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Registration opens for spring online MU Extension Master Gardener training
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Registration is open for the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener online spring 2027 course. The 15-week class runs Jan. 18-May 31, 2027. The online core training course is designed to provide in-depth horticultural knowledge, says MU Extension Master Gardener state coordinator Debi Kelly. The course includes presentations and weekly discussion forums.
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Register for 2027 MU Extension Master Gardener course in Columbia
Registration is open for the in-person University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener spring 2027 course. The 15-week class in Columbia is 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 20-April 21, 2027.
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Rake no mistake: Fallen leaves deserve a second life
Learn how mowing or composting leaves can enrich soil, control disease and support healthier lawns and gardens.
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Jack Frost is at the door, so get your garden ready
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Late October can be a somber time of the year for gardening enthusiasts, since it usually signals the end of the outdoor growing season, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Based on decades of weather data, there is a 50% chance that mid-Missouri’s first frost of fall will happen on or before Oct. 23, and a 70% that first frost will arrive by Oct. 29. In any case, the end of the growing…
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Countdown to beautiful spring flowers begins now
Plant spring-blooming bulbs now to ensure vibrant flowers and healthy roots next season.
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Lawn & Order: Plant crocus in lawn now for new season
While tulips and daffodils take center stage when planting bulbs at this time of the year, other species such as crocus should not be overlooked.
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Boonslick Master Gardeners hosted monarch tagging event
The family-friendly event gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse of monarch tagging, which allows researchers to track the butterflies’ migration to Mexico.
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Boonslick Master Gardeners recognized at statewide conference
The awards highlight the dedication and impact of the Boonslick Master Gardeners and the many ways they serve youths and the local community through gardening education and outreach.
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Fall tips for healthier gardens in spring
As temperatures cool, warm-season plants die and wildlife goes into hibernation. In our gardens, this means it is time to clean up crop residue and protect the soil.
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Shrubs add fall color to the jeweled family tree
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While trees remain the jewel in the crown of fall foliage, don’t overlook their shorter relatives, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. In the home landscape as well as in the wild, woody shrubs also provide fall color to add beauty to the season. At a time when many summer flowers are in decline, colorful shrubs can extend garden enjoyment.
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Missouri Extension Master Gardener program welcomes new volunteers
Each year, Extension Master Gardener volunteers help thousands of Missourians make informed gardening and landscape decisions.
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Milky spore and Japanese beetles: a long-term tool with limits
In the short term, skip single traps and remove early-arriving beetles.
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Beneficial nematodes depend on moisture, timing
Beneficial nematodes – microscopic roundworms that move through the soil in search of insect pests – can help control white grubs, fungus gnat larvae and certain soil-dwelling caterpillars.
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Control of Missouri bindweed still depends on patience
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Field bindweed is a persistent perennial weed that challenges Missouri gardeners, farmers and land managers by competing with and smothering other plants. Field bindweed is one of those weeds that calls for the “right tool, right place, right conditions” approach, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall.
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Fall planting: Give trees and shrubs a root awakening
COLUMBIA, Mo. – We often see “Fall is for planting” advertisements at nurseries, garden centers and other retail outlets during late summer and early fall. “While the primary motivation for the ads is to increase sales, the message is good advice from the standpoint of sound horticultural practices, and is especially true for trees and shrubs,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Floral fireworks in the fall
Dahlia puts on dazzling show as nights begin to cool.
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Helping others learn to grow
Extension Master Gardener volunteer Jan Ivey cultivates plants, knowledge and community.
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Pansies bring bright colors to fall
As you read this article, somewhere in North America pansies are blooming prolifically in a garden.
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Clove at first bite
Small clove, big impact: garlic’s culinary and health benefits.
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Plant true lilies in fall for striking spring color
During fall, many gardeners plant popular spring-flowering bulbs like narcissus, tulips and hyacinths. Fall also is a good time to plant lilies, says MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Labor Day marks transition from summer to autumn gardening
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For Labor Day, many Americans honor the achievements of American workers by not doing anything, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. But most avid gardeners do not consider gardening “work” but instead view it as a joyful hobby or a creative escape, so many of them will likely spend some time tending to their garden and landscape this Labor Day weekend.
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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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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.