Local Resources for New-ish Gardeners

So this is the year that brought many people back to the land. There are many of us with childhood memories of pulling weeds as the grown-ups picked the ripe tomatoes for canning. They showed you which plants to weed out with your little hands and where to prune the suckers off the leggy plants. They seemed to know everything about gardening!

Recently, when the world forced us to spend more time at home, we were able to see with the eyes of our parents and grandparents in their own gardens. We slowed down and truly saw what the most important things are in life.

We chose seeds to grow plants to nourish our loved ones. Some of our efforts worked and some didn’t. In the end we all grew more in touch with nature, through horticultural victories, and the wisdom gained through dead plants.

Now it is the winter time. And you have joined the ranks of gardeners staring out the window and dreaming of the possibilities of the new year. Are we starting seeds early in the garage? How early do I want to plant outdoors? What triumphs are we going to repeat? Which plants get the axe? What do I want to learn about next?

Luckily, there are groups in Kansas City with people who can help you find the answers to these burning questions. I could make a list that is a mile long. Just to get started, here are a few of my favorite garden resources in our area for the new-ish gardeners out there:

Volunteer

My favorite way to learn something new is to volunteer with an expert. A few years back, I had a really fun morning with Dre Taylor at his farm called Nile Valley Aquaponics (Nilevalleyaquaponics.com). In just one morning I saw gardeners of all ages planting seeds for the aquaponics system, spreading mulch for outdoor teaching areas, and learning sustainable farming practices with chickens.

Another group that allows you to plunge your hands in the dirt and is a resource to gardeners of all skill levels is Cultivate KC (cultivatekc. org). Site manager, Farmer Dan, is a wealth of knowledge on organic gardening and farming practices. He is also experimenting with brand new techniques to rid the garden of pests without using harmful pesticides. You can literally get the new scoop straight from the horse’s mouth.

Photo by KCMO Parks and Recreation.

Take a Class

The KC Farm School at Gibbs Road (kcfarmschool.org) certainly has volunteer opportunities, but their classes are what make them unique. Last winter, they turned their winter dormant greenhouse into the perfect spot for hot yoga. They always have a wide variety of farm-centric workshops to choose from and the teachers come from many different areas of expertise. The two words that come to mind when I think of the Farm School at Gibbs Road are “community” and “inspire” and if you visit them, I’m sure you will understand what I mean.

If you haven’t had a chance to join the Kansas City Community Garden (kccg.org), do it right now! With membership you get free classes, free seed, free fertilizer and lots of other benefits throughout the year. Membership fees are based on income, so there isn’t anyone that would be turned away. This is one of my favorite gardening resources in town. Their classes range from simple garlic planting instruction for brand new gardeners to topics like orchard pruning. I feel like I learn something new every time I go there.

While we enjoy this winter gardening break to reflect, organize and plan, know that you’re not alone out there with mother nature. Start a list of topics that you are eager to learn. You have lots of support to guide your 2021 season for a bountiful harvest.

TRACY FLOWERS Plant Guru

Tracy Flowers is the owner of Tracy Flowers LLC, a horticultural consultancy that works with local organizations to promote organic urban farming, gardening, native landscapes and education. Her email addresss is kctracyflowers@gmail.com.

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