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 May issue is April 10. This is a FREE listing.

 

Garden Club of Shawnee
Thurs, Apr 3, 7p; at Shawnee Town 1927’s Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. K-State Extension Master Gardener Merle Sharpe will talk about native plants. Visitors are always welcome. You can learn about us at our website gardenclubofshawnee.org and our Facebook page.

Greater Kansas City Iris Society
Mon, Apr 14, Gather starting 6:30p, Meeting 7-9p; at Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO. Program: Preparing and Grooming Iris for Show, Artistic Designing with Iris. We will share how to prepare single named specimens for show and Artistic Design arrangements for our judged Spring Show on May 10.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society
Sun, Apr 27, 1:30-3:30p; at Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. Our program will center on the tips and logistics of moving our plants outdoors. It’s about timing and how to properly place them in the best spots as we keep in mind sun and shade factors, times of day and watering schedules. Let’s share our successes and what we’ve learned from the past. We’ll also include our monthly show and tell: please bring a plant you want to show off or have questions about. Everyone is invited and refreshments will be served.

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners
Wed, Apr 10, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Douglas County Master Gardener Margaret Kramar will discuss “Sustainability: Inside and Out.” This discussion will include tips for sustainable gardening and some lifestyle pointers to help live more sustainably. 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 22, 10:30a; at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206. Speaker: Jennifer Stefanchik, Techniques to Boost your Vegetable Harvest. Have an interest in growing more of your own produce? Have a vegetable garden and want a better harvest? Whether new to food gardening or experienced, you are sure to learn new techniques that will have your harvest baskets overflowing with delicious, healthy, home-grown produce. Jennifer Stefanchik is an Extension Master Gardener with Johnson County, Kansas. From balconies in Chicago to large backyard gardens in Kansas, Jennifer has been growing vegetables for over 20 years. She enjoys sharing her gardening success stories to inspire vegetable gardeners of all experience levels. 

Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City 
Sun, Apr 13, Live Auction 2-4:30p; at Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St, Merriam, KS 66202. Annual Orchid Auction. Rare and Unusual Orchids from the best American orchid growers in Hawaii, California, Illinois and elsewhere. Non-auction plants priced to sell starting at $5. Free Entry to the Public. This is a fundraiser for our non-profit society. More information at osgkc.org and find us on Facebook.

Raytown Garden Club
Tues, Apr 1, 10a;  at Connection Point Church, 10500 E 350 Hwy, Raytown, MO 64138. Program will be “Beautifying Our Gardens with Perennials,” presented by Mary Wood, RGC Member & Master Gardener. Guests are always welcome. For more information please check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub.

SHOWS | PLANTS SALES | SPEAKER SERIES

Spring Open House
Apr 1-6; at Arnold’s Prairie Greenhouse and More, 1430 Hwy 58, LeRoy, KS 66857. Refreshments, Specials, Giveaways. 620-964-2423

African Violet Show and Sale
Sat, Apr 5, 9a-2:30p; at Loose Park Garden Center, 51st St and Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64112. Sho-Me African Violet Club presents 39th Annual Show and Sale “Enchanted Violets & Beyond.” NO ADMISSION FEE

Earth Day Celebration
Sat, Apr 19, 10a-2p; at Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64132. 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 “All About Seeds.” 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 are welcome. For more information visit https://lakesidenaturecenter.org/

Paola Spring Plant Sale
Apr 24, 25, 26, New Location INDOOR SHOPPING at the Miami County Fairgrounds Bldg #2, 401 Wallace Park Dr, Paola, KS. Featuring 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 More info at www.maraisdescygnes.ksu.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdcemg or call the office: 913-294-4306.

Spring Plant Sale OP Arboretum
Fri, Apr 25; at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W 179th St, Overland Park, KS 66013. FOTA Member Pre-Sale Event Thurs, Apr 24, 2-8p; Open to the Public Fri, Apr 25—Sun, Apr 27, 9a-5p. Choose from a wide selection of over 250+ locally grown plant varieties. Find your favorite annual and perennial staples, sun and shade lovers, hanging baskets, daylilies, natives, pollinators, shrubs, grasses, herbs and edibles. All proceeds from the sale go toward future Arboretum projects and supporting our mission. No special ticket or admission price is required to shop and attend. Plant list at: https://artsandrec-op.org/arboretum/spring-plant-sale/

Northwest Missouri Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale
Fri, Apr 25, 8a-4p and Sat, Apr 26, 8a-2p; a plant sale will take place at the University of Missouri Extension Office at 4125 Mitchell Ave, St Joseph, on the Missouri Western State University campus. More than 150 varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and herbs will be available along with monarch-friendly milkweed. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help answer questions.

Thyme for Kids Plant Sale 
Apr 25-26, Fri 9a-6p, Sat 9a-4p; at Cornerstones of Care—Ozanam Campus Greenhouse, 421 E 137th St, Kansas City, MO 64145. Stock up on plants for your home and garden, while helping children grow and thrive! Our Plant Sale is so much more than a plant sale, and proceeds funnel right back into our horticulture program. Your purchases help fund seeds, supplies, stipends, and more. For more information about the Plant Sale, please contact Stefanie at [email protected]. Visit cornerstonesofcare.org/plantsale for updates and for additional ways to support the plant sale.

Native Plant Sale Shawnee Indian Mission
Sat, Apr 26, 9a-2p; at Shawnee Indian Mission, 3403 W 53rd St, Fairway, KS 66205. Hundreds of plants from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery. As usual, there will be a wide selection of plants, but you can also pre-order anything from Missouri Wildflowers’ extensive catalog and save on shipping costs.

KC Parks Spring Fling
Sat, Apr 26, 11a-3p; at Swope Park Bandstand, presented by Kansas City Parks & Recreation. Green Carpet Fashion Show. Local Exhibitors. All Ages. Stone Lion Puppet Theatre. Hands on Learning. Free. Celebrate our Parks and our Planet. 

Native Plant Sale
Sat, Apr 26, 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/nativeplantsale.

Garden Cleanup Volunteers Needed
Sat, Apr 26, 9-11:30a; at Kaw Point Riverfront Park, 1403 Fairfax Trfy, Kansas City, KS. Bring water, long pants, work gloves, sturdy shoes. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

Recycling Extravaganza
Sat, Apr 26, 9a-2p; at Black & Veatch, 11401 Lamar, Overland Park, KS 66211. Enter at the main entrance off of 115th St. You do not have to be a resident of Overland Park. Go to opkansas.org/recycling to view items acceptable. 

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, and annuals offered at competitive prices.  Come early to be sure you see everything that’s available. Proceeds fund the EMG educational programming. Cash, checks, and debit and credit cards accepted. For more information, call 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] 

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. Thank you for your interest and continued support!

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. *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.

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. The tour’s website, www.MiCoFarmTour.com, features a map of the sites and information about their location.

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. For more information, lenexa.com/nativeplantsale.

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 https://www.kansascityrosesociety.org for further information.

MGGKC Garden Tour
Jun 6 and 7. Details to come.

Hermann, MO 30th Annual Town and Country Garden Tour
Jun 7 and 8. The Garden Tour includes both a walking tour of gardens in downtown Historic Hermann and a driving tour to gardens in the hills around Hermann. The $20 ticket price includes visits to at least five private gardens; these gardens are both in town and in the country and include a traditional four-square garden and native plants. Tickets will be sold online before the tour at Eventeny and during the tour at Topiaries (138 E. 4th) in downtown Hermann from 10-4 on Saturday and 10-3 on Sunday. Gardens close at 5p on Sat and 4p on Sun. A map to the gardens will be provided starting on Sat Jun 7 at 10a at the Topiaries ticket sale site; those who pre-purchase tickets will pick up the map at that time as well. The Hermann Garden Club’s website www.hermanngardentours.com provides up-to-date events, ticket prices, links to the online ticket sale site, contact numbers, and photographs of past tour gardens. Visit the FAQS page on the website for answers to all your questions. “Like” us on Facebook at “Hermann Garden Tours.” Go to www.visithermann.com to find information about lodging. 

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

Berries
Thurs, Apr 3, 6:30-7:30p; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047. Let’s talk Blueberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries. If enough time and interest, even Strawberries. Part of this seminar will be held outdoors with a demonstration. Seminars are FREE but space is limited, so please RSVP by calling 785-842-3081.

The Fruits of Your Labor
Thurs, Apr 3, 11:30a; in the Sunflower Room of the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Presenter is Matt Bunch, Director of Horticulture, Education, and Orchards for Kansas City Community Gardens. He will discuss which types of fruit grow best in the Kansas City area, and how you maintain them, what pests to watch out for, pest management, pruning, cultural requirements, and best varieties for our area. Mr. Bunch also serves as Horticultural Advisor for The Giving Grove, Inc. He has over 30 years of experience from retail/garden centers, residential and commercial horticulture, municipal horticulture, botanical gardens, and non-profit horticulture. He searches out Champion Trees in the Kansas City area and has “re-wilded” his small yard in Waldo while continuing to grow veggies and small fruits. There is no registration required for this class. A $10 class fee will be collected at the door. 913-299-9300.

Containers I
Thurs, Apr 10, 6:30-7:30p; at Clinton Parkway Nursery, 4900 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047. Learn how to grow flowers and vegetables in containers. What varieties work best. What soil to use and how to care for them to create a showstopper. Seminars are FREE but space is limited, so please RSVP by calling 785-842-3081.

Tips For Successful Seed Starting 
Thurs, Apr 10, 6:30p; at Basehor Community Library, 1400  158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Leavenworth County Master Gardener, Yvonne Willcott, invites you to come join this fun Q&A session to learn new tips, tricks and tools needed to save money in the long run and start seeds in your own home—successfully! Learn how and when to begin seed preparation (as well as preferred seed choices) and everything that you will need to produce viable transplants. The class is free and visitors are welcome! For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700. 

Top 10 Annuals and Perennials
Thurs, Apr 17, 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. Seminars are FREE but space is limited, so please RSVP by calling 785-842-3081.

Creating a “No Fuss” Garden: Raised Beds
Thurs, Apr 17, 7p; Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Leavenworth County Master Gardener, Jackie Lee, says: “Yes, you can have a thriving, productive garden without the overwhelming complexity that you might associate with gardening!” Raised beds provide a permanent feature on a patio or elsewhere in the garden and support a wide range of plants. This allows you to add color in what might otherwise be a dull area. Join this informal class and learn how to: choose materials to suit your size and budget; prepare the soil mixture; use the square foot gardening method (saving time and space); plant your chosen plants. The class is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.