The Kansas City
GARDENER January 2022 | kcgmag.com
All-America Selections 2022 Winners Ask the Experts | Indoor Gardening | Kids Ask Dr. Bug | Garden Calendar
editor’s notes
The Kansas City
GARDENER Independently owned and operated since 1996 PUBLISHER Michael Cavanaugh EDITOR Elizabeth Cavanaugh CONTRIBUTORS Jason Mispagel Dennis Patton Tamra Reall Denise Sullivan Scott Woodbury
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ike the trees and shrubs in the landscape, gardeners are dormant and less physically active this time of year. Other than watering when temperatures are above freezing and precipitation is below normal, we spend much of our time indoors reading new gardening books, ordering seeds from catalogs, or charting another growing season. While we are anxious to start all that we have planned, we’ll patiently await spring’s arrival. During the winter months we are able to clearly see the framework of our garden. Leafless trees expose their distinguishing bark and limbs that climb skyward. Evergreen trees and shrubs are steadfast in their duty of providing essential structure and color in an otherwise gray landscape. Garden ornaments and art are no longer hidden, and the uniqueness of the season is revealed. Also in plain sight now are the birds. Without foliage obstructing the view, it’s easy to watch birds fly from tree to tree, to see their characteristics, and to observe their habits. Right outside my office window stands a maple tree where pairs of cardinals sometimes perch. It’s fascinating to see them in full view and within reach, and to get a glimpse of their behavior and beauty. The bluejays are fun to watch at the peanut feeder. And the suet attracts beautiful woodpeckers. Now
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I know why they call bird watching “nature’s theater.” Put a heated birdbath out on the deck, and watch all the birds gather. Out in the greenhouse, Mr. Gardener has begun growing assorted microgreens and varied lettuces. Whether for breakfast in a smoothie, or as a lunchtime salad, it is a real treat to serve homegrown greens in winter. In a few weeks he will start trays of mixed annuals that will accent the garden with color in early summer. I’m on the hunt for another perennial to grow from seed. Last season, Rockin’™ Red Dianthus was a winner from seed to the garden. She performed exceedingly well. Transplanted to the garden edge, next to the road where challenges like heat and drought, were no problem for this dianthus. Plus she bloomed right up through the first freeze. I look forward to see her return and perform next season. How was your garden? Is there one plant that performed above the rest? Does it deserve promoting? Fellow gardeners, beginners and experienced alike, appreciate learning about plants that work well and those that do not. When you have a comment or question, we’d love to hear from you. Is there a plant you’d like for
us to profile? Are you looking for more information about a specific topic? Do you have a garden tip that you’d like to share? Your suggestions are always welcome. Please drop us a note. We look forward to hearing from our readers. On a personal note, I’m looking forward to the new year with enthusiasm and joy. When I reflect on last year, I’m reminded of all I’ve learned in the garden. I’ve seen the perseverance of pansies in winter. I’ve learned that caladiums really do not overwinter. And I’ve discovered that I’m at my best when I’ve allowed myself time in the garden. I’ll see you in the garden!
In this issue
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Winter reveal
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
4 Kids Ask Dr. Bug 6 Plants on Your Plate 8 Ask the Experts 10 All-America Selections 14 Tweak Garden Maintenance to Make Happy Bees and Butterflies
15 Train to be a Volunteer Master Naturalist 16 Indoor Gardening—Total Control with a grow tent 17 Upcoming Garden Events 18 Garden Calendar 19 Subscribe
About the cover: Sunflower Concert Bell is one of the All-America Selections winners for 2022. See all the winners beginning on page 10. Photo courtesy of All-America Selections. 2
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
Feed your passion.
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The Kansas City Gardener | October 2020
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Kids Ask Dr. Bug
about the curious things found in the garden What is the smartest insect? Ants, honey bees, and termites are often described as the smartest insects. This is because of their ability to work in a colony involving communication with others in their nest and their ability to problem-solve. Honey bees stand out, even in this small crowd. They can learn from observations of other bees, such as how to “rob” nectar from certain tricky flowers. Forager honey bees can use symbolic communication, for instance, their waggle dance to tell other foragers where to find the best sources of food. Honey bees have been found to recognize human faces. They can also count – up to four! – as well as they understand zero, which isn’t common in the animal kingdom. They also can do some very basic arithmetic, have an understanding of rules, and can use high-level problem-solving. Honey bees are pretty amazing! It is important to note, though, honey bees are one of the most studied insects so another insect may rise to the top as we learn more about them and how to measure intelligence. Do bugs spread rabies? No, rabies can only be spread from mammals, such as bats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and coyotes, to other mammals. Some insects, however, can spread other diseases, such as mosquitoes that spread malaria, West Nile, chikungunya, and many others. Happily, mosquitoes aren’t active right now as long as the temperatures stay cold. How old is the oldest beehive? Evidence of honeycomb, beeswax, and beekeeping was recently found in Israel when 3000-yearold hives were discovered, and 4500-year-old Egyptian art shows beekeeping practices, and bees were kept in pottery containers about 9000 years ago in North
Africa. Of course, honey bees have existed for much longer than domesticated hives. According to fossil records, the ancestors of the honey bees we know and love came into existence around 14 million years. People have been enjoying honey from wild bees for
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
that is different than our native ladybugs, are more likely to gather on and in our homes to find a safe place for the winter. These beetles might not smell very good, but otherwise, they are fairly harmless. A vacuum is the easiest way to collect them, although they will release a
Honey bee queen, largest in photo above at least 10,000 years according to depictions found in cave art. Wild bees build their colonies in trees or in rock cavities. Sometimes, they might build a honeycomb in the open in difficult-to-reach places, like under an overhang on a high cliff. People had to go to great lengths to obtain honey and beeswax before they were able to figure out how to keep bees in hives. There weren’t many things that could make food sweet and so honey was a great treat. Modern beehives with movable frames are only about 200 years old.
TAMRA REALL Horticulture Specialist 4
Are spiders only hostile at night, like in Minecraft? Fortunately, most spiders are not hostile to humans at any time, although they feast well on other small creepy crawlies. Like in Minecraft, most spiders are diurnal, meaning they are active at night.
Some spiders spin webs and wait for their prey to come to them. Other spiders actively hunt their prey at night, like those in the game. IRL, make your bed, keep your room clean, and sleep well knowing you’re safe from the spiders. Why do ladybugs come into the house? As the weather turns cold in the fall, some insects seek a protected place to make it through the winter. Most of our native ladybugs stay outdoors. The Asian multicolored ladybug, an introduced species
foul-smelling defensive odor. You can also shoo them back outside and make sure that all cracks and holes are sealed to keep them outside for next time. Do you have questions about bugs found in your garden for Dr. Bug? Send them to ReallT@ Missouri.edu or bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug. Include your name and age. To help me learn what you learn from this monthly column, would you please consider filling out this survey: bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey. Thank you!
Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugN Garden) is the horticulture specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com, or visit www.extension2.missouri.edu.
The Kansas City Gardener | January 2022
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PLANTS ON YOUR PLATE Carrots can impact the flavor of carrots, producing flavors ranging from sweet to bitter to earthy. Color can also impact the nutrient profile of carrots. Beta carotene is the most familiar nutrient that is found in deep orange vegetables. Yellow carrots also contain beta carotene as well as lutein, both of with are beneficial to eye health. Red carrots provide biotin, fiber, potassium, vitamins K, B6 and C, and a trace element called molybdenum, an essential mineral like iron. This important mineral activates key enzymes in your body that helps rid itself of certain toxins. Purple carrots have a carotenoid called anthocyanin, which researchers are
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uring the winter months when fresh local produce is in limited supply, I’m thankful for produce staples like carrots. While we can’t grow this early season vegetable just yet, carrots are readily available all year long, which is one reason they are high on the popularity scale. Carrots are a member of the Apiaceae family of aromatic flowering plants that also includes celery, parsnips, dill, and cilantro. While we are most accustomed to eating the main part of the plant, called the taproot, the leaves and stems are also edible and make an interesting addition to a salad. Wild carrots are believed to have originated in Persia (now Iran and Afghanistan) but did not look anything like the carrots we are familiar with today. By the ninth or tenth century, carrots were selectively bred to improve flavor and tenderness while reducing bitterness and woodiness. By the fifteenth century, the plant was shared throughout Asia and Europe and eventually to North America by early settlers.
Carrots are now a widely produced vegetable worldwide. California produces over 85 percent of all carrots grown in the United States, with Michigan and Texas coming in next. The average carrot yield in 2020 was approximately 50,000 pounds per acre. Carrots are the sixth most popular fresh vegetable, with nearly eight pounds per person consumed in 2020. There was an upsurge in carrot consumption in the mid 80’s with the introduction of ‘baby cut’ carrots, which are actually large carrots that are cut and polished into smaller pieces. Actual ‘baby carrots’ are harvested when they are very young and small. Baby-cut carrot products have been the fastest growing segment of the carrot industry since the early 1990s and are among the most popular produce items purchased. While we are most familiar with orange carrots, they can also be found in many other colors including yellow, purple, red and white. The color, as well as growing environment and level of maturity
DENISE SULLIVAN Nutrition Ninja 6
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
studying its ability to treat inflammation and obesity. White carrots, while devoid of color and beta carotene, they are not devoid of nutrition and still provide fiber to aid digestion. Carrots have always been a favorite at my house, either raw as a snack, in a salad, or along side a pot roast with potatoes and onions. They are also great roasted on their own or in a mix of other root vegetables, like the recipe below. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness and earthy flavors of many root vegetables, that is enhanced with simple herbs for an easy side dish that complements any kind of protein.
Simple Roasted Root Vegetables MAKES 5 SERVINGS
5 cups vegetables, cut into uniform sized pieces (carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, parsnips, beets) 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon salt Wash hands and work surfaces. Preheat oven to 425ºF. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. For easy clean-up, line pan with foil and then spray. Spread vegetables evenly in a single layer on the pan. Drizzle oil over the vegetables and stir. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, ground black pepper, and salt; stir again. Bake for 20-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Bake until vegetables are tender. NUTRITION INFORMATION Calories: 90, Total Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Sodium: 97mg, Carbohydrates: 16g, Fiber: 2g, Protein: 2g Recipe from Spend Smart Eat Smart, Iowa State University, analyzed by verywellfit.com
Denise Sullivan (@MUExtJacksonCo) is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For research based nutrition and food safety information and programs, call 816-4825850 or visit https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/urban-west-region.
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Ask the Experts BALD CYPRESS IS A CONIFER Question: Why is bald cypress considered a conifer? It is not evergreen nor does it have needles like pines and spruce. Answer: It is a common thought that all conifers are evergreen. Bald cypress debunks that idea in two ways. First, it drops its foliage instead of retaining, like evergreens. Second, it has its seeds enclosed in scale-like bracts called a cone. The ping-pong sized seed produced by the bald cypress makes it a conifer. Look closely, and you will notice scales much like that of an unopen pinecone. Bald cypress is one of several deciduous conifers worldwide. Interesting fact – it gets the name bald cypress because it drops its foliage in the fall, becoming bald. TIPS TO OVERWINTER ANNUALS Question: I am attempting to overwinter some of my annuals from last summer. I have coleus, begonia, and impatiens in a bright window, but the leaves continue to yellow and drop off the plants. At this rate, I am afraid by spring they will have no foliage left. What can I do? Answer: It is tempting to bring annuals indoors for the winter as they are beautiful and costly to replace. The primary issue is low light. The plants are dependent on functioning with very bright light. Even the brightest, sunniest window is no match for a shady outdoor location. Indoors the quality is poor. As a result, the plants defoliate. The goal of overwintering truly outdoor plants is just to keep them alive to move back out in May. Here are some tips to try. Provide as much light as possible. Even direct sunlight in the winter is still less intense than outdoors in the summer. Resist the temptation to fertilizer and reduce watering. Your goal is not to promote new growth, which takes energy but just to maintain. You will probably need to do some pruning
Lastly, tree species prized for fall color have been the rage for 20 years or more. Red, sugar, and other maples species are now dominant in many neighborhoods, enhancing the color. Hoped you enjoyed the show. I know I snapped several amazing photos!
Bald cypress cones
Coleus and begonia
Maples in fall
Green tomatoes
in spring as the plants will be leggy and not all that attractive.
favorable for development. Fall color is best with sunny days, cool nights, good soil moisture, and no hard-killing freeze. September and October had many sunny days and cooler nights. Timely rains resulted in less stress and defoliation throughout summer and into fall. Most importantly, we escaped a hard freeze early in the season. Most of the Kansas City area did not have a hard freeze until early November. All of these factors aligned, resulting in a spectacular fall display.
UNDERSTANDING RECENT FALL COLOR DISPLAY Question: It seems we had one of the best fall leaf color in our area in some time. Why did that happen? Answer: Last fall was a tremendous show of color. Yellows were clear and bright. Oranges, reds, and purples seldom seen were brilliant. There are several reasons for excellent fall color as conditions were
DENNIS PATTON Horticulture Agent 8
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
PRESERVING, REPLANTING ORNAMENTAL SWEET POTATO Question: My ornamental sweet potato developed several large potatoes. Can I save these and plant next spring? Answer: Ornamental sweet potato vines are real sweet potatoes. The only exception is they have been bred for the attractive foliage and not the tuber. I know several gardeners that save the tuber and get starts the next year. The tuber can be cured and stored for winter. Once dug, keep in a warmer area for a week or two. This helps to mature the structure and increases storage life. Store in a cool, dry location once cured. When you are ready to plant, there are a few options. One is to do the old school project of supporting the tuber in water with toothpicks. Be sure to put the stem end up in the water. Sprouts will appear, which can be broken off and rooted in potting soil for planting outdoors. People tell me they also just plant the tuber in the spring. Another common question about ornamental sweet potatoes is if they are edible. Yes, you can eat them but remember the breeding is for foliage color, not flavor. Most people report not much taste and a mealy texture. My take is I don’t think there is enough butter or cheese to make it taste like much of anything. PICKING AND STORING GREEN TOMATOES Question: My tomato crop was great last year. At the end of the season, the vines were loaded with green tomatoes. What is the best way to pick green tomatoes and
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.
get them to ripen indoors? Do I leave them in the window for extra light? Or store them in a dark location? Wrap them in paper or leave the fruit exposed? The internet is full of hints, but what really works? Answer: Last year was a bumper crop for tomatoes. Like yours, my vines were loaded at the end
of the season, and I hated to throw them away. Here is what I have learned. I saved blemish-free fruit. If there was any damage to the tomato, I did not keep them as the likelihood of spoilage increases. I looked at the blossom end or bottom of the fruit and saved mature tomatoes, those with a lighter green
appearance. You might even be able to make out a faint star pattern. These fruits are most likely to keep and ripen. Ripening indoors is strictly driven by fruit maturity and temperature. Tomatoes don’t care if this happens in the light or dark. There is no need to wrap the fruit. Extend the season by placing some
in cooler locations and others on the counter at room temperature. As they begin to ripen, bring more out to turn. Since the tomatoes were picked green, the flavor will be lower and may have more of a mealy texture. This was the first time I can remember eating one of my tomatoes for Thanksgiving in a very long time.
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The Kansas City Gardener | January 2022
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All-America Selections Announces 2022 Winners
A
ll-America Selections (AAS) is an independent non-profit organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties for the home gardener. After a full season of anonymous trialing by volunteer horticulture professionals, only the top garden performers are given the AAS Winner award designation for their superior performance. Thank you to AAS for providing descriptions and photos of these exciting new varieties. While planning to include any of these winners for the next gardening season, keep in mind availability. Often these jewels are hard to come by in the first year. Before heading out, call your local garden centers and ask for these plants or seeds by name. Also, see the AAS buyer’s guide for names of companies that sell AAS winning seeds and plants. Visit all-americaselections.org/buy-winners for more information.
Begonia Viking™ Explorer Rose on Green F1 2022 AAS Ornamental Winner Erase that sea-faring conqueror image and replace it with this 10
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
garden-faring beauty that performs exceptionally well and has high impact color. This trailing begonia “explores” the garden by spreading and spilling its branches over the edges of hanging baskets and containers. Prolific rose-colored flowers stand out against the glossy green foliage and do so all season long. It has a strong tolerance to heat and many diseases, as well as both wet and dry conditions. “Stellar performance for containers” states one AAS Judge. “Good plant with season-long integrity,” says another. These new Vikings are sure to be a garden favorite. Eggplant Icicle F1 2022 AAS Edible-Vegetable Winner This cylindrical white eggplant earned the prestigious AAS award for several reasons. The Icicle plant has fewer spines than most eggplants, making for a less painful harvest! With larger fruits than other white eggplants, it produces a nice yield while also providing fewer seeds. The large, durable, and vigorous plants hold up to insect damage and the environment. The pure white skin does not tend
to yellow like many other white varieties of eggplant. The improved taste and texture has universal appeal (whether fresh or cooked), one judge served it to his children: “Even my 11-year-old asked for seconds when I breaded and fried them at home.” That’s a culinary testimonial! Lettuce Bauer 2022 AAS Edible – Vegetable Winner Oakleaf lettuce is a delicious and versatile edible that is super easy (and fast) to grow in the garden. Harvest at the baby leaf stage or grow into the rosette-shaped full-sized head. Bauer will please with its darker green color and nicely uniform compact size that can be grown almost anywhere… in-ground, containers, or window boxes. The dense heads produce a plethora of sweet, crisp sturdy leaves. Now all you need is your favorite vinaigrette! One judge went a step further and tried growing Bauer in a home aeroponics system. He reported that it did brilliantly, making it an excellent candidate for controlled environment production.
Pepper Buffy F1 2022 AAS Edible – Vegetable Winner Will this Buffy fend off bloodsucking supernatural beings? We’re not sure, but we do know it’s one very delicious hot pepper! “I dig this fiery little pepper!” says one judge. “I have nothing negative to say about this variety,” exclaims another. This Buffy will do right by you by producing a good yield of juicy, thick-walled green to red fruits on strong, healthy upright plants. Buffy’s fruits are more attractive than the comparisons as well as slightly larger making them perfect for flavorful sport peppers but also for use in other applications. The peppers are held high on the plant adding ornamental value to the garden. Buffy was faster to mature than Tobasco in the AAS trials with a bit less heat than Ascent until the seeds are added in. In summary, Buffy deserves its moment of recognition and deserves a place in your garden. Pepper Dragonfly F1 2022 AAS Edible-Vegetable Winner Dragonfly pepper plants produce beautiful purple peppers that
have thick, sweet walls, unlike the thin papery walls of other purples on the market. Similar to the beloved dragonfly that flits around your garden, this pepper transforms itself from a green pepper into a purple fruit that is as delicious at the green stage of maturity as it is when fully purple and mature. Overall, a much better purple color than comparisons with above average, robust pepper flavor. Fruits are held high on the plant, keeping them from the soil. The 4-lobed fruits do not fade and if left on the vine, turn a beautiful, bright red color. Petunia Bee’s Knees 2022 AAS Ornamental Winner This yellow petunia was so outstanding and eye-catching in the AAS Trials that the judges deemed it a Gold Medal Winner! The first petunia to win a gold medal distinction since 1950! Each Bee’s Knees petunia is filled with lush blooms that put on a colorful show of deep yellow, non-fading flowers all season long. The intense yellow petunia color contrasts beautifully against the deep green leaves. Bee’s Knees offers great garden perfor-
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mance in a variety of conditions and requires very little maintenance. Gardeners will love its deep, rich yellow color and its versatile mounding habit. Works great as an element in mixed containers or as a hanging basket but also thrives as a long-blooming groundcover. Sunflower Concert Bell F1 2022 AAS Ornamental from Seed Winner Concert Bell puts on quite a performance with a unique flower presentation of multiple clusters of 10 to 12 flowers on an erect columnar stem. Beautiful golden yellow blooms appear earlier than the comparisons. Each plant grows to a very uniform height of 5 to 6 feet and if used as a cut flower, makes an instant, ready-made bouquet from just one cut. Excellent seed germination makes this beauty very easy to grow and is perfect for continuous sowing to keep blooms going through the end of summer. Concert Bell was trialed in a year of adverse weather conditions and multiple judges commented on its durability and sturdiness even through strong storms and winds.
3 Tomato Pink Delicious 2022 AAS Edible – Vegetable Winner With “Delicious” in its name, it has to be good! This early maturing tomato supports the trend of having heirloom look, flavor and texture with hybrid disease resistance and improved germination meaning it is much easier for home gardeners to grow. When grown next to the comparisons, this variety is definitely earlier with a higher yield and a very uniform fruit size. The beautiful big fruits do not crack as much. What really sets this variety apart is the excellent flavor and a
high Brix for a sweeter than normal pink tomato. Bonus: Much better disease resistance than controls in both the Southeast and Heartland regions. Tomato Purple Zebra F1 2022 Edible – Vegetable Winner Purple Zebra tomato is a fun new addition to striped tomatoes, producing tomatoes that are rich with complex flavors and a moderately firm texture. Dark red fruits with green stripes and a deep mahogany red interior do not produce (continued on page 12)
5 The Kansas City Gardener | January 2022
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All-America Selections Announces 2022 Winners (continued from page 11)
muddy coloration like other tomatoes of this type. The taste is sweet and acidic leaning to sweet. Overall, this tomato has a better taste and thinner skin than comparisons with excellent disease resistance. Judges in the know say this is a very marketable fruit for farmers’ market growers. High disease resistance to ToMV, Verticillium Wilt Va/Vd, Fusarium Wilt Race 1, Leaf Mold A-E, Late Blight PH2/PH3, and intermediate resistance to TYLCV and TSWV. Tomato Sunset Torch F1 2022 AAS Edible-Vegetable Winner You might just carry a lifelong torch for this cute new tomato! Sunset Torch has strong, dramatic striping from stem to tip. This is a very vigorous grower and was the first to ripen in multiple regions. As one judge explains the appeal, “The open growth habit displays fruit that pleases the eye before reaching the mouth!” Overall better performance, less splitting, good yields, a mildly sweet, fruity flavor, and disease resistance make this cutie a winner. Sunset-colored fruits are produced on easy-to-harvest trusses. High disease resistance to ToMV, Verticillium Wilt Va/Vd, Fusarium Wilt Races 1 and 2 and
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intermediate resistance to TYLCV and TSWV Torenia Vertigo Deep Blue F1 2022 AAS Flower Winner Torenia Vertigo is a brand new F1 Torenia ideal for both containers and the landscape. AAS Judges were impressed with the number of flowers on each plant and the vibrant non-fading blue petals that contrast beautifully with the sky blue and yellow centers. This torenia performed exceptionally well in warmer climates such as in the Mountain/Southwest and Florida. Torenia Vertigo has a compact habit, flowers for a very long period of time, and has glossy green foliage. The large blooms do not fade even when exposed to strong sunlight. Watermelon Century Star F1 2022 AAS Edible-Vegetable Winner Century Star is a new seedless watermelon similar to the popular heirloom variety, Moon and Stars. Century produces a good yield of 10 lb. fruits on long vines. Gardeners in the Great Lakes region will be rewarded with healthy plants, attractive spotted rind fruits, and a great tasting, crisp, sweet internal flesh when they grow Century Star watermelon.
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1. Begonia Viking™ Explorer Rose on Green F1 2. Eggplant Icicle F1 3. Lettuce Bauer 4. Pepper Dragonfly F1 5. Pepper Buffy F1 6. Tomato Pink Delicious 7. Tomato Purple Zebra F1 8. Petunia Bee’s Knees 9. Tomato Sunset Torch F1 10. Torenia Vertigo Deep Blue F1 11. Watermelon Century Star F1 12. Sunflower Concert Bell F1
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12 The Kansas City Gardener | January 2022
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t’s often the simple things in life that are realistically within reach and make a meaningful difference: A modest reduction in sweets to cut calories. Slowing down on the highway to save gas. Buying coffee out one less time to save some hardearned income. Minor changes in habits like these examples can result in big returns in the long run. It’s also true in the garden, where small tweaks in maintenance practices can result in significant gains for the diversity of visitors that fly, crawl, burrow, and walk into our yards. Here are a few practices that I’ve learned over the years. In November, keep fallen leaves on the ground in garden beds where possible. This will reduce mulch use, and help protect butterflies and moths, because great spangled fritillary, wooly bear, and many other caterpillars survive the freezing winter under a bed of leaves. It’s also where clearwing and luna moth cocoons lay on the ground, protected by leaf litter. Dr. Gerardo Camilo, a bee biologist at St. Louis University, tells us that reducing mulch use is good for certain bee species that need bare, exposed soil to nest in. Native plants installed 16-18 inches apart quickly grow together, reducing or eliminating the need for brown mulch (this technique is called green mulching). Camilo also tells us that weeds in our lawns are good for the bees. He recommends cutting the grass higher and less frequently to give weeds more of a chance to flower between mows. Dandelions, clover, and violets provide excellent nectar for foraging bees. If we continue using tall fescue lawns (they are currently the best plants we have to walk on), then we should do so in a way that is as environmentally friendly as possible—no more weed-and-feed. Keep a few large fallen branches (or trees), because that’s where
morning cloak, question mark and comma butterflies overwinter as adults. They also take refuge from the cold in the scaly bark of shagbark hickory and white oak trees, and make appearances on warm, sunny winter days. Fallen, dead, and rotting branches or trees also provide food and habitat for beetles During winter, keep perennial and grass stems standing so birds and mice (yes mice, because they make happy hawks!) can eat seeds that become scarce when snow covers the ground. Cut only perennial stems that tip over early and look messy. Also, prune small trees, shrubs, and vines in winter. Some bee species prefer burrowing in the soft pith of woody plants like elderberry, sumac, wild hydrangea, and beautyberry. In March, when it is time to cut back perennials, cut them high, with 8-24 inches of stubble poking out of the ground. By April, new growth will hide the stubble. Heather Holm, author of Pollinators of Native Plants, tells us that bees will drill into the pith of the cut stems in spring and summer to lay eggs. She’s right, they do, in great numbers! If you are lucky enough to have a small water garden or rubberlined pond, then you likely have dragon fly larvae and many other amphibian and insect species living in the bottom. Don’t scoop or clean out the mucky bottom until July; this gives the insects an opportunity to crawl out and transform into adults naturally in spring. We clean out our water features every other year, taking the muck (in buckets) to a nearby wetland, just in case there are a few pollywogs or cadis flies still hanging out at the bottom. Incorporating these simple maintenance practices into your routine can be rewarding to gardeners and the wildlife that will call your native landscape home.
SCOTT WOODBURY Horticulturist 14
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
Photos by Scott Woodbury.
I
Tweaks to Garden Maintenance Make Happy Bees and Butterflies
Above left: Polyester bees in spring; Above right: Junco on Blazing Star Below: Great Spangled Fritillary on purple Coneflower
Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmore Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 30 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of native plants and seeds at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide and find the Grow Native! Native Landscape Care Calendar at the website’s “Learn” page.
Train to be a volunteer Master Naturalist Learn how to restore natural habitats, be a steward to bluebirds, and protect pollinators
T
he Master Naturalist program focuses on education, outreach and service to manage local natural areas and resources. It includes land stewardship to eradicate invasive species and restore natural habitats; bluebird stewardship which includes monitoring local populations, data collection and educational outreach to local grade schools; pollinator protection; speaking engagements; and partnering with organizations that share the common goal of protecting natural resources. The mission is to develop knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers who are active in promoting awareness, understanding and stewardship of the natural heritage of Kansas. Training begins Wednesday, March 16 and runs each Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. through midMay. You need to hurry though, the application deadline is Saturday, January 15.
All classes will be conducted at the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Office, 11811 South Sunset Drive, in Olathe, Kansas. Class members must be a resident of the greater Kansas City metro area. There is a $120 administration fee for those accepted into the class. Acceptance notices will be sent out in early February. The class is limited to 35 participants.
Those applicants selected will
receive 40 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction from experts in natural resource concepts. In return, newly-trained recruits will be required to volunteer 30 hours each year on community environmental projects. For more information or to apply, contact Juju Wellemeyer, Natural Resources and Mid/SmallScale Agriculture agent with Johnson County K-State Research and Extension by calling 913-7157000, or by email juju.wellemeyer @jocogov.org.
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@yrroundgarden www.year-roundgarden.com The Kansas City Gardener | January 2022
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Indoor Gardening: Total Control with a grow tent
T
he ability to create optimal growing conditions all yearround is certainly one of the primary factors that makes indoor gardening so appealing. Sometimes, though, dialing in the proper environment for your plant-of-choice can be more challenging than anticipated. Hot peppers may struggle in chilly basements, leafy greens may suffer if humidity is too low, tomato yields may be low without enough light intensity—the list goes on. Fortunately, one of the best, yet often overlooked, methods to gain total control over your plant’s environment is also one of the simplest. It’s the use of a grow tent. While it’s easy to get caught up in the connotation that grow tents are reserved solely for cannabis cultivators attempting to conceal odors and control light cycles, they’re actually incredibly practical for just about any variety of edible plant. Grow tents are essentially micro-climates, agnostic to grow methodology (soil, hydroponics, etc.) and available in a myriad of other width, length and height combinations for any specific scenario. Small (2’ x 2’ x 2’) propagation tents are perfect for starting seeds or rooting cuttings. Medium (4’ x 4’ x 6’) tents can be just right for a vining cherry tomato plant. Bedroom-sized (10’ x 10’ x 6’) tents can handle an entire garden. Most commercially available grow tents are comprised of a metal or heavy-duty plastic frame, wrapped in a canvas exterior with zippered openings for easy plant access. Sealable openings around the edges of the tent provide space for power cords and irrigation lines to enter and exit. They also serve as access ports where inline fans can force cool, C02-rich, fresh air into the tent from the surrounding environment and push warm, oxygenrich, spent air out. This allows the tent to be fully closed at any given
time without suffocating or cooking its botanical occupants. Without inline fans, the tent would need to be constantly open so that the air within could be exchanged at least once every few minutes. Modern inline fans also tend to be equipped with speed controllers (some fancier and more automated than others), giving greater control over temperatures and humidity levels. If the space is too humid or warm, the fan speed can be increased to clear out the air more rapidly. The opposite also applies. To keep temperatures warmer and more humid, turn fans down. Because the tent is fully closed, portable humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be placed directly inside to assist in situations where fan speed is unable to overcome extremely low
JASON MISPAGEL Indoor Gardener 16
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
or high humidity levels. Carbon filters can then be added to both intake and exhaust fans, further isolating the interior of the tent from the outside world. As air enters, a filter will remove undesirable particles before they reach the plants. As air exits, a filter will strip away odors that your plants may emit. Another common indoor gardening dilemma, solved by a tent, is finding a suitable location to hang your grow lights. The skeleton of the tent itself is strong enough to bear the weight of most lighting solutions, and crossbeams on the tent’s ceiling are ideal anchor points for the wires, chains or ropes that typically accompany grow lights. For a few bucks, you can also pick up a pair of ratcheting rope hang-
ers, that make height adjustment of your lights a breeze. This is particularly advantageous if you’re using a dimmable LED light. When plants are small, the light can be dropped closer to their canopy and the intensity reduced, thus saving money on electricity. As the plant grows larger, the light can be raised accordingly. The canvas exterior of the tent is usually lined along its interior with reflective mylar that also improves electrical efficiency by limiting the amount of wasted photons and bouncing them right back to the plants. And when it comes to differing photoperiods, plants with similar light cycle needs can be separated from those that may be in conflict. For example, if you’re growing peppers with 16 hours of light per day and also want to grow lettuce with no more than 12 hours of light (to prevent it from bolting), there needs to be some sort of division between light sources. With grow tents, each type of plant can be in its own enclosed environment with its own light and timer, eliminating the risk that your peppers’ long days impact the production of your greens. All technical issues aside, my two favorite advantages of using grow tents are far from scientific. The first is cleanup. No more crying over spilt soil! Between harvests, simply clean the interior with soap and water, spray down with some diluted hydrogen peroxide and get back to gardening. If you’ve really made a mess, just remove the canvas/mylar exterior, turn it inside out and hose it down in the driveway. The second benefit is safety…mostly for the plants, but also for people and pets. Particularly nosy cats, dogs and toddlers have a knack for causing chaos in the garden, but a tightly sealed grow tent will keep everyone out of harm’s way.
Jason Mispagel is the co-owner and operator of Year-Round Garden, a grower’s supply center serving both home and commercial customers since 2016. To contact Jason, call 816-216-6917 or jason@year-roundgarden.com.
Upcoming Garden Events Native Plants: Native Landscape Chat Fri, Jan 7, 1-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Registration required (ages 14+) Find peace and beauty in the many textures, colors and forms in the native plant garden. Join our native landscape specialists for a tour of our resilient and dramatic plantings. Bring your questions and get advice on how and what to add to your garden in spring to gain some winter beauty in your own yard. Register online mdc.mo.gov/ events or call 1-888-283-0364. Plant Identification: How to Know the Lichens–Virtual Tues, Jan 11, 6-7p; online. The beauty and diversity of lichens is more noticeable and easier to observe, study and appreciate during the winter months. Lichens make a significant contribution to the biodiversity of Missouri’s natural communities. This program will cover how to recognize the major groups of lichens as well as how to identify dozens of species of lichens which can be found year-round in Missouri. This is a virtual event through Webex. Participants will receive an email with the link approximately 24 hours prior to the event. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Jan 12, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. The guest speaker is TerriLois Mashburn, the Leavenworth County Register of Deeds. She will be talking about the county’s free property fraud alert system. Meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700. In the Greenhouse with Nathan Corsi Wed, Jan 12, 6-8pm; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Cost: $5-$50. Come and enjoy live music while being surrounded by our beautiful greenhouse plants. For details or to sign up, visit https://www.colonialgardenskc.com/colonial-gardens-events/. Birds: Feathered Friends Sat, Jan 15, 10-11:30a or 12:30-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Registration required (ages 8+) Can you identify the tools birds possess and the way they use them to survive in their native habitats? Join us as we learn about the specialized structures and adaptations that help our feathered friends survive January’s wintery chill surrounding us in Kansas City! Participate in the hands-on exploration and investigation of different types of skulls and beaks. Dissect an owl pellet and look for the secrets that rest within. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364. Discover Nature, Winter Tree ID Sat, Jan 15, 10a; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816-2283766. Registration required for all attending (all ages) Missouri trees are relatively easy to identify in the summer when they
have all their leaves. As winter approaches these leaves fall off making the trees more difficult to distinguish. Attend this handson workshop to learn the tips and tricks to tree identification throughout the season. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364. Houseplants 101 Sat, Jan 15, 11a-12p; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Cost: $20. Join our Greenhouse staff for an interactive houseplants class where you will learn as you walk through our tropical section full of a variety of houseplants. Learn about proper lighting for different houseplants, how to water correctly, and proper nutritious and fertilizing so you can be have the ultimate plant jungle at home! Along with this interactive class, please enjoy: 15% off anything at Colonial Kitchen day of the class; 40% off any one plant in the greenhouse day of the class; Q&A with our houseplant expert! To sign up, visit https://www.colonialgardenskc.com/colonial-gardens-events/. KC Cactus and Succulent Society Sun, Jan 16, 1:30-4p; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. Visitors are welcome to attend. See our website: www.kccactus.com or visit us on Facebook. Discover Nature: Nature Rx: Chillin’ Stroll Tues, Jan 18, 3-4:30pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816-228-3766. Registration required (adult) This exciting new series of programs for adults in 2022 features a weekday and weekend option to help fill your prescription for nature! Enrich your life by nature immersion to reduce stress, boost immunity, lower blood pressure, improve sleep and many more possible health benefits. Topics to look forward to this year include hammock hikes, s’more night strolls, kayak plus yoga and forest spa day. Collect special water bottle stickers to help share this idea with friends. Register online mdc. mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364. Native Plants at Noon–Virtual Thurs, Jan 20, 12-1pm; online. Registration required by visiting https://deeproots. org/native-plants-at-noon/ (adults) Every third Thursday at 12p, we’ll tour the native landscape at MDC’s Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Guided by native landscape specialists Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, this monthly series features a live look at native plants of interest throughout the year plus landscaping tips and tricks. This program is a partnership with Deep Roots. Native Plants: Winter Sowing Sat, Jan 22, 10-11a or 11:30a-12:30p or 1-2pm; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Registration required (ages 10+) Spring is still weeks away but it’s never too early to start thinking about adding native prairie plants to your home landscape and habitat. We’ll take a winter cruise around the Discovery
Center trails, learn to identify dormant winter plants and trees in the landscape and collect seeds to sow in recycled plastic containers. All participants will take home a “mini greenhouse” of native prairie plants to start growing for a spring planting. Dress appropriately for an outdoor walk. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888283-0364. Discover Nature: Nature Rx–Chillin’ Stroll Sat, Jan 22, 2:30-4pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816228-3766. Registration required (adult) Same details as Jan 18 above. Native Plants: Winter Beauty–Virtual Sat, Jan 29, 10-11a; online. Registration required (adults) Subtle colors and bold textures stand out in the landscape this time of year. Join our native landscape specialist to discuss the beauty and benefits of native plants in winter. We’ll focus on plants that provide food and habitat for wildlife as well as create visual winter interest in your own backyard. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888283-0364. Sneak Peak Spring Production Tour 2022 Sat, Jan 29, 10:30-11:30a; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Cost: $20. Join Kevin, Greenhouse Manager, for a behind the scenes look at annual production. Learn about potting soil quality, pH, and growing tricks to ensure the growth of small plants into beautiful, lush hanging baskets and containers that we offer in the Spring. Included: Tour of retail greenhouse and production greenhouses, a coffee or mimosa served from our Plant Bar, a breakfast pastry from Colonial Kitchen, 15% off coupon for one hanging basket or combo container. For details or to sign up, visit https://www.colonialgardenskc.com/colonial-gardens-events/. Native Plants: Winter Beauty Sat, Jan 29, 2-3:30p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816759-7300. Registration required (adults) Bundle up and join our native landscape specialist to discuss the beauty and benefits of native plants in winter while walking the grounds of the Discovery Center. We’ll focus on plants that provide food and habitat for wildlife as well as create visual winter interest in your own backyard. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888283-0364. Wassailing at Powell Gardens Sat, Jan 29, 4-7p; at Grand Hall (Visitor Center) $50 | Members receive 10% off. Cider, serenading, and reveling! Join Powell Gardens to renew our Wassailing tradition, the centuries old practice of toasting apple trees in the winter to bring a bountiful harvest. After a short program, the night will culminate with the Wassail King and Queen leading a procession to Powell Gardens apple trees. Wake up the orchard by banging pots and pans and serenading the trees with song so they produce a good crop! Guests will also enjoy a grazing table
by Graze & Gather KC as well as two cups of the traditional Wassail drink of cider, spices, and brandy. A cash bar will also be available. Must be 21+ to attend. Registration closes Jan 24. For tickets, go to powellgardens.org, click on Calendar. Space is limited. Weather date Feb 5. Native Plants: Native Landscape Chat Fri, Feb 4, 1-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-7597300. Registration required (ages 14+) February is a great time to gear up for spring planting. Bed prep, plant choice and layout design are all very important to the success of native plant gardens. Visit with our native landscape specialists to get tips on how to prep for spring. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-2830364. Helping Birds–It’s Easier Than You Think: Conservation Celebration! Sat, Feb 12, 11a-1p; at Burroughs Audubon Nature Center, 7300 SW West Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. FREE. Join the Missouri River Bird Observatory and the Burroughs Audubon Society to take a deep dive into the “Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds” and find out how you can make simple changes to help birds and enrich your own life! Each event will explore two of the seven actions and will include going birding, a brief chat about the topic, and ways for you to take action that day and into the future. All events in the series will be held outdoors so make sure to dress snugly. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there! For Feb. 12th, we are celebrating the successes of conservation in Missouri and elsewhere! Join us for a bonfire, bird-friendly coffee, chili with birdfriendly beef, and some great conversation. Sign up at mrbo.org/events. Garden to Glass: Tropical Edition Sat, Feb 26, 3-4:30p; at Powell Gardens Greenhouse Complex; $20 per attendee. Take a behind the scenes tour of the Powell Gardens greenhouses while sipping on a tropical favorite, the Mai Tai. Guests will learn the history of the cocktail, then Lead Horticulturalist Eric Perrette will give a tour of the tropical greenhouses within Powell Gardens’ Greenhouse complex. Flower, Home & Garden Show Sat, Mar 12, 10a-4p; at Heritage Event & Art Center, 109 Delaware St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. FREE admission. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners will be making presentations throughout the event. Join us and enter to win GRAND PRIZE–Complimentary lodging plus 2 tickets to the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. Show features flowers, plants, home decor and garden equipment. Promote plant sales, club meetings, classes, and other gardening events for FREE! Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com. Deadline for publishing in the February issue is January 5.
The Kansas City Gardener | January 2022
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GARDEN CALENDAR January list of what to do in the garden.
LAWN
• Avoid walking on frozen lawns as it may injure the grass. • Rake fallen leaves covering the lawn preventing the grass from suffocating. • Proper mower maintenance is important, tune-up now. • Scatter snow instead of piling up on the lawn next to drives and walks. • Talk with your lawn service company now about summer contracts. • Dormant seed following a light snow or rainfall.
FLOWERS
• Scan nursery catalogs or surf the web for new introductions. • Plant any forgotten spring bulbs. • Start seeds throughout the winter, depending on growth requirements. • Water fall-planted perennials as needed to prevent desiccation. • Watch for signs of frost heaving and cover tender roots. • Replace mulch layers as needed. • Check stored bulbs for rot and decay and discard damaged ones. • Curl up with a good book and learn more about gardening.
TREES AND SHRUBS
• Gently brush off heavy snow from tree and shrub limbs to reduce damage. • Prune storm-damaged limbs quickly to reduce damage and prevent tearing of the bark. • Allow ice to melt naturally from limbs. • Bring twigs of flowering trees and shrubs indoors for forced spring blossoms. • Avoid the temptation to prune on a warm winter day. • Water fall-planted trees and shrubs when soil is dry and not frozen. • Watch out for rabbit damage to the bark of trees and shrubs and protect.
VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
• Peruse seed catalogs and prepare order. • Check stored seeds for decay. • Soil test and prepare for spring planting by making required additions. • Start vegetable transplants for the garden under grow lights. • Order fruit trees. • Pick up fallen fruit before spring arrives and discard. • Look for rabbit and rodent damage to fruit tree bark.
INDOOR PLANTS
• Wash dust from plant leaves to allow more sunlight to reach the leaves. • Water plants with room temperature water. • Use insecticidal soap sprays to remove pests. • Wipe off mealybugs and scales with a swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. • Rotate plants to develop a well-rounded plant. • Keep new plants separated to be sure they do not harbor insects. • Reduce fertilizer use until spring when more sunlight is available for growth.
MISCELLANEOUS
• Repair garden tools. • Sand and seal tool handles to prevent splinters. • Apply brightly-colored paint to tool handles to make them easier to spot in the garden. • Keep bird feeders and water supplies filled for feathered friends.
MY GARDEN (Use this space to list additional tasks to accomplish in your garden.) • • • •
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. 18
January 2022 | kcgmag.com
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Join the Missouri River Bird Observatory and the Burroughs Audubon Society to take a deep dive into the “Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds” and find out how you can make simple changes to help birds and enrich your own life! Each event will explore two of the seven actions and will include going birding, a brief chat about the topic, and ways for you to take action that day and into the future. All events in the series will be held outdoors so make sure to dress snugly. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there! For Jan. 15th, we are talking about making your windows bird-friendly and keeping cats indoors. We will be hosted by the Lakeside Nature Center which is an incredible place to enjoy learning about local native wildlife, including birds of prey, snakes, amphibians, turtles, fish, and invertebrates. In the morning (9-11 am) we will go birding and have a discussion about how you can make your windows bird-friendly and why keeping cats indoors (or building a “catio”) can help both birds and cats. Then in the afternoon (11am-2 pm) Lakeside will be hosting a variety of programs and booths to celebrate urban birds and meet one of their avian ambassadors! Location: Lakeside Nature Center/Swope Park Sign-up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FABA923A2F5CF8-birdfriendly
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The Kansas City Gardener | January 2022
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January 2022 | kcgmag.com
