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 October issue is September 7. This is a FREE listing.

 

Garden Club of Shawnee
Thurs, Sep 3, 7p; at Shawnee Town, 1929 Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. Our program will be “Demystifying Pruning: When, Why, and How” presented by Nancy Chapman, JOCO Extension Master Gardener and Extension Master Naturalist. This will be our Fall Plant, Seed, and Bulb exchange. Bring a plant and take a plant. We will serve drinks and snacks, and great door prizes will be given away. As always, visitors are welcome! You can also learn about us at our website gardenclubofshawnee.org and our Facebook page.

Heartland Hosta and Shade Plant Society
Sat, Sep 12; at the Woods Chapel Community of Christ Church, 500 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064. Hospitality at 9:30a, brief meeting and speaker 10a-12p. Guests are welcome. 

Idalia Society
Sat, Sep 12, 5p; at Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St, Overland Park, KS 66204. Program: “Insect Wings: Flights of Fancy” by Dr Gregory Zolnerowich of KSU. He’ll discuss evolutionary advances in insect wings as well as how insects use their wings for communication and defensive tactics such as camouflage, mimicry, absorbing sound, and startle displays. He’s also bringing some fascinating specimens; arrive early to enjoy these! Doors open at 5p for light refreshments and social time. Program begins PROMPTLY at 5:45p. Don’t miss our FINAL Idalia Society meeting! FREE and open to all. Bring a friend! Questions? Please call/text 816-283-6258, or email us at idaliasociety@yahoo.com. Facebook: Idalia Society of Mid-American Lepidopterists.

Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society
Sun, Sep 20, 1:30-3:30p; at Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO. “Cactus Cuisine: Cooking with Cactus” We don’t only grow them, we eat them, too. Learn how and which plants make a delicious meal. We’ll also learn the best photography tips for showing off our cactus and succulent plants. The public is invited; refreshments will be served.

Raytown Garden Club
Tues, Sep 1, 10a; at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. The program will be “Growing Trees as Mother Earth Intended,” presented by Matt Evans, Ryan Lawn & Tree, Certified Master Arborist. Guest are always welcome. For more information www.facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub

TOURS | SHOWS | SALES AND MORE

Food Forest Open House
Thur, Sep 3, 10a-noon. Housed at the Stu Shafer Open Petal Farm at JCCC, JCCC Open Petal Farm, N Campus Dr, Overland Park, KS 66210. Visit the Food Forest during its Open House where visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the concepts that drive a successful food forest and explore the various concepts put into action by volunteers. RSVPs are encouraged. The Food Forest is also open to the public anytime during daylight hours. 

Forest Forms
Now through Sep 30; at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. An artful exploration of nature’s lines, rhythm and movement. 

Dahlia Shows
Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society announces 2026 show schedule: Sep 4-5 Powell Gardens • Oct 2-3 Suburban Lawn & Garden (135th & Wornall Rd, KCMO) For more information on shows or regular meetings held at the Anita B Gorman Conservation Center, visit www.kcdahlia.org; email: greaterkcdahlia@gmail.com.

Native Plant Sale
Sat, Sep 5, 8a-noon; at Lenexa Farmers Market, 17201 W 87th St. Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66219. Fall is a smart time to plant native perennials to set them up for healthy spring growth. Get advice from area nurseries on how to pick easy-care, pollinator-friendly plants. For more information, lenexa.com/nativeplantsale.

Old Settlers Community Flower Show
Fri and Sat, Sep 10-12, hosted by Olathe Garden & Civic Club *Free & Open to the Public both entries and viewing* *NEW Location* The Flexbox Theater at the Olathe Downtown Public Library, 260 E Santa Fe St, Olathe, KS 66061. Entries accepted: Thur 9/10 5-7p, Fri 9/11 9-10a (Note: Entries must be picked up Sat 9/12 at 4p) Show Open for Viewing: Fri 9/11 1:30-5:30p, Sat 9/12 10a-4p. 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 Flexbox Theater space in the Olathe Downtown Public Library and we’ll help you get entered, or just come by to see all the beautiful entries! For a copy of the official 2026 show schedule contact Cheryl Graan: cgraan@gmail.com.

Terra Luna
Sep 10-12 and 17-19. Immerse yourself in a spellbinding experience created exclusively for the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens by Quixotic! Ticket sales opening Aug 3. https://artsandrec-op.org/arboretum/terra-luna/

Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale
Sat, Sep 12, 10a-2p; at Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost, Kansas City, MO. www.moprairie.org.

Join us for Monarch Watch’s Fall Open House
Sat, Sep 12, 9a-2p; Monarch Watch, KU West Campus, 2021 Constant Ave, Lawrence, KS 66047. We’ll be celebrating the arrival of migrating monarchs coming from the north at Foley Hall. Free, family-friendly, and mainly outdoors event, with activities for both children and adults. Stop by to learn about how to create Monarch Waystations (habitats that support monarchs and other pollinators) and see the magnificent butterfly and pollinator garden created and maintained by the Douglas County Master Gardeners. Tours of our gardens, numerous educational activities, tagging demonstrations, games, monarch butterflies, caterpillars, and butterfly host plants available in limited quantities for fall planting. https://monarchwatch.org/events

Urban Grown Tour 
Sun, Sep 13, 10a-4p. This year’s tour features 15 farms and gardens across the Kansas City Metro and aims to connect to the community with the folks who grow their food. You can learn more about the tour here: https://www.cultivatekc.org/urban-grown-tour/.

Free Train and Flower + Koi Fish Tour
Sat, Sep 19, 9a-5p; at 1503 Ensley Circle, Raymore, MO. You will not want to miss this. We were told our yard is better than Walt Disney World.

Butterfly Garden Open House
Sat, Sep 19, noon-3p; at 500 Eisenhower Rd, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners are hosting an Open House at their Butterfly Garden. Join us as we follow the migration of the Monarch Butterflies on their journey to Mexico. Learn about Monarch Way Stations and the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. There will be crafts and activities for children. If available, we will tag and release Monarch Butterflies. Free and open to the public. For more information 913-364-5700.

Gesneriad Flower Show
Sep 25, 8a–4p (Entries and Judging), and Sep 26, 9a-2p (Show and Sale open to the public); at Overland Park Christian Church, 7600 W 75th St, Overland Park, KS. Heart of America Gesneriad Society, a chapter of The Gesneriad Society, Inc, Presents A Judged Flower Show “America, Land of Gesneriads.” Contact Linda Hall for entries: lhall@grm.net. Admission to the Show and Sale is Free.

Shawnee Indian Mission Foundation Native Plant Sale
Sat, Sep 26, 9a-1p; at 3403 W 53rd St, Fairway, KS. shawneeindianmission.org

2026 MOMGA State Conference
Oct 2-3. Join Master Gardeners and gardening enthusiasts from across Missouri for the Official 2026 Missouri Master Gardener State Conference, hosted by the Missouri Master Gardener Association (MOMGA). Open to Master Gardeners and the public. For just $45, you will enjoy two days of expert-led gardening education, practical take-home ideas, and opportunities to connect with gardeners from across the state. All details found at MOMGA website: https://www.momga.org/2026-state-conference 

* Join our Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City {MGGKC} Watch Party 
Sat, Oct 3, 9a-3:30p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; $45 per person conference pass. Please register at The MOMGA website: https://www.momga.org/2026-state-conference

Kaw Valley Farm Tour 22nd Annual
Oct 3-4. Get tickets and plan your adventure at: kawvalleyfarmtour.org

Platte Land Trust Native Plant Sale
Sat, Oct 3, 10a-2p; at Backyard Bird Center, 6212 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154. www.plattelandtrust.org

Deep Roots Native Plant Sale
Sat, Oct 3, 10a-2p; at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell Ave, Overland Park, KS 66213. deeprootskc.org

Environmental Fair
Sat, Oct 17, 9a-noon; at Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway, Mission, KS. See ad with details page 11. missionks.org/gogreen.

Houseplant Palooza Symposium
Sat, Oct 17, 9a-4p; at Fulkerson Center, Missouri Western State University St Joseph, MO. Presented by Northwest Missouri Master Gardeners. Learn how to be successful growing your indoor plants from preparing them for winter, propagation, succulents, and houseplant bonsai. Speakers are professionals in the field including keynote speaker, Darryl Cheng author of “The New Plant Parent” and “The New Plant Collector” who will discuss “An engineer’s approach to houseplant care.” Tickets are $54 including lunch and a plant to take home. Register at https://nwmomastergardeners.org

CLASSES | WEBINARS 

Beekeeping Classes
Starting Sep 2 at Johnson County Community College. If you’re curious about the buzzy pollinators of the world, these courses are sure to hit the sweet spot. Come discover the secrets of the beehive with like-minded enthusiasts! Questions? 913-469-2323. JCCC.EDU/WDCE

Classes at Arnold’s Prairie Greenhouse & More
1430 Hwy 58, LeRoy, KS 66857. All Saturdays in Sep. 9/5 at 9a: Fall Vegetable Gardening; 9/5 at 11a: Fall Planter Workshop; 9/19 at 9a: All About Cover Crops; 9/19 at 11a: Planting & Growing Garlic; 9/19 at 1p: Phantastic Philodendrons; 9/26 at 9a: Plant Fall Bulbs for Spring Beauty; 9/26 at 11a: Planting & Growing Peonies. Please contact Arnold’s Prairie for more details and cost for each class. 620-964-2423, or grow@arnoldsprairie.com.

Perennials, Everything You Want to Know
Thur, Sep 3, 11:30a; at Sunflower Room, Extension Office, 1216 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Sponsored by Wyandotte County KS Extension Master Gardeners. Brooke Ohlde, K-State Extension Horticulture Agent, River Valley District will present a class on perennials. Perennials are a great way to add long-lasting color and interest to your landscape throughout every season. In this class, you’ll learn about the life of a perennial plant. We’ll see how plants grow throughout the nursery production process before being planted in your home garden. Other topics include how to plant, water, divide, and maintain perennials for years of success. You’ll also learn how to choose the right plant for the right place and avoid common growing problems. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 class fee will be collected at the door (cash or check accepted). Questions? Call 913-299-9300.

Fall Garden Planning for Spring Success
Thurs, Sep 10, 6:30p; at Basehor Community Library, 1400, 158th St, Basehor, KS 66007. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Meaghan Bircher and Anne Rielly will discuss planning your garden for next year. Come learn and talk with other gardeners about planning now to have the most success with next year’s garden. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County K-State extension office at 913-364-5700. 

Harvesting & Drying Herbs
Thurs, Sep 17, 7p; at Leavenworth Public Library, 417 Spruce St, Leavenworth, KS. Join Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Dianne Scott and Michaela Bremser as they discuss different kinds of herbs; their uses for cooking, uses for teas and medicinal use. They will discuss how to harvest fresh herbs for immediate use and how to preserve them. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Leavenworth County K-State extension office at 913-364-5700.