KCG 09Sep16

The Kansas City

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

September 2016

Crape Myrtle

Lilypalooza The Native Gardener’s Dilemma Fire Element Brings People Together Create Volunteer Public Butterfly Garden

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The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

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The Kansas City

editor’s notes

GARDENER A Monthly Guide to Successful Gardening

Thinking about fall chores

Independently owned and operated since 1996 Publisher Michael Cavanaugh Editor Elizabeth Cavanaugh Contributors Jarret Crump Nik and Theresa Hiremath Travis Karns Lenora Larson Susan Mertz Peter Orwig Dennis Patton Judy Penner Scott Woodbury Distribution Publishers Delivery Solutions, Inc.

How to Reach Us ...

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

T

he youngest of the Cavanaugh tribe has returned to college for her junior year. Car packed with worldly possessions, enough coffee and candy to share with new roommates, she returns to her life of higher learning and hard work.

During the first week of her absence I’ll be weepy and melancholy. I get this way with all of them. Proud as ever of their determination and independence, yet my heart aches when they go.

It’s never easy to see them go. It’s never easy. That’s love.

Looking for much needed distractions, I’ll turn my attention to the garden. This time of year, with cooler temperatures and diminishing numbers of mosquitoes, I’m eager to tackle our growing list of fall chores.

First on the list will be thinning the overcrowded hosta bed. What started out innocently enough as filling in the bed beneath the oak tree with a few hosta here and there, has turned into a hosta obsession. There’s quite a mixture of varieties, now full size and mature that the large leaves are covering the small.

The identification tags that came with the plants have either

Submit editorial questions to Elizabeth Cavanaugh at elizabeth@kcgmag.com

September 2016 • Vol. 21 No. 9 Lilypalooza ............................. 6 Ask the Experts ........................ 8 In the garden ........................... 10 Cleanliness next Birdliness ......... 11 Fire Element ............................. 12 Crape Myrtle ........................... 14 Native Gardener’s Dilemma ...... 16 Create Butterfly Garden ............ 18

Don’t Miss A Single Issue!

4

and, unfortunately, is visible when approaching the garden.

Also in that bed are daylilies that are darling early in the season, with lots of blooms and color.

After blooming and at summer’s end their appeal fades. On the larger types, the foliage lays down, turns brown, and is unattractive.

Maybe repositioning towards the back of the garden will solve that visual issue.

I have high expectations for this bed that greets neighbors and visitors. I’ve learned that fall is an ideal season to plant. It gives plants time to establish before the onset of winter. With that said, I better get busy creating the perennial bed of my dreams.

If the budget gets tight, and we need to slow our plan, we’ll transition back to phase landscaping. In the meantime, weeding awaits.

I’ll see you in the garden!

In this issue

See us on the Web: www.kcgmag.com

Get a subscription for yourself or your favorite gardener.

See page 25.

disintegrated or are lost. I only dream that I could be the sort of gardener that keeps details of items in her garden. Maybe in my next garden.

We’ll divide, then replant in other shady parts of the landscape.

I have a strong feeling, though, that we’ll be giving away more hosta than planting.

Next we’ll tackle the viburnum hedge that borders the front garden. It’s the fragrant snowball variety, that never fails to bloom in spring. Two years ago, one of the five mature plants died for reason(s) unknown.

And now another has defoliated, dead branching. Replacing them has been considered but could be expensive. Doing nothing is not an option.

And speaking of the front landscape and replacing plants, I’d really like to renovate the entire front perennial bed. A dwarf globe blue spruce anchors the bed, that was stunning years ago. Even so, due to our southeast facing lot, the backside has become less dense,

about the cover ...

Care of New Lawn .................. 20 Rose Report ............................ 21 Upcoming Events ..................... 22 Powell Garden Events .............. 24 Hotlines .................................. 25 Subscribe ............................... 25 Garden Calendar .................... 26 Professional’s Corner ................ 27

This Crape Myrtle is a beautiful specimen in the front garden. Learn from Travis Karns about adding them to your landscape beginning on page 14.

September 2016 | kcgmag.com

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It’s Time for Sunflower Artfest

M

ark your calendars for the seventh annual Sunflower Artfest, Sept. 23rd – 25th at The Barn at Kill Creek Farm, De Soto!

The De Soto Arts Council is continuing its strong tradition of offering a family-friendly weekend with fine arts and fine crafts, live music, food and beautiful sunflowers you can cut and take home. This is the Arts Council’s 10th annual show and seventh as the Sunflower Artfest.

Hours are Friday, Sept. 23rd from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 24th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 25th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Barn is located at 9200 Kill Creek Road, De Soto, the Northwest corner of Kansas Highway 10 and Kill Creek Road. (www.thebarnatkillcreekfarm.org).

Admission is free.

Sunflowers became the theme of the show in 2010 when the Arts Council teamed up with Darrel Zimmerman, owner of the farm. Zimmerman planted sunflowers as a fundraiser for Rotary International’s PolioPlus program which was implemented to help eradicate polio world-wide.

Visitors to the farm could cut their own blooms for $1.00 a stem with all proceeds going to the PolioPlus program. The types of sunflowers have changed over the years based on weather, hungry deer and sunflower varieties, but there have always been sunflowers! This year you can still donate $1.00 per stem and proceeds continue to benefit the Rotary program.

As a special tie-in with the natural sunflowers, the Artfest includes a Sunflower Exhibit with all art work displaying a sunflower theme. Prizes are awarded and the work given first place honors is used as the poster and publicity image the following year. A category for Plein Air art is also part of the show, and artists use the farm and sunflowers as inspiration for their work. Those pieces are also displayed during the weekend. The popular annual collector sunflower

Photo by Jim Walker.

By Carolyn Glade Dvorak

Morning Fog, 2015 Best of Show Sunflower Exhibit posters will also be for sale. These highlight the top winners of our Sunflower Exhibit.

New this year is a display of “The World’s Largest Sunflower Collection,” from Bill Nicks, Lenexa. Nicks has over 3,500 eclectic items each with a sunflower in the design, from 1880 perfume cards to manhole covers.

A portion of that collection will be at the show. Nicks, who also gives history and historical figure presentations, will be a presenter on Saturday, Sept. 24th at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (www.HistoryKC.com).

There are 17 artists who will have their work for display and sale in various mediums including pottery, oils, acrylic and watercolor, copper wire trees, photography and glass. Artists are Sharon DeFreece, Carol Rubsam, Kathy Horniman, Carolyn (Carrie) Dvorak, Pat Young, Rose Burgweger, Danny Lane, Cynthia Schmidt, Lee Jost, Cynthia Heller, Beth Tucker and Michelle Lynn Fisher.

Past winners of the Sunflower Exhibit will also have booths or art in the Exhibit; Dick Stine, Linda Lane, Jim Walker, Michelle Wade and Chun Wang.

Judging this year’s show is Jamie Lavin, a third generation artist and framer from Gardner, Kansas. His art includes a variety of mediums but he enjoys working most with oils and acrylics. He won Best of Show in the Symphony of

the Flint Hills in 2008 and continues to paint, do consulting work and is Director of Buttonwood Art Space, Kansas City, Missouri.

The Sunflower Artfest wouldn’t be complete without our line-up of

area musicians. This year’s list to date includes Jeanne Fizell, House Jumpers Band, Up Past Nine, Stranded in the City, the Happy Wanderers polka band, Rich Berry and Larry and Rosie Inman.

Another important aspect of the show is the number of local businesses and groups involved.

Bill Frenzel of Frenzel’s BBQ and Catering will be there and Grace’s sunflower cookies will be available. De Soto’s Pioneer 4-H Club will have a children’s activity tent and Bowlin Farms will be there with fresh, locally-grown produce.

Boy Scout Troop 54 helps with the show and of course, Rotary.

Volunteers are also welcome!

For more information, updates and to volunteer, see the De Soto Arts Council website www.desotoartsks.org or call Carrie Dvorak, show coordinator at 913-515-7950.

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The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

5

Lilypalooza Online sale starts Sept. 1

M

ore distinctive lilies and more other interesting bulbs are what you will find in the seventh annual Lilypalooza, the annual fall bulb sale presented

by Gardeners Connect.

As in years past, the Lilypalooza bulb selection goes online and for sale on Sept. 1. You will want to check them out at GardenersConnect.org. There will be our largest selection of bulbs to date with 25 lilies and 14 other bulbs, including alliums, daffodils, tulips and other selected bulbs.

There also will be bulbs for sale that day at Loose Park. In fact, there will be more to shop for at that time, because this year Lilypalooza coincides with Garden Faire, which includes horticultural groups that are affiliated with Gardeners Connect promoting themselves and offering plants and other items for sale.

There are three reasons to order online:

Oriental ‘Bacardi’

Asiatic ‘Purple Life”

It is incredibly easy to order and then pick up your bulbs at Loose Park between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29; We expect some of our bulbs, especially the martagon lilies and those in the Connoisseur Collection, to sell out, and the first ones to order and pay for their selections are most likely to get their heart’s content; For orders as small as $25, people ordering and paying online get a free bulb and another free bulb for every additional $25 in pur-

chases. We have selected a dwarf Asiatic named ‘Buzzer’ for our gift. It produces a lot of flowers with pink petals outlined with a very pale, thin pink line. You will also be able to purchase ‘Buzzer’ separately.

All bulbs ordered and paid for online must be picked up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Loose Park’s Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania Ave. In the spirit of Garden Faire, Gardeners Connect expects to sell Kincaid plant markers as well as T-shirts, lily and bulb books and the ceramic garden work of art created for Gardeners Connect by Irma Starr.

With the lilies, in the Connoisseur Collection, the oriental-trumpet hybrid ‘Porcelain Doll’ is a precious flower with Old World porcelain-white flowers edged in pink. However, “precious” denotes a less-sturdy nature,

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and that is not the case. This is a strong grower, getting 3-4 feet tall and blooming in July.

K-Staters might want to check out the Asiatic lily ‘Purple Life.’ It has colors awfully close to those of the Power Cat. The intensely colored deep crimson-rose Oriental ‘Bacardi’ was one of the Gardeners Connect board’s top picks.

So was ‘Belonica,’ a double pink Oriental that was in Lilypalooza last year, and Gardeners Connect Board Member Dan Burkholder gives a rousing testimonial for how well it has grown for him. This double oriental lily is one of those marketed as “roselilies.”

The martagon lilies are loved not just for their many graceful small flowers in spring but also for their tolerance and even preference for light, filtered shade. We have three available.

‘Mahogany Bells’ has proven to be a great grower in our area.

‘Arabian Nights’ is similar in color as ‘Mahogany Bells,’ a reddish umber color but ‘Arabian Nights’ has golden yellow dots around the throat of the flowers.

It is reputed to be similarly hearty.

‘Manitoba Morning’ has reddish-pink flowers with dark freckles ringed in golden yellow near the throat.

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barusa.com The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

7

Ask the Experts Readers share their questions about landscape issues, and DENNIS PATTON gives expert tips and advice.

IS TOO MUCH ORGANIC MATTER POSSIBLE Question: Can I work too much organic matter into my soil?

Answer: As gardeners we refer to organic matter like compost as black gold. We recommend it as a long-term fix for heavy clay soils.

Organic matter can turn a poor soil profile into wonderful soil that grows lush crops. Organic matter increases soil aeration and water holding capacity at the same time.

As a rule of thumb, our local soils need all we can get our hands on.

But it is possible to have too much of a good thing. The ideal garden soil should have about 5% organic matter. Soil tests through our office have revealed some soils at 18% to 20%. At these high levels several issues can happen.

Organic matter that is high in nitro-

gen means there could be too much available nitrogen for good growth.

Salt levels could also increase in the garden based on the source. The soil may become too light which can be prone to rapid drying and difficulty in rewetting.

Most of us don’t have this issue, but occasionally this happens especially if it has not been thoroughly incorporated into the soil profile. You will know when you are reaching the point of excess as it will not hold together and will dry out quickly. The good news/bad news is organic matter continues to break down in the soil so the issue is usually temporary.

HOW TO MANAGE OVERSIZED TOMATO PLANTS Question: This summer my tomatoes grew bigger than I

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September 2016 | kcgmag.com

expected. They topped my cages and then some. What’s going on and could I cut the tops off the plants?

Answer: Tomatoes in their natural state are perennial vines that grow 20 or more feet. Man through breeding has greatly tamed the beast. The size of the vine depends on the variety and breeding. Heirloom tomatoes and older hybrid varieties can still grow to eight to ten feet or more in a season. Newer so-called modern varieties tend to be more compact.

Outgrowing a cage is not unusual.

Tomatoes produce fruit from flower clusters produced on the elongating vine. Cutting off the vine to reduce its size during the growing season will greatly reduce your yields. While tomatoes do branch freely the main limbs will produce the most fruit.

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My advice for the future is to search out newer hybrid varieties that are more compact. But keep in mind they can still grow to five feet or more. The other solution is to get taller tomato cages.

LOTS OF CUKE FLOWERS, MINIMAL FRUIT Question: My cucumber had loads of flowers this year but set few fruit. What’s up with this?

Answer: Last month I tackled this question in regard to squash.

Cucumbers, melons, squash, pumpkins all produce male and female flowers. Male flowers produce the pollen but will never develop a fruit. The female flower develops the fruit. The female flower is the one that has a miniature fruit attached at the base. There are many times more male flowers for every female. This helps ensure

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that when a female flower opens there is ample pollen available.

The question then becomes are you noticing all the pretty yellow flowers thinking everyone should have a fruit. If this is the case then you need to learn the difference between male and female flowers. The real question or issue is this, does the plant develop female flowers but no fruit results? If this is the case, then there is a problem. There are several reasons why female flowers abort. These include weather patterns, lack of pollination or insect and disease issues. Keep in mind some years we have better yields than others and that is just part of the nature of gardening. From talking with fellow gardeners this has been a so-so year for cucumbers. My gut hunch is you are seeing male flowers and expecting a little too much from your plants.

AGH! JAPANESE BEETLES Question: Japanese beetles seemed to be everywhere this sum-

mer. I didn’t think we had them.

What can I do?

Answer: Japanese beetles used to be someone else’s problem.

Slowly over the last 10 to 15 years the number of these nasty insects has been increasing. When I first started this job many moons ago rarely did I see one. At first we noticed higher populations along railroad tracks and areas with heavy truck traffic as they were tag alongs. Now they have pretty much spread throughout the metro area.

The adult Japanese beetle will feed on many landscape and garden plants. They love roses, grapes, linden and many other plants. The larvae stage is a white grub that feeds on lawn roots. Luckily the commonly used grub control products will take care of the turf feeding. The real damage is done by the metallic green and bronze beetle.

Control is next to impossible.

The most effective control may be knocking them off into a bucket of soapy water. This does require patience and work. Chemical sprays can be effective with products such as cyfluthrin or bifenthrin. Feeding lasts about a month to six weeks and their defoliation normally does not kill the plant. By the way, Japanese beetle traps, available on the market, probably do a better job of attracting more beetles to your yard than they control.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT

Anita B Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110 For more information, email discoverycenter@mdc.mo.gov.

Missouri Bats September 3 ∙ Saturday ∙ 10 AM–2:30 PM Walk-in (all ages) The only mammals that can fly, bats use this unique adaptation to survive. Bats here in Missouri eat insects and their ability to fly and use echolocation to “see” their prey with their ears, allows them to catch flying insects in midair. Come learn more about these amazing creatures as we discover where they live, why they are nocturnal and how echolocation really works.

Monarch Mania September 17 ∙ Saturday ∙ 9:30 AM–2:30 PM Walk-in (all ages) The monarch is without a doubt one of the most remarkable insects we have the opportunity to enjoy in Missouri.

Discover the majesty of this butterfly through various hands on activities that will leave you in a state of “Monarch Mania.” There will be monarchs to tag and release, milkweed giveaways and much more for all ages. Join the mania and learn how you can help the population of the monarch butterfly.

Native Plant Sale September 17 ∙ Saturday ∙ 9:30 AM–2:30 PM Walk-in (all ages) Missouri Prairie Foundation will be on site for Monarch Mania to offer a native plant sale. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will be providing a variety of native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees to purchase. If you wish to preorder your choices, contact Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at 573-496-3492 or mowldflrs@socket. net. A percentage of proceeds from plant sales will benefit prairie conservation in Missouri.

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.

The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

9

In the garden ...

While traveling to Philadelphia, SUSAN MERTZ toured the historical landmark, Bartram’s Garden.

U

nder a yellowwood, I visited with Mary, gardener at Bartram’s Garden. She remarked that she often thought of the founding fathers of our country who had stood there over 200 years ago. James Madison, George Mason, Alexander Hamilton were just a few of the visitors to the gardens. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were customers.

In the 1700s, John Bartram purchased property southwest of Philadelphia and began studying and collecting plants of North America. Through correspondence with British gardeners, his reputation grew and Bartram began taking orders and shipping seeds to England. During the Revolutionary War, Benjamin Franklin assisted Bartram with shipping containers

Franklinia flower

of seeds to France. By war’s end, Bartram’s sons were also involved in collecting and propagating plants and the Bartram 1783 Catalogue listed 218 plant species available for sale. Information on a plant’s soil and moisture preference was included with many of the listings.

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Bartram house and garden

September 2016 | kcgmag.com

Today, a 45-acre National Historic Landmark, Bartram’s Garden has some of the original plantings including the yellowwood Mary and I stood under while taking a break from the summer heat. Other trees, including Franklinias, have been propagated from the original ones discovered

by John and William Bartram on their travels.

It was a Franklinia in flower at a boutique wholesale nursery where I worked many years ago that first introduced me to the historical Bartram family. I saw the name of the tree, knew there had to be a story behind it, and wanted to learn more. Named to honor their friend Benjamin Franklin, Franklinia was discovered by the Bartrams growing in Georgia.

Franklinias available at nurseries today come from the original seeds collected in Georgia and planted in their garden in 1777.

Hallelujah! It was that kind of moment upon realizing that the first ginkgo planted in North America is still living and in their garden. As a plant collector, I felt at home in Bartram’s Gardens. Close by the barn is a collection of medicinal plants representing ones the Bartrams would have studied and used to treat ailments.

Situated at the front of the house, is the Carr Garden, the early 19th-century exhibition garden of exotic plants. Scheduled for completion this year, is restoration of this garden created by Bartram’s

First Ginkgo tree planted in North America granddaughter, Ann Bartram Carr and her husband, Robert Carr.

The gardens on the back of the house include perennials and edibles. Down the stairs, is an eight-acre historic North American garden with oakleaf hydrangea and bottlebrush buckeye and other shrubs, perennials and trees. As I wandered along the narrow path from the gardens to the Schuylkill River, it crossed my mind that poison ivy might have been in their collection of more than 4,000 native and non-native plants. It was.

For Midwest gardens, we have benefited from the Bartram’s collections of viburnum, winterberry, fothergilla, chokeberry, hydrangea, maple, serviceberry, dogwood, magnolia, oak, buckeye, milkweed, aster, echinacea and more. In our area, Grow Native! promotes the use of native plants in the Midwest and educates consumers on their benefits and placement in the landscape. You can learn more about native plants at the Discovery Center’s gardens on Troost in Kansas City, Mo. Better yet, if you are in the Philadelphia area, stop by and visit the ‘original American garden.’

Join garden writer Susan Mertz for tours and photographs of gardens at inthegarden.buzz.

Cleanliness is next to Birdliness Attention birders! NIK HIREMATH provides practical tips on how to care for all types of feeders.

I

take a little editorial license with the more oft used phrase: cleanliness is next to godliness. But I’m hoping to make a strong case for what we can do to ensure a healthier population of our backyard birds.

Nature itself is already challenging to the birds with numerous diseases and parasites harmful to their health. In our earnest effort to

help our feathered friends through backyard feeding, offering of shelter, nesting and water we don’t want to inadvertently bring them any harm.

Moldy and decomposing seeds and hulls which can accumulate in feeders, trays and on the ground can easily become sources of disease for birds. Bird droppings can also spread diseases among birds.

Furthermore, some of these seeds, hulls and droppings can fall to the ground near your feeders; you should clear away these undesirable contaminants on a periodic basis for the health of the birds, other backyard creatures and your pets too.

Many experts recommend cleaning your feeders every two weeks and more often during heavy use. Unfortunately, most of us have such time challenged lives we likely can’t be that diligent. But as

often as you can; clean and care for your feeders. To help you, here are some tips and suggestions.

When cleaning any of your feeders or even your birdbaths, always use a nylon brush, never use any metal brushes as they might leave a metallic residue harmful to birds. Most cleaning can be accomplished with soapy water and a nylon brush. If there is a hard to remove build up or to thoroughly disinfect your feeders, a 10 parts water and 1 part bleach solution can be used or 50/50 water and vinegar solution is also very effective. In all cases, thoroughly rinse the feeders with plenty of water and dry completely before refilling with food.

Based on the type of feeder you’re cleaning you may need a different type of brush. Most of the nectar style feeders have a small port and will require a small brush to clean the crystalized sugar as well as a soft sponge-tipped brush to clean the nectar reservoir. If you have tube style seed feeders a long brush will be needed. For hopper style seed feeders, birdbaths, and other parts of your feeding station such as poles, baffles, weather guards and trays, a broad nylon brush works well.

The following are some tips for periodic maintenance to keep your feeders looking good and working properly while you have them down to clean them.

Replace any missing parts, check for and fix any sharp edges which could accidentally cut your birds, and inspect for cracks and other damage needing repairs.

Wooden feeders will naturally fade over the years. It is not necessary to treat wood feeders; however, if you wish to maintain their appearance, you can follow these simple directions: Redwood, Cedar or Pine feeders can be given a coat of wood sealer or linseed oil every couple of years. It is important to use water soluble stain or sealer and only on the outside of the feed-

the dishwasher, think about maker. Never apply any type of coating ing the time to care for your birds’ directly to the inside of the feeder.

For copper parts of feeders, if feeders too. With these cleaning you don’t want them to patina natuand maintenance tips, you’ll conrally, use a copper cleaner/varnish tinue to enjoy many beautiful, OFF*1 and seal with a clear lacquer. healthy birds in your backyard sea5E Series son after season.

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12902 SHAWNEE MISSION PKWY SHAWNEE Reynolds lawn12902 &SHAWNEE, leisuReKS ,MISSION i66216 nc. PKWY SHAWNEE, KS 66216 www.reynoldsll.c 913-268-4288 12902 shawnee 12902 Mission Pkwy,MISSION shawnee , ks 913-268-4288 SHAWNEE PKWY 913-268-4288 www.reynoldsll.com SHAWNEE, KS 66216 Prices and models may vary by dealer. Manufacturer suggested list913-268-4288 price at $2,499 on S240 Sport, $1,499 on D105 and $2,499 on Z235. Prices are suggested retail prices only and are subject to change without notice at any time. Dealer may sell for less. Shown with optional equipment not included in the price. Attachments

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§ and implements soldmay separately.

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Manufacturer suggested list price at $2,999 on X330 Select Series, $1,499 on D105 and $2,499 on Z335E. Prices are suggested *The torquetoinformation are provided byany the time. engineDealer manufacturer used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower retailengine prices horsepower only and areand subject change without notice at may sell to forbe less.

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Before or Shown riding, always refer to equipment the safety and information on the vehicle and sold separately.

Available at green participating dealers. andimplements in the operator’s manual. John Deere’s and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company. *The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only.

Actual operating horsepower A0D03KKCU2A62195and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional information.

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The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

11

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Fire Element Brings People Together If considering the addition of a fire feature to your outdoor living space, JARRET CRUMP gives keys to bear in mind.

W

hat comes to mind when one thinks of summer? Is it the intense heat waves; the cooling effects of jumping into your local pool; or perhaps gathering around a roaring fire at night with family and friends, smoldering coals toasting marshmallows for your favorite sweet treat or roasting hot dogs for family dinner. For many, a warming fire brings back fond memories of relaxing evenings underneath a starry sky – I know it does for me.

In recent years, fire elements have become an ever increasing inviting focal point in backyards across the United States. Families, as well as young homeowners, have realized that striking up a fire is a wonderful way to bring people together for entertaining and enjoying great conversations.

Many of us have thought about installing some type of fire element in our outdoor living spaces, but don’t exactly know where to start.

So one could ask, what makes for a great fire feature? Here are a few key things to consider when starting your own fire feature project: 1. Focal Point or Retreat What kind of experience are you looking for with your new fire element? Are you wanting to create an eye-catching feature that friends and family will take note of as soon as they enter your backyard retreat? Or are you wanting to go for a more intimate, cozy destination at a more remote location on your property? This is one of the first things you should ask yourself when determining the location and size of your fire feature.

Welcome Fall in Your Garden with Vibrant Hues! a Trees and shrubs~ Come see what shrubs and trees are known for their fabulous fall color and berries! a Fall vegetable transplants and seeds~ Have you ever planted a fall veggie garden? Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Radishes, Lettuce, Spinach, & more can be grown in a fall garden! a The area’s best selection of home grown perennials! a Holland bulbs~ plant tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth bulbs now for a splash of color in the spring!

Bulbs will be available shortly after Labor Day. The following Kansas-grown fall plants will be available by mid September: a Winter hardy pansies in vibrant and pastel hues! a Fall mums and asters in all colors! a Cool flowering kale, ornamental grasses, and other plants that feature the colors of fall!

Arnold’s Greenhouse • 1430 Hwy. 58 S.E., LeRoy, KS 66857 620-964-2463 or 2423 www.arnoldsgreenhouse.com Fall hours: Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm. Closed Sundays.

Only 1-1/2 hours from Southwest Kansas City • I-35 to Hwy 75, South 23 miles to Hwy 58, then East 1-1/2 miles (Located 4-1/2 miles West of LeRoy, KS on Hwy 58)

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September 2016 | kcgmag.com

2. Fire Pit or Fireplace Are you looking for a space where you and your guests can circle around a fire and swap stories? Or do you prefer a more roomy feel where you can situate loungers in front of a beautiful fireplace?

Both elements offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy staring into the flames, but both are quite different in the way we utilize them. Fire pits are more communal, invoking feelings of a campfire, while fireplaces are more geared towards formal entertaining.

3. Wood Burning or Gas This is a question that needs to be answered prior to breaking ground on your project. Many people enjoy the crackling sound and smell that wood burning fire features offer, while some on the other hand prefer the convenience and lower upkeep requirements provided by gas burning fires. This decision can have a large influence on several factors of your project; from where you decide to construct your feature to the logistics and codes you must follow based on where you live.

Creating a fire – whether via a fire pit or fireplace – can be an extremely enjoyable experience for yourself, friends, and family.

Not only are you creating a warm and inviting environment to spend quality time outdoors, but you will undoubtedly make wonderful memories along the way. Taking into consideration the above questions, along with a few others, will put you well on your way in the design process for your new fire element – and creating great memories for many years to come.

Jarett Crump, Residential Designer with Hermes Landscaping can be reached at 913-888-2400.

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ansas City Community Gardens invites everyone to our 11th Annual Fall Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. Admission is free.

The annual event is at the Leanna Flandermeyer Beanstalk Children’s Garden, located at 6917 Kensington Ave., just north of Gregory Boulevard in Swope Park.

The day’s activities include games, demonstrations, and garden foods to sample. Children can win a book at the Kansas City Public Library’s bean-bag toss, or pot a basil plant to take home. Activities include scavenger hunts, horseback riding, face painting, glitter tattoos, games with prizes, and a bug station. Lakeside Nature Center will be there with animals. Volunteers will demonstrate fruit and vegetable grilling, giving away samples of tasty treats.

Although all events are free, lunch items are available for purchase along with KCCG T-shirts and a few selected garden crafts.

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Sales will raise money for the Beanstalk Children’s Garden, where each summer and fall children’s tour groups and families are encouraged to see, touch, smell and taste the plants as they learn about growing a garden, eating healthy foods and identifying plants and insects. Donations are welcome.

The garden paths are paved and fully wheelchair accessible. For information, call 816-931-3877 or visit us on the web at www.kccg. org. Follow us on Facebook!

Kansas City Community Gardens is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of low-income households and other members of the community by helping them grow their own nutritious fruits and vegetables. KCCG member gardeners develop self-reliance, knowledge about nutrition, and an appreciation for the environment, while enjoying exercise, social interaction and the satisfaction of growing their own food.

Got Nets? We’ve got Nets! nets to skim your pond, nets to dredge your pond nets to cover your pond And ... All the Supplies You Need for Fall and Winter see www.watersedge.com for fall/winter schedule and classes

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Join Judy Penner, Director of the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden at Jacob L Loose Park on Saturday, Oct. 8th from 10 AM - Noon to “Learn How to Care for Your Roses Going into Our Midwest Winter.” If we have good weather, Judy will conduct a demonstration in the garden.

The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

13

Crape Myrtle Jewel of the summer garden Local plant expert, TRAVIS KARNS discusses the benefits and versatility of crape myrtle, with easy growing tips.

I

t seems as though the hot days of summer are behind us, and did you notice the heat-loving crape myrtles shine? Long a beloved staple in southern gardens as large bushes or small trees, crape myrtle has become more popular with zone 6 Midwestern gardeners, and for good reason as this fast growing plant has much to recommend for giving a prominent spot in the garden. These plants are considered fast growing and have a bloom time that usually lasts for twelve to fifteen weeks starting in July. Because we are at the north edge of the growing range for crape myrtles, it is possible to experience some stem die back in severe winters. Simply prune back any dead stems once they have leafed out and they will fill in quickly once they begin sending out new spring growth. I would recommend a measure of patience in the spring with these plants, as they are one of the last shrubs to come out of dormancy.

The one condition to consider before selecting a crape myrtle is location. These plants absolutely need full sun, or they just don’t 14

bloom well. Also, if the area is protected from dry winter winds, die back from the cold can be minimized. If you have found the perfect spot in your landscape, then the next step is selection.

One of the exciting benefits of crape myrtle is the variety of cultivars on the market. The number of choices has really grown over the last decade, and new named cultivars are released every year. The trend, as is with many newer plants introductions, is a more compact form and improved disease resistance. There are varieties available in dwarf form 18” to 3’, mid-sized 3’ to 6’, and larger at 6’ to 8’ and potentially even 10’ or 12’ (given a well-protected location). In addition to mature size variation there is the stunning array of bloom colors available. Crape myrtle flowers can be white, red, coral and many shades of purple and pink. Leaf color is another option available, as these plants can have glossy green or dark burgundy colored leaves.

Crape myrtles also offer the landscape several seasons of interest. Along with the stunning display of delicate fragrant flowers

September 2016 | kcgmag.com

in summer, the foliage of these plants will light up the fall garden with fiery shades of orange and red, and even some dark maroonpurple tones. In winter the bark of more mature specimens will show beautifully textured cinnamon and grey colored exfoliating patterns.

The dried bloom heads are also an attractive feature, so resist deadheading late in the season.

It may not be ideal to plant in the high temps of summer, but I do highly recommend getting out to garden centers to at least look at the many varieties available and make notes on your favorites. This way, when you are ready in the fall (or even the coming spring) to plant you will know which one you want to purchase, as it’s not likely you will find plants in bloom at these times. Crape myrtles can be a great new summer jewel for your summer garden. Give one a try. You and all who visit your yard will be stunned by their beauty.

Travis Karns is Assistant Nursery Manager at Suburban Lawn & Garden, 105th & Roe, Overland Park, Kan.

Crape Myrtle Tips • If they get too big for their space, they can be pruned. It is best to do this in spring before the plant starts to leaf out, especially if a hard prune is being done.

• It’s the first of May and they look dead. Don’t react too harshly and dig them out yet.

Crape myrtle needs warm temps to break dormancy, and if spring is cool through Mother’s Day they may not start to leaf out until late spring.

• Not blooming? It may take a couple of growing seasons to get a stunning display. Other causes could be not enough sun exposure, also over fertilizing or over watering can cause lots of growth but no bloom set.

• Watch for pests, aphids and Japanese beetles, that can become problems. Mildew on the leaves can also occur.

The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

15

The Native Gardener’s Dilemma To deadhead or not to deadhead, SCOTT WOODBURY explores reasons for and against this native garden task.

M

y colleague Ted Spaid with SWT Design refers to the natural style of native gardening as the tossed salad approach. It’s when native plant species are randomly placed and encouraged to reseed as nature does best. This method can be attractive and diverse and attract a host of butterflies and birds, but it can also become out of balance

and infested with unintentional weeds.

My garden at home is one of these with a simple but aggressive plant combination of garden phlox, river oats, elephant’s foot and woodland knotweed intentionally tangled in the shade of a black gum tree. I enjoy the natural style and so do swallowtail butterflies. I let plants wander where they may.

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Lucky for me my neighbors enjoy it too, but I doubt that I would be welcome in every neighborhood in St. Louis. The tossed salad style is not for everybody.

Most gardeners prefer traditional masses of plants about the size of a coffee table separated with buffers of mulch as man does best. But how can this happen with native plants that don’t stay put and spread freely from seed?

The native gardeners dilemma.

The solution is a common practice used by traditional gardeners called deadheading.

As a native gardener at home, I like to keep seed heads on native plants as long as possible. Some look great in fall and winter like black-eyed Susan and hairy mountain mint and most hold on to a surprising amount of seed (5-15%) going into winter that feed birds on snowy days. Some provide tall perches for sparrows, gold finches and indigo buntings that hunt for insects that thrive in tossed salad gardens that are full of insect eggs, nymphs, and adults. No doubt there

are many reasons for the native gardener to keep seed stalks standing. But there are good reasons to remove seed heads of some species.

As a native garden manager, I have to remove some seed heads to maintain a traditional style. Birds can’t eat all the seeds of certain species and when they sprout the following year, they either become a major chore to pull or they convert to a tossed salad. Our goal in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve is to have both traditional and natural garden styles on display.

In traditional garden areas, certain species are deadheaded including Joe-pye weed, common milkweed, spiderwort, goldenrod, wingstem, ironweed, golden Alexander, yellow pimpernel, New England aster, garden phlox, Texas greeneyes, sneezeweed, sweet and orange coneflowers, cup plant, river oats, big and little bluestem, and switchgrass. These species will keep gardeners on their toes if seed heads aren’t deadheaded before

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September 2016 | kcgmag.com

Photos by Scott Woodburry.

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Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum

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seed falls or if beds aren’t mulched

by March.

Deadheading is when you cut flower stalks off after blooms are finished and before seeds begin to fall. Usually at this point the spent flowers, leaves. and stem parts are still green. If they are brown or tan and look dried up, then seeds may have already fallen or blown away. Stems may be cut to reduce height for the remainder of the season. Mulching in February or early March suppresses seedling development and reduces weeding and watering—but note that some natives do not tolerate heavy mulch, and mulching can reduce habitat for ground-nesting pollinators.

Careful plant selection also reduces seedling development.

Plants that don’t seed aggressively reduce maintenance. They include alum root, Indian pink, yellow wild indigo, iris, butterfly and swamp milkweed, leadplant, marsh blazingstar, Michigan lily, Solomon’s seal, feathery bluestar, prairie

dropseed, oak and cedar sedges and ferns among others. Check out the Grow Native! resource guide for a list of growers who offer native evergreens and other native plants at www.grownative.org.

Deadheading is not for every gardener, but is a traditional gardening method, like mulching, that reduces weeding in traditional native gardens. With less weeding to do, you may find that you have more time for other things like hunting butterflies with neighborhood kids or attending a class or workshop on native landscaping.

Happy gardening!

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 more than 20 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program.

Koi Pond and Water Feature Designs

New Installations, Remodels Upgrades, Repairs and Maintenance Services Wendy Hix • 913.481.5416 Tate Foster • 913.406.6804 www.hixandsonaquatics.com

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.

We can adapt to meet your group’s needs, from a short 20minute presentation to a longer format, if needed. While there are no fees for a volunteer speaker, a donation to Extension or the chosen volunteer organization is appreciated.

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

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The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

17

Create Volunteer Public Butterfly Garden For those inspired to establish a public butterfly garden, LENORA LARSON shares her wisdom and expertise.

R

ecent publicity about the plight of Monarchs and other pollinators is inspiring enthusiastic volunteers to create new public butterfly gardens. This is wonderful!

But as many groups discover, public gardens have special challenges beyond the usual gardening calamities that face all gardeners. Good intentions don’t guarantee success, so here are some tips.

Beauty and the Public Eye Even public spaces are covered by municipal or association guidelines. Check first to verify that it’s even possible to build a garden suitable for pollinators in your chosen location. You may be surprised how sensitive your garden’s “landlord” is to public opinion. Kind, tactful friends visit your own garden, but the public feels entitled,

even obligated to complain if the garden looks “messy.” How to protect the garden from being evicted?

Your initial design should focus on structure and hardscaping to send a clear message, “this is a garden.”

And scrupulous weeding is necessary from day one.

We gardeners appreciate the beauty of foliage, its colors, shapes and textures. However, the public eye focuses on flowers, so plan on immediate floral display. Native choices that will bloom the first year include Black-eyed Susan, Blanket Flower, Partridge Pea, and Plains Coreopsis. I always include additional self-sowing nectar-rich recognizable ornamentals such as Zinnias, Cleome, Cosmos and Red Sage to provide maintenance-free blooms every year. Of course flowers will also please adult butterfly

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The butterfly garden at Martha Laffite Thompson Nature Sanctuary in Liberty demonstrates an attractive combination of hardscaping (the sidewalk) and native plants (Coneflowers and Butterfly Milkweed) that will attract both human and insect visitors. visitors. And because this is a public garden, you may need occasional judicious pruning of your caterpillar food plants to keep them looking tidy.

Water, the Essence of Life How will the garden be watered?

Even native plants require watering the first few years. As an Extension Master Gardener, I’ve seen two of our public volunteer gardens fail because the promised water sources did not continue after a few months. Hauling water isn’t a solution; you must have access to water on site with an irrigation system or at least a 24/7 accessible hose.

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Pocket Gardens: Start Small Brad Guhr, Education Coordinator at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston, Kan., promotes “pocket gardens,” small gems of mostly native plants chosen to minimize maintenance while supporting butterflies. From his extensive experience, he offers these guidelines: • Begin with graph paper and lay out the hardscaping and plants for caterpillar foods, nectar and four-season interest.

• A maintenance plan for weeding and watering must be established before a single plant/seed goes in.

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Fall is Perfect for Planting We have Mums • Kale • Pansies • Shrubs www.creekside-market.com

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Signage helps educate the public to be more accepting of a naturalized planting.

• Site preparation is critical; remove all current vegetation, especially grasses. This may require a glyphosate like Round-up™.

• Start with plants. Surprisingly, seeded plantings are far more expensive and time-consuming to establish and maintain, despite the lower cost of seeds.

• Plan on 1 to 2 plants per square foot. To figure your costs, assume that 4” pots are about $5/plant, so an 8 by 6 foot garden will cost about $500, plus the cost of compost and mulch.

The garden should include art, hardscaping and benches to engage visitors.

Post informational signs to educate the public and certify the garden through a national organization such as Monarch Watch or Xerces to proudly display the sign that lets visitors Butterfly Milkweeds are on the long list of beautiful native know that this is a flowers that please both humans and butterflies. special place. To be successful, a public • The garden MUST be heavbutterfly garden must ily mulched (2 to 3” deep) to meet the needs of four constituents: conserve soil moisture, reduce the plants, the volunteer workers, weeds and minimize maintethe public and the butterflies. nance.

Don’t forget about those all• Use an edging to define the important host plants that provide a boundaries. Native stone often site for the butterfly to lay eggs and provides the most attractive a food source for the caterpillar! and price-effective material.

• START SMALL! Do not Marais des Cygnes Extension expand beyond the volunMaster Gardener, Idalia Butterfly teers’ ability to properly care Society and Kansas Native Plant for the garden.

Society member, Lenora Larson gardens and hosts butterflies in the The Human Element cruel winds and clay soil of Paola, Brad also stresses the imporKansas. She may be contacted at tance of being people-friendly. lenora.longlips@gmail.com.

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The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

19

Proper Care of Newly Seeded Lawn PETER ORWIG reminds that full attention to care and feeding of newly seeded lawn yields success in spring.

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the ground is continually moist.

For weeks 4 through 6, water every other day. Six weeks after seeding, you may be able to cut back to watering twice a week until temperatures start to drop drastically. You should plan to water over winter days when temperatures are above freezing and we haven’t received much moisture from Mother Nature. (Those of you without an automatic system – this means you will have to drag out a hose and sprinkler to water manually).

Speaking of automatic systems, if you have one that hasn’t been inspected recently, make sure you move through it zone by zone to ensure even water distribution. If your system misses spots, you will notice that seed does not germinate in these areas. This is because the

his summer has been a hot and dry one compared to recent years. If your lawn has stayed green through the heat then congratulations, but if yours has brown spots like most of the metro communities do then I suggest you read on.

To make sure your lawn grows back dark green and thick in the spring you better be thinking about fall seeding. A general rule of thumb is to seed in September through the middle of October; seeding a little late in the fall is likely to be more successful than spring seeding.

Water is VERY important to new seed. In fact, failing to water accurately is the number one reason seed fails. You should water newly seeded areas at least once a day for the first 3-4 weeks, so that

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Plan to water over winter days when temperatures are above freezing, especially if precipitation been minimal. seed was able to dry out due to lack of water.

In general, turf-type fall fescue seed should germinate in approximately 5-10 days provided you have been watering. Sometimes seed germinates faster, in as little as 3-4 days, or in some cases longer – as much as two weeks. How fast seed germinates depends on soil temperatures and watering.

When mowing your lawn this upcoming fall, including newly seeded areas wait until seedlings are 3” tall before mowing and mow at 2” with a sharp blade. Be careful when attempting to control broadleaf weeds – new grass is tender and you don’t want to harm it while trying to get rid of weeds. Wait to attack weeds until the young grass is well established.

More than likely, you put down a starter fertilizer with your grass seed. This is great! Fertilize again approximately 6 weeks later with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A final fertilizer treatment is made late in the season after top growth has significantly slowed or stopped. The grass will still be producing food (carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis), but due to the colder temperatures, be unable to consume that food making leaf tissue. The unused carbohydrates will be stored in the grass plants over the winter. In the

spring, you will notice your lawn becoming greener quicker than other lawns around you who don’t winterize, and your new grass seed will be on full display.

As fall progresses, you will have one more factor to contend with – falling leaves. Use a leaf blower or mow leaves with a bag attachment (if the grass is at least 2” tall) to get them off the lawn.

If leaves are allowed to pile on the lawn, they will suffocate your new grass and you will have dead spots this spring. Leaf cleanup isn’t strictly a fall affair. If leaves fall later than usual, or wind blows stray leaves from here and there into a pile on your lawn, take care of it right away. New grass will not survive winter under a “blanket” of fallen leaves.

Seeding your lawn can take a lot of work. Protect your investment by not skimping on the aftercare, and don’t forget to water, water, water. If you have a few spots where the seed didn’t come in as well as you were hoping, you can touch up those areas come spring time. However, seeding large areas of your lawn in the spring takes even more diligence and even more water.

Peter Orwig is the senior agronomist with Ryan Lawn & Tree. He can be reached at 913-381-1505 or at peterorwig@ryanlawn.com

September Rose Report Kansas City’s expert rosarian JUDY PENNER shares her expertise with a success in the rose garden.

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his time of year is an excellent time to examine your roses and evaluate their performance in the garden. First, I review the weather conditions for the year. Rose performance is enhanced or diminished by the weather. This is easy to tell especially when you have had roses growing in the garden for over five years, for example, and this year the roses are shorter than last. So I know this is an overall weather related occurrence. I visited the Chicago Botanic Garden earlier this summer and they also had shorter roses this year.

I also take into consideration that a new rose should get a 3-year pass. It takes a bit to establish a rose in the garden, especially considering the uncertain weather conditions. We want to make sure we give the rose a chance.

Then, look at how well the rose resists blackspot, as well as the overall health of the rose bush.

Notice I said “resists blackspot.”

I have never seen a rose that does not get at least a bit of blackspot disease. If your rose is completely defoliated from disease and this happens year after year, consider a different rose.

This is ‘Elina’, a light yellow hybrid tea rose that thrives in the Loose Park rose garden.

A few guidelines to consider when selecting roses is to read The American Rose Society handbook.

This handbook has a rating system from 1-10, with 10 being the best.

In our garden at Loose Park, we only choose roses that have an 8 or better rating.

Also, talk to consulting rosarians, rose growers and visit rose gardens in the area to see what

is growing well. If you would like a handbook, you can join the American Rose Society (www. rose.org). You will also receive a bi-monthly magazine with great information on roses.

Here are a few of the roses that are thriving well in our area, and I think would do well for you!

‘Elina’, light yellow hybrid tea rose; ‘Carefree Beauty’, pink shrub

rose; ‘Francis Meilland’, light pink, hybrid tea rose; ‘Paloma Blanca’, white, shrub rose; ‘Raspberry Cream Twirl’, pink blend, large flowered climber; ‘Westerland’, apricot blend, shrub rose; and ‘Chrysler Imperial’, red hybrid tea.

Join us for the October 8th Free Rose Demonstration. I will be teaching from 10 a.m. until noon, at the Garden Center in Loose Park, located at 5200 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64112. We’ll also discuss preparing your roses for winter.

The Demonstration is sponsored by the Kansas City Rose Society in partnership with the Kansas City Missouri, Parks and Recreation Department. The Kansas City Rose Society will provide treats and have consulting rosarians and society members to answer questions as well. I also would invite you to check out the Kansas City Rose Society website at www.kansascityrosesociety.org.

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.

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Equipment, Sales, Service, Repair & Parts

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

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Club Meetings African Violet Club of GKC Tues, Sept 13, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590

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September 2016 | kcgmag.com

Bonsai Society of GKC Sat, Sept 3, 9am-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Workshop. 816-513-8590 Bonner Springs Garden Club Tues, Sept 20, 9:30am; meet in parking lot on SE corner of Third St and Cedar St in Bonner Springs. We’ll carpool to Powell Gardens for a tour. Everyone is welcome.

We will have lunch at Powell Gardens.

Questions, call Nicky Horn at 913-441-8078.

Garden Club of Shawnee Thurs, Sept 1, 7pm; at Old Shawnee Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. Do you love to grow herbs in your garden only to watch them wither with the first freeze because you just aren’t sure what to do with them? Come learn from K-State Extension Master Food Volunteers Linda Landreth and Janet Rossbach a number of ways to preserve herbs. You’ll also get to sample cookies, breads, spreads, and drinks made with herbs. This meeting will also be our fall plant, seed, and bulb exchange.

Gardeners of America Mon, Sept 12, 6-8pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590 GKC Gardeners of America Mon, Sept 12, 6pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Our speaker is Lenora Larson. Her topic is Be a Butterfly Bartender. Learn which flowers are best for attracting the very discriminating adult butterflies to your garden. We will also be voyeurs, watching butterfly courtship behaviors at the “Nectar Bar”. Lenora is a Miami County Master Gardener and member of local chapters of both the Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society. She maintains a 2 acre NABA (North American Butterfly Association) certified garden in the English Estate landscape style on her 27 acre property, Long Lips Farm, in rural Paola, Kansas. The garden is also certified as Monarch Waystation #875, as a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and as a Pollinator Garden by the Xerces Society. She is on a mission to demonstrate to other gardeners that you do not have to compromise on beauty and function when you invite wildlife to share your garden.

Come and learn more. Non-members are always welcome. Our meeting starts at 6:00 (with refreshments) and Lenora’s talk starts at 6:30. For additional information, contact Margaret Singer at 816-942-8889 or Vince Vogel of Vogel Landscaping at 816-313-8733.

GKC Herb Study Group Wed, Sept 14, 12-2:30pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall, Kansas

City, MO. Luncheon provided. Herbal Recipes for the Home. It’s time to break out of the habit for reaching for chemicals to clean your home. Come discover how to make herbal remedies that make your home sparkle, and smell fabulous too! Basil, lavender, tea tree, rosemary and sage are just a few of the most popular cleaning herbs.

Gather your herbs from the garden. Bring some spray bottles. Bring small jars and a couple of tall jars. Gather any essential oils you have and join us. We’ll be creating remedies for a sparkling home: Herb/water infusions; Herb/vinegar infusions; Herbal Tub Scrub; Herbal disinfectants; Herbtoilet cleaner; Deodorizer and air freshener.

Learn how to clean your home with the help from your plant allies. Visitors and friends welcome - remember to RSVP: Nancy 816478-1640.

Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society Sat, Sept 10, Hospitality beginning at 9am and a brief meeting, followed by the Program at 10am; at Faith Lutheran Church, 4805 W 67th St (67 & Roe), Prairie Village, KS. Bob Solberg, prominent hosta hybridizer and owner of Green Hill Farm in Franklinton, NC will be our speaker. His presentations are always sure to please, and I’m sure “Hosta Trick or Treat” will be no exception. There will be a potluck with the society furnishing the meat and members bringing a dish to share. Door prizes will be awarded. Come and bring a friend – everyone welcome! For more info – call Gwen 816-213-0598.

Johnson County Rose Society Thurs, Sept 8, 7pm; at Prairie Village Community Center, 7720 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Miss Rosie says, It’s Gonna Be Cold, Baby! It may be warm out now, but it won’t be long before it will be time to prepare our roses for the cold winter ahead! No one wants to find their wonderful roses have not survived the winter, so come to the meeting and pick up the tips and techniques you will need to keep your roses safe over the winter months! ARS Rosarians will lead the Johnson County Rose Society’s meeting in small group discussions of how best to prepare roses for winter and care for them during the winter months. Election of officers for 2017 will also be held at this meeting. All JCRS meetings are free and open to the public.

Refreshments are provided. Members and guests are welcome to take advantage of the “Consulting Rosarians Corner”- a free individual consultation with a Consulting Rosarian. Bring your questions and concerns about any aspect of growing and caring for roses! The Consulting Rosarians will also give timely tips about caring for roses “This Month In The Rose Garden”.

Members of the JCRS will be contacted directly regarding the annual membersonly dinner to be held in October. For more information about the meetings, programs and other activities of the Johnson County Rose Society, visit their website at www.rosesocietyjoco.org. You can also find them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/JoCoRoses.

KC Cactus and Succulent Society Sun, Sept 18, the KCC&SS will host the annual Tri-City Picnic in lieu of a regular meeting. Please join in welcoming visitors from the cactus and succulent clubs of Omaha and Des Moines. This will be potluck picnic at a special location and time. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share, and don’t forget your lawn chairs.

There will also be an auction of members’ plants. Visitors are welcome to join the fun and maybe take home some unusual plants; please call 816-444-9321 for more information. Members, watch your email, or our website www.kccactus.com or Facebook page for details when the date draws near.

The next regular KCC&SS club meeting at Loose Park will not occur until October.

church for possible car pooling. Any questions, call Judy Schuck at 913-362-8480.

Kansas City Garden Club Mon, Oct 3, 10am; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. The public is welcome. Program is “Growing Citrus for the Joy of the Senses”

by Bibie Chronwall, club member and Greater Kansas City Master Gardener.

Betty Bonness will discuss the Monthly Showcase that includes “In the Manner of Ikebana” and the horticulture exhibits.

Fall gardening tips will be presented by Iva Stribling. Bring a sack lunch and join us after the meeting downstairs in the Fern Room for furnished drinks and dessert.

913-341-7555

Water Garden Society of GKC Tues, Sept 20, at Union Station. We meet in a lovely meeting room and lounge in the Northwest corner of the building, adjacent to the Planetarium. The doors open at 6pm for snacks and socializing. Our first speaker of the evening begins at 6:30pm. You don’t have to be a member to attend. Our first speaker is Charlie Jolley, a retired teacher with a passion for growing shrubs and plants that are especially suited to Kansas City’s clay soils and unpredictable weather. After years of research, Charlie now propagates his own plants and has over 200 plants in his database. You can find Charlie on face book under “Charlie’s locally grown plants”. The importance of fall planting is his topic. Our featured speakers are Justin Titus and Brandon Henderson, from Monet Aquatics. Monet Aquatics is a design, build and maintenance firm serving the greater Kansas City area. Justin is also a board member and featured speaker for the International Waterlily & Water Garden Society. They will be speaking to us on the dos and don’ts of selecting plants for the water garden. We look forward to their years of expertise and knowledge. Visit us at www.kcwatergardens.com

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Sept 14, 11am at Riverfront Community Center; 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Patti Ragsdale of Happy Apple’s Farm will present Gardening with Natives. Patti has a passion for native landscapes- specifically native flowers. She will share some of her favorite natives, a few reasons for using natives and her favorite research and identification tools. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact Melony Lutz at 913-484-4568 or the Leavenworth County extension office at 913-364-5700.

Leawood Garden Club Tues, Sept 27, 10:30am; at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. At about noon, Lisa Megahee, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener, will present “A Gift From the Garden – Herbs.” The meeting is open to everyone and guests are most welcome.

Bring a sack lunch – beverages and desserts are provided. For more information, please visit our website www.leawoodgardenclub. org, send an email to leawoodgardenclub@ gmail.com or call 913-642-3317.

Orchid Society of GKC Sat, Sept 24, 10am-5pm and Sun, Sept 24, 10am-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Show and Sale. 816-513-8590 Overland Park Gardeners of America Mon, Sept 20. We will be going to visit the gardens of Lenora Larson, 27995 Plum Creek Rd, Paola, KS, arriving there about 9am. She has a 4-acre butterfly garden set in 27 acres with over 500 plants, including many natives. Following that, we will be going to Hoot Owl Hill Gardens, 30750 Osawatomie Rd, Paola, KS where we will tour their gardens and have a catered lunch.

Cost of lunch will be $12.00 and we will need to have a head count and money paid

by Sept 7. Visitors are welcome. Meet at

Raytown Garden Club Tues, Sept 6, 10am; at Raytown Christian Church,6108 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. Program—“Preparing Horticulture for Our Flower Show” presented by Iva Stribling, Member of Southwood and Kansas City Garden Clubs. Visitors are welcome; refreshments served. For further information, visit our website at www.sites. google.com/site/fgcmwestcentral/raytown

Landscape dreams into reality!

Sho Me African Violet Club Fri, Sept 9, 10:30am-2pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. Membership. 816-513-8590

Events, Lectures & Classes September Pickling Vegetables Thurs, Sept 1, 6-8pm; at the Sunflower Room and kitchen at the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 North 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Lori Wuellner, Wyandotte County Extension FACS specialist, will teach about preserving food by pickling in this hands-on class. This class is being hosted by the Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Pre-registration not required. Fee: $5.00 payable at the door (waived for currently certified extension master gardeners). For further information, call 913-299-9300.

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A Gardener’s Destination Welcome Fall with Mums!

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Powell Garden’s Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Show Sept 3 & 4. Show hours are 9am-5pm Sat and 9am-3pm Sun. See some of the region’s finest dahlias when the Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society brings its fall show to Powell Gardens. Included with Garden admission.

Four Season Harvests Wed, Sept 7, 6-8:30pm. Class held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Fee: $39. Growing nutritional edibles dur(continued on page 24)

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The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

23

Powell Gardens Events Kansas City’s Botanical Garden Booms & Blooms Festival Sponsored by Western Missouri Medical Center Saturday, September 3 Booms & Blooms was rained out in July, so we’re giving it another shot in September! Pack a picnic, grab the lawn chairs and bring your friends and family to the Gardens for a day of live music and fireworks.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Show 2-3 p.m. Fresh Bites Cooking Demo with Barb: Patriotic Pasta 4:15-5 p.m. Spin, POP, Boom! presented by Mad Science of GKC Live Music: 3-4:30 p.m. Warrensburg Recorder Consort 5-6 p.m. American Legion Band ensemble 6-8 p.m. An Evening w/Singer-Songwriter Kelley Hunt & Friends Following Kelley Hunt’s performance, enjoy a spectacular fireworks display against the dark country sky!

Festival admission is $12/adults; $10/seniors 60+, $5/children 5-12, and free/children 4 and younger. (The rain date is Sunday, September 4.) Visit powellgardens.org/booms for details.

Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society Show September 3 and 4 See some of the region’s most beautiful dahlia blooms from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.3 p.m. Sunday. Included with admission.

Discovery Station for Kids: Monarch Butterflies September 12-18 Drop by any time from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to learn more about monarch butterflies and how you can help them during their migration to Mexico.

Under a Harvest Moon Fundraiser 5 p.m. Sunday, September 18 Join us for Under a Harvest Moon: A Farm to Table Dinner prepared by Lidia’s Chef de Cuisine Cody Hogan. Now in its eighth year, the event supports the Gardens’ hands-on programs to help greater Kansas City area children learn about healthy eating by planting, harvesting and preparing fresh food.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception followed by a fabulous dinner, featuring produce grown in the Heartland Harvest Garden, served in the open-air Missouri Barn.

For the first year, the event includes an auction for a private dinner for eight prepared by Chef Cody Hogan and served in his spectacular backyard garden.

For information on sponsorships and tickets, visit powellgardens. org/harvestmoon or call 816-697-2600 x207.

Fall Flower Fair Conservatory Exhibit 9 a.m.-5 p.m. September 24-November 13 Immerse yourself in the rich shades of autumn with colorful mums, yellow and orange coleus, and purple grasses.

24

September 2016 | kcgmag.com

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

(continued from page 23)

ing the dreary fall and winter months has many advantages. Less watering, fewer bugs and weeds! Plus the bonus of fresh produce in your winter diet! Discuss the science, methods and some simple structures that work well for a small scale home garden. Learn which plants do well in the cold. Leave excited about growing in an unexpected yet productive season. To enroll or to get more information please call 913-469-2323.

Beekeeping II Wed, Sept 7 & 14, 6:30-8:30pm. Class held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Fee: $49. This course offers an in depth review of current beekeeping practices.

You will study beekeeping in the classroom and explore a beehive in the field. The course will give your hands on experience working a beehive. To enroll or to get more information please call 913-469-2323.

Annual Flower Show Sept 8-10; at Olathe City Hall, 100 E Santa Fe. Olathe Garden & Civic Club will sponsor their annual Flower Show. The public is encouraged to enter specimens from their gardens. Flowers, vegetables, vines, etc are all welcome. Bring in your specimens for entering on Thurs, Sept 8 from 5-7pm or Fri, Sept 9, 7:30-9am. Entries will be judged from 10am to 12pm. The show will be available Fri from 1 to 7pm and Sat from 9am to 3pm. This is your chance to show off your gardening skills!

The Gardens at Sunset Sat, Sept 10, 5:30-8:30pm; at Leanna Flandermeyer Beanstalk Garden, 6917 Kensington, Kansas City, MO. Please join us for a magical evening of live jazz, a showcase of fresh and local food and drink from some of Kansas City’s favorite restaurants, and one-of-a kind silent auction items, all within the confines of the beautiful Beanstalk Garden. Benefitting Kansas City Community Gardens. Tickets are $75.

To purchase tickets or preview auction items, www.kccg.org/gardensatsunset.

Bent Willow Furniture Workshop Sat, Sept 10, 9am-3pm; at Powell Gardens.

Come build a bent-willow heirloom. Bring a hammer, pruning shears and work gloves.

Choose your project upon registration: Bent Willow Loveseat $369/person, $354 member; Bent Willow Chair $264/person, $249/ member; Sassy Chair $224/person, $210/ member; One-Shelf Potting Bench $229/ person, $219/member; Sweet Pea Tripod Trellis $49/person, $42/member; Plant Stand $59/person, $52/member. (Project sizes are listed on our website.) Registration required. To register call Linda Burton at 816-697-2600 ext 209. Or register online at powellgardens.org/AdultClasses.

Voyage of Discovery Flower Show Mon, Sept 12, 11:30am-1pm, at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO. Sponsored by Kansas

City Garden Club. View artistic, creative floral designs and many horticulture specimens including perennials, annuals, container plants, fruits and vegetables. Come see what it takes to win ‘Best in Show’.

Free. For more details call 816-569-3440.

Life of the Monarch Butterfly Thurs, Sept 15, 7pm; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS, 66048. Leavenworth County Master Gardener, Candy Dials, will give a presentation about the life cycle and survival of the Monarch butterfly. The presentation is free and open to the public. For more information contact Melony Lutz at 913-4844568 or the Leavenworth County extension office at 913-364-5700.

MO Master Gardener State Conference Sept 16-18: Three days of trips, tours, advanced and continuing education highlighting horticulture in the Kansas City metro. Conference is hosted by the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City and held at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, Independence, MO. It is open to all garden enthusiasts. Registration required.

Conference details can be found on the website: www.mggkcconf.com.

Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale Sat, Sept 17, 9:30am-2:30pm (or until sold out), Missouri Department of Conservation “Monarch Mania” Event, Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110.

The Discovery Center is partnering with the Missouri Prairie Foundation to offer a native plant sale to benefit monarch butterflies. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will be providing plants that are desired by monarch butterflies (and other wildlife) and will look great in your home landscape.

New England aster, buttonbush, purple coneflower, several species of milkweed along with a wide selection of other pollinator species will be for sale. Get a jumpstart on your 2017 pollinator garden! A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Missouri Prairie Foundation to help conserve vital pollinator habitat on its native prairies. Questions: 816-716-9159. If you wish to preorder your choices for pickup on the 17th, contact Missouri Wildflowers Nursery: 573-496-3492 or email: mowldflrs@socket.net West Central District Presents A Standard Flower Show “Gardeners Paradise” Sat, Sept 17, 1-2:30pm; at Raytown Christian Church, 6108 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. Free and open to the public. Come and enjoy beautiful flowers and artistic designs!

Dahlia Show Sat, Sept 17, 1-4pm and Sun, Sept 18, 11am-3pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. The 69th Annual Show of the Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society will be at Loose Park Garden Center. This show is affiliated with

the American Dahlia Society, the Mid-West Conference and has accredited judging.

The show is open to the public. If you are interested in participating in a show please contact Randy Burfeind for details at 913451-3488 or email rburfeind@kc.rr.com.

Hasta Luego Monarchs Sat, Sept 17, 10am-2pm. The Pollinator Prairie Garden will host a family-friendly event at The Pollinator Prairie, 320 S Blake St, Olathe, KS to celebrate the annual migration of the Monarch butterfly to Mexico. People of all ages are invited to learn about Monarchs and other butterfly species with hands-on activities including: Demonstrations by Monarch Watch including catch and release of butterflies every half hour; Caterpillar exhibit hosted by the K-State Extension Master Gardeners Wildlife Habitat Committee; Educational information on the importance of planting native plants; Arts, crafts, and games.

This event is free and open to the public.

Additional activities for the event include live music with other activities to come.

Questions, contact Jennifer Kingston, 913693-1905, JKingston@HaleyAldrich.com Beekeeping III Wed, Sept 21 & 28, 6:30-8:30pm. Class held at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS. Fee: $49. This class will be a fun and active way to learn how to be a successful backyard beekeeper. We will provide the basic knowledge needed to keep and manage a healthy beehive, and produce honey and beeswax. This class will cover bee behavior, hive management, diseases, pests, swarming and how to harvest honey right from your own backyard. To enroll or to get more information call 913-469-2323.

Native Plant Workshop Fri, Sept 23, 8:30am-5pm; at Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US Hwy 50, Kingsville, MO 64061. Converting Nonnative Landscapes to Prairie Grasses and Wildflowers. Learn from five great speakers how to establish and maintain native plantings. Registration fee includes lunch, handouts, and tour of prairie plantings at Powell Gardens. Register at grownative. org. Questions? Call 888-843-6739.

Butterfly Garden Open House Sat, Sept 24, noon-3pm; at 500 Eisenhower Rd, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners will host an open house at their Butterfly Garden. Please join us as we follow the migration of the Monarch butterflies as they continue their journey to Mexico. There will be information about milkweed and its importance to the survival of the Monarch. If available, there will be opportunities to catch and tag Monarch butterflies. For more information call Leavenworth Co Extension office at 913-364-5700, leave message for Charlotte.

2016 Orchid Show and Sale Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City Sept 24-25; at Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania Ave, (52nd St and

Wornall Rd), Kansas City, MO 64112.

Exhibits and Sales in the Rose room (upstairs). OSGKC will be hosting a free event of orchid exhibits from members, regional orchid societies and vendors.

Show and sales open: Sat Sept 24 10am5pm, Sun Sept 25 10am-4pm. Exhibits and orchids will be judged by American Orchid Society (AOS) judges. Following ribbon judging, AOS plant judging will begin in the Fern room (downstairs). If you have orchid questions, this is a great time to ask the experts at the information table at the show entrance. www.osgkc.org.

Begonia Sale Fri, Sept 30, 1-4pm; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st and Wornall, Kansas City, MO. 816-513-8590

October Kaw Valley Farm Tour Sat, Oct 1, 9am-5pm; Sun, Oct 2,9am-5pm.

This is an opportunity to visit local farms and learn about farm practices directly from the farmer. Held the first full weekend in October each year, the tour continues to grow and offers learning opportunities for children and adults. Farms have fun activities for children and families.

32 farms along the Kaw River Auburn to Lansing Kansas. Alpacas to zucchini! A $10 carload ticket is good for both Saturday and Sunday. More Info, map, and tickets are available at www.kawvalleyfarmtour. org. Cost: $10 per carload, good for both Saturday and Sunday Storm Water Conservation Workshop Thurs, Oct 6, 11:30am-1pm; at the Wildcat Room, 1200 North 79th St (adjacent to the Wyandotte County Conservation District office), Kansas City KS. The Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners Association (WCEMGA), in collaboration with the Wyandotte County Conservation District, will be conducting this workshop. To register call the Wyandotte County Extension Office at 913-299-9300, between 9am and 4pm, Mon through Fri. Registration will be open Sept 1 through Oct 5, 2016.

Apps for Birds and Plants Thurs, Oct 20, 6:30pm; at Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO. Presented

by Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City. Mary Nemecek, Master Naturalist, will walk us through a variety of technology to help with field identification, participation in citizen science and enhancing our experiences with nature. By assisting wildlife identification and reporting in the field, mobile apps are making it easier than ever to contribute to conservation. Free and open to the public. No registration required. Door prizes. For further information call 816665-4456 or visit our website at mggkc.org and browse Gardeners Gathering.

Promote garden club and society meetings, classes, seminars and other gardening events!

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

Get your garden growing.

CASS COUNTY

816-380-8460; Wed, 9am-noon

DOUGLAS COUNTY

785-843-7058; mastergardener@douglas-county.com; Mon-Fri, 1-4pm

GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AREA

816-833-8733 (TREE); Mon-Fri, 9am-noon; mggkc.hotline@gmail.com River Market, 105 E 5th St, KCMO, 1st and 3rd Sat, May-Sep, 8am-noon

JOHNSON COUNTY, KS

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

JOHNSON COUNTY, MO

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

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

913-364-5700; Apr 4 thru Sep 29, Mon 10am-1pm, Thurs 1-4pm

MIAMI COUNTY

913-294-4306; Thurs, 9am-noon

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

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

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ity with Grasses Beauty and Divers een Not Just for HallowCall 811 Orange and Black: Lemon rd of Digth Control BeforeBiYou Daylily: Beau Park eM ty for fy Weeds for Better Identi Decis ThanBu ion Time: ShouSeeded Lawn More a tte Dayrfl onth: Blue In the bird y Ask andExpe Feeding of Newly ld You Remove YourGaAsh rdenTree Conserva rts about weed Proper Carethe with tories control, oozin g sap and more Marvin Snyder

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July

The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

25

September

garden calendar

n LAWN

• Seed bluegrass or tall fescue lawns early in the month for best results.

• Sod new lawns or dead spots for quick recovery.

• Renovate bluegrass or tall fescue by verticutting then overseeding.

• Core aerate cool season turf to aid in root development and thatch breakdown.

• Fertilize cool season grasses with high nitrogen sources of fertilizer.

• Mow turf at 2 to 3 inches and sharpen mower blade for a clean cut.

• Continue to mow zoysia but do not fertilize or aerate this late in the season.

n TREES AND SHRUBS

• Plant trees and shrubs, deciduous and evergreen.

• Rake up fallen leaves and compost.

• Prune broken and dead branches from trees.

• Avoid pruning spring flowering shrubs to ensure spring flowers.

• Handpick bagworms to reduce problem infestation next year.

n FLOWERS

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

• Dig, divide or plant peonies.

• Divide perennials, especially spring bloomers.

• Remove seed heads from perennials to prevent reseeding in the garden.

• Plant chrysanthemums for fall color.

• Dig gladiolus as foliage begins to yellow and air-dry before storing for winter.

• Clean up garden areas to reduce insects and disease as plants dieback for winter.

• Enrich soil by adding organic matter such as compost.

• Soil test for the next growing season.

n VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

• Continue to harvest vegetables.

• Pick apples and pears and store in a cool place to extend freshness.

• Harvest pumpkins when flesh is completely orange, and avoid carrying by the stem.

• Harvest winter squash when the rind cannot be punctured with your fingernail.

• Plant lettuce, spinach and radishes for fall harvest.

• Remove weeds from garden plantings before going to seed.

• Tender herbs can be dug from the garden and placed in pots for indoor use this winter.

• Remove small tomatoes to increase late development of more mature fruits.

• Spade or till garden plots incorporating fallen leaves or grass clippings to improve soil.

• Plant garlic cloves for next year’s crop.

n HOUSEPLANTS

• Bring plants in before temperatures drop into the 50s.

• Clean and wash before moving indoors to reduce insects.

• Fertilize before winter conditions arrive and growth slows.

• Poinsettias can be forced into Christmas bloom by starting dark treatment.

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.

Converting Non-native Landscapes to Prairie Grasses and Wildflowers

Debbie’s Lawn Busters Custom Designed Landscaping Installation & Maintenance

Established 1975

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Friday, September 23 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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Powell Gardens 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 Kingsville, MO 64061 Register at grownative.org Questions? Call 888-843-6739

Learn from five great speakers how

1601 Tudor Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO (816) 525-4226

to establish and maintain native plantings.

Registration fee includes lunch, handouts, and tour of prairie plantings at Powell Gardens.

• Rabbits, chipmunks, moles, groundhogs, mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, snakes and bats • Woodpeckers, starlings, pigeons, sparrows and geese • Repairs and chimney caps • Wildlife biologist on staff • Licensed and insured • Celebrating 23 years of service NOW OFFERING: Attic Insulation & Removal GENERAL PEST CONTROL: Specializing in Termite Control and Termite Treatments. Termidor or Hex-Pro Baiting Systems.

MO 816-769-3106 • KS 913-338-3330 Improving our planet one customer at a time.

26

September 2016 | kcgmag.com

www.catchitwildlife.com

MARIA’S FAMOUS BELGIAN MUMS ARE BACK!

10 huge mums on sale for $66.89 It’s time for lawn renovation and aeration

Dig for more at kcgmag.com GAR RENEDREN GAR DGEANRED E Be 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 th

ly Gu id e to A Mon thly Su cc Guid e to SuccOctober 2014 es sf ul essfu l Gard Garde ning Ga rd enin g to Succe ssful en August 2015 in g A Month ly Guide

yond th e Wate Butterflies and Bee s Love These rlilies nts Pla ky oo Sp for the October

• Find a Professional for the next project

R

July

2015

Garden

ity with Grasses Beauty and Divers een Not Just for HallowCall 811 Orange and Black: Lemo rd of Digth Control BeforeBiYou n Park ly: Beau for Better WeedsDayli eM ty for More Identif Decisyion Time: ThanBu a tte Dayrfl onth: Blue ShouSeeded In the Newly ld You Lawn bird of g y Remove Ask andExpe Feedin YourGaAsh rdenTree Conserva rts about weed Proper Carethe with tories control, oozin g sap and more Marvin Snyder

Magazine archives

• See where to pick up the current issue • Hotlines to answer your questions • Weather report and planting dates • Look for garden clubs • Upcoming events

WEB ARTICLE

Continue the benefits of vegetable gardening into the fall As summer begins to come to a close, many people turn their attention to their favorite fall activities. However, even the most avid gardener may be unaware of the opportunities that await those who are willing to brave the heat. Read the entire article at KCGMAG.COM.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center 1401 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, MO 64015

For more information about these and other events, email burr.oak@mdc.mo.gov.

Monarch Tagging September 10 ∙ Saturday ∙ 9:30–10:30 AM or 11–Noon Registration required by calling 816-228-3766 (all ages) Monarch butterflies are now migrating to their winter home in central Mexico, and we are ready to tag them! Become a scientist for a day by capturing, tagging and releasing Monarchs and other unique butterflies.

Conservation Kids Club: Fishing Plus September 22 ∙ Thursday ∙ 6:30–8 PM Registration required by calling 816-228-3766 (ages 7–13) Who lives in a pond? Fish, frogs and even insects all call ponds home. Join us as we discover the wild communities in the Burr Oak Woods pond.

We will be fishing, frogging and using nets to catch aquatic insects and other invertebrates.

Bountiful Autumn September 27 ∙ Tuesday ∙ 1–3 PM Registration required by calling 816-228-3766 (adults) Discover pawpaws, persimmons and other native fruits. We will take an identification hike and then learn to prepare delicious dishes from nature’s bounty.

Professional’s Corner

Ron Sanell

What I do: I have been in the landscape design and exterior maintenance industry for 32 years. I enjoy helping homeowners beautify their surroundings and my company has earned a reputation of executing excellence at a fair price. My crew leader, Zack Conway

owner, operator of Affordable Landscape Company (pictured right), has been working with me for the last three years. He has six years of experience in the industry and nine years in construction that included decks and fences.

Education: We continue to attend industry educational programs to keep up on latest trends and developments. For example, we’re learning about new paints and solutions used for restoration projects. We also keep an eye on the trend of stone used in building retaining walls. We believe our job includes being the facilitator of new information to our clients.

From start to finish Zack and I believe in working as a team with our clients to help with product decisions, design installations and exterior maintenance. We are committed to completing the job on time and within budget.

Let’s talk specifics: If you have a project that could use the expertise of a professional team, give us a call. We’ll handle all the details, from start to finish. Whether it’s a landscape plan and selecting the right plant for the right place, or the restoration of your deck or fence, we want to make those projects easy for you.

What’s your addiction? Those who know me well know I’m kind of a sports nut.

Specifically, I play a lot of tournament softball. And other times I’ll play racquet ball, and work on my weightlifting.

Growing up I wanted to be: The owner of a retaurant.

The best advice I ever got: Keep an open mind and have good communication skills.

Common landscaping mistakes: Too often I see gardeners make planting mistakes.

Planting trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals without a plan can have an unfavorable result.

Using a professionally created landscape plan will save time and money.

What every gardener should know: When you call us for an appointment, we will respond. We will be on time, or will call to update the arrival time. Most importantly, we will listen to you, noting your project desires.

Favorite public gardens: Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical gardens.

How to contact Ron: email ronsanell@ gmail.com; phone 913-526-0515

The Kansas City Gardener | September 2016

27

SEPTEMBER IS FOR PLANTING

Fall Into Color

TIME TO REPOT!

Tree & Shrub SALE

POTTERY

End of Season

Inventory Clearance EVENT! s start ept. 10 day S r u t a S Tree-mendous Selection

Up to 50% off

Choose from Thousands of Beautiful Fall-Flowering Hardy Mums, all grown on our own farm and ready to bring color and excitement to your garden.

MUMS

Tree Sale is at our Wornall & Prairie Star locations

How May We Help You? call 816-941-4700 P Lawn Aeration & Overseeding P Fall Lawn Fertilization P Shrub Trimming

Sale lists available at:

www.suburbanlg.com/Events

105th & Roe 28

913-649-8700

September 2016 | kcgmag.com

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

135th & Wornall 816-942-2921