The Kansas City metropolitan area is never short of family-friendly activities. Especially with spring being right around the corner, there are plenty of things to do around town for every family member to have a good time. If you’re looking to make some memories this year, here are some top things to do with your family around Kansas City this spring.
Photo: KC Today
Explore the Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s Market season is almost here. Most markets start their season officially in April, and some of them collaborate with local monthly art walks and feature rotating vendors on top of the regular ones.
If you live in the city limit, City Market, Brookside, and Midtown all have their own farmer’s markets, with City Market being the largest one in the area. If you live on the Kansas side, the KCK Farmer’s Market is a must-go. Southern suburbs can explore Olathe, Overland Park, Mission, and Merriam markets, whereas North/Northeastern sides have Independence, Gladstone, and Blue Springs markets.
Photo: The Rabbit hOle
Visit the Rabbit hOle Museum
The Rabbit hOle in North Kansas City is an immersive museum for children’s literature, and it sure gets “curiouser and curiouser.” Take your little reader to this spot and geek out together. There are murals, interactive sculptures, and plenty of cozy reading spots for adults and children alike to embark on an innocent and imaginative journey.
Additionally, The Rabbit hOle also hosts regular story hours for children and has a full-service children’s bookstore on-site for the passionate young reader in your family.
Photo: Kansas City Zoo
Fun at the Kansas City Zoo
Who doesn’t love animals? Nobody! A spring outing at the Kansas City Zoo should honestly become a family tradition. Bring your kiddos to the zoo and interact with the penguins, giraffes, monkeys, and everybody else. We bet you won’t even notice time passing! Don’t forget that a ticket to the Zoo also grants you access to the Sobela Ocean Aquarium at any time of the day.
Photo: KC Parks & Rec
Draw the Roses at Loose Park
Have an artsy kid at home? Why not bring a sketchbook and some art supplies to Loose Park for a plein air day? Loose Park is stunning throughout the year, but extraordinarily so during late spring and early summer when the flowers are blooming. Whether it is the weeping willow dancing above the water or the colorful roses climbing up an arch, you and your family are sure to have an unforgettable time.
The Blue Crew at the arboretum. Photo: Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping
Stroll Through the Overland Park Arboretum
If you need some time to bond with your teenager or new college student, take them for a stroll through the Overland Park Arboretum, known for its sculpture walk. Or, bring your parents and reminisce about the time when you were little. This place is tranquil, vibrant, and full of positive energy, especially in the spring. Step away from the busy city and enjoy a moment of peace to reconnect with your families — cuz why not? The blue crew even held our company photo shoot at the Arboreatum last fall because of the wonderful landscape setting and architectural features.
Photo: Yaya’s Alpaca Farm
Pet Some Alpacas at Yaya’s
Yaya’s Alpaca Farm in Garden City is a hidden gem. It’s a bit of a drive, but totally worth the time. As the name suggests, the farm is all about alpacas. With the tour, you’ll receive food for feeding and get to gently pet and touch the fluffy animals. You will also learn about the characteristics of alpaca wool and even create a unique fiber art piece as with your group using the farm’s machinery.
Farm tours are available at two time slots: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each tour lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. Tickets are $12 per person 14+ years old and $10 per child between 3 and 13 years old.
Photo: KCCG
Volunteer at a Community Garden
Create meaningful memories by volunteering together at a community garden. The Kansas City Community Garden (KCCG) website has a garden map so you can find a garden near you to volunteer. These gardens are an integral part of Kansas City’s efforts in combating food insecurity and neighborhood development. Cultivate KC is another great spot to look for garden volunteering opportunities.
So, if you’re looking for family-friendly activities in Kansas City this spring, why not do some good and learn something new? Volunteering at a community garden can teach you and your kiddos basic landscaping and gardening skills you can implement at home.
The climate in the Midwest is perfect for growing different vegetables throughout the year. While many believe fall to be the harvest season, did you know there are plenty of early spring vegetables you can grow in Kansas City so you can enjoy the fruit of your labor as soon as possible?
When to Plant Early Spring Vegetables in Kansas City
You can only plant after the last spring frost. Otherwise, your seeds will freeze to death. The average last frost days in Kansas City this year is April 11 to 20. However, keep in mind these dates are estimated based on historic data. Therefore, there is still a 10% chance for frost damage right after this window. However, frost kills are nearly impossible.
Tools and Supplies You Need
Depending on your garden setup, you don’t always need extensive farm tools to get things going. Here are the basic tools and supplies you need to grow early spring vegetables in Kansas City:
Shovels
Rakes (small, hand-held rakes work for small gardens)
Hoes (hand-held hoes, again, work for small gardens)
Protective gloves
Garden hose
Bamboo or metal sticks for plants to grow upright
Wire cages for certain plants, such as tomatoes
Pruning shears
If you have a big garden, investing in a battery or gas-powered tiller could save you lots of time and effort. Garden carts and wheelbarrows also come in handy. Depending on your situation, a weeder might also be necessary to prepare your garden for spring.
Early Spring Vegetables to Plant in Kansas City
Kansas City’s spring is generally mild and abundant in rainfall. The temperature differences between day and night can be challenging for some crops and the heavy storms mean you’d want to have well-draining soils to prevent water damage to the seeds. Therefore, cool, shady vegetables are your best bet when it comes to planting early.
Here is a list of the best early spring vegetables to plant in Kansas City:
Asparagus
Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Collards
Kale
Lettuce
Mustard
Onions
Parsley
Peas
Potatoes
Radish
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Many of these crops, such as radishes, have a very short maturity time. Therefore, they can be succession planted all the way through summertime. Others, such as kale and lettuce, don’t do well in hot weather at all. Knowing the characteristics of each early spring vegetable to plant in Kansas City can help you plan ahead of time and maximize your harvest throughout the year.
Garden Boxes vs. Direct Planting
There are many options for backyard vegetable gardens, one of them being garden boxes. These boxes are easy to build and not too expensive to buy, and sit slightly above the ground like a raised garden bed. They help create a neat grid system that keeps your gardening soil contained.
Or, you can simply choose an area in the backyard as the vegetable garden and directly plant into the soil. This method works best if you have a small backyard that makes garden boxes unfeasible.
Adding a Garden to Your Existing Landscape
The easiest way for you to add a garden to your existing landscape is by working with a professional landscaping company because the task is not as simple as it sounds.
Adding a new garden to your existing landscape can take some planning. If you are digging into the soil instead of using boxes, you must call the city to mark the utilities before digging. You must also consider accessibility (paths), tool storage, fencing and separation, and decorative elements.
Leave all the tasks to us and schedule a consultation today. We will take care of everything so you can enjoy the fun of growing your own vegetables in the backyard!
Don’t let all the investments you’ve already made into your landscape go to waste. Now is the perfect time to do a quick sweep and conduct basic maintenance before warmer weather and spring storms fully unfold. Here are 8 things you should do to prepare your landscape for the spring season.
Spring garden care with cleaning and pruning. Photo: Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping
1. Prune plants
Spring pruning removes dead branches and maintains the proper form of your plants. Think of the adorable round bushes and even edges you see in a well-maintained front yard: that’s the fruit of regular pruning.
Pruning can also stimulate growth in some perennial plants. By cutting back severely, you allow them to generate all new growth. This technique, known as rejuvenating pruning, should be done annually or every 3 to 5 years before spring arrives because you need to wait until you see new leaves sprouting off the branches to know how far you can cut back.
2. Clean debris and dead branches
Kansas City’s winter tends to have many storms and strong winds, especially this year. Now that the weather is milder, take the opportunity to clean up any debris in your lawn, backyard, and flower beds. Not only are debris an eyesore, they can also kill off the grass and plants underneath them.
Now is also a good time to remove dead plants and broken branches.
3. Divide your perennials
Dividing your perennials is a cost-effective way to gain new plants without restarting from bulbs or spending a fortune to buy new pots. It also keeps your older perennials healthy by controlling growth.
To divide a perennial, dig up the entire plant, shake soil off the roots, then carefully separate the root bulb into smaller sections. Each section should contain roots and three to five healthy shoots. Replant them promptly and water to hold the soil in position.
The Blue Crew is repairing pavers. Photo: Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping
4. Hardscape maintenance
Check stones and pavers for frost heaves, and look for damage on your decks and patios. You’d want everything patched, fixed, and cleaned before family activities begin. You should also clean up any outdoor furniture you didn’t put away over the winter and repair or replace things as needed.
5. Mulching and Fertilization
You can’t plant any early spring vegetables until after the last day of frost, usually in mid- to late-April. This gives you plenty of time to lay down fresh mulch and fertilizer to replenish the nutrients in your soil.
You can also lay down pre-emergent herbicide to kill any new weed seeds once the soil temperature is above 55°F. However, remember that you can’t seed over the same area right away because the herbicide will also suppress normal grass growth. In this case, it’s best to wait till later in the season to seed altogether.
6. Check Your Drainage Systems
Clean your gutters and downspouts before Kansas City’s spring storm season arrives. If you use trenches, dry creek beds, or rain gardens, you should also check to ensure nothing is blocking the drainage and the structures are in good shape.
What’s spring without planting new things? Now is a good time to add new trees, shrubs, and flowers, especially early-blooming perennials, so you can still catch some flowers before their seasons are over.
If you’re struggling with choosing what plants to add, consider subscribing to a seasonal plant delivery service to take the hassle out of your agenda.
8. Tune up your equipment
Nobody wants to find out their lawnmower has died before they start mowing. It’s important to inspect all your power equipment before you actually need to use it so you can promptly repair or replace anything that’s no longer working.
Landscape Maintenance in the Spring
Landscape maintenance in the spring is crucial because it ensures you start the new season on the right foot. These 8 tasks will help you prepare your landscape for spring, although there are always more to do if you want to go the extra mile. Therefore, we recommend that you invest in landscape maintenance, especially garden and turf care. Having a professional to take care of your landscape ensures your yards always look healthy and pleasant and frees you up from having to handle every maintenance task yourself.
