Plant Sale in Paola

Save the last weekend in April!

The annual plant sale in Paola will again feature locally grown plants, raised without the use of pesticides so the plants are safe for butterflies and bees. Also, they are compatible with our local weather conditions and soil.

are just hungry. In the case of bees, their larvae also depend on flowers for food since they are fed regurgitated nectar and pollen. Butterflies, syrphid flies and honey bees are not picky about their flower choices so we will have ornamental, na-

The Eleventh Healthy Yards Expo on Saturday, March 11, can help you make greener choices for your yards and homes. This free Earthfriendly lawn, garden, and home event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shawnee Civic Centre, located at 13817 Johnson Drive in Shawnee. The expo is free to attend.

The expo highlights many simple and easy environmentally friendly practices that can be done to achieve a lovely landscape. Johnson County K-State Research and Extension have teamed up with Johnson County Stormwater Management and the cities of Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe, Shawnee, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County to present the event.

Local businesses, non-profits, and city and county departments will offer seminars and tips to help you make greener choices.

“The expo promotes eco-friendly practices and provides education so that you can do your part for clean water, air, and healthy soils while maintaining an attractive landscape,” said Dennis Patton, horticulture agent for Johnson County Extension.

Visitors to the Expo can:

• Enter to win door prizes

– such as rain barrels and compost bins.

• Get a free tree seedling (while supplies last).

• Talk with city representa- tives to discover what’s happening in your neighborhood and learn about cost-share programs for establishing rain gardens and rain barrels.

• Listen to informative speakers on native plants, composting, organic gardening, and edible landscaping.

• Kids can enjoy a free performance by Stone Lion Puppet Theatre with their show, The Little Red Hen.

• Visit with Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners and local plant societies for expert advice on gardening and plant cultivation.

• Shop our Native Plant Sale! Choose from locally grown plants selected to thrive in your garden.

Free soil tests

Knowing your soil nutrient levels to grow healthy plants and protect the water quality in our local streams and lakes is important. Johnson County residents get one free soil test, compliments of Johnson County Stormwater Management and Johnson County K-State Extension. Bring your soil sample to the expo. Learn how to take an adequate soil sample by visiting our website.

For more information on the Healthy Yard Expo, visit www. johnson.k-state.edu or call 913715-7000.

Extension Master Gardeners will be on-hand to answer your questions with expertise ranging from flowers to vegetable growing to butterfly gardening and bee-keeping. Credit Cards welcome!

The Largest Selection of Butterfly Host Plants in the Midwest

You choose which butterflies grace your garden by which caterpillar host plants you offer so we will have 40 species of host plants. This includes 8 species of Milkweed, focusing on natives and the Monarch’s preference, Tropical Milkweed Asclepias curassavica

Do not fear, fall migration is initiated by temperature drop and length of day, not food supply! Other host plants will include three species of Pipevines for Pipevine Swallowtails, four species of Senna for the Sulphurs and five species from the Carrot family for Black Swallowtails. We will also carry Rue, surprisingly a member of the Citrus family, but the Giant Swallowtail knows that. Native woody host plants will include Wisteria, Paw Paws, Tulip Trees and shrubs such as Lead Plant, Indigo Bush and Wild Indigo.

Nectar-Rich Flowers for Pollinators

Pollinators don’t know that they are vital to plant reproduction, they tive and nativar perennials, as well as annual nectar-rich ornamental plants. Since about 30% of our native bees require a specific genus or species, we also offer a wide diversity of sun-loving native flowering plants, which will optimize your pollinator garden’s impact.

And So Much More

In addition to the usual selections of native and ornamental perennials, we will feature herbs, succulents, grasses and hanging baskets. Shade-loving selections include Heuchera, ferns and woodland flowers. Edibles will focus on carefully selected varieties of vegetable transplants, fruit trees and berry canes. Greg Beverlin will be onsite offering his hand-made hypertufa containers.

Convenient Location and Times

The sale is in the parking lot at the K-State Extension Office, 913 N Pearl (Old KC Road), Paola, KS. The sale will open promptly at 9 am. On Thursday April 27, we will be open until 5 pm. On Friday April 28, we’ll stay open until 6 pm and close at 1 pm on Saturday, April 29. Pay by cash, check or credit card. For more information go to www. maraisdescygnes.ksu.edu or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/mdcemg or call the office: 913-294-4306.