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 Octoberber issue is September 10. This is a FREE listing.

 

The Garden Club of Shawnee
Wed, Sep 4, 7p; at Shawnee Town 1929 Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. “The Callery Pear Conundrum” presented by William Warnes, K-State Extension Master Naturalist. This will also be our fall plant, seed, and bulb exchange. 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. Please note this meeting is on a Wednesday rather than Thursday.

Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society 
Sat, Sep 14, Hospitality 9:30-10a, Club Mtg 10-10:45a, Speaker 10:45a-noon; at 500 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064. Come join us for a video tour of 20+ American Hosta Society (AHS) National Display Gardens presented by Danny Lawson. Danny is a lifelong Kansan and the President of the Wichita Hosta Society. He is also the Editor of The Hosta Journal for the American Hosta Society. Danny is a wealth of hosta knowledge and has visited these gardens personally. Members, Guests and public welcome. www.heartlandhosta.club; https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandHostaAndShadePlantSociety.

Heartland Peony Society 
Sat, Oct 18, 9a-12p; at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W 75th St, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Annual Speaker meeting presents Carol Adelman. Carol and her husband, Jim started Adelman Peony Farms near Salem, Oregon, over 30 years ago. Carol will share how they began growing peonies and about all things new in the peony world.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society
This month’s meeting will be a members-only picnic at the home of a club member on Sun, Sep 15. Members will be provided the address and meeting time in the club’s newsletter.

Leawood Garden Club 
Tues, Sep 24, 10:30a; at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206. Program: “Going Batty for BATS!” Guest Speaker Nancy Chapman. Like many wildlife in our urban setting, bats are unsung heroes of the night. Nancy will highlight who lives in Kansas City, why we should be grateful and what to do if one accidentally gets in your house. Raised in Los Angeles, in 1976 Nancy returned to Kansas roots and received a degree in Agriculture Economics from Kansas State University. She’s been an Extension Master Gardener volunteer since 2007 and a member of the EMG Speakers bureau for over ten years.

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners
Wed, Sep 11, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Mikey Stafford, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will demonstrate how Master Gardeners judge flowers in a contest. Learn what judges are looking for if you have an interest in entering horticulture contests. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City
Sun, Sep 8, 1:30-4:30p; at Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St, Merriam, KS 66202. One of our favorite speakers returns. Alan Koch, Gold Country Orchids, Sacramento, CA, will be speaking in person “Mini Vandaceous Species & Hybrids for the Home Grower.” Open to the public. More information at osgkc.org and find us on Facebook.

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Sun, Sep 15, 1:30-4:30p. Orchid Growers’ Tour. Stopping by three homes to see how orchids can be grown. Open to members only.

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Sun, Oct 13, 1:30-4:30p; at Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St, Merriam, KS 66202. Michael Rafferty, OSGKC member, will speak on the Medicinal Powers of Orchids. Open to the public.

Raytown Garden Club
Tues, Sep 3, 10a; at Connection Point Church, 10500 E 350 Hwy, Raytown, MO 64138. Program will be “Improving Our Health and Well-being: Yoga for Gardeners” presented by Gwen Hull, Well Regarded local Professional Yoga Instructor. Guests are always welcome. For more information please check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub. 

SHOWS | SALES | FESTIVALS

Hummingbird Festival
Sep 5-7, 9a-4p; at George Owens Nature Park, 1601 Speck Rd, Independence, MO 64057. Have you ever looked out your window at a hummingbird and wondered about what they need, where they go, how they would feel perched on your finger? Come to the Hummingbird Festival at George Owens Nature Park and find the answer to these questions. During this three-day science and gardening event, there will be presentations, activities, and demonstrations to help you better understand these tiny, amazing birds. George Owens Naturalists have been feeding and studying hummingbirds for years, and they will be your guides as you learn and interact with these birds. The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will have a hands-on presentation to teach you how to design a garden with plants that attract hummingbirds to provide what they need. Participants will leave with a garden plan for their own yard. Extension Master Gardeners and the MGGKC Children’s Program will also have family-friendly activities, demos and displays all three days, to help you learn why hummingbirds are such important pollinators. On Friday, Reading Rocket will have books available on hummingbirds. On Saturday, a scientist will be demonstrating how hummingbirds are banded for tracking. Lucky participants may be able to join the process. Free to the public, walk-up registrations accepted. This is a family friendly event. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

2024 Old Settler’s Community Flower Show
Entries accepted: Thurs, Sep 5, 6-8p and Fri, Sep 6, 8-9a. Open for Viewing: Fri, Sep 6, 1-8p, Sat, Sep 7, 9a-3p; at Olathe City Hall, 100 E Santa Fe, Ground Floor. Presented by the Olathe Garden & Civic Club in coordination with Olathe Old Settlers Days, this annual flower and horticulture show is for everyone to participate in and enjoy! Entries will be accepted from amateur (non-commercial) gardening enthusiasts. Look at the beauties in your garden, arrange them to fit a floral design class, or just clip them and show them off as specimens! Bring them to the ground floor of the City Hall building and we’ll help you get entered, or just come by to see all the beautiful entries! *Free & Open to the Public* – both entries & viewing. For additional details about entries, contact Susan at [email protected]. We hope you can join us!

Butterfly Garden Open House
Sat, Sep 14, noon-3p; at 500 Eisenhower Rd, Leavenworth, KS 66048. The Leavenworth County Master Gardeners will host an Open House at their Butterfly Garden. Join us as we follow the migration of the Monarch Butterflies as they continue their journey to Mexico. Learn about Monarch Way Stations. There will be activities for children. If available, guests may tag and release Monarch Butterflies. This event is free. For more information, contact the Leavenworth County extension office at 913-364-5700. 

The Gardens at Unity Village Farmer’s Market
Sat, Sep 14, 8a-noon; at Unity Village, 150B NW Colbern Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086. Experience a century of history and nostalgia in the barn and gardens at The Gardens of Unity Village Farmer’s Market. Three cultivated acres behind the 3-story barn provide freshly harvested vegetables and fruits. The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will have a pollinator display with butterfly puddler demonstration. There will also be a fun children’s activity called “Pollinators.” Free to the public, children welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Fall Family Festival at Beanstalk Kansas City Community Garden
Sat, Sep 21, 10a-2:30p; at 6917 Kensington Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132. The Beanstalk Children’s Garden is a unique learning environment where children are invited to see, smell, touch and taste growing plants. There are seven gardens to explore including a water garden and insect garden. Join Beanstalk Children’s Garden, KCCG, and Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City for a day of free family fun. There will be fruit and vegetable tasting, garden crafts, bug exhibits, hand painting, yard games, scavenger hunt, and free basil plants. Free to the public, children welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Flower Garden and Train Show
Sat, Sep 21, 9a-5p; at 1503 Ensley Circle, Raymore. This will be our last show this year. Our home has more flowers than you will ever see. Enjoy the path through our Gardens as you see six Trains running under a Waterfall, one Train running across the Water Garden. This is a Free Show that your entire family will enjoy. One person said this is better than Walt Disney world!

Kaw Valley Farm Tour: Vinland Valley Nursery
Sat, Oct 5, 9a-8p and Sun, Oct 6, 9a-5p; at 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Fall is a great time for planting! On top of our vast selection of perennials, shrubs, trees, and landscaping supplies we’ll have fall plants and decorations, food and beverage, games and activities for our stop on the annual Kaw Valley Farm Tour! Mark the occasion in the Moon photo booth and all-new Giddyup video booth. Our Haunted Walk opens Oct 5 and we’ll be open late to ring in the spooky season! Sign up online in advance for our Oct 6 Dried Wreath Making workshop at www.vinlandvalleynursery.com.

Orchid Show
Fri, Oct 25, 3-8p and Sat, Oct 26, 9a-4p; at Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St, Merriam, KS 66202. The annual regional orchid show, “Bewitched By Orchids”. Area society displays from Omaha, St Louis, Springfield, and Fayetteville. Vendors from Minnesota, Chicago, Wichita, St. Louis and our local Bird’s Botanicals. Open to the public. Admission $5.

CLASSES | WORKSHOPS

Tips & Techniques for Successful Seed Saving
Tues, Sep 3, 7p; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Mark Sorensen, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener, will give a presentation on seed saving. Discussed will be which seeds are easy to save and how to clean and store. What special techniques help the gardener make sure next year’s crop will be “true to type.” And why heirloom varieties are better for saving than hybrids. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

The Amazing Bluebird
Thurs, Sep 5, 11:30a; in the Sunflower Room of the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Sarah Heppler and Grace Troeh, Wyandotte County Extension Master Gardeners. Delve into the realm of bluebirds as Grace and Sarah share their love of these birds. Learn how to attract these bright little birds to your yard and become a Citizen Scientist by recording your observations on the Bluebird Stewards’ website. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 class fee is payable by cash or check at the door.

Garden Design
Sat, Sep 14, 1p; at Vinland Valley Nursery, 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. At this workshop, you will learn some tips and tricks for making any landscape look professionally designed and maintained – just in time to spruce up fall plantings and prepare for spring 2025! Come with an idea of a new or existing area you would like to design and VVN staff will guide you through the process from start to finish. You will leave with new knowledge and a garden design. $40 per person. Register online at www.vinlandvalleynursery.com. 

Prepping Native Beds for Fall
Sat, Sep 21, 9-11a; at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. Native flower beds need our help to prepare them for the colder weather ahead. Join Burr Oak Woods staff along with MU Extension Master Gardeners to learn what to expect when overwintering your native plants through a formal presentation followed by hands-on work in the gardens on site. All tools will be provided. Clinic—seed saving for food. Free to the public, adults 16 years and older. Please register at https://mdc.mo.gov/events?combine_event=&name=burr+oak+woods&county=All&region=.

Flower Arranging
Sat, Sep 21, 1p; at Vinland Valley Nursery, 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. At this workshop, staff will share tips, techniques, and tricks for creating beautiful bouquets. Take a trip to the flower field where we will show you how to select the perfect flowers and greenery, then gather in the workshop to prepare and arrange your own bouquet. We will go over a variety of techniques for creating beautiful arrangements and guide you through creating them. $40 per person. Base price includes flowers from the field, floral supplies, and a vase. Additional flowers and vases are available, priced per piece. Register online at www.vinlandvalleynursery.com.

Tree Resiliency Panel Featured at Prairie Village Tree Board’s Fall Seminar
Wed, Sep 25, 7p; at the Meadowbrook Clubhouse, Birch Room, 9101 Nall Ave, Prairie Village, KS. Life can be tough for trees in the Midwest where droughts, periodic flooding, storm damage, temperature extremes, diseases, insect pests and clay soils can all take their toll. But the most resilient trees can survive and maybe even thrive with a little extra care from us. Local tree expert will discuss the resiliency issue at the Prairie Village Tree Board’s Fall Seminar. This year’s speakers include Jonah Nelson, third-generation owner and manager at Family Tree Nursery; Rick Spurgeon, aka Professor PlantRight and an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist; Jesse Kirk, an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with Wellnitz Tree Care; and Cathy Justice, Program Manager and ISA Certified Arborist with Heartland Tree Alliance. If you’re interested in finding out what the toughest, most resilient trees are for Kansas City or how you can make your own trees more resilient, then come to the seminar. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

Starting Your Lawn
Wed, Sep 25, 6:30p; at Basehor Community Library, 1400, 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Get a jump on spring and learn basic strategies for Fall restoration of your lawn or starting a fescue lawn. The speaker is Crystal Miles, a Leavenworth County Master Gardener. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

Hypertufa Pumpkins
Sat, Sep 28, 1p; at Vinland Valley Nursery, 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Hypertufa is a manmade material that resembles natural tufa, a soft, porous limestone used to form garden sculptures and planters for alpine and succulent plants. The aggregate mixture is 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. In this workshop, you will learn the basic recipe for hypertufa and make a hypertufa pumpkin. Take home your piece to dry and cure or leave at VVN and pick up later. $40 per person. Price of the workshop includes all you need to make one 8”-11” hypertufa pumpkin for your fall displays. Register online at www.vinlandvalleynursery.com.

Tree Risk Assessment
Thurs, Oct 3, 11:30a; in the Sunflower Room of the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Tyler Fike, Horticulturist for the City of Lawrence, KS. Trees are often seen as the centerpieces of our landscapes. Injuries, disease, or poor growth habits can make them vulnerable to damage from our intense spring weather. Tyler will teach you how to identify such risks, so that you will know when and how to address them. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 class fee is payable by cash or check at the door.