JUST OWN IT
A HIDDEN GEM IN OUR BACKYARD
I’m not sure when I first visited Ward-Meade Park. It may have been when I was a kid. I have memories of several city parks from back in my youth. If it wasn’t all the way back then, it was for sure during my early years here at the garden store. That would have been back when I was in my high school years, so sometime in the mid-80s.
Even at that young age, I was already a “budding” plant geek... sorry, no pun intended! I’d figured out that plants were cool. I also figured out there were a lot of them to learn about. That’s where the Ward-Meade Botanical Gardens came into the picture.
The collections there are extensive. Even as a teenager, I enjoyed walking the grounds and checking out mature specimens of plants I’d rarely see anywhere else in the area.
And to a plant geek, even a young one, that was kind of cool!
As I studied horticulture at K-State, I learned a lot more about plants, and I began to appreciate even more the diverse collections found at Ward-Meade. The location in town, the lay of the land, and the large trees all work together to create a unique micro-climate, allowing things to grow well there that struggled in other parts of town.
After college, along with working at Skinner’s, I taught a night class in landscape design and horticulture for the local vo-tech. Learning plant material was part of that course, so a field trip over to Ward-Meade to study plants was always part of each class, too. The diverse collections there provided tremendous learning opportunities for both my students and myself.
It’s been a great garden for a long time... but it’s even better now!
A few nights ago, I had the opportunity to sit through a presentation highlighting a long list of relatively recent improvements over at Ward-Meade. To say it was impressive is an understatement.
Here are a few examples of what I mean.
Ward-Meade has a collection of 220 varieties of daylilies and is designated as an official National Display Garden for American Daylily Society.
It has a collection of thousands of hosta lilies, representing 140 different hosta varieties. It is designated as a National Display Garden for the American Hosta Society and is currently the only one in the state of Kansas.
It has a collection of over 150 varieties of conifers and in
recent years it has been designated a National Reference Garden by the American Conifer Society. Again, this is the only one in Kansas.
It has a growing collection of peonies developed by Myron Bigger, a well-known hybridizer of peonies, and a Topeka native. One of the best peonies we have ever carried, ‘Kansas’, is his introduction.
It has over 25 different varieties of Japanese Maples.
It has over 20,000 tulips in the spring and even more spring and summer annuals to complement the garden.
And of course, in more recent years, the Tulips at Twilight event has transformed what is already a beautiful garden by day into a dramatic night-time showcase.
Cameron Rees, General Manager
My point is that the Ward-Meade Botanical Garden and the rest of the Ward-Meade Park are pretty amazing. If you haven’t been there for a while, it’s time to go back!. If you’ve never been there, then definitely put it on your list. I think you’ll be impressed.
And don’t forget about this spring’s Tulips at Twilight event at Ward-Meade. It’s scheduled to start April 11.
We’re seeing a lot of changes here at the garden center. All the concrete is poured for the new greenhouse. Next week the structure will start going up. We’ve still got a ways to go, but progress is being made!
Out in the nursery, plants are starting to roll in. It’s nice to have something other than bare gravel out there again!
Things are moving along here just like they are in your yard. Spring is beating at the door... it’s time to let her in!
— Cameron Rees
“THYMELY” ADVICE:
iT’S TIME FOR THE RED BAG!
It’s that season again... crabgrass prevention season!
I’m sure, like me, you hate to see those tufts of crabgrass taking over your beautiful lawn that you worked so hard to perfect over the last year. Don’t worry! You still have time to put down a pre-emergent to help curb that pesky crabgrass.
A pre-emergent, such as Fertilome All Season Crabgrass Preventer (aka, the “Red Bag”) is a form of chemical weed control which prevents germinated weed seedlings from becoming established. When the germinating seed of the crabgrass comes in contact with the product, it stops growing.
You want to get this down early in the Spring before soil temperatures get too warm. Spread throughout your lawn and get it watered in well. This will move the herbicide into the soil surface where it works. The sooner you can water the better, which is why some people apply this product right before a good rainfall.
Keep in mind that if you do use a pre-emergent this Spring, then it’s not a good idea to overseed until the Fall. A pre-emergent is a targeted chemical that stops seed growth therefore it will keep your grass seed from germinating as well.
If you tend to get crabgrass in your ornamental gardens, you can also use Hi-yield Turf & Ornamental for your pre-emergent needs. This product contains Dimension and is highly effective at preventing annual grasses and broadleaf weeds from getting started in your beds.
Stop in today to get what you need to keep your lawn looking its best this season. As always, our friendly staff is here to answer any other questions you may have.
— Melissa Anderson
WHAT’S NEW?
THE COOLER IS FULL!
Recent deliveries have stocked us full of asparagus and strawberry crowns, and rhubarb and horse radish roots, all ready for planting. If you like the idea of growing and harvesting any of those from your own garden, it’s time to plant!
UPCOMING EVENT
We’ll be pulling out the grill this weekend and cooking some hotdogs. NOTO's Norsemen Brewing Company will be on hand Saturday, serving up some of their finest beverages (aka, beer!). The beer is on us! We’ll have some other snacks and beverages, as well. And we’ll have all kinds of plants available and lots of staff, making sure it’s a great weekend for everyone that comes out! Great for the whole family!
cOME wORK WITH US
We’re plant people. Are you, too? We are currently hiring a variety of positions at the Garden Center in our Landscaping, Nursery, and Greenhouse departments. To be considered for any position, come into the store, fill out an application, and participate in a quick interview. No appointments are necessary! All interviews are done on a walk-in basis, during normal business hours. The current season’s store hours are listed on the header of our website pages.
