KCG 06June13

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

June 2013

Summer Flowering Trees Worth A Closer Look

Pets and Plants Native Bouquets Using Beneficial Nematodes Do Butterflies Fall in Love?

Swan’s Water Gardens

Your Full Service Water Garden Center Located In Southern Johnson County ...

Living and Loving The Water Garden Lifestyle…

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Why Should You Have Swan’s Water Gardens Build Your Water Garden?

First and foremost we back all our installations with a five year warranty. This is unheard in the Water Garden Industry. Most companies want to give you a three month, six month or, if you’re lucky, a one year warranty on their installation.

We don’t think that’s right! We’ve seen horribly incorrect installations by many companies out there that just don’t know what they’re doing and they won’t stand behind their work. You will never have to worry about that with us. We’re in our 19th year in business and our warranty is longer than many water garden installers have been around. We don’t just dabble in the water garden business, “It’s our way of life”.

Here at “The Water Garden Center” we are committed to Research and Development. Before we ever sell a new product to our customers, it has to be tested here. Just because a Manufacturer says their product is the newest miracle on the market doesn’t make it so.

We carry only the highest quality products available and will not sell cheap inferior products just to compete on price. All of the pumps, liners, filtration systems and other pond supplies that we use in our installations are sold right here at “The Water Garden Center”. We research our competition and all the Manufacturers in the industry so we are on top of any new developments.

In today’s market place, we know you’re bombarded with everyone claiming to be the best or having the best products with the lowest prices.

There’s so much misinformation out there it can be very confusing for the new and old Water Garden enthusiast. So what should you do? That’s easy. Come out to “The Water Garden Center” and we’ll walk you through the lushly landscaped water gardens or just let you stroll through at your leisure.

Either way when you leave here you’ll have a good understanding on how to correctly build a water garden or maybe you’ll decide to have our experienced installation crew build one for you.

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“Creating Paradise ... In Your Backyard”

Swan’s Water Gardens

20001 S. Padbury Lane, Spring Hill, KS 66083

913-592-2143

www.swanswatergardens.com

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June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

3

The Kansas City

editor’s notes

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Attitude shift

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Editorial Assistant Lauren Cavanaugh Contributors Charles Anctil Marlin Bates Leah Berg Erin Busenhart Tracy Flowers Cindy Gilberg Diane & Doc Gover Lenora Larson Terry Blair Michel Emily Parnell Dennis Patton Phil Roudebush Rodney St. John Diane Swan Chris Veach Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

How to Reach Us ...

P.O. Box 8725 Prairie Village, KS 66208 Phone/Fax: 913-648-4728 For advertising information contact Michael Cavanaugh at cavsgarden@kc.rr.com.

Submit editorial questions to Elizabeth Cavanaugh at editorcavsgarden@kc.rr.com.

See more summer flowering trees on our Facebook page.

Don’t Miss A Single Issue!

Get a subscription for yourself or your favorite gardener.

See page 35.

4

A

s I see it, I’m a woman headed into the second half of my life. With half a century of survival techniques, coping skills, health scares and child rearing behind me, I fully expect to breeze through the latter half.

I’m comfortable at this juncture in my journey. I’m counting on an uncomplicated, simpler lifestyle, with frequent visits to the Gulf of Mexico beaches.

During spring though, I noticed a surprising attitude shift. While uncovering and cleaning up the hosta bed, I saw a piece of vinca minor that had made its way from the upper bed, through the rock wall and was ready to explore new territory with hosta. Last year, that would have been totally unacceptable and not allowed. Creepers and trailers are to be contained within set boundaries, was my rule.

Same with creeping jenny.

She’s allowed to wander around inside the ring of boxwood under the crabapple tree. But if she dared to exceed the perimeter ... using a knife or clippers ... off with the immature wanderer.

But something strange happened this season, I actually stopped to admire, and thought to myself, look ... the vinca has made its way, has flowered, and how pretty it looks next to the young hosta foliage.

Oh Lord, what’s the matter with me?

Do I have a fever?

Am I sick? Did somebody slip me a ‘mickey’? Have I become lazy and unmotivated to plant maintenance?

Before my imagination got a foothold and panic set in, I began to realize that there’s nothing wrong with me. This change is merely the evolution of my gardening preferences. That’s all. With calm contemplation, I noticed I once was obsessed with formal pruning, keeping plant separateness. And now, with an easing compulsion, I’m able to see the benefit, the beauty of blending plants ... foliage and flowers alike.

Has this happened to you?

Has your gardening style or preferences changed?

Has it made gardening easier, and more beautiful?

I’ve always known the value of mixed textures and colors in the garden. However, I wasn’t aware of my actions otherwise. Like a child who doesn’t like food items to touch on the dinner plate, I preferred that the heuchera and the Japanese painted fern have their own growing space. Now I see how stifling, limiting that is.

So throw open the growing gates. Let the creepers and trailers move about freely through the garden. And let your imagination run too with wild abandon.

I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue June 2013 • Vol. 18 No. 6 Ask the Experts ........................ 6 Grow Native Bouquets ............. 8 The Bird Brain ......................... 10 Using Beneficial Nematodes ..... 11 Gardeners’ Gathering .............. 13 Myrna’s Garden ..................... 14 Consider Eggplant .................. 15 Pets and Plants ....................... 16 Urban Grown Farms Tour ......... 17 Summer Blooming Trees ........... 18 Chinese Water Garden ............ 20

about the cover ...

Rose Report ............................ 23 Do Butterflies Fall in Love .......... 24 Veggies in a Container ............ 25 Powell Garden Events ............. 27 Plentiful Harvest ...................... 28 Shawnee Garden Tour ............ 26 Garden Calendar .................... 29 Upcoming Events ..................... 30 Hotlines ................................. 32 Weather ................................. 33 Professional’s Corner ................ 35

Summer blooming trees like this Mimosa show leaves and blooms together. See others starting on page 18. Photo courtesy of Powell Gardens.

8

14

The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

Water and Your Landscape: A brief overview

T

yard. Run your watering system for 15 minutes. Read the rain gauge or stick a ruler in the tuna can and measure the water. If you have 0.5 inches of water from your 15 minute trial, you know you need

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Dr. Rodney St. John is an agronomist with Ryan Lawn & Tree. He can be reached at 913-381-1505 or at rodneystjohn@ryanlawn.com.

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Slightly more expensive, but vastly superior hose timers can control up to 4 hoses, turning them on and off at set times and days.

Scheduling Frequency. We irrigate crops and the landscape to replace water that is lost from the soil due to evaporation and/or plant use and is not replaced by rainfall.

Both evaporation and plant use increase the hotter, windier and less humid the weather. So, during cool, wet periods of the year, we may not need to irrigate for a week or more. However, during the hottest parts of July and August, tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass lawns will need to be irrigated with about an inch of water every 2-3 days.

How much is an inch? Set a rain gauge or tuna can out in the

to water for 30 minutes to apply 1 inch of water. Many home lawns have steep slopes and clay soils. If water starts to run-off before you reach your desired run time, you need to split your watering into multiple events during one morning. This is called soak and cycle.

Water for period of time, wait a few hours, and water again, repeating if necessary.

It’s tough to compress all watering tips and advice into one article. Hopefully, this will serve as primer to get you thinking in the right direction. The key take away is that the best lawns are watered adequately. A rain gauge is your best friend in making sure this happens.

MONTHS

emperatures are finally starting to creep up. Like many of you, I am crossing my fingers we get at least a little cool, spring weather before summer arrives with its beastly mix of heat and humidity. If last summer is any indication, summer will also bring drier days, making the need to manually irrigate our lawns and landscapes more of a priority.

Landscape irrigation is definitely scientific, but unfortunately there is no lab manual that can be applied to all lawns in all situations. Nevertheless, below are some quick tips to help you ensure your lawn and landscape plants get enough moisture this growing season.

1. Try not to water your lawn every day. Roots need air to breathe, and by irrigating everyday, you are essentially drowning your plants. That said, most homeowners water too little, not too much.

2. Water your lawn first thing in the morning. Afternoon or evening watering can promote fungal diseases that can damage or kill your lawn. (If you are trying to establish new grass seed, water in the middle of the day; in other words, don’t let it dry out in the afternoon.)

3. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, have it inspected at least once a year to make sure the valves and heads are performing properly and applying water efficiently.

4. If you water the old fashioned way, with a hose and sprin-

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June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

5

Ask the Experts! questions from our readers

SEARCH FOR NIRVANA Question: I love a specific variety of vinca, Nirvana ‘Sky Blue.’

It is easy to grow and flowers all summer long, even in last year’s heat. The problem is this plant is expensive and only available in 4 inch pots. I have searched the Internet for seeds and cannot find any sources. Do you know where I can find seeds as I have seen this plant at the K-State Research Center Field Day? Answer: I am familiar with this plant. It is a great annual for the garden. The Nirvana series of

PREVENT TOMATO STEM SPLIT Question: Last year I tried to grow a “Patio” tomato in a pot but the stem split when the plant got big. What can I do this year to prevent the splitting?

Answer: Arching stems loaded with fruit can create quite a bit of weight and stress on the joints.

This coupled with windy Kansas City days can stress the plant to the point of breaking. The simplest fix for this problem is to support the plant. The inexpensive tomato cages can be inserted into the pot to support the limbs as they stretch and produce the fruit. You could even dress up the pot with a cute obelisk or trellis. The key to making this work is to put it into place at planting. Once the plant increases in size you could cause more damage by attempting to harness in the plant.

GROWING FRUIT Question: Are there any fruits I can grow on a typical suburban lot?

Answer: All the fruits can be grown on a typical lot. The only issues would be size of the area and sunlight. Tree fruits will require the greatest amount of space while

the small or bush fruits can easily fit into the smallest of lots. The concern would be sunlight as all fruit will require at least six to eight hours of sun per day.

Fruit can be incorporated into the landscape. Instead of planting a redbud or crabapple use an apple, peach or cherry tree as fruit does not need to be planted in rows like in an orchard. Need a small tree in the perennial garden? Use a fruit tree as they all have pretty spring flowers and of course fruit.

Small fruit like raspberries and blueberries can be easily placed

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vinca is not produced from seeds.

This series is vegetative propagated which is usually done by cuttings or tissue culture. This method of propagation accounts for both its vigor and higher price at the garden center. Many annuals these days are no longer brought to market by seeds but instead with asexual propagation methods. So you are out of luck on seed sources. Home propagation is also not allowed as these plants are often patented.

So unfortunately you will need to decide just how much you love this plant and bite the bullet and buy them from the grower as home propagation is not practical. I feel your pain as I love the Cleome “Senorita Rosalita” but it is also only available by vegetative propagation and each plant can sell for $8 to $10 each.

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The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

in the landscape or the garden.

Strawberries can be used as ground a cover or grown traditionally in a bed. I think the challenge of growing fruit large or small in an urban lot is first determine what you want to grow and then determine if you have the needed sunlight for production. Once those steps are done get creative and work into the available space. Heck you would even be trendy as you have created an edible landscape. That is so much more appealing than another burning bush just taking up space.

POTTING SOIL CHOICES Question: A garden center newsletter said a national potting soil brand with moisture control was no good and that I should only use the center’s special blend.

Have you heard any problems with national brands that advertise “miracles?” The reason I raise the question is last year I used the national brand and my impatiens did not do well.

Answer: Wow, I wish I had more space to respond to this question. First of all I have heard no reports of a national potting mix not being good for containers.

Secondly what a great marketing scheme to sell their own mixes.

Fear is such a motivating factor when making a purchase.

A good quality potting soil must provide the basic for plant growth and that is pore space to provide oxygen to the roots and organic matter to hold moisture and nutrients for plant growth. The moist soil products serve to hold more moisture in the soil and should be balanced with good aeration.

Based on my knowledge I would say that you were given a line of “manure” to get you to purchase their mix which probably has a higher profit margin, or the fact is

they don’t sell the national brands.

Last year with the heat I would suggest that maybe the problem was not the potting soil but the harsh summer growing conditions.

Many plants struggled with the heat and drought. On a personal note I have used the so-called “miracle” potting soils for a number of years and my containers are full and lush.

I must admit I do fertilize more than what the package label says as with the heat the slow release fertilizers breakdown at a rapid pace leaving the plants hungry by mid-summer.

ELIMINATE BUDWORMS Question: I want to experiment this year trying to use Bayer 2 in 1 Rose and Flower granular on my petunias to control budworms.

The budworms just devour my flowers when they are starting to peak in the garden. Do you think it will work as pouring the systemic on would be so much easier than spraying?

Answer: Here is the short answer, no. From checking the label the active ingredient is Disulfoton and while a good product it is not effective on Lepidoptera species of insects which is the family that budworms belong. If it is not on the label then there is a good reason as it will not work. Your options are to use BT or another active ingredient Spinosad. Spinosad is probably the most commonly recommended chemical for budworm control.

One last thought—if you don’t like to spray then don’t plant petunias.

That way control is easy as pie!

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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June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

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Cindy Gilberg

W

hat is more delightful than a fresh bouquet of cut flowers from your own garden? It is a snapshot of the garden in a vase comprised of not just flowers but also with foliage, seed pods and branches gathered from all parts of the garden. Bring the outside in and, if your garden is particularly productive, give some to a friend. Fresh and local, foraging for flowers and foliage gives

new insight into some of our native plants’ attributes.

Cut flowers needn’t be tall. A variety of plant sizes works best as long as you have a variety of vases, both big and small. Small jars are just right for a handful of diminutive wildflowers such as Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium), violets or glade onion (Allium). Large vases are needed for the long stems of flowers like purple coneflower and seed pods of wild senna (Senna marilandica).

Lush and green, ferns fronds add texture and are long-lasting.

Along the shady path grows alum root (Heuchera). Its rounded leaves obscure the edge of the vase and contrast finer-textured foliage.

Late summer brings tall spires of cohosh (Cimicifuga/Actaea), garden Phlox and sprays of goldenrod (Solidago spp.). Grasses like

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Bring the Outside In with Native Bouquets

beakgrain (Diarrhena), creek oats (Chasmanthium) and many sedges (Carex) are graceful additions to arrangements. Add in branches of shrubs or small trees such as dogwood (Cornus), wild Hydrangea, serviceberry (Amelanchier), Viburnum, and witch hazel (Hamemalis) to make unique, structural compositions. The spicy scent of clove currant (Ribes odoratum) adds the element of fragrance in early spring.

In summer, purple spikes of blazingstar (Liatris) blend nicely with daisy (composite) flowers like Aster, coneflowers (Rudbeckia and Echinacea), false sunflowers (Heliopsis), and Helen’s flower (Helenium). One that is sure to pique curiosity is rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) with its unusual round and spiky flowers atop strong, tall stems. The orange flowers of butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) with yellow Coreopsis and tall blue spikes of Delphinium exaltatum work well together in a large vase.

At the end of the season, look for seed structures, grass stems and branches full of ber-

ries. Round, black seed pods of false indigo (Baptisia), orange-red grass stems of little bluestem grass (Schizachyrium) and red berries of hawthorn and winterberry are all excellent choices for dried arrangements. Search for the dark chocolate brown spore fronds of ostrich fern (Matteuchia), dangling seeds of creek oats, black seed heads of black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) or anything of interest as you glean through the garden.

The possibilities are only limited by one’s imagination, so explore and experiment. Don’t overlook any of a plant’s qualities throughout the seasons—not just flowers but foliar texture and winter interest. Contrast of texture, flower form and color is the key to designing a floral arrangement as well as a garden. To purchase native plants for your garden, visit the Grow Native! Buyer’s Guide at www. grownative.org.

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9

The Bird Brain

answers your backyard birding questions

Doc & Diane Gover

H

ooray! Summertime is the time to kick back, relax and rejuvenate right in your own backyard. Take a “Green Hour” each day and observe all of the activity in the birding habitat that you have created.

Q. With the warmer weather here, I put all of my bird feeders away except the one for the hummingbirds. I think there should be plenty for the birds to eat. What do you think?

A. Backyard birdfeeding is a hobby that can be enjoyed year round.

By leaving feeders up you are helping adult birds during a very stressful time of raising their young (less foraging for food means more time protecting their young). It is always entertaining to watch baby birds begging for food and eventually learning how to get food from the feeders for themselves.

Q. How should I store my birdseed during the warm summer months?

A. To keep your seed fresh and bug free, store all seed in a cool location. Ideally, if you have space in the refrigerator or freezer your birdseed will stay fresh up to a year. If this set up is not possible, just buy smaller quantities of seed that will be eaten in a 3 to 4 week span. Avoid storage in a hot garage if at all possible.

Plant a Bounty of Bright Blooms & Live Summer in Style!

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Trees and Shrubs to provide structure Fruit Trees & Berry Bushes Easy Care Roses that bloom all summer!

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Q. I like watching the woodpeckers at my suet feeder, but what a mess in the hot weather. Any suggestions?

A. During hot weather be sure to offer suet dough. It has a high melting point, is cake like and not at all messy. Nesting birds will often feed suet to their young. Soon you will see the fledglings feeding themselves at your suet feeder. It is fun to watch their antics.

Q. Ants! They’re all over my hummingbird and fruit feeders.

HELP! A. Ants can really put a damper on birdfeeding. There is a very simple and instant solution to your problem. It is called an “Ant Moat”. Ant Moats are a cup filled with water that you hang above

the feeder. Ants will not cross the water barrier. NO HARMFUL POISONS ARE BEING USED! Problem solved.

Remember, summertime birdfeeding can be very rewarding.

Along with your usual feathered friends, it is fun to also observe your summertime vacationers – right in your own backyard. Have your binoculars and field guide handy to help with their identification. If you have any questions, just stop by the store, our Certified Birdfeeding Specialists will be glad to help you.

Doc and Diane Gover own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kan. Contact them at 913-491-4887.

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The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

Using Beneficial Nematodes to Kill Japanese Beetle Grubs

Tracy Flowers

W

e are excited to try a new approach this summer, to control the Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) at The Kauffman Memorial Garden.

Beneficial nematodes, which attack the beetle larva are the hot new approach in organic pest control.

So some of you are asking yourself, “What exactly is a nematode and aren’t they harmful to plants?”

Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that can be found in almost every ecosystem that exists and only half of the species are considered harmful. The nematodes that we are using at the Kauffman Garden, Heterohabditis bacteriophora, are one of the beneficial species. They seek out Japanese beetle larva in the soil and inject them with lethal bacteria.

There are some lucky gardeners in Kansas City who have not seen a Japanese beetle in their yard. Those who do have them will quickly rec-

ognize their half-inch long, green bodies and copper colored wings.

They are very destructive feeders and they attack over 300 species of plants that we very much care for in the garden including roses, grapes, hops and canna.

If you use IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices in your garden then you already know that incorporating a variety of different weapons against Japanese beetles will help you win some battles in the war against your roses. Last year we applied microscopic bacteria called Milky Spore to the soil underneath plants that the beetles prefer. This year we are adding beneficial nematodes to the arsenal. Sadly, there will always be adult beetles that fly into the garden. For these I recommend diligence and twice daily beetle removal by hand.

Applying the Nematodes: We ordered a packet of nematodes from Gardens Alive, which is a catalog that specializes in organic garden products. One small packet holds about 10 million nematodes.

That is enough to treat all of the roses at the Kauffman Memorial Garden. The whole process is much like ordering a package of Sea Monkeys. You rip open a packet and mix it with 2 quarts of water.

This mixture is now your liquid

nematode concentrate. You now have the power to dilute or not dilute the concentrated liquid and apply it to the soil near plants that Japanese beetles prefer.

The beauty of using beneficial nematodes, and many other organic pest controls, is that there is no way to overspray or harm non-target insects like bees and butterflies. If you have a known population of Japanese beetle grubs in your gar-

p o t s

den then you don’t have to dilute your nematode solution very much and apply it very heavily to the grub infested areas. If you are just doing this as a precaution, then the nematode solution can be diluted and distributed at a less concentrated rate.

Beneficial nematodes and their bacteria are not new inventions for killing harmful grubs and plant pests. We are just using horticultural science to use them to their full potential. By trying out these inventive methods for controlling plant pests we are able to have healthier soil and plant environments for the beneficial insects as well as for people and their pets.

Tracy Flowers is on the Horticulture staff at Powell Gardens and she works at The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden. You may reach her at 816-932-1200.

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he Container Gardening Exhibit at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens will be a distant memory by the time “Kickin’ Back in an Adirondack” gets under way in early June.

Nineteen oak Adirondack chairs, beautifully handcrafted by the Amish, are being custom painted by area artists.

Judges will award first, second and third place cash prizes, and the “people’s choice,” chosen by Arboretum visitors’ ballots during the four-week display, will also receive a cash prize.

The chairs will be on display throughout the Gardens from June 8 to 30. They will then be offered for sale through an online auction, with all proceeds benefiting

the Arboretum’s mission of nature education.

Sponsors of “Kickin’ Back in an Adirondack” are Firebaugh Construction, Inc.; Pinnacle Lawn Care; Rabbit Creek Foods; and Georgia Erickson.

Friends of the Arboretum (FOTA) volunteers have planned a series of special events for 2013 in order to give people of all interests an extra incentive to visit the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

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Gardeners’ Gathering presents:

By Chris Veach

There Will Be Weeds!

D

id we somehow miss that disclaimer on the garden store receipt? “…and there will be weeds.” There ought to be a law!

In planning beautiful borders or starting that delicious vegetable garden, we often forget that there will be weeds. Putting your freshly cut flowers in a vase or eating that sun-kissed cherry tomato plucked from the vine is much more rewarding than the arduous task of pulling weeds. In the garden, weeds compete for soil nutrients, moisture and sunlight. Allowed to grow unchecked, weeds can decrease the quality and yield of fruits and vegetables. Armed with strategies to minimize weeds, we can concentrate on the pleasures of gardening and less on weeds, the inevitable gardening nemesis.

The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will present Dennis Patton, Johnson County K-State Research and Extension

Horticulture Agent, at the Gardeners’ Gathering, Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 pm at the Country Club Christian Church.

Dennis will help define a “weed”. To some Queen Anne’s Lace is a weed, but to others it is valued for the bees, butterflies and beneficial insects it attracts to the garden.

Knowing the difference between the various weed types is the basis for management and control. Learn from Dennis how to recognize whether the problematic weed is an annual or a perennial. Control measures differ for grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds. Dennis will share the most common weeds we encounter in the flower and vegetable garden in the Kansas City Metro.

In life as well as the garden, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dennis will teach us to garden in a sensible manner to reduce weed problems. When

it is time to take weed control measures, both organic and chemical methods are available. Personal choice and the type of garden will influence your method of choice. In general, herbicides are not recommended for weed control in home vegetable gardens.

Dennis shares that “Proper timing of controls is important for success”. Your bare hands after a rain

are a tremendous weapon in removing young weeds. It is very important to prevent weeds from going to seed which will be the cause of future weed battles. A single dandelion plant can produce 15,000 seeds in one year and each seed can survive up to six years in the soil.

Dennis will empower us to take back the garden and not let the weeds take over.

The Gardeners Gathering will take place at the Country Club Christian Church, located at 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo. This lecture is free and open to the public. No registration required.

Door prizes. For further information call 816-665-4456 or check the website at www.mggkc.org, our new blog mggkcblog.wordpress. com, or our Facebook page for this and more Master Gardener information.

Chris Veach, a Master Gardener of Greater Kansas City.

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Spend a little time in Myrna’s garden and you may begin to believe in magic.

By Emily Parnell

A

ceramic artist, Myrna’s creativity is intrinsically connected to the earth. Perhaps this is because of her art’s simple beginnings – her love of making mud pies as a child. She never grew out of that love, although now it’s more refined. Her garden today delights the inner child of all who come to visit.

In Myrna Minnis’s garden, you can’t help but notice the profusely blooming oak leaf hydrangeas, lush hostas and Japanese maples, or the pond tucked into the corner. Colorful and unique pieces are found in every direction. A large painting – a canvas by local artist, Karen Folgarelli, hangs on the back of the house, and furniture crafted from reclaimed branches invites you to sit a spell. Blown glass balls dangle from trees, ceramic pieces and mosaics peek from every nook.

Myrna delights when children and adults alike stroll through the garden to take a closer look. They’re greeted by whimsical ceramic creatures, homes for fairies and other tiny magical folk peeking from the

JCCC Horticulture Science presents ...

Native Plants Symposium “Woodland Wonders from the Wild”

6-8 p.m., Friday, June 14 Capitol Federal Conference Center A/D, Regnier Center An enlightening, entertaining and educational look at some of the plants we overlook on woodland hikes.

Free and open to the public. Please register online at www.jccc.edu/science/native-plants-symposium.html

“The Joy of Propagation”

10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, June 15 HSC 121 (Horticultural Sciences Center) Hands-on workshop to gain experience in virtually every method of plant propagation. Participants receive plants and products donated by commercial sponsors. $100 per person ($65 for students) includes lunch; limited to 37 participants

For more information, contact: Dr. Lekha Sreedhar at 913-469-8500, ext. 3763, or email: lsreedha@jccc.edu Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kan. www.jccc.edu/science/native-plants-symposium.html

foliage. Myrna will never deny the possibility of their existence.

Nestled in an older section of Leawood, Kan., the garden’s “rooms” are lush with color and texture, the result of artful choices.

Myrna is careful not to allow the plants to crowd each other, allowing the plants’ forms to remain distinct and apparent. Even the plants that die often remain as part of the art. The trunk of a blue cedar atlas remains, now painted to bring attention to its elegant form.

The garden not only provides respite to Myrna and her friends, it is also a backdrop to art shows and art classes held in her home.

“The garden is a gift from nature, and we get to go out there and drink it all in, and have the fun of reorganizing it.” She urges people to stop worrying about manicuring their yard, and instead infuse a bit

Emily Parnell is a freelance writer who enjoys growing edibles, lookables, ideas and her children.

Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City present 2013 Garden Tour

“Unique Gardens of South Kansas City”

June 7th & 8th 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Rain or Shine Tickets are $15. Children 12 & under free.

Cash and checks only at the gardens.

Tickets available May 10th at various outlets and online via PayPal. See website for more information. www.mggkc.org

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of their own personalities into their gardens. Her suggestions: 1. Just start doing it. Start with what you have, move them around, and enjoy.

2. Start with one “room.” Add a piece of art to complement your plantings, and then spend time there. Provide seating or a path so you and your guests can enjoy your creation.

3. Look to reclaimed materials. A wealth of beauty can be found – and the items are already weathered!

4. Consider using rocks in your landscape. They add 4-season interest and are easy to maintain.

5. Share your plants with others. Swapping starts cultivates both beauty and friendship.

Most of all, know that you’ll be working on your garden forever – it’s a lifetime of rejuvenation and fun!

MU: An equal opportunity/ADA institution Proceeds benefit Master Gardener community projects.

The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

Consider Eggplant for the Edibles Garden

By Marlin Bates

N

ative to India and China, eggplant is a member of Solanaceae, the same family as potato, tomato, and pepper.

Eggplant is more intolerant of cool temperatures than the other members of Solanaceae, which underlines the importance of transplanting well after the threat of frost has passed. It is also much more drought tolerant due to its vast root system complemented by a deep tap root.

While eggplant is not an incredibly popular vegetable here in the U.S., many Americans have not been exposed to the vast array of eggplant types. For instance, Japanese eggplants are quite different than the traditional blocky, almost-black fruits that are available at U.S. grocers. Japanese eggplants are more elongated, usually 5-9 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. Their skins are thinner and their flesh is reportedly more delicate, making them a much more versatile vegetable in the kitchen.

Consequently, eggplant ranks very high in popularity in Japan. A quick review of available eggplant varieties in a seed catalog will reveal the broad spectrum of shapes and colors that this under-appreciated vegetable has to offer.

Eight- to 10-week old transplants of eggplant can be placed in the garden well into June, though most commercially available transplants are of poor quality if available at this time. However, gardeners who produce their own

transplants can delay production of eggplant transplants for June planting. This makes eggplant an ideal crop to follow longer-season spring crops in the garden. Earlier planting of eggplant can be aided by pre-warming the soil by covering it with a heat-soaking material such as black landscape fabric or by planting in raised beds. This will help the root system of the crop develop more quickly when soil temperatures are still climbing in May. Major pests of eggplant include flea beetle, cucumber beetle and Colorado potato beetle. The most impactful damage to crop quality

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and quantity is done by early foliage feeding on the plants. This can easily be managed by excluding these insects with row cover. Since the flowers of eggplant are selfpollinating, the row cover does not technically need to be removed in gardens with very high pest pressure. However, since some varieties of eggplant reach heights of 4-5 feet, it’s usually not practical to leave insect-excluding row cover on the plants beyond the establishment period of 4-6 weeks. Removal of row covers also helps to facilitate staking and harvesting.

Eggplants are commonly trained to prevent the fruit from coming into contact with the ground. One stake placed between every other plant with twine strung between and woven through the canopy is sufficient to supply the support these plants need.

All eggplants are harvested as immature fruits, before the seeds begin to harden and turn brown.

A thumbnail print into the neck of the fruit should remain when fruit is ready for harvest. Use a sharp knife to harvest the fruit, leaving about one inch of stem on the eggplant.

Gardeners who are looking to expand the variety in their gardens should look to eggplant as a new crop. With dozens of varieties to choose from, this vegetable deserves more attention in the home garden.

To learn more about eggplant culture, see MU Extension publication G6369: Eggplant Production at http://extension.missouri.edu/p/ G6369.

Marlin Bates is Horticulture Specialist for University of Missouri Extension.

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Local K-State Horticulturist Gives Go-Ahead on Impatiens

W

henever gardeners read or hear information that is contrary to what they’ve learned, they start researching with their network of resources. First on the list of contacts for accurate, local data is the knowledgeable staff at the Extension Service.

Recently, we received questions from our readers about downy mildew infecting impatiens. While we were not aware of any local problems, we went directly to the Johnson County Extension Service for help.

We asked, “Gardeners are concerned about a scary rumor.

They want to know if there is any truth to downy mildew infecting Impatiens. Worried about spreading to other plants in the garden, should they purchase and plant their favorite annual?”

Dennis Patton, horticulture agent gave this reply. “It is still alright to plant impatiens in Kansas City. The downy mildew has not hit our area at this time. Impatiens are one of our best shade loving and dependable annuals. So go ahead and plant them and only time will tell in the future if this disease moves into the area. But for now continue to enjoy this annual.”

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Pets and Plants

By Phil Roudebush, DVM, DACVIM

T

his is the first of several monthly articles that will discuss pets and plants. The emphasis will be on plants that can be hazardous to cats and dogs, but other aspects of plants, foods and horticultural practices that affect pets will be discussed.

More space will be given to dogs because they are omnivores like us and are likely to eat plants or plant materials. Young dogs and certain dog breeds such as Labrador retrievers or golden retrievers are more likely to chew or eat unusual or inappropriate items including plants. This makes dogs especially vulnerable to developing health problems from eating hazardous plants or plant materials. A number of different plants, food items from plants and horticultural practices, which are potentially harmful to our canine friends will be discussed in future columns. However, many plants or plant-related materials are safe and nutritious for dogs – ingredients commonly found in wholesome commercial or homemade dog foods include corn, wheat, rice, sorghum, barley, oats, potato, sweet potato, soybean meal, beet pulp, flaxseed, vegetable oil, peas, carrots, spinach, citrus pulp, blueberries and tomato pomace.

Unlike dogs and people, cats are obligate carnivores and are less likely to eat plants or plant materials on their own. However, the metabolism of carnivores is somewhat different than metabolism of omnivores or herbivores, which mean cats can develop severe health problems when eating or being

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exposed to certain plants. A few plants that are potentially harmful to our feline companions will also be discussed in future articles.

Despite the carnivore connection, many plants or plant-related materials are safe and nutritious for cats – ingredients commonly found in wholesome commercial cat foods include corn, wheat, rice, potato, soybean meal, beet pulp, flaxseed, vegetable oil, peas, carrots, spinach, citrus pulp and tomato pomace.

Stay tuned in the coming months for further information on pets and plants.

Phil Roudebush is a retired veterinarian, specialist in small animal internal medicine and adjunct faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. He is an Extension Master Gardener in Shawnee County, Kansas. He can be reached at philroudebush@gmail.com.

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Urban Grown Farms and Gardens Tour gather tips for your own food garden

By Emily Parnell

June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Photo by Ami Freeberg.

W

hat does it take to be a successful organic food grower in the Midwest? If you’ve ever felt like Mr. McGregor after Peter Rabbit stole his carrots, gone buggy over a crop lost to insects, or watched a healthy plant wither under the merciless sun, you know it can be difficult.

Yet, hundreds of local gardeners and farmers in the area are thriving, producing foods for themselves, their families, CSAs, markets and restaurants.

“How can this be?” might be asked by anyone who’s ever struggled with their garden. Lucky for Kansas City, you can see how the experts handle common pitfalls.

June 22-23, Cultivate KC is presenting the fifth biennial Urban Grown Farms and Gardens Tour.

You’re invited to visit farms and gardens across the metro, see the sites in action, and talk with growers excited to share their most valuable farming tips with you!

Blue Door Farm in Kansas City, KS is one tour site you won’t want to miss. On the grounds surrounding a picturesque red barn and smoke house, you’ll find bounty grown by Laura Christensen. The farm’s yield is impressive. With just two acres of farmland, a greenhouse, and two high tunnels, Blue Door Farm is a flourishing business, supplying their own CSA and selling at two local farmers’ markets.

Laura was happy to share tips for success that can be used in smaller scales by home gardeners.

The first thing a Midwestern gardener needs to do is to accept and prepare for Mother Nature’s curve balls. Extreme weather will always be in the forecast, so you should expect both successes and failures. Most importantly, don’t sweat the failures.

Mulching and row-covers are Laura’s go-to interventions for temperature-control, but also provide protection from pests. “Anything that will help moderate a crop’s temperature by four or five degrees will be beneficial,” Laura says.

Mulch: Most any mulch (that hasn’t been treated with chemicals)

Laura Christensen, right, of Blue Door Farm, is glad to share growing tips on peas, Swiss chard, tomatoes, and more. will do. Grass, straw or newspaper (not the shiny kind) will help maintain the soil temperature, prevent moisture from escaping in hot months, and keep out weeds.

Row Covers: Covering crops is a slightly more advanced intervention, but it can be the difference between success and failure.

• As a temperature-control measure, row covers give crops the extra advantage by extending the growing season – allowing young plants to establish early and crops to mature later into fall.

• A secure row cover will also keep out pests, including rabbits, cucumber beetles, squash bugs and squash vine borers. Row cover is a protective cloth stretched over hoops. It protects the plants until they begin to bloom, at which point it must be removed to allow pollination.

• In summer months, row covers should be removed to prevent overheating, and may be replaced with an open weave shade cloth that will help keep the plants cooler, also extending their growth.

Learning about your plants and tending to their specific needs is also helpful. Laura offered some tips for tomatoes: • Again, mulch. Tomatoes are often infected with a fungus that is found in the soil. When watered, the spores splash up onto the lower leaves. Mulch prevents this.

• Prune and stake the tomatoes to remain off the ground, and also to increase airflow, to also help with the tomatoes.

Laura knows everyone will find inspiration and value in the upcoming Urban Grown Farms and Gardens tour. “The ingenuity is

insane,” she said of the creative ways gardeners make the most of their land. “Kids can see how their food grows, and there will also be cooking demonstrations. How often do you get to see food taken from the ground, handed to a chef, cooked, then get to taste it?”

While your garden is growing, you can find Blue Door Farm’s organic produce at the Brookside Farmer’s Market, or join their CSA. To find out how, you can

email Laura at bluedoorfarm@ gmail.com.

Visit Blue Door Farm and 59 other sites, June 22-23. Find out more at www.cultivatekc.org!

Emily Parnell is a freelance writer who enjoys growing edibles, lookables, ideas and her children.

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1 Photos 2, 3, 4, and 5 courtesy of Powell Gardens.

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The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

7

Summer Flowering Trees Worth A Closer Look Leah Berg

S

ummer flowering trees don’t get the attention that spring flowering trees do. Perhaps it’s because spring flowering trees dazzle us after too many drab winter days, shouting “Hey! Notice me!”

Bare branches suddenly awaken with flowers too vain to compete with foliage for attention. Let the leaves come out later after the flowers exhaust themselves! Red maples, star magnolias, pears, plums, serviceberries, saucer magnolias, cherries, redbuds, and dogwoods take turns parading down streets and waving to passersby.

When asked to “Name a SUMMER flowering tree” many are stumped. These trees send out their leaves and flowers together, and are often overlooked.

In mid-May the sweet scent of black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia) flowering in the yard behind mine in mid-May is hard to describe … almost a blend of honey, vanilla and wisteria. Anyone outdoors in neighborhoods where these trees bloom must wonder if they smell lilacs or roses, but they are all truly distinct fragrances.

Unfortunately, I’ve battled locust seedlings for years and prefer to appreciate them from a distance.

This large native species is not recommended for smaller yards.

I’m also thinking about how the weather will affect what my students will see on their local field trips this June and July. A lingering winter with late snows delayed spring of 2013 by several weeks.

By contrast, spring of 2012 came about a month early after a remarkably mild winter. The timing of my class on deciduous trees and shrubs usually means learning to identify the spring blooming trees

June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

by their leaves rather than their extravagant flowers.

But the students are usually surprised by the wide variety of flowers on trees they may have never noticed before. This year we may get to see our campus yellowwood tree (Cladrastis kentukea) still blooming in early June, as well as the July flowering Japanese pagoda tree (#6).

These legume family members may be considered distant cousins of the black locust, all featuring edible white pea-like flowers in

For fragrance in May-June, it’s hard to beat sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana, #8). Usually a multi-stem form sold at area nurseries, they enhance our patios and paths with creamy flowers and sweet aroma. Magnolia grandiflora offers even larger flowers lingering into early July with glossy evergreen leaves.

Look around older streets of Kansas City for catalpa (Catalpa speciosa, #3), a tall native shade tree blooming May-June with frilly flowers reminiscent of orchids.

8 clusters similar to white wisteria.

Redbuds are also in this family (Fabaceae). We see similarities in the flat pea-like seed pods of this group, too.

I hope we’ll also see red buckeye (Aesculus pavia, #4) still blooming at the Discovery Center (4750 Troost).

Normally this small tree attractive to hummingbirds blooms April into May, while the larger Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) flowers May into June.

At this site I count on seeing the exotic-looking blooms of native tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera, #1), a tall magnolia family relative whose distinctive leaves nearly hide yellow-green cup-shaped flowers with a contrasting orange ring of color.

Notice white-flowering Chinese tree lilacs (Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis ‘China Snow’, #5) in June at the Kauffman Memorial Gardens, and Japanese tree lilacs ‘Ivory Snow’ increasingly used as street trees in midtown.

When a small drought tolerant tree is needed, consider a smoketree. It’s my recommendation for those with small, hot sunny sites.

Often called smokebush because they tend to be multi-stem, they tolerate pruning well. Foliage may be reddish-purple to green or golden, a colorful backdrop to other plants.

Their individual tiny yellow flowers in May-July are not showy.

But we definitely notice the fluffy smoke-like effect of them clustered on elongated hairy stalks. Hybrid ‘Grace’ (#2) is a cross between our

larger native American smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) and a smaller European variety Cotinus coggygria ‘Velvet Cloak.’

In June-July the spectacle of drought tolerant golden rain trees (Koelreuteria paniculata, #7) catch the attention of drivers passing an especially pretty group on the west side of Wornall just south of I-435.

Lovely from a distance, the impressive panicles seen close-up are dainty yellow and red flower clusters. Later, the triangular ripening seed capsules turn brown, resembling small Japanese paper lanterns.

One of the longest flowering small trees of summer June to early August, mimosas (Albizia julibrissen, cover image) also tickle our imaginations with wild pink powder puff flowers creating a tropical look.

Susceptible to ice/snow storm damage, seldom do we see a single trunk individual here due to new stems resulting from breakage or winter-kill. The multi-stem vase shape works nicely in some sites.

Light fragrance and attractive airy pinnately compound leaves are also assets.

With the right planning, we may develop landscapes that transition beautifully from early spring to late summer with interesting and diverse flower displays.

Crabapples provide a great bridge between the spring and summer seasons, but why not include some of the other selections where space and available sunlight permit? Consult our area botanical gardens and extension offices for more about the growth habits and needs of these featured trees.

Leah Berg is a landscape designer with a conservation emphasis.

She teaches at MCC-Longview and is also the Agribusiness/Grounds and Turf Management department coordinator. To consult privately, contact her at 816-353-7170.

19

Chinese Themed Water Gardens June is Lotus Month Diane Swan

S

ince the Japanese gardens were first influenced by the Chinese around 550 A.D., let’s step back even further to ancient times of the Chinese. The early Chinese wanted to achieve harmony using the basic laws of the universe. The Chinese practiced Feng Shui, which is the ancient art of improving every aspect of your life by enhancing your environment.

The Chinese have known from ancient times, that our physical surroundings affect all aspects of our daily life.

They had an almost intimate relationship between the elements of water and minerals. This extraordinary reverence for water and stones greatly influenced the design of the Chinese Water Garden.

The love of water and stone in its natural state was emphasized in their water features, as rocks and mountains are considered the skeleton of the earth and water

was considered the arteries of the earth. The concept of mountains and water are expressions of Yin and Yang in Feng Shui.

In Chinese the expression for landscape is “Shan Shui”, which means mountain and water. The Chinese tried to reproduce the richness of the universe in a confined landscape. The universe is being represented by mountains, streams, ponds, and rocks.

Large rocks, placed as specimens, represent sculptures. Whether the water element is calm or peaceful or tumbling in a cascade, water is one of the key elements that represents the source of all life.

When used as a presentation of calm, it inspires contemplation.

The flat surface of the pond mirrors the sky and the sky is considered half of the universe.

Paths are another key component of the landscape. Many times the paths were done in mosaic designs either using colored pebbles or by placing flagstones. The paths were designed so that the Chinese could interact with the Water Garden and surrounding landscape.

The Chinese are basically indifferent to actual garden flowers.

They choose plants for their perfume and for symbolic powers they sometimes believed them to

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have. Plants symbolize new life and growth.

The most frequently used plants in the Chinese landscape are: camellia, flowering cherry, chrysanthemums, clematis, hibiscus, iris, lilac, orchids, and tree-peonies, along with some of the following: 1. Bamboo symbolizes safety, harmony, and strong future. They believe if you have bamboo your life will improve in stages over time.

2. The Jade plant resembles the jade stone and considered one of good luck or good fortune and wealth.

3. The money plant symbolizes wealth and abundance coming to its owner.

4. Pines represent resilience, integrity, dignity, longevity.

5. Willow symbolizes gracefulness and scholarly atmosphere 6. Apple is safety.

7. Orange is good luck 8. Pear symbolize sweetness Many of these could be incorporated in your landscape surrounding the water garden.

In the water garden, you could use Tropical water lilies, bamboos,

reeds, Iris, umbrella palms, papyrus and the majestic Lotus which in Chinese folklore the Lotus is the most symbolic.

The Lotus represents purity of body, speech and mind. It also represents elegance, beauty, perfection, and grace. It also stands for peace, hope, and contentment and a symbol of spirituality.

So no Chinese-themed garden is complete without at least one Lotus. If you don’t have room in your water garden you could always do a Lotus bog, which can be located anywhere.

Chinese gardens also usually have solid structures such as entry archways, a shelter (such as pavilion, gazebo, or tea house) and benches by the water garden to sit and enjoy watching the fish.

Chinese-styled statuary and mosaic tiles or stepping stones will add those finishing touches that make a true Chinese Garden.

Kevin and Diane Swan own Swan’s Water Gardens, a full service water garden center. You may contact them at 913-592-2143.

The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

New Blog Aims to Help Kansas Gardeners Learn about Flowers That Thrive New Prairie Star Flowers Blog Joins Pecan Blog, Other K-State Horticulture Resources

I

n order to help gardeners find varieties of flowers that work best in Kansas, Kansas State University scientists launched a new blog (www.prairiestarflowersblog.com) and a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ PrairieStarFlowers).

Prairie Star is a collection of annual flower varieties tested by K-State to determine those that are best suited for the challenging prairie climate. The list includes flowers that exhibited superior performance for two or more years in bedding plant research trials in Olathe, Wichita, Hays and Colby.

“All varieties on the list grow well across the state, east to west and north to south,” said Alan Stevens, horticulture specialist with K-State Research and Extension.

“Growing flowers in Kansas is not like growing them in Florida or California or Illinois,” said Stevens, who is director of K-State’s Horticulture Research and Extension Center in Olathe.

“Everything on the list has not only endured, but thrived in the sometimes harsh Kansas growing conditions.”

Plants are rated for vigor, which he defined as how fast and strong they grow and how much substance they have. They are also rated on floriferousness – the overall visual

impact of the flower and foliage display.

The varieties include such names as Petunia Surfinia Wild Plum, Canna South Pacific Scarlet and Marigold Hero Series.

“In starting this blog, we wanted to give people a way to learn about flowers that can be grown successfully in Kansas, as well a way to interact with us,” Stevens said.

The blog is one of several ways K-State’s Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources is using social media. William Reid, a research and extension pecan specialist for Kansas and Missouri hosts a blog about northern pecans at northernpecans.blogspot.com.

The department has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kstate. hfrr, as does the nursery production extension program at www.facebook.com/NurseryWorks.

Historic Platte County Fair Celebrates 150th Annual Fair

E

very year since 1863 the volunteers of the Platte County Fair have worked to make it more fun and entertaining for fair goers. But this year is sure to be the best EVER! The oldest continually running county fair west of the Mississippi will celebrate the 150th fair!

So much fun is planned, the fair had to add a day to get it all in! It will run July 23 through 27. (Evenings 23-26 and all day and night July 27.) On July 23 the fair will open at 4 p.m.

The Platte County Fairgrounds are located at exit 18 or 20 off Missouri’s I-29.

(15730 Fairgrounds Road, Tracy, MO 64079) ON JULY 23 ONLY there will be free admission so families can get in on the early birdfun and special activities.

From July 24 through 27, daily admission is only $10

(including parking on the fairgrounds as available). Children 12 years and younger are admitted free.

July 23 and 24 Season tickets at the gate will be $30.

There will be lots of special events added to the fair this year, but all the traditional entertainment will be there, too. July 24 through 26, the gates open at 4:00 p.m. The carnival starts at 6:00 p.m. On July 27 shows start at 9:00 a.m. and exhibits, games and fun – including live music go on through the night. On Sat. the carnival runs from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to closing.

For a full schedule of the events and activities at the fair and locations for pre-season ticket sales visit www.plattecountyfair.com. Follow the fair on Facebook!

To contact the fair call (816) 431-FAIR.

June 1 - September 29

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21

Y

ou’ve done it – tucked those tender bedding plants into the garden just so. And now you’re looking forward to all manner of flowers and vegetables from your back yard. So what can turn this satisfying scene into one big disappointment?

“Rabbits in gardens are a perennial problem because of the wide variety of plants they can feed on,” said K-State Research & Extension horticulturist Ward Upham. “This time of year, they gravitate to young vegetables and flowers. But there are some vegetables that are rarely bothered including potatoes, tomatoes, corn, squash, cucumbers and some peppers.”

Fencing can provide a quick and effective control method for susceptible plants, said Upham.

“The fence does not need to be tall; 2 feet is sufficient for cottontails, but the mesh must be sufficiently fine (1 inch or less) so young rabbits will not be able to go through it. Support for the fence can be supplied by a num-

Plants can uptake water & nutrients better. Deeper roots promote cooler turf & plants.

ber of products, but electric fence posts work well,” he said.

Where fencing is not acceptable because it affects garden’s attractiveness, there are other ways to control rabbits, he said, including repellents and trapping.

“Repellents are often suggested for control, but often do not last long and require frequent reapplication,” Upham said.

“Also, many are poisonous and cannot be used on plants destined for human consumption.”

Live traps can be used to collect and move the rabbits to a rural area several miles from where they were trapped. A number of baits can be used to entice the rabbit into the trap, including a tightly rolled cabbage leaf held together with a toothpick. However, rabbits often avoid baits if other attractive food is available, he said.

A motion-activated sprinkler is another possibility, he added.

These are attached to a garden hose and release a short burst of water when motion is detected.

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BioBlitz Returns

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ack by popular demand, BioBlitz 2013 will be held at the Overland Park Arboretum on June 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Scientists, teachers, students and the public will gather once again to participate in this one-day biological inventory. Participants will identify and record many species of living organisms found at the Arboretum.

BioBlitzes are conducted worldwide to learn more about an area’s biodiversity and abundance. They are a blend of science, education and community—and loads of fun.

Spend a day with a team of experts identifying birds, flowers, bats, reptiles, spiders, trees, prairie wildflowers and grasses, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and much more.

Register online at www.opabg. org and select the areas of most interest to you. Registration is limited to adults and youngsters 14 years and older. Non-member registration is $28 per person, $18 for students with I.D., or $25/$15 for Friends of the Arboretum (FOTA) members. Questions can be directed to Event Chair Dan Johnson at gdj102356@hotmail.com.

The Overland Park Arboretum is one of the most biologically diverse places in the Kansas City area. With eight natural ecosystems, botanical gardens and a wide variety of trees and shrubs native to the area, no wonder this 300-acre site is such a treasure. The Arboretum is located in south Overland Park about 3/4 mile west of Highway 69 on 179th Street. Telephone: 913-685-3604.

Website: www.opabg.org

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June Rose Report Japanese beetles and rose rosette disease

Charles Anctil

I

am doing this on purpose, so pay attention! Japanese Beetles are in Missouri and no doubt in eastern Kansas. Last year I found 2 beetles working on my roses. The blooms looked riddled by buckshot! The adults emerge midJune through July.

They are day beetles; they emerge from the soil every day to feed and return to the soil every evening. Adults eat foliage, fruit, and flowers of over 300 plants. Adult beetles live up to 6 weeks then die, but the eggs can hatch in as little as 10 days depending on how warm it is, and these little monsters can really mess up your turf by eating the grass roots!

Several rose people I have talked to will go out mid-morning and pick off these little “beasties” and put them in glass jars and trash them.

Do not MASH them. If you do, they send off an odor that attracts more beetles. Traps are bad news because they attract more beetles and not get them all. Many sprays kill bees, so whatever you spray with read the label.

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June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Rose rosette disease symptoms: rapid stem elongation, leaf distortion, leaf reddening, leaf chlorosis with yellow mosaic patterns, smaller leaves than normal, excessive thorn production. Roses exhibiting symptoms of rose rosette may resemble plants that have been exposed to herbicides such as Roundup or 2,4-D, or have a nutritional deficiency. Infected plants may die in two to five years.

Rose Rosette is transmitted by the eriophyid mite. The mites may move from plant to plant by attaching to insects or air currents. Rose Rosette disease can be spread by infected pruners, so thoroughly clean pruners with Lysol or disinfectant between each plant.

There is no cure for rose rosette disease.

Infected plants must be dug up, including roots, and disposed of immediately. Keep a close eye on your roses this coming year because all roses can get rose rosette.

Information provided by Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Rose Rosette Disease, KSU, March 2011. For more info, contact Kansas State Univ. Extension Service, Johnson Co., 913-715-7000.

Tour South Kansas City Gardens

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June 7 and 8, 9am to 4:30pm

he Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will hold their 2013 Garden Tour, “Unique Gardens of South Kansas City,” Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, from 9 am to 4:30 pm each day. This biennial garden tour will focus on seven beautiful gardens in the areas south of the Plaza between Ward Parkway and Troost Avenue. This area encompasses the older, unique neighborhoods of Crestwood, Brookside, and Waldo.

For further information visit the Master Gardener website: www. mggkc.org/gardentour, the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Facebook page, or our new blog at mggkcblog.wordpress.com for images and up-dated information. Tickets are for sale through ticket outlets and PayPal. A complete list of ticket outlets can be found on our website under “Garden Tour”.

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Charles Anctil has been an active Rosarian since 1958, Kansas City Rose Society, ARS Judge Emeritus, ARS Master Consulting Rosarian. If you need help, call him at Moffet’s Nursery, St. Joseph, Mo., 816-2331223.

SPEAKERS’ BUREAU

Need a speaker for your church, civic group or garden club? The Johnson County Extension Speakers’ Bureau have the speakers you are looking for on just about any topic like environmentally safe lawn care, or perennial flower gardening.

To schedule a speaker for your group, please contact the office. For more information on this service, call 913-715-7000.

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Grow Veggies in a Container

Erin Busenhart

W

hat a season so far! With the struggle we’ve had just getting our front pots planted many vegetable gardens were slow to be planted – or replaced after a few early attempts.

But just because we’re a little late this year doesn’t mean you can’t have a successful harvest!

Some of my favorite veggies for great production even with our abridged season: Imperial Star Artichoke: Have you always wanted to try growing Artichokes but thought it was impossible here? ‘Imperial Star’

produces in a third of the time as other varieties – only 85 days!

Cute Stuff Pepper: A dwarf bell that ripens green to red and produces three times more than other bell peppers – and a great size for containers!

And some cool fool-proof tomatoes to try…

Tumbling Tom Tomato: A true trailing tomato! Perfect for hanging baskets – maybe that could keep the squirrels away – or planted underneath another tomato in a large whiskey barrel. Cherry-sized fruit on a plant that can truly find a place anywhere!

Mega Bite: A super cool new tomato perfect for containers! A thick, stocky plant that can support the fruit with minimal staking. The tag will claim no staking is necessary but I think a little staking with our wind is always a good thing. The best part … up to 60 good-sized tomatoes per plant per season!

Keep your trees and shrubs healthy this summer.

We can keep your trees free of bagworms, aphids and other damaging pests.

Call our office for a free tree evaluation today to make sure your landscape plants are protected.

Mighty Mato: This is new brand name of grafted tomato varieties and a perfect choice for this season especially if you want to try growing an heirloom variety. Essentially a grafted tomato is two tomatoes in one – they take a vigorous but not as tasty varieties roots and graft that to a more desirable variety top, like Mortgage Lifter or Brandywine.

What you get is the flavor you want with exceptional drought tolerance, disease resistance and heavy fruit production.

And don’t forget the herbs!

Add some herbs to pots of other vegetables or keep some pots just for herbs. All herbs like the same things so they can all be planted together…except mint, which doesn’t play well with others. Here are some herbs you have to try!

Cutting Celery (Apium graveolens): An easy-to-grow “cut and come again” celery without the large stalks or strings.

Mojito Mint: The true mint for authentic Mojitos! Just recently introduced in the United States from Cuba—pot up one and invite the neighbors over to party.

Variegated Ginger Mint: A great lessaggressive mint with fabulous variegation that makes a wonderful statement in containers.

Lettuce Leaf Basil: A very large leaved basil with a milder flavor than other varieties; try it as a

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replacement to lettuce on your summer BLT. Gold Dust Rosemary: Great culinary flavor with chartreuse variegated foliage.

And as always here are some basic planting guidelines: For tomatoes, start with at least a 16 inch container and good potting mix – not top soil and not garden soil – hey, we have to deal with terrible dirt in the ground, we shouldn’t choose it. Site your pots in a spot with as much sun as possible but at minimum 6 hours. Use a tomato food – I like Tomato-tone – on all your veggies about every 3-4 weeks.

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The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

Do Butterflies Fall in Love?

Lenora Larson

J

une inspires love and marriage among humans. Likewise, June and the summer months inflame the passions of butterflies.

Like human males, male butterflies exhibit a range of romantic behaviors from tender courtier to serial rapist. Most males emerge from chrysalis before the females and join their drinking buddies at the nectar bar (flowers) and at mineral-rich puddling sites. The boys also prepare nuptial gifts, spermatophores, to woo their future brides. This nutritious package contains sperm, proteins and the salts acquired from puddling.

Male Strategies Males then fly to their species’ caterpillar food plant since that’s where the ladies will be coming to lay their eggs. The gentleman may perch and wait, or he may cruise the area. Isn’t this just like teenagers going to the mall? For instance, a male Tiger Swallowtail establishes a tree-top territory over his species’ caterpillar food plant, a Cherry, Hackberry or Tulip Tree.

He seeks to impregnate all incoming ladies, but woe to any intruding male! He defends his territory with vigorous aerial attacks.

Patrollers actively cruise an area by flying back and forth along a certain route until they find a female to court. Male Zebra Swallowtails are easy to spot as they swoop back and forth, typically near a Pawpaw grove, intently searching for female companionship.

Courtships Butterflies wear their brilliant patterns of color for species and gender recognition. Life is too short to be courting the wrong species or the same sex! Beautiful attire and alluring perfumes assist in determining if the relationship has possibilities. If the male and female agree, courtship proceeds.

The romantic Swallowtail envelops his lady in clouds of male pheromones, the butterfly equivalent of after-shave lotion. They dance together with wings gently fluttering. In contrast, the brutish male Monarch knocks the lady from the sky, pins her to the ground and forcibly fondles her with his antennae. Once she surrenders, he hoists her aloft to copulate in flight.

Love and Marriage Males initiate the action, but the ladies control copulation (sound familiar?). Females comparison shop for the best candidate to

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father their caterpillars. If a gentleman suitor does not meet their high standards, unwilling females fly away or signal “Scram buddy!” by raising their abdomen or rapidly flapping their wings.

If the female accepts his advances, the male aligns their abdomens for mating, guided by his special genital eye. Pairs may stay bonded for several hours.

Do butterflies fall in love? Certainly there are attractions between the sexes, but male butterflies have commitment issues and move on quickly, romancing as many females as possible. Some ladies are faithful to their first love, but the females of many species are Jezebels, frolicking with many males and laying eggs fertilized by different fathers. Males counter to prevent being cuckolded. For instance, he may offer a really large, wet spermatophore to bribe the lady into fidelity. Some male

species seal her genitalia with a plug or even a chastity belt; however, in some species, the females or the new male suitors can remove it. The battle of the sexes and the search for love continues, just like humans!

MICO Extension Master Gardener and Kansas Native Plant Society member, Lenora Larson gardens and hosts butterflies in the cruel winds and clay soil of Paola, Kansas. Contact her at lenora. longlips@gmail.com.

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Shawnee Garden Sampler Tour T

he Garden Club of Shawnee will hold its 17th Garden Sampler tour on June 1. The tour, which will be open from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m., regardless of weather, features six unique gardens.

Tour tickets ($10) are available from the following Shawnee merchants: Earl May Garden Center, 21700 Midland Dr; Family Tree Nursery and Garden Center; Hartman & Sons Sentry Hardware, 11018 Johnson Drive; and Wild Birds Unlimited, 13222 W. 62nd Terr.

Proceeds from the biennial tour are used to provide grants to local groups for community beautification and education projects, as well as to maintain the Memorial Rose Garden in West Flanders Park at 55th and Nieman Road. In March 2013, Garden Club funded over $2,000 in grants among 13 recipients, including eight schools, two churches, and three organizations.

A few of the gardens are briefly described here. To see all of the garden photos and details about

The Seip garden, with cozy patio to relax and overlook this beautiful place, is definitely one to see. this tour, check www.shawneegarden.homestead.com/.

Conifer heaven is a good way to describe the Seip garden. A cozy patio provides the perfect location to relax and overlook this beautifully crafted garden. While comprised of Midwest regulars such as hostas and ferns, there are many annuals and perennials sprinkled in that provide beautiful accents

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to the lush greenery. Clematis climbs an arbor leading off the patio into the many meandering trails that immerse even the most distracted stroller. This is definitely one to see!

The McCord casual, eclectic garden is in perfect harmony with the cottage-style house it encompasses. The garden combines Brenda’s creative use of plants and found objects, with Steve’s building expertise; as displayed in the picket fence, arbors, gates and other structures. Stone and brick pathways invite you on a journey along borders where a repetition of plantings serves to unify the various garden elements. This mostly sunny garden was planned for continuous bloom, color and texture contrast. Sun perennials such as rudbeckia, daylilies, coneflower, sundrops, coreopsis and salvia abound. In shadier areas you will find hosta, columbine, bleeding heart and Japanese Anemone.

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yard is dominated by the barkpeeling birch and the redbud in the courtyard. Once in the backyard, you will immediately see three large columnar English oaks on the berm. On the opposite side of the berm is a relatively new seven son tree which is a fall bloomer and attracts pollinators by the droves.

There is much activity in the yard due to the purple martin houses as well as several bird feeding stations. We consistently have bluebirds, cardinals, orioles, finches, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, blue jays and many other species. The main emphasis in the garden is specimen perennials – both shade and sun as well as hostas. Container gardening is also happening so as to add to the color and diversity in the yard. Also, back in the corner of the yard are several tomato, pepper and cucumber plants. There are also herbs for cooking and we are most proud of the many plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the summer.

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www.benslawnandgarden.com The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

Connect with Nature this June

T

his June brings the chance to reconnect with nature at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden. Just as LEGO® bricks connect to create something colorful, intricate and fun, so does nature. Now families can reconnect with one another and explore the connections of the natural world as they tour the 27 amazing LEGO® brick sculptures created by New York artist and Certified LEGO® Professional Sean Kenney. The Nature Connects exhibit opens Saturday, June 1, and continues through Sunday, Sept.

29. The exhibit is included in regular admission, which is $10/adults, $9/seniors, and $4/children 5-12.

Opening Weekend: June 1-2 Book signing with Sean Kenney (Saturday), Paint-A-Pot, locally built LEGO® brick creations on display and more!

Insect Engineers Discovery Station: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 8-9 Just as LEGO® bricks connect to form all kinds of creations, insects use amazing engineering skills to create the structures they call home. Learn how insects build hives and underground fortresses and make a mason bee hive to take home.

Father’s Day Concert with Dino O’Dell: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 16 Connect with Dad during a day of fun at Powell Gardens. Tour the Nature Connects exhibit, build something together in the LEGO® building area and then enjoy one of Kansas City’s top children’s performers in concert. Plan for lunch

• • • • • •

in Café Thyme or bring a picnic to enjoy in the performance area.

miss a demonstration by Bricks for KIDZ from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.!

Meet a Master Builder LEGO® Family Night: 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 21 Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center’s resident Master Builder Jeremiah Boeher for an evening of LEGO® fun in the Gardens. The evening includes fun with Radio Disney, self-guided tours of the Nature Connects exhibit, S’more stops and activities for the kids. See details and make reservations at powellgardens.org/LEGONights.

A Perfect Pair: Wine & Cheese Tasting with Amigoni Urban Winery and Green Dirt Farm; 6-8 p.m., Sunday, June 23 Local favorites come together for an evening in the Heartland Harvest Garden’s Vineyard on June 23.

This wine and cheese tasting pairs wine from Amigoni Urban Winery in Kansas City, Mo., with cheeses from Green Dirt Farm in Weston, Mo., and breads from Meadowlark Acres in Stilwell, Kan. Meet winemaker Michael Amigoni, Green Dirt Farm’s Margaret Lawlor and Meadowlark Acres’ Suzanne Frisse. Enjoy four delicious wines paired with exceptional cheeses and artisan breads in a gorgeous and relaxed setting!

Nest Knitting Discovery Station, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 22-23 See how birds put their building skills to the test at this drop-in Discovery Station, open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Some birds use mud, some choose sticks and some even choose spider webs! Stop by to discover the skills involved in building bird nests and try your hand at making one yourself.

LEGO® Brick Building Challenge, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 29 Show us what you can build!

Bring your own sculpture built from LEGO® bricks to the Gardens to compete for great prizes, including an annual pass to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and more. No entry fee is required. See powellgardens.org/BuildingChallenge for entry forms and full details. Don’t

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June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

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Chef Demonstrations in the Heartland Harvest Garden Gather at the Missouri Barn to learn new ways to prepare garden-fresh foods. The Garden Chef Series continues at 2 p.m. Sundays in June, featuring: * Sun, June 9: Terry Mille, Owner/ Chef at Cowtown Cheesecake Co. at 1 p.m. and Jane Zieha, Owner/Chef at Blue Bird Bistro at 2 p.m. * Sun, June 23: Brian Bromwell, Sous Chef at The River Club * Sun, June 30: Alex Pope, Chef at Vagabond Culinary Events and Co-owner/Chef at Local Pig Charcu and Pigwich

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Plants & Pumpkins

27

By Terry Blair Michel

Plentiful Harvest

E

veryone knows what a community garden is, am I right?

This community garden at St. Peter’s Catholic Church started out just as you would imagine. It came out of the church’s mission to literally feed the hungry, the most honorable of missions. At first the goal was a purely practical venture to harvest as much produce as possible to enhance the food pantry. But then the parishoners added another feature: a well-rounded garden that is a community prayer path, outdoor classroom, and a beautiful vegetable and flower garden.

This wonderful garden is the most serene respite one could ever imagine for a garden of service to the community. The soulfulness of walking among the many raised beds is amazing in the fact that it exists in the middle of urban movement that surrounds the church on Meyer Boulevard. There are a total of twelve raised beds in all, growing useful vegetables such as kale, collards, greens, and okra among

many others. Even in the heat of last summer, the vegetables were in fullness and beauty as if they were oblivious to our blisteringly hot summer.

In addition to the vegetables, there are three berry patches for blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries; five fruit trees (apple, pear, and cherry); and an herb garden to give flavor to the vegetables. But the parishioners didn’t stop with food for human consumption. Also

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seen in the garden are a butterfly garden, bird baths and feeders and several bird houses. This is a garden that uses nearly every space of what was considered “wasted space” to help drain the campus, but now is a garden that creates a peaceful zone in the middle of the “busy-ness” of the city.

Several trees help to shade the area: weeping serpentine cherries that backdrop a fountain, flowering beautifully in the spring; a lovely flowering purple globe locust; dogwoods and spruce to backdrop a statue of St. Francis; and a Japanese maple and an Austrian pine in a seating area. The garden boasts 14 benches along a walking path of contemplation. One might think this garden was planned by a designer, but it was all trial and error and lots of committed volunteers who still work to maintain a pristine and peaceful space.

Don’t miss this marvelous example of a community garden, or for that matter an edible garden space, which will be shown to the public during the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City 2013 Garden Tour, “Unique Gardens of South Kansas City”, June 7 and 8, 9 am – 4:30 pm.

Tickets are $15 and are available at various outlets around the Kansas City area and online via PayPal — a listing of ticket outlets is available on our website (www. mggks.org). Children 12 and under are free.

For further information about the seven gardens on this tour, visit www.mggkc.org under the “Garden Tour” heading, our blog www.mggkcblog.wordpress.com, or our Facebook page.

Terry Blair Michel, a Master Gardener of Greater Kansas City.

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Fairy garden SupplieS! The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

June

garden calendar n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

n LAWNS

n FLOWERS

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Renovate June bearing strawberry beds after harvest.

• Fertilize strawberries and water regularly to promote new growth.

• Plant another crop of sweet corn, green beans, squash and cucumbers.

• Watch tomatoes for foliar leaf disease development and treat.

• Mulch crops for moisture conservation and weed control.

• Continue a regular fruit disease and insect control program.

• Treat peach trees for trunk borers.

• Remove sucker growth from the base of trees and along branches.

• Pinch herbs to keep bushy and fresh with new growth.

• Turn compost pile and keep moist for a quicker breakdown.

• Pinch chrysanthemums for development of a bushy plant.

• Deadhead spent flower blossoms to keep plant flowering.

• Remove flower stalks from peonies and iris.

• Mulch flower gardens for the summer to conserve moisture, control weeds and cool the soil.

• Water plants as needed.

• Fertilize tea roses with about 1/2 cup of low analysis fertilizer per plant.

• Trim spent rose blossoms.

• Check plants for insects.

• Remove dead foliage from spring bulbs.

• Water and fertilize container plantings regularly to encourage growth and flowering.

• Continue to plant annuals for summer color.

• Remove pansies and other spring flowers as they end their growth cycle.

• Bluegrass and tall fescue at 3” or 3 1/2” for better summer heat resistance.

• Fertilize zoysia lawns with high nitrogen fertilizer such as 27• 3• 3.

• Sod or plug bare areas in zoysia lawns.

• Spot treat for broadleaf weeds.

• Core aerate zoysia lawns for removal of thatch and overall vigor.

• Let grass clippings fall for nutrient recycling.

• Water the turf sparingly to increase drought tolerance during heat of summer. Let turf wilt between watering for best results.

• Check mower blade for sharpness and sharpen as needed about every 10 hours.

• Check lawn mower engine oil and add or change according to owners’ manual.

• Check for bagworms and control.

• Mulch around the base of trees and shrubs to conserve moisture.

• Prune pines and spruces to shape and control size.

• Water newly planted trees and shrubs.

• Prune spring flowering shrubs.

• Do not damage tree trunks with mowers and weed whips.

• Check for spider mite damage on various shrubs.

• Clip hedges as needed to maintain shape.

n HOUSEPLANTS

• Fertilize throughout the summer months to encourage growth.

• Wash leaves to remove dust.

• Take cuttings to start new plants.

• Prune and shape plants for added beauty.

• Repot plants as needed in 1• inch larger containers.

• Check for insect problems.

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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Club Meetings African Violets of Greater Kansas City Tues, Jun 11, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Members meeting.

816-784-5300 Bonsai Society of Greater Kansas City Sat, Jun 8 and 29, 9:30am-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Workshop. 816-784-5300 Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Sun, Jun 9, 1-3pm; in the Rose Room at Loose Park, 51st and Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO. Pinching to make a bushier plant will be the meeting topic. The meeting is open to anyone wanting more information on growing dahlias. Contact Randy Burfeind at 913-451-3488 for more information.

Greater KC Gardeners of America Mon, Jun 3, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Members meeting.

816-784-5300 Greater KC Herb Study Group Wed, Jun 12, 12-2pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Business meeting starts at 12 pm. We will then go to Paula Winchester’s “The Herb Gathering and “Twelve Winds Tea Company” for our spring field trip. For reservations please call 913-592-3546.

Independence Garden Club Sat, Jun 10, 6:30pm; at Sermon Center, Noland and Truman Rds, 4th floor, Independence, MO. We will tour the McCoy house at 410 W Farmer St, Independence, Mo. We will meet at 6:30 pm. In case of bad weather we will meet at Sermon center corner of Truman and Noland Rd, forth floor. For more information call 816-373-1169 or 816-796-4220 or visit our web site www.independencegardenclub.com Kansas City Rose Society Sun, Jun 2, 1-5pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Rose Day. Rose Garden Program from 3-4pm. 816784-5300 Kaw Valley Herbs Study Group Tues, Jun 11, 7pm; at Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, 1263 N 1100 Rd, Lawrence, KS. We meet monthly to learn about herbs. We explore all aspects of an herb: growing & harvesting, historical lore, culinary virtues,

medicinal merits, and aromatherapy, household, and cosmetic applications.

Our gatherings are fun and educational, and jam-packed with useful information, including relevant demonstrations. Everyone with an interest in herbs is welcome. There is a $2 charge to cover costs (KVHSG is a non-profit group; no charge for students). No pets. Nursing babies and children over 10 are welcome. www.facebook.com/ HerbGroup Leawood Garden Club Tues, Jun 25; at Leawood Presbyterian Church, 2715 W 83rd St, Leawood, KS. Business meeting starts at 10:30am, followed by installation of officers for the coming year. Potluck luncheon.

Desserts & beverages provided. Open to the public, guests are welcome.

Contact 816-363-0925 or jaguyn@aol. com for further information.

Lenexa Field and Garden Club Tues, Jun 11, 7-8pm. Tour of a member’s garden. Call 913-449-6563 for address. www.lenexafieldandgardenclub.org. Contact 913-529-3204 or 913-449-6563.

Mo Kan Daylily Society Sun, Jun 9, 12-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Members meeting.

816-784-5300 Northland Garden Club Tues, Jun 18, 7pm; at Linden Baptist Church, 611 NE 69th Street in Gladstone (69th and N. Holmes).

Program for June is Special Gardening Shortcuts. Please check website for additional information: www.northlandgardenclub.com.

Overland Park Gardeners of America Mon, Jun 10, 7pm; at Colonial Church at 71st and Mission, Prairie Village KS. Our program will be presented by Mervin Wallace, Wildflowers Farms, speaking on Native plants, “Sun, Shade and Everything in Between”.

Plants will be available for purchase.

Refreshments will be served. Visitors always welcome. Come Grow with Us. For additional information contact Judy Schuck 913-362-8480.

Shawnee Garden Club Sat, Jun 1, 9am-5pm. Shawnee Garden Tour.

Shawnee Garden Club Thurs, Jun 6, 6pm; at West Flanders Park at 55th and Nieman Road.

Picnic.

The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

Shawnee Garden Club Sat, Jun 8, 10am. Old Shawnee Days Parade.

ShoMe African Violets Society Fri, Jun 14, 10:30am-2pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Members meeting.

816-784-5300

Events, Lectures & Classes June Fresh Promises Farmers Market & Sunflowers Weds, 4:30-7pm; at The Barn at 9210 Kill Creek Road in DeSoto, KS. (exit northeast corner of K-10 and Kill Creek Road). Enjoy fresh produce and pick your own sunflowers from nine varieties. Proceeds benefit De Soto Rotary’s Sunflower PolioPlus Project.

FREE Workshops Sat, Jun 1, 10am and 1pm; at St Joseph East Hills Library, 502 N Woodbine Rd. 10 am, Rain Gardens for Beauty and Function. 1 pm, How to Disconnect Gutter Downspouts and Install Rain Barrels. Prizes! Please register for workshops at leigh@shockeyconsulting.com Kansas City Rose Society’s “Roses for Children” Sat, Jun 1, 3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Learn about roses, view Rose Show entries. Free Kansas City Rose Society Rose Show Sat, Jun 1, 4-5pm; at the Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64112. Entries will be accepted between 9:30am and 12:30pm on Saturday. Viewing from 4-5pm. Jun 2, Rose Day Celebration will be held in the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden. Rose Show will be open to the public from 1 to 5pm in the Rose Room & Foyer.

Rose Day Celebration will be in the Rose Garden at 3pm. The Kansas City Youth Ballet will perform. No Charge.

For more information: www.kansascityrosesociety.org 19th Annual Garden Tour/Plant Sale Jun 1-2, 9am-5pm; Hermann, Missouri.

Two Tours in 2013: the popular Town Tour, a walking tour of gardens in downtown Hermann, and Country Tour, a driving tour to country gardens. Separate ticket for each tour with $10 ticket for each tour including visits to private gardens and the Garden Demonstration Area. Town & County Garden Tour Combo Ticket for $15.

Special Ticket By-Reservation-Only Luncheon/Silent Auction on May 31st.

Visit the Hermann Garden Tours web-

site at www.hermanngardentours.com for up to date events, ticket prices, and photographs. ‘Like’ us on Facebook at Hermann Garden Club Tours 2013.

Call Hermann Welcome Center at 800932-8687 or go to www.visithermann. com.

Douglas County Master Gardeners Garden Tour Sat and Sun, Jun 1-2, 9am-4pm Sat and 11am-4pm Sun, Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St, Lawrence, KS. Start at the collection of demonstration gardens at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, where you also will find a plant and crafts sale.

Six private gardens, each with a unique focus, will offer a bounty of ideas for landscaping design. $10 per person; children 12 and under free.

Northland Garden Club Annual Garden Tour Sun, Jun 2. This year’s tour is “An Afternoon at Country Downs” and will be a walking tour of the neighborhood at Vivion and North Monroe.

There will be five gardens and featured artists. $10 per person. For further information contact Dee West, 816455-4013 or check the website at www.

Northlandgardenclub.com

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center offers opportunities to learn about creatures, bugs, birds, rockin’ and readin’

Tick Time June 8, Saturday 1-2pm; No registration required (ages 8+) It’s awful to look down after a pleasant hike to see what you thought was a piece of dirt is actually a blood sucking pest! Don’t let these annoying arachnids keep you from enjoying nature. Come discover their purpose in nature and how to deter them from feasting on you.

Build a House for Missouri’s State Bird June 8, Saturday 2-4pm; Registration required at 816-228-3766 (families) Come discover Missouri’s state bird, the eastern bluebird. You can play a role in bluebird conservation as you build a bluebird box of your own.

The Wild Ones: Wild Edibles along the Little Blue River June 15, Saturday 9-11am; Registration required at 816-228-3766 (adults) Meet us on the Little Blue Trace Trail for an unforgettable stroll in an area rich with biodiversity. Along this historic bottomland forest, you will be amazed at how many of the plants are edible.

“Rhapsody of Roses”, Rose Show and Rose Day Sun, Jun 2, 1-5pm; at the Loose Park Garden Center and the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden. Garden Center Building, Jacob L. Loose Park, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO, 64112. Open for public viewing. Annual Rose Show Exhibit Celebrating Rose Growers. The Kansas City Rose Show will be held in Rose Day Celebration in the Rose Garden at 3pm. The Kansas City Youth Ballet will perform. Visit www.kansascityrosesociety.org for more information.

Nature’s Clean-up Crew June 15, Saturday 1-2:30pm; Registration required at 816-228-3766 (all ages) Vultures, cockroaches and millipedes, oh my! They may seem gross, but decomposers and scavengers are essential for keeping nature clean. Join us as we learn about these unique critters and see some of them up close!

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs Jun 3-Jul 24, M/W evenings, 5:458:30pm; at Metropolitan Community College-Longview campus. This 3 credit hour class may be taken by anyone interested in identifying and studying ornamental trees and shrubs common to the Kansas City area. Expect to do moderate walking on 5 local field trips. Home gardeners and volunteers for programs such as Master Gardeners may take it on an audit basis (ungraded) but class fees still apply.

Those over age 65 residing in district may be eligible for waived tuition. This may be taken by students enrolled in other colleges needing an interesting elective. This class is required for students in the Agribusiness/Grounds and Turf Management program. For information, please e-mail Pam.Hensley@ mcckc.edu (note in subject line “AGBS class inquiry”) or call instructor Leah Berg (816) 353-7170.

Family Crayfish Catchin’ June 29, Saturday 10-11:30am; Registration required at 816-228-3766 (families with children ages 3+) Crayfish are great indicators of the health of Missouri’s streams.

You will explore Burr Oak Creek, challenge your ability to capture this elusive creature and share a fun filled water adventure with your family.

Rockin’ & Readin’ Nature Tales June 29, Saturday 11am-Noon; Walk-in (ages 2+) Join us for a story hour as we lead you on fantastic nature adventures! We will meet butterflies, birds, mammals and all sorts of magnificent creatures! We will cross rivers, discover mysteries within the forest and fly across the prairies. Our imaginations are the only limits.

Hummers of Summer June 22, Saturday 1-2pm; No registration required (all ages) Missouri’s smallest bird is also one of the liveliest, captivating and endearing. Although tiny, the ruby-throated hummingbird works incredibly hard during its summer breeding season here. You’ll soon have a lot more to appreciate the next time one zips by!

Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center 1401 NW Park Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015 816-228-3766 mdc.mo.gov/node/280 For more information email burr.oak@mdc.mo.gov

(continued on page 32)

June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

31

Techniques to Preserve Garden Harvest Offered by University of Missouri Extension, classes listed here are held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 3601 S. Sterling Ave., Independence, Mo. Cost: $20. Register with Karen Elliott, University of Missouri Extension, 816-482-5850, elliottk@missouri.edu Salsa from Your Garden June 27, 2013, 6-8 p.m.

Learn the basic steps of hot water bath canning by making a salsa. This class will give you hands-on experience with the easier and less expensive type of canning. You can apply the same steps to making fruit salsas. You will take home one jar of salsa.

Pressure Canning Summer Produce July 11, 2013, 6-8:30 p.m.

Are you afraid of a pressure canner? Want to make that garden last? Learn the basic steps of canning by canning green beans. This class will give you hands-on experience with using a pressure canner. You will take home one jar of canned vegetables.

Dehydrating Fruit, Veggies, & Jerky July 22, 2013, 6-8 p.m.

Learn the basics of dehydrating fruits, vegetables and making jerky. You will learn tips on how to dehydrate foods and taste samples of dehydrated foods. We will also discuss how herbs can be dried and used in cooking.

Making Fantastic Jams and Jellies August 8, 2013, 6-8 p.m.

Learn the basics of making successful jams and jellies. This class will give you hands-on experience making a jam using the hot water bath and a fresh freezer version. You will take home examples of each.

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

DOUGLAS COUNTY

785-843-7058; dgemg@sunflower.com; Mon-Fri, 1-4pm

GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AREA

816-833-8733 (TREE); Mon-Fri, 9am to 3pm

JOHNSON COUNTY, KS

913-715-7050; Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; garden.help@jocogov.org

JOHNSON COUNTY, MO

660-747-3193; Wed, 9am-noon

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

913-364-5700; Apr 15 thru Jul 1, Monday 10am-1pm, Thursday 1-4pm

MIAMI COUNTY

913-294-4306; Mon-Fri, 9am-noon

PLATTE COUNTY

816-270-2141; Wed, 1-4pm

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

913-299-9300; Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am-noon and 1-4pm

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

(continued from page 31)

Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City 2013 Garden Tour Jun 7 and 8, 9am-4:30pm. Rain or shine. “Unique Gardens of South Kansas City” showcases six diverse private gardens and one beautiful community garden in the areas south of the Plaza including Crestwood, Brookside, and Waldo. Rain or shine. Tickets on sale May 10 for $15 at various ticket outlets and online via PayPal. Children 12 and under free. See the website www.mggkc.org for ticket outlets and full descriptions plus photos of the gardens. Be sure to sign up for door prizes at “Secluded Serenity” gardens.

18th Annual Union Hill Garden Tour Sun, Jun 9, 11am-4pm. The self-guided tour starts at 31st Street and Grand Avenue. Walk through over a dozen residential and community gardens. Free parking is available in the KCPT lots at 31st St and Grand Ave. Admission is $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for seniors (over age 60). Kids under 12 are free.

Half of this year’s event proceeds will benefit the neighboring historic Union Cemetery. The tour will also feature garden-related merchandise for sale and Master Gardeners ready to answer your gardening questions. Admission includes a raffle for area Garden Center gift cards and a free backyard BBQ lunch at the Velvet Dog: Burgers, chips, drink specials, and entertainment. This is one of Kansas City’s most unique garden tours in a historic Victorian neighborhood, just south of Crown Center. For more information, visit us on Facebook at: http://www. facebook.com/unionhillgardentour or email unionhillgardentour@gmail.com Leavenworth Master Gardeners Garden Tour Sat, Jun 15, 10am-5pm; Leavenworth, KS. Tickets may be purchased at the following locations: Homestead Nursery, Flower Garden Nursery, Carroll Mansion, Heritage Center, Leavenworth Extension Office. Or send a request to: Leavenworthmastergardeners@yahoo. com Double Event at Swan’s Water Gardens Jun 22 & 23, 9am-5pm; at 20001 Padbury Ln, Spring Hill, KS 66083.

We will be hosting our 3rd annual Lotus Festival and you are cordially invited to join us at our Retail Garden Center. Join us to help celebrate everything ZEN. The KC Water Garden Society Pond Tour Days are also Jun

22 & 23. Special discount coupons are available at the door these two days only. Refreshment and snacks will be provided. Sign up for Door Prizes. This is one of few Sundays we are OPEN on a Sunday.

Geo-Kids Tues, Jun 25, 10-11:30am; at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W 179th St, Overland Park, KS. $5.00 per person for class. Admission fee waived for FOTA members. Hey Kids – are you ready for a treasure hunt at the Arboretum? This is a basic instruction class for children ages 7-12 on use of a compass, with a brief introduction to GPS devices and geo-caching. Includes short classroom session on how to orient a compass followed by a treasure hunt using compass and clues. Adult presence/participation is required. Pre-registration is required as class is limited to 15 children. You may register for classes by going to www. opabg.org and follow the prompts.

Bring your paid receipt to the class for admission. No refunds for missed classes. For additional information, contact 913-685-3604.

Daytrip to Long Lips Farm Sat, Jun 29, 8:30am-5:30pm; Join Director of Horticulture Alan Branhagen on a private tour of Long Lips Farm—a dramatic gem of a garden owned and cared for single-handedly by Lenora Larson. The trip also includes a stop at the Miami County Courthouse Garden to see roses in bloom and a butterfly garden, plus a boxed lunch catered

by Molly’s Table held in the Historic Jackson Hotel, home of Buffalo River Art Gallery. The day wraps up at White Winds Farms, home of White Winds Winery and Emerald Prairie Nursery, for wine tasting, a tour and refreshments. $95/person, $84/Members.

Registration and payment by Jun 15.

To register call Linda Burton at 816697-2600 ext. 209. Or register online at www.powellgardens.org/AdultClasses.

Honeybee Keeping 201 Sat, Jun 29, noon-5pm; at Powell Gardens. Add to what you learned in Honeybee Keeping 101 in this session.

You will learn how to install bees, use a bee smoker and how to maintain the hive. Discover the proper way to inspect a hive and how to identify and treat common diseases that threaten a working hive. $24/person, $20/ Members. Registration required by Jun 24. To register call Linda Burton at 816-697-2600 ext. 209. Or regis-

The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

ter online at www.powellgardens.org/ AdultClasses.

Flowers in the Flint Hills Sat, Jun 29, 8:30am-2pm; at Marion City Library, 101 Library Street, Marion, KS. Visitors will view several homes along the Mud Creek Banks that runs through the middle of the city, where an abundance of wildlife and birds are attracted. Also a home that has rustic and upcycled features throughout the flowerbed. A home at the Marion County Lake that has a great view of the lake with unique gardens tucked away in the privacy of trees. Tickets (with maps) are $5.00 and available to purchase at the Library Only, which is located in the restored 1912 Santa Fe Depot. Refreshments will be served at the library. For information, call the Marion City Library at 620-382-2442. or http://marion.mykansaslibrary.org.

St Joseph Water Garden Society Annual Water Garden/Pond Tour Sat and Sun, Jun 29-30, 1-5pm. Tickets are $7 for adults, kids are free under 12 with adults. Ticket books are available at Earl May, Moffets Nursery, Mann’s Nursery, Thompson’s Nursery, Westlake Hardware. Approximately 12-15 ponds will be on the tour. For information on memberships or meeting dates, call 816-233-4312.

Topeka Area Water Garden Society Annual Water Garden/Pond Tour Sat and Sun, Jun 29-30, 9am-3pm.

Tickets $7 for adults, under 12 free with adult. Tickets/Maps available at Topeka Garden Centers and Water’s Edge in Lawrence. For Tour information or meeting dates, check out our website http://www.tawgs.org/

July and August Seed Saver’s Exchange: How to Control Pollination in the Garden Sat, Jul 6, 10-11:30am; at Powell Gardens. The key to successful seed saving is maintaining varietal purity; this can be done using a number of different isolation methods such as: isolation by distance, time, or barrier.

Learn from professional seed-savers of the Seed Savers Exchange. Gardens’ admission applies. RSVP by Jun 28.

To register call Linda Burton at 816697-2600 ext. 209. Or register online at www.powellgardens.org/AdultClasses.

Sunflower Artfest 2013 Jul 12-14, Fri 6-9pm, Sat 10am to 8pm; Sun noon-5pm; at The Barn at 9210 Kill Creek Road in De Soto, KS. (exit northeast corner of K-10 and Kill Creek Road). 7th Annual De Soto Fine Arts Show organized by the De Soto Arts Council, held along with the De Soto Rotary’s Sunflower PolioPlus Project.

Three days of Fine Arts Festivities, Food and Live Entertainment, and

Children’s activities. Enjoy the Artist Booths and Sunflower Art Exhibit among the many rows of Sunflowers that are available for you to pick and purchase (Sunflower proceeds to Rotary PolioPlus Project). For information: www.desotoartsks.org Fiesta Flower Show Sat, Jul 13, 1-3pm; at Belvoir Winery, 1325 Odd Fellows Rd, Liberty, MO. The Northland Garden Club will host a Fiesta Flower Show, judged by John Shackelford & Co., at Belvoir Winery.

Belvoir Winery is located at 1325 Odd Fellows Road in Liberty, MO. Admission is free and open to all. The Fiesta Flower Show includes these don’t miss categories: Que pasa? (window box design), Bambino blooms (miniatures), Margaritaville, Hace color - designer’s choice, Mi Casa Su Casa with beautiful table top designs, Tequila Sunrise - featuring sunflowers along with specimen blooms and specimen leaves. We will feature a live demonstration of flower arrangements and includes a raffle - you could take away a beautiful arrangement of your very own. For additional information, please check our website at: http://www.northlandgardenclub.com.

To enter one or more categories listed above, please contact Marti at martiryncarz@msn.com or 816-429-6476.

Supertufa™ Garden Trough Sat, Jul 14, 1-3pm; at Powell Gardens.

Using fast-drying Supertufa™, you will create a garden reminiscent of the ancient agricultural troughs of centuries past. Yours, however, will be completed in only a matter of hours! $49/ person, $42/Members. Registration required by Jul 8. To register call Linda Burton at 816-697-2600 ext. 209. Or register online at www.powellgardens. org/AdultClasses.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society 36th Annual Show and Sale Aug 10-11; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd St. and Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO. Aug 10, 9am-5pm, show room opens at noon. Aug 11, sale and show 11am-4pm. This Show of intriguing plants is open to the public. Take advantage of this event to either supplement your present cactus/ succulent collection or to further your interest in beginning one. Indoor plants and even some winter hardy varieties will be offered in the Sales Room.

Plants will be furnished by commercial vendors as well as KCCSS members.

Members will be present to answer questions and, if asked, give helpful growing tips. Free Admission. Call Eva for more information 816-444-9321.

Promote your gardening events!

Send information to: E-Mail: editorcavsgarden@kc.rr.com Deadline for July issue is June 5.

LOSE YOUR FAVORITE ISSUE? Th e Ka ns as Ci ty The Kansas City Th e Ka nsa s Ci ty

NER GAR D ENER GAR D EGARDENER h 2012 Marc g thly G A Mon u i de t o S u c ces s ful Gar dening November 2012 enin ssful Garde ning to Succ essfu l Gard A Mont hly Guide to Succe A Mon thly Guid e

Beautiful Bright and uals for 2012 New Ann

Attracting Flying Flowers

Not So Minor Bulbs Heirloom Annuals

Miniature Hosta n trees Dogwoods are fine garde Memory Gardens Soil Test Interpretations

The Grand Magnolia

Hangin’ Out For Winter Care for Your Newly Seeded Lawn Falling ... Into Winter Ponds The Bird Brain answers your questions

A Landscape With Flavor Year of the Geranium 2012 All-America Selections

NOw AVAILAbLE ONLINE www.issuu.com/thekansascitygardener • instant access to advertisers’ websites • Print out your favorite Page for the fridge • revisit inforMative articLes • review uPcoMing events

June Weather Repor t

Highs and Lows Avg temp 75° Avg high temp 84° Avg low temp 66° Highest recorded temp 107° Lowest recorded temp 44° Nbr of above 70° days 29

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

Rain and Snow Avg snowfall 0 Avg rainfall 4.8” Avg nbr of rainy days 10 Source: WeatherReports.com

From the Almanac Moon Phases

Plant Above Ground Crops: 10-12, 18-21

New Moon: June 8 First Quarter: June 16 Full Moon: June 23 Last Quarter: June 29 Source: Harris’ Farmer’s Almanac

June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

May 2012

Plant Root Crops: 24, 25, 28, 29

Control Plant Pests: 3, 4, 8

Transplant: 18-21

Plant Flowers: 10-12

33

Water Gardens 2013 Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City presents the 20th Annual Water Garden Tour.

Saturday, June 22 • Sunday, June 23 9am - 5pm Rain or Shine Bus tours available Sunday only. Contact Connie Halastik 816-419-3245 • Clh1217@yahoo.com

Buy early to plan your personal driving tour of 46 gardens in Greater Kansas City and nearby communities.

There are a variety of private gardens and Water Garden Society constructed educational water gardens for schools and nature centers.

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.

Proceeds benefit construction of educational and restorative water gardens and other educational programs in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Contributing Sponsor: House of Rocks

Tickets available NOW at the following locations: at all Hen House Markets, all Westlake Hardware stores, and all Grass Pads Bannister Garden Center, Kansas City, MO Brothers Fish, Kansas City, MO Colonial Nursery, Blue Springs, MO Creekside Market, Raymore, MO Earl May Garden Center, Shawnee, KS Family Tree Nursery, Shawnee, KS Family Tree Nursery, Overland Park, KS Family Tree Nursery, Liberty, MO Heartland Nursery, Kansas City, MO

Homestead Nursery, Leavenworth, KS House of Rocks, Kansas City, KS Kansas City Pond & Water Gardening, KCMO Planters Seed Co., Kansas City, MO Randy’s Lakeview Nursery, Lee’s Summit, MO Roberts Nursery, Blue Springs, MO Rosehill Gardens, Martin City, MO Soil Service Garden Ctr & Nursery, Kansas City, MO State Farm/Sue Franks, Raytown, MO

Purchase tickets online: www.unionstation.org

PRIZES!

Suburban Lawn and Garden, Leawood, KS Suburban Lawn and Garden, Kansas City, MO Suburban Lawn and Garden, Lenexa, KS Swan’s Water Gardening, Spring Hill, KS Union Station, Kansas City, MO Van Liew’s, Kansas City, MO Waldo Grain Company, Kansas City, MO Water’s Edge, Lawrence, KS Wild Bird Center, Independence, MO

Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City

Tour Info: 816-861-3449

Leave a response card at any tour stop, and you’ll automatically be entered in drawings.

Prizes supplied by Kansas City Zoo, Union Station, House of Rocks and Service Printing.

Purchase tickets June 22 & 23 during tour hours only at the following: 1. Liberty, MO … 8313 Sherwood Dr 2. Liberty, MO … 9708 Lancaster Rd 3. Kansas City, MO … 6270 N W 136th St 4. Parkville, MO … 13312 N W 76th St ** 5. Kansas City, MO … 7128 N Hickory Ave 6. Kansas City, MO … 3923 Sunrise Dr 7. Kansas City, MO … 3922 St John Ave 8. Kansas City, MO … 309 Cypress Ave 9. Kansas City, MO … 1106 E 8th St 10. Kansas City, MO … 1911 E 23rd St 11. Kansas City, MO … 3728 Holmes 12. Kansas City, MO … 4415 Harrison St

13. Kansas City, MO … 6700 Zoo Dr 14. Raytown, MO … 7504 Crescent Dr ** 15. Kansas City, MO … 4954 Marsh Ave 16. Kansas City, MO … 4600 Vermont 17. Kansas City, MO … 4535 Ridgeway Ave 18. Sugar Creek, MO … 10836 Scarritt 19. Odessa, MO … 12471 Meadow Ln 20. Independence, MO … 14300 E 32nd 21. Independence, MO … 4954 S Delaware 22. Lee’s Summit, MO … 3722 N E Beechwood Dr 23. Blue Springs, MO … 7300 SW West Park Rd 24. Blue Springs, MO … 8201 Jasper Bell Rd

No tickets available at locations in red.

34

25. Lee’s Summit, MO … 9722 S Windsor Dr 26. Lee’s Summit, MO … 1329 NE Deer Valley Dr 27. Lee’s Summit, MO … 1328 NE Deer Valley Dr 28. Raymore, MO … 1300 Lee Ln ** 29. Raymore, MO … 1706 Longhorn Ln 30. Peculiar, MO … 23719 S Greenridge Rd * 31. Spring Hill, KS … 20001 S Padbury Ln 32. Olathe, KS … 12297 S Clinton St ** 33. Lenexa, KS … 15415 W 94th St 34. Lenexa, KS … 14732 W 90th Terr 35. Lenexa, KS … 7728 Constance St * 36. Lenexa, KS … 8028 Park

* Sponsored ponds

37. Lenexa, KS … 13802 W 78th St * 38. Shawnee, KS … 7501 Hauser St ** 39. Kansas City, KS … 6650 Oak Grove Rd 40. Merriam, KS … 5845 Perry Ln 41. Overland Park, KS … 8523 Eby Ave 42. Kansas City, MO … 1111 W 88th Terr 43. Overland Park, KS … 10140 Roe 44. Leawood, KS … 12401 Delmar 45. Leawood, KS … 3640 Ironwoods Ct 46. Stilwell, KS … 16520 Glenwood St

** T-shirts sold at these locations.

The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013

Would you like to become a

Professional’s Corner

Master Gardener?

The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City are taking Training Applications through June 12.

T

he Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City (MGGKC) Program is now taking applications for the Fall 2013 Training. MGGKC is a University of Missouri Extension volunteer program, where volunteers provide horticulture information and training to the gardening public based on proven research specific to the local climate, soils, and plants.

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, please visit our website at www.mggkc.org. There you can complete the application packet and mail to the Blue Springs Extension office by June 12, 2013.

You can also pick up your application at the Master Gardener Garden Tour on June 7th and 8th.

Please visit our website for details or call the MU Extension office at 816-252-5051.

Don’t Miss a Single Issue!

The Ka nsa s City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

For convenient mail delivery, complete the form below and send with your check for $20.00. You will receive a one-year subscription to The Kansas City Gardener.

Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone: E-mail: Where did you pick up The Kansas City Gardener?

Please enclose your check payable to The Kansas City Gardener and mail with this form to: P.O. Box 8725, Prairie Village, KS 66208 The Kansas City Gardener is published monthly Jan. through Dec.

June 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener

Meet MJ Lattner, Product Operations Manager Company: Greenleaf Garden Services Job description: Emphasis on landscape projects ranging from the smallest refresh or renewal of existing beds to full tear out and design installation for new landscapes. We never cookie cutter a design, instead we select plants based on how they will thrive in the given environment as well as what they will give to the overall landscape through the seasons.

All in a day’s work: In any given day, I can have customer appointments to consult on rearranging existing plants or refreshing with additional layers to increase the curb appeal of a home. This can be followed with tromping through a nursery looking for the best shrubs and tagging trees I want for installs or browsing for annuals and perennials that would look best to fill a space with color. Then as plants are delivered to a site, I can set them up and manage the crew to install and finally end up on the computer at the end of the day finishing a design or perusing through catalogs for inspiration.

Customer focused: We work hard to live up to our motto: People you like … Landscapes you love, which requires careful listening to our customers’ dreams, working hard to bring it alive, and treating them like we would want to be treated.

Favorite tree or plant: Because of the dense shade in my yard, coral bells, hostas, impatiens, hydrangeas, and Japanese maples are my favorites. I love cherries, roses, magnolia, coneflowers, herbs and sedums as well.

Favorite garden destination: Traveling through Costa Rica really touched my gardener’s heart because of the variety of plants found in the rain and cloud forests.

What every gardener should know: As you design your yard, try to incorporate your yard with your home. Include plants that not only bridge the gap from turf to roof but transition the seasons and give you a reason to smile or spend more time outdoors enjoying color or texture. A variety of bloom times with fall and winter interest gives the landscape more appeal. Your home and yard should reflect your personal style and create a peaceful feeling. And make sure to pay attention to mature size rather than how big a plant is today.

Non-green industry interests: I love reading, theater, movies and Renaissance Fairs. I also believe in giving back and volunteer with CLO’s Midnight Farm.

Contact: Greenleaf Garden Services / 816-916-5171 / check us out online at www.greenleafkc.com / like us on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/pages/Greenleaf-Garden-Services/314116962109 35

SUMMER COLOR Tree & Shrub Sale extended thru June!

ANNUALS

Arriving Daily, Thousands of .Fresh Annuals in Bloom

PERENNIALS

Hundreds of different varieties, plus all the best Hostas and Reblooming Daylilies

PATIO TROPICALS

Roses

Great easy-care shrub roses:

Knockout, Double Knockout, Drift, Flower Carpet or choose climbing roses, long-stemmed tea roses or others for Summer-long color, Potted & Ready to Bloom

Great Selection of

Summer Blooming

Shrubs NOW

Gorgeous summer color for your outdoor spaces

Hydrangea Rose of Sharon Butterfly Bush Crape Myrtle

CERAMIC POTS In hundreds of colors, shapes & sizes

www.suburbanlg.com

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105th & Roe

913-649-8700

K-7 & Prairie Star Pkwy 913-897-5100

135th & Wornall

816-942-2921 The Kansas City Gardener / June 2013