Johnson County K-State Extension

06/18/2026

We will be closed this Friday, June 19th, and resume regular business and Garden Hotline hours on Monday, June 22.

06/17/2026

Protect your Medicare benefits.
Fraudsters may try to sign you up for services you don’t need — even hospice — just to bill Medicare. This can block you from the real care you rely on.
Never share your Medicare Number. Never sign up for “free” services. Report suspected fraud at 1‑800‑MEDICARE.

06/16/2026

June is ! This week we focus on the Honeybee!

Did you know a single honeybee may visit up to 5,000 flowers in one day?

As bees move from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen, they help plants produce fruits, vegetables, and seeds. In fact, many of the foods we enjoy every day depend on pollinators like bees.

Want to learn more about bees and other amazing pollinators? Join us at Wonders of Discovery in Olathe Prairie, where curious minds can explore the incredible world of nature and science through hands-on activities.
Free! Family Friendly! | June 18th from 9AM-2 PM! | Come and go at your convenience!

Surprising Fact: A worker honeybee only makes about 1/12 teaspoon of honey during her entire lifetime!

06/16/2026

📸🌼 June is National Pollinator Month, and there's no better place to celebrate than Pollinator Prairie - Olathe KS our own pollinator paradise!

This managed prairie is proof that each of us can create a pollinator pocket of our own. With all the rain we've received this spring, it's shaping up to be a spectacular year for wildflowers, making this a perfect time to visit and experience the prairie in full bloom.

Join us at Wonders of Discovery this Thursday and explore the beauty of native plants, butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife. Enjoy hands-on activities, meet local nature and conservation organizations, and discover simple ways to make your landscape more welcoming to pollinators and wildlife.

And since we just celebrated Nature Photography Day, bring your camera or smartphone and see what catches your eye. You never know what photo-worthy pollinator, wildflower, or prairie scene you might spot!

📷 Share your favorite pollinator, prairie, or nature photo in the comments below. We'd love to see what you've discovered.

📅 June 18
📍 Prairie, Olathe
💲 Free family event | https://tinyurl.com/mr3yhswd

06/16/2026

It's almost time for our next installment of Backyard Prairie! Register today for Backyard Prairie: Summer! This class will give you the tools and knowledge to make your little patch of prairie a success even in the hottest months of summer. Enroll today (registration link in the comments).

When: Jul 21, 2026, 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Where: zoom (link will be sent via email after you've registered)

06/16/2026

☂️Storytime Under the Purple Umbrella – CANCELLED due to weather Try us next Tuesday! 🦋🐞

Join the Johnson County K-State Extension Master Gardeners at Rose Children's Farmstead for a bug-themed Storytime Under the Purple Umbrella!

This week's featured book is Monarch, Come Play with Me by Ba Rea, a charming story that celebrates one of our favorite pollinators—the monarch butterfly.

🐛 Then keep the bug fun going at Bug Ball on Thursday! Johnson County K-State Extension Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your insect, butterfly, and garden questions.

🪲 Wear your favorite bug costume and come ready to explore the amazing world of insects!

📅 CANCELLED! Storytime: Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
📍 Under the Purple Umbrella at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
🐞 June Bug Ball Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
📍 Activities throughout the Farmstead

Who knows what six-legged friends you might discover this week? 🐝🦋🐞
**Watch the Deanna Rose Childrens Farmstead website for weather announcements **
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06/15/2026

🌳 High winds, heavy rain, and severe storms have left many homeowners wondering: Can my tree be saved?

The answer depends on the type and extent of the damage. While some trees can recover, others may become long-term safety hazards.

Before making a decision, learn what signs to look for in this article from K-State Horticulture:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/34fsvxmu

Need help finding a qualified arborist? Explore our tree and shrub resources:
🔗https://tinyurl.com/mp6uzea8

As a reminder, Johnson County K-State Extension provides unbiased, research-based information and does not recommend specific tree care companies.

06/15/2026

Did you know Johnson County K-State Extension maintains demonstration gardens throughout the county? One of those special places is the West Flanders Demonstration Garden in Shawnee, cared for by our Johnson County K-State Extension dedicated Master Gardener volunteers.

Thank you to the City of Shawnee, KS Government for highlighting this beautiful garden and the volunteers who make it possible. As they said, gardening really is "thyme well spent!" 🌿💜

Read their feature below and learn more about the garden's impact on our community.

Gardening is thyme well spent! 🌿

We are grateful for the Johnson County K-State Extension Master Gardeners who maintain the beautiful demonstration garden at West Flanders Park. We also appreciate visitors who help preserve the garden by leaving the flowers and plants undisturbed. Produce grown at West Flanders is distributed to the Village Presbyterian food pantry.

Want to learn about gardening? The group is at the park (10920 W 55th Street) on Thursday mornings from April through mid-October.

06/14/2026

Some of the best childhood memories aren't made on a screen.

They're made while learning something new, creating something with your own hands, and discovering what you're capable of.

Our Youth Sewing Classes begin next week, and students will leave with more than a finished project. They'll gain confidence, problem-solving skills, patience, and the satisfaction of creating something uniquely their own.

Best of all, we provide the sewing machines and supplies—just bring your creativity.

These classes are offered only a few times each year, and registration is still open.

✂️ Youth Sewing Classes
🧵 Beginner and Intermediate options available
📍 Johnson County K-State Extension
📅 Starting next week

Reserve a spot today before classes begin: https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/newsandevents/classes-events/