2026 HABITAT GARDEN TOUR SEASON!
Highlighting Kansas City residents who understand why what you plant matters!
Habitat Garden Tours are a recurring event held at various times throughout the growing season. These events are an opportunity for Deep Roots to recognize the native gardeners in different neighborhoods of Kansas City and showcase their beautiful gardens. The goals are to inspire locals to plant native, share knowledge on gardening maintenance and design strategies, and strengthen the native gardening community by bringing them together for a morning of plant talk, sunshine, and laughter.
All Habitat Garden Tour events are from 9AM to 2PM. Each event will have multiple gardens to visit; the order you visit the gardens and the time you spend at each one is up to you!
Register for Season Register for July Event VolunteerJuly 11 Habitat Garden Tour Details:
Less Waste, More Wonder
Diverse • Lush • Transformative
Have you ever wished you could spend less time mowing and watering your lawn and more time enjoying your yard? This South KC couple shared that dream for years. In 2022, they took the leap and made it a reality by replacing much of their lawn with native plants. With professional design and installation assistance, their expansive front yard has been transformed into a nearly 100% native garden that is now entering its third growing season. Throughout the year, the garden comes alive with waves of blooms, featuring species such as Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis), Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida). In place of traditional lawn care, they now spend their time tending the garden through seasonal tasks like weeding and cutting back plants. They find this work manageable, less resource-intensive, and far more rewarding. Best of all, it encourages them to spend more time outdoors enjoying the beauty and biodiversity of their landscape. Visit this inspiring garden during the Habitat Garden Tours and see firsthand how native plants can transform both a yard and the way you experience it.
Planting With (Re)Purpose
Eclectic • Experimental • Organic
This gardener works as a native landscape designer and has owned their own landscape design company for the past two and a half years. As a certified Missouri Master Naturalist and professional native landscaper, they understand that gardening is a continual learning process. Their yard serves as a living laboratory where they observe, experiment, and deepen their understanding of native plants. The garden features a wide variety of species, including Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), and Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). Throughout the growing season, they closely monitor plant behaviors, performance, and preferences, using these observations to inform their work and expand their knowledge. Beyond its diverse plantings, the garden is filled with unique treasures, sculptures, habitat structures, and other creative elements. Each has been crafted from repurposed materials, reflecting the gardener’s resourceful approach to both gardening and design. By blending reused materials, native plants, and creativity, they demonstrate that the possibilities within a landscape are limitless.
The Mindful Meadow
Welcoming • Nurturing • Rewarding
Eight years ago, this gardener moved into their new home and inherited a landscape full of potential. The yard was dominated by fescue, with the back fence lined by beautiful irises, roses, and peonies. As a Master Naturalist, this gardener was aware of the impact residential gardens can have on the environment and knew the existing landscape would be only the beginning of their gardening journey. The Humane Gardener by Nancy Lawson profoundly shaped their gardening philosophy, inspiring them to transform the landscape gradually and allow nature to play a leading role. This patient approach preserves the tranquility of the space while reducing temptation to rip out unwanted species. Over time, strategic planting allowed prolific native species such as Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) to naturally outcompete less desirable plants. The result is a thriving backyard meadow that serves as a sanctuary for both wildlife and personal reflection. Visit during the tour to experience this peaceful space and learn more about their thoughtful, nature-centered approach to gardening with native plants.
2026 HABITAT GARDEN TOUR DATES
July 11th – Waldo and South KC
October 3rd – Location TBD
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Pollinator Sign UpPhotos by Maddie Ball and Cydney Ross
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What is a Habitat Garden?
A garden with native plants that provides sustenance and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife.
Habitat Garden Tours
Experience a diverse range of native plant gardens grown by Kansas City area residents. Meet other native gardeners and wildlife supporters and find inspiration and information to grow your own habitat garden.
Native Plant Sales
Inspired by the gardens you visited? Find the same plants at our native plant sales and grow your own habitat garden. Do try this at home!