The Kansas City
GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening
July 2018
Bring your garden inside with
Cut Flowers
Bald Birds Herb Profile: Bee Balm Garden-worthy Goldenrods Ask the Experts about boxwood, reusing soil, earthworms and more
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The Kansas City
editor’s notes
GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening
imagination
Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh
Half the interest of the garden is the constant exercise of the imagination. ~Mrs. C. W. Earle
Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Contributors Nik and Theresa Hiremath Lenora Larson Marion Morris Diana Par-Due Dennis Patton Ed Reese Chelsea Didde Rice 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
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Don’t Miss A Single Issue! Get a subscription for yourself or your favorite gardener. See page 23.
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July 2018 | kcgmag.com
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efore I sat down to write this column, I spent a few minutes wandering through the garden, catching a glimpse of current conditions. The weather has been brutal: a triple threat of wind, drought and excessive heat. An earlier rainfall made me curious whether the amount of rain was significant, making any difference at all. Yes, I’m aware of that handy gadget they call a rain gauge. In fact, I once owned one (or two, or 12), and somehow or another they get broken. I suppose if they were less ornamental and more functional, this would be a non-issue. Since I have yet to replace said broken rain gauge, my assessment is nothing but guesswork at best. In my experience though, one telltale sign of a good soaking is happy plants. Their posture improves and you can almost hear a collective sigh of relief. And yes, my garden was relieved.
That relief extended to me. Watering the landscape was a “to-do” today, now though, I can cross it off the list. It’s a daily topic around here—who is watering what zone and when. Of course, we reference weather apps and meteorology forecasts, for a hint of what’s to come. When it comes right down to it though, Mr. Gardener says, “I can’t wait on the rain.” In order to be water conscious and efficient, Mr. Gardener and I have taken to hand watering. With this strategy, we can be purposeful about where water goes and for how long. Not everything in the garden needs water at the same time. Established boxwoods and viburnum can handle more days of drought than newly planted annuals like zinnias and lantana.
I love watering by hand. It is intentional. Deliberate. Slow. Serene. Now in the quiet, I can let my mind roam through an exercise of imagination. Here I can explore locations for new plant introductions, or notice the perfect spot for a piece of garden art. Or maybe, I’m watering a newly planted wildflower patch that I’ve always wanted. Perhaps my imagination takes me back to the times of gardening women and friends like Gertrude Jekyll and Mrs. C.W. Earle, whose notable lives are on my desired reading list. I hope you spend time exercising your imagination. Who knows where it will lead. I’ll see you in the garden!
In this issue July 2018• Vol. 23 No. 7 Ask the Experts ........................ 6 Bald Birds ............................... 7 Garden-worthy Goldenrods ....... 8 Majestic Eagle ......................... 10 Apply to Become an EMG ........ 11 Cut Flowers ............................. 12 Powell Garden Events ............... 14
about the cover ...
Butterflies in Vegetable Garden ... 1 5 Herb Profile: Bee Balm .............. 16 Water Garden Tour ................. 17 Upcoming Events ..................... 18 Garden Calendar .................... 22 Subscription form .................... 23 Meet an EMG ......................... 23
Why not bring the garden inside by growing your own cut flowers, like this gorgeous sunflower. Learn which plants to grow beginning on page 12.
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The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
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Ask the Experts Gardeners have plenty of questions about landscape issues, DENNIS PATTON answers a few of them here. IRREGULAR COLORS OF GREEN GRASS Question: In April my lawn turned bright green but with areas of yellow that lasted through May. It looked like an ugly quilt of grass. What can I do? Answer: This one has me scratching my head. It could be a number of issues ranging from subtle differences in soil fertility to a mix of varieties of grass seed. Another issue could be uneven application of fertilizer. This is the most common reason for uneven coloration. Here are a couple of questions: Has it done this before? Same patterns? If so, then probably a mixture of grass varieties. If this is the first time then maybe uneven applications. The good news is it sounds like it went away as the season progressed.
RELOCATE BOXWOOD FOR LONGER LIFE, IMPROVE PERFORMANCE Question: I am having a hard time getting boxwood established under the eaves of my house. They are planted two feet from the foundation. But three years later the root ball is still hard as rock. If I water, the water runs off and goes down the foundation and into my basement. Any suggestions? Answer: Well, if you have read my responses you know I always have a suggestion or should I say a comment. Here is my comment/ suggestion; never plant anything under the eaves or overhangs of a house. It never works. The combination of lack of sunlight and natural rainfall usually spells doom. My advice is to dig up the boxwoods while dormant and move out several more feet. This will get
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Boxwood planted under eaves of the house will likely need to be moved.
Encourage iris to increase number of blooms next season with good garden care now.
them into natural rainfall and away from the home. So when you do water, there is room for it to soak in before hitting the foundation. Use the eave area as a walkway for maintenance. Yes, I do realize this will change the entire layout of the foundation planting, but it will be for the best in the long term.
ing would be in order to refresh and renew the clump. Iris are best divided in late July through early August when dormant. I must admit several people commented this spring that the iris did not bloom well. My take, blame it on the dry fall and winter.
MORE IRIS BLOOMS Question: Now that the iris have bloomed is there anything I can do to encourage more blooms next year? Answer: The best answer is just be a good gardener. Provide good care; water as needed and if the planting is overgrown, divid-
ELEMENTS OF HEALTHY SOIL Question: Are earthworms a sign of a healthy soil? What other signs should I look for? Answer: You must be a gardening geek as most people take the soil for granite. (Get it? Granite not granted.) Unfortunately you cannot see a healthy soil. Healthy soil is teaming with microscopic
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sister.” So I don’t want to come between you two so I will say you are both correct. Your sister is correct, as there is probably little nutrient value in the soil and low microbe numbers. But you are correct, the organic matter in the potting soil will help improve the soil. Personally, I would agree with your usage as this is a great way to recycle the old potting soil. Earthworm activity is one indication of healthy soil. organisms. In fact there are more microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, invertebrates and earthworms in a teaspoon of soil than people on the planet earth. Seeing earthworm activity though is a good thing as well as strong healthy roots. If a plant is thriving on top it must have a good footing which means roots are flourishing which would lead one to believe the soil is healthy. In short, the answer to your question, yes seeing larger animals such as earthworms and the occasional grub is a good sign. A healthy soil is really nothing more than a mix of soil particles, air spaces and rich organic matter. Doesn’t that sound simple enough to build? REPURPOSING USED SOIL Question: While planting annuals and perennials in the ground my bossy older sister was tisk-tisking because I was using old potting soil from last year’s containers. She said it didn’t improve the soil by adding nutrients or microbes. I said it improved tilth. Which sister is right? Answer: I am channeling the holiday movie classic “White Christmas” and the song “Sister” and the line “Lord help the mister that comes between me and my
SUN INTENSITY VS DURATION Question: Does intensity overcome duration with light? I have some flowers that need full sun but only get four to five hours a day of intense sun. Will they produce the flowers I crave? Answer: Yes. The intensity of the sun helps make up for less length of light. More hours of morning sun will be needed to get the same impact of an afternoon sun. From your description I would say that four to five hours of hot afternoon sun should be enough for good flowering from a number of annuals and perennials. It might not be enough though to produce an excellent crop of tomatoes. The only way to know for sure is to take the plunge and give it a try. You will know at the end of the season. Note from Dennis – Are you interested in becoming a Johnson County Extension Master Gardener? We are now accepting applications through July 15 for the Class of 2019. Contact the office at 913715-7000 or check our website Johnson.k-state.edu for all the information needed to apply. 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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Bald Birds ED REESE explains why some backyard birds appear bald.
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t is not uncommon to see one of these oddities at your bird feeder or in the backyard this time of year. Northern Cardinals and Blue Jays frequent backyard feeders year round, however this time of year it’s possible to have a Cardinal, or Blue Jay show up looking completely normal— except for a bald head. Several possibilities for this condition have all been cited: disease, malnutrition, and pests like mites. Birds constantly preen themselves, keeping mite activity down, save for their hard-to-reach heads. Most experts disregard diseases and malnutrition as the culprit due to the infrequency of “balding” showing up in a population.
Molting appears to be the reason for the few birds unlucky enough to go bald, albeit if only for a few short weeks. Molting for birds takes anywhere from four to six weeks, because birds need feathers to fly so it doesn’t happen all at once. Cardinals and Jays exhibiting baldness are undergoing what experts call an Irregular Molt. It isn’t wide spread, and tends to be displayed by the same bird every year during molting. Ed and Karen Reese own and operate the Wild Bird House in Overland Park, that has been provisioning outdoor backyard bird lovers for over 26 years. Contact them at 913-341-0700.
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913-432-8092 The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
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Garden-worthy Goldenrods
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’d like to dispel two myths about a native plant called goldenrod. First, that it causes hay fever and second, that goldenrod doesn’t belong in gardens. Myth number one: goldenrods cause hay fever. Have you seen the allergy medicine commercials on television that portray happy people strolling through a field of blooming goldenrod plants? They lead us to believe that allergy medications keep us safe from goldenrod pollen. But goldenrod isn’t the problem because goldenrod has heavy pollen that is carried by bees, not the wind. So what causes sneezing in mid to late summer when goldenrod is blooming? It’s ragweed, a plant that blooms at the same time and has light pollen that
is carried on a breeze. My guess is that ragweed isn’t featured on TV commercials because it isn’t sexy enough. Ragweed flowers are dull green, goldenrod is bright yellow. Showy yellow flowers make the meadow beautiful for the camera and the dry-nosed actors that seem to love them. Myth number two: goldenrods don’t belong in gardens. The words “garden-worthy goldenrod” confuses many people and I can see why. Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) is a native prairie plant that grows in large patches along roadsides and is an aggressive weed in gardens. In a garden setting it can sprout from seed, flower, and sucker 1-2 feet in a single sea-
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Native plant guru, SCOTT WOODBURY dispells the common myths about and how to garden for goldenrod.
Solidago drummondii son. In wild tallgrass prairies, other aggressive species keep it from taking over. But garden-worthy goldenrods do exist, especially when you give them a little extra effort and attention. I’ll be honest, goldenrods are not low-maintenance native plants. Left alone in a garden, some species will dominate over other plants because they are exceedingly good at spreading from seed. So how do you garden for goldenrods? Let’s look at seeding behavior first. In my experience, the most aggressive seeders include S. rigida (sun), S. buckleyi (shade), S. rugosa (shade), and S. ulmifolia (shade). These species should be used in seeded projects for prairie and woodland reconstruction and abandoned lot revitalization (via seed bombs: mud balls packed with seeds). The lesser aggressive species include S. speciosa (sun), S. ridellii (sun-rain
gardens), Solidago nemoralis (sun), S. missouriensis (sun), S. drummondii (shade), S. flexicaulis (shade), S. caesea (shade), and S. arguta (shade). This second list of species are garden-worthy, especially when mulched and dead-headed. Mulching does two things. It helps keep the soil moist and reduces watering needs. More importantly, when applied in February or March, one to two inches deep, mulch prevents goldenrod seeds (and other seeds) from sprouting. The best mulch for perennials is ground leaf mulch. Keep in mind that it’s important to spread the mulch evenly, avoiding thin spots where seedlings sprout in April. Dead-heading is the practice of cutting off all of the developing seed heads just after goldenrods finish blooming, but well before the seeds ripen and blow away. This will prevent all seed spread
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though you may still get seeds blowing in from a neighboring house or park. Even though goldenrod pollen is not carried by the wind, their seeds are, so be sure to cut off the heads immediately following blooming during the first two years after planting when new gardens are filling in and getting established. Unfortunately, deadheading deprives birds of the food they eat in fall and winter. If this is a concern, don’t dead-head in year three and beyond, mulch heavily in late winter, and thoroughly weed out unwanted seedlings in April. Goldenrod is one of the most important native plants for adult monarchs and other butterflies. It produces an abundance of nectar at just the right time (late summer and fall) when monarchs begin their southern migration through the central United States to Mexico
City, Mexico. Goldenrods add a cheery yellow color to the garden from mid-summer into fall when asters are also in bloom. Together, this combination can brighten the dreariest urban lot and feed the hungriest monarch population. You can’t go wrong with goldenrods as long as you remember to garden for goldenrods. Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 27 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of native goldenrods and other native plant resources at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide.
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The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
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National Bird, The Majestic Eagle
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Bald Eagle is the biggest of them, measuring 36 or more inches tall and with an almost 6-foot wingspan when aloft. Like many other raptors, the male is smaller than the female and can be hard to tell apart unless sitting side by side. Eaglets hatch early in the spring or late winter in the largest nests of any birds. Eagles will reuse their nests from year to year and will continue to build upon them in subsequent years. You can find nests towards the tops of trees, but not the very top, and usually close to the main trunk. They need this trunk to support a nest which can be as wide as 10 feet and weigh as much as 3 tons. They have only one brood a year of 1 to 3 eggs. They’ll incubate for up to 36 days and juveniles can take as long as 98 days to fledge the nest.
t’s an experience without parallel when you witness a Bald Eagle soaring overhead against a picture perfect blue sky. Majestic seems a fitting adjective to describe this most regal of birds. Its all white head with a distinctive hooked yellow beak is held aloft proudly, and the wings are steady and level with the slightest of changes to the white tail feathers and a feather or two on the wing to effortlessly change direction. The Bald Eagle does not get its full plumage of fully white head and tail feathers, for five years after hatching. This difference in plumage is one sure way to know if you are seeing an adult eagle and not a juvenile. Bald Eagles are among the many raptors we are fortunate to see in this area along with hawks, falcons and owls. The
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July 2018 | kcgmag.com
Photo courtesy of National Audubon Society.
Local birding expert, NIK HIREMATH talks about the history and highlights of our national bird, the bald eagle.
You’ll often find eagles near bodies of water as fish is their favorite food. They will eat a variety of other prey such as small mammals like rabbits. They will also eat amphibians like frogs and snakes, and water fowl and other birds. They’ll eat live catch or carrion, and because hunting can be challenging, they can go for days or weeks without eating. But they can also gorge and digest for days. Their name Bald is derived from Olde English. The word Balde or Piebald, meaning white or two colored, refers to the contrast between their head and body. Surprisingly, the Bald Eagle was not the preferred national symbol by Ben Franklin. He proposed the Wild Turkey since eagles are known to steal food from other birds; a character he considered unbecoming a national symbol. And, when you
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hear Eagles screeching in movies, it’s not really their voice, they don’t have vocal chords like other birds and can’t really make that sound; they dub in the sound from a Red Tail Hawk. One of the most fascinating “tools” in the eagles hunting arsenal is their sight. You’ve probably heard the saying “Eagle Eyes,” but I’d guess that many of you would be fascinated to understand how the eagle’s eyes work. First, they can focus on two things at the same time. They have two foveae unlike our one. These are the places in the eyeball where we focus. With one focal point they can see straight ahead and with the other they can see at a 45 degree angle. If that isn’t impressive enough, they can use one eye by itself or use both together; thus have monocular or binocular vision. And the most amazing part is, like many birds, they see more of the light spectrum than we do, including the UV range. With this ability, because urine of their prey contains phosphorus, they can see it “glow” from up to three miles away and track them. So, the next time you see a Bald Eagle soaring overhead, you might think that he might have an eye on you too. Nik and Theresa Hiremath own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.
Plant Profile: Cannas MARION MORRIS encourages using cannas in the landscape.
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Apply now for K-State Extension Master Gardener program
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f you enjoy gardening, working with others and having fun while sharing your passion then the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program may be just the opportunity for you. Applications are now being accepted for the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener 2019 training program. Application deadline is July 15. The EMG program, sponsored by K-State Research and Extension, is designed to teach area gardeners about horticulture and give them the opportunity to share their knowledge through various gardening-related volunteer projects. Applicants who are selected will receive intensive horticulturerelated training from university experts. In return, newly-trained recruits will be required to volunteer a minimum of time each year. EMG volunteers get involved in a variety of projects including maintaining demonstration gardens, staffing a gardening hotline and giving presentations through the speakers’ bureau. Youth programs are also another avenue for volunteer participation. Applicants are selected on the basis of gardening and volunteer-
ing experience, ability to attend training sessions and volunteer activities, and, most importantly, willingness to commit long term to the annual requirement of volunteer service. Gardeners who join the program bring many different experience levels and interests to the program. If you are a novice gardener, do not let the title of Extension Master Gardener intimidate you. Your love of gardening and passion for sharing your garden experience is the basis for success. Training sessions are held on Tuesdays, September 18 through November 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All classes will be conducted at the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Office, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite 1500 in Olathe. There is a $125 administration fee for those accepted into the class. Class members must be Johnson County residents. If you are interested in applying for the program, or would like more information, please contact Johnson County Extension at (913) 715-7000 or visit www.johnson.kstate.edu and click on the Master Gardener link for details.
annas add amazing color and drama to both containers and landscape. They can be sentinels leading up to an entryway or a showy focal point for a patio pot or even as a screen between areas. I love to have a fresh bouquet of flowers at home and canna foliage makes an awesome leafy foil in an arrangement. Wait until the last spring frost has passed before planting outside. If you prefer to use the bulbs or “rhizomes”, plant them in loose, well composted soil, four to six inches deep in any sunny location. When planting rhizomes, place 8”-12” apart with the eyes/sprouts pointing up, and then cover with two inches of soil. For pots, use a dwarf variety in a large container
full of good quality potting soil. Almost any flowers can be used to accompany this large beauty. At the end of the year, discard it as you would any other annual or alternatively, after a frost, cut down the canna to four inches from the ground. If you choose to store it, dig up the root ball and let it dry out for a few days before putting it away for winter. Some leave the root ball intact with the clump of soil; others separate the roots and store them in peat moss. Place rhizomes in a plastic bag with the top open. Replant after the last frost. Either way, they are well worth the effort! Marion Morris is a longtime gardener and staff member at Farrand Farms, KCMO 64136.
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The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
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Ornamental Millet
Pro Cut Sunflower
Zinnias
Ammi
Dahlia ‘Cafe Au Lait’
Dusty Miller Cosmos
Peony
Snapdragon ‘Rocket Bronze’ 12
July 2018 | kcgmag.com
Calendula
Foxglove
Canna ‘Tropicanna Gold’
Gladiolus ‘Priscilla’
Bring your garden inside with
Cut Flowers CHELSEA DIDDE RICE brightens her home with blooms by growing a steady supply of cut flowers all summer long.
W
hile I adore the look of tall gladiolus rising up behind lower growing annuals or patches of elegant and cheerful dahlias among evergreen shrubs, I also enjoy bringing my garden indoors with cut flower arrangements. However, as gardeners, we often feel bad cutting blooms from our carefully planned landscaping because, after all, most of us plant flowers to look beautiful in the garden. The solution to this “cut flower guilt” is to grow your very own cut flower garden! By planting a garden bed (or several) dedicated solely to cut flowers, you can relish guilt-free, stunning arrangements from late spring until the first frost. Here are a few quick planning tips and a recipe to help you grow and create stunning, garden-fresh arrangements.
varieties (like tall zinnias or cosmos) on the northernmost side so the tall varieties don’t throw shade on everything else. uKnow how many stems you’ll get per plant, and whether or not that plant will only bloom
reading Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden book by Erin Benzakein, I experimented with burning evenly spaced holes in landscape fabric, which allows the flowers to be correctly spaced and prevents weeds from sprouting between the plants.
once or rebloom multiple times in one season. Many sunflower varieties are once and done, while cosmos will bloom their heads off for months. Succession planting (such as planting a few sunflower seeds once every week for two months) will guarantee you have a steady supply of blooms. uGroup plants together by watering needs. For example, celosia is fairly drought tolerant, while dahlias appreciate regular irrigation. uNip weeds in the bud (pun intended) by choosing your preferred method of weed defense, like mulch or landscape fabric. After
Trellis netting secured horizontally will ensure long, straight stems. uCut blooms at the correct stage to ensure a long vase life. To determine when to cut what, either search online or check out books about cut flower arranging. Now that we’ve covered the logistics, let’s talk about the fun part – what to plant. If you’re a fan of the modern, monochromatic look, bouquets of one single variety of flower or color can be incredibly striking. On the other hand, florists and farmers market vendors alike create effortless looking “market bouquets” that are quintessentially Midwestern by following a recipe
Tips:
uIf appearance matters, situate the cutting garden in an area of your yard that’s behind other plants, but in full sun. This is a productive garden bed, not one which will add color to your landscape (because as soon as flowers come into bloom, you’ll be cutting them for arrangements). uA traditional cut flower garden is grown in rows that should be no more than four feet wide and as long as you’d like. Narrow rows enable you to lean in to tend and cut flowers without stepping into the bed. uArrange plants in each row by ascending height with the shortest varieties (like dusty miller, which is a useful textural foliage) on the southernmost side and taller
similar to the one below, which was adapted from an entry on the Floret blog. Each combination bouquet should have the following: u40% “fillers” to provide textural interest and bulk. My favorite fillers are dusty miller, herbs, statice, canna leaves, amaranth, lady’s mantle, raspberry foliage and any backyard shrub that falls victim to my pruners when I’m on the hunt. u30% “disks” which are round-headed flowers that take up space and fill in gaps. Some examples are asters, cosmos, marigolds, flowering sedum, calendula, dianthus and strawflowers. u30% “spikes, airy elements and focal blooms” to round out the bouquet. Spikes are vertical flowers that add height, like stock, snapdragons, foxglove, gladiolus, salvia, celosia and millet. Airy elements add movement and whimsy and include things like bachelor buttons, ammi, grasses, globe amaranth, baby’s breath, love-in-amist, rose hips and cress. Focal blooms are the eye-catching stunners like peonies, tulips, sunflowers, lilies, zinnias and dahlias. Many of us would be outside in the garden 24/7 if we could, but growing and arranging your own cut flowers provides a way to bring your garden indoors where you can revel in the beauty of nature and your hard work. When Chelsea Didde Rice isn’t at work as a senior communications specialist, she’s an avid gardener who enjoys teaching people how easy it can be to garden.
The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
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Powell Gardens in July Onion Harvest: Work & Learn Saturday, July 14 9 a.m.-noon How do you grow and keep one year’s supply of onions? Learn about the differences between fresh and dried onions, get a behindthe-scenes look at planting and harvesting for the Powell Gardens Community Supported Agriculture program and the nearly 6,000 onions grown in the Heartland Harvest Garden each year, and an understanding of the curing, cleanup, and proper storage of onions so they will keep. Participants will receive hands-on experience in the garden while learning all about onion growth patterns and cycles of growth in the Midwest climate. Participants should dress to work in the garden—all tools and supplies are provided. Each participant will receive an onion to take home. COST: $25
Pruning for Beginners Hands-on instruction for shade and ornamental trees presented by
Meet the Artists Sunday, July 15 2-4 p.m. Join exhibiting artists Jackie Chamberlain and Kathryn Marshall in the hallway gallery of the Visitor Center for light refreshments and view their photographs in the current exhibition, Through the Lens with Jackie Chamberlain and Kathryn Marshall: Garden Images. Kathryn Marshall is a Sedalia, Missouri artist who became interested in photography as a teenager when she first participated in a 4-H photography project. She began pursuing her art form full-time after retiring in 2011. She belongs to the Mid Mo Photo Club, the Sedalia Photo Club, the 365 Photography Project on the Internet, Mid Missouri Artists and the Sedalia Visual Arts Association. Jackie Chamberlain paints and makes photographs and is a member of Summit Art since 2004 and has exhibited at Got Art gallery, Saint Luke’s East Hospital, the Longview Art & World Music Festival, and many local area businesses. FREE and drop-in with garden admission. Eat Your Vegetables: Day Camp July 16-20 9 a.m.-4 p.m., daily Join the Powell Gardens team to learn about vegetable gardening and harvesting. Children ages 9-12, who are interested in learning about how produce is grown, harvested, and prepared can join us
for this week-long day camp. Each day will have a theme inspired by what comes out of the garden. Participants will learn about the origin of particular foods, how seeds are grown into vegetables, how to identify when it is time to pick particular items and will work in teams to make one recipe each day. Students will receive instruction from a professional chef and Powell Gardens docents on proper kitchen techniques including knife skills, measuring, sautéing, and mixing. Each day includes a nature walk, snack, box lunch, garden journal writing, recipe brainstorming, and drawing time. Sessions take place in the Heartland Harvest Garden and in the education classroom. COST: $500 per child, includes daily box lunch and snack Missouri Barn Dinner: Chef Remy Ayesh of Repeal 18th Sunday, July 22 5-9 p.m. COST: $75 North American Butterfly Association Native Butterfly Count Sunday, July 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Join us for the 16th Annual North American Butterfly Association butterfly count at Powell Gardens. By tracking butterfly populations across the country, this count makes a significant contribution to the understanding and conserva-
tion of wild butterflies. Participants will be divided into parties, each with a knowledgeable leader, and assigned to various garden areas. At 1 p.m. there will be a four-hour hike on the 3.25-mile nature trail to find butterflies in a natural habitat. Participants can attend any part of the count or stay the whole day. Knowledge of butterflies is a plus, but no experience is necessary to participate. Participants are encouraged to wear sun protection, proper shoes, and bring a water bottle. Garden admission is required plus a $3 participation fee. The small fee is required by NABA and will be collected by one of the leaders the day of the count. Burroughs Audubon Society members are not charged general garden admission. Please call 816-697-2600 ext. 306 or ewance@powellgardens.org to make reservations. Fee: General admission plus $3 fee collected at the event Festival of Butterflies July 27—August 12 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each day Join us for this family favorite and immerse yourself in the world of butterflies native and exotic! Special programming, family-friendly activities, free expert advice and food vendors available each weekend (Friday-Sunday) of the festival. For more information on any of these events, see powellgardens.org/ events.
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Butterflies in my Vegetable Garden If you are wondering friend or foe, LENORA LARSON explains strategies for gardening with butterfly cats.
A Butterfly’s Life The beautiful winged adults are only one of four stages in this insect’s life, and for most species it is the shortest stage with only one goal: procreation. The caterpillar does ALL the eating to metamorphosize and sustain the adult. The caterpillars of each species of butterfly eat a particular plant, and no other. This means that butterfly caterpillars won’t eat your vegetables, except for a few butterfly species whose caterpillar food happens to also be a human food. That’s when the conflict arises. The Criminals Fortunately, the list of potential conflicts is short. While Giant Swallowtail caterpillars eat citrus leaves, that is not a concern in the Midwest. Gray Hairstreak caterpillars eat many different plants and occasionally burrow into bean pods, leaving small circular holes. Black Swallowtail caterpillars eat members of the carrot family such as carrots, parsley, dill and fennel. A true agricultural pest, the imported Cabbage White eats members of the Mustard family such as cabbage, broccoli and kale, etc. And the children of the Hummingbird Moths, Tomato and Tobacco Hornworms dine on mem-
Photos by Lenora Larson.
F
lower gardeners celebrate seeing the flying flowers flitting about their gardens, simultaneously providing beauty and pollinating the blooms. Vegetable gardeners may not be as welcoming since they often regard insects as pests to be eliminated. Be reassured: the winged adult butterflies can’t eat your plants. They don’t even have mouths! Of course they do have a tongue and as they nectar, they provide necessary pollination services to the many vegetables that are actually fruits. “Wait!” objects the vegetable grower, “What about those green worms on my cabbage and tomatoes?” Yes, there’s more to this story. Let’s examine butterfly biology.
Black Swallowtail caterpillars (left) love dill, so be sure to plant enough for both of you. The beautiful Tobacco Hornworm (right) much prefers eating Datura to your tomatoes. bers of the Tomato family, which also includes peppers, eggplants and potatoes. Strategies Every gardener must decide for their own garden, “Shall I eradicate, tolerate or embrace this caterpillar eating my crops?” Whatever you decide, the best defense is a strong offense, i.e., focus on soil fertility, watering and mulching because healthy plants make their own chemical defenses to ward off insect infestations. Because this is food that you will eat, chemical insecticides are discouraged. Even organic controls are poisons, especially Bt which specifically targets caterpillars, including Monarchs and other desirable butterflies. Embracing usually means planting other host plants and handpicking when necessary to escort a caterpillar off your plant over to “its plant”. For Cabbage Whites, I grow Sea Kale, Crambe cordifolia, a beautiful ornamental plant whose huge leaves can support an unlimited population of “cabbage worms.” For Tomato/Tobacco Hornworms, two other members of the tomato family, Nicotiana and Datura, are actually preferred over your tomatoes and have the additional benefit of beautiful, fragrant flowers. Or
you can grow a ‘sacrificial tomato’ just for the hornworms. Water it frequently and add high nitrogen fertilizer. If you keep the flower buds picked off, this plant will have the healthiest foliage and will usually be chosen by the Hummingbird Moth for egg-laying. Summary Except in extreme cases, handpicking and offering alternate host plants that are not human foods
will ameliorate or even resolve the problem. Thus, butterflies, hornworms and vegetable gardeners can live in harmonious balance. Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardener, Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society member, Lenora Larson gardens and hosts butterflies in the cruel winds and clay soil of Paola, Kansas. She may be contacted at lenora.longlips@gmail.com.
The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
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Herb Profile: Bee Balm DIANA PAR-DUE, local herb maven, reviews history, health benefits and how easy it is to grow bee balm.
B
ee Balm is a beautiful herb native to North America. Not many plants you find in your herb garden originate here so it’s important to note this because this means you can grow it quite easily. In fact, some people struggle to control bee balm but there is a simple solution to that I’ll discuss later. First, let’s define what sort of plant bee balm is by looking into its categorization. Bee balm’s true name is Monarda and it’s lumped into the genus Lamiaceae which is the flowering grouping of the mint family. Closer related to hyssop than your peppermint. Other names for bee balm include horsemint, Oswego tea and bergamot. Oswego tea because some of the Native American tribes that traded with early colonizers drank a tea made
from bee balm leaves and after the Boston Tea party people still wanted to drink tea without the taxation and switched to bee balm. Oswego means “mouth of the river” and the trading post in the Northeast was named the same because it was located on a river mouth and provided supplies for the colonies. Bergamot because it smells similar to the citrus fruit by the same name. Bergamot oil is extracted from the peel of the fruit and is used to flavor Earl Grey tea however, bee balm is not used as a source for the essential oil nor is it related to the citrus tree. The medicinal benefits of bee balm are well documented. Brewed into a tea it can be used to treat a cough and cold, digestive gas, cramps, nausea, insomnia and headaches. It can also be applied
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draw in hummingbirds. The long stalks with vibrant flowers makes for a very visually appealing plant that can be a center piece in an herb garden or flower bed. Pluck off the dead flowers to keep new blooms coming, a process called ‘deadheading’. This plant is effortless to grow, requires one planting and can be enjoyed and shared for years. Diana Par-Due is an avid gardener who, when not raising children, raises plants. She dreams of beekeeping and chickens one day when her town makes it legal. Until then, she spends her time writing, reading, and studying as a mature student at a local college and making garden plans she never actually keeps.
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topically as salves for rashes or infections. Growing bee balm couldn’t be simpler. It’s a perennial and ‘walks’ each year. Unlike other mints it does not travel by runners. Instead it grows shoots from the mother plant and those shoots then become a new mother. Each cluster dies every couple years which means the plant moves slowly. If many shoots come up each year, simply dig up the unwanted clusters and share with a neighbor, friend or discard. It is not invasive unless ignored for years. The benefit of bee balm in your garden is described in the name! It attracts bees and other pollinators. The blooms are bright colors ranging from red to purple that also
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25th Anniversary Water Garden Tour July 7-8, 9am-5pm, rain or shine
T
he Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City is celebrating its’ 25th Annual Water Garden Tour, July 7th and 8th, 2018. Plan to visit the greater Kansas City area to tour over 40 stunning water features. Many of the sites have never been on tour before and there are numerous gardens with working trains, fairy and sculpture gardens. Visualize water sparkling like diamonds, as koi and goldfish play among the exotic water lilies and native plants, while dragonflies dance atop stately blooming lotus. The 25th annual tour will feature artists and musicians to celebrate art in the garden at several locations. Many families make the annual Water Garden Society tour a must-see summer adventure. Our theme this year is “The Wonderful World of Water Gardens.� A home water garden can take on many different person-
alities based on its setting, from a small city formal lot, a country cottage with a chicken house, to a palatial estate with multiple ponds and majestic waterfalls. Whether you are a pond owner looking for new ideas and inspiration for an upgrade or a new homeowner thinking of taking the plunge to incorporate a water feature in your own backyard, you need to attend this tour. It is a
feast for all the senses, beneficial to the environment and wildlife, and a place to get answers to your questions. There will be pond builders at the sponsored ponds to explain the process and how to incorporate your style in a water feature. Tickets for the 2-day tour will be available at all garden centers in the greater Kansas City area, Hen House Markets and Westlake
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Hardware. Prices for the selfdirected driving tour is $10 for both days. Children under 14 are free with an adult. Remember to enter your name for a chance to receive gift certificates from our sponsors. This one-of-a-kind tour serves another purpose. Each year, the proceeds benefit construction and maintenance of educational and restorative water gardens and other educational programs in the Kansas City metropolitan area. To date, the KC Water Garden Society has built over 60 ponds for schools and other nonprofits. For information on discounted tickets at $8 per person for groups of 10 or more, email us at tour@kcwatergardens.com. Visit www.kcwatergardens.com and Facebook. For further inquiries, call Linda H. at 816-305-5963. The Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City is a not-for-profit charitable and education society.
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Rosetta Belvedere The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
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Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see
Club Meetings Bonner Springs Garden Club Tues, Jul 17, 9:30am; meet at the parking lot on the SE corner of Third & Cedar in Bonner Springs. We’ll be touring several garden centers. The first stop will be Suburban Lawn & Garden on K7 and Prairie Star Parkway. 75% of trees, shrubs and bedding plants sold in the nursey are supplied by two local growing facilities. This means that their plants are adapted for our growing area and arrive fresh daily. The second stop will be at the Oak Creek Nursery located at 14301 Parallel Parkway, Basehor, KS. This is a newly opened garden center. Following the tours the group will have lunch and a short meeting in Basehor. All are welcome. For more info email: bonnerspringsgardenclub@gmail.com.
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Bonsai Society of GKC Sat, Ju1 21, 9am-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Mini Exhibit. www.bsgkc.org. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Sun, Jul 15, 1-3pm; at Fern Room, Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. A demonstration on getting your plants fed and tended for the bloom season will be held, followed by a short business meeting. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America Mon, Jul 9, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Program: Exercise Therapy for Gardeners. Gardening does not have to be a painful hobby. Travis Perret’s lecture will show exercises that gardeners can perform to improve flexibility, decrease pain and improve posture without the use of drugs. Travis’ passion is helping people get back to doing what they love to do without the limitations of chronic pain. For any questions, please contact Margaret at 816-9428889. Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group Wed, Jul 11, noon; at Rose Room, Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Program: Good Weeds Bad Weeds. In this program we discover some of the “weeds” we accidentally pull from our beds are really beneficial herbs that have great healing properties...learn to identify those herbs as compared to plants like “bind weed” and morning glory which tend to take over garden plots. This will be presented by Dennis Patton from K-State Extension. Lunch: Bring a main or side dish or dessert. We invite anyone interested in Herbs to join our group. We meet the 2nd Wed of each month. Dues are $15, we have an Herb garden at Loose Park we maintain, and have wonderful classes and luncheons to learn all aspects of herbs and how to use them in our lives. We have membership in Gardeners Connect and are looking forward to Spring and the many connections to classes available to sign up for beyond our own group. Facebook: check us out at
Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group. Friends and visitors are always welcome. Questions: call Nancy at 816-478-1640. Heart of America Gesneriad Society Sat, Jul 28, 10am-noon; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Heartland Hosta & Shade Society Sat, Sep 8; Check-in and Hospitality at 9:30, Meeting at 10am; at First Lutheran Church, 6400 State Line Rd, Mission Hills, KS 66208. Speaker Don Dean was introduced to hostas in 1984 and has spent years growing them from seed and has registered over 50 unique hostas. Don will share his presentation “Darn Right I’ve Got the Blues”. The Club will provide grilled and baked chicken for a potluck at noon, bring your favorite dish to share. Come for great information, food, door prizes, and great raffle options. Everyone is welcome! For more information, please visit our website www.heartlandhosta.club, our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ HeartlandHostaAndShadePlantSociety/, or email drileycook@aol.com. KC Cactus and Succulent Society Sun, Jul 15, 1:30-4pm; at a DIFFERENT LOCATION: Trailside Center, 99th St and Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. Coming in August back at the Loose Park Garden Center, the 40th ANNUAL SHOW AND SALE on Sat, Aug 11, 9am-5pm (Judged show opens to the public at 11am. Sales open at 9am.) and Sun, Aug 12, 11am-4pm. Both the club meeting and Show and Sale are free and open to the public. Contact 816-444-9321 or evaal@att.net for more information. kccactus.com Kansas City Dahlia Society Sun, Jul 15, 1-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Kansas City Garden Club Mon, Jul 2, 10am; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Nancy Chapman, Johnson County, Kansas Master Gardener for 2017 and club member will present “Fall for Fall Vegetable Gardening”. She states that July is the time to be planning for your autumn vegetable garden. Nancy adds that often fall vegetable gardening is more productive than your spring gardening in Kansas City. We are talking about lettuce, broccoli, potatoes, spinach, beets, kale, and more. Then, Club President, Betty Bonness, will talk about “All About Horticulture” on how to prepare horticulture specimens for flower shows. Betty, a Federated Garden Club Master Flower Show Judge will give you many excellent tips. Bring a sack lunch, and join us for dessert and drinks after the meeting. 913-636-4956 Kaw Valley Herbs Study Group We meet bi-monthly to learn about herbs. We explore all aspects of an herb: growing and harvesting, historical lore, culinary virtues, medicinal merits, and aromathera-
py, household, and cosmetic applications. Our gatherings are fun and educational, and jam-packed with useful information, including relevant demonstrations. We meet every 2nd Tues evening in Jan-MarMay-Jul-Sept-Nov. Everyone with an interest in herbs is welcome. We meet near Lawrence. More info/newsletter: email herbstudygroup@gmail.com. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Jul 11, 11am; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Barbara Willson, a Johnson County Master Gardener, will give a presentation on Fairy Gardens. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Mid America Begonia Society Sat, Jul 28, 1-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Olathe Garden & Civic Club Tues, Jul 17, 12:30pm; the meeting room at The Bass Pro Shop, 12051 Bass Pro Drive, (I-35 & 119th) Olathe. Donna Schneck, NGC, KGAC Flower Show Judge will lead us in the art of Flower Design. The public is welcome. Prior to the meeting, lunch at Uncle Buck’s at 11am. For information, email Cathy at fraucathya@gmail.com. Raytown Garden Club Wed, Jul 3, 10am; at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. Eric Perrette, Powell Gardens Horticulturist and butterfly breeder, will present a program sharing his expertise about butterflies. Refreshments will be served prior to the program. Visitors are always welcome. Check out our Facebook page at Raytown Garden Club or visit our website at www.sites.google.com/site/fgcmwestcentraldistrict/raytown
Events, Lectures & Classes July Daylily Open House/Garden Tour Jul 4 and 5, open from 9am-1pm; at Hart’s Daylilies, 7460 W 255th, Louisburg, KS. The garden has 900 varieties of daylilies. Call 913-837-5209 for more information. All About Succulents Thurs, Jul 5, 11:30am-1pm; in Sunflower Room, Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Succulents and Cactus have been growing in popularity for the last few years. There are so many varieties, and some are even hardy in Kansas City! Jesse will be showing us how to arrange them in containers and how to care for them. Each class participant will be given a succulent to take home. This class, sponsored by the Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners, will be taught by Jesse Nelson from Family Tree Nursery. Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For more information, call 913-299-9300. 25th Annual Water Garden Tour Jul 7 and 8. Sponsored by Greater Kansas City Water Garden Society. Plan to visit the greater Kansas City area to tour over 40 stunning water features. Many of the sites have never been on tour before and
there are numerous gardens with working trains, fairy and sculpture gardens. Visualize water sparkling like diamonds, as koi and goldfish play among the exotic water lilies and native plants, while dragon flies dance on top of the stately blooming lotus. Tickets for the 2-day tour will be available at all garden centers in the greater Kansas City area, Hen House Markets and Westlake Hardware. Prices for the self-directed driving tour is $10 for both days. Children under 14 are free with an adult. For information on discounted tickets at $8 per person for groups of 10 or more, email us at tour@kcwatergardens. com. Visit www.kcwatergardens.com and Facebook. For further inquiries, call Linda H. at 816-305-5963. Exercise Therapy for Gardeners Mon, Jul 9, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Gardening does not have to be a painful hobby. Travis Perret’s lecture will show exercises that gardeners can perform to improve flexibility, decrease pain and improve posture without the use of drugs. Travis’ passion is helping people get back to doing what they love to do without the limitations of chronic pain. Travis graduated from the University of Kansas and received his degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy. He was a decathlete on the University of Kansas track and field team. After graduating, he was hired by The Egoscue Method and worked for Pete Egoscue for seven years. He then returned to the Midwest to open Exercise Therapy of Kansas City. He is a speaker, author, and has owned and operated Exercise Therapy of Kansas City in Overland Park, KS for 13 years. For any questions, please contact Margaret at 816942-8889. Preserving the Harvest Tues, Jul 10, 4pm; at Lansing Community Library, 730 1st Terr, Suite 1; Lansing KS 66043. Chelsi Myer, Leavenworth County Family and Consumer Science Agent, will give a presentation on preserving food from our gardens. Preserving the harvest will focus on preserving fresh foods at home and how to follow proper procedures to prevent foodborne illness. These safetytested methods can be used for freezing and canning produce popular in Kansas. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information please contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Save Our Monarchs – One Backyard at a Time Wed, Jul 11, 7pm; at Basehor Community Library, 1400 158th St, Basehor KS 66007. Patti Davis, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will give a presentation on how to create a backyard Monarch butterfly habitat. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information please contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Preserving the Harvest Thurs, Jul 19, 7pm; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth KS 66048. Chelsi Myer, Leavenworth County Family and Consumer Science Agent will give a presentation on preserving food from our gardens. Preserving the Harvest will focus on preserving fresh foods at home and how to follow proper procedures to prevent foodborne illness. These safetytested methods can be used for freezing and (continued on page 20)
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The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
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Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City Presents
Water Gardens 2018
Upcoming Garden Events places to go, things to do, people to see
25th Anniversary Tour
Saturday, July 7 • Sunday, July 8
9am-5pm • Rain or Shine • Bus tours available.
(continued from page 19)
Interact with 13 professional working artists as they demonstrate their talents at designated stops. We present a fusion of the fine arts with the art of nature in this special event. Celebrate with artists on tour from the KC Artists Coalition, Charlotte Street Foundation, Urban Sketchers and celebrated independent artists. Check Facebook and our website for updates.
canning produce popular in Kansas. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Sustainability Leadership – Gr. 8-12 Fri, Jul 20, 8am-3pm; held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Do you want to make a difference at your school and in your community? Learn best practices for starting a small and manageable recycling, composting, gardening and farming program. Ideas for mitigating storm water runoff and planting bio swales will also be discussed. In addition, discover how easy it is to implement alternative energy options while enjoying bike blender smoothies and solar smores. This course is great for students in environmental clubs, scouts, etc. Fee: $79. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.
Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City
Tickets are $10 per person (ages 14 and older). A tour book with maps, driving directions, and host written descriptions of the gardens are included.
Call: 816-305-5963 • 816-861-3449
www.kcwatergardens.com
Edible Landscaping Sat, Jul 21, 10-11:30am; at Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper Street, Dreher Bldg, Lawrence, KS. Douglas County Master Gardeners Class. Presented by Sherri Thomas, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. Open to the Public. 785843-7058
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Pest of the Week Thurs, Aug 2, 11:30am-1pm; at Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Sponsored by the Wyandotte County EMGs. Most gardeners feel they are continually fighting one problem or another in the garden, whether it’s insects, weeds, critters or the weather (too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry). Ward Upham, KSU Master Gardener Coordinator & Hotline Response Manager, and author of the weekly online Horticulture Newsletter and “Pest of the Week” for homeowners, will teach this class. During the class, he will feature timely problems faced by gardeners. Learn when to expect what problems and the best practices to combat them. Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For more information, call 913-299-9300. Make a Kokedama Mon, Aug 6, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Class on making Kokedema (moss planter) hosted by Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America. This is an easy family-friendly class on making a planter from moss and string. Great for kids and adults of all ages. This is a free class. Please call Margaret 816-942-8889 for reservations, so we can have materials available. Hope to see you there. Pruning for Beginners Tues, Aug 7, 6-8pm; at Strang Park, W 88th Ter and Farley St, Overland Park KS. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher
instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl. com/pruneop or call Sarah 816-561-1086. Native Trees of Kansas Wed, Aug 8, 1pm; at the Mr and Mrs F L Schlagle Library & Environmental Learning Center, 4051 West Dr, Wyandotte County Lake Park, Kansas City, KS 66109. Jim Earnest will give a one hour PowerPoint. Jim Earnest is with the Kansas City Region of The Kansas Native Plant Society and has given several tree tours and presentations in this area. This will be a good event for master gardeners needing advanced training. Reservations are not needed or taken as we will have seating for 50 people. The Mr and Mrs F L Schlagle Library & Environmental Learning Center is located in the 1400-acre Wyandotte County Lake Park. Walking trails are nearby. The Kansas City Region of the Kansas Native Plant Society is sponsoring this important presentation. GKC Iris Society Plant Sale Sat, Aug 18, 10am-3pm; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes, Kansas City, MO. Add color to your garden by selecting from hundreds of locally grown iris varieties for sale. Includes TB, BB, IB, SDB and MTB. Don’t know what these designations mean? Come visit us and find out or check out the American Iris Society website: www.irises. org or the GKCIS website: www.kciris.org. Come early for best selection! Beekeeping I Wed, Aug 22 & 29, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This is an introductory course into beekeeping. We will review the importance of honey bees in our everyday life. Participants will learn about the life cycle of the honey bee, their history, and become familiar with today’s beekeeping techniques. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Pruning for Beginners Sat, Aug 25, 9-11am; at Buffalo Meadows Park, 9650 Lone Elm Rd, Lenexa KS. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl. com/pruneLenexa or call Sarah 816-5611086 Pruning for Beginners Wed, Sep 5, 6-8pm; at Loose Park, 5200 Wornall Rd, Kansas City MO. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl.com/pruneKCMO or call Sarah 816-561-1086 Beekeeping II Wed, Sep 5 & 12, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345
College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This course offers an in-depth review of current beekeeping practices. You will study beekeeping in the classroom and explore a beehive in the field. The course will give you hands-on experience working a beehive. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Potpourri, Sachets & Teas Thurs, Sep 6, 11:30am-1pm; at the Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Sponsored by Wyandotte County EMGs. Anyone who grows herbs and flowers knows firsthand about the wonderful aromas to be enjoyed when working among these plants. But how can you capture these fragrances to enjoy long term? Paula Winchester, who until recently operated Herb Gathering, a business growing and supplying fresh herbs to area grocers and restaurants, will demonstrate how to prepare, and then assemble the ingredients for potpourris and herbal teas, using easily attainable ingredients from the garden. Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For more info, call 913-299-9300. Winter Gardening: Growing Greens to Beat the Blues Thurs, Sep 13, 6-9pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Growing nutritional edibles during the dreary fall and winter months has many advantages. It is easier gardening than in the heat of the summer, less watering is needed and there are fewer bugs and weeds! Discuss the science, methods and some simple structures that work well for a small scale home garden and learn which plants do well in the cold. Leave excited about growing in an unexpected, yet productive season. Early Sept is the time to plant! Fee: $39. To enroll go to https://ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. MPF Kansas City Native Plant Sale Sat, Sep 15, 9:30am-2:30pm; at Anita B Gorman Discovery Center’s Monarch Mania event, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery. Pure Air Natives, Gaylena’s Garden, and Green Thumb Gardens will sell a variety of natives, donating a portion of proceeds to support MPF’s prairie conservation work. Customers may place pre-orders with some of the vendors. Some vendors accept credit cards; some only cash or check. Beekeeping III Wed, Sep 19 & 26, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. This class will be a fun and active way to learn how to be a successful backyard beekeeper. We will provide the basic knowledge needed to keep and manage a healthy beehive, and produce honey and beeswax. This class will cover bee behavior, hive
management, diseases, pests, swarming and how to harvest honey right from your own backyard. Fee: $59. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Learn to Make a Pine Needle Basket Sat, Sep 22, 12:30-4:30pm. Join us as an experienced guest instructor guides us in the making of lovely traditional pine needle baskets. Take home a basket you’ve made! $39 (supplies included). Register now: www.GoodEarthGatherings.com. Mizzou Botanic Garden Walkabout and Plant Talk Sun, Sep 23. Univ of Missouri, Columbia. More details to come. Pruning for Beginners Wed, Oct 3, 9-11am; at Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Rd, Merriam KS. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl.com/pruneJOCO or call Sarah 816-561-1086 Advanced Beekeeping – Fall and Winter Honeybee Management Wed, Oct 3, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Proper preparation of your hives for winter is the most important activity for a beekeeper. The better you manage your hives for Winter, the better the odds are that your bees will not only survive but will thrive when spring arrives. Review harvesting, processing and storing honey, processing beeswax, securing your hive from pests, verifying your bees have adequate honey stores and the methods of feeding when necessary, treatments for varrora mites, wind breaks, and how and when to check your hive over the winter. Fee: $29. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People! Sat, Oct 13, 9am-12pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Not all dirt is dirty. Discuss the importance of composting, its many uses and advantages, and the basics of the process, including how to build and manage a compost pile. Also review other methods of handling food and yard waste such as mulching and worm composting. This course focuses on the micro-biome of the soil, the ecology of the soil food web and the complexity in the underground environment. Guest speaker Stan Slaughter will share best practices from his 25 years composting and recycling. Healthy soil makes healthy food, which makes healthy people! Fee: $39. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323.
I
f you’re cleaning out the garden shed or garage, and it’s time to dispose of old herbicides, fertilizers, stains and paints, what do you do with them? There are regional household hazardous waste collection facilities and are available for residents to safely dispose their household hazardous waste. A list of these locations, along with directions and hours of operation, is available on the Mid-America Regional Council web site (http://www.marc.org/Environment/SolidWaste/HHW/hhwfacilities.htm). Here’s an abbreviated list for easy reference. In Missouri: Kansas City: 4707 Deramus; 816-513-8400 Lee’s Summit: 2101 SE Hamblen Road; 816-969-1805 In Kansas: Wyandotte County: 2443 S. 88th Street; 913-573-5400 Olathe: 1420 S. Robinson; 913-971-9311 Johnson County: Mission; 913-715-6900 Leavenworth County: 24967 136th St., Leavenworth; 913-727-2858 Miami County: 327th Street and Hospital Drive; 913-294-4117 Many of these locations operate by appointment only, so be sure to give them a call first.
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More must-see events are posted on our website, KCGMAG.COM, and click on “Events.” Promote club meetings, classes, plant sales and other gardening events for FREE! Send details to:
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See dealer for full warranty details See dealer for full warranty details. The gross horsepower of this engine was laboratory rated at 3600 rpm by the engine manufacturer in accordance with SAE J1940 or SAE J2723. As configured to meet safety, emission, and operating requirements, the actual horsepower on this class of mower will be significantly lower than what may be stated on this ad.
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The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
21
July
garden calendar n LAWN
• Mow bluegrass and tall fescue at 3 to 3 1/2 inches. • Mow zoysia at 1 1/2 inches. • Fertilize zoysia to encourage summer growth with a high nitrogen fertilizer. • Let grass clippings fall to return nutrients to the soil. • Be on the lookout for summer diseases such as brown patch; treat areas where it has been a problem. • Sharpen mower blades. • Replace lawn mower air filter and change lawn mower oil per owner’s manual. • Prepare to control perennial grassy weeds such as zoysia, fescue and nimblewill. • Take a soil test to prepare for fall lawn renovation. • Water deeply and less often for deep roots and a healthy lawn.
n FLOWERS
• Remove faded flowers from annuals to stimulate more flowers for late summer color. • Deadhead perennials to prevent seeding and encourage plant growth. • Replenish mulch layers to around 3 inches. • Cut fresh bouquets for enjoyment. • Lightly fertilize annuals. • Dig, divide and replant crowded irises. • Fertilize roses for fall blossoms. • Fertilize and water container gardens.
• Complete the final pinching of chrysanthemum tips for bushier plants.
n TREES AND SHRUBS
• Water newly planted shrubs and young trees (planted within the last three to five years) during dry weather. • Keep plants mulched to conserve moisture and cool roots. • Remove sucker growth from the base of trees and along branches. • Prune diseased, dead or hazardous limbs.
n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
• Harvest fruits of your labor and enjoy. • Control weed growth to preserve water and nutrients. • Fertilize vegetables to encourage plant development. • Watch for foliar disease development on lower tomato leaves and treat with a fungicide. • Prepare for fall gardening. Plant potatoes, broccoli and other fall crops. • Spray sweet corn to control corn earworms as silks emerge. • Be on the lookout for pests in the garden and control. • Remove old raspberry canes after harvest.
n MISCELLANEOUS
• Keep compost pile moist for fast processing and turn occasionally. • Take photographs of the garden to document success and for future planning.
Johnson County K-State Research and Extension recommends environmentally-friendly gardening practices. This starts by identifying and monitoring problems. Cultural practices and controls are the best approach for a healthy garden. If needed, use physical, biological or chemical controls. Always consider the least toxic approach first. Dennis Patton is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.
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Meet Extension Master Gardener, Jayne Stone
What first drew you to the hobby of gardening: I grew up in Seattle, WA where it is easy to grow most things. As a young girl, my mother let me help her plant pansies. Then as
a teen growing up in a single parent home, I did most of the yard work. I have continued gardening off and on for about 40 years, community gardening in Illinois and Michigan in the 1980s, and from 1986 until today, gardening here in Kansas. How long have you been an Extension Master Gardener: Early gardening here was odd, starting with what I perceived as sicklooking soil. The color and texture seemed off. However, the more I talked with other gardeners, I learned what they have learned through their own experiences. This led me right to the local Extension service, where the folks were helpful with research-based information. That was my kick-start into horticulture education. In an effort to learn more about gardening, I applied to become a Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. Once accepted, I was trained and proudly graduated with the class of 2002. Most valued bit of information: Spend time with fellow gardeners, and learn from their successes and failures. Favorite tool: Who has just one? My most favorite is a little treasured trowel that was my mother’s. Next are pruners, that really get a workout. Both tools are active all season, and I couldn’t garden without them.
Favorite shrub: Red Sprite Winterberry; It grows slow, stays small, under 3ft x 3ft in the 7 years in this garden. Loaded with amazing red orange berries through the fall season. Need Jim Dandy to pollinate to get berries. He is NOT handsome. Favorite tree: Deciduous choice is Green Mountain Sugar Maple for its shape and beautiful fall color. My evergreen favorite is Wellspire Spruces. They are stately and columnar. What are you passionate about: Having an awareness of the effects of our actions on the planet. The relationship between gardener, plants, animals, insects, soil, water, sun, air and other elements are interrelated. Gardeners have a responsibility to interact carefully with those sensitive relationships. What are some of the challenges you face: As a gardener, it is important to stay in shape. Gardening requires bending over, lifting, carrying, digging, running, squatting and various other movements which can cause discomfort and pain. Best advice to share: I love sharing with those who come by the garden. You don’t have to know a person’s name to share with them, something they admire or might need (that foot-long zucchini bread zucchini).
The Kansas City Gardener | July 2018
23
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