Events

CLUB MEETINGS

Garden Club of Shawnee
Thurs, Apr 4, 7p; at Shawnee Town 1927 Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. “Designing a Native Garden” presented by K-State Extension Master Gardener Mae Christenson. As always, we will serve drinks and snacks, and great door prizes will be given away. Visitors are always welcome! Please visit our website gardenclubofshawnee.org and our Facebook page for more information.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society
Sun, Apr 21, 1:30-3:30p; at Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. Join us for a roundtable discussion on “Moving Plants Outdoors and Early Season Bug Management.” As we begin to transition our plants outside, how do we know where to best place them? Do plants require shady locations, a few hours of morning sun, or several hours of direct sun? We’ll hear from avid growers and share everyone’s plans for keeping our plants healthy from pesky insects and critters. Learn from experienced hobbyists and share your own thoughts. Feel free to bring a plant you enjoy outdoors and that does well for you. Refreshments will be served and we invite anyone to attend.

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners
Wed, Apr 10, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Our speaker is Linda Suttlehan, owner of Bramble Rose Farm in Basehor KS. Come and hear how she and her husband started Bramble Rose Farm. She will discuss their gardening techniques; vegetables and fruits they like to grow and how they incorporated their daughters into the farm business. She will share the successes and failures they have had over the last 9 years. Linda will also talk about her value added products and where they can be purchased. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

Leawood Garden Club
Tues, Apr 23, 10:30a; at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206. “Seed Saving – The Pros and Cons.” Are you thinking about saving seeds from this year’s garden? This presentation will share the pros and cons to help you decide if seed saving is for you. Speaker is Sherri Carter. Sherri Carter became an Extension Master Gardener in 2015 and received Advanced Master Gardener Certification in 2021. In MGGKC, she is currently MGGKC Vice President and Past Chair of the Membership Committee. Her projects include Speakers Bureau, Video Production Team and Blue Springs Historical Museum Historical Garden Committee. At home, her garden focus is shade gardens and organic vegetable gardening using raised beds.

MoKan Daylily Club
Sat, Apr 6; at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W 75th St, Prairie Village. The meeting starts at 10:30a with a meet and greet, followed by a pot luck lunch, presentation and short business meeting. The guest speaker is Bobby Scott, a daylily hybridizer from central Oklahoma. Bobby, with his father Bob Scott Sr, operate Topgun Daylilies, and is sure to present an interesting overview of their hybridizing program. Guests are welcome to attend. Questions about the club or meeting can be emailed to [email protected].

Olathe Garden & Civic Club
Tues, Apr 16, 1-2:30p, at Grace Church, 11485 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS. *Free to attend and open to the public, club membership not required.* Please join us for our monthly club meeting and annual plant sale preparation discussion. Our annual plant sale is our only fundraiser that supports all our philanthropic efforts and charitable donations in the local community. Plant donations are always needed (perennials & annuals), in addition to help with perennial digging, dividing, and potting up. Please join us if you’d like more information about how you can help!

Raytown Garden Club
Tues, Apr 2, 10a; at Connection Point Church, Raytown, MO. Program will be “Rain Gardens Improve the Well-being of our Earth” presented by Pete Loughlin, Professional Landscape Architect. Guests are always welcome. For more information please check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub 

Greater Kansas City Water Garden Society
Tues, Apr 16; doors open at 5:30p for snacks and socializing. Announcements and the business portion of the meeting begins at 6:30p. Presentation will follow at about 7p at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 2552 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. Spring fever is in the air. Bob Schmuck is our featured speaker and gardener extraordinaire. Bob and Frances’s yard has been featured on the cover of magazines and is a destination for plant lovers everywhere. He will begin the evening with a little 1,2,3 refresher on opening your pond with some special tips for everyone. Soil mixtures for your plants is a passionate topic for Bob. He will be sharing what he considers key ingredients for distinct types of plants along with types of fertilizers to use. The timing of these applications is critical for success. Learn some secrets from a veteran gardener. Visit us on Facebook or our website kcwatergardens.com   

Orchid Delirium
Powell Gardens reopened to the public March 1 after a two-month respite. Orchid Delirium is scheduled March 1 through April 14. For more info, visit powellgardens.org.

Eat Local & Organic Expo
Sat, Apr 6, 9a-3p; at Johnson County Community College. Free admission, Free Parking. Kick off farmers market season. Shop with more than 30 KC Food Circle™ farmers who pledge to meet high standards for growing plants and mushrooms, beekeeping and raising animals. Attendees can talk directly with farmers as they sign up for weekly farm shares, buy transplants for their gardens, and get the freshest early spring products for their dinner tables. eatlocalexpokc.com. The Expo was created to help KC Food Circle farmers get a boost of income at the start of farmers market season. Here are the pledges farmers agree to so consumers can shop with confidence https://www.kchealthykids.org/farmers-pledges.html

Habitat Garden Tour
Sat, Apr 13, Merriam. Deep Roots announces Habitat Gardens, a new program that invites the public to three local residential native plant gardens every month. Many Kansas Citians are seeking to grow native plants due to concerns about climate change, habitat loss, and the decimation of bird and insect populations. Their efforts, however, may be stymied by challenges like which native plants to choose and where to find them. (Native plants are unavailable at box stores and conventional garden centers.) With Habitat Garden Tours, aspiring wildlife gardeners can visit private native gardens grown by everyday people, in yards much like their own. Friendly garden hosts and other native gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and offer information, plant lists and helpful resources. REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/habitat-garden-tours-tickets-855388408757. For more information sign up for The Pollinator, the free Deep Roots e-newsletter.

Annual Orchid Auction and Sale
Sun, Apr 14, 2-4p; at Merriam Community Center, a fundraiser for the Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City. Wide variety of orchids in flower in a live auction, along with table sales of orchids starting at $5. Free admission and open to the public. www.osgkc.org and on Facebook.

Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market
Sat, Apr 20, 8a-noon; at Public Parking Lot at corner of Second and Douglas Streets, Lee’s Summit, MO. Come visit the outdoor Farmer’s Market, sponsored by Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, Inc. Local growers and artisans offer garden-fresh produce and products for the community. The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will be on hand to celebrate Earth Day with research-based information, a Missouri native plant seed bomb demonstration, and a children’s activity teaching how plants are pollinated, and how Missouri native plants provide food and shelter for butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects. Free to the public.

Earth Day Celebration
Sat, Apr 20, 10a-2p; at Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 East Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64132. Lakeside Nature Center will celebrate Earth Day with information about the wildlife of Swope Park, learning about preservation while exploring the forest, pond, and marsh around the property, and making wildflower or milkweed seed balls. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Children’s Program will be presenting “What’s in a Seed.” Children will learn about the anatomy of a seed by dissection and observation. They will also discover the ways that seeds are dispersed, and why seeds are an important food source. This event is free to the public, all ages welcome. For more information visit https://lakesidenaturecenter.org/event/earth-day-activities/ or https://extension.missouri.edu/events/extension-master-gardeners-at-earth-day-celebration.

Native Plant Sale
Sat, Apr 20, 10a-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Presented by GrowNative (www.grownative.org) and Missouri Prairie Foundation (www.moprairie.org).

Paola Spring Plant Sale
Apr 25, 26, 27; in the parking lot at the K-State Extension Office, 913 N Pearl (Old KC Road), Paola, KS. Thurs 9a to 5p, Fri 9a to 6p, and Sat 9a to 1p. The sale will feature pesticide-free locally grown plants. In addition to the usual selection of butterfly host plants, pollinator flowers and native perennials, there will be ornamental annuals, perennials, herbs, succulents, hanging baskets, trees and veggies. Extension Master Gardeners, including butterfly expert Lenora Larson, will be on hand to assist shoppers throughout the sale. Credit Cards welcome! More info at www.maraisdescygnes.ksu.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdcemg or call the office: 913-294-4306.

Thyme For Kids Plant Sale benefiting Cornerstones of Care
Fri, Apr 26, 9a-6p and Sat, Apr 27, 9a-4p; at Ozanam Campus Greenhouse, 421 E 137th St, Kansas City, MO 64145. Free to attend and open to the public, your purchase supports our horticultural therapy program and Build Trybe, a mentorship program empowering youth with employable skills and connecting them to culinary, construction and horticulture career opportunities. Visit cornerstonesofcare.org/plantsale. 

Raytown Garden Club Plant Sale
Sat, Apr 27, 8a-noon (or until plants are sold out); The club will celebrate Earth Day at Cave Spring Interpretive Center, 8701 E Gregory Blvd. We will have a sale of properly named plants and members will be available to answer questions from the public.

Northwest Missouri Master Gardener Plant Sale
Fri, Apr 26, 8a-4p and Sat, Apr 27, 8a-2p; at Missouri Western University, St Joseph at 4125 Mitchell Ave. The sale will feature many unusual varieties of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. We will also have lots of herbs and milkweed. Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions and help with purchases. Cash or check only please.

Moonlight On the Veranda
Fri, Apr 26, 5-8p; at Greenwood Vintage Market, 502 W Main St, Greenwood, MO 64034 (Lower Level). $10, Advance tickets required. A garden filled, limited entry event and first dibs on all the wonderful decor, furniture, beautiful plants and more before the general public. All tickets come with a gift bag and entry into a grand prize giveaway. Ticket sales through Apr 21 unless sold out. For tickets, go to facebook.com/GreenwoodVintageMarket/events/, the link to the tickets is in the event.

On the Veranda Garden Show
Sat, Apr 27, 9a-3p; at Greenwood Vintage Market (Lower Level) Free Admission: A show for garden lovers. Come shop wonderful garden decor, outdoor furniture, plants and more! 816-537-7172

Spring Native Plant Sale benefiting Shawnee Indian Mission
Sat, Apr 27, 9a-1p; at 3403 W 53rd St, Fairway, KS 66205, Shawnee Indian Mission East Building parking lot. Please join us again for our Spring Sale. Shop in person for Native Plants at the beautiful Mission. Pre-shop and pre-order through April 23 from Missouri Wildflower Nursery. Their online catalog will inform your selections. Please note/mention that you are ordering for the Mission when you order. Your purchase benefits the Mission as contributions are based on sales. 

Native Plant Sale
Sat, Apr 27, 8a-noon; at Lenexa Farmers Market, 17201 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 66219. Discover a vibrant variety of landscaping options. Browse grasses, flowers, and other plants from local vendors. For more information, lenexa.com/farmersmarket.

Arrow Rock Birds, Bees, and Blooms Festival
Sat, Apr 27, 10a-4p; at Missouri River Bird Observatory, 406 Main St, Arrow Rock, MO 65302. This fun and informative festival highlights Missouri’s native pollinators, flowering plants, birds, and other wildlife. Enjoy hands-on educational demonstrations celebrating the natural world. Hike the many nature trails around Arrow Rock with nature experts from Missouri River Bird Observatory. Join us for flowers, feathers, food, and fun! Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Children’s Programs will be presenting “Pollinators: Not Just Bees and Butterflies.” Children can learn about other living and non-living ways plants are pollinated, and discover these pollinators work by day and night. There will be an experiment using an insect to pollinate paper flowers and learn ways to help pollinators in their own home and community. For more information, contact Experience Arrow Rock at 660-837-3231, MRBO at 660-837-3888, or https://arrowrock.org/events/birds-bees-blooms-2/

Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale
Fri, May 3, 9a-5p, and Sat, May 4, 9a-2p; at Wildcat Room of the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. There will be vegetables, fruits, herbs, perennials, and annuals for sale. Cash, checks, and debit/credit cards accepted.

Plant Sale
Fri, May 3, 9a-4p, and Sat, May 4, 9a-2p; at 1200 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS  66112. Sponsored by Wyandotte County Master Gardeners.

Plant Sale at Firebranch Farm
Fri, May 3 10a-7p and Sat, May 4 9a-4p; at 138  120th, Newton KS  67114 (1/2 mile west of Goessel). Tacos available Sat 11a-1p.

Liberty’s Home & Garden Club Annual Community Plant Share
Sat, May 4, 8a-noon; at the Rotary Plaza in downtown Liberty, Missouri, (100 West Franklin St). We invite you to stop by for free plants to add to your garden.

Garden Treasures Sale
Sat, May 4, 9a-5p; at 12201 Aberdeen Rd, Leawood, KS. A Faith Missions benefit for women and children in Rwanda and Uganda. Plants, pots, tools, décor and free hot dogs!

Native Plant Sale
Sat, May 11, 10a-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Presented by GrowNative (www.grownative.org) and Missouri Prairie Foundation (www.moprairie.org).

Native Plant Sale
Sat, May 18, 8a-noon; at Lenexa Farmers Market, 17201 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 66219. Discover a vibrant variety of landscaping options. Browse grasses, flowers, and other plants from local vendors. For more information, lenexa.com/farmersmarket.

Kansas City Rose Show
Sat, Jun 1; at the Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO. As usual, the show is free and open to all rose growers with assistance provided for first time exhibitors. There will be Classes for live blooms and rose photographs. Entries will be accepted from 8-11a. Visit www.kansascityrosesociety.org for the Show handbook with Class lists and Show rules. Also find links to tips on how to grow and show prize-winning roses there.

Kansas City Rose Society Rose Day
Sun, Jun 2, 1-5pm in the Loose Park Rose Garden. You can view the results of the Rose Show with hundreds of blue ribbons winners and beautiful silver trophies in the Garden Center. In the Rose Garden you can enjoy many family activities, live entertainment, and an afternoon of beauty in this world-renowned rose garden.

MOMGA’24 Headed to St Joseph
The Northwest Missouri Master Gardeners will host the 2024 Missouri Master Gardener Conference September 27-29. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Doug Tallamy, acclaimed author and advocate that we can all take an active role in stopping the decline in pollinators and wildlife populations by planting native plants to create a Homegrown National Park. The conference will offer a wide variety of classes, workshops, and tours. The conference will play host to the Vendor’s Marketplace which will run Saturday and Sunday. There also will be the popular raffle and silent auction offerings. Registration now open, and you’ll want to reserve your spot early. Be sure to check back often at momga.org/momga-conference for the latest information and ‘like’ the conference Facebook page, MOMGA’24.

 

From Seeds to Table: Growing Your Own Food
Thurs, Apr 4, 11:30a; at Wyandotte County, Kansas, Extension Office Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Nancy Chapman, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. In ground, raised beds, containers, trellises and perennials are all ways to fill a pantry! Everyone has a challenge, yet everyone can be successful. Learn the ins and outs of what to grow, growing requirements and pests of our common vegetables. Like raising children, there’s usually more than one way that works. During Q&A share what’s worked for you and we can learn from each other, too. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 fee, cash or check, will be payable at the door.

Herbs 101–Growing and Storing Herbs
Thurs, Apr 4, 6:30-7:30p; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn the basics of growing an herb garden. From site selection and soil preparation to harvesting and using. There will be time for questions. FREE, but space is limited, so please RSVP at 785-842-3081.

Macro Nature Photography
Sat, Apr 6, 9-11a; at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 Northwest Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Presenter: Ric Sweeting, Extension Master Gardener, and photographer. Capture the small details of emerging spring! We have lots of flowers and insects “waking up” and you have everything you need with your iPhone and camera to catch them at their best. Learn how to use the settings on your iPhone or camera to capture the emerging beauties of spring through various flowers and insects. Bring your iPhone and/or camera for a brief introduction on settings and then follow Extension Master Gardener, Ric Sweeting, on the trail to capture your best shot! This clinic is free to the public. Children aged 12 and up are welcome when accompanied by an adult. The clinic is limited to 25 participants, please contact [email protected] for registration information.

Creating a Pollinator Garden 101
Thurs, Apr 11, 6:30-7:30p; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn what it takes to create a garden that the Bees & Butterflies will love. There will be time for questions. FREE, but space is limited, so please RSVP at 785-842-3081.

Introduction to Vegetable Gardening
Tues, Apr 16, 2-3p; at KC Public Library – Sugar Creek Branch, 102 South Sterling Ave, Sugar Creek, MO 64054. Growing vegetables can be fun and rewarding. It might even save you some money! Getting the most from our crops is determined by our climate, location, and using space efficiently. And we all know, everything tastes better when it’s homegrown! An Extension Master Gardener from Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Speaker’s Bureau will discuss cool and warm season vegetables. Gardeners will learn when and where to plant, and other information you need to have a successful gardening season. Please register at https://extension.missouri.edu/events/introduction-to-vegetable-gardening-presented-at-sugar-creek-branch-of-kcmo-public-library.

Top 10 Annuals & Perennials
Thurs, Apr 18, 6:30-7:30p; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn about some of our favorite annuals and perennials and how to incorporate them into your landscape. There will be time for questions. FREE, but space is limited, so please RSVP at 785-842-3081.

Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Gardeners Gathering
Thurs, Apr 18, 6-8p; at Trails West Branch-Kansas City Public Library, 11401 E 23rd St, Independence, MO 64052. Missouri Department of Conservation Naturalist Lisa Richter, from Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, will be presenting “Efficient Gardening with Native Plants.” The discussion will focus on how designing native landscapes, keeping each plant’s growth behaviors in mind, will greatly reduce future maintenance. She will also talk about pollinator needs, growing conditions, and aesthetics. Finally, the seven categories of permaculture guilds, and the specific native plants best for each will be defined. Please register at https://extension.missouri.edu/events/efficient-gardening-with-native-plants.

Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden
Thurs, Apr 18, 7p; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners, Pat Matthews and Dianne Scott, will explore some quick facts about strawberries, explain different types of strawberries and share some planting and care information. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700. 

Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden
Wed, Apr 24, 6:30p; at Basehor Community Library, 1400 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners, Pat Matthews and Dianne Scott, will explore some quick facts about strawberries, explain different types of strawberries and share some planting and care information. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700. 

Water as a Resource
Wed, Apr 24, 1-2p; at George Owens Nature Park, 1601 Speck Rd, Independence, MO 64057. The human body is made up of 60% water. The Earth is made up of 70% water. We will discuss how we utilize water as a resource, how water can get polluted, where rainwater ends up after a storm, and what plants can do to help. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will be on hand to present information on rain gardens. This event is free to the public, all ages welcome. No registration required.

Buds and Bloom for Spring – Contained Excitement 
Thurs, May 9, 11:30a; at Wyandotte County, Kansas, Extension Office Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Jean Tinberg and Lynn Wild, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. An informative and in-depth class on Spring container gardening will feature floral and vegetable container planting using basic design principles, encompassing the art of color as well as container selection and placement. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 fee, cash or check, will be payable at the door.

Everything I Learned From a Tomato—the Taste of Summer with Sky Kurlbaum
Tues, May 14, 7-8p; at Merriam Community Center, Kessler/Loomis Rooms, 6040 Slater, Merriam, KS 66202. Part of the Gardeners Connect Member Supported Free Speaker Series. Free. Open to the public. No Reservations required.

Native Bees
Thurs, May 16, 10a; held in the Sunflower Room, Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Kristen Manion, current Education Specialist at the Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library and Environmental Learning Center in Wyandotte County, Kansas. She received her Master of Science degree from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden in 2021 and wrote her thesis on native, ground-nesting bees found in the prairie. Pollinators are seeing striking declines worldwide due to direct and indirect human activities. Among the most well-known pollinators is the honeybee, which pollinates many crops and is responsible for the commercial honey industry. However, honeybees are not native pollinators in North America but are native to Eurasia. Over 80% of all native plants (and many crops!) are pollinated by bees that are native to North America. In this talk, she will explain the difference between native bees and honeybees, go over the many different families of North American bees, how native bees help native plants, and what you can do to help protect native bees. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 class fee, payable by cash or check, will be collected at the door.

12 Months of Color in your Garden
Thurs, Jun 6, 11:30a; held in the Sunflower Room at the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th Street, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Anne Wildeboor, Horticulturalist at the Overland Park Arboretum. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 class fee, payable by cash or check, will be collected at the door.