The Gateway Gardener October 2012

THEGatewayGardenerYour Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

®

FREE Courtesy of:

October 2012

The New Evergreens

No More Boring Foundation Plantings!

Fabulous Fall Container Ideas

Festive Flint Corn for Fall

Pumpkin Patches and Fall Family Fun

Taste fresh roasted

chestnuts and other delicious foods of the fall harvest. Sample Jina Yoo’s flavorful Asian cuisine See arts and crafts of the Great River Road region

Fun activities for the kids....of all ages!

Enjoy a fun-filled day with free food, local vendors, demonstrations and entertainment! Learn more about

Forrest Keeling’s fast-growing RPM-produced trees, shrubs and plants, including selections of our popular Chinese

Chestnut, which is fast becoming one of our most valuable nut trees.

Presented by Forrest Keeling Nursery in cooperation

with Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri

88 Forrest Keeling Ln • Elsberry, MO 63343 (573) 898-5571

Go to www.forrestkeeling.com and www.centerforagroforestry.org.

Mark your calendars now!

Inside Out, KTRS–550AM, will be here for a live remote broadcast. They offer expert tips from gardening, landscaping to home improvement.

On the Cover...The heat and drought claimed a lot of evergreen victims this summer, including many of the old standby foundation yews. Some say good riddance, and make way for a new

generation of more colorful, more interesting evergreens, like this Nandina ‘Sienna Sunrise’. See more New Evergreens on page 6. (photo courtesy Monrovia, Inc.)

FEATURES

9 Trees for Hot/Dry Conditions10 Pumpkin Patches and More14 Fabulous Fall Container Ideas

IN THIS ISSUE 4 Garden Soil

6 The New Evergreen Shrubs

8 Noah’s Garden

12 The Cornucopia Corner

16 Make a Kokedama

18 Dig This

20 Ready the Roses for Cold

22 Upcoming Events

October 2012Volume 8, Number 8

PublisherJoyce Bruno

EditorRobert Weaver

ColumnistsBarbara Perry Lawton

General Gardening

Connie AlwoodBirding

Ellen BarredoHouseplants and Tropicals

Diane BrueckmanRoses

Joyce DriemeyerHerbs

Cindy GilbergNative Plant Gardening

Mara HigdonVegetables and Fruits

Glenn KraemerTurfgrass

Steffie LittlefieldPerennials & Design

Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL The Gateway Gardener® is published monthly by Double Dig Communica-tions, Inc. to promote enjoyable, suc-cessful gardening and livable landscapes in the St. Louis greater metropolitan area. The magazine is distributed free to the public at designated garden centers, nurseries, garden gift shops, lawn equip-ment rental, repair and sales establish-ments, and other locations supporting sound gardening, lawn and landscaping practices.

Please send letters-to-the-editor, ques-tions, event announcements, editorial suggestions and contributions, photos, advertising inquiries and materials, and any other correspondence to:

The Gateway Gardener Magazine® PO Box 220853

St. Louis, MO 63122Phone: (314) 968-3740

Fax: (314) 968-4025

[email protected]

The Gateway Gardener® is printed on recycled newsprint using environmentally friendly soy-based ink, and is a member of the PurePower® renewable energy resources

net- work.

From the Editor THEGatewayGardenerYour Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

®

It’s becoming a recurring theme for my October message. Last year I wrote about the

hundreds of trees that were lost to the previous winter’s damaging windstorms. This fall I could repeat similarly depressing statistics, due this time to the severe drought and heat of the summer passed. From stately century-old oaks to the cumulative forest of arborvitae commonly used in our region to screen everything from utility boxes to neighbors, it seemed none was safe from the reaper.

As we consider replacements, it’s easy enough to plant another arborvitae, knowing that, in a matter of a few short years, it will reach its serviceable screening size and fulfill its intended purpose in the landscape. It takes a little more foresight, and perhaps selflessness, to replace the oak, which will only shade the home of a future generation.

But there are other more immediate paybacks that should encourage us to do so anyway, according to the book Noah’s Garden, by Sara Stein, which I’ve been rereading and which Cindy Gilberg addresses on page 8. Foremost among those,

especially if you’re a bird and butterfly/moth lover, is that native oaks—even little saplings newly planted—are excellent food sources for hundreds of varieties of caterpillars, which not only turn into those butterflies and moths, but are important protein sources themselves for young birds in the spring. How many caterpillars does the arborvitae host? Only the pesky bagworm, as far as I know.

So, consider planting an oak, or any of a number of other beautiful shade trees that also provide excellent fall color, even as youngsters. Bill Spradley has offered a short list on page 9 of natives, “nativar” cultivated native varieties and favored imported shade trees, as well as

smaller ornamentals and a few evergreens as well, all of which, if properly planted and cared for (see last month’s planting instructions) will be good drought-and-heat survivors.

Among other common victims this summer were the yews (Taxus spp.) over-abundantly used as foundation plantings in our region. If you find yourself needing to replace some foundation evergreens, think outside the box(wood) and consider “The New Evergreens” recommended by Steffie Littlefield on page 6.

Once all the planting is done, reward yourself and your family with a fun outing to one of the festive pumpkin farms featured in our 8th annual Pumpkin Patch Roundup on page 10. Take a hayride, get lost in a corn maze, and marvel once again at the bountiful harvest experienced farmers can coax from the fields in spite of the summer’s heat and drought! I wish I had their green thumbs!

Good Gardening!

4 The Gateway Gardener™ OCTOBER 2012

Barbara Perry Lawton is a writer, author, speaker and photographer. She has served as manager of publications for Missouri Botanical Garden and as weekly garden columnist for the Post-Dispatch. The author of a number of gardening and natural history books, and contributor to many periodicals, she has earned regional and national honors for her writing and photography. Barbara is also a Master Gardener and volunteers at MBG.

Garden Soilby Barbara Perry Lawton

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Plant a dollar tree in a fifteen-dollar hole. So goes an old saying that

rightly stresses the importance of good soil.

The fundamental roles that soil plays in our gardens are vital yet too often taken for granted. Soil supports plant structures. Soil holds root growth firmly and solidly, thus providing the necessary strength to hold up the often heavy above-ground growth. Soil texture that allows air, water and roots to move freely is an important quality for garden soils. Plant rootlets take up soluble mineral nutrients as well as air and water.

Soil pH, the measure of acidity and alkalinity, is another major factor of soil. The pH scale goes from 1.0 to 14.0. Neutral is 7.0.

Below 7.0 is acid and above 7.0 is alkaline. Some plants, including rhododendrons, azaleas and blueberries require an acid soil to thrive while others, including clematis and lilacs, need an alkaline soil for best growth. The great majority of our useful and ornamental garden plants are best suited for garden soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.

The size of soil particles defines soil texture. Sandy soils have comparatively large soil particles while the other extreme is clay, which has very small particles. Either extreme is not what makes most plants thrive. Ideal soils may be described as sandy loam with ample organic matter. Good soil texture such as sandy loam is crumbly and

holds soil moisture. Soils that are mainly clay, while they are usually loaded with nutrients, do not drain well and do not allow good circulation of air, water and soluble nutrients.

In recent years scientific studies have discovered the great importance of insects, worms and microorganisms to garden soil. And coincidentally, more reasons to use organic fertilizers and natural controls instead of manufactured fertilizers and pesticides.

Organic matter consists of dead plant and animal materials. Well-rotted organic matter will improve all home gardening soils. You can build your own organic soil additive by building and tending a good compost pile. The twigs, grass, leaves and other detritus of the garden plus vegetable and fruit scraps from the kitchen will break down into humus, a superior organic soil additive, which will encourage soil life as it fertilizes.

If your garden is noted for its vigorous healthy plants, lucky you! You may have inherited a wonderful garden soil from the previous owner. If, on the other hand, you have a new home with the topsoil scraped away or a new garden on an old property, I can guarantee that you have soil problems. You can probably manage many of

these problems yourself. Where the soil problems are of greater magnitude, you will want to call in professional help from your local independent garden center.

Soil tests are a valuable source of information that will tell you what is needed to improve your soil. With new gardens, soil tests should be mandatory and even with older gardens, a periodic soil test will be of great value. You can purchase home soil test kits and do the analysis yourself.

Most people, those who are not scientifically oriented, will find it easier and offer better information by having the soil test done professionally. This will probably cost anywhere from $10 to about $30. Your favorite independent local nursery may be able to provide soil-testing services. The University of Missouri Horticultural Extension will test soils. So will the Missouri Botanical Garden—get the kits and directions at the reception desk of the Kemper Center.

Experts recommend that, once you have established the original benchmark soil test, you should repeat the soil test every two to five years depending on how serious the original problems were.

5OCTOBER 2012 The Gateway Gardener™

636-561-01243230 Technology Dr. • Lake St. Louis

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Steffie Littlefield is a horticulturist and garden designer at Garden Heights Nursery. She has degrees from St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Southeast Missouri State and is a member of Gateway Professional Horticultural Association and past president of the Horticulture Co-op of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Design/Installation Also Available

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The New Evergreen Shrubsby Steffie Littlefield

This was the summer to change the St. Louis landscape as we’ve

known it. I’m referring to those overgrown, large yews that swallowed small houses. Rejoice, many of these evergreen monsters turned yellow, gold and finally brown. Out with the old and in with the new!

This is a rare opportunity to make changes in the traditional landscape that will improve its appearance and the value of your property. Many old yews, junipers, spruces and even honeysuckles perished in the summer of 2012’s record-breaking heat and drought. Replace them, replant new and revive your homes style with

newer varieties of shrubs that stay smaller, have flowers and four seasons of interest. Boxwoods, Skip laurels, viburnums and dwarf conifers have all been improved

to offer a variety of leaf color, interesting shapes or fragrant flowers. Now that there are open spaces in the landscape try to add more square footage to the outdoor activity areas and fill in where a screen is needed. Complement your house’s façade with smaller evergreen shrubs such as ‘Lemon Thread’ chamaecyparis or ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ arborvitae in groups. Then hide the neighbor’s trash cans with medium to large broadleaf evergreens like bayberry or Allegheny viburnum.

Looking for something really different? Try something new, like the hardy gardenia ‘Crown Jewel’. Loves shade, stays small and blooms all summer with gorgeous white blooms. Need a new look? Discover the wonderful nandinas! These are plants that look grass- or bamboo-like, but keep their leaves all winter and do not spread across the whole neighborhood. I am fascinated by its foliage that hangs on into winter and as the weather gets cooler the leaves turn bright red. Contrast this shrub’s upright growth habit with a round

and spiky mugo pine or the silvery blue of a globe blue spruce.

For the boxwood lovers there are lots of new shapes and even different color variegation in the leaves. ‘Green Tower’ boxwood has to be the most versatile shrub I’ve ever seen. It can be used as a columnar evergreen accent plant to highlight an architectural feature of a structure or in a group to form a taller narrow growing hedge. You can expect this plant to do well in sun or shade. The miniature leaves on ‘Green Borders’ Boxwood and its diminutive size are so sweet and soft looking, making it perfect for the smaller landscape. To brighten the partly shady garden, add a white variegated boxwood.

This refreshing and neat shrub has creamy white edges on its leaves as it grows to be a dense oval shape.

With so many wonderful plants to add into your garden you and I will hardly miss those old yews that didn’t survive the heat. Sometimes change is good, even in the garden!

‘Crown Jewel’ Gardenia

Nandina‘Sienna Sunrise’

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Noah’s Garden by Cindy Gilberg

Cindy Gilberg, horticulturist and Missouri native, founded and ran the garden center at Gilberg Perennial Farms with her husband Doug for 28 years. She now focuses on garden design, consulting and teaching, and also works part-time in the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve, emphasizing the use of native plants in home landscaping. You can reach her at [email protected].

The Whitmire Wildflower Garden is located at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO. Hours: 7 a.m. – dark. Visitor’s Center Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekends.

T his year’s heat and drought comprise yet another reminder for us to reassess our approach to gardening and

landscaping, our plant palette and our use of resources. Historically, aesthetics have been the predominant consideration in gardening—beautiful plants gracing our human landscapes. We have emulated the great gardens and expansive lawns of Europe, using mostly non-native plants in spaces they weren’t adapted to grow in while enforcing a ‘no insects allowed’ policy. This approach often requires altering the site as well as the use of more resources (water, fertilizer, pesticides, etc.). In addition, the function that plant combinations and choices serve in the landscape is often ignored. It is entirely possible to meld the two approaches to create beautiful AND functional landscapes. Functional landscapes include habitat gardens, turf alternatives, sustainable turf practices, lower maintenance options, landscaping for stormwater management (rain gardens etc.), and edible landscaping. Sara Stein’s book Noah’s Garden (1993) predated Doug Tallamy’s book Bringing Nature Home (2007) by over 10 years, yet the same conclusions were drawn as a result of each author’s close observation of gardens and landscapes. The message in both cases is that in

trying to create our own Garden of Eden, we have inadvertently excluded what we need most—nature. Stein points out in the first chapter, titled “Unbecoming a Gardener”, the conflict that often exists between ecology and horticulture—between the interconnectedness of the natural world and the quest for horticultural perfection. She, the gardener, chooses to recreate a more ecologically balanced garden, one in harmony with nature, by incorporating more native plants and creating habitat. Her garden becomes more alive with not just plants, but birds, butterflies

and other animals. Therein lies the beauty of native landscaping.How do you start incorporating these concepts by adding native plants to your landscape? The first step is to assess how your landscape is doing. Plants that suffered this summer

may need to be replaced, and some may be mismatched with where they are planted. Follow the right plant-right place concept and compile plant lists that allow plants to thrive where they are planted without the need for excessive use of resources, i.e. soil amendments, water, fertilizer. Native plants that evolved here have seen these climatic extremes and are a natural (forgive the pun) choice of plants to incorporate into your landscape. Always keep in mind that native plants fit into all design styles, from naturalistic to formal. Often our traditional landscapes have little regard for how plants interact with the natural world. The beauty created frequently offers little-to-no habitat value and is typically devoid of wildlife including butterflies, birds, and other creatures because the indigenous animals of our region did not evolve with a non-native plant palette. Designing for aesthetics while providing a functional habitat is a matter of considering a list of plant that offers food and shelter in all seasons. Choose native plants from each plant group—trees, small flowering trees and shrubs, perennials and grasses that bloom at different times. This structural and bloom-time diversity is what makes great habitat. Anytime you add native plants into your garden, you will be enhancing habitat.To delve deeper into the concepts of a redesigning or enhancing a landscape with native plants, join the book discussion “Noah’s Garden—Restoring the Ecology of Our Backyards” at Shaw Nature Reserve on October 12th. Register online for this class through the Native Plant School at www.ShawNature.org.The St. Louis Chapter of the Audubon Society also offers guidance on creating a more environmentally friendly landscape through their “Bring Conservation Home” program (www.StLouisAudubon.org),

For More Information About Native Plants:Missouri Department of Conservation

Grow!Native program: www.grownative.org

Missouri Botanical GardenNative Plant Garden, Classes

and Plant Finder: www.mobot.org

Shaw Nature ReserveWhitmire Wildflower Garden, Native Plant School and other special events: www.shawnature.org

Wild Onesa non-profit organization with local chapters:

www.for-wild.org

Goldfinches feasting on cup plant seeds in the editor’s Petite Prairie native garden.


Trees for Hot/Dry Conditions by Bill Spradley

Supplying the Irrigation and Landscape Industries with quality materials since 1991

2541 Link Rd • St. Louis, MO 63114(314)426-4838 • FAX (314)426-1382

Toll Free (800) 369-7257MPR Supply Company has been commited

to supplying the highest quality landscape related materials since its founding in 1991. MPR Supply Company carries irrigation

systems and components, low voltage lighting systems, water fountains, water features and related supplies.

SEE US FOR BELGARD® AND OTHER HARDSCAPEPAVERS AND WALL SYSTEM PRODUCTS!

www.mprsupply.comEmail: [email protected]

DRAINAGE

LANDSCAPE

LIGHTING and

PAVERS

FOUNTAINS &

WATER GARDENS

IRRIGATION

After the stressful summer of 2012, many of us lost beautiful, mature shade, ornamental and evergreen trees in our landscapes. The good news is now is a

great time to replace them! When doing so, consider natives that have evolved in our soils and climate extremes, or their close cousin “Nativars”. These are special native selections or cultivated varieties that have hardier than usual or more special features such as enhanced flowers, leaf color/texture, climate hardiness, moisture/drought tolerance, etc.

Even some non-natives can stand up to the heat and drought. We have found some northern hardy selections of southern plant types doing well as St. Louis is changing to a cold hardiness of 6b rating. Plants such as Southern Magnolia, Crape Myrtle and Holly types. Below is a list of shade trees, ornamentals and evergreens we have seen doing well in local nursery growing fields and in the landscape. Remember the Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the next best time is now.”

Shade TreesAcer saccharum ‘Caddo’ (Sugar Maple)Acer miyabei ‘State Street’ (Miyabei Maple)Native: Carya illinoensis (Pecan)Native: Catalpa bignonioides (Southern Catalpa)Native: Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry)Native: Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky Coffee Tree)Nativar: Gymnocladus dioicus ‘Espresso’ (seedless Kentucky Coffee Tree)Nativar: Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’ (Osage Orange)Nativar: Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’ (Blackgum)Native: Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinkapin Oak)Native: Quercus stellata (Post Oak)Native: Quercus pagoda (Cherrybark Oak)Quercus x Triple Crown (cross of English Chinkapin and Swamp White)Nativar: Ulmus americana (Chinese Elm or Lacebark Elm cultivars)Nativar: Ulmus parvifolia ‘Princeton’

Ornamental TreesAcer buergerianum (Trident Maple)Acer truncatum (Shangtung Maple)Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Oklahoma Redbud)Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Weeping ‘Traveller Redbud)Cercis canadensis var. texensis (‘Merlot’ Redbud)Chinonanthis retusus (Chinese Fringe tree ‘China Snow’)Chinonanthis retusus (Chinese Fringe tree ‘Tokyo Towers’)

Native: Cotinus obovatus (American Smoke Tree)Native: Crataegus viridis (Green Hawthorn)Crataegus ambigua (Russian Hawthorn)Lagerstroemia x ‘Dynamite’ (‘Dynamite’ Crape Myrtle)Magnolia grandiflora ‘Brackens Brown Beauty’ (Southern Magnolia)Magnolia grandiflora ‘Edith Bogue’Magnolia virginiana ‘Moonglow’ (Sweetbay Magnolia ‘Moonglow’)Malus x ‘Royal Raindrops’ (Royal Raindrops Crabapple)Native: Rhus copallina (Winged Sumac)Native: Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw Viburnum)Native: Viburnum rufidulum (Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum)

Evergreen TreesCedrus deodara ‘Karl Fuchs (Deodora Cedar)Cryptomeria japonica ‘Radicans’ (Japenese Cedar)Native: Ilex opaca (American Holly and Nativars)Native: Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar)Nativars: Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar Cultivars):‘Taylor’, ‘Canaerti’, BurkiiNative: Pinus echinata (Shortleaf Pine)Pinus ayacahuite (Mexican White Pine)Pinus taedla (Loblolly Pine)Pinus wallichiana (Himalayan Pine)

Bill Spradley is owner of Trees, Forests, and L a n d s c a p e s in Kirkwood, MO, Visit TreesForestsAndLandscapes.com.


Pumpkins, Gourds, Straw, Cornstalk, Indian Corn & More!

We’re Your Source for Fall Gardening &

Decorating!

Bulbs, Mums, Asters, Pansies, Trees & Shrubs& Perennials Waiting For You!

11530 Gravois Road St. Louis, MO 63126(314) 843-4700 or www.sappingtongardenshop.com

OPEN 7 DAYS

Pumpkin QuestA Scavenger Hunt with

Fun Fall Activities & Games!Clues guide you through the journey in the

Quest for the Best Halloween Pumpkin!Open October 1-31st • Cost $5

12007 Lookout Trail • Centertown, MO 65023(573) 584-9611 • www.longfellowsgarden.com

10 minutes west of Jefferson City, MO

Spooky Good Fun on the FarmsPumpkin Patches and More!

Sure you can go to the grocery store and buy a pumpkin, but where’s the fun in that?! Come on! The air is brisk, the trees are decked out in fall glory. Grab the kids and head out to your favorite pumpkin patch! There, the whole clan can wander through a corn maze, enjoy hayrides, and take part in the fall festival atmosphere—oh, and while you’re out there, don’t forget your fresh-picked or pick-em-yourself pumpkins, gourds and other seasonal decorations fresh from the fields!

Aholt Farms Seasons of Fun Augusta, MO

There’s a lot of fall fun planned at Aholt Farms Seasons of Fun. Great place to bring the kids. Check out our corn maze, corn cannon, straw slide, barrel ride, hayrides, haunted house (for the younger visitors—not too scary), face painting and pumpkin painting. There will be lots of food and entertainment. Reserve your evening hayride along with fire pit area for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. Check our website for information. Hope to see you this fall!Where: 6133 Augusta Bottom Rd.When: Sept. 15th-Oct. 31st, Sat. and Sun. 10-5, M-F 10-4Cost: Child (ages 2-12) $10. Adults (ages13-59) $7.00, Senior Discount (Ages 60+) $4.50 Contact: (636) 228-4896 or visit www.AholtFarms.com for information and directions.

Centennial Farms Augusta, MO

Visit our historic farm that goes back to 1821. Our Farm Fun Playground opens daily through the end of October with mazes, fort, straw pile, slides, climbing wall, play tractor, and hayrides. Our farmstead turns into a fantasy setting of farm,

storybook and other pumpkin figures surrounded by hundreds of pumpkins, gourds and fall decorations. You can also pick your own pumpkins from the field. Select from 24 varieties of apples in our market along with our own apple butter, preserves, and cider. Food is served on the deck on weekends. School tours for pumpkin picking are available. Where: 199 Jackson St., Augusta, MO 63332When: Sept. 25th-Oct. 31st Cost: FREE admission to farm. Playground: Child (ages 3-12) $3, Adults (13-over) free, hayrides extra.Contact: (636) 228-4338 or visit www.CentennialFarms.biz.

Daniel’s Farm & Greenhouse St. Peters, MO

Kid-friendly October Harvest can be enjoyed rain or shine, because many of the features are under roof, including a 1,300-bale straw maze. Pony rides (on weekends), face cut-out photo ops, tire swings, giant slides, Pony Express train--plus a petting zoo, corn-filled sand boxes and “fort” maze under cover for all-weather fun! And be sure to come in for all your fall needs including straw bales, corn stalks, Indian corn, homemade jellies, and lots of pumpkins and other fall decorations, plus over 8,000 mums.Where: 352 Jungermann Rd. When: Oct. 1-31, 9-6 Mon.-Fri., 9-6 Sat., 10-5 Sun. (Extended hours to dusk for last two weeks.)


FALL is Perfect for Planting! Tag Trees Now & Plant Later

Great Selection of Hardy Mums

“We grow color for your home!”352 Jungermann Rd. • St. Peters, MO 63376 • 636-441-5048

October HarvestOctober 1st thru October 31st

For School and or Church Groups Please call (636)441-5048 to make your reservations!

You can visit us online at: www.DanielsFarmandGreenhouse.com

Pony Rides Nights & WeekendsPony Express Train • Indian Corn • Straw Mazes

Fall Hours: M-F 9-6 Sat 9-5 Sun 10-5

Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association (MLNA)

Sponsored By:Missouri Turfgrass & Ornamental Council (MoTOC)

Gateway Chapter Sports Managers Association (GCSTMA)Gateway Irrigation Association (GIA)

Mississippi Valley Golf Course SuperintendentsAssociation (MVGCSA)

Full Schedule andOnline Registration at

http://motoc.org/gic/

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FOR VARIOUS CERTIFICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE

DISCOUNTED PRICING FOR MISSOURI MASTER GARDENERS,STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS

HOT TOPICS INCLUDEGROWING & MARKETING NATIVE PLANTS FOR SUSTAINABLE

LANDSCAPES, SOILS IN ORNAMENTAL BEDS, AND TREE CARE

EDUCATIONAL TRACKS INCLUDEORNAMENTALS, LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPE, SPORTS TURF,

GOLF, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE & SAFETY, IRRIGATION &WATER MANAGEMENT, AND PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING

RECERTIFICATION (CATEGORY 3, ORNAMENTALS & TURF)

December 6, 2012St. Charles Convention Center

St. Charles, MO

GreenIndustryConference

MISSOURICost: Call for pricing. Contact: (636) 441-5048 or visit www.DanielsFarmandGreenhouse.com

Longfellow’s Garden CenterCentertown, MO

Join us for the Pumpkin Quest! A scavenger hunt with fun fall activities and games. Clues guide you through the journey in the Quest for the best Halloween pumpkin ever! Tour groups welcome during the week (call for reservations). Where: 12007 Lookout Trail, Centertown, Mo (10 min west of Jefferson City)When: Oct 1-31 until 5pm dailyCost: $5 per personContact: (573) 584-9611 or www.LongfellowsGarden.com.

Thies Farm & GreenhousesSt. Louis and Maryland Heights, MO

Pumpkinland comes alive in October with activities including wagon rides, petting zoo, pony rides, a straw castle and corn maze, and a pirate-ship play area with cable gliders, slides, tunnels, obstacle courses, a suspended bridge and more—plus, of course, tons of pumpkins and gourds. Where: 4215 North Hanley Rd, and 3120 Creve Coeur Mills Rd.When: October Tues.-Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5Cost: General Admission and Group Rates. Call for current pricing or visit www.thiesfarm.com.Contact: General information (314) 429-5506. Call (314) 428-9878 for school and group reservations

Valley FarmsForistell, MO

Barrel train ride, indoor mini-barn hay maze, hayride, panning for gold, farm animals. Also available for school outings Tuesdays-Fridays and evening group hayrides followed by a bonfire on Friday and Saturday evenings. Private parties also available.Where: 1125 Dietrich Rd.When: Open to the public weekends 10am-5pm, Sept 29th-Oct. 28th. Cost: Free, except for train ride, panning for gold and hayride.Contact: Visit ValleyFarms.info


The Cornucopia Corner

This is the last month for this year’s Market Guide, but the professional farmers are still harvesting plenty of fresh, locally grown produce to supplement your own home-grown harvest. Plus, this month, there’s even more going on at most markets, with lots of festive seasonal activities for the entire family. Be sure to check out the markets on this page and the pumpkin patches featured in our annual Pumpkin Patch Roundup on page 10.

Just because our Market Guide is ending for the year, take note of those markets that continue to stay open through the winter holidays. They will continue to offer late-season produce, seasonal decorating ingredients and even more family fun events!

Thanks to the Markets who have sponsored this page in 2012, and thanks to the readers who have supported them by choosing to buy their fresh, locally grown produce at one of these markets.

See you next year!

Ferguson Farmers’ Market20 S. Florissant Rd.

Ferguson, MO(314) 324-4298

[email protected]

and FACEBOOKHours: May 5th-Oct. 27th, Sat. 8am-noon

Open for our 10th season with fresh, local and organic produce and fruits grown within 100 miles and picked within 24 hours by the friendly farmers who grow them. Special events weekly with chef demos, food con-tests, kids’ art activities and fresh produce samplings. 48 tents include live music, food booths, specialty bakery goods, meats, cheeses, artisans, plants, and many farm-ers. GET FRESH. SHOP LOCAL.

Overland Farmers’ Market2500 Woodson RoadOverland, MO 63114

www.OverlandFarmersMarket.com

Hours: 8am-12:30pm Saturdays May-Oct.

Visit us for locally grown seasonal produce, homemade bread and sweetrolls, entertain-ment and special events. Food available for purchase. Centrally located and accessible by public transportation. Have fun and eat well. We look forward to seeing you at the market!

Historic Soulard Farmers’ Market730 Carroll Street

St. Louis, MO 63104(314) 622-4180

http://stlouis-mo.gov/soulardmarket.com

Hours: Open Year Round - Wed. thru Fri. 8am to 5pm, Sat. 6am to 5pm.

Soulard Market is the oldest farmers’ mar-ket west of the Mississippi and continues to be a unique and vibrant venue for shop-pers from the metropolitan area. Vendors offer fresh veggies and fruits, handmade cheeses, fresh flowers, meats, poultry, sea-food, unique spices, clothing, jewelry and prepared food items. Free parking close to the Market.

Sauteed KaleYes, It’s a superFood!

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2” pieces 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium red onion, chopped 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 bunch kale, trimmed and chopped into 1” strips celtic sea salt to taste

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat. Remove bacon from pan and place on paper towel to drain. Reduce to medium low and add olive oil and onion. Sauté for 15 minutes until carmelized. Add kale and garlic, sauté for 5 minutes uncovered. Return bacon to pan and cover with a lid for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Add salt and serve.

This recipe adapted from http://www.elanaspantry.com/sauteed-kale/

Please share some of your favorite recipes with us. You can FAX your recipe to 314.968.4025

or email us at [email protected].

Jt’s Fresh Ideas

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2012 Farmers’ & Produce Markets

VegetablesBeansBeets

BroccoliCabbage

CauliflowerCucumbers

EggplantGarlic

GreensHerbs

HorseradishKohlrabiLettuce

OkraOnionsPeas

PeppersPopcornPotatoesPumpkinsRadishesRhubarbSpinach

SquashSweet Potatoes

TomatoesTurnips

FruitsApples

BlueberriesCanteloupe

Grapes (wine)Nectarines

PearsPlums

Raspberries, redWatermelon

October HarvestHere are some fruits and veggies you might find in the garden or your local farmers’ market this month:


The Cornucopia Corner

The Land of GoshenCommunity Market

South of the CourthouseEdwardsville, IL(618) 307-6045

www.GoshenMarket.org

Hours: May 12-October 20th Saturday mornings 8am-noon

An open-air farmers’ market that is a great source for locally grown, fresh, naturally rip-ened farm products, tasty baked goods with locally grown ingredients, and wonderful art and gift ideas. Live entertainment and free demonstrations add to the festive atmo-sphere. A safe, wholesome place for kids and the whole family.

Stuckmeyer’s FarmMarket and Greenhouse

249 Schneider Rd.Fenton, MO

(636) 349-1225

Hours: April-Oct. Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 10am-4pm

Visit our family-operated farm market and greenhouse. We offer a large selection of flowers and vegetable plants from early spring thru mid-summer. Fresh, home-grown vegetables are available mid-April thru October. The month of October is family “Farm Fun Days” featuring hay-rides, pumpkins and Stuckmeyer-grown mums!

Stuckmeyers.com

Schlafly Farmers Market Schlafly Bottleworks7260 Southwest AvenueMaplewood, MO 63143

(314) [email protected]

www.schlaflyfarmersmarket.com

Hours: April-Oct. Wednesdays 4-7pm.

Come and buy local, farm fresh eggs, pork, lamb, beef, herbs, mushrooms, artisanal loaves, flowers, pasta, chocolate and more, straight from the source.

Pumpkins, winter squash, gourds, and flint corn are commonly seen around

this time of year decorating people’s homes, yards, and tables. Flint corn, commonly called Indian corn, is an edible native grain. Try growing it and teach kids about the historical connection between plants and people throughout the Americas. Native Americans grew flint corn to grind into flour and ate it as hominy when kernels are cooked whole. Popcorn is also another variety of flint corn that is fun to grow and eat.

In order to have flint corn ready to harvest in the fall, you need to plant your flint corn kernels early in the spring. It takes at least three months for the flint corn to mature. There are many varieties of flint corn, many of which come in solid colors such as blue or pink. When picking a location to plant your corn, be sure to keep flint corn separate from your sweet corn or they may cross pollinate. Also, if you want to keep your flint corn a solid color at harvest time, be sure to plant differing colors so they do not cross pollinate also or you will end up with multicolored corn kernels. If a multicolored corn cob is what you are looking for then you can plant them all together.

Corn is a very heavy feeder so it is important that you amend your soil before planting and after corn stalks have grown about 6-8 inches tall and also at 18 inches tall. Before

planting corn, planting cover crops in the same area such as clover or hairy vetch can add much-needed nitrogen. You can also prepare your soil by adding 20-30 lbs. of compost per 100 square feet before planting. Use blood meal or a diluted fish emulsion once the thinned seedlings are established.

To ensure that all your corn is properly pollinated, plant the corn in blocks rather than long rows. Each block should be at least three rows wide. Five rows in 10-12 foot long blocks is ideal.

Plant 3 kernels together every 8-15 inches. Once the seeds have germinated, thin

to one strong plant every 15 inches. You can use scissors to cut the weaker seedlings down without disturbing the shallow roots of the corn plant. Because of these shallow root systems, be cautious when weeding around the plant. The root systems spread after one month of growth. Be diligent about weeding in that first month and mulch with a light layer of leaf mulch. Soaker hoses or drip irrigation are ideal for watering corn steadily throughout the season. Lay a soaker hose down before applying the mulch and give the corn seedlings about 1 inch of water a week. Regular watering is critical to even corn kernel formation.

Harvest the corn after the silks have turned brown by pulling the corn from the main stalk. Pull back the corn husk and reveal the kernels. They should be dry and firm. If using for eating or decoration you will want to hang them somewhere cool and dry for a few days. If you are interested in saving kernels for the next years’ crop, remove the largest kernels and store in a ziplock bag in a dark dry place until the following spring.

Tips for Growing, Buying and Cooking Fresh, Locally Sourced Food for Your Table

Festive Flint Corn for Fall!By Mara Higdon

Mara Higdon is the Program Director at Gateway Greening, Inc. They focus on community development through gardening throughout the St. Louis area. You can reach her at (314) 588-9600 x22 or by email at [email protected].


Holiday Evolution PotFrom Abigail LapidesSugar Creek Gardens

Here’s an idea for an autumn pot that can easily be m o r p h e d into a winter-s e a s o n a l

display covering two holiday seasons in one! Use dwarf Albert spruce for structure,

purple kale for bold color, creeping Jenny Lysimachia with

bright dangling teeny yellow leaves, ‘Burgundy Glow’ ajuga for striking foliage of pink, green and white, coralbell Heuchera for its exceptional form and hues, yarrow Achillea with interesting blossoms, seed heads plus ferny foliage, and finally, ‘Ascot Rainbow’ Euphorbia. Then, transform your pot for each holiday by sprinkling it with seasonal and festive decorations.Mixing old witH tHE nEwFrom Sandy RichterSandy’s Back Porch

Don’t pitch that summer p o t — j u s t primp it up a little! The beauty of the fall c o n t a i n e r

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Summer containers are great for, well, summer; but if your containers are still sporting the usually hot, tropical celebrities, first of all congratulations for managing to keep them alive all summer, but more to the point, it’s time a change! The crisp, colorful days of autumn cry out for warm, earthy tones to give your fall

containers the sense of the season. We asked a few of our local garden center experts to help inspire us with some plantings of their own. Some took advantage of leftover summer stock, accenting with fall flavors, while others did a complete makeover. I hope the results spark an idea or two for you!

Fabulous Fall Container Ideas!

#1

#3

#2


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is that you don’t have to toss everything from your spring creations. Just pull out what isn’t doing well and plop in some cool season plants. Here are three different options to consider!

#1 Sangria Ornamental Pepper, mum, straw flowers and “Fizzy Mix” pansies-they are too cute.#2 Chili Chili Ornamental Pepper, straw flowers and purple flash ornamental pepper work beautifully with this carex annual grass.#3 Fiber Optic grass, black pearl ornamental pepper, cabbage with a touch of color from this petunia look beautiful together.

Scary EaSy!From Jamie SunfieldHillermann Nursery & Florist

This picture is a great inspiration for most homeowners and plant enthusiasts! Use a

mixture of awesome plants including croton, ornamental cabbage and pennisetum! Add a little scarecrow and voila! It’s so easy, but packs a punch! And don’t be afraid to add some silk to your containers! It comes in handy when your plants are nice and big, but not showing any color!

PErEnnialS PluS!From Annie StanleySappington Gardens

P l a n t i n g w i t h perennials gives you the bonus of planting them in the ground

before it freezes. Adding edibles gives great color and texture, and provides a way to grow cool-season vegetables. Mix

and match with purple fountain grass, gaura, rudbeckia, hardy mums and chinese cabbage. Use real or artificial gourds, pears and leaves for accents.

HAPPY DESIGNING!


You ask…What is Kokedama? Well Kokedama is the Japanese art form of enclosing a plant’s

root mass in moss. Kokedama means “moss ball”. This trend is growing and can be quite fun. A current spin off of the Kokedama trend is String Gardening. The moss balls are suspended with string.

Kokedama originated through a combination of both Nearai and Kusamono bonsai styles. Nearai style bonsai is when the plant grows tightly root bound in the pot, and then taken out of the pot to stand and enjoy. The root and soil would maintain its shape when taken out of the pot.

Kusamono style bonsai features potted arrangements of wild grasses and flowers in unique pots or trays. The container may be anything from rock or wood to ceramic. Kusamono was originally used

to show the seasons and was often presented with a moss gathering at the top of the soil.

MatErialS nEEdEd

• Bagged soils. We used Perfect Play which is a heavier soil. The soils will be discussed in more details below.• Moss, long fiber is best • Cotton crochet thread or fishing line• Scissors• Water • Wire

• Bucket to mix soil in

Mixing tHE PErfEct Soil

This is the tricky part is finding the soil components.

There are many bagged soils that may work for Kokedama. The soil must be a heavier soil, which may contain peat moss, peat, clay, a small amount of sand, or perlite. Bagged garden soil comes to mind, perhaps mixed with an indoor potting soil. A ratio we have seen online is 70% peat soil and 30% clay/garden soil. Play around with different mixtures to come up with the best recipe that won’t fall apart.

We used a peat moss based soil and mixing with pitching mound clay, courtesy of Perfect Play soils. The

most important step is to mix your soil well! Use a small amount of water to make the clay and soil bond together. The clay must be thoroughly mixed in with the peat-based soil so as not to crack over time when displayed. Your soil should be sticky and pliable once the water is added and the soil and clay are carefully mixed.

Next, form the soil into a ball. The ball’s size may range from the size of an orange to the size of a small grapefruit. You should be able to drop this ball several inches into your bucket and it should not break apart. This is the base of your Kokedama.

Insert your thumbs slowly into the middle of the ball, using your hands to keep the form of the outer sphere. This is the hole your plants root system will go into.

now for tHE Plant!

Kokedama can be done with almost any variety of smaller indoor plants. Smaller plants will be easier to handle and won’t grow too large too quickly. Think about the light where you will display it when choosing your plants.

Take your chosen plant out of the container. Gently shake off excess soil. You might dunk the roots in water, which will help eliminate any unnecessary soil. You may also have to trim roots.

Insert your plant’s root mass into the soil ball. Gently form the soil around the root mass, adding more of the Kokedama soil if necessary. Be careful not to get the soil too high around the plant’s stems.

Now cut a long piece of fishing line or string, perhaps 3 yds. You will also want to cut a few pieces of wire two inches in length and

Make a Kokedamatext and photos by Ellen Barredo

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Ellen Barredo is a Missouri Certified Nursery Professional with more than 30 years in professional horticulture. She works at Bowood Farms and can be reached at (314) 4554-6868 or [email protected].

Specialists in Care & Enhancement

of Estate GardensOffering Professional:

• Consultation & Design• Plant Health Care• Selective Natural Pruning• Specimen Tree &Shrub Variety Installation

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We have the answers for the ultimate lawn!

Look for these and other ferti-lome products at your favorite independent nurseries and garden centers.

Winterizer• Helps build vigorous root systems during winter for all types of grasses.• Ideal for trees, shrubs, ornamentals and evergreens.• Promotes winter hardiness.• You can tell the difference in how your grass multiplies in the spring.

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bend in half to create a floral pin. Make a loop at one end of the string, insert pin through the loop, and insert the pin close to the bottom of the clay ball.

Moisten your moss in a container of water and squeeze out excess water. Start the mossing procedure by placing and pressing the moss around the soil ball. This procedure may require two people.

Once the soil is covered with moss it is now time to bind it with string and tie it off. This is where two sets of hands help the procedure go more smoothly. One person holds the ball and may be adding moss and one person is winding the attached string binding the moss to the ball. Note: do not crowd the plants crown with moss. Leave enough room at the top of the moss ball in order for the plant to breathe.

After you have made your Kokedama, you need to water it, so prepare a bucket that contains enough water to cover the green moss ball (not the plant) and let the ball soak in the water for about 10 minutes.

At this point you will either display your Kokedama sitting or you may decide to make a string hanger and suspend it!

Remember, as with any procedure you may end up modifying it!

If you have any questions please feel free to call us at Bowood Farms!

I would like to thank my co-workers Jessica and Kathy for working through the Kokedama procedure so we could share it with the Gateway Gardener!


Performer Creates “The Gardener” Living Statue

During normal busi-ness hours, Harry Sneed is otherwise known as Harry the Handyman, owner of a home improvement company. But when not performing home repairs and remodeling, Harry

puts his creative talents to a number of endeavors, including writing, speaking, dancing, and recently, a project called “Art That Lives”; real-life, breathing (though barely noticeably) “statues”. His most recent incarnation is called “The Gardener”, a bronzed, ivy-draped Farmer Brown-looking character that has been entertaining visitors to Historic Old Town St. Charles, standing motionless for long periods until startling bystanders as he unexpectedly comes to life. Harry says the inspiration for his character came from the gardens and flower-lined cobble-stoned streets near his Old Town residence. For more information on upcoming appearances or how you can hire him for events, visit www.ArtThatLives.com.

New Partnership for North County Community GardenGateway Greening and St. Louis County Library are partnering to offer a community garden space for residents of the northwest area of St. Louis County, including Hazelwood and Florissant.Prairie Commons Community Garden will be located at Prairie Commons Branch, 915 Utz Lane, Hazelwood, MO. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up for garden plots and additional leadership opportunities.“Libraries already provide a center for community development and activity. The addition of a community garden space in North St. Louis County will build upon the libraries contributions and allow neighbors to come together, grow fresh food and carry on the rich tradition of gardening,” said Mike Sorth, Gateway Greening executive director. “Gateway Greening’s partnership with St. Louis County Library allows us to further expand our reach and services beyond Metro St. Louis.”Gateway Greening’s partnership garden at Prairie Commons Branch will be their first garden in the Northwest St. Louis County area. Gardens at additional branches are being considered for the future.

Area Arborist Receives International AwardTim Gamma, Past President of the St. Louis Arborist Association and owner of Gamma Tree Experts, received

the 2012 Arborist of the Year Award at the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Conference in Portland, Oregon on August 15. Society of Commercial Arborist (SCA) President Steve Chisholm presented the award. Steve cited Tim’s dedicated service to the industry including President of the St. Louis Arborist Association, ISA Test Committee Chair, SCA President, BCMA Committee and ISA President 2009-2011.

New All Natural Products Now Available LocallyStan Clement of Crestwood, Missouri, has recently started a new company, Agr-O-Sol, to market a line of all-natural gardening products to homeowners in the St. Louis area. The products, which are organic, university tested and have been used in agricultural applications for years, include Bountiful Harvest®, a bio-stimulant soil drench or foliar application to increase bio-organism activity in the soil; Earth’s Bounty Sea Minerals, a nutritive foliar spray and soil amendment; Super-Cal, a liquid calcium supplement; and others. The products are currently carried at Frisella Nursery in Defiance, Missour, and Stan is currently seeking additional retail outlets. For more information, visit www.Agr-O-Sol.com or call Stan at (314) 397-4303.

Dig This!Gateway Gardeners

and Businesses in the News


If one is willing to travel, two of the rarest birds in North America, ironically, are also the easiest to

see. Last year I decided to see both. Within minutes of arriving at my destinations, I was looking at them. For the first rarity, I traveled to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge near Corpus Christi, Texas. I decided to take the boat excursion for $45, where one can easily glide by the wintering grounds of the Whooping Crane. Only a few hundred of these birds still exist. I was fortunate to see not only the adults, but several young. These birds mostly nest in Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territory in Canada, but come September, they make their way down to the Corpus Christi area, where in the 1940s, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service established Aransas NWR for these wintering cranes. One need not take the boat excursion, for later on a drive around the area, I saw several more of the cranes; however, the boat offers a chance to see several species of birds from the Long-billed Curlew to Seaside Sparrows, with an experienced crew pointing out the various species.

The following June, I drove up to Grayling, Michigan, located near the top of the “mitt,” but still in the Lower Peninsula. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in conjunction with the Michigan Audubon Society operates a tour from May 15th to July 4th. After showing up at the Ramada Inn at 7 a.m., we took a short drive to the Huron-Matisee National Forest just outside of town, where we watched a Kirtland’s Warbler singing on territory in the only habitat it will use for nesting—Jack Pines, a scrubby little tree. The warbler makes a nest on the ground under the tree. By September the Kirtland’s Warbler will head south migrating to its winter grounds in the Bahamas. Fewer than 200 pairs existed in 1900. The census of singing male Kirtland’s Warbler in 2011 was 1,828—quite a leap in numbers. The warblers are easy to count for the male sings from these small trees incessantly, looking for a mate. After a female arrives and settles in to set

up housekeeping, the male continues to sing, proclaiming his territory to other male Kirtland’s.

When I use the word “rare” here, I’m not talking about a bird that accidentally shows

up in a place where it’s not supposed to be, such as on December 31,1991, when a Ross’s Gull, which breeds in the paleoarctic, blew into Riverlands in St. Charles County. No, a rare bird (or rara avis for the Harvard crowd) for our purposes means that the birds’ numbers or populations are so low that the species is on the “Endangered List.” “Loss of habitat,” which is a kind of euphemism for man’s destruction of their natural habitat, is the main reason. Extensive persecution by man is another reason. Both contributed to the demise of the Whooping Crane, our rarest species as far as numbers are concerned. There were only 21 wild birds in 1941. In 2011 the number was 437, making it by far the most endangered species in North America. The Whooping Crane, named after its trumpet like call, lays two eggs, but raises only one

chick. Biologists have taken the “extra” eggs and incubated them in a laboratory, raising the young in captivity. Attempts are under way to establish non-migratory Whooping Cranes in Florida. It will be several more years before we see the results.

The Whooping Crane is the tallest bird in North America. The numbers of its cousin, the slightly smaller Sandhill Crane, are well-established. In fact, of the 15 species of cranes in the world, the Sandhill Crane is by far the most numerous; whereas, the Whooping Crane is the most endangered. Both cranes are omnivorous, eating mostly crustaceans, frogs, snakes, but also berries and wheat.

While the Whooping Crane is a large bird, the Kirtland’s Warbler is a diminutive one. Like all North American warblers, the Kirtland’s (named after a doctor and an amateur naturalist) is mostly an insectivore, yet it will occasionally take small fruit.

It was only in 1950s that scientists discovered these warblers’ wintering grounds in the Bahamas. Although the USFWS needs to constantly maintain a Jack Pines forest where the birds can breed in Michigan, there is no similar need in the Bahamas, where the warbler

actually spends most of its time.

Nine North American bird species have become extinct, including most likely the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and the Bachman’s Warbler, both birds that formerly bred in the St. Louis area. Several organizations are working to keep The Whooping Crane and the Kirtland’s Warbler species from falling into that horrendous list.

Connie Alwood is a Master Gardener and co-author of Birds of the St. Louis Area: Where and When to Find Them.

Rare BirdsText and photo by Connie Alwood

“A rare bird...means that the birds numbers or populations are so low

that the species is on the Endangered List.”

Whooping Cranes


After Surviving the Heat, It’s Time to Ready the Roses for Cold

By Diane Brueckman

Diane Brueckman is a retired rosarian with Missouri Botanical Garden, and currently owns Rosey Acres in Baldwin, Illinois. You can reach her at (618) 785-3011.

The summer of 2012 will not be forgotten anytime soon. We had the longest

string of 100-plus-degree days in July since 1934. With eleven nights with lows in the 80s and 28 days with temperatures in the 90s, is it any wonder we gardeners wilted? The drought didn’t help either. If you were like me, keeping the gardens watered was a full-time job. Beyond that not much got done in my yard because I am not as heat tolerant as I used to be. My roses however came through just fine. I did do a very deep watering once every week and did not fertilize after May and no liquid feed in the heat. It is important to remember that deep watering once a week is much more beneficial than several fifteen minute sprinkles during the week. Disease was

down because of the heat and dry air. Black-spot spores die in the temperatures we experienced this summer. With the disease pressure down the need to spray was reduced. If you noticed that the blooms on your roses were smaller than usual and the colors were not as bright that was the down side to the heat. Some roses that took the heat extremely well were the Griffith Buck roses. I grow ‘Country Dancer’, ‘Winter Sunset’, ‘Pearlie Mae’, ‘Golden Unicorn’ and ‘Prairie Princess’.

A word about ‘Prairie Princess’; this shrub puts out some very long

canes and is best planted on a support and trained as a climber. I put one in my shrub border last year and she is all over the place and is about to be moved

to a better location. Some other plants that really loved the heat were ‘Peace’, ‘Easy Does It’, ‘Hot Cocoa’, ‘Pumpkin Patch’ and, of course, ‘St. Patrick’.

The rugosa roses tolerated the drought very well. My ‘Sarah Van Fleet’ never got watered this summer because of her location (far from my hydrants). I would have hauled water if I saw her suffering but she didn’t and has been blooming away since the beetles left. All this goes to prove my theory that roses are tough plants and actually take heat very well. Speaking of beetles, I had many beetles this year, as usual. I put out my traps and filled 5 bags. I also, plucked them off the blooms and dumped them in a bucket with horticultural oil and

insecticidal soap. If your yard is fairly confined you should think about putting out Milky Spore or another grub control. Many people I have talked to say they have done this and have had far fewer beetles.

Roses are tough but not indestructible. If your roses were not well watered during the drought and heat, you must make sure that you keep them well watered now before going into winter. Also, don’t let up on disease prevention. Disease returns with the cooler temperatures and higher humidity. I watch the weather and if the conditions for disease will be present, I spray the roses.

In October, you should stop pruning and deadheading your roses. By not pruning and deadheading the plants can save the energy to go into winter stronger instead of putting out new growth that in all likely- hood would not survive the frosts. Let any new growth harden off so it can make it through the winter. Cutting roses for a bouquet is fine but instead of deadheading just pluck off the petals to keep the garden neat. It is also a good idea to rake up all of the fallen leaves and petals that may harbor disease spores.


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Upcoming Events

Meetings, Classes, Entertainment and More

Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at GatewayGardener.com, so check there for the latest details. If you have a smartphone, scan this code to go directly to the Upcoming Events online calendar.

Give us the details of your upcoming gardening, lawn or landscaping event and we’ll add it to our website and include it in our next issue. Deadline for printing in January/February issue is December 1st.

How to reach us:Mail: PO Box 220853St. Louis, MO 63122Fax: (314) 968-4025

Email: [email protected]

GARDEN CLUBS AND PLANT SOCIETY MEETINGS

Interested in Joining a Garden Club or Plant Society? We have meeting dates, locations and contact information on more than 50 area garden clubs on our website at www.GatewayGardener.com. Don’t have access to the internet? Just call us at (314) 968-3740, or

write us at PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122, and we’ll get the information to you. So share your joy for gardening and join a garden club or favorite plant society today!

FUN FOR KIDS(Please also see our Pumpkin Patch feature in this issue for other fun family activities taking place at area farms and markets.)

Oct. 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th

10am-3pm—Kids’ Activities at Hillermann’s. Make a Sunflower Birdfeeder (10/6);Make a Birdhouse (10/13); Make a Family Sign (10/20); Make a Pumpkin House (10/27). Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com.

Oct. 6th 9am—All About Bats—Children’s Garden Club. For the Garden at Haefners. 6703 Telegraph Rd. (314) 846-0078. www.forthegarden.net. Sponsored by St. Louis County Parks and Recreation.

PLANT SALES AND SHOWSOct. 13th

9am-4pm—U. City in Bloom Bulb Sale. Bulbs that are both good quality and recommended for their sustainability. Preorders for bulbs to be picked up the day of the sale can be at www.ucityinbloom.org. Sale tent located on the sidewalk on the west side of the St. Louis Bread Co. Sales support UCB’s planting of hundreds of new bulbs annually in the public flower beds in our community. Call (314) 973-3541 for info.

Oct. 20th 9am-5pm—Mid America Regional Lily Society Sale. New cultivars and old favorites

are sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Beaumont Room, Ridgway Visitor Center, Missouri Botanical Garden. Included with Garden admission.

. Oct. 20th & 21st 9am-5pm—Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society Sale. New cultivars and old favorites are sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Orthwein Floral Display Hall, Missouri Botanical Garden. Included with Garden admission. http://stldaffodilclub.org.

Oct. 27th-28th 9am-5pm—Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Annual Show and Sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Show in the Beaumont Room; Sale in the Garden Room, Ridgway Visitor Center. Included with Garden admission. Missouri Botanical Garden.

CLASSES, LECTURES AND EVENTS Through October 31st9am-5pm daily— Plastic Pot Recycling. Recycle plastic garden pots, cell packs and trays. Plastic should be separated and empty of soil with no metal hangers; no clay pots or food plastic accepted. Please separate #6 plastic cell packs and trays from #2 and #5 plastic pots into the recycling trailers. West parking lot of the Garden’s Monsanto Center, 4500 Shaw Blvd. at Vandeventer. (314) 577-9441. Look for Plastic Pot Recycling at several satellite

collection centers throughout the metro area through Sept. 30; for a complete list of participants, visit www.mobot.org/plasticpotrecycling.

Oct. 1st-28th 10am-3pm—Fall Color Festival. Family activities with a free fall play area, craft table and photo area daily. The kids can go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt. We’ll even have a scarecrow station where you can build a scarecrow with your family. Special Kids Activities will be available from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturdays. Lunch at the Outdoor Kitchen will be available on Saturdays! Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com.

Oct. 3rd 1:30-3pm, repeated 7-8pm—Best Practices for Working with Youth: Growing Minds and Gardens. During this webinar you will learn how to actively engage volunteers in inquiry based learning and how the brain processes that information. The session will also explore ways to adapt activities with different age groups, suggest group management strategies, and review risk management policies. Call to register. U. of I. Extension offices at 901 Illinois Avenue in Waterloo (618) 939-3434 or 1 Regency Plaza Drive Ste. 200, Collinsville (618) 344-4230.

Oct. 6th 10am—Beautiful Spring Gardens Begin in the Fall. Now is the time to plant bulbs and prepare for spring perennials. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

10 and 11am—Fall Berries for the Birds and DIY Fall Combo Classes. At 10am, learn


about beautiful fall berry plants that are both attractive and will attract birds to your yard. At 11am, learn how to create your own beautiful fall combo planters. You can even bring your containers with you and make your creations. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com.

Oct. 6th & 7th 9am-5pm—Annual Best of Missouri Market. Over 120 Missouri food producers and crafters offer fresh produce, baked goods, fresh and dried flowers, herbs, handcrafted items, baskets, wooden toys, custom jewelry and more. Live music and a Kids Corner with cow milking, pumpkin decorating and barnyard animals. Outdoors under tents, rain or shine. $12 adults (13-64), $10 seniors (65+), $5 children (3-12), $5 members. Buy tickets in advance online at www.mobot.org. No trams.

Oct. 7th 2pm–Practical Pruning. Tom Mee will take you on a hands-on presentation trimming and shaping a variety of plant material throughout our gardens and grounds. Learn how to prune your young shade trees so they grow with beauty and strength, and how to prune your flowering trees and shrubs so you never risk losing a bloom. Frisella Nursery, frisellanursery.com, (636) 798-2555.

Oct. 9th

1pm—Coneflowers Gone Crazy. Trial gardens across the country have started to address the question of which ones are the best, and have trialed Echinacea species. This program will look at the simple facts. Call to register. $5 for b/w handouts or $10 for color. U. of I. Extension offices at 901 Illinois Avenue in Waterloo (618) 939-3434 or 1 Regency Plaza Drive Ste. 200, Collinsville (618) 344-4230. 7-8:30pm—What if the

Storm Hits Your Trees? 2012 Tap Root Speaker Series. Discussion on storm-damaged trees and the first priorities for safety and tree longevity. How does a homeowner hire a professional arborist for help? For professionals. CEU credits available. Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave. Call (636) 970-3000 to pre-register Thursday prior to event date. $15 pre-registered, $20 at door.

Oct. 11th or 12th 1-4pm—Native Plant School: Small Flowering Trees, Shrubs and Vines Part 3. Bring your questions, comments, photos, drawings, and plant specimens for discussion. Session includes hands-on tours and demonstrations. Audience participation encouraged. $15 ($12 Garden/SNR members). Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve. For reservations or more information, call (636) 451-3512 or visit www.shawnature.org.

Oct. 12th 5-7pm—Native Plant School: Book Review 2: Noah’s Garden (Chapter’s 7-13). $15 ($12 Garden/SNR members). Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve. For reservations or more information, call (636) 451-3512 or visit www.shawnature.org.

Oct. 13th 9am-2pm—Autumn Herb Gathering. Webster Groves Herb Society members have been creating wonderful herbal products throughout the summer to sell. Great ideas for Holiday gifts, plus garden books, and herbal how-to demos presented throughout the day. Guest speaker Deborah Lee, vice president, Illinois Herb Association. Rolling Ridge Nursery, 60 N. Gore, Webster Groves. See www.wgherbs.org for more.

10am-4pm—Art Walk. Artists and fine craftsfmen display and sell their work in a beautiful garden setting. Garden Heights Nursery, 1605 S. Big Bend Blvd. Richmond Hts., MO. GardenHeights.com.

10 and 11am—Fall Shade Trees and DIY Home Landscape Classes. At 10am learn all about shade trees for the yard and landscape. At 11am learn tips and tricks to install a DIY Landscape Project. Create a beautiful landscape for your home. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com.

10am—Fairy Gardening, Mini Landscaping for Containers and Gardens. Learn the art of creating miniature landscapes with doll-sized shrubs, perennials, annuals and more. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

Oct. 14th 2pm—Withstanding the Weather. These last two years have been exceedingly difficult on the botanical members of our household. Without proper care, the severe drought coupled with extreme temperatures could prove to be their day of reckoning. Join an open forum to discuss areas of concern, and a viable course of action for our plants. Frisella Nursery, FrisellaNursery.com, (636) 798-2555.

Oct. 14th and 28th Canopy Climb. Explore majestic trees like never before. In this one-and-one-half-hour experience, a certified tree-climbing instructor will teach you to ascend on your own into a tree canopy. Then sit on branches, limb-walk, lie in hammocks or relax in a suspended chair while learning about forest canopy biodiversity and conservation. Several

vertical lines available, and climbers can choose to ascend more than one line as time allows. Must be at least 8 years old. 12 climbers per session. Missouri Botanical Garden; also offered at the Shaw Nature Reserve (see www.shawnature.org for details). Choose from sessions at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm or 3:30pm. $43 per child or adult climber(child price includes Garden admission for one accompanying adult chaperone). Advanced registration required; www.mobot.org/classes or (314) 577-5140. October 20th

10am-4pm—Great River Road Chestnut Roast. Taste fresh roasted chestnuts and other delicious foods of the fall harvest. Arts and crafts, fun activities for the kids, fresh food, local vendors, demonstrations and entertainment. Live broadcast of the KTRS-55AM Inside Out garden and home improvement radio program. Forrest Keeling Nursery, 88 Forrest Keeling Ln., Elsberry, MO. (573) 898-5571.

10 and 11am—DIY Home Landscape and Sleep Tight Water Garden Classes. - At 10am learn tips and tricks to install a DIY Landscape Project. Create a beautiful landscape for your home. At 11am learn how to put your water garden to bed for winter. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com.

Oct. 27th 3-6pm—5th Annual Boo-Wood Halloween Event. Kids will enjoy pumpkin painting, a scavenger hunt and free snacks. Costumes encouraged! Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive Street in the Central West End. Go to www.bowoodfarms.com for more information, or call the garden center at (314) 454-6868. FREE.

Step-by-Step Guide to Top Dressing: - Core aerate the lawn, concentrating on the most heavily tra�cked sections. - Apply a ½ inch layer of Field and Turf compost, using the Ecolawn Top Dresser - Smooth the surface using a rake or weighted drag mat to break down soil plugs and backfill holes - Spread grass seed, lightly rake, and water – making sure all seeds are covered with soil/compost layer to guard against winter damage - Water as needed, keeping the soil moist until seeds germinate

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BEFOREAFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

The Gateway Gardener October 2012

Documents

enjoyable gardening

new evergreens

sound gardening

fall harvest

new evergreen shrubs

new generation

successful gardening

garden soil