Peyton’s Potting Shed

01/26/2025

The Pink Swamp Milkw**d, Asclepias incarnata, is in da house! Well, the greenhouse that is, and it is SPROUTING! 😍

Swamp milkw**d prefers a more part shade environment that can hold a bit more moisture, such as pond edges. It is grown throughout Kansas and can grow from 2-8’ tall. It has a beautiful pink to red flower that butterflies find irresistible!

01/25/2025

A fun day to be at the Joplin Empire Market for their annual seed swap! One hour in and we are almost out of seed already! 250 packages of native wildflower seeds headed to their new gardens! 🪴🐛❤️

01/24/2025

Liatris, or more commonly known as Blazing Star or Gayfeather, is a known butterfly nectar plant that presents with a show you don't want to miss in your garden. There are many different species such as the prairie, rough and meadow to name a few of the 32 known.

Liatris serves as a host plant for the Liatris flower moth and Liatris borer moth but most commonly provides nectar for many butterflies such as the fritillary, monarch and swallowtails. This plant pairs extremely well with Black-eyed Susan's, butterfly w**d and even a few red zinnias to attract the showiest of all butterflies to your back yard.

LIatris prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade, they are easy to take care of and the best part is, they are native which means they are hearty and not require a lot of water compared to other plants.

01/20/2025

Missouri friends, here is a grant opportunity for you!

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟒: 𝐌𝐏𝐅 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦

The Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) Prairie Garden Grants Program is accepting applications for 2025 grant awards until Friday.

Gardening and other conservation groups, parks, schools, and other entities in Missouri and immediately surrounding states are invited to submit proposals to MPF’s Prairie Garden Grants Program. In 2025, MPF would like to award several grants to help fund the establishment or improvement of prairie gardens or plantings using Midwest native plants. Grants will not exceed $800 each. Those with smaller projects are encouraged to apply as well. Matching funds are not required, but proposals with secured matching funds may be evaluated higher than others.

Funding will be dispersed in February. See more details on the grant and access the application form here: https://ow.ly/ywLo50Uc8NB

𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑜ℎ𝑙𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛, 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑛 𝑀𝑃𝐹 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 2023, 𝑏𝑦 𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑘𝑒

01/20/2025

Who says you can’t bloom all year long? Not this Ge**er daisy for sure! Four years old and going strong!

01/20/2025

Common milkw**d or Asclepias Syriaca, is a beautiful, tall, native plant to Kansas that serves as a host plant for Monarch butterflies and a nectar source for many pollinators. It is a staple in the butterfly garden, if you have a designated space for it, as it likes to roam a bit. But it can feed MANY caterpillars!

This is pictures from our mother plant, taken a few years ago, that our seed stock comes from. We have begun to start the seeds for some of the longer growing varieties to have ready for Spring planting. Remember, natives are much heartier than other perennials and can be set out earlier without fear of frosts.

01/20/2025

Don’t let Monday suck, go pick up a latte and a succulent to make your Monday better.

01/19/2025

The Birdhouse Gourd seeds are starting to wake up! I know it is a bit early, but I was testing seed to see how viable it is before seed starting season is in full swing.

Did you know birdhouse gourds can be used literally to make birdhouses with? A great craft for projects in schools, craft groups or clubs such as 4-H, Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts.

After the gourds have been harvested in late summer, allow to dry completely until you can hear the seeds rattle inside while gently shaking. Drill a tiny hole with a small drill bit, then use a spade bit to drill a 1” hole. Use a small piece of sandpaper to smooth the edges of the opening. Drill a few small holes on the bottom to allow for drainage. Spray with clear lacquer, attach wire to hang and there you have it!

Living quarters for your backyard birds! You can also paint them with bright colors and decorate to give your yard a little razzle-dazzle! 🤩

We will have a limited amount of free, birdhouse gourd seeds at the Joplin Empire Seed Swap on January 25th from 10 AM until 2PM

01/18/2025

The luffa is ready to transplant into bigger grow pots! Yes, as in luffa sponges to bathe with. Most do not know that luffa are grown in the garden and not from the ocean, although the center pulp resembles that of a sea sponge. Luffa is a genus from the pumpkin, squash and gourd family. I have had many interested individuals inquire about luffa and how to grow them.

Luffa plants like full sun, a great fence to vine on and have a VERY long growing season, hence the reason for starting seeds early.

https://www.seedneeds.com/products/luffa-gourd-seeds-for-planting?_pos=1&_psq=luffa&_ss=e&_v=1.0

01/18/2025

Looking for a way to build your plant selection? Stop by Root 66 Plant Store to swap a start on their propagation wall.

01/16/2025

From our plant friends in Galena KS. Go check them out! 🪴

01/05/2025

Did you know that dried Lavender flowers can be used in many recipes such as tea, bread, cookies and beverages to name a few! Here is a great cookie recipe using Lavender-give it a try!

Discover even more ideas for you

01/04/2025

Check out this new plant store in Galena, KS on Route 66!