course is $50 for members of Gardeners Connect and $65 for nonmembers. The class size will be limited.

Sign up for the class online at GardenersConnect.org.

You also may send a check made out to Gardeners Connect with a note mentioning the class to this address: Gardeners U Garden Design Class, 6911 NW Blair Road, Parkville, MO 64152.

Dabner has a degree in architecture from the University of Kansas.

He founded The Greensman, based at 7213 Troost, in 1994.

Kansas City Home & Garden magazine has selected landscapes created by The Greensman as the best backyards and The Pitch has named The Greensman as the area’s best landscaper. His work has been shown off in The Kansas City Star, KC Magazine, SPACES magazine, Better Homes & Gardens and Country Gardens.

Over the course of four weeks, Dabner plans to explore historical landscape design, from Renaissance to modern, and the major designers of each era. The goal will be to discover how these influences come to bear in contemporary landscape design and how you can apply those concepts in your own garden.

Dabner’s design philosophy keeps one eye on the task as hand and one eye on the big picture. He takes into account planning for future projects and uses, incorporation of the existing house or structure and the hardscaping of the environment.

Class members will come away from the class with a deeper understanding of how to match gardens to their home and of garden design.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America would like to thank the following speakers for the wonderful programs they presented to our members over the past year.

Rita Arnold, Arnold’s Greenhouse ~ What’s New in Annuals and Perennials for 2014

Crystal Broadus-Waldram, Kansas City Zoo ~ Horticultural Tour

Jeff Hawkins, Hooked on Ponics ~ Hydroponics

Louise Kendrick, Gardeners of America ~ Tool Talk (Favorite Garden Tools)

Malia Hatley, Stone’s Throw Greenhouse ~ Graft Your Own Tomatoes Lynn Johnson Soulier, Gardens of Delight ~ Pain Relief Through Herbs and Aromatherapy

Brad Lucht, Gardeners of America ~ Canning Your Own Bread and Butter Pickles Keith Johnson, Flower Farm ~ Poinsettias

Look for our meeting announcement listed each month in the Upcoming Events section of The Kansas City Gardener. Join us at our next meeting and make a gardening friend! For more information, email GreaterKCGOA@gmail.com or call (816) 561-5380.

We Bring People and Nature Together.

Are you looking for a great nature gift or a new way to thrill your birds this season? We offer a variety of holiday bird foods, including our exclusive seed characters and wreaths, our Christmas Cake Suet and our KC No-Mess Winter Seed Blend.

Each of these is available for a limited time and only at Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood. Hurry in!

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December 2014 / The Kansas City Gardener

15

Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see Club Meetings African Violets of Greater Kansas City Tues, Dec 9, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership/Christmas Party.

816-784-5300

Achimenes

a tropical plant profile

Brent Tucker

W

idow’s tears, cupid’s bower or by its botanical name, Achimenes, this very easy to grow member of the African Violet family should be grown by a wider audience.

Achimenes are originally from Mexico and South America and are being hybridized by growers producing a myriad of colors in purples, pinks, red, blues, yellows, and white. The growth habit for most plants is lax which makes them a good candidate for hanging baskets or they can also be added to combo containers.

In the spring, Achimenes, grow from a small pineconelike rhizome that lays dormant through the winter. Once growing, plants should be watered lightly in the beginning then more frequently when they are actively growing, which begins in early summer and generally lasts until fall. Growing tips can be pinched back early on if a more compact plant is desired. By keeping the soil slightly moist and feeding with a blooming plant food produces a beautiful blooming plant for a shaded porch. Achimenes can tolerate morning sun but no hot afternoon sun. They can also be grown on a brightly lit windowsill. Achimenes can be grown 16

right along with Impatiens, Begonias, Coleus, and ferns.

In the fall when Achimenes stop flowering and nights are cool, watering should be done less frequently and stopped altogether once their leaves and stems begin to die off. Don’t worry though since this is a normal part of their winter dormancy. Their rhizomes can be stored cool in the previous season’s soil or you can remove them and place them in vermiculite in a paper bag. No winter watering required! This is one of the reasons I enjoy them so because they require virtually no care in the winter.

Achimenes can be planted the following spring in new soil or left in the old. You might want to place the old root ball in a slightly larger container with fresh soil added for best results.

The rhizomes of Achimenes lie in wait for warmer weather and because a well-grown plant can produce many rhizomes you can offer them to family and friends to grow.

Look to your local Gesneriad or African Violet clubs to find plants to grow since most garden centers won’t carry this infrequently seen specialty plant. Rhizomes might even be purchased online. I know you’ll find this plant an easy addition to your summer container garden or windowsill collection and a joy to grow.

Brent Tucker is Horticulturist of Seasonal Displays and Events at Powell Gardens. He can be reached at btucker@powellgardens.org.

Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Sun, Dec 7, 1-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership/Christmas Dinner.

816-784-5300 Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America Mon, Dec 1, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership wreath making party. 816-784-5300 Independence Garden Club Mon, Dec 8, 6pm; at the Hometown Buffet, 13720 E 40 Hwy, Independence, MO. Our Christmas Party. Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy or non-perishable or canned food item. For more information please call 816-373-1169 or 816-812-3067. Visit us at our website www.independencegardenclub.com Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society Sun, Dec 14, 1-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership/Christmas Party.

816-784-5300 Kansas City Garden Club Mon, Dec 8, 10am; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Holiday Auction/Potluck Party.

816-784-5300 MoKan Daylily Society Sun, Dec 7, 10am; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-784-5300 Northland Garden Club Tues, Nov 18, 7pm; at Sherwood Bible Church, 4900 N Norton, Kansas City, MO (just south and west of Penguin Park).

The Garden Club will feature a presentation by Betty Goodwin on “Photography in Your Garden — Year Round.” Please check website for additional information: www.northlandgardenclub.com.

Olathe Garden Club Tues, Dec 16, noon; at 15661 W 138th St, Olathe. This will be the club’s Christmas Luncheon. Members will be contacted as to which dish they signed up to bring.

There will be a gift exchange by members.

Next regular meeting will be in February.

Overland Park Gardeners of America Mon, Dec 8, 6pm; at Colonial Church, 71st and Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. This is our Christmas Potluck and

White Elephant gift exchange. Bring a gift, get a gift. Program will be presented

by Shawnee Mission East Concert Choir at 7pm. Guests are welcome. For further information please contact Sallie Wiley 913-236-5193.

Sho Me African Violets Fri, Dec 12, 10:30am-2pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership/Christmas Party.

816-784-5300 South Johnson County Garden Club Thurs, Dec 18, 6pm; at Rolling Meadows Garden Center, 12501 W 151st St, Olathe, KS. Meetings are relaxed, fun with a friendly group of fellow gardeners. Cost is $15 for the rest of the year. Meetings include a topic for discussion and light refreshments. Email jennah.turner@ rollingmeadowslandscape.com to RSVP your spot, or call 913-897-9500.

Events, Lectures & Classes December Kappa Kappa Gamma Holiday Homes Tour Dec, 3, 4, and 5, 2014. Mission Hills, Fairway and Kansas City, MO. Sponsored by: The Greater Kansas City Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Get yourself in the holiday spirit with the 63rd annual Kappa Kappa Gamma Holiday Homes Tour. Four homes in Mission Hills, Fairway and Kansas City, MO, will be open to the public, decorated with lots of sparkle and greenery by area floral designers. A gourmet shop will feature “30 Years of Kappa Fudge” and other baked goodies and gift items, including a new tour ornament. Preview Luncheon Dec. 3 at Indian Hills Country Club features the very entertaining Louise Parsley, an author and columnist from Houston, TX. This year’s tour raises money for Kansas City Community Gardens, SAFEHOME and the Kappa Foundation. Tickets are $25 in advance at Hen House, tour florists and other outlets, as well as from area Kappas. Tickets can be purchased at the homes on the days of the tour for $30.

For more information: www.kappahomestour.com. Follow us on Facebook at Kappa Holiday Homes Tour.

2014 Horticulture Trials Round-Up Thurs, Dec 4, 11:30am–1pm; at Sunflower Meeting Room, Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Sponsored by the Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Every year, the horticulture specialists at the K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Center in Olathe test a large variety of flowers and vegetables to determine which varieties per-

The Kansas City Gardener / December 2014

form best in our climate. Please join us to hear the results of this year’s trials presented by horticulture specialists Robin Dresma and Kimberly Oxley. $5.00 fee.

Registration not required. Call 913-2999300 for more information.

Winter Wreath Workshop Fri, Dec 5, 6-9pm; at Rolling Meadows Garden Center, 12501 W 151st St, Olathe, KS 66062. Get some of your friends and join us for a festive Holiday get together!

We will assemble a beautiful winter wreath to enjoy throughout the season.

Snacks, drinks, and creative design assistance will be provided. Preregistration is required. $45 for the class; due by 11/29 to ensure your spot. Limited availability.

Sign up soon. 913-897-9500 Natural Wreaths Sat, Dec 6, 12:30–2pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO. Registration required at 816-228-3766 (adults). Celebrate the season by crafting a natural artisan wreath! Evergreens, pinecones and many other natural trimmings will be provided. Please bring a small wire or grape vine wreath as a base for your creation. For more information email burr.oak@mdc.mo.gov.

Holiday Greenings Sat, Dec 6, 10am-2:30pm; Anita B Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Walk-in (all ages) Thinking of making the holidays a little greener this season? Learn to decorate using native plants and trees. Fashion a festive holiday swag to hang using red cedar, prairie grasses, wild nuts, berries and seeds. For more information email discoverycenter@ mdc.mo.gov. 816-759-7300 Holiday in the Tropics Terrarium Sat, Dec 6, 2-4pm; at Powell Gardens.

Add tropical warmth to your holiday décor with an elegant terrarium filled with bromeliads, ferns and orchids. Plant and learn to care for your own 12-inchtall terrarium. Materials provided include potting media, jars, plants and some decorative elements. Bring your own bobbles and trinkets to add pizazz to your creation. Gardening gloves recommended. Make a second terrarium as a gift. $59/project, $52/member ($45/ second terrarium). Registration required

by Dec 1. To register call Linda Burton at 816-697-2600 ext. 209. Or register online at powellgardens.org/AdultClasses.

Herbal Gift Faire Tues, Dec 9, 5:30-6:50pm, meeting at 7pm; at Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, 1263 N 1100 Rd. The Kaw Valley Herbs Study Group presents our second annual Herbal Gift Faire. Come shop for herbal goodies made by local folks, then join us for our meeting after

the Faire. Our gatherings are fun and educational, and jam-packed with useful information, including relevant demonstrations. Everyone with an interest in herbs is welcome. There is a $2 charge to cover costs (KVHSG is a non-profit group; no charge for students). No pets.

Nursing babies and children over 10 are welcome. herbstudygroup@gmail.com Kids Craft Day Sat, Dec 13, 10am-1pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO. Walk-in (all ages). Kids Craft Day is a great way to make the holidays special. Make one-of-a-kind natural gifts to give to the people you love this holiday season.

Don’t forget to create your own gift wrap before you leave! For more information email burr.oak@mdc.mo.gov. 816-2283766 Backyard Birrrrrrrds!

Sat, Dec 20, 10am–2:30pm; Anita B Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Walk-in (all ages) Winter is one of the best times to brave the cold and snow and go bird watching.

Join us as we learn about our winged friends and who calls Kansas City home for the winter. You will have the opportunity to learn bird calls, identification techniques, make a feeder and go on a bird watching hike. For more information email discoverycenter@mdc.mo.gov.

816-759-7300

January Home Herbalism Series 4th Saturday of each month (Jan-Oct) from 10am-noon. 1st Class: Jan 24, 10am-12pm ($32 per class or $295 for 10-month series). This series of 10 monthly classes will be a hands-on exploration of everything you need to know to be an effective home herbalist. We’ll lead you seasonally through growing, harvesting, preserving, storing and using many herbs. We will work side-by-side to give you hands-on experience in using herbs in practical, useful ways. You will make tinctures, oils, salves, infusions, decoctions, and a variety of other herbal preparations. A bit of aromatherapy and wild food foraging will be included.

We will journey around the Wheel of the Year with herbs, respectfully using what we grow and what Mother Nature offers, honoring both the wisdom of the ancestors and the current information available. This course is designed to give you a practical foundation so you feel comfortable and confident growing and using herbs for yourself and your family every day. Instructors: Tamara FairbanksIshmael and Twila Fairbanks (founders of the thriving Kaw Valley Herbs Study Group). Information and Registration: GoodEarthGatherings.com

Promote your gardening events in 2015!

Send details of classes, workshops, seminars and meetings to: E-Mail: elizabeth@kcgmag.com Deadline for January issue is December 5.

December 2014 / The Kansas City Gardener

December

Weather Repor t

Highs and Lows Avg temp 34° Avg high temp 42° Avg low temp 26° Highest recorded temp 73° Lowest recorded temp -18° Nbr of above 70° days 0

Clear or Cloudy Avg nbr of clear days 10 Avg nbr of cloudy days 15

Rain and Snow Avg snowfall 4.4” Avg rainfall 1.5” Avg nbr of rainy days 8 Source: WeatherReports.com

From the Almanac Moon Phases Full Moon: Dec. 6 Last Quarter: Dec. 14 New Moon: Dec. 21 First Quarter: Dec. 28 Source: Harris’ Farmer’s Almanac

Plant Above Ground Crops: 1, 4, 5, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31

Plant Root Crops: 8-10

Control Plant Pests: 14, 15, 20, 21

Transplant: 1, 27, 28

Plant Flowers: 23, 24, 27, 28

17

December

garden calendar

n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Store unused seeds in a cool, dry location or refrigerator.

• Check vegetables and fruit in storage for spoilage.

• Mulch strawberries for winter protection.

• Clean and oil garden hand tools for winter.

• Till soil and add organic matter.

• Store unused garden chemicals in a cool, dry and safe location protected from freezing.

• Update garden journal for success and failure.

• Start planning for next spring on cold winter nights.

n FLOWERS

• Mulch grafted roses by mounding soil 6 to 8 inches deep to protect the graft.

• Mulch perennial beds with 2 to 4 inches of straw or shredded leaves.

• Cut tall hybrid tea roses back to 24 inches to reduce wind whipping and plant damage.

• Continue to plant spring flowering bulbs until the ground is frozen.

• Give plants or gift certificates as holiday gifts for gardening friends.

• Empty decorative pots and containers, storing inside.

n LAWNS

• Remove leaves, limbs, and other debris from lawn to prevent suffocation.

• Store unused fertilizers in dry location and out of reach of children and pets.

• Store pesticides in a cool (not freezing) dry location, out of reach of children and pets.

• Review lawn service contracts.

• Water fall planted grass as needed.

• Avoid extensive walking on frozen grass.

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Keep heavy snowfall from limbs, lightly shaking to avoid damage.

• Avoid shoveling snow onto trees and shrubs.

• Check and protect the trunks of young trees and shrubs for rabbit damage.

• Living Christmas trees should be in the home less than one week, and then acclimate to the outdoors and plant in a desirable location.

• Prune damaged branches throughout the winter months.

• Water newly planted trees and shrubs in winter to prevent dry soil conditions.

• Mulch roots of tender shrubs such as azaleas and rhododendrons.

• Prune branches of junipers, pines, hollies and other plants for holiday decorations.

n MISCELLANEOUS

• Start planning for next year by making notes and preparing orders.

• Turn compost pile to encourage winter breakdown.

• Make your Christmas list adding gardening supplies.

• Keep houseplants out of hot and cold drafts.

• Winter is a great time to soil test.

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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December 2014 / The Kansas City Gardener

Meet Jennifer Slusher, arborist and artist.

Name: Jennifer Slusher Company: Rosehill Gardens Title: Certified Arborist / Account Manager. The scope of my work requires monitoring and treatment of trees to ensure they are healthy, safe, and suitable to property owners or community standards, in both commercial and residential settings. That may involve planting and pruning, preventing or diagnosing diseases. With 16 years in the industry, I’ve consulted on a wide variety of projects.

This is a special year: Rosehill Gardens is celebrating its 100th birthday; Roots A Century Deep, so everything seems charged with a little more excitement and celebration.

Favorite tree and why: Ginko is my favorite tree because it appeals to the Arborist and the Artist. It is an ancient tree, a living fossil with strong branching structure and the leaves are elegant and interesting and replicated in artwork.

Favorite garden destination: I was fortunate to be able to trim the Live Oaks in the New Orleans City Park after hurricane Katrina. That was a beautiful setting even under the circumstances.

Locally: Right now I spend a lot of time working at the new Prairie Fire Shopping and Entertainment district in Overland Park. We have installed a variety of trees and thousands of native grasses, while still having the variety in bright annuals in huge pots and baskets.

Tree tips for fall: Just because we are not spending much time in our backyards and looking up at our trees doesn’t mean we should forget about them. This is a great time to prune because the trees are dormant. Just be sure to hire a Certified Arborist that can tell what to trim even if there are no leaves on the branches. Some companies even have a winter discount for tree trimming and removals.

What every gardener should know: I don’t think I can consider myself a gardener. I have put that title as my retirement goal in another 30 years. I think gardeners are experienced in many years of different seasons and weather changes, so until then, we should relax and learn to become gardeners.

What do you do in your spare time: I like to spend time outdoors with loved ones and paint hard shelled gourds. Also, I am a board member of the Kansas Arborist Association. This association is celebrating its 60th year keeping an eye on Kansas Trees and the professionals that work on them.

Little known secret: I am an experienced bucket truck operator and love ice storms and hurricane response.

Contact information: Rosehill Gardens, 311 East 135th St., Kansas City, MO 64145; 816-941-4777; jslusher@rosehillgardens.com; www.RosehillGardens.com 19

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