KCG 10Oct18 by The Kansas City Gardener

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

October 2018

Best Summer Performing Annuals

Sparrows of Winter Herb Profile: Eucalyptus Create interest in fall landscape with color and texture

The Kansas City

editor’s notes

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Love letter to gardeners

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Contributors Abby Byrd Tracy Flowers Nik and Theresa Hiremath Diana Par-Due Dennis Patton Judy Penner Ed Reese Chelsea Didde Rice Phil Roudebush Scott Woodbury Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

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P.O. Box 8725 Prairie Village, KS 66208 Phone: 913-648-4728 For advertising information contact Michael Cavanaugh at mike@kcgmag.com Submit editorial questions to Elizabeth Cavanaugh at elizabeth@kcgmag.com

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he Kansas City Garden Club turned 100 this year, and I was privileged to spend time with the membership during their celebration last month. Beyond recognition of present and past leadership, delicious food and drink, and chatting with fellow gardeners, it was delightful to be part of the festivities. Giving thought to the importance of garden clubs to Kansas City, here are some of my remarks that I shared with them. Befitting all gardeners I believe, I share them now with you. What do gardeners care about? It is more than growing the biggest tomato, or an ever-blooming perennial garden. It goes way beyond our selves. It is environmental issues, conservation, water management and wildlife; building relations with other likeminded gardeners; being mentors to kids, educating them through action in the garden; discovering plant varieties that perform well in our unpredictable Midwest conditions; city beautification and gathering volunteers to work toward a common goal. And you care about inspiring others. One who inspires me daily is Mother Teresa. She was an inspiration to countless millions for her

lifelong devotion to the neediest and most vulnerable of the world. The selflessness and sacrifice with which she lived her own life made her an international symbol of charitable work, and the love and compassion she showed the destitute of all faiths won her a Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Generally, the work of gardeners is not to feed the hungry or clothe the naked, our call is not to that depth. However, I believe that sense of selflessness lies at the core of who we are. In fact, my daily efforts pale in comparison to her example. Nonetheless, I do strive to exemplify this quote of hers: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” With every action, every encounter, gardeners plant a little love. Whether consciously or unknowingly, we are the vessels from which love flows. Sharing, mentoring, planting, giving … these things do not happen outside of love. For without love, our actions are empty, faceless, and devoid of life itself.

To all club members, no matter your state or zipcode, past and present, to all those who have generously shared time, and expertise, to those with the heart of a teacher, or maybe you were the student, or the one who organized outings, who offered your home, or you welcomed rookie gardeners like me looking for a little handholding, I thank you! For this is why you dear gardeners, and your garden clubs are so important. For the education and passion of beautification and conservation of our little place on the planet. More importantly though, it is for the intangible elements of why you do what you do and how you do it. Through your gentle voice, muddy knees and dirty fingernails, your love of gardening is at the heart of your giving. I’ll leave you with another quote from Mother Teresa: “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue October 2018• Vol. 23 No. 10 Plant Now for Winter Interest ...... 4 Ask the Experts ......................... 6 Garden Faire & Lilypalooza ....... 7 Sparrows of Winter ................... 8 Rose Report .............................. 1 0 Herb: Eucalyptus ....................... 1 1 Powell Gardens Events .............. 12 Pets & Plants ........................... 13

about the cover ...

Best Summer Perform Annuals .... 14 Passion Flower ......................... 16 Bird Facts ................................ 19 Interest in Fall Landscape .......... 20 Upcoming Events ..................... 22 Garden Calendar .................... 26 Subscription form .................... 27 Meet an EMG ......................... 27

Coleus ‘Rose to Lime Magic’ is one on the list of Best Summer Performing Annuals in Kansas City. See the others that made the list beginning on page 14.

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The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

Plant Now for Winter Interest If space is tight in the landscape, CHELSEA DIDDE RICE suggests small-statured plants with big winter interest.

Red Sprite Winterberry Holly

Hellebore (Lenten Rose)

t may be hard to remember the long, cold months of winter while we’re reveling in the crisp air and bountiful harvests of fall, nonetheless winter in the Kansas City area can be dull. And long. And void of any signs of life from our outdoor garden paradises. However, by adding a select few shrubs and perennials that are spec-

tacular in winter to your landscape this fall, the coming winter can be a completely different story. Note: As a homeowner challenged by a smaller-than-I’d-prefer yard, I will be recommending varieties that are well suited for this situation. However, many of these varieties are adapted from larger plants.

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Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood Winterberry Holly There is nothing quite like a pop of red to brighten a cold winter day, so head over to your local garden center and ask about dwarf winterberry holly shrubs like Berry Poppins or Red Sprite. Both of these small shrubs will churn out colorful ornamental fruit (provided you have both a male and female plant), and when the leaves drop in the fall, the berries are even more visible. Winterberry holly is native to eastern North America, prefers moist to wet soil, and full to part sun during the summer. Berries soften in late winter and provide food for birds, but can be toxic to dogs and cats, so be mindful. Hellebore (Lenten Rose) With leaves that remain green year-round and flowers in late winter and early spring, these perennials provide a glimmer of life when they push blooms up through the snow. You can purchase them at any time during the growing season, but many garden centers stock the best variety in early spring. Plant in an area that gets part sun to part shade during the summer. Red Twig Dogwood While traditional red twig dogwood shrubs can grow into a thicket the width of a car, the Arctic Fire variety maxes out around three to four feet tall and wide, making it perfect for full to part sun areas in smaller yards. Leaves shed in the fall reveal slender, red branches that stand out beautifully against snow and can be cut for use in

Boxwood holiday decorations. It is especially striking when planted in masses of three or more. Evergreens An obvious choice for winter interest, evergreen plants like boxwood, yew, arborvitae and euonymus provide structure and bulk in the landscape, as well as shelter for wildlife. Seeing green when everything else in sight is brown and dormant can lift you out of the winter doldrums and serve as a reminder that winter won’t last forever! Look for varieties labeled “dwarf” or “petite.” Fall is a fantastic time for planting shrubs and perennials because the warm soil and cooler air are less stressful on plants, but make sure everything is well watered going into winter. In general, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on newly planted additions throughout their first year in the ground, especially if we go through a dry spell. Now equipped with a few simple options, head out to the garden center and see what it has to offer. You’ll thank yourself when January and February roll around and you have something colorful to look at in your landscape! When Chelsea Didde Rice isn’t at work as a senior communications specialist, she is an avid gardener who enjoys teaching people how easy it can be to garden. In addition to articles, she produces videos with The Kansas City Gardener that are available on YouTube, Facebook and kcgmag.com.

Fall in love with your garden, all over again. It’s time to revisit the garden with fall plantings. Don’t forget to nourish

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Ask the Experts Gardeners have plenty of questions about landscape issues, DENNIS PATTON answers a few of them here. FERTILIZER TIMING Question: Reader’s first question: I buy cheap fertilizer. It is 29-0-4 and includes some iron and sulfur. A percentage is urea and the label says formulated for quick greening. It also says “controlledrelease feeding for up to 8 weeks.” So here is my question … If I fertilized in early September should I wait until November to fertilizer again? Answer: Plants cannot read labels and don’t care about name brand or store brand. When it comes to fertilizer it is all about the guaranteed analysis—the three numbers on the bag. 29-0-4 is an example of a high nitrogen (first number), low phosphorus and potassium (second and third number) fertilizer recommended for local lawns. The September application is the most

important for cool season bluegrass and tall fescue lawns. Contained in the bag is the urea which is immediately available to the grass after it’s applied. If the urea is coated it can be in a slow release (controlled release) form which means the nutrients become available over an extended period. In this case 8 weeks. This is the ideal mix for the September application as it feeds immediately but also sustains the feeding for two months helping give the lawn the nutrients it needs for excellent growth. Based on these facts you can wait till November to feed the lawn again. The November application is the second most important time to feed a cool season lawn. But confusion reigns. Some people will sneak in another October application for a higher maintenance lawn

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in the fall to push the lawn during the optimum growing season and then eliminate the summer applications. Summer fertilization increases the turfs need for water. GARDEN PICTURES LIKE THE CATALOGS Question: What are some tips for getting my fall planted bulbs to look like the pictures in the garden catalogs? Answer: Simple. Hire yourself a team of stylist to stage your garden just like they did for the photo shoots for the catalog. The catalogs are all about staging so you lust after the product. They make “garden porn.” The real answer is to plant densely and use larger sized bulbs. Those picture-prefect plantings are treated like annuals. The result is a uniform stand in height and flower size, spaced closely so that they appear to be a carpet of color. These high-look beds are simply one and done. No perennials create the high impact bulb beds you see in the catalogs. FERTILIZER TIMING CONTINUED Question: Reader’s follow-up question: But isn’t November too late if it takes up to 8 weeks for the controlled release? Won’t my grass be dormant in December? Answer: Good catch. Here is the skinny. This mix of fertilizer, with both quick and slow release fertilizer, is best applied in

September or in spring or summer. The November application should be all quick-release fertilizer so that the lawn can pick it up, convert it to store food and be ready to head into the winter fully fed and ready for spring growth. So this may not be the best choice for the November application. I realize this is all complicated and may not be easy to follow. But here is my simple take home message. Fertilizer your cool season lawns in the fall, September through November with a high nitrogen fertilizer and go lean or not at all in the spring and summer. That is unless you keep your lawn golf course green and plan to water, then summer applications will be beneficial. If you let the lawn go dormant summer fertilization is really a waste of time and money. NATIVE ELDERBERRY Question: Will elderberry grow in Kansas City?

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SEASON TO TRANSPLANT PERENNIALS Question: Can I still transplant perennials October? What is the latest I can move perennials in the fall? Answer: Well, this one gets my “it depends” answer. For the most part I would say it is too late in October. I think September is the better time to move perennials as that gives them a month or more to develop strong roots before winter. The problem with October is the unpredictable weather. If it remains warm, roots will develop, a cooler October and cold dry winter could spell death. These plants will not have the roots to survive. The other thought is this one. How valuable or rare is the plant? If you don’t

care if you lose it then transplant. Hard to replace or sentimental? Wait till spring. MOUNTAIN VS MOP HEAD HYDRANGEA Question: I am seeing reblooming mountain hydrangeas in garden centers. The internet says they are less affected by cold winters than big mop head hydrangeas. Is this true? I’m tired of losing my blooms to winter cold. Do you recommend this new hydrangea? Answer: Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Mountain hydrangea or Hydrangea serrata are touted to be better than the standby Hydrangea macrophylla. My take is you can put the two in a bag, shake them up and you would not be able to tell the difference on how they perform in the garden. Both prefer similar growing conditions and have the same issues with flower bud hardiness. 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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Garden Faire, a horticultural showcase, boutique, planned for Saturday morn, Oct. 27, Rockhurst University

arden Faire brings you the chance to better get acquainted with some of the affiliate organizations of Gardeners Connect, Kansas City’s largest gardening club, and perhaps buy a plant or other items from them. The hours are 9 a.m. to noon. The entrance to Rockhurst University is at 54th Street and Troost Ave. in Kansas City, Mo. During the same time, Gardeners Connect presents its Lilypalooza, its ninth annual fall bulb sale featuring lilies and a selection of alliums, Dutch iris, tulips and daffodils. People who have ordered and paid for their bulbs online at GardenersConnnect.org must pick up their lilies at Garden Faire. Also, there will be lily and other bulbs available for purchase at Garden Faire, some of which were not offered online. Gardeners Connect also plans to have stainless steel plant markers for sale and other items. The goal of Garden Faire is for you to explore many area gardening and

WATER’S EDGE

Answer: Yes, elderberry are common in our area. They are native to this region of the United States. Often you can find native stands in ditches along the highway. They are easiest to spot when flowering white in early summer. The purple fruits are edible and some locals will harvest and make into jams and jellies. They do form a thicket as they spread underground.

horticultural groups. The enthusiasm of club members is contagious. You may be inspired to attend one of their meetings or keep a watch for their popular sales. Please come sample what they have to offer. These groups are scheduled to take part in Garden Faire: • Bonsai Society of Greater Kansas City • Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group • Heart of America Gesneriad Society • Mo-Kan Daylily Society • Greater Kansas City Iris Society • Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City • Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society • Kansas City Ikebana Group • Kansas City Garden Club • Kansas City Rose Society • KC Carnivorous Plant Society • Mid-America Begonia Society • Sho-Me African Violets

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Sparrows of Winter Local birding expert, THERESA HIREMATH identifies the five most common brown sparrows you will likely see.

s cooler weather settles in, and natural food sources are depleted, we usually see more activity at backyard bird feeders. In addition to the birds feeding directly from your feeders, you may also be seeing more LBJ’s (Little Brown Jobbies) under your feeders. At first glance, they might be dismissed as common, uninteresting little birds, but closer inspection permits identification of their individual characteristics and traits. Five of the most common brown winter sparrows you may spy include the Song Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Whitethroated Sparrow, White Crowned Sparrow, and the Harris’s Sparrow. The following information may help easily identify these winter visitors.

Song Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow At a mere five to six inches tall, the Song Sparrow is one of the smaller winter sparrows. Though one of the smallest, it is one of the most familiar North American sparrows, and sports regional differences in both color and size. In the Midwest, our Song Sparrow

is a rich russet and gray bird. It boasts a heavily streaked breast with a central dark spot. The Song Sparrow rarely flocks, and is primarily a ground feeder, scratching with both feet to expose seeds.

This sparrow pecks the ground in small flocks, trading soft, musical twitters. It hops up at bent-over weeds and has been seen strategically beating grass seed heads with its wings to release seeds to the ground. The American Tree Sparrow adjusts easily to human settlement, and flocks around backyard feeders. They also enjoy millet scattered around on the ground. It is imparative that they consume approximately 30 percent of their body weight in food and a similar percentage in water each day. A full day’s fasting is usually a death sentence for this bird. Their body temperature drops and they lose nearly a fifth of their weight in that short time.

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American Tree Sparrow In spite of its name, the American Tree Sparrow is actually a ground bird, foraging, nesting and breeding on the ground. This six-inch bird has a smooth breast with a rusty crown and a notable single black spot in the center of its breast. A particularly unusual physical feature of the American Tree Sparrow is its dark upper bill, with a yellow lower bill. It has a gray eyestripe, and is plump and long-tailed.

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White-throated Sparrow The White-throated Sparrow comes in two color variations, or morphs: white striped or tan striped, and individual birds almost always mate with a bird of the opposite morph. The white or tan crown stripes alternate with black stripes, and the color of the crown stripes matches the throat color,

seeds beneath feeders, and favorite seeds include millet and black oil sunflower seeds. They forage in large flocks and can be found on the ground in woods and at brushy edges. Building a brush pile in your yard mimics the brushy edge of woods and gives them a place to take cover between feedings. These

White Crowned Sparrow

non breeding Harris’s Sparrow

which is bordered by black whiskers. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of this sparrow is the small yellow spot between the eyes (lore). This sparrow ranges 6-7” in size. White-throated sparrows readily visit feeders and peck at fallen

sparrows hop on the ground rather than walking or running. They forage in leaf litter, often using both feet at one time to scratch backwards, then pounce forward at anything they’ve uncovered. They also toss leaves aside with flicks of their head.

White Crowned Sparrow The White Crowned Sparrow is one of the larger winter sparrows at 6 ½ - 7 ½”. It sports a gray breast, a white and black striped crown, and a small thin pink bill. It is quite a dapper looking bird, and as such, is usually easily identified. This bird likes to feed in flocks of about 20 birds in brushy borders and overgrown fields. It feeds on the ground, scratching backward with both feet simultaneously, followed by a forward hop and pounce on any tidbits uncovered. This sparrow will visit feeders, preferring sunflower and other seeds. If you’re a fan of Dark-eyed Juncos, you’ll be disappointed to find out that White Crowned Sparrows will chase Dark-eyed Juncos until they leave. Harris’s Sparrow The Harris’s Sparrow is North America’s largest sparrow at 7 ½”. This sparrow is identified by the black feathers on its head extending down the nape and face onto the chest to make a bib. The pink bill stands out from the black bib, and is matched by pink legs. The belly is white.

This bird is a ground feeder, and can be found in flocks of up to ten birds scratching under seed feeders. They are not shy and will forage with other sparrow species, and are happy to forage out in the open. They like black oil sunflower, millet, and cracked corn. The Harris’s Sparrow is the only North American Songbird that breeds exclusively in Canada. It winters in the south central great plains. These restricted breeding and wintering ranges make it vulnerable to habitat loss. We’ve covered only five winter sparrow species in this article. No doubt other sparrows will appear at and under your feeders this winter. Enjoy watching your birds, remembering to check the ground under feeders for these unique sparrows. See if you can identify any of the above visitors! If you have questions, contact our backyard birdfeeding experts…. It’s what we love to do! Nik and Theresa Hiremath own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.

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Rose Report 2018 LAKE QUIVIRA

JUDY PENNER tells how to prepare roses for winter.

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he time to be thinking about how your roses will look and bloom in the spring is right now. That’s right, the care you give your roses in the fall will directly affect how your roses will perform in the spring. Feed your roses for the last time in August this will keep your roses from putting on lush new growth when the first freeze hits. Stop deadheading, in other words cutting off the old blooms, at the end of September this allows the roses to harden off prior to potentially damaging cold weather. Continue watering your roses through October and through the winter if it’s dry like last year. Rake up and destroy all leaves at the base of the roses. Do not compost the leaves since this can spread disease. Removing leaves and debris reduces disease problems in the spring. Spray a fungicide on the soil after you have removed all the leaves and debris. Remove diseased leaves by cutting them off the bush also remove buds that may have had midge damage. Midge damage looks like a tiny black bud at the tip of the rose where the midge destroyed the bud before it could develop and bloom.

Inspect your roses and prune all canes that can whip against each other and cause wounds to the canes of the roses. Tie your climbing roses securely to structures so they will not whip in the wind and cause damage to the canes. Prune Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas and shrub roses to approximately four feet to keep them from whipping in the wind. You can do some observation now to see which canes whip in the wind and prune accordingly. Mulch your roses in mid to late October covering the bud union with six to 12 inches of mulch. The bud union should have been planted two inches below ground in the spring. If it was not planted properly, your chances of losing the rose are increased substantially even with winter protection. Now is the time to order bare root roses online for spring planting in March. Enjoy the fall and winter, and remember to Stop and Smell the Roses! Judy Penner is Expert Rosarian at Loose Park, Kansas City, Mo. You may reach her at judy.penner@ kcmo.org.

Herb Profile DIANA PAR-DUE, local herb maven, details Eucalyptus benefits.

ucalyptus is a medicinal herb with stunning silvery leaves, architectural height and lovely scent. This herb is not difficult to grow and can even be grown as an indoor plant. In our hardiness zone (6), it is an annual and if you’re thinking of digging it up to bring indoors, it is very averse to being moved or transplanted. If you’re game to try it, go for it! You never know with plants, they don’t like following rules. Because Eucalyptus is a medicinal herb, you can harvest the stalks and dry them throughout the growing season. The dried leaves as well as stalks have the oil which is the beneficial component. The oil from Eucalyptus is an incredibly potent antiseptic which means it can be used in cleaners, to treat infections and is also very effective on respiratory congestion. The simplest way to make applications is to use an essential oil but harvesting and processing your home-grown herbs can be educational and sustainable. No individual will have the equipment or volume of crop to make their own essential oil which gives gardeners the unique opportunity to learn how to create home remedies

from the herb garden. To treat chest or head congestion put dried or fresh leaves into a pot of water and boil. Lean over the pot with a towel over head to create a steam treatment by breathing deeply. Infuse vinegar with eucalyptus leaves by filling a bottle with leaves and vinegar and setting aside for a few weeks. Once infused, add half water, half vinegar into a spray bottle for a cleaner. Even if you plant eucalyptus in your garden just for the aesthetic or to cut and dry it for arrangements, it’s worth planting. It makes a visually striking centerpiece to flower or herb gardens and can be handy when you come down with a cold or want to rid your house of germs during flu season. Diana Par-Due is an avid gardener who, when not raising children, raises plants. She dreams of beekeeping and chickens one day when her town makes it legal. Until then, she spends her time writing, reading, and studying as a mature student at a local college and making garden plans she never actually keeps.

Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City presents a Gardeners Gathering event

Growing to New Heights: Using Ornamental Vines Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6:30 p.m. at Kauffman Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO

es, vines are potential thugs with their rampant growth, suckering and self-seeding. However, their virtues can justify the extra effort to manage their behavior and create stunning “vertical elements” in your landscape. Come see the array of garden structures designed to support climbers and learn the management techniques that can turn these wayward children into model citizens. Ornamental vines are a wonderful way to quickly cover an “eyesore” in your garden. Perhaps an unlovely fence, or the side of your neighbor’s garage. You can improve the view and provide a vertical element and create the illusion of an established garden with quick growing vines. Many are also wonderful nectar sources

for pollinators, hummingbirds and butterflies. Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardener Lenora Larson gardens for beauty and for wildlife on her 27-acre property, Long Lips Farm, in rural Paola. She is a proud ‘science geek’ with a degree in microbiology, a career in molecular biology and a life-long interest in botany, gardening and critters.

Swan’s Water Gardens “Creating Paradise ... in Your Backyard”

Your Full Service Water Garden Center Located In Northern Miami County

We back our Water Garden installations with a 5 year leak free guarantee!

Come and experience true paradise! Tour 9 water features of various size and styles then browse the retail store ﬁlled with all your pond accessory and maintenance needs. Choose from our vast selection of aquatic and land plants plus take home a beautiful Koi or Goldﬁsh as a perfect addition to any pond.

John Marr Topsoil Service

Planting pottery and coffee shop shipment 30% new arriving in OFF October! 925 Southwest Blvd, KC KS • Hours 7a-6p Mon-Sat

• Quality Pulverized Topsoil • Delivered and Installed • Gravel Driveway Repair • Bobcat Services • Drainage Work 913-484-5000 • 816-520-2810 www.kansascitytopsoilman.com Find us on Facebook @johnmarrtopsoilandbobcatservice Local three-generation, family-owned business serving south Kansas City and Johnson County for 30 years

For over 24 years we’ve helped transform boring backyards into magical places by designing and building water features while providing the tools necessary to maintain your little piece of paradise. Make your vision a reality today, visit Swan’s Water Gardens!

913-837-3510 4385 W 247th St, Louisburg, KS Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-5pm • Sat 9am-4pm

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Living and Loving The Water Garden Lifestyle! The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

Powell Gardens in October Fall Hike and Poetry Workshop Saturday, October 6, 1-4 p.m., $45 Spend a fall afternoon experiencing the outdoors, enjoying nature and gathering creative inspiration along the Byron Shutz Nature Trail. Use the beauty of the outdoors and observations to create original poetry with instruction from poet Maryfrances Wagner of The Writer’s Place. No previous writing or hiking experience is needed. The workshop will take place indoors and out, please dress for the weather and a short walk in the woods on an unpaved trail. Visit powellgardens.org for details.

for the weather. Free with garden admission. Space is limited to 25 persons. Family Frolic: The Wizardry of Nature Saturday, October 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free with garden admission Dress as your favorite wizard, witch, or warlock and learn about some of the beloved creatures of the wizarding world including owls, falcons, hawks, eagles, and tarantulas. Discover the magic of plants with horticultural wizards, and create magical potions from ingredients harvested from the garden. Free hands-on activities (make a wizard hat, wand, or owl mask) will be available. Guests can observe live tarantulas from Liam’s Magnificent Creatures (a special spider show and tell takes place at noon and 2:00 p.m.). The World Bird Sanctuary will be onsite to present an All About Owls ses-

The Beauty of Fall Sunday, October 7, 2 p.m. Free with garden admission Join docent Bob Kendrick on a walking tour in the garden to explore the aesthetic of the end of the season in the garden. Dress

A Gardener’s Destination

Welcome Fall with Mums!

Open House Nov. 10 • 9am-5pm

Beautiful Mums and Grass Planters Pansies and Fall Bulbs Iris • Peonies • Onion, Garlic • Fall bedding plants NEW arrivals of Fall décor, Pumpkins, Wreaths, Planters and more v Beautiful trees and shrubs v Elegant roses and perennials v Fertilome fertilizers and LadyBug Organics v Birdhouses and feeders v Wind chimes, pottery, urns, statuary, lanterns, wrought iron décor

112 112 E. E. Green Green St. St. •• Clinton, Clinton, MO MO 64735 64735 •• 660-885-3441 660-885-3441 •• Mon-Fri Mon-Fri 8-6, 8-6, Sat Sat 8-4 8-4

Great Barred Owl sion at 11:00 a.m. and Creatures of Myths and Legends at 1:00 p.m. A Making Magical Potions Workshop (beet vinaigrette) is offered at 12:15 p.m. ($5 per child-limit 20 children ages six and up) and Creepy Cupcake Decorating at 2:15 p.m. ($5 per child--limit 20 children ages four and up). The Harry Potter look-alike contest and Wizard Battle Tournament, judged by a Wizard Master, begin at 3:00 p.m. (the spells will be provided at the beginning of the day). Paint a pumpkin ($5) is available all day. Visit powellgardens.org for details. Glow: The Magic of Nature Fri & Sat, Oct 19-20, 6-10 p.m. Festival Admission + $5 parking ($12 Adults, $5 Youth 5-12, 4 & under are free) Grab your Halloween garb and take a trip out to experience a fantastic fall display at Kansas City’s botanical garden! Begin the night in the Grand Hall, a magical hangout for witches and wizards. View

intricately carved JUMBO jack-olanterns in our conservatory and vote for your favorite. Stop by the special event tent and enjoy music, cocktails, food trucks and children’s activities and then begin your journey through a mile-long walking path featuring jack-o-lantern displays and spooky surroundings. Garden hayrides are available for an additional charge. Tickets: powellgardens.org/glow Artists Reception Sunday, October 28, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Free with garden admission Meet the artists Gary Cadwallader and Pamela Morris in the Grand Hall of the Visitor Center to find out more about their painting process and work. Please join us for cookies and lemonade to celebrate the closing of their exhibition with a short reception. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork benefit the artists and Powell Gardens. Visit powellgardens.org for details.

CLASSIC STATUARY Fountains = Planters = Bird Baths = Benches Fall clean up is upon us: Chain Saws, Leaf Blowers, all in stock now! This is the time to get your lawn in shape with grass seed and fertilizer. Mowers, Blowers, Hedge Clippers and Chain Saws are in stock now! All equipment assembled, serviced and ready to go when you buy it. Nothing goes out of here in a box!

We service what we sell and more! We also carry Lawn & Garden supplies, pet supplies and bird seed.

Northland Feed

4807 N. Brighton, KCMO • www.mowerpartskc.com 816-452-8393 • Mon.-Fri. 9-6 • Sat. 9-4 Serving the Northland for 35 years

October 2018 | kcgmag.com

14935 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS - 913-897-4700 www.classicstatuarykc.com

Pets and Plants: Yews

By Phil Roudebush

ews are small relatively slow growing coniferous trees or shrubs in the family Taxaceae. Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew, spreading yew, western yew) is native to Japan, Korea and China, and Taxus baccata (yew, English yew, European yew) is native to Europe–both are widely grown in North America as ornamental plants. Yews are extremely toxic to all animals including horses, ruminants, dogs and cats. These plants have great potential for toxicity because they are so widely planted an ornamental shrubs or trees, and plant material is readily available to be consumed by animals. The toxic principles are alkaloids named taxine and various volatile oils. The entire plant is toxic but animals usually ingest leaves or berries. Both fresh and dried yew plant material is poisonous. For dogs, two-fifths of an ounce of plant material per 10 pounds of body weight is lethal. Clinical signs include trembling, weakness, heart or breathing problems, vomiting, seizures (dogs) and fre quently, sudden death with no other signs. Death is due to sudden heart failure and/

or respiratory collapse. Treatment includes oral decontamination and supportive care. Of related interest is use of compounds from yew for medical purposes. Paclitaxel (Taxol) is a compound used for cancer chemotherapy (ovarian, breast, lung cancer) and isolated in 1967 from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia). Later it was discovered that endophytic fungi in the tree bark synthesize paclitaxel. From 1967 to 1993, almost all paclitaxel was derived from Pacific yew bark–the harvesting process killed the tree. Currently, all paclitaxel production uses plant cell fermentation technology and does not require harvest of trees. Yews are widespread ornamental trees and shrubs. Yew plant material is very toxic to all animals and care should be taken to prevent animal exposure to these materials. Phil Roudebush is a retired veterinarian and specialist in small animal internal medicine. He was an adjunct faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University and is now an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Buncombe County, North Carolina. He can be reached at philroudebush@gmail.com.

The Northland’s Largest Selection of High Quality Wild Bird Seeds and Supplies! Are your feeders ready for the fall feeding season? Bird Feeder Cleaning Day is Saturday October 13th. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Visit www.backyardbirdcenter.com for more information.

Prairie Village Tree Board Fall Seminar

Japanese Beetles

hese pests are everywhere at once. They seem to have the ability to wipe out a young tree in one day. They feed off of your roses, Lindens but not Maples, oh My! What are they and how do they so efficiently take over? Will your tree survive? Come to the Tree Board Fall Seminar on Wednesday, October 3rd at 6 p.m. in the Prairie Village Community Center, located at 7720 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS 66208. Learn from our expert Douglas A. Spilker, Ph.D., Botanist and Plant Pathologist. Dr. Doug has been in the pesticide industry for over 30 years, and recently retired as the EPA Regulatory Manager for Bayer Animal Health. He is a consulting ornamental plant pathologist and entomologist, garden writer, photographer and lecturer. He writes the “Disease & Pest” section of the bi-monthly Missouri Gardener magazine. Previously he was the Product Development Manager for the Bayer Advanced line of home garden products. Dr. Doug has an undergraduate degree in Botany from Miami University (Ohio) and

advanced degrees in Plant Pathology from The Ohio State University. Understanding Japanese Beetles in the Home and Garden Landscape It used to be if you lived west of the Mississippi river you didn’t have to worry about doing battle with Japanese beetles (Papilla japonica), a voracious foliage feeder on ornamental trees and shrubs. Those days are gone! Japanese beetles have invaded Missouri and Kansas and the battle has begun! Here is an opportunity to learn more about this diabolical pest, its life cycle and what options there are for control and management of this emerging pest. Dr. Doug will explain: • Where the Japanese beetles came from and how they are spreading • Their life cycle and habits – do you know they attack turf grass too? • Management and control options to consider – from traps to home remedies to “nuclear” options • What is new regarding research on Japanese beetles

Top 10 Reasons to Topdress* with STA-Certified Compost this Fall 1. Supplies beneficial microorganisms 2. Encourages a healthy, more disease resistant lawn 3. Increases nutrients in your soil 4. Improves soil structure 5. Helps grow deep and strong roots 6. Reduces compaction in heavy clay soils 7. Aids in building a strong over-winter foundation 8. Improves water retention and drought resistance 9. Increases pore space for better water movement 10. Gives your neighbors LAWN ENVY

Lee’s Summit, MO

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“Come By and Let’s Talk Birds!”

Boardwalk Square Shopping Center (I-29 & NW Barry Rd near Hobby Lobby) 6212 NW Barry Rd. KCMO * 816-746-1113

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Saturdays at Noon

The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

Canna Cannova ‘Red Shades’

Penta ‘Butterfly Deep Red’

Coleus ‘Rose to Lime Magic’

Tropical Butterfly Weed ‘Silky Deep Red’

Helenium ‘Dakota Gold’

Best Summer Performing Annuals All too well, TRACY FLOWERS knows the demand for high performing plants. Here is a list of her Top 8.

his year’s drought and scorching summer temperatures left some wimpy annual plants behind in the dust. Let’s accentuate the positive though and talk about the top eight annual performers at the Kauffman Memorial Garden. They kept their cool and looked great, even when the weather was breathtakingly hot. For proper identification, I included the variety names, but all of the genera should yield success in any Midwest garden. Hopefully, you see a plant that makes it into your summer 2019 plant list. #8 Canna Cannova ‘Red Shades’ (Canna x generalis) Cannova is a popular series of Canna at the Kauffman Garden. 14

October 2018 | kcgmag.com

They stay in full bloom until frost and their 4-foot height is easy to work into annual flower beds. The variety ‘Red Shades’ can vary from a dark salmon pink to a lustrous red. The variation of hue matched with every color of begonia that we had in the garden. #7 Coleus ‘Rose to Lime Magic’ (Solenostemon scutellarioides) This coleus was a quiet soldier in the garden. We planted this sunloving plant in a part shade bed that can sometimes be bone-dry and other times a wet bog. ‘Rose to Lime Magic’ was a uniform 2-foot plant and its leaves changed color throughout the season, from speckled rose tones in early summer to a light green in the fall.

#6 Caladium ‘Pink Beauty’ (Caladium) In past years, we really loved the sun tolerant caladiums that are on the market, but this year we switched back to the old-fashioned caladium varieties for shady annual beds. ‘Pink Beauty’ gave us leaves with splashy pink, dark green and white splotches all season long. At 18 inches tall, and average moisture and fertilizer needs, it blended well among most low-light annual designs. #5 Penta ‘Butterfly Deep Rose’ (Pentas lanceolata) We always choose a few varieties of Penta for the Kauffman Garden because the flowers are saturated with color and the plant

is very drought tolerant. Butterflies indeed love to visit the nectar rich blooms of Penta and they perform very well in a flower pot or raised planter. ‘Butterfly Deep Rose’ was an attractive pairing with Salvia ‘Victoria Blue’ and ‘White Profusion’ Zinnias. #4 Gaillardia ‘Mesa Yellow’ (Gaillardia x grandiflora) Gaillardia is a champion plant for native plant enthusiasts in our area. Newer cultivars are being introduced by breeders that broaden the color choices and lengthen their bloom time. ‘Mesa Yellow’ had a very upright and consistent habit along with a color that was a little bit sunnier than their more golden native cousins. Sold as an

annual, this variety should be tolerant of most Kansas City winters. I do have to admit that we cheated a little bit and dead-headed this variety to extend the bloom time even longer. #3 Begonia Bronze Leaf ‘Big Rose’ (Begonia benariensis) While many of the other begonia varieties stalled out, burned and failed in the 2018 summer annual beds, the ‘Big Rose’ begonias were blooming their heads off. Their toughness and 20-inch height gives them the ability to be rich, bold and strong. At the same time these flowers can be delicate and sophisticated with sultry dark hues and lighter pink undertones. #2 Helenium ‘Dakota Gold’ (Helenium amarum) ‘Dakota Gold’ is a cultivar of a Midwest native called “Sneezeweed.” This diminutive plant is well-suited for a border because when it nears its maximum height at about 8 inches tall it flops a little bit, creating a rounded edge. The leaves have a fun grassy texture and the flowers glow gold all summer long. If you are looking for drought tolerant plants, it is always good to start

Gaillardia ‘Mesa Yellow’

with natives or native cultivars like Helenium. #1 Tropical Butterfly Weed ‘Silky Deep Red’ (Asclepias curassavica) Tropical butterfly weed is a staple at the Kauffman Memorial Garden. Even though there are many endemic Asclepias to choose from, we always include the tropical varieties because they will bloom from mid-summer to frost. This gives the migrating monarch butterflies food and fuel until the absolute very end of the season. Before blooming, the umbel flowers look like little red balls atop a stem. Then they open to reveal a golden center, full of rich nectar for migrating monarch butterflies. With the information fresh, fall is the best time to take stock of what did well in the garden. No matter what nature throws at us, there will always be an annual flower that can take the heat.

Begonia Bronze Leaf ‘Big Rose’

At this writing, Tracy Flowers was on the horticulture staff at The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden. Now she works as a Horticulture Assistant at The Giving Grove. You may reach her at 816-931-3877.

Caladium ‘Pink Beauty’ The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

Passion Flower: Sea Anemone

GLOW: The Magic of Nature

October 19 & 20 6-10 p.m.

1609 NW US HWY 50 Kingsville, Missouri 64061 816.697.2600 powellgardens.org/glow 16

October 2018 | kcgmag.com

Passiflora incarnata flowers emerge at the end of the stem as it grows and keeps blooming into fall. In autumn, the halfinch dark purple fruits ripen into showy, inedible juicy fruits. Unlike the fruit of maypops, these berries leave a bad taste in the mouth. Maypops is quite the opposite of yellow passion flower in every way. It stands out in the garden and is incredibly showy, like a lavender sea anemone. It has a moderately aggressive tendency to sucker, which is a turn-off to some gardeners. But if you are going for a natural look, this might be a great plant for you. It sprouts from the ground very late in spring with random stems three to five feet apart. These stems come up between other plants and may not appear in the same place from year to year. Though it has a habit of rambling when grown in the ground, it is easily kept in control in a large container (24-inch diameter or larger) trained up on a trellis. Plants are hardy outdoors and are perennial, though the leaves, stems, and fruits are sensitive to hard frosts (the average first frost in St. Louis is October 15). Maypops fruit are incredibly delicious, but only when they fully ripen. Most years the plants are hit by a hard frost before attaining maturity and the incredible flavor never develops. Every few years, however, when frost comes late, the egg-like fruits turn yellowish and the pulp inside gets juicy, with an amazing balance of sweet and sour and a flavor like guava. Like all great things in life, there is a downside: the seeds are

Photo by Carol Davit.

The second is yellow passion flower (Passiflora lutea). Delicate yellow passion flower is found in the wild throughout Missouri, but is often overlooked because it is tiny. Clump-forming stems may grow only 5- to 10-feet long with tiny tendrils, leaves, and flowers. In the Whitmire garden, the vines disappear when rambling amongst other plants. If you train it on a post or trellis it becomes more noticeable. The leaves are variable, but may have an interesting blotchy dark and light green pattern that resembles that of a pickerel frog. Three-quarterinch pale yellow flowers appear in late summer scattered along the stem and are easily missed unless you are looking for them. New

Passiflora lutea with Eumenes or Potter Wasp Photo by Scott Woodbury.

arely are there Missouri native plants with flowers and fruit so exotic and beautiful that they seem to belong on a make-believe movie set. Latesummer blooming passion flower—also called maypops (Passiflora incarnata)—is one of them. The threeinch flowers dazzle the eye with burgundy speckles, ruby tentacles, wavy lavender tendrils, a purple bullseye pattern and a lime-green center. It looks more like a home for Nemo on a coral reef than a native plant in a Missouri woodland. Worldwide there are 520 species of passion flower. I am grateful that Missouri is lucky enough to have two of them.

Photo by Scott Woodbury.

Native plant guru, SCOTT WOODBURY says passion flower is the Sea Anemone of the woods. Read why.

Passiflora incarnata seeds large and crunchy in an unpleasant way. Run the pulp through a Foley’s food mill to remove the seeds, then strain through a fine sieve to remove the pulp (personal choice) and you are left with a yummy juice to drink straight up or to dress a salad. Plants are native in the Bootheel (far southeastern Missouri) with a few scattered populations further north. These scattered northern populations may be the result of European settlers or Native American people who loved to eat the tropical-cousin fruits as much as I do. Who knows, you may be the next settler to move it even further. Happy gardening and bon appetit! Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 27 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program. Find suppliers of native plants and other native plant resources at www.grownative.org, Resource Guide.

Horticultural Showcase & Boutique Garden Faire brings you the chance to better get ac-

quainted with some of the affiliate organizations of Gardeners Connect and perhaps buy a plant or other item from them. These affiliate organizations plan to be at Garden Faire: Bonsai Society of Greater Kansas City

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society

Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group

Kansas City Ikebana Group

Heart of America Gesneriad Society

Kansas City Garden Club

Mo-Kan Daylily Society Greater Kansas City Iris Society Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City

Kansas City Rose Society KC Carnivorous Plant Society Mid-America Begonia Society

NINTH ANNUAL

FALL BULB SALE Check out this year’s selection of distinctive lilies and other interesting bulbs at

GardenersConnect.org Order online and pick up your bulbs from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Rockhurst University, or just come shop that day. Here are just 3 of this year’s bulbs

Sho-Me African Violets

aturday, Oct.

‘Purple Eye’

‘Fusion’

‘Robert Griesbach’

9 a.m. to noon @ Rockhurst University 54th and Troost, KCMO

Presented by Kansas City’s largest Gardening club

Thank you to The Kansas City Gardener for being a sponsor of Garden Faire.

The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

Gardeners Connect has selected a gifted panel of experts for a Garden Q&A program on Thursday evening, November 1

he Garden Q&A program is planned for 6:30 p.m. in the Truman Forum at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 4801 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64112. Gardeners Connect and the Kansas City Public Library are cosponsors of the program. Members of the audience will be invited to bring their questions. The expert panel will answer as many questions as possible. Three experts have agreed to be on the panel. Anne Wildeboor, horticulturalist at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens; Mark Gawron is the horticulturist at Powell Gardens; and Matt Evans, consulting arborist at Ryan Lawn and Tree. Anne Wildeboor has been a horticulturist at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

since January 2014. She oversees anything related to horticulture at the gardens. She manages the greenhouse, designs containers and gardens, and leads installation and maintenance. Before joining the Overland Park Arboretum, she worked at Powell Gardens, a private estate in Shawnee, Kan., and at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She has a bachelor of science degree in agriculture/horticulture from Kansas State University. Mark Gawron is the horticulturist in the Heartland Harvest Garden

at Powell Gardens. He joined Powell in March of 2005 working as a Gardener on the Island Garden. Mark began his career with edibles and a passion for sustainable and local food production with Kansas State Research and Extension as a Research Technician for the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fruit and vegetable specialist. During that time, he worked on raised-bed strawberry production, tomato varieties for commercial production, organic tomato production, AAS vegetable trials, no-

till vegetable production and other projects. In the fall of 2013, Mark returned to Powell Gardens to work in the Heartland Harvest Garden. In 2015, Mark also managed the acre of high tunnel tomato production for Powell Gardens supplying 26 tons of tomatoes to local grocery stores, restaurants, schools and food pantries. Mark and his wife, Kristi, are raising three children and growing their own small farm. Matt Evans, consulting arborist at Ryan Lawn and Tree, has a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in horticultural science from Kansas State University. He has been an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist since 1996. In 2007 he was certified as a Master Arborist by the ISA. He also has served on the board of directors for the Kansas Arborist Association.

Building your community one block at a time! 4101 E 12 Terrace, Kansas City (816) 241-5197 midwestblock.com

Engraved Stone Decorative feature Loved one gift Holiday message Pet memorials Business Logos

Available in a variety of colors and fonts

October 2018 | kcgmag.com

Bird Facts ED REESE explains the new technology available to watch birds.

Discovery Center October Events Fruits of the Forest October 6 ∙ Saturday ∙ 10 AM–2:30 PM Walk-in (all ages) Frosty mornings are here and the forest is full of fall bounty. Come sample our harvest table of wild fruits and nuts including pawpaws, persimmons, wild grapes, hickory nuts, chestnuts and so much more. Planning for Successful Public Gardens October 16 ∙ Tuesday ∙ 6:30–8 PM Walk -in (all ages) Breaking ground next spring on a new garden at your school, park or neighborhood plot? Monarch waystations, pollinator plantings and outdoor learning laboratories add interest and value for the community while providing essential habitat for wildlife. Start your project off on the right foot with an evening of inspiration and lessons learned from those managing successful school and community gardens. We’ll discuss planning ahead for maintenance, watering, organizing volunteers and more. This program is presented in partnership with the Kansas City Native Plant Initiative.

hat the heck is “Birdcast?” In development since 2012, and launched this year, Birdcast is a new, unique way to watch birds and learn about their behavior in North America. Birdcast allows you, with the use of your computer and internet, to view live bird movement in 24-hour periods across the continental United States through the use of weather radar and high tech programming. The project sorts out birds and their movement which is then displayed on a map showing not only the movement of migrating birds, but also provides a look at how many birds are flying at any given time during the night. This technology also shows where birds take cover from rain storms, by showing a sudden drop off, on how many birds aren’t flying in an area.

Birdcast was developed primarily to study migratory movements the effects on migration, and provide information useful in the placement of tall structures like wind turbines and tall buildings. Birdcast is easy to find on the internet, by simply using the search words “Cornell, Birdcast.” Birdcast is the result of work done by The Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University in collaboration with Oregon State University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst in cooperation with the National Weather Service, Microsoft and others. Ed and Karen Reese own and operate the Wild Bird House in Overland Park. The store has been provisioning outdoor backyard bird lovers for over 26 years. Contact them at 913-341-0700.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO PLANT • • • • •

www.greenleafkc.com

816.916.5171

Update, clean, rearrange On-going bed maintenance New & existing gardens Landscape design/install Professional ser vice

Environmental Humanities Series October 16 ∙ Tuesday ∙ 6:30–8:30 PM Walk -in (all ages) The Environmental Humanities Public Talk Series examines critical environmental issues from a humanities perspective. This event will highlight environmental justice issues, activism and community development as seen locally in Kansas City, Missouri. Kristin Riott, Executive Director of Bridging the Gap and Diane Hershberger, Healthy Marlborough Program Director/Past Vice President, Marlborough Community Coalition, will be our guest speakers at this event. This program presented in partnership with the Missouri Humanities Council. A reception will be held at 6 p.m. with the program starting at 6:30 p.m. Special Event HOWLoween October 19 ∙ Friday ∙ 6–9 PM Walk-in (all ages) HOWLoween is back and we want you to join the fun! Discovering nature’s creepy creatures is just part of the nighttime fun. Take a hike on the Wild Side Walk to get up close with some of Missouri’s nocturnal wildlife. Kids will have a howling good time exploring nature stations like Track or Treat, the Bone Yard, the Bat Cave and much more. It will be a howling fun, free and unforgettable event for the entire family. Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110 816-759-7300 For more information email discoverycenter@mdc.mo.gov

Fall is coming. Is your pond ready?

We have nets in many sizes, fall food for your fish, deicers and air pumps.

Annual “thin the herd” Sale SOON! Fall and Winter maintenance and “pond closings” are booking NOW and filling up fast! Reserve your spot NOW!

Our store carries a complete line of pond supplies, liner, fishes and large selection of aquatic plants. New LOWER PRICING on pond products you use every day! Check our website and Facebook for more information.

816-842-5012 • pondskc.com • 1557 Swift Ave., KCMO The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

Create interest in fall landscape ABBY BYRD talks color and texture as an effective way to extend the season of your outdoor living.

here’s no need to mourn the loss of summer and all the color it brings to your garden, landscape, or front porch. With each season comes a whole new batch of trees, shrubs, and flowers that can liven up your landscape. Fall is a colorful season, full of blooms, changing leaves, and interesting textures that make you wish it would never end. TREES If you’re looking for trees that can add showstopping color to your landscape, you may be interested in a few of our favorites, one of which is a Shantung Maple. It is an easy, smaller tree to grow, maturing to about 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Shantungs aren’t particular about lighting, as they love sun but can tolerate some shade, and they are

Wildfire Black Gum

Chokeberry

Flowering kale

adaptable to different soil types. You’ll be absolutely blown away by their stunning fall color. Their inner core of leaves is a beautiful golden yellow, and their outer shell deepens to a warm orange. The bark of this maple has an interesting texture that will add even

more interest to your landscape. Shantungs are also known to have a long lifespan, so you’ll be able to enjoy it indefinitely. Another tree we can’t get enough of in the fall is the Wildfire Black Gum. This is a Missouri native that is extremely versatile and easy to grow, maturing to 30-35 feet tall and 20-25 feet wide. It thrives in the sun and is adaptable to different soil types, as well. In the spring, new leaves are a bright, fire engine red and a beautiful deep burgundy in the fall.

foliage in the fall. In addition to the colorful leaves, chokeberries have clusters of purple berries that persist throughout the fall and into winter, making excellent delicacies for song birds. “Autumn Magic” is an excellent variety that matures to six to seven feet tall and wide. If you are looking for something smaller, “Low Scape” is a dwarf variety that matures to two feet tall and wide. Viburnums are a versatile shrub that comes in many different shapes and sizes. They grow well in sun or shade and are also adaptable to different soil types, including clay. Viburnums have white flowers in the spring and their leaves turn to a striking red in the fall. They also produce ornamental berries that are attractive to songbirds. If you are in need of a shrub suited for shade, you might be interested in Fothergilla. It is an easy shrub to grow, maturing to

Plants & Pumpkins

U-Pick

pumpkins, gourds and squash

Family fun! Bring the grandkids! Wagon rides • Pumpkin Donuts Farm animal corral • Jumping pillow Huge playground

It’s Mum Time!

$11.99 or 3/$32.99 Check our website for prices, events and hours.

www.johnsonfarms.net 177th and Holmes 816-331-1067

October 2018 | kcgmag.com

SHRUBS There are several shrubs that really show off in the fall if you are looking for some more compact pops of colors along your house. One of our favorites is the chokeberry. This shrub is easy to grow, adapting to many soil types, including clay. They prefer sun or part shade and have deep red

three to four feet tall and two to three feet wide. White bottlebrush flowers appear in the spring and a show of incredible colors make a splash in the fall. Reds, oranges, and yellows saturates the leaves, making a statement. FLOWERS While most perennials have stopped blooming by October and are headed into dormancy for the winter, there are many annuals that add beautiful fall color and a variety of texture to containers and flower beds. We now carry “SubZero” pansies that are guaranteed to make it through the winter. They can be tucked in amongst other fall annuals, but really make a statement when planted in masses in a flower bed. With all the warm colors painting the foliage of trees and shrubs, purple and blue pansies can add some striking contrast in your landscape. Mums, of course, are always an option in October. There are several later-blooming varieties that will produce large mounds of color even into November. Mums come in many shades of red, orange, yellow, purple, pink, and white. Even simply setting a few on your porch amongst some pumpkins can add a festive, colorful touch that can be seen from the street. Flowering kale and cabbage are brightly colored options for later in the fall, as they are cold-tolerant, and their colors ripen to beautiful shades of purple, fuchsia, pink, and white the colder it gets. They are an excellent addition to containers and look stunning with pumpkins all around.

containers. These can add height and visual interest. As other annuals begin to suffer from the cold, consider adding smaller pumpkins and gourds to your containers amongst pansies and flowering kale. Groupings of larger, colorful pumpkins and gourds look great climbing down the steps of your porch or perched on straw bales.

Don’t let the end of warm weather signal the beginning of bland in your landscape. A combination of these colorful trees, shrubs, flowers, and decorative features will keep the magic going in your landscape. Every season offers us something special, so take advantage of it and enjoy your home on the inside and out this fall!

Take the guesswork out of fertilizing By Dennis L. Patton, M.S., County Horticulture Agent, K-State Research and Extension/Johnson County

I’m often asked, “Why should I get a soil test?” The first key to lawn and garden success is knowing soil fertility. A soil test reveals the baseline nutritional values of your soil. A test can determine the type and amounts of fertilizer needed for optimal plant health. A good soil test also determines the pH level of the soil so corrections can be made. Soil fertility is something that cannot be seen, felt or guessed. It varies from one yard to the next. In many cases the test shows that too many nutrients have been applied and additional chemical elements such as phosphorous and potassium may be harmful. Phosphorous and potassium levels build up in KC soils. Excess can harm growth, or worse, leach out and pollute streams and lakes. Many garden resources recommend a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5. Long term use of these products can lead to chemical buildup. Soil testing takes the guesswork out of fertilizing. A common misbelief is that our local soils need lime. Lime raises the pH, and most KC soils

already have high levels. A simple soil test will determine soil pH. You’ll then learn the correct treatment options, saving you money. Extension recommends a soil test every three to five years. All local extension offices provide soil testing services. Soil samples brought or mailed to the Johnson County Extension office are sent to the Soil Testing Laboratory at Kansas State University in Manhattan. I analyze the lab results and write a personalized recommendation. Your report is usually mailed to you in two to three weeks. Soil amendments made this fall will help you get a jump-start next spring. Save yourself time and money by getting your soil tested today.

It all starts with a soil test!

DÉCOR Dried elements like grass plumes and curly willow stems are impressive textural additions to fall

If you crave a spring green lawn, fertilize this fall • November fertilization is critical to your lawn’s health

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.

Abby Byrd has worked at Colonial Gardens for 12 years She serves as the Greenhouse Coordinator and teaches workshops at the garden center. She has a B.S. in Art Education from Park University and worked as an elementary art teacher before returning to Colonial full time. Co-worker Brian Pirtle co-authored this article.

• Applying just the right kind and amount of fertilizer saves you money and protects our water quality

Start your lawn and garden off right! Johnson County Residents, get one FREE soil test. Learn more at johnson.k-state.edu | 913.715.7000

• JoCo Residents: Get one free soil test and a personalized recommendation for your lawn or garden Funding provided by the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program. Limit one per Johnson County household.

Johnson County

In pa r t n e r sh i p to ge t h e r

The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

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

Feed lawn and shrubs to survive winter Winterizer for Established Lawns 25-0-6

Fall feeding is one of the most critical feeding times. A healthy and stable plant can endure the hardship of winter better than a weak plant. Winterizer builds winter hardiness, stem strength and disease resistance in lawns, trees and shrubs.

www.fertilome.com Have a lawn and garden question for the Gard’n-Wise Guys? Go to Facebook and ask them your question. NOW AVAILABLE AT: Jacksons Greenhouse & Garden Center, Topeka v Doctors At the Lake, Lake of the Ozarks v Manns Lawn & Landscape, St. Joe v Gronis Hardware and Seed, Leavenworth v Clinton Parkway Nursery, Lawrence v Barnes Greenhouses, Trenton, MO v Soil Service Gdn. Center, Kansas City, MO v Loma Vista North, Kansas City, MO v Skinner Garden Store, Topeka v Full Features Nursery, Smithville v Springtime Garden Center, Lee’s Summit v Heartland Nursery, Kansas City, MO v Planter’s Seed, Kansas City, MO v Penrod’s Greenhouse, Kearney v North Star Garden Center, Liberty v Grimm’s Gardens, Atchison v Moffet Nursery, St. Joe v Suburban Lawn & Garden, Kansas City, MO

BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR SPACES THAT ARE

Uniquely Yours

It’s that time again to schedule fall pond maintenance and netting. Monthly and Seasonal Maintenance Pond and Water Feature Designs, Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Wendy Hix 913.481.5416 • Tate Foster 913.406.6804

www.hixandsonaquatics.com 22

October 2018 | kcgmag.com

Club Meetings Bonsai Society of GKC Sat, Oct 13, 9am-1pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Workshop. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Sun, Oct 21, 1-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Gardeners of America Mon, Oct 15, 1-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group Wed, Oct 10, noon; at Rose Room, Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. Program: Spice it Up with Herbs and Spices presented by Anne Lewis. Learn about common spices that show up in our fall dishes. Maybe these culinary delights also have medicinal benefits that you were unaware of? This is a spice tasters dream...with all the dishes prepared and recipes shared! Lunch is a Potluck: Spice up your dishes with your favorite herbs and spices. Think fall spices–nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Also, come see us at Gardeners Connect LilyPalooza, Sat, Oct 27, 9am-1pm at Arrupe Auditorium at Rockhurst University Campus. We will have a booth there of herb cookies. We invite anyone interested in Herbs to join our group. We meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Dues are $15, we have an Herb garden at Loose Park we maintain, and have wonderful classes and luncheons to learn all aspects of herbs and how to use them in our lives. We take field trips so be sure to check with us for each meeting. We hope you will join us. We have membership in Gardeners Connect and are looking forward to Spring and the many connections to classes available to sign up for beyond our own group. Facebook: check us out at Greater Kansas City Herb Study Group. Friends, visitors always welcome. Questions: call Nancy at 816-478-1640. Greater Kansas City Water Garden Society Tues, Oct 16, 5:30pm for snacks and socializing; at Our Lady of Sorrows meeting space, 2552 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. Parking is free just outside the west doors. Our meeting will have information for all gardeners. Jamie Beyer will have the floor for the entire meeting with 2 topics – “Landscaping with Stone” and “Maximizing the Enjoyment of Gardening”. Jamie Beyer comes to us from Iowa where he owns his own water garden company, breeds shubunkin fish, has a degree in wildlife management and has never failed to charm his audience. He is a feature writer for Pond Trade magazine and is a highly sought speaker throughout the nation. His first topic at 6:30 will be on learning how to incorporate stones in the home landscape, including sources, placement, techniques to move large stones and carving granite to

make the perfect stone. After a short break the second half of the evening begins. There are many ways Mr Beyer will share on how to improve your gardening experience – whimsical gardens, allocating your gardening time, and different techniques to “plant” a secret jewel tucked away in your garden for all to discover. The formal portion of the evening begins at 6:30. Visitors are always welcome. For additional information please visit www.kcwatergardens.com or follow us on Facebook. KC Cactus and Succulent Society Sun, Oct 21, 1:30-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. October will be our annual plant exchange, which is a fun way to add variety to your collection! Visitors are welcome to attend and to participate in the plant exchange. For information on the Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society, visit our website: kccactus.com. Kansas City Garden Club Sun, Oct 1, 10am; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64112. The program is “Helpful Herb Hints” presented by Club member Donna Schneck’s husband Merle who will enlighten us with his very extensive experience in the world of gardening with Herbs. He will show us several of his favorites in the Herb world. How to grow them, their uses and in particular how to use them in cooking. Merle and Donna have maintained a large garden for years growing many vegetables, flowers, and yes, herbs. To hone their gardening skills, they enjoy attending the Philadelphia Flower Show, and will attend again in 2018. 11:15am Business meeting; 11:45 Bird information by Martha Baker, noon Helpful hints for the Fall Garden by Iva Stribling. Followed by refreshments in the Fern Room. Public welcome. Kansas City Rose Society Sat, Oct 6, 10am-noon; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Fall rose demonstration. Winterize roses class. 816-513-8590 Kaw Valley Herbs Study Group We meet bi-monthly near Lawrence to learn about herbs. We explore all aspects of an herb: growing and 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. We meet every 2nd Tues evening in Jan-Mar-May-Jul-Sept-Nov. Everyone with herb interest is welcome. More info/newsletter: email herbstudygroup@gmail.com. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Oct 10, 11am; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Mark Olson will be speaking on Microgreens and Aquaponics. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094.

Leawood Garden Club Tues, Oct 23, 10:30am; at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. At about noon, Brian Morley will present “Go Local with your Holiday Decor.” Brian is co-owner of Bergamot and Ivy. The meeting and our membership are open to everyone and guests are most welcome. A potluck luncheon will be served. For more information, visit www.leawood. org/committees/lgc or send an email to leawoodgardenclub@gmail.com. Lee’s Summit Garden Club Tues, Oct 9, 7-9pm; at Winterset Park Community Center, 2505 S W Wintercreek Dr, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081. Our guest speaker is Phil Alley. Subject: Hostas. Refreshments are provided. Visitors are welcome. Visit our website www.leessummitgardenclub.org or call 816-914-3970. Lenexa Field and Garden Club Tues, Oct 9, 7pm; at the Lackman Thompson Barn, Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, 11180 Lackman Rd, Lenexa, KS 66219. The speaker will be Keith Wheeler on hypertufa pots. Learn more about the club at www.lenexafieldandgardenclub.org. Mo Kan Daylily Society Sun, Oct 7, 11:30am-3:30pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 Olathe Garden & Civic Club Tues, Oct 16, 12:30pm; at the Bass Pro Meeting Room at 12051 Bass Pro Drive (I-35 & 119th). Gerry Buehler will lead us in designing our own winter and holiday arrangements from specimens and containers we provide. The public is welcome. For information, email Cathy at fraucathya@ gmail.com. Prior to the meeting, lunch at Uncle Buck’s at 11am. Overland Park Gardeners of America Mon, Oct 8, social hour 7pm, Speaker at 7:30pm; at Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Darlene Arnett with Kansas City Master Gardeners will present information on Fall Bulb Preparation. Please contact Holly Ramsay for any questions or information. 913-302-2014 Raytown Garden Club Tues, Oct 2, 10am; at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. Our program is entitled “Recycling for a Better Future”. Matt Riggs, Outreach Coordinator & Recycling Manager of the Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District, will present. We will also be having a mini holiday flower show at the meeting. Visitors are most welcome. Check out our Facebook page at Raytown Garden Club or visit our website at www.sites.google.com/ site/fgcmwestcentraldistrict/raytown. Sho Me African Violets Fri, Oct 12, 11am-1pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Visitors welcome. 816-513-8590

Events, Lectures & Classes October 10-Month Home Herbalism Course Good Earth Herb School’s Home Herbalism Course is a comprehensive, hands-on

exploration of everything you need to know to be an effective home herbalist. Within 10 monthly classes, you will learn seasonally the best times and methods of planting, harvesting, preserving, storing and using many herbs. This class will provide you with experience working with herbs in practical, useful ways. You will make tinctures, oils, salves, infusions, decoctions, and a variety of other herbal preparations. Aromatherapy and wild food foraging will also be covered. Whether you are a beginner or a home herbalist wanting guidance in putting all the pieces together, this course will give you a practical foundation so you feel comfortable and confident growing and using herbs for yourself and your family every day. Information/Registration: GoodEarthHerbSchool.com.

Fall into Feeding

Flowers in the Winter-Forcing Bulbs Tues, Oct 2, 4pm; at Lansing Community Library, 730 1st Terr, Ste 1, Lansing, KS 66043. Shirley Rockwell, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will give a presentation on how to force bulbs for winter blooms. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Wine in the Gardens Wed, Oct 3, 5-8pm; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Join us and experience all that Colonial Gardens has to offer. We’ll have local wine and beer for every palette, you can sample fresh food from our Market and enjoy some amazing live music. So, relax in the gardens and experience the new Colonial Gardens. Free. 816-229-1277 Pruning for Beginners Wed, Oct 3, 9-11am; at Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Rd, Merriam KS. Heartland Tree Alliance will offer basic tree pruning course for shade and ornamental trees utilizing hands-on and teacher instruction. All tools provided, must register in advance, $5 fee covers cost of USFS booklet for each student. https://tinyurl.com/pruneJOCO or call Sarah 816-561-1086. Advanced Beekeeping – Fall and Winter Honeybee Management Wed, Oct 3, 6:30-8:30pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Proper preparation of your hives for winter is the most important activity for a beekeeper. The better you manage your hives for Winter, the better the odds are that your bees will not only survive but will thrive when spring arrives. Review harvesting, processing and storing honey, processing beeswax, securing your hive from pests, verifying your bees have adequate honey stores and the methods of feeding when necessary, treatments for varrora mites, wind breaks, and how and when to check your hive over the winter. Fee: $29. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Pumpkin Mod Podge Workshop Wed, Oct 3, 6:30-8pm; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Are you ready to get creative and help make your pumpkin be the star of this season? In this workshop you will learn how to prep flower petals in a creative design onto your pumpkin, and if that’s not motivation enough, receive two drink tickets that can be redeemed during the workshop. All ages are welcome! Must be (continued on page 24)

20% off *

*Valid on any one regularly priced non-food item, only at the Leawood, KS Wild Birds Unlimited location. Not valid on DSC Memberships and Optics. Offer good thru Oct. 15, 2018.

of Leawood, KS

Locally Owned and Proudly serving Kansas City for 30 years 11711 Roe Avenue (NE corner 119th and Roe) • 913-491-4887 Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun noon-4pm www.wbu.com/kansascity

Join us at www.facebook.com/wbuleawoodks

BIRDSEED • FEEDERS • BIRDBATHS • OPTICS • GARDEN ACCENTS

Fall is in the air. Visit our garden center for seasonal color.

We set the standard when it comes to landscape design.

Stroll through the garden patio with a glass of wine.

Pumpkins, mums, ornamental cabbage and more. Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs. Stop in today!

Meet one-on-one with our designers. We also offer irrigation, lighting design and garden maintenance.

Somerset Wine and Cider Bar is open Fridays and Saturdays 4-9pm, and beginning September 9th, Sundays 12-5pm.

Fall Hours: Beginning 9/10/18, Mon. thru Sat. 8am-5pm Sun. 12-5pm • Closed Labor Day 311 East 135th St. • Kansas City, MO 64145

816-941-2332 www.rosehillgardens.com The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

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

Mums, Pansies, Pumpkins and Fall Decorations Time for Dyna Green

Fall Fertilization and Overseeding 1001 S.W. US Hwy 40 Blue Springs, MO

(816) 229-2684

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What will fall and winter bring this year? Mild, cold, ice storms, snow? We just never know ahead of time. If you have not applied Earth Right Super Stuff ® yet this fall, now would be a great time to put it down. Keep your soil loose & take advantage of potential winter snows to create better soil at deeper levels this winter. Use Mushroom Stuff ® two weeks later around all of your trees, shrubs & perennials to protect them from a potentially harsh winter. Help your plants grow well in early spring. The combination of the beneficail bacteria in Earth Right Super Stuff ® & the beneficial mycelium in Mushroom Stuff ® will maintain the microbiome in your lawn and landscape.

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October 2018 | kcgmag.com

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21 years of age or older to consume alcohol, must have a valid ID. No exceptions. Cost: $50. 816-229-1277 Plants Gone Wild Thurs, Oct 4, 11:30am-1pm; the Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap! Learn which plants are invading our landscapes and how to manage their spread. Lynn Loughary, Horticulture Specialist with K-State Research & Extension/ Wyandotte County, will present this class. Sponsored by the Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For more information, call 913-299-9300. Soil Health Q&A on the Stage Sat, Oct 6, 8:30-9am; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Grab your coffee, grab your seat and join us Saturday morning in the courtyard. One of our Colonial Experts will talk about the importance of soil health in lawns and gardens, as well as the steps homeowners can take to improve and amend their soil. This event is free to attend, and questions are encouraged! 816-229-1277 Kaw Valley Farm Tour Oct 6 and 7. Kaw Valley region offers a wealth of sights, tastes and traditions. The farm tour provides fun and interactive farm experiences, supports local farms and introduces individuals of all ages to the many faces of agriculture in the Kaw Valley. 33 participating farms along the Kaw River Valley in 6 counties spanning from Auburn, KS to Leavenworth, KS. Have breakfast on a farm, discover unique artisans, nurseries and greenhouses, pumpkin patches and wines produced at local vineyards. Pet a friendly alpaca, meet a horse that paints or chat with a chicken. The Kaw Valley Farm Tour is the perfect event for friends and families, and a great way to make connections between the farmers in the fields and the foods on our tables. Tickets are $10 per carload, good for both days available at www.kawvalleyfarmtour.org Flowers in Winter-Forcing Bulbs Wed, Oct 10, 7pm; at Basehor Community Library, 1400 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Shirley Rockwell, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will give a presentation on how to force bulbs for winter blooms. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Birding Hike Thurs, Oct 11, 8-10:30am; at Smithville Lake, meet in the Nature Center Parking Lot. If you are planning on attending, please fill out the form on our website (http://backyardbirdcenter.com/smithvillelake-4). Sponsored by Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154, 816-746-1113. Join us for one of our Thursday morning bird hikes!

Shawnee Indian Mission Fall Festival Oct 12-14. Kick off on Fri from 6-9pm; All events at the Mission, 3403 West 53rd St, Fairway, KS. There will be a bluegrass band from 6-9pm on Fri with burgers, beer and other beverages available. The main event is 10am-5pm on Sat and Sun. It also is free to attend (suggested donation to the Mission’s Foundation of $2.00 per adult). For children, there are supervised games and activities of the 1800’s as well as the popular Drum Safari, Boy Scout rope climbing, the Marble Man, and archery with home-made bows and arrows. Children’s art and crafts are supervised in a huge, authentic Plains Indian teepee. The whole family will enjoy living history presentations, such as a blacksmith, outdoor cooking over a wood fire, a cider press, and log sawing. There’s a ride in a muledrawn wagon, music all day from members of the Folk Alliance, and appearances of the Missouri Town Dancers. A juried selection of vendors will have art objects, woodcrafts, woven clothing and household fibers, and accessories for gift and pleasure purchases. The Johnson County Master Gardeners will have gardening tips and display the historical gardens they plant and maintain at the Mission, and there will be a quilt show. Eat from food trucks all day, and buy home-made dessert items. The Missouri Free Trappers are reenactors of life in the mid-1800s. Around their campfire, there will be music by the Bluegrass Boys, dancing, storytelling, and learning about the life of a trapper and wilderness survival skills. Information: www.simfoundation.org or 913-262-0867. Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People! Sat, Oct 13, 9am-12pm; at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Not all dirt is dirty. Discuss the importance of composting, its many uses and advantages, and the basics of the process, including how to build and manage a compost pile. Also review other methods of handling food and yard waste such as mulching and worm composting. This course focuses on the micro-biome of the soil, the ecology of the soil food web and the complexity in the underground environment. Guest speaker Stan Slaughter will share best practices from his 25 years composting and recycling. Healthy soil makes healthy food, which makes healthy people! Fee: $39. To enroll go to https:// ce.jccc.edu or call 913-469-2323. Eco-Printing Workshop: Wearable Art from the Garden Sat, Oct 13, 1-4pm. Learn the secrets of printing images of real leaves onto fabric. This method of natural dyeing makes a stunning and unique work of wear-able art, and you can easily master the basic techniques in a few short hours. Each participant will dye a silk scarf in class and take home a one-of-a-kind accessory. This is the perfect way to wear your garden! $38 plus $10 for materials. All materials provided. Enroll: www.GoodEarthGatherings.com

Birdfeeder Cleaning Day Sat, Oct 13, 9am-4pm; at Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154. This is the 13th year we have done bird feeder cleaning and we hope that the event has led to cleaner feeders and healthier birds around our area. We also sincerely hope that this isn’t the only time people clean their feeders. In a perfect world, you would clean your feeders once per month. Here is how it works: Drop off your feeder(s) in the morning (no later than 3pm) and $3 will get your feeder cleaned with all of the proceeds going to the Parkville Nature Sanctuary. If the feeder is either exceptionally dirty or if minor repairs are required, we ask that your donation be $5. We do have a “deem a feeder too fragile to clean” rule we use in the rarest of occasions. Please pick up your feeders in the afternoon or Sunday. 816-746-1113 Birding Hike Sun, Oct 14, 1-4pm; at Smithville Lake, meet at the Jerry Litton Center at 1pm. Because fall and early winter are such great times for waterfowl migration, we will be visiting Smithville Lake each month to keep tabs on what is coming and going. We should see great diversity as the gulls, loons, grebes, ducks, geese and raptor populations constantly change during the course of this season. If you are planning on attending, please fill out the form on our website http://backyardbirdcenter. com/second-sundays-smithville-lake-4). Sponsored by Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154, 816-746-1113. Flowers in Winter-Forcing Bulbs Thurs, Oct 18, 7pm; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Shirley Rockwell, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will give a presentation on how to force bulbs for winter blooms. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact Paula Darling at 913-240-4094. Birding Hike Thurs, Oct 18, 8-9:30am; at Wyandotte County Lake. If you are planning on attending, please fill out the form on our website (http://backyardbirdcenter.com/wyandottecounty-lake-3). Sponsored by Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154, 816-746-1113. Outdoor Plant Prep Class Sat, Oct 20, 2-3pm; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Prepare your plants for the cold. In this class you will learn about how to prepare your plants and yard for the winter. One of our Colonial Experts will go over trees, shrubs, pruning, mulching and perennial care. Free. 816-229-1277 Birding Hike Thurs, Oct 25, 8-10:30am; at Lewis and Clark State Park. If you are planning on attending, fill out the form on our website (http://backyardbirdcenter.com/lewis-andclark-state-park-1). Sponsored by Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154, 816-746-1113.

Fall Door Decorating – Workshop Sat, Oct 27, 10-11:30am; at at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Dress up your door for fall. In this workshop you will learn how to create a beautiful fall door decoration by arranging gourds, pumpkins, bittersweets and more in order to create your own little piece of fall. Perfect to hang on your door. Cost is $55 and includes all materials and supplies needed. 816-229-1277 Spooktacular Orchids Kansas City Orchid Expo & Sale Oct 27-28. The Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City (OSGKC) will celebrate Halloween by hosting Spooktacular Orchids, the Kansas City Orchid Expo & Sale, in conjunction with the Mid-America Orchid Congress (MAOC) fall meeting, Oct 27-28 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 19677 E Jackson Dr, Independence, MO. Hours are 10am-5pm Saturday, and 10am-4pm Sunday. General Admission $6. Visit www. kcorchidshow.org for more information.

Growing Natives from Seed November 3 · Saturday · 1:30–3 PM Registration required beginning October 1 on-line (all ages) Do you want to plant native plants at the lowest cost possible? With a little time, planning, and patience you can grow your own garden with pocket change. We will share some species-specific techniques for successful seed germination and tips on taking care of your seedlings until they’re ready to plant. Each family will take home a tray of freshly-sown native plant seed pots. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center 1401 NW Park Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015 816-228-3766 www.mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods For more information email burr.oak@mdc.mo.gov

Fall Centerpiece – Workshop Sun, Oct 28, 11am-12:30pm; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO. Make the freshest, living centerpiece for your fall table! You will be bringing a piece of the outdoors inside by creating a woodland fall centerpiece. Workshop is $60, includes all supplies, materials needed to create fall centerpiece. 816-229-1277

November Birding Hike Thurs, Nov 1, 8-9:30am; at Amity Woods Nature Sanctuary. If you are planning on attending, please fill out the form on our website http://backyardbirdcenter.com/amity-woods-nature-sanctuary-5. Sponsored by Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154, 816-746-1113. Hydrangeas, Clematis and Hellebores, Oh My! Thurs, Nov 1, 11:30am-1pm; at Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Sponsored by the Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Come and learn from an expert the ‘how’s and ‘whys’ of properly selecting and caring for these lovely additions to the home garden. Ken Wood from Family Tree Nursery will present this class. Registration is not required. Fee: $5 payable at door (waived for certified Extension MGs). For more information, call 913-299-9300. Lake Quivira Holiday Bazaar Fri, Nov 9, 1-8pm; Sat, Nov 10, 9am-4pm. 50 local vendors featuring boutique home décor, jewelry, clothing/accessories, toys, gifts, pet items & more! Monster community bake sale and raffle. Live entertainment Friday evening. Cash Bar during shopping hours; dining available. All in our festively decorated 1930 stone clubhouse overlooking Lake Quivira. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Lake Quivira Garden Club. Lake Quivira is located 1 mile East of I-435 on Holliday Dr (Exit 8A). The Clubhouse is located at 100 Crescent Blvd. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted. facebook.com/lakequirviraholidaybazaar

More must-see events are posted on our website, KCGMAG.COM, and click on “Events.” Promote club meetings, classes, plant sales and other gardening events for FREE! Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com Deadline for publishing in the November issue is October 5.

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The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

October

garden calendar

n LAWN

• Recommended mowing heights for bluegrass and tall fescue in the fall are 2 to 3 inches. • Core aerate if not already done to help loosen heavy clay soils and break down thatch. • Fertilize now if not already done in September. • Dandelions, henbit and chickweed are easy to control in the fall, treat as needed. • Sharpen mower blade if it is not making a clean cut, or after every 10 hours of use. • Rake leaves as they fall to avoid winter suffocation of turf. • Mulch mow leaves back into the lawn as long as debris is not covering the surface.

n FLOWERS

• Fall is an ideal time to plant tulips, daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs. • Clean up faded annuals. • Trim perennial stems to tidy garden and keep disease and insects in check. • Pot bulbs for winter forcing. • Dig tender bulbs such as glads and cannas and store in a cool, dry place over the winter. • Update the garden journal for successes and failures while fresh in your mind. • Take advantage of fall sales and plant new perennials. • Divide overgrown perennials.

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Plant new trees and shrubs. • Water establishing plants over the winter during dry spells. • Seedlings of trees and shrubs can be safely transplanted once dormant. • Prune damaged and dead wood from trees and shrubs. • Wrap the bases of young trees and shrubs to protect from rabbits.

• Rake leaves and compost, or use as garden mulch. • Remove tree stakes if in place longer than one year.

n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Store unused seeds in a cool, dry location. • Pick up and discard fallen fruit to reduce disease and insects for next year. • Fall planted garlic gets a jump over spring planted. • Dig sweet potatoes and cure for a week or two in a warm location then store for winter. • Harvest peanuts and roast. • Harvest apples and pears and store for winter use. • Store winter squash and pumpkins in a cool, dry place. • To prepare for next spring, till garden soil to help control insects and disease. • Make notes of successes and failures. • Soil test and make improvements.

n HOUSEPLANTS

• Bring houseplants indoors for a long winter stay. • Begin long night treatments for poinsettia re-blooming. • Check plants for insects and treat as needed. • Wash dust from leaves by placing in a shower or wiping with a damp, soft cloth. • Reduce or stop fertilization over the winter months. • Keep plants away from hot and cold drafts of winter.

n MISCELLANEOUS

• Drain and store garden hoses and sprinklers for winter. • Spruce up the compost pile for winter by adding new materials promoting decomposition. • Clean, sharpen and oil garden tools for winter storage. • Do your part for clean water! Don’t mow, sweep or blow leaves or grass clippings onto the street.

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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Dig for more at kcgmag.com GAR RENEDREN GAR DGEANRED ER Beyond The K Th e Ka ns as Ci ty C ity a n s a s C Th e Ka ns as ity A M on

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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.

Meet Extension Master Gardener, Marsha Ruse

What first drew you to the hobby of gardening: Creating beauty in the landscape, being in the outdoors, fresh air, and exercising without realizing I was even exercising! How long have you been an Extension Master Gardener: I became an EMG in 2007. I have always loved both volunteering and gardening. Once our kids were raised, I wanted to continue volunteering in an area of

my own interest. What better way than volunteering with EMGs, those who share my same interests! How long were you gardening before you became an EMG: While we were raising kids, there wasn’t much time other than just keeping the existing landscape presentable. But once they were raised and off to school in 2002, I had time to search out my own interests, one of which was gardening. Name the most valuable bit of information you learned: Every gardener has plant knowledge and unique wisdom to share! Favorite tool: My hand pruners! When I applied for EMG, a question on the form was, “What is your favorite activity in the garden?” and I answered, “Pruning for sure.” Favorite shrub, tree, perennial: My favorites are easy-to-care-for plants with multiseason or long lasting seasonal interest… giving the biggest “bang for the buck.” Examples: Magnolia grandiflora ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’ strong leader, evergreen foliage, year round interest, large scented spring blossoms favorite for bees, large red fall seedpods. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ long lasting blooms, when most shrubs have completed blooming, lasting through winter until they are cut and renewed early spring.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass emerges early spring, giving us year around interest. Do you have a specialty: Pruning is my strength and passion. Teaching, sharing pruning knowledge, and pruning one-on-one with other gardeners is truly rewarding. I enjoy seeing someone grow from being afraid to prune to developing pruning confidence. What are you passionate about: Sharing the EMG’s Garden Gallery Demonstration Garden, which I chaired from its inception in 2007 until 2014. The garden is designed for the Kansas homeowner. It is a wonderful resource for owners and landscapers. I designed my own garden with characteristics of the Garden Gallery in mind and thoroughly enjoyed sharing my garden on the EMG Public Garden Tour in 2016. Any challenges: Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits… need I say more? Best advice to share: Plant the right plant in the right place for gardening success. Who inspired your love for gardening: My maternal grandmother’s beautiful herbaceous perennial gardens first opened my eyes to gardening and the peacefulness of nature. As I grew, I found digging in the soil to be wonderful therapy for “all the world’s problems!”

The Kansas City Gardener | October 2018

Fall Color Plant It Now

Succulent Pumpkins DIY or Pre-arranged

Fall Decor Supplies NOW AT ALL 3 STORES

Tree & Shrub Sale

• Corn Stalks • Indoor Corn

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• Pie Pumpkins

*Large trees on sale at our 135th & Wornall and K7 & Prairie Star Pkwy locations. While supplies last.

• Specialty Gourds • Much more!

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Pumpkin Patch WEEKENDS IN OCTOBER 11:00am - 5:00pm Martin City Location

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Performing balloon art on selected weekends from October 7th through October 27th. See the schedule at suburbanlg.com under Events. Martin City & Lenexa locations only.

• Pick Your Own Pumpkins • FREE Baby Pumpkins For The Kids • FREE Hayrides • FREE Popcorn • FREE Balloon Art

105th & Roe (913) 649-8700

October 2018 | kcgmag.com

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

135th & Wornall (816) 942-2921

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