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Using trellises for home vineyards
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Good fences make for good neighbors, especially if the fence provides fresh, homegrown fruit every year.“If there is one crop that gardeners have difficulty finding room for in the landscape, it is grapes,” says Marlin Bates, a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
Adult children and aging parents
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Members of the baby boomer generation are starting to retire, but that doesn’t mean they are entering a carefree phase of life. Their kids may be all grown up, but boomers who still have a living parent are facing new responsibilities, notes a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
The ABZzzzs: Set child’s routine for healthy sleep
HIGGINSVILLE, Mo. - Sleep is as important to a child’s growth and development as nutritious food and exercise.A set routine for bedtime and wake-up time will help children set their circadian rhythm, or their sleep/wake cycle. Kathy Bondy, University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth specialist, said routine helps children prepare for sleep.
Spend wisely using the Rule of Three
CARTHAGE, Mo. – Smart consumers know money isn’t earned accidentally, so they don’t spend it carelessly. One useful tool for shrewd shoppers is the Rule of Three.“Basically, you check out at least three sources for prices and features before you make a decision,” said Janet LaFon, family financial education specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Breathe new life into perennials with a little garden surgery
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Some perennials can suffer from too much of a good thing.As it grows year after year, the perennial’s growth clump, or crown, gets so big the plant begins to compete with itself for light, water and nutrients. Eventually this self-competition will mean fewer and less-showy flowers.Not all is lost, said David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. A little garden surgery can breathe new…
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Battelle Institute report: Ag, bioscience make north-central U.S. an economic ‘powerhouse’
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Food, health, energy and the environment are among the most vital concerns when it comes to human survival and quality of life. A new report from the Battelle Institute says agriculture and agricultural bioscience ("agbioscience") provide wide-ranging opportunities to address those concerns and serve as powerful engines for economic growth and job creation in the U.S.—especially the nation's 12-state north-central…
Overwintering tropical plants
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Many tropical plants thrive in the heat and humidity of a typical Missouri summer and can make great outdoor patio plants. But as temperatures drop in the fall, conditions can quickly become deadly. The simplest solution to this problem is just to let them freeze and buy new plants in the spring, but that can be expensive, and many gardeners grow attached to their existing plants.
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Fall leaves and faded garden plants make great compost
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Curbside leaf and brush removal dates will be here before we know it. If you dread filling sacks with fallen leaves, a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist suggests a less agonizing and more rewarding alternative.“The carbon content of fallen leaves is a perfect pairing for the nitrogen content of annual landscape plants in the compost bin,” says Marlin Bates.
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The secret recipe for fall colors
COLUMBIA, Mo.—The recipe for cooking up a spectacular fall display isn’t for beginners. You need all the right ingredients at the right time and at the proper temperature.
Reducing TV/Internet time is good for the whole family
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Are you hassling the kids every night to do their homework when they want to spend too much time watching TV, playing video games or surfing the Internet?“Health experts say screen time at home should be limited to two hours or less a day unless it’s work- or homework-related,” says Saralee Jamieson, University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
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Firefighters learn the ropes through Swiftwater Rescue training
EUREKA, Mo. – Ryan Rascher came through the rapids on Thunder River just in time for a fellow firefighter to jump toward him and bring him to shore. That’s how the Cape Girardeau firefighter experienced a different side of Six Flags St. Louis. He came to the amusement park for rescue training designed to prepare him and other emergency personnel for flood scenarios in their own communities.
Healthy Halloween tips
BUTLER, Mo. – It won’t be long before ghosties, ghoulies, princesses and pirates will run through neighborhoods, demanding treats and idly threatening tricks.Halloween, the sugar-overload holiday for children, doesn’t need to be about candy. Tammy Roberts, nutrition education specialist for University of Missouri Extension, says there are plenty of treats that don’t involve empty calories.
Don't throw away those pumpkin seeds
BUTLER, Mo. – One of the best rewards during pumpkin carving season are the seeds. They can be roasted, boiled, dehydrated and even microwaved. They make a healthy snack or a tasty addition to salads, soups, sautéed vegetables and baked goods.At first glance, roasting the pulp-covered seeds may seem daunting, but it’s really very easy, said Tammy Roberts, nutrition education specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
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MU FRTI names Fire Service Instructor of the Year
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) presented the 2010-11 Fire Service Instructor of the Year awards at the Institute’s annual Instructor Conference on Oct. 15
Plant Dutch bulbs now for springtime surprise
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Now is the time to prepare for some of the earliest arrivals of spring: flowers borne by Dutch bulbs.These flowers include the likes of narcissus (daffodil), tulip, hyacinth and crocus.“We usually plant them in October or early November because the bulbs need about 12 weeks of soil temperatures below 38 degrees to bloom,” said David Trinklein, MU Extension state horticulturist.
Fighting moles is an uphill battle
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Moles have been extra busy this autumn, and you can almost see the resentment rise in homeowners as they survey their spoiled yards.
Your garden after the freeze
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - The growing season has ended and many gardeners are heading out to clean up what the frost has left behind. But some gardeners don't bother with fall cleanup. "This is because they planned for their gardens to seamlessly transition into the cold months," said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. "With a little extra preparation, your post-frost garden can also be an aesthetic asset with…
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Nutrition information you can see
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – A new food-labeling system helps consumers make better-informed decisions as they shop, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.The “Nutrition Keys” system takes selected information from the familiar “Nutrition Facts” panel, required on most packaged food products sold in the U.S., and places it on the front of the package in a more prominent and easier-to-read format.
Your medical identity is at risk too
MARSHALL, Mo. – Medical insurance identity theft is a twist on financial identity theft. Thieves steal your personal and health information and use it to get medical treatment, prescriptions and even surgical procedures.If someone steals your medical insurance information, you may get bills for medical services you didn’t receive, collection agencies may pursue you for debt you don't owe, and insurers may refuse your legitimate claims…
For a healthier heart, balance potassium and sodium
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.– Doctors and nutritionists often focus on reducing sodium in our diets to maintain heart health. That’s important, but don’t overlook the role of potassium, says Lynda Johnson, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
8 reasons young children misbehave
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–You're in the middle of a crowded grocery story and your 3-year-old grabs a candy bar from the shelf. You quietly tell him to put it back. He screams at the top of his lungs and throws himself on the floor. You feel that all eyes are on you and you want to become invisible. Most parents probably remember moments like that.
Avoid a holiday meltdown
Columbia, Mo. – We expect the winter holidays to be full of happiness and good will. Just like Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," we want a fairytale ending where troubles disappear and everyone basks in the glow of holiday spirit. But, "A Tale of Two Cities" might better represent typical holiday madness for many.
Up and down ladder safety
MARSHFIELD, Mo. – Holiday decorating season is here, and that means hauling out ladders to place holiday cheer throughout the home and yard. A ladder seems like such a simple tool, but ladder accidents are far too common and can happen in the blink of an eye.
Venison is a healthy choice but should be handled with care
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–The deer-hunting season brings venison to the table in many households. From a nutritional perspective, it’s a good choice, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.Three ounces of deer meat contains 134 calories and only 3 grams of fat, said Tammy Roberts. The same amount of beef can contain 259 calories and 18 grams of fat; 3 ounces of pork has about 214 calories and 13 grams of fat.
The poor, maligned poinsettia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Every year, some well-meaning person will warn of the dangers of the poinsettia. This is an urban legend that simply will not die.Its reputation as a toxic plant is undeserved. It’s been tested for toxicity and passed as safe.