Events

Look at what is happening around Kansas City 

If you’d like to list plants sales, gardening related meetings, classes and workshops, send details with contact information to [email protected]. Deadline for publishing in the June issue is May 10. This is a FREE listing.

 

Garden Club of Shawnee
Thurs, May 1, 7p; at Shawnee Town 1927’s Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. K-State Extension Master Gardener Jen Stefanchik will talk to us about “Gardening with Herbs.” This will be our spring plant, seed and bulb exchange. As always, visitors are welcome. Please visit our website gardenclubofshawnee.org and our Facebook page for more information.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society
Sun, May 18, 1:30-3:30p; at Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. We will learn the procedures and prep guidelines for submitting our plants in a judged show and in the various categories with which to enter our plants. How to use the best pot, proper botanical name labeling and top dressing a plant for its best look is important. Discussion of how a judged show works, especially for newcomers who are first time participants, will be described. Refreshments will be served and everyone is invited to attend.

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners
Wed, May 14, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Rick Spurgeon, tree expert and forester, will share Stories of the Champion Trees of Kansas. Discussion will include information on identifying, measuring and the splendor of a champion tree. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more info contact Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

Raytown Garden Club
Tues, May 6, 10a; at Connection Point Church, 10500 E 350 Hwy, Raytown, MO 64138. Program will be “Shade Gardening to Enhance Our Earth”, presented by Sherri Carter, Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau. Guests are always welcome. For more information please check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub.

SHOWS | PLANTS SALES | SPEAKER SERIES

Wyandotte Co EMG Plant Sale
Fri, May 2, 9a-5p and Sat, May 3, 9a-2p; at the Wildcat Room of the Extension Office, 1200 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. The Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners will be conducting their annual plant sale. There will be vegetables, herbs, perennials, berries, ornamental grasses and more grown by the EMGs. Proceeds fund the EMG educational programming. Cash, checks, and debit and credit cards accepted. 913-299-9300.

Garden Treasures Sale
May 2 and 3, 9a-5p; at 12201 Aberdeen Rd, Leawood, KS. Plants, pots, tools, decor and FREE hot dogs. A Faith Missions benefit for women and children in Rwanda and Uganda.

Liberty’s Town and Country Garden Club Annual Plant Share
Sat, May 3, 8a-noon; at Rotary Plaza, downtown Liberty (100 W Franklin). We invite you to stop by for free garden plants and share your own if you wish. No early birds please.

Platte County MG Plant Sale
Sat, May 3, 10a-3p and Sun, May 4, Noon-3p; in the Greenhouse located at the Northland Career Center, 1801 Branch St, Platte City, MO 64079. This 1st annual plant sale will offer a variety of perennials, natives, annuals and herbs. The sale happens rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the MU Extension Master Gardeners of Platte County. www.plattecountymastergardeners.org; [email protected]

Olathe Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale
Tues, May 6, 4-7:00p, Wed, May 7, 8a-12p; at 18505 W 114th St, Olathe, KS 66061. Come get some great new plants for your outdoor and indoor spaces while helping us raise money. This is our annual fundraiser for all of our philanthropic and educational activities throughout the year! *Credit & Electronic Payments Accepted in addition to cash/check!* You may find perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, flowers, pollinator-friendly plants, shade plants, sun-loving plants, house plants, and artisan-made garden decor! Come meet the members of Kansas’ oldest garden club; established in 1929. Plant love and knowledge will be freely shared!

Spring Iris Show
Sat, May 10, Set up and entries: 8a, Judging starting 10:30a, Iris Show 12-4p; at the Social Hall in Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Presented by Greater Kansas City Iris Society. Anyone may enter the Horticultural Division, with the correct AIS approved name of a variety. Artistic arrangements can entered using unnamed iris as the dominant flower(s) in the design. For complete Show Schedule, please contact Carolyn Ash at [email protected]. Mark your calendars for our Public Iris Sale, Aug 23, at the same location.

Spring Open House & Plant Fundraiser
Sat, May 10, 8a-2p; at Monarch Watch, KU West Campus, Lawrence, KS. https://monarchwatch.org/events. We will have thousands of plants available, and all are ideal for starting butterfly gardens or adding to established gardens and can contribute to the health of monarch and pollinator populations. Our Spring Open House & Plant Fundraiser will be primarily an outdoor event, and there will be tours of our gardens, games, activities, monarch butterflies, caterpillars, and lots of butterfly plants for your own garden! Online ordering of plants will be available in advance (mid-April), and details will be posted soon.

Free Family Fun: Miami County Farm Tour Showcases Local Agriculture
May 10-11. Discover the heart of Eastern Kansas agriculture during the free Miami County Farm Tour. This self-guided tour invites visitors to explore 12 diverse farms, offering hands-on educational experiences and a glimpse into rural life amidst the county’s scenic beauty. Although this event is child friendly, each site is a working farm. Visitors are asked to encourage to respect for the farm’s operations, plants and animals. Pets should be left at home. For more information about the farm tour or to receive a map of the sites please call 913-294-4045. www.MiCoFarmTour.com

Discover The Beauty of Historic Rockhill—Garden & Architecture Tour
Sat, May 17, 10a-4p. The Rockhill neighborhood is celebrating its Golden Jubilee. It’s been 50 years since Rockhill was designated an historic district and 125 years since William Rockhill Nelson developed the neighborhood. This is a walking tour* featuring over 35 homes of architectural interest and entrance into 8 beautiful gardens. Each ticket entitles you to a tour bracelet for garden entrance and a 32-page full color brochure filled with history, architecture, garden information and a map of the tour. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will be providing EMG volunteers to help visitors with the tour. Volunteers at the Public Relations Table will also be presenting information on MGGKC programs. *People with disabilities may park in the neighborhood. The Rockhill neighborhood is located just east of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Parking will be available in the lot of the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden at 4800 Rockhill Rd. The Welcome Tent will be across from the parking lot at 532 Pierce St. Purchase tickets at https://rhgctour.com.

Lee’s Summit Farmers Market
Saturdays, May 17, 24 and 31, 7:30a-12p. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will be at Lee’s Summit Farmers Market, with the Public Relations Table, presenting programs on pollinators and IPM/cultural controls. Extension Master Gardeners will also be promoting The MGGKC Garden Tour and selling tickets. Free to the public, children under 16 welcome when accompanied by an adult. Public Parking Lot at corner of Second and Douglas Streets, Lee’s Summit, MO.

Native Plant Sale
Sat, May 17, 10a-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110. Missouri Prairie Foundation

Fourth Fridays Art Walk
Fri, May 23, 5-8p; Downtown Lee’s Summit, near the intersection of Southwest Third St and Southwest Main St, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081. Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street presents Fourth Fridays Art Walk. The Art Walk showcases local artists, live music performances, along with participating shops and restaurants. The theme for May is “Art Grows Here.” The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will provide a Children’s Activity called “Plant Parts” with vegetable art printing. The Gardens of Unity Village will provide the produce for this art activity. The Hotline and “Helping You Learn to Grow” brochures will be available for adults. Free to the public. Children are welcome with adult supervision.

Native Plant Sale
Sat, May 24, 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. lenexa.com/nativeplantsale.

African Violet Show and Sale
Fri, May 30, 9a-5p, and Sat, May 31, 9a-3p; at DoubleTree by Hilton Kansas City-Overland Park, 10100 College Blvd. The African Violet Society of America is holding its 79th annual convention show and sale. The show and sales room is open to the public, $5 admission fee. Find varieties not available to the public at this event! africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org.

Kansas City Rose Show
Sat, May 31; at Loose Park Garden Center. Free and open to all rose gardeners with assistance provided for first-time exhibitors. Classes for live blooms and rose photographs. Entries accepted from 8-11am. Visit https://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.

Kansas City Rose Day
Sun, Jun 1, 1-4p; at Laura Conyers Smith Rose Garden in Loose Park. View the results of the Rose Show in the Garden Center with hundreds of blue-ribbon winners and gleaming trophies. In the garden, enjoy family activities, live entertainment, and an afternoon of beauty in this world-renowned rose garden. Free to everyone. Visit www.kansascityrosesociety.org for further information.

Fox Hollow Festival
Sun, Jun 1, 12-5p (12-2:30p for MGGKC activities); at Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 East Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64132. 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. MGGKC activities will be 12-2:30p. From 2:30 to 5p, enjoy festival activities such as food trucks, live music, and adult beverages. For more info visit https://lakesidenaturecenter.org/event/fox-hollow-fest-2/

MGGKC Garden Tour
Jun 6 and 7, 9a-4p; Lee’s Summit. Join MU Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City (MGGKC) for our 2025 Garden Tour. Featuring 7 beautiful gardens in Lee’s Summit. The gardens—Viva Vegetables, Naturally Natives, Tree Tales, Cul-de-Sac Creations, Suburban Sanctuary, Lakeside Lessons, and Artistic Designs—provide unique experiences to delight both experienced and novice gardeners. Visitors will be inspired by the blending of art, native plants, vegetables mingled with traditional plantings, environmentally friendly gardening practices, secluded spaces, and plant specimens not always seen in residential settings. Tickets are $20 per person (children 12 and under attend free of charge) and can be bought online, in person, and at select retailers. For online tickets please find the following link: https://form.jotform.com/250194247684059. Tickets may be picked up at the “Will Call” table at Garden 1, Viva Vegetables. The address for Viva Vegetables “Will Call” will be included with your purchase receipt. On-site purchases at Garden 1, Viva Vegetables, can be made using cash, credit, debit, or check. Please visit mggkc.org/our-projects/garden-tour/ for complete details.

Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society Annual Spring Plant Sale
Sat, Jun 7, 9am-2pm; at Woods Chapel Community of Christ Church, 500 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064. The sale features over 1200 plants including 68 varieties of Hosta and plenty of shade/part shade perennials! Prices start at $10 and we have all sizes of Hosta from mini to giant to suit all size gardens. This sale is open to the public. Sale list with pictures and descriptions will be available on the club website prior to the sale. For more information please visit www.HeartlandHosta.club or the Facebook page www.Facebook.com/HeartlandHostaandShadePlantSociety/.

Northeastern Kansas Beekeepers Association Funday Expo
Sat, Jun 7, 8a-6p; at Douglas County Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS, 2120 Harper St, Lawrence, KS 66046. Funday is an exciting annual event for beekeepers in the Midwest. This fun learning opportunity is for beekeepers with all levels of experience. There will be national and local speakers, a swarm demo with a bee beard competition, a marking the queen activity, in-hive demos, honey and wax workshops. Sessions include gardening for wildlife, designing a honey house, winter preparations, and swarm management. Also included is lunch, honey ice cream, vendors, silent auction, and more. There will also be a queen rearing workshop for the first 25 participants to contact Joli Winer at 913-593-3562. New this year is a photography contest and decorative hive painting competition. To learn more and to register visit www.nekba.org.

Garden Sampler Tour
Sat, Jun 14, 9a-5p, Rain or Shine. Got the winter blahs? Already scanning the seed catalogs for the newest plants? Save the Date of June 14 for the ever-popular, Garden Club of Shawnee’s Garden Sampler Tour. Visit https://gardenclubofshawnee.org for latest information regarding Club and tour event.

 

CLASSES | WORKSHOPS

Grow Your Knowledge: Gardening Tips & Hands-On Fun for Kids!
Sat, Jun 14, 8-11:30a; at The Gardens at Unity Village, 150 B Colbern Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO. Step into a century of history and nostalgia at The Gardens at Unity Village Produce Market. Nestled behind the iconic three-story barn, three cultivated acres yield a bounty of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. Volunteers from the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will be on hand to share expert, research-based gardening knowledge with the community. Children can take part in a hands-on educational activity, discovering the wonders of gardening and plant life. This free event welcomes all ages, and no registration is required.

Produce Market at The Gardens at Unity Village
Sat, Jun 14, 8-11:30a; at Unity Village, 150B Northwest Colbern Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086. Step into a century of history and nostalgia at The Gardens at Unity Village Produce Market. Nestled behind the iconic three-story barn, three cultivated acres yield a bounty of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. Volunteers from the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will be on hand to share expert, research-based gardening knowledge with the community. Children can take part in a hands-on educational activity, discovering the wonders of gardening and plant life. This free event welcomes all ages, and no registration is required.

Garden Railroad Tour
Sat, Jul 12, 8a-4p; Sat, Jul 26, 8a-4p; and Sat, Aug 23, 8a-4p. Adults and kids are invited to tour a variety of unique train gardens at homes in the greater Kansas City area. They are like a miniature world with model trains running through garden landscaping, with small houses and buildings, trees, plants, water features, bridges and tunnels. The admission for this self-guided tour is $10 per car which includes seeing all the gardens on tour. The host, MO-KAN Garden Railroaders will donate 50 percent of the proceeds to Harvesters. For tickets and tour guide, go to www.mokangardenrailroaders.org.

Miami County Fall Garden Tour
Sep 5-6, 9a-5p. Five unique country gardens, rain or shine. “A September to Remember”.Sponsored by K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners, 913-294-4306.

Wake Up Your Garden
Sat, May 3, 9-11a; at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 Northwest Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Time to shake off Winter’s final cold grip and wake up our garden beds! Burr Oak Woods Nature Center’s “Wake Up Your Garden” Work and Learn, will feature a cleanup of last year’s old growth while uncovering and identifying our Spring seedlings. All hand tools and gloves will be provided; however, participants are welcome to bring their own. Water will be available onsite, but please bring a water bottle. Learning objectives will include identifying spring ephemerals, telling the difference between a weed and an intentionally planted species, and learning common garden maintenance practices for spring. Registration is required and participants must be 18 or older. There is a maximum number of 20 participants. The sign-up is available at Events | Missouri Department of Conservation. Questions? Contact Burr Oak Woods, phone 816.228.3766, or email [email protected].

Bucket Gardening in Small Spaces
Thurs, May 8, 6:30p; at Basehor Community Library, 1400 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Have you always wanted a garden but have been limited on space or time? Bucket gardening is a great way to grow your favorite herbs and veggies with a minimal amount of space and effort. Growing in buckets also keeps weeds and pests to a minimum. Just water regularly and make sure your buckets are in a sunny location. You can harvest your crops all the way to the first frost for many types of plants. Come to our presentation with Master Gardener, Dianne Scott, to learn how to set up your own bucket garden. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

Gardens of Slavery in the American South
Thurs, May 8, 11:30a; at the Wy Co Extension Office, Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th Street, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Alleen Van Bebber, Johnson County Extension Master Gardener. Much has been known and written about the urban and plantation gardens of landowners in the Colonies and then in the southern states before the Civil War. But recently our popular national attention has been turned to the personal gardens of slaves in the American South. New articles, books, and especially cookbooks, are now readily available, many of them written by people of color who are exploring and honoring their own heritages.This presentation is limited to discussing the gardening lives of slaves in the rural south between the 1600s and the Civil War, as described by those who lived in those times. Much of the historical record was set down by slaveholders and visiting writers, but the record also was made by slaves who could read and write, along with white people who were indentured servants and often were treated as slaves. It is a rich and varied record, and it tells us much about gardening for survival, as well as the universal love of gardening shared by people of all social and economic status in every generation, time, and place. From Colonial plots to the Victory Gardens of both World Wars, it was not just varying soil types and weather that dictated how we built our rural and urban gardens. She is fascinated by the cultural and societal differences that made America’s home gardens look so different in different times or places. She hopes others will enjoy mind-traveling, and maybe some will even replicate a historic garden of their own. She will include showing how to draw maps! Alleen’s gardening habit started as a fifth-generation SE Kansas farm girl. She has lived, practiced law, and gardened in Johnson County for 35 years and became a Johnson County EMG in 1998. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 class fee (cash or check) will be collected at the door. Questions can be directed to 913-299-9300.

Bearded Iris – The Basics
Thurs, May 15, 7p; at Leavenworth Public Llibrary, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Diana Thurlow and Dana Joras will provide information about growing bearded iris, including the benefits of having these beautiful flowers in your garden beds and how to care for the plants. Discussion will include how and when to plant and divide iris so they multiply and produce blooms year after year, as well as information on local iris resources. Iris specimens will be on display. The class is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

Summer Youth Gardening Program
Univ of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City is conducting a summer gardening program for youth ages 9-13. In the Garden ‘N Grow Program, youths learn not only vegetable gardening, but also “cultivate” other science, math, and language arts skills and have fun! The goals of this program are to experience the fun of gardening, to enjoy a feeling of success, and to have the satisfaction of sharing harvested food with family and/or local food banks. Program will be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 9-11a, from Jun 2 thru Aug 14 at Fairview Christian in Gladstone. Registration is required—NO Walk-ins. There is a supply fee of $45 payable by check or cash at the first week of Garden N Grow. For more information contact Debbie Johnson, Extension Master Gardener at [email protected] or Cass Sullivan, Extension Master Gardener at [email protected].