Article — Megan Helm
The curb appeal of a beautifully landscaped yard not only increases the value of the home, but can positively impact the worth of an entire neighborhood. In fact, according to a recent report in Smart Money magazine, home buyers valued a well landscaped yard 11.3 percent higher than its base value. During challenging economic times, we might wonder how to use our garden investment to the greatest advantage. Where we buy our plants can have an effect not only on our environment, but on the local economy as well.
In the not so distant past, local nurseries were the only places to buy perennials and annuals, trees and shrubs as well as herbs and vegetables. Twenty years ago, only seed catalogs gave the local merchants a run for their money. These days, garden centers have sprung up in nearly every hardware store, mega building supply store and supermarket parking lot in the metro, making the local garden supply landscape more treacherous. According to a research report funded by the United States Department of Agriculture the environmental and horticulture industries (Green Industry) “is one of the fastest growing segments of the nation’s agriculture economy.” It estimates that it generates $64.3 billion dollars in labor income, 1.9 million jobs and $6.9 billion in indirect business taxes.
Buying products grown and sold in the region results in less “leakage,” a greater percent of the money spent stays and circulates within Kansas and Missouri. Supply chains for local goods are much shorter with fewer middle men and distributors taking a cut. The money, therefore, has a more potent role in supporting and sustaining the local economy. A new buzz word, “eco-patriots,” has even cropped up to describe people who buy local products from people who source locally.
Leawood residents are fortunate to have many regionally well respected garden centers to choose from. Suburban Lawn and Garden, Rosehill Gardens, Family Tree Nursery and the Grass Pad all have spectacular reputations for customer service and high quality plant production.
Rosehill Farms, located on East 135th Street between Wornall and Holmes, has been beautifying neighborhoods and public spaces since 1914. No longer owned by the Asjes family, the business was sold to two of the company’s long time employees, Gary Weidenbach and Curtis Stroud in 2007. With more than 1000 acres of Missouri land in production, they provide many of the regional big box stores with regionally grown plants.
Suburban Lawn and Garden, with locations at 105th and Roe and at 135th Street near Wornall, brings that production even closer to home. Bill and Bo Stueck established the business more than 50 years ago, at a time when the surrounding land was rolling prairie and farms. Still in the family after all of these years, General Manager Matt Stueck currently runs the operation which includes the a growing farm in Edgerton and another in Cleveland, Mo. “We personally grow 90 percent of what is sold.” says Randy White, Manager of Perennials and Annuals. “Suburban is the largest grower of shade trees in the area, and since they don’t have to travel as far to make to the customer, there is much less stress on the plant.” They also supply plants to large landscapers and other commercial vendors.
Local growers take pride in the ownership of the entire lifecycle of the plant, from seedling to mature plant to mulch. Suburban even has a Christmas tree recycling center that grinds them into the beautiful and water retentive mulches they sell under their brand name, which also includes compost and topsoil well suited to our special soil needs.
Johnson County Horticulture agent, Dennis Patton likens Leawood to two different countries. “North Leawood has mature shade trees and well recuperated soil that can support a wide variety of annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs whereas South Leawood soils have less nutrients and heavy clay compaction. With less shade and fewer trees to break the wind, many plants will struggle.” In addition to the fact that Kansas City rides the line between Zone 5 and Zone 6, getting professional planting advice can prevent plant loss and be a great investment.
The Johnson County Extension office is a well-spring of information and resources to help Kansans manage their natural resources. Whether you farm 300 acres or a tend patio full of planters, the extension office can help. Kansas State University supports the local office as part of their mission as Kansas’ land grant university. “We take the research and help people apply it” says Patton. The Master Gardener hotline (913.715.7050) manned by trained volunteers is only one of the great services they provide. Education and outreach programs help Kansans take pride in the land and preserve it for future generations.
To make sure you are purchasing plants that thrive in Kansas, K-State researchers study various species and print a list of annuals and perennials that “have the vigor to grow like crazy and bloom like crazy under lazy gardener care.” It is the “WOW, look at those flowers” list. Look for the Prairie Bloom and Prairie Star designations to find those special plants at local nurseries.
Farmers Markets are another great source for local plants as well as vegetables and handcrafted products. Bouquets bursting with colorful local flowers are an impulse item not to be denied. Many markets allow farmers to bring herbs, vegetable plants, perennials and shrubs to sell and sometimes deals can be struck.
For those looking to fill their gardens with the heady scent of roses or the charm of the bonsai, the Garden Center Association of Greater Kansas City (GardenCenterAssociation.org) lists plant sales and events hosted by garden club affiliates, including the Leawood Garden Club. These groups have a special affinity for a particular flower or plant. There are clubs and societies devoted to Dahlias, Roses, Day Lilies, Peonies, Hostas, Bonsai, African Violets, Orchids and even Conifers. Members are serious aficionados and often take their best blooms and compete for prizes at flower shows. Groups will often thin their own well-cared for garden beds and sell the extra plants, corms and bulbs to raise funds for the organization. There are no better local experts in their specific interest areas. These plant sales are not to be missed.
The advantage of spending your landscape dollars at Big Box garden centers, like Lowes and Home Depot, is that they can offer customers large volumes of plants for less. So if you have a large area that needs filled in, the discount garden retailer may be a good way to go. However, not all of the plants in the flat may survive their first year. There could be a hidden cost when purchasing a stressed plant in that it will require extra water and fertilizer which may make the initial savings a wash. Ask the manager of the discount provide, whether it’s at a superstore or hardware store, where they purchase their stock. If they buy from a local wholesaler, your plant was in good hands.
The joy of a beautiful garden isn’t a splurge in these uncertain times, it is a necessity. Flowers can sooth stress, vegetables nourish our bodies, herbs flavor our food, and trees can even reduce our heating bills. Investing a little can reap a lot, not just in terms of enhancing our homes but in sustaining our local economy.
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