KCG Oct23

The Kansas City

Independently owned and operated since 1996

PUBLISHER

Michael Cavanaugh

EDITOR

Elizabeth Cavanaugh

CONTRIBUTORS

Grace Bradley

Brian Chadwick-Robinson

Laura Dickinson

Lenora Larson

Dennis Patton

Tamra Reall

Anthony Reardon

Denise Sullivan

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Let’s celebrate fall

The autumn harvest is upon us, and the garden gladly gives its bounty. Whether sunflower seeds for birds, or apples ripening in the orchard, the garden still offers plenty. After long scorching summer days and lingering drought, cooler temperatures and occasional rain are a welcome respite. Gardeners too, are breathing a sigh of relief, bidding good riddance and “enough already” to hot weather.

So let’s take a breath. Now it’s time for the fall flaunt of garden color. Watch trees and shrubs strut their seasonal stuff. The streets and sidewalks fill daily with onlookers, gardeners and non-gardeners alike, with their eyes skyward appreciating the glory of this parade. Villages and city squares launch fall festivals celebrating nature’s gifts.

What will you do to celebrate fall’s bounty? Will you buy a potted aster to share with a neighbor? And maybe a few pumpkins for decorating and a couple for carving? Will your landscape be admired or are you admiring others’ gardens? Are you an onlooker contemplating and anticipating every color change? Do your travels take you to spectacular and vibrant displays of fall color? Do your gardens inspire others to do the same?

This month, we hope to inspire you with every page of this issue. Starting with the garden centers and retail nurseries that have everything you need to decorate your home and garden for the fall season. Load up your cart with Indian Corn and Pumpkins, Corn Stalks and Scarecrows. They are sure to be the delight of the neighborhood. Tell our advertisers you saw their ad in The Kansas City Gardener Fall is an ideal time to plant as well. Need a new tree to replace the storm-damaged one? Or are you cooking up ideas for a beautiful spring display? See our special feature on spring-flowering bulbs to plant now (page 10). Grace Bradley inspires gardeners to think about the spring garden, and provides plenty of suggestions and instructions on getting to work.

The first frost is around the corner. Soon the deciduous trees will be naked, and all that will remain is a skeletal Midwest landscape. Consider this structure, the starkness. It’s a great way to view the bones of your garden.

If you haven’t hollered “road trip” lately, why not? Whether from the seat of a bike, hiking on foot, or from the comfort of your car, get outdoors and see the landscape. Appreciate the view. Set a course

to witness this beautiful land. Sit in the gardens and be present. I promise, you will return inspired and filled with gratitude.

And when the colors fade, and the celebrations are over, our gardens gracefully settle into dormancy. In the meantime, share with others your hunger for an environment that is healthy and a garden that is tranquil.

I’ll see you in the garden!

| kcgmag.com

About the cover: Plant grape hyacinth bulbs now for a spectacular spring display. Learn about other spring-flowering bulbs on page 10.

Ask the Experts

Question: I have A LOT of unripe tomatoes on the vine that I do not think will ripen before the first frost. Can I go ahead and pick them?

Anthony’s Answer: The key to success when ripening tomatoes off the vine is to ensure they have reached a proper stage of maturity before harvesting. While they do not have to be turning color yet, they should reach a phase known as the “mature green phase.” There will be a white-tinged star on the underside of the fruit. Picked sooner than this stage, they likely will not ripen.

From this point, your fruits can be separated into groups of “mostly ripe,” “beginning to ripen,” and “green.” Store these in cardboard containers until ready for use, layering newspaper between layers at as close to 55 degrees Fahrenheit as possible.

Any damaged or diseased fruit should be discarded to avoid contamination.

HOW TO PLANT GARLIC

Question: I’m planning to plant garlic this fall. How should I go about this?

Anthony’s Answer: Garlic bulb development relies heavily on temperature and photoperiod, so cool temperatures and shorter fall days are the perfect time for planting. To plant garlic, “seed” will generally come as full bulbs. Separate the bulbs into individual cloves and plant the cloves 2-3 inches deep and 4-5 inches apart. Be sure to keep the papery husks on the cloves and to use the healthiest and largest cloves available.

Once planted, consider covering the crop with a mulch layer of straw to prevent weed growth and to help regulate soil temperature and moisture.

While it is possible to plant garlic in the spring successfully, fall planting is much more reliable as it helps ensure the environmental

conditions required for bulb development.

JAPANESE MAPLE HAS SO MUCH DIEBACK

Question: Why did my old, mature Japanese maple have so much dieback this spring and summer?

Dennis’ Answer: You are not alone, as many Japanese maples leafed out poorly this spring. If it makes you feel better, I lost about a third of my 20-plus-year-old Bloodgood Japanese maple.

Environmental factors are at play. There was a double whammy. First, the ongoing drought condi-

tions which started in the summer of 2022. Secondly, we had an early hard freeze before the plants were fully dormant for winter. This combination of stresses led to the random branch dieback. Since the drought is continuing, be sure the maple has good soil moisture headed into winter to help overcome the stress. We can somewhat control moisture levels, but we don’t have any control over wild temperature swings. Go ahead and prune out the deadwood to clean up the tree.

WHERE ARE THE JUNE BUGS

Question: Not that I am com-

plaining, but the last few summers, I have noticed there are not many of the June bugs flying around my porch light at night. I know these are the adult stages of the white grubs that can damage lawns. What’s up?

Dennis’ Answer: You are not alone in making this observation. Several have commented about not seeing June bugs or May beetles. People have also commented there are not as many insect species in general around the porch lights.

It’s not easy to point to one single factor for this decline. All insect populations are in steep decline. The reasons range from loss of habitat, climate changes, and the overuse of pesticides. While the pretty butterflies grab all the headlines about dwindling numbers, other species are suffering the same fate. This would include the adults of the lawn feeding grubs. These numbers are very troubling as insects are at the bottom of the food chain. Lack of their presence will be felt up the chain, all the way to us.

CAN WE GROW CALAMINTHA

Question: Visiting a botanical garden out of state, I noticed a plant called Calamintha. It was covered with dainty white flowers and numerous pollinators. I have not seen this plant around KC. Can we grow Calamintha?

Dennis’ Answer: Yes, the plant does grow in our area. I have had a clump for several years in my garden. Calamintha nepeta, the common name calamint, is very similar to nepeta in terms of growth requirements and habit. It is a foot or two tall and wide, with white flowers from spring through fall. Grows best with full sun and even moisture in dry locations. The foliage may decline during a hot and humid summer but recovers with a light shearing. Even though the word mint is in its name, it does not spread uncontrollably like mint. I would recommend you give the plant a try if you can find it locally.

DENNIS PATTON |Horticulture Agents | ANTHONY REARDON

Dennis and Anthony are the horticulture agents for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, each specializing in ornamentals and edible crops, respectively. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.

Tomatoes waiting to ripen.

Planting Garlic

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

9814 Pleasant Hill Rd Jefferson City, MO 65109

www.mowildflowers.net

mowldflrs@socket.net

573-496-3492

Meet us at this location this fall in the KC area. Give us your order by Tuesday before the sale, or shop from our selection at the sale.

Shawnee Indian Mission. 3403 West 53rd St, Fairway, KS 66205

Shawnee Indian Mission Native Plant Sale. Info: shawneeindianmission.org

September 30, 9am-1pm

The Nursery Is Open at 9814 Pleasant Hill Rd, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Weekdays Year-Round: 9a–5p

Fall Weekends: August 26–October 15, Saturdays: 9a–5p, Sundays Noon–5p

by Heartland Peony Society

www.peonies.org

Saturday, October 21

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out)

LOCATION: 75th & Nall Ave.

Asbury United Methodist Church 5400 W. 75th St., LOWER LEVEL, Prairie Village, KS 66208

Featuring a variety pack of three peony types and colors and an extensive selection of choice, hard-to-find colors, Japanese tree peonies, and a wonderful selection of Herbaceous and Intersectional peonies.

20% off All Products

Bulk and Bagged Soils, Biochar Products, Compost, and Nutrient Packs

Through October 31st with this Coupon

$2/bag Mulch

Brown, Black, Red, and Premium 1 Hardwood (excludes Cedar)

Through December 31st

Top Dressing Sale 20% off Compost Only

Through October 31st

American Beauty, Callicarpa americana

Did you know that there is a Kids Ask Dr. Bug video series? Check it out! https:// bit.ly/KADBvideos

What is the creepiest insect?

“Creepy” is subjective, meaning what is scary to you might be fascinating to another person. However, some insects that tend to be eerie or unsettling to many people. Here are a few:

• Cockroaches – roaches are often associated with filth and their ability to scuttle quickly. Our native roaches live outside and do not survive long if they get trapped indoors. The pest roaches that can live in our homes, on the other hand, are well adapted to our indoor environment and can spread diseases if not eradicated.

• Giant water bugs – this is a very large predator bug that lives in the water. Some species grow to 4 inches! This bug is also known as a “toe-biter” due to its very painful bite, although it is not intentionally aggressive toward humans. Their bite is intended to immobilize their prey. Interestingly, the male water bug rears the baby water bugs. In one genus, the eggs are glued to his back until they hatch. These bugs also have an unusual way of breathing. They have a long, retractable siphon-like structure like a straw that stays at the water surface so the bugs can stay under water for a long time.

• Goliath and titan beetles –these beetles are some of the largest in the world and their enormous size (up to 6.5 inches!) and mandibles can give them a fearsome appearance. However, they are not dangerous to humans!

Kids Ask Dr. Bug Halloween Edition

• Murder hornet – These wasps are huge, almost 2 inches long, and they hunt honey bees. Unlike their terrifying name, these wasps are not actively seeking to destroy humanity, and their official common name is the northern giant hornet. Their sting is very painful and is described as being stabbed by a red-hot needle. Fortunately, these wasps have only been found in Washington state, and they haven’t been seen for the past 2 years.

• Mosquitoes – these tiny flies can be truly dangerous. Several mosquito species are capable of being able to spread various diseases, such as West Nile virus, encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya, malaria, yellow fever, and Zika. Most mosquitoes are not infected with the viruses or parasites that can give you these diseases, and many of these diseases are not in Missouri, thankfully. However, it is still a good idea to get rid of standing water around your home so that mosquitoes can’t breed, and you don’t get bitten!

Are there any insects that are “witches’ familiars” in Halloween stories?

Owls, bats, toads, ravens, wolves, snakes, and spiders are found in a blend of many fantasy Halloween stories, mythologies, and superstitions. Insects, even though many people are creeped out by them, are not typically portrayed as assisting witches in their spellcasting or other supernatural activities. While not insects, spiders are often associated with witches, and webs are sometimes portrayed as magical or mystical.

Insects and spiders can be a fun part of Halloween decorations! It’s

important to remember, though, that while it’s fun to portray these animals as a spooky part of the holiday, insects, spiders, owls, bats, toads, ravens, wolves, and snakes are essential parts of our ecosystem! We need them and it is important for us to learn more about how they are each a part of the food web. Please send me an email, tag me on social media, or fill out this survey (https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey) to share what you have learned!

Do insects wear costumes or play tricks?

Yes! Insects are masters of camouflage and mimicry, although they don’t do this for trick-or-treating! While many insects have evolved to looks like their surroundings, such as walking sticks, there are some insects that build a costume to blend in with their surroundings. Here are a few examples:

• Caddisfly – as larvae, these aquatic creatures build a case around themselves with sand, stones, shells, or other pieces of their surroundings and glue them on their bodies using silk. These cases protect them from predators. Check out this page (or scan the QR code) to see some larvae with serious bling https:// bit.ly/46pAcmL!

• Bagworm moth – female bagworms create a case around themselves with sticks or leaves. They never leave their house and must keep expanding their case as they grow. They lay their eggs in the case and new bagworm babies set off from there to make their own way in the world.

• Spittlebug – These nymphs create a protective covering of bubbles that look like spit. The

bubbles protect the nymphs from predators, provide a temperature- and moisture-controlled environment, and may even protect them from light.

• Lacewing – larvae are sometimes known as “junk bugs” as they will pile things they find in the environment onto their backs. This may include moss, soil, and even the carcasses of their prey. This pile of “junk” camouflages themselves and protects them from predators.

Other insects use tricks to capture prey, such as the antlion. The antlion is the larva of the neuropteran doodlebug. This insect creates an inverted cone-shaped pit and it hides at the bottom covered in sand. It waits for ants to crawl by and fall into the pit. To attract attention, the antlion will flick sand into the air. It will also flick sand at prey to cause the sides of the pit to collapse to bring the prey closer for capture. Antlions can also “play dead” to hide from predators!

Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to ReallT@Missouri. edu or https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug. Please include your name and age. To help me learn what you learn from this column, consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/ KidsAskDrBugSurvey.

TAMRA REALL Horticulture Specialist

Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugN Garden) is the horticulture specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com, or visit www.extension2.missouri.edu.

There’s a bug hiding in here!

Fall Tree Seminar

“Plant native! Plants native!” – it’s been the same refrain preached by tree experts nationwide for years. So what are homeowners to do when their hearts are set on planting a gingko, a Japanese maple or some other non-native tree in their yards?

Local tree experts Dennis Patton, Sarah Crowder, and Robert Whitman will discuss the native versus non-native trees topic at the Prairie Village Tree Board’s fall seminar scheduled for 7 p.m. October 4th in the Birch Room at the Meadowbrook Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village

Horticulture agent for the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, Dennis Patton writes regularly for the Kansas City Star and The Kansas City Gardener. Program Manager of the Heartland Tree Alliance, Sarah Crowder formerly served as urban forester for the city of Overland Park. With more than 30 years experience as a landscape architect and an expertise on native plants, Robert Whitman rounds out the panel who will help homeowners weigh the pros and cons in choosing between native and non-native trees. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

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Rose Report maintenance, tough love, and shade

Autumn at last! The weather has cooled, and both we and our plants are breathing a sigh of relief that the heat of summer is past and the quiet of winter is on its way.

October Rose Care

October rose care is pretty easy. Continue to water one inch per week so the roses can begin easing toward dormancy with optimum health and hydration. If your roses need fungicide spray, continue your routine throughout the fall since cooler temperatures can increase fungus disease pressure.

Time for Tough Love

October is also a good time to cast a critical eye on your roses and decide if any of them have had their last and final chance to thrive. Sometime, despite your best efforts, individual plants just don’t work out. And there are so many great new plants in the rose catalogs that are yearning to be added to your garden! I find it is easier to remove failing plants in the fall as they are moving towards dormancy and look ragged, then in the spring when they valiantly try to start a new season and I feel sorry for them and decide to give them “just one more year!” If you remove them now and put some compost in the empty hole, a fresh planting spot is ready and waiting next spring for its new rose resident.

Roses in Shade?

Have you seen rose catalog descriptions that say, “grows well in some shade?” Let’s explore the possibility of growing roses in the shade. I live in a neighborhood with gigantic, mature trees. I have a small rose garden on two terraces on the south side of my house which gets barely six hours of sun during the longest days of summer. It gives me a steady supply of flow-

ers for my table, but I wouldn’t say the roses are growing to their full potential.

Here is what happens to roses that don’t get enough sun.

They grow tall but not bushy. The scientific word for this is etiolated. They stretch out, reaching for the light, especially in the late summer when the sun angle drops below the tops of the trees. If the sun is mostly on one side of the plants, the stems all lean toward the sunny side. (See photo above.)

The leaves are farther apart on the stem and are larger than normal leaves. They are trying to maximize photosynthesis with greater leaf surface area and space between leaves so they don’t shade each other.

They flower pretty well in the spring before the trees leaf out, but have fewer and smaller blooms during the summer when they are struggling to get light.

They are more susceptible to insects and disease because they are always under stress.

Gardeners are always pushing growing condition boundaries just to see what we can get away with, right? So, if you want to grow roses in less than the six hours of sun normally suggested, here are some tips to give them the best

possible chance.

Choose roses that are naturally full and bushy. Shrub roses and old garden roses that are disease resistant and robust have a head start on survival. Other rose classes, like Hybrid Musk and Rugosas and Polyanthas, are known to tolerate some shade. Climbing roses might work since they grow upwards towards the light. If the plant description says “will tolerate some shade” you can give it a try.

Choose roses that have fewer petals. Single or double rows of petals take less work for the plant to produce than big, fluffy blooms with multiple petals.

Do minimal spring pruning. Take out only the dead and diseased canes and lightly trim the rest of the bush. You want to conserve as

many canes and leaves as possible to maximize photosynthesis. Don’t give them extra fertilizer, hoping it will help them grow better. They need more light, not more nitrogen. Same with water. More water will not make them grow better; they will just die of root rot!

Watch out for fungal disease since shade increases humidity. And insects LOVE plants under stress so keep an eye out for rose pests.

So, if you are feeling adventurous, you can try to push the sixhours-of sun rule. But I make no promises! Refer back to the Tough Love section at the beginning of this article if your experiment fails. There is no shame in deciding that your shady spot would look great with some hostas and coral bells!

LAURA DICKINSON Consulting Rosarian

Laura Dickinson is an American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian and is Vice-President of the Kansas City Rose Society. Laura is retired from a career in science education and program management. She can be reached at the Ask a Rosarian hotline, kcrosehelp@gmail.com.

The Fairy – Polyantha

Sally Holmes – Hybrid Musk

Etiolated Rose

Rose à Parfum de l’Hay – Rugosa

Photo by Lauren English.

Photo by Lauren English.

Photo by Lauren English.

Photo by Laura Dickinson.

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.

Spring Flowering Bulbs Plan(t) Ahead Flower Power

Imagine the most mighty plant, storing all of its power and energy during winter hibernation, waiting for the opportune moment to burst forth and signal spring’s advent. This is the glory of spring-flowering bulbs. For centuries, bulbs have inspired writers, florists, and gardeners with their gleaming petals. Bulbs bring early spring color, peaking through winter’s last snowfalls. They require little maintenance, and many are pest and disease tolerant. Plan(t) ahead in the fall for springtime beauty!

The common term “bulb” actually refers to several subsets of the botanical group, the geophytes. Geophytes come in many forms, from true bulbs (tulips, alliums, daffodils), to corms (crocuses), to tubers (caladiums and elephant ears), and more. Today, we are discussing spring-flowering geophytes. However, we will refer to all using the general term “bulb.” Bulbs have modified storage organs underground which help them to enter a period of dormancy from which they will eventually emerge through the surface of the ground at just the right time. Talk about a powerhouse!

Fall is the time to start planting your spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils. As a general rule of thumb, gardeners in the Kansas City area should plant spring-flowering bulbs after Labor Day (when the soil temperature has begun to cool) and before November 1. Bulbs must be planted in the fall to allow for a 10-14 week chill-

ing period in which root and flower formation are stimulated.

Are you an indoor/patio gardener? Spring flowering bulbs can be potted and “forced” indoors in the winter. Chill in your basement or refrigerator for the required length of time; then “wake” them up with the warmth of your home and bright indirect light to induce flowering.

Purchase your bulbs from a local garden center or other trusted source to certify their quality. Well draining soil is key to successful flower development in bulbs. Though most bulbs tend to perform well in their first year because they have already built up their flower power, the true test of your soil and location’s success will be during the bulbs’ second and third years. To ensure greater success for your plants, prepare the soil for planting down to the first 12 inches, and mix 1/3 compost with the existing soil. Most gardeners like to mix bone meal or a bulb fertilizer that is high in phosphorus in order to give their bulbs’ roots a kick start. Plant your bulbs 2-3 times as deep as they are high, or 4”-6” below ground. Mulch the area of planting with at least 2 inches of pine bark or cedar mulch.

For best seasonal color, plant bulbs en masse in groups of a dozen or more. Choose bulbs with varied flowering times for constant streams of color. For instance, plant crocus with daffodils and tulips to create continual color from early February to April.

Gardeners have a sundry of options when it comes to spring-flow-

ering bulbs. Here are a few to get you started.

Late Winter-Early Spring

Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) & Crocus (Crocus spp.)

In late February and early March, snowdrops and crocus will begin to pop up from the slowly warming ground. Snowdrops have delicate, pendulous white flowers that are said to resemble drops of snow. Because they prefer the colder temperatures, plant snowdrop bulbs at the base of a large shrub or under the canopy of a tree whose emerging leaves will provide later protection from the warmth of the sun.

The white, yellow, and purple crocus flowers hale from the mountainous alpine regions of Europe. Like snowdrops, crocus can peak through late winter snowfall, a promising reminder that spring is coming! They are best planted in large groups beside sidewalks or in front of existing shrubs.

Early-Mid Spring

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) & Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)

In mid-March through April, grape hyacinth and daffodils make their entrance. Grape hyacinth flowers form a pretty purple stalk. Plant grape hyacinth in groups or combination plantings with other spring bulbs such as early blooming tulips or daffodils.

A key highlight of daffodils is their deer/pest resistance. Daffodils contain an alkaloid that repulses

deer. There are thousands of daffodil cultivars to choose from, ranging from traditional yellow to orange and white. Some are fragrant. Gardeners can expect their daffodils to bloom from mid-March to early April.

Mid-Late Spring

Tulips (Tulipa hybrids) & Allium (Allium hybrids)

Tulips are among the most common bulbs, and a favorite among gardeners. Be warned: deer love tulips as much as we do! Deterrent strategies include planting beside your home (an area where the deer may avoid), spraying deer repellent, or caging/fencing. The planning is well worth the colorful blooms that will greet you come mid-March through the end of May. Plant a mix of early and late-blooming cultivars to enjoy tulips all spring.

Alliums provide a purple-ish to pink firework of color from May through July. They are a fan-favorite of several pollinators and boast deer resistance. This ornamental version of the onion plant boasts blooms up to the size of a softball. These do nicely for cut flowers or to enjoy from the comfort of your porch. Alliums can grow taller than other bulbs in this list (some over 4 feet!), but you may choose smaller cultivars that range around 2-3 feet tall, like Allium sphaerocephalon or Purple Sensation.

Planting spring-flowering bulbs now is an ideal way to invest in your spring 2024 garden ahead of time. Grab your trowel and start planting!

Grace is a budding horticulturist and passionate plant enthusiast. Her love for all things botanical began in her mom’s garden and love for the outdoors as a child. Grace attended Kansas State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in horticulture. She currently works in the greenhouse annuals department at Colonial Gardens in Blue Springs, MO.

GRACE BRADLEY Plant Enthusiast

Crocus

Above: Plant bulbs 2-3 times as deep as they are high.

Below: Tulips planted en masse make for a stunning display.

Above: Snowdrops

Below: Allium

Daffodils

Daffodils

Grape Hyacinth

Crocus

PLANTS ON YOUR PLATE Apples

other produce during the month of October. You can learn more at https://health.mo.gov/living/wellness/nutrition/farmtopreschool/

If you are simple looking for new ways to enjoy apples, you

might want to try this muffin recipe. Full of whole grains, fruit, and nuts, they are a great ‘grab and go’ breakfast or even a treat for the teacher’s lounge or breakroom at work.

Apple Oatmeal Muffins

MAKES 9 SERVINGS, 2 MUFFINS EACH

INGREDIENTS

2 ¼ c water

2 ½ c rolled oats

Apples and autumn go together like peanut butter and jelly—or maybe apple butter? I have many fond memories – as a child and as an adult – that coincide with apple harvest. Growing up in south-central Kansas, we had a couple prolific Jonathan apple trees on our farm were usually ready to pick in September. There were many years during my adolescence that my brothers and their friends would load up their pockets with apples while they were loading up livestock to go to the Kansas State Fair. Decades years later, as a mom, my own children looked forward to apple picking at local orchards in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

Apples, like many fruits, are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C help to reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Vitamin C also helps in reducing bruising, aids in wound healing and helps in overall skin and gum health. Potassium is an important mineral in regulating blood pressure. Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which is beneficial in controlling cholesterol as well as digestive and bowel health.

Some of the more common fall apple varieties for our region are

Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Winesap. When selecting Braeburn apples, look for large, firm red fruit. These apples have a well-balanced flavor and are best for fresh eating. While Fuji apples might not always be the most attractive red apple, they are very sweet and juicy, making them a great choice for fresh eating. The ever-popular green Granny Smith apple is known for its firm, crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor and is good for fresh eating, salads, or processing. Winesap apples are considered by some people to be the red equivalent to Granny Smiths, as they are equally crisp and tart, making them good choices for fresh eating, salads, or processing.

A fun way to celebrate apple harvest this fall is to join in the Missouri Crunch Off, a collaborative event between MU Extension, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Senior Services, and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This event commemorates Farm to School month and promotes locally grown produce. While this effort started with schools, it has grown beyond the educational sector and even has a multi-state competition of sorts. Gather your students, coworkers, community members and local food enthusiasts to crunch into Missouri Grown apples or

DENISE SULLIVAN Nutrition Ninja

3 eggs

2 tablespoons canola oil

¼ c skim milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 tablespoons brown sugar, divided

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided

¼ teaspoon cloves

2 medium apples, finely chopped

¼ c chopped dried cranberries

¼ c chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons ground flax seed

DIRECTIONS

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

• Wash hands and work surfaces with soap and water. Wash apples with warm water.

• Bring water to boil in saucepan. Add oats and boil for one minute. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

• In a mixing bowl combine eggs, oil, milk, vanilla extract, 4 tablespoons brown sugar, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and cloves; stir until well blended.

• Add oats, apples, cranberries, walnuts, and flax seed and stir to combine.

• Spray muffin cups with cooking spray. Divide mixture between 18 muffin cups.

• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on top of muffins.

• Bake for 30 minutes or until the center is set and the top is lightly browned. Let muffins cool five minutes before serving.

• Store leftovers in refrigerator or freeze.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Calories: 120, Total Fat: 8.5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 30mg, Carbohydrates: 29g, Fiber: 4.5g, Protein: 6g

Recipe adapted from Seasonal and Simple, analyzed by verywellfit.com.

Denise Sullivan (@MUExtJacksonCo) is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in the Urban West Region, serving Jackson and Platte Counties. For research based nutrition and food safety information and programs, call 816-482-5850 or visit https://extension2.missouri.edu/.

WHY FALL POND BUILDS ARE BETTER

• Plant hardy aquatic plants and get a head start in the spring.

• Enjoy spectacular ice sculptures and your own winter wonderland during the winter months.

• Add night lighting to enjoy the sights of your water feature inside during the longer cold evening hours.

There are a lot of wanna-be lilies out there like waterlily, daylily, blackberry lily and a host of other highly respectable plants with “lily” in their name, but do not be confused. There is only one true lily out there, the genus Lilium. Lilies have been cultivated for centuries with species found throughout the northern hemisphere and a seemingly endless range of hybrids and cultivars.

True lilies, in the genus Lilium, are great garden plants. Most of them prefer sunny spots with at least 6 hours of sunlight. If it is too shady the stems will lean toward the sunlight. Where a lot of plants sprawl out and get comfortable jostling with their neighbors for space, lilies reach high growing 18 inches to more than 7 feet tall, depending on the cultivar, while only spreading out 6-8 inches for each stem. They produce their flowers at the top of the stem, up where you can enjoy them most. You can fit lilies into an existing planting and add height and interest. If you can get a trowel in the space, you can plant a lily.

Lilies grow best in soil that is

Growing Lilies in Your Garden

filled with organic material, moist during the growing season, especially up to and through blooming, but with good drainage. Bulbs will rot in areas that do not dry out or flood frequently. A top dressing of compost every spring will help your lilies be their best.

Lily bulbs are composed of fleshy scales, without a protective cover like some other bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips, so they need to be kept cool and moist until they are planted. Lily bulbs grow basal roots from the base of the bulb as well as stem roots on the portion of the stem that rises out of the bulb in the growing season but remains below the soil. Lily bulbs should be planted about three times as deep as the bulbs are tall. Imagine the hole with the lily bulb at the bottom and you could stack two more on top before reaching the soil surface. This will allow plenty of root zone for the lily to anchor into the ground and absorb moisture and nutrients during the growing season.

Lilies, are beloved by rabbits and deer, especially in the early spring, when they eat the tender, newly emerged shoot. Protecting

the lily stem with a physical barrier until it is a bit taller in late spring will usually protect it the rest of the season from rabbits, which will begin to forage on more ground level fare in your garden. Deer are prone to come back and bite off flower buds just before they open. They can sometimes be discouraged by application of the deer repellent sprays, but if you have serious infestations of either deer or rabbits, you will need to take extra precautions.

Lily blooms are varied in size, shape, color and scent. Lilies are divided into groups depending on which species were involved.

Asiatic lilies, are complex hybrids from species native to Japan, China and other parts of east Asia. They are one of the most durable and prolific of the lilies. They tend to be smaller plants in the 18 to 48 inches tall range with flowers 4 to 6 inches in diameter in late spring or early summer. Most cultivars have no discernible scent and come in a range of colors from pure-white to nearly black with nearly every color in between except for blue. They are long-lived in the garden, and

their only real issue is that they become large clumps of bulbs in just a few years and need to be dug and divided in the fall every 4-5 years. This provides you an opportunity to spread them around your garden or to your friends’ gardens. Asiatics are a great lily for the beginner.

Oriental lilies are another group of complex hybrids from species native to Japan, China and other parts of east Asia that have been cultivated for centuries. These are the lilies most people associate with the genus as they are a favorite of the cut flower trade and the ones most depicted in art. The flowers are large, very fragrant, generally with re-curved petal tips and large anthers that protrude out from the flower. These lilies need a little more care in the garden and are often short-lived for us. They, like most of us, don’t like our late summer heat and dryness. They are best planted where they get afternoon shade and supplemental watering. An alternative is to grow them as a cut flower for arrangements. A single bulb is often much cheaper than buying it as a cut flower, and a stem of Oriental lily makes for an

Brian Chadwick-Robinson is executive director of Gardeners Connect, a garden education nonprofit serving the Kansas City region since 1958. Learn more or to become a member at GardenersConnect.org, Gardeners Connect Facebook page or contact at info@gardenersconnect.org.

Yellow Bruse Terrasol

Photo by Susan Glidden-Sims.

Photo by Brian Chadwick-Robinson.

epic flower arrangement. This is what quite a few Kansas City gardeners do.

Then there are the trumpets. which include the well-known Easter lily, Lilium longiflorum, which is not itself hardy for us, but it is a parent for many hybrids that are. There are a host of other trumpet species and cultivars other than the Easter lily which are completely hardy for us. They tend to bloom in midsummer, with stems 4-7 feet tall

with large trumpet shaped blooms. Some are fragrant.

Next are the OT or orienpet hybrids, which are crosses of the Orientals and trumpets. Many are crosses using the Easter lily, which is not hardy for us and the Orientals which don’t like our hot dry summers. You would think such a cross would not grow for us but these are some of the most impressive lilies and some of the easiest to grow for us. They have tall strong stems,

large exuberant flowers and can remain in the garden for years without needing dividing. Some, but not all, are fragrant with some of them being intensely fragrant. These are another easy one for gardeners to grow.

Some of the newer hybrids include LA (Easter lily crossed with Asiatic) and TA (trumpet crossed with Asiatic), which offer new color and flower form combinations. Most of the new hybrids are also garden-worthy plants for us in the Midwest.

There are also quite a few species crosses and species that make good garden plants. Lilium regale, a trumpet fragrant especially in the evening. L. speciosum, perhaps the latest blooming lily for us here in the Midwest. Blooming in late July into August in defiance of the worst of summer. A few others are L. henryii, which while doing well here is slow to get established and resents being moved once it is. It does reward you with stems up to 7 or 8 feet tall with 30 or more 4- to 5-inch blooms with recurved tips and lots of raised papillae on the brilliant orange petals. It also comes in a citrinum form, which is yellow.

The last I will mention is the L. tigrinum, the tiger lily, which many of us have memories of this growing in our grandparents’ gardens. Both a grandmother and a grandfather of mine, both of whom were gardeners, had large stands of this lily which seemed like forests to me as a young chap. Both grandparents had the more common orangeflowered one with dark-brown spots and stripes reminiscent of the tiger name but also had the cultivar where the orange was all replaced with a creamy-white. I now have doubleflowered form of the orange type.

If you would like to try growing lilies for the first time or want to add to your collection, Gardeners Connect is having Lilypalooza bulb sale where we sell lily bulbs and a few other non-lily bulbs for planting in your garden with sales starting online October 1, 2023, ending with an in-person sale with a larger selection of bulbs on Saturday, October 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. For more information visit the website at GardenersConnect.org or call Brian Chadwick-Robinson at 913302-4234.

Red Life

Photo by Brian Chadwick-Robinson.

Monarch Update

It happened again last weekend. I was at a garden party and a novice butterfly gardener angrily approached, “You told me to plant milkweeds so I planted (fill in a number) milkweeds and I haven’t seen a single Monarch!” Softly I replied, “Yes. That’s exactly why we plead with gardeners to plant Milkweeds. Our Midwestern Monarchs are in dire condition, so planting Milkweeds does not guarantee Monarch sightings.” We can’t afford for even a single gravid female to die with a belly full of unlaid eggs because she could not find a milkweed plant. And Milkweeds also provide food to pollinators, including bees, flower flies and other butterflies.

This gentleman was right to be angry, although his anger was misplaced. We should all be outraged over the thoughtless elimination of Milkweeds through habitat loss and the spraying of Round-up on genetically modified crops. With “wild lands” being replaced by development and agribusiness plantations, Dr. Chip Taylor, Director of Monarch Watch, reports that milkweed has vanished from over 100 million acres of Midwestern row crops, primarily corn and soybeans. Scientists are concerned whether the remaining volume of Milkweeds can sustain the Midwest migration.

Monarch Population Estimates

Midwestern Monarch populations are measured by the amount of land they occupy in their Mexican over-wintering site in the mountains near Mexico City. (See the accompanying graph for figures through 2022.) The high point was in 1996-97 when the overwintering insects covered over 18 hectares, estimated to be 380 million Monarchs. The population plummeted the next year and has fluctuated around 21 million Monarchs per year ever since. The 2023 season counted just over 2.21 hectares or 5.5 acres, which is a 22 percent drop from 2022. Other factors in-

clude poaching of the roost trees in Mexico, which is on the increase. And extreme weather conditions in all affected ecosystems, which will continue to further impact the Midwestern Monarch.

The subpopulation of Monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains has suffered similar losses. They migrate to the California coast where they overwinter in Eucalyptus groves. In 2020, less than only 2,000 Monarchs were counted! Over 335,000 were counted in the fall of 2022, but 60 percent were killed in a severe January storm. The wild fires have incinerated many of the winteringover Eucalyptus trees and the drought has reduced the availability of crucial nectar during their fall migration. The Western Monarch popu-

LENORA LARSON Butterfly Maven

lation has fallen over 95 percent since the early 1990s.

Happy, Healthy Monarchs

Ironically, Monarchs as a butterfly species are not endangered because healthy native and natural-

ized populations exist worldwide. Non-migrating populations flourish in Central America, tropical South America and tropical states in North America, such as Florida and southern Texas. They also live in Southeast Asia, India, North

A Marais des Cygnes Master Gardener, Lenora is a member of the Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society. She gardens in the clay soil and cruel winds of Paola, KS. She may be contacted at lenora.longlips@gmail.com.

The beloved Monarch’s Midwestern migration will not survive if we gardeners can’t replace the Milkweeds lost to modern agricultural practices.

Photos by Lenora Larson.

Africa, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Hawaiian Monarch provides useful insights. They were introduced to Hawaii in 1855 in a shipment of African Tree Milkweed, which was imported for lumber and medicinal purposes. Within a few months, Monarchs were flying across Hawaii! Their host plant has an additional important use: its blooms, called “Crown Flowers,” are now the flower of choice for leis across the Southern Pacific Islands. With an economically valuable host plant, Monarch survival is secure in Hawaii.

Looking for Solutions

Private agribusiness is not going to take accountability for the loss of Monarchs. The government is not going to plant Milkweed, especially since most public land is unsuitable for growing Milkweeds. Farmers are not going to cease using GMO crops or Round-up. And economic uses for Common Milkweed are not on the horizon. Only we gardeners can replace millions of acres of Milkweed and we cannot give up!

and livestock,

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A roost tree in Paola, KS during the 2019 fall migration.

Monarchs, Milkweed Tussock Moths and orange Oleander Aphids all depend on Milkweeds to survive.

GARDEN CALENDAR

October list of what to do in the garden.

LAWN

• Mowing heights for bluegrass and tall fescue in the fall is 2 ½ to 3 inches.

• Core aerate to help loosen heavy clay soils and break down thatch.

• Fertilize now if not already done so once this fall.

• Control dandelions, henbit, and chickweed in the fall. Treat as needed.

• Sharpen the mower blade after every 10 hours of use to get a clean cut.

• Rake leaves as they fall to avoid winter suffocation of turf.

• Mulch mow leaves back into the lawn if leaf debris will not cover the surface.

FLOWERS

• Plant tulips, daffodils, and other spring flowering bulbs.

• Clean up faded annuals.

• Trim perennial stems to tidy garden and keep diseases and insects in check.

• Plant bulbs in pots to force winter blooming.

• Dig tender bulbs such as gladiolas and cannas. Store in a cool, dry place over the winter.

• Update your garden journal with successes and failures while fresh in your mind.

• Take advantage of fall sales and plant new perennials.

• Divide overgrown perennials.

TREES AND SHRUBS

• Plant new trees and shrubs.

• Water establishing plants during dry spells.

• Transplant seedlings of trees and shrubs once dormant.

• Prune damaged and dead wood from trees and shrubs.

• Wrap the bases of young trees and shrubs to protect them from rabbits.

• Rake leaves and compost or use as garden mulch.

• Remove tree stakes if in place longer than one year.

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.

• Plant garlic in the fall to get a jump over spring-planted garlic.

• Dig sweet potatoes and cure them for 1-2 weeks in a warm location, then store them for winter.

• Harvest and roast peanuts.

• Harvest apples and pears. Store for

MY GARDEN (Use this space to list additional tasks to accomplish in your garden.)

winter use.

• Store winter squash and pumpkins in a cool, dry place.

• Till garden soil to help control insects and diseases next spring.

• Make notes of successes and failures.

• Test soil and make improvements.

HOUSEPLANTS

• Begin long night treatments for poinsettia re-blooming.

• Check plants for insects and treat them as needed.

• Wash dust from leaves by placing them 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.

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.

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.

Raytown Garden Club

Tues, Oct 3, 10a; at Connection Point Church, 10500 E 350 Hwy, Raytown, MO 64138. Program will be “Planting Fun and Funky Succulent Plants” presented by Eric Perrette, Lead Horticulturist, Powell Gardens. Guests are always welcome. For more information please check out our Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub

Fall Tree Seminar—Prairie Village

Wed, Oct 4, 7p; Birch Room at the Meadowbrook Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave, Prairie Village. “Plant native! Plants native!” – it’s been the same refrain preached by tree experts nationwide for years. So what are homeowners to do when their hearts are set on planting a gingko, a Japanese maple or some other nonnative tree in their yards? Local tree experts Dennis Patton, Sarah Crowder, and Robert Whitman will discuss the native versus nonnative. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

Native Plants: Native Landscape Chat

Fri, Oct 6, 1-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110. (816) 759-7300Walk-in

(ages 12+) Join native landscape specialists from MDC and Deep Roots KC as the Discovery Center gardens transition from summer to fall! We’ll walk the grounds and discuss the “do’s and don’ts” of fall cleanup as well as highlight seasonal showcase plants. This is a cooperative program with Deep Roots KC. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program go to www.mdc.mo.gov, find Events, then Kansas City events.

Upcoming Garden Events

Mo-Kan Daylily Club

Sat, Oct 7, 10:30a; at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W 75th St, Prairie Village. The meeting starts at 10:30a with a meet and greet, followed by a pot luck lunch, presentation, and club business meeting. The guest speaker will be Dennis Patton, horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. Dennis will be speaking about soil. Guests are welcome!

Kaw Valley Farm Tour

Oct 7 & 8. Visit local farms and learn about farm practices directly from the farmer. See kawvalleyfarmtour.org for more information and tickets.

Garden To Table Dinner

Sat, Oct 7, 6-9p; at Saltwell Farm Kitchen. Hosted by Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners. This special event will offer a delicious five course tasting menu prepared by local all-star chef, Ken Baker. Please join us for a great evening in a fun atmosphere, rain or shine. Funds raised from this event will be used to support our Educational Programs for the public and to fund Scholarships for new Master Gardeners. For more information on this event, please visit our website at: dgemgks.com/garden-to-table-event/

Autumn Garden Clean up to Protect our Pollinators Clinic

Sat, Oct 7, 12-2p; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Center in Blue Springs, MO. The Clinic is in partnership with the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City. It is open to the public and free of charge. Adults and Youth (ages 1518 accompanied by an adult) are welcome to

Hotlines for Gardeners

Extension Master Gardeners are ready to answer your gardening questions.

CASS COUNTY

816-380-8494; Wed, 9am-noon

DOUGLAS COUNTY

785-843-7058; dgcogardenhotline@gmail.com; Mon, Wed, Fri, 1-4pm

GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AREA

816-833-8733 (TREE); Mon-Fri, 9am-noon; mggkc.hotline@gmail.com

JOHNSON COUNTY, KS

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

JOHNSON COUNTY, MO

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

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

913-364-5700; Leave a message. A Master Gardener will contact you.

MIAMI COUNTY & LINN COUNTY

913-294-4306; Thurs, 8am-noon

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

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

QUESTIONS ABOUT ROSES?

Ask a Rosarian; kcrosehelp@gmail.com; www.kansascityrosesociety.org

come learn and work with Extension Master Gardeners. Attendees need to bring their own clippers and gloves.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society

Sun, Oct 15, 1:30p; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. In a group ‘show and tell’ activity, attendees are asked to bring a favorite cactus or succulent plant that is growing well. Let’s share our successes with one another. This activity will be followed by a silent auction of 5 awesome plants for everyone to bid on. Join us.

Fall Tree Planting–Best Practices and Techniques

Thurs, Oct 19, 7p; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Crystal Miles, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will be talking about the best practices and techniques for you to know when considering a fall tree planting project. Bring any questions you might have regarding which tree would be the best choice for your yard as well as where and how to correctly plant that tree. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

Heartland Peony Society Peony Sale

Sat, Oct 21, 9:30a-3p or until sold out; Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W 75th St, Prairie Village. Featuring a variety pack of three peony types and colors and an extensive selection of choice, hard-to-find colors, Japanese tree peonies, and a wonderful selection of Herbaceous and Intersectional peonies. www.peonies.org.

Leawood Garden Club

Tues, Oct 24, 10:30a; at the Cure’ of Ars Catholic Church, 6401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206. “Art in the Garden.” YOU are an artist; you just don’t know it yet! Almost anything can be art … it’s all in the eye of the beholder. Re-purposing everyday household items. Discarded tools, iron, water, stones, and feeding stations for birds or butterflies can all be incorporated into your gardens. Let your imagination be your inspiration! Lu Tarr, Master Gardener, MGGKC, program presenter, became a Master Gardener in 2010. Her volunteer efforts have included Kansas City’s Flower, Lawn & Garden Show, Garden ‘n Grow, Hotline, Community Gardens, and her personal favorite, Speakers Bureau.

African Violet Club of Greater Kansas City 71st Annual Show & Sale

Sat, Oct 28, 9a-3p; at Jacob L Loose Park Garden Center, 51st & Wornall, Kansas City, MO.

Look Ma’, No Soil: The Advantages and Techniques of Hydroponics

Wed, Nov 1, 6:30p; at Basehor Community Library, 1400, 158th St, Basehor, Kansas 66007. Mark Sorensen, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will present an interactive workshop that will cover the advantages of hydroponics; such as, the ability to garden year round and minimize pest problems... What kind of plants do well in hydroponics... How to fertilize...How much does growing with hydroponics cost? Presenter will bring hydroponic units to show. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

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The

Hocus Pocus!

We have a spirited variety of spooky Halloween decor ready to outfit your haunt

Bring beautiful fall color to your yard this year with a wide selection of vibrant ornamental vegetables, mums, pansies and other cool-weather loving annuals.

Witch Lantern $21.99

Crescent & Spider Stake (above) $29.99

Fall Festivities

Join us any weekend in October for an afternoon of fun. You’ll find face painting, balloon art, hay rides, and more! Visit suburbanlg.com for a schedule of events.

(We have great selection of pumpkins & gourds every day of the week.)

Pumpkins range from $.99 to $49.99

Ornamental Cabbage starting at $5.99