A beautiful garden takes shape over many years and with the expertise of one local master gardener.  Story by Michelle Mastro    |    Photography by Matt Kocourek Beautiful gardens take time to cultivate, especially if you want a nice balance of native blooms, perennials, and evergreen shrubs. Landscape Architect, Bob Lindeblad, has been gardening for years, and he knows a thing or two about creating award winning gardens. Last year, his home’s immense garden was on the International Master Gardener’s Tour held by the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Maste ..read more

Sara Antin isn’t Mother Nature but she’s sure close.  Story by Gloria Gale    |    Photography by Matt Kocourek Landscape designer Sara Antin’s is at her best when her hands are deep in the soil.   For the past 22 years, Sara has demonstrated an affinity for the natural world.  “I quickly realized I loved working outdoors giving the same attention to a plot of ground that I would to interior  spaces. As a result her expressive gardening can be seen in properties throughout he city.   Sitting down with the owner of Outside-Interiors, it’s apparent t ..read more

With spring on the horizon, it is time to get your hands dirty, get out in the sun, and collaborate with nature as you create your own personal vegetable garden. If you have always wanted to start your own vegetable garden but weren’t quite sure where to begin, this beginner’s guide of sorts can help you start your own fun-filled adventure in creating a tasty garden at home. In order to build your own vegetable garden, there are many variables to consider, such as size, location, types of vegetables to plant, soil, and so much more. We spoke with Dennis Patton, Kansas State University Res ..read more

Whether your garden is comprised of patio pots or it’s a raised garden in the corner of your yard, nothing is more rewarding than indulging in fresh, flavorful vegetables that you’ve grown yourself. Patio Garden Planters 5 Tier Vertical Garden Planter Box $225      ~     streetsmall.com Greenstalk Vertical Planter 5 -Tier with 10” Pockets $169+     ~     eartheasy.com Corten Steel Planter and Stand  $149     ~     gardeners.com Outsunny Wooden Planter Bed with Rear Grid Wall $161.99     ~ &n ..read more

This metro area home presents a timeless elegance in landscape design, seamlessly blending unique architecture and style. Story by Ann Butenas    |    Photography by Matt Kocourek If the Royal Family ever had to stay in the metro area and required accommodations worthy of such regal status, then perhaps they should check into this stunningly renovated home situated in the Sunset Hills/Stratford Gardens area in Kansas City, Missouri. Purchased sight unseen by Adam Kincaid and Michael Noonan when they were living in Chicago, what began as a renovation headache in 2021 has be ..read more

The buzz is building as MO Hives KC transforms vacant urban lots into thriving bee farms. Story by Ann Butenas    |    Illustration and Photos courtesy of Michael Ashley Landscape Architecture “The hum of the bees is the voice of the garden.”  ~ Elizabeth Lawrence What do you know about bees?  Are they just annoying insects that seemingly threaten to harm us if we get in their way or do they have a much grander purpose? In the bigger picture, bees play a significant role in keeping our world fed. Sure, they produce honey, but they are also  pollinators. What ..read more

A Kansas City landscape gets a makeover Story by Michelle Mastro    |    Photography by Matt Kocourek With spring in full swing, attentions slowly turn to transforming a home’s front or backyard into a green oasis. Helping homeowners achieve the exact look they’re going for, landscaper, Tom Hall of Rosehill Gardens, knows all the tricks of the trade. The home garden he created for this Kansas City abode is supposed to be Colorado inspired, but in actuality much of the vegetation and look hail from the Pacific Northwest. “I lived in Seattle for years, so actually what I did ..read more

A place for all to find peace, beauty, and inspiration, Jayne Stone’s sprawling garden is an ever-growing gift she loves sharing with others.  Story by Jeanne de Lathouder     |     Photography by Matthew Anderson Known as the “house with the beautiful landscape,” Jayne and Shelby Stone’s lavish Olathe property in Brighton’s Landing has been a beloved work in progress since the couple built their home in 2010. So it’s not at all surprising that Jayne, a Seattle native, grew up playing in the soil and helping her mother plant pansies when she was a little girl. As a te ..read more

The saying good things come in small packages definitely applies to these tiny early spring bloomers. After a long, cold winter, these mighty little flowers push their way up to the sunshine, many times appearing through the late spring snows we’re too well known for. These smaller, minor bulbs and tubers add a variety of colors and shapes to our gardens, providing a natural wildflower look and growing easily in mixed settings or borders. They require little care and provide a naturalistic sweep of color before most plants grow. With most of these being only 4-6” tall, planting them in groupin ..read more

How ‘Tweet It Is! Tips on inviting the local birds to feast on a gourmet meal in your backyard. Story by Ann Butenas Bird watching is not just your grandma’s pastime anymore. As the pandemic affected the world, many people turned to new and interesting hobbies to enjoy from the comfort of their homes, including bird watching. If you have found yourself interested in watching our fine-feathered friends flock about your yard, you may wonder how you can further entice them to stick around awhile so you can admire their beauty and appreciate their harmonious sounds.  If you consider yourself ..read more