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Don't be shallow when planting corn
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Yield potential drops when corn is not planted at the right depth, says University of Missouri Extension corn specialist Greg Luce.The right planting depth improves the chance of a good stand, Luce says.“The old rule of thumb—or index finger in this case—is to plant corn at a depth equal to the second knuckle on your index finger,” Luce says. That sounds simple enough, except the length of index fingers varies from…
Container gardening saves time, space and is easier on the back
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Container gardening can be a great option if time and space are in short supply.
Open windows can cause injuries, death for children
COLUMBIA, Mo. – There’s nothing better on a spring day than opening the windows and letting out the stale winter air. But unlocked windows can open up dangers for children. University of Missouri Extension state health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch says spring is a good time to review safety checks with family members, caregivers and others.
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It's all about the slime: Building living soil
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A single teaspoon of living soil can contain billions of bacteria, protozoa and fungi.
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Don't wait too long to plant cool-season vegetables
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Radishes, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower all grow best in cool weather. That’s why they’re called cool-season crops.
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Managing household mold
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri saw abundant rainfall in 2015. That’s often good news for crops but can be bad news for homes. Even if your home escaped serious flood damage, moisture seeping into your basement or condensing from humid air can create ideal sites for mold growth.
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Alliums: Onion's pretty cousins
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While you’re familiar with onions, garlic, leeks and shallots, which are all members of the genus Allium, there’s a whole group in that genus that are known for their looks rather than their taste. They’re called ornamental onions or alliums. These striking members of the amaryllis family produce a long, leafless flowering stalk, or scape, topped with a ball-like bloom made up of a cluster of florets. In the garden,…
Test well water annually
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The human body is more than 70 percent water and it needs to be replenished every day. But how good is the water you’re drinking? If you have a private well, testing the water once a year is a good idea. “Mainly what we want to check for is E. coli bacteria,” says Bob Broz, University of Missouri Extension water quality specialist.
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Botanical extreme sport: re-blooming poinsettia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Every year Americans buy millions of poinsettias. But what do you do with all those plants after the holidays? Many people just throw them away, but there’s always those who wonder if they can be re-bloomed for next year. “It is quite a bit of work. However, it is a real botanical or horticultural challenge, and I would encourage everyone to accept the challenge at least one time,” said David Trinklein, horticulture…
Holiday foods: Safety tips for homemade and mail-order gifts
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Candy, jellies, cookies and more—some of the best holiday gifts come from our own kitchens, or from the kitchens of local specialty food companies. If you plan to send gifts of food to family and friends this holiday season, don’t take a chance on your food going to waste. Pack it safely, mark it clearly and be sure to notify the recipient when to expect delivery.
Holiday foods: Tips on storage and shelf life
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – 'Tis the season to receive delicious food gifts such as sausage, cheese, ham and other tasty items. If you receive a gift of food this holiday season, ensure quality and safety by following the storage guidelines listed below, says Londa Nwadike, food safety specialist for University of Missouri Extension and Kansas State University Research and Extension.
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Cranberries: So much more than a Thanksgiving side dish
BUTLER, Mo. – Thanksgiving without cranberries — unthinkable! “We associate cranberries with Thanksgiving because they are actually harvested in the fall, so they became part of the holiday meal,” said Tammy Roberts, nutrition specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
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Want daffodil, tulips and hyacinths in the spring? Plant them now
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you think autumn is the time to pack up your gardening tools, think again. It’s bulb-planting time.
MU Extension expert recommends replacing older smoke detectors
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Even if you regularly check the batteries and test your home smoke detectors, you may not be alerted if a fire breaks out.Residential fires accounted for 83 percent of fire deaths in the United States during 2011-2013. Deaths are twice as high in homes without smoke alarms or with nonworking alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
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4-H camp counselor with Down syndrome brings humor and compassion to job
HANNIBAL, Mo. –Marissa Todd has Down syndrome, but that hasn’t stopped the Marion County high school senior from getting involved in her 4-H club, holding office or becoming a 4-H camp counselor.“I have Down syndrome,” she says. “This problem makes me a slow learner in a lot of things. I have to try things over and over until I get it. It just takes a long time…I just have to never give up.”
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Helping picky eaters 'grow' into healthy eaters
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Picky eaters can turn every meal into a battle of wills. If it’s too green, too crunchy, too soft, too orange or just any vegetable, they will not eat it.The key to getting your picky eater to try new things isn’t wrestling at the dining table, but rather to take them outside. Teaching young children to grow a garden can make them more adventurous eaters.
Osher at Mizzou helps Columbia make Kiplinger’s top 10 list of great places to retire
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute makes Columbia one of the top 10 places to retire, according to the August 2015 edition of Kiplinger’s, a Washington, D.C.-based magazine of business forecasts and personal finance advice. Osher, part of University of Missouri Extension, complements Columbia’s institutions of higher learning with its noncredit programs for adults 50 and over.
Timing is key for nitrogen application on winter wheat
COLUMBIA, Mo.– With winter wheat coming closer to green-up, producers need to consider fertilizer management options. A University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist says proper timing of fertilizer application is important.
Cover crops can provide many benefits
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Having plant growth in fields year-round can improve the soil, according to Tim Reinbott, superintendent of the University of Missouri Bradford Research Center. He says using cover crops in the fall and spring can provide large benefits.“We have our grain crops in the summertime, but crops in the fall and spring are extremely important in helping soil health,” Reinbott said.
Location, timing critical for double-crop success
COLUMBIA, Mo.–Double-cropping soybeans after wheat provides the opportunity to harvest two crops in the same year from the same piece of land. But there are challenges and concerns with double-cropping, and a University of Missouri Extension agronomist says location is a big factor.
Practice good garden hygiene by sanitizing tools
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners should work with clean tools.
Soil tests take the guesswork out of fertilizing your lawn and garden
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Many garden and home-improvement stores offer a seemingly endless selection of fertilizers. What’s the best choice for your lawn or garden? Only your soil knows for sure.
Tips for a healthy lawn
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Homeowners looking forward to a lush, green lawn this spring and summer should take care not to overdo it, says a University of Missouri Extension turfgrass specialist. That goes for mowing, fertilizing, watering and applying herbicides. Good lawn-care practices can have bad results if not done at the right time, at the right frequency and in the right amount, says Brad Fresenburg.
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Pansy: A flower to welcome spring
COLUMBIA, Mo.–There is no more popular cool-season flower than the delicately fragranced pansy.
Hostas: Emperors of the Shade
COLUMBIA, Mo. —Few plants add more interest to shady areas than hostas.