JULY HABITAT GARDENS - Fields of Dreams

July is peak prairie, and our July 13th Habitat Garden Tour offers three prairie and prairie-style gardens.

All three locations are outside the I-435 loop, 65 miles from first to third. They vary widely in size and age, from eight acres to part of a quarter-acre subdivision lot, and from ten years old to two.

What they have in common are native plants that thrive in deep soil and full sun, and an incredible amount of wildlife residents and visitors.

FIELD OF DREAMS (south of the airport)

What do you get when you start with a blank slate and $100 of prairie seeds? An incredible surge of wildlife, including three broods of bluebirds (18 eggs!) in the first year alone. Kurt's 6000-square-foot prairie is breathtaking, indisputable proof that if you plant it, they will come.

HOA HABITAT (north of Liberty)

Erin has brought beauty and life to her family's 1/4-acre subdivision lot, while keeping peace with her neighbors and HOA. But it's her young children who enjoy her garden most, finding frogs, listening for birdsong, watching hummingbirds and identifying butterflies.

PRIME PRAIRIE(Louisburg)

Four words: eight acres, prime prairie. Wherever your starting point, this one is worth the drive. Bring a camp chair and plenty of water. Sit and immerse yourself in the sea of prairie plants. Listen to the buzz of a million insects feasting on a million flowers.

ADMISSION

Register early to ensure you're on the list to get the addresses. Join us any way you want:

1. Donate: Suggested rates are $10 for one person, $18 for two people. "Suggested" means just that: pay less or more, according to your means. Everyone is welcome!
2. Subscribe: Sign up for the season (also by suggested donation, according to your means). If you're already a Subscriber, you are good to go - no need to register. Just watch for the email with addresses and details on the Thursday before each Second Saturday.
3. Volunteer: Garden Guides get a private preview each month they volunteer, plus you meet the nicest people in town — your fellow volunteers!

JULY IS DIFFEERENT - PLEASE READ

• Locations: Unlike our four June gardens, which were within two miles of each other, it is 65 miles between these three locations. While it is theoretically possible to visit all three, it will likely be more enjoyable (and safer) to take it easy and visit any one or two.
• Weather: Hot and humid! The gardens open at 8:00AM, so take advantage of cooler morning hours if possible. Plan ahead: take cold beverages, cooling towels, hats, sunglasses, sunblock. Camp chairs and parasols are welcome. Please do not push yourself. Watch out for heat stroke and sunburn. Enjoy the gardens safely.
• Facilities: Restrooms will not be available at the gardens, so please make note of gas stations and grocery stores along your route (use the opportunity to restock ice and beverages too).

Thank you and see you in the prairie!

MORE INFO:

* Visit DeepRoots.org/habitatgardens to learn more

* Subscribe to The Pollinator for the latest buzz on all our programs

* Email [email protected] with any questions

Host or Publisher Deep Roots KC