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 elizabeth@kcgmag.com. Deadline for publishing in the June issue is May 10. This is a FREE listing.

 

The Garden Club of Shawnee
Thurs, May 7, 7p; at Shawnee Town, 1929 Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. Our program will be “Native Bees and Gardening Techniques” presented by Ann Manzardo, JOCO Extension Master Naturalist. We will serve drinks and snacks, and door prizes given away. Visitors are welcome! Learn about us at gardenclubofshawnee.org and our Facebook page.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society
Sun, May 17, 1:30-3:30p; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO. All about Hoyas. The popular “wax flower”, named for its fleshy leaves and beautiful waxy flower cluster (known as an umbella) comes in a variety of colors and shapes. We will learn about proper growing habits, soil needs, watering and light requirements, and how best to encourage flowering and propagation. All welcome; refreshments served. 

Kansas City North Garden Club
Wednesdays in May, 10:30a-noon; at Kansas City North Community Center, 3930 NE Antioch Rd, KCMO 64117. Join us each Wednesday where we will plant seeds, maintain the raised beds and wildflower gardens, DIY craft projects, and hear from special guests from MU Extension and Platte County Master Gardeners. Contact Kendra Beaver, 816-513-7740; kendra.beaver@kcmo.org

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Club Meeting / Advanced Training
Wed, May 13, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Leavenworth Co Master Gardener Katherine Gerges will discuss designing and planting a native plant garden. FREE. Visitors are welcome. For more info contact Leavenworth Co Ext office at 913-364-5700.

Raytown Garden Club
Tues, May 5, 10a; at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown MO 64133. The program will be “Enhance Life by Growing Herbs” presented by Margie St Germain, RGC Member and Avid Herb Grower. Guest are always welcome. For more information about our club, check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub

SYMPOSIUMS | SHOWS | SALES AND MORE

Wy Co EMG Annual Plant Sale
May 1, 9a-5p, and May 2, 9a-2p; at the Wildcat Room of the Wy Co Extension Office, 1200 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS 66112. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, berries, hanging baskets, annual flowers, and perennial flowers available. 913-299-9300; wyandotte.ksu.edu 

Central MO Master Gardener Plant Sale
May 2 and 3, Sat 8a-1p; Sun 12-3p; at Master Gardener Greenhouses, 810 Sandstone, Jefferson City, MO. Central Missouri Master Gardeners annual Plant Sale is our biggest fundraiser for the organization. We are selling plants, including tomatoes, peppers and hanging baskets, grown in our greenhouses by master gardeners. We also have perennials, including natives, donated by our members for sale. Prices vary starting from $4. We have three greenhouses full of tomatoes, annuals, vegetables and herbs. Greenhouses located in North Jefferson City by the dog park. Service dogs are welcome, but we ask that you leave pets at home or in the dog park.

Liberty’s Town and Country Garden Club Annual Plant Share
Sat, May 2, 8a-noon, at Rotary Plaza, downtown Liberty (100 W Franklin). We invite you to stop by for free garden plants from our members. We encourage you to share your own plants if you wish. No early birds please.

MGGKC Dig & Divide Plant & Garage Sale
Sat, May 2, 9a-3p; at 501 N Dodgion St (Next to ReStore), Independence, MO 64050. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City invite you to our HUGE Plant/Garage Sale event. We will offer perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, and houseplants for sale. MGGKC will also have garden items like pots and gardening tools, plus additional garage sale items specially chosen by Extension Master Gardeners. Take a break from shopping and attend our free class “Dividing Perennials” at 11:30a to learn how to divide perennials to encourage vigor and free garden expansion. Proceeds from this fundraiser support our local gardening projects and educational outreach programs that help Kansas City learn to grow. For more information contact mggkc.fundraiser@gmail.com

Platte County Master Gardeners Plant Sale
Sat, May 2, 9a-3p and Sun, May 3, noon-3p; at Northland Career Center, 1801 N Branch St, Platte City, MO. Directions at: www.-plattecountymastergardeners.org. Proceeds benefit the MU Extension Master Gardeners of Platte County. 1000s of Native, Annual & Perennial Plants, Herbs, Tomatoes and Peppers. E-mail plattemgs@gmail.com; Facebook — Platte Co Master Gardeners

Olathe Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale
Tues, May 5, 4-7p and Wed, May 6, 8a-12p; at 18505 W 114th St, Olathe, KS 66061. *Credit and Electronic Payments Accepted in addition to cash/check!* 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. You may find perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, flowers, pollinator-friendly plants, shade plants, sun-loving plants, house plants, and local 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 Open House and Plant Fundraiser
Sat, May 9, 8a-2p; at Monarch Watch, KU West Campus, Lawrence, KS. Join us for Monarch Watch’s Spring Open House & Plant Fundraiser! Looking for plants for your spring garden? Our Plant Fundraiser will have dozens of species available, including milkweeds, host and nectar plants for native butterflies, and other annuals and perennials. These plants support monarch and pollinator populations as well as add beauty and function to garden spaces. Other activities during our Open House will include garden tours, games, arts and crafts, monarch butterflies and caterpillars, and more. This will primarily be an outdoor event. Online plant ordering will be available in advance in April, and more details will be posted soon on our events page. Thank you for your interest and support! https://monarchwatch.org/events

Native Plant Sale/Deep Roots
Sat, May 9, 10a-2p; at City of Prairie Village Municipal Offices, 7700 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208. 

Native Plant Sale/MO Prairie Foundation
Sat, May 9, 10a-2p; at Remington Nature Center, 1502 McArthur Dr, St Joseph, MO 64505

Habitat Garden Tours 
May 9, Jun 6, Jul 11, Oct 3. Highlighting Kansas City residents who understand why what you plant matters. These events are an opportunity for Deep Roots to recognize the native gardeners in different neighborhoods of Kansas City and showcase their beautiful gardens. The goals are to inspire locals to plant native, share knowledge on gardening maintenance and design strategies, and strengthen the native gardening community by bringing them together for a morning of plant talk, sunshine and laughter. See more at: www.deeproots.org/habitatgardens 

Spring Iris Show
Sat, May 16; at Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Presented by Greater Kansas City Iris Society. Anyone may enter the Horticultural Division, with the correct American Iris Society approved name of a variety. Artistic arrangements can entered using unnamed iris as the dominant flowers in the design. Set up and entries: 8a, Judging starts 10:30a; Iris Show 12-4p. For complete Show Schedule, contact Carolyn Ash, Carolyn.Ash7@gmail.com. Mark your calendars for our Public Iris Sale later in the year, Aug 22, at the same location.

Native Plant Sale/MO Prairie Foundation
Sat, May 16, 10a-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110.

Hummingbirds in your Garden
Tues, May 19, 6:30p. (Virtual–ZOOM). Program: “Hummingbirds: Jewels in Your Garden” by Ann Tanner, BAS President and KSU Extension Master Naturalist (Johnson County). Presented by Burroughs Audubon Society. Hummingbirds have returned to delight bird lovers! Enjoy beautiful photographs and anecdotes about these tiny birds. Learn how you can support them with their favorite native flowers and plants. Ann will also discuss hummingbird feeders and their maintenance. To register, go to burroughs.org (click on Activities page and then General Meetings). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Questions? Call or text (816)795-8177.

Native Plant Sale
Sat, May 23, 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 30; at the Loose Park Garden Center. As always, the event is free and open to all rose growers and photographers. Assistance will be provided for first time exhibitors. There will be Classes for live blooms and rose photographs. Entries will be accepted from 8:00a to 11:00a. For detailed rules, class lists, and tips on how to grow and show prize-winning roses, everything is available at kansascityrosesociety.org.

Rose Day
Sun, May 31, noon-3p; in the Rose Garden, Loose Park Garden Center. The time frame has adjusted this year from the previous year. Visitors 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.

Sedgwick County Garden Tour
Fri, Jun 5, 9a-5p; Sat, Jun 6, 9a-5p; Sun, Jun 7, 12-4p. Six gardens throughout Sedgwick County will be available for the public to view. Tickets are $10 and are available at the gardens, at Sedgwick County Extension office, 7001 W 21st St, Wichita, KS 67205 or online sedgwick.k-state.edu; 316-660-0100

Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society Annual Spring Plant Sale
Sat, Jun 6, 9a-2p; at Woods Chapel Community of Christ Church, 500 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064. The sale features over 1000 plants including 50 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.

Railroading in the Gardens
Sat, Jun 6, and Sun, Jun 7, 10a-4p. Visit the 2026 Garden Railroad Tour consisting of ten train gardens at homes in the Kansas City area. See how gardening and model trains blend together in a creative and colorful way. Each garden railroad is different and unique with the trains running among a variety of plants and landscaping in a miniature world of trees, bridges, tunnels, houses and water features. Hosted by MO-KAN Garden Railroaders, the admission cost for this self-guided tour is $15 a car to see all the gardens for both days. This event is always fun for both adults and kids, with partial proceeds going to Harvesters. For details, tickets and tour guide, go to www.mokangardenrailroaders.org.

Beekeeper’s FunDay
Sat, Jun 6, 8a-5p; at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St, Lawrence, KS 66046. The Northeast Kansas Beekeepers Association announces its Beekeeping FunDay! Cost is $50 includes lunch, beverages, and honey ice cream. Vendors available for purchasing beekeeping related equipment. A silent auction will also be included to raise youth and veteran scholarships. For more information or to register visit http://www.nekba.org/bee-funday.html

Hermann, MO 31st Annual Town and Country Garden Tour
Jun 6 and 7. 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, a unique greenhouse as well as raised bed, container, and vegetable gardens, a “stairway to heaven,” and a lavender farm. Garden Tour visits may be spread over Saturday and Sunday. Tickets will be sold online before the tour at Eventeny and during the tour at Topiaries (138 E 4th) in downtown Hermann from 10a-4p on Saturday and 10a-3p on Sunday. Gardens close at 5p on Saturday and 4p on Sunday. A self-guiding map to the gardens will be provided starting on Saturday 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. The Garden Tour is always the first full weekend in June.

Union Hill Neighborhood Garden Tour
Sun, Jun 7, 10a-3p. Discover the gardens of historic Union Hill. Join us for flowers, food, music and family fun. unionhillkc.com/garden-tour

Johnson County Extension Public Garden Tour
Fri, Jun 12 and Sat, Jun 13. Tickets available now! Early bird ticket prices will be $25.00 each. After May 10th tickets increase to $35.00 each. Day of tour ticket prices are $40.00 each. Just in time to tuck tickets into a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift. Learn more and purchase tickets online at: https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/programs/lawn-garden/special-events/public-garden-tour/
Gardeners get a chance to explore six beautiful private gardens filled with inspiration, creative design ideas, and unique plantings. While touring, stop by the Garden Thyme Marketplace to shop for handcrafted, garden-inspired goods available only during tour years, and visit the Extension Expo for additional Johnson County Extension resources. The Marketplace and Dennis Patton Garden Gallery Demonstration Garden are open to the public and do not require a ticket. Questions? Contact us at 913-715-7050 or garden.help@jocogov.org.

Ellie’s Garden Party & Homes Tour
Sat, Jun 13, 9am-4pm (rain or shine). See spectacular gardens and historic Weston homes while enjoying delicious foods at each site. Tickets: $50 individual ticket or (2) tickets for $80.

 

CLASSES | WORKSHOPS 

Troubleshooting Tomato Problems
Tues, May 5, 6-8p; at Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, 11811 S Sunset Dr, Olathe, KS 66061. Join Anthony Reardon, Horticulture – Small Farms Extension Agent, for Troubleshooting Tomato Problems. Learn how to identify and address common tomato issues that affect plant health and yield. This session covers nutrient deficiencies, diseases, environmental stress, and other challenges, along with practical solutions to keep your tomato plants thriving all season. $3.00

K-State Garden Hour—Natives vs Cultivars
Wed, May 6, 12-1p. Virtual Event. FREE. Cultivars of native plants may dominate in the garden centers, but how do they compare to their true native counterparts — and does it really matter which you choose? Join Sharon Ashworth, Douglas County Horticulture Agent, as she answers these questions and shares what current research reveals about the differences in ecological value between natives and cultivars of natives. Register at: https://events.k-state.edu/event/k-state-garden-hour-webinar-natives-vs-cultivars-making-informed-choices-for-your-landscape?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=Kansas+State+University+Events 

Growing Nourishment: A Guide to Starting a Food Garden
Thurs, May 7, 11:30a; at Wyandotte County Extension Office, Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Jen Stefanchik, Johnson County Master Gardener. Discover the techniques you need to cultivate your own thriving edible garden that nourishes both body and soul. This presentation explores the essentials of produce gardening from site selection and soil preparation to crop selection. We’ll go beyond just vegetables and delve into fruits, herbs, edible flowers, as well as companion planting and vertical gardening strategies so you can create your own unique food garden. Whether you’re a beginner plotting your first raised bed or an experienced gardener seeking new ideas, this session offers practical insights, creative inspiration, and proven techniques to help your garden flourish. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 class fee (cash or check) will be collected at the door.

Eco-Landscaping Courses
Starting May 13; at Johnson County Community College. Ready to dig into sustainable gardening? Discover how to transform your own yard into an eco-friendly, low-maintenance haven that attracts pollinators and helps the planet thrive. No application process—Just sign up and show up. Go to: jccc.edu/wdce; Questions? 913-469-2323

A Guest Presentation with Lenora Larson: How to Convert Your Yard into
a Butterfly Habitat
Sun, May 17, 1p; at Vinland Valley Nursery, 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. FREE! Whether you’re already the steward of a fully landscaped garden or the owner of a blank slate, your entire yard can be easily converted into a butterfly habitat. Besides NO INSECTICIDES, the secret to success is feeding the children, the caterpillars, who are very persnickety. Each butterfly species only dines on a few specific plants. This presentation includes plant lists, horticultural and maintenance recommendations, and design tips that optimize your opportunities to view the precious caterpillars and their beautiful winged parents. Lenora will be available after the presentation for one-on-one garden talks. Pick up a copy of Making Gardens for Insects & Other Wildlife in the garden shop, or bring your pre-purchased book for Lenora to sign! 785.594.2966; vinlandvalleynursery.com

Making Hypertufa Vessels 
Sat, May 23, 1p; at Vinland Valley Nursery, 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. $40 (Preregistration required). In this workshop you will learn the basic recipe and process for creating hypertufa containers. Hypertufa is an aggregate mixture pressed in or on boxes, baskets, and other forms to create rustic, natural-looking containers that can be planted in a variety of creative ways. A relatively light material compared to concrete, these sculptures and planters can withstand very cold temperatures. The moldable material makes it possible to create a variety of shapes and textures. You will create one to two small planters during this two-hour workshop with the option to take home your piece to dry and cure, or leave it at VVN for pick up once dry. $40/person. 785.594.2966; vinlandvalleynursery.com