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Want daffodil, tulips and hyacinths in the spring? Plant them in the fall
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you think autumn is the time to pack up your gardening tools, think again. Fall is bulb-planting time. Narcissus, tulips and hyacinths won’t greet you in the spring if they’re not planted in the fall. “The bulbs of spring-blooming plants need to be in the ground now, so they can go through a cooling process in the winter,” said David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
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MU Jefferson Farm and Garden opens new learning center
COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri and Boone County leaders celebrated a new chapter for Jefferson Farm and Garden Extension and Education Center with the ribbon cutting of its new learning center, a flexible gathering space designed to expand hands-on education, research demonstrations and community engagement.
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Monroe County town has gone pink, and locals wouldn’t have it any other way
Each spring and summer, Monroe County gardener Lorie Cullom transforms her property into a sea of vibrant pink blooms thanks to hundreds of Proven Winners Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunias.
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Bt biological insecticide: Timing and target matter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that gardeners use because it goes after certain pesky insects—mainly caterpillars—without bothering the good guys, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall.
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Mizzou’s sunflower display has become a favorite tradition
Visit the University of Missouri's South Farm to see the annual display of blooming sunflowers — this year features three waves of blooms to enjoy.
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Flood risk maps could protect St. Louis County residents, visitors
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension researchers have developed flood-risk maps that could help St. Louis-area planners, emergency responders and transportation agencies better prepare for flooding and protect residents and visitors.
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Clowning around with purpose
EMINENCE, Mo. — What can juggling, mime and balloon animals teach young people about handling life's challenges? Quite a bit, according to University of Missouri Extension’s 4-H Clown College, which uses clowning arts to help rural youths build confidence, resilience and healthy coping skills.
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The confidence to try
With encouragement from peers, parents and adult leaders, one 4-H member learned to push beyond what felt comfortable.
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How to keep snakes from seeking shelter in your home
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Late summer and fall are good times to locate potential entry areas around your home or buildings and take action to prevent snakes, rodents and other nuisance critters from accessing these areas, says Robert Pierce, University of Missouri Extension state wildlife and fisheries specialist.
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Service sire selection and breeding management for successful heifer development
Service sire selection and breeding management are essential to a successful heifer development program and to the productivity and profitability of a cattle operation.
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Scott County 4-H members compete in National Youth Expo
Scott County 4-H members Ava Asmus, Ella Asmus and Maebry Enderle participated in the Red Angus Youth Expo in Madison, Wis., June 21-26.
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Heifer selection and health management strategies for successful development
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Heifer development is critical as cattle producers rebuild their herds,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Successful development starts with choosing the right heifers and using effective health management strategies, whether for your own herd or for buyers of your heifers.
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Second finding of new soybean pest confirmed in Missouri
University of Missouri Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida has confirmed a second finding in Missouri of the soybean tentiform leafminer, a new soybean pest. Valmorbida encourages farmers to scout soybean fields for the pest.
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Curiosity takes center stage in Osher@Mizzou’s fall semester
Classes examine subjects as varied as Norse mythology, graphic novels, astronomy, archaeology and feline behavior. Registration is now open.
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Treat Johnsongrass after fall corn harvest
After corn harvest, plan to spray herbicides to treat Johnsongrass, a common quick-growing weed of roadside ditches, crops and pastures. While many producers target it in the spring and summer, fall applications are far more effective and provide a better return on herbicide investment.
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Free webinars show how to make the holiday sales window count
Program helps farm and food businesses plan, act and stay accountable.
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Parasitic wasps offer precision pest control
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Parasitoid wasps, or parasitic wasps, may be tiny, but they play an important role in keeping gardens and landscapes healthy. These small, non-stinging allies develop in or on the bodies of insects such as aphids, caterpillars and beetles, eventually killing the host while producing the next generation of wasps.
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Alliums have some of the most striking flowers around the globe
COLUMBIA, Mo. — When contemplating which spring-flowering bulbs to plant this fall, few gardeners will consider alliums. “This is unfortunate, since ornamental alliums produce striking, globe-shaped purple flowers that float like vibrant spheres on green flower stalks,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Plant Madonna lily in August for years of pure joy
Few garden perennials deserve the title “heirloom” more so than Madonna lily: Some historians believe it is the first to have been cultivated by humans for ornamental purposes. August is an ideal month for planting this iconic beauty and a good time to explore it in greater detail.
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How to make youth tours and presentations more meaningful
Simple strategies can help businesses spark career interest, confidence and engagement among young people.
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MU Extension hosts free global speaker series for International Year of the Woman Farmer
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, University of Missouri Extension’s Pearls of Production program is hosting a free global speaker series featuring women agricultural leaders from around the world.
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Outdoor rec adds more than $10B to state’s economy
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, boating and other forms of outdoor recreation generate billions of dollars in economic activity across Missouri.
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Lady beetles and aphids: Why releases often fall short
Lady beetles, aka ladybugs, feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects, making them important natural enemies of common pests. While they are valuable predators, simply releasing them without the right conditions rarely leads to meaningful control.
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Missouri landowners can improve forest and woodlands for birds
New publication details practices that can offset declining bird populations.
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Soybean yield predictions drop with prolonged heat wave
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Predicted soybean yields across Missouri have taken a downward turn in recent weeks, according to the latest University of Missouri Extension Soybean Growth and Yield Report.