![Moonflower. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Schutter, MU Extension.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240826-moonflower-3.jpg?itok=i6jjmEuE)
Hang the moon with twilight gardens
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Twilight gardens delight the senses of sight and smell by adding another dimension to the gardening experience, says Gwen Funk, University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. Also known as moon gardens, twilight gardens use white flowers and plants to capture reflected moonlight. “The use of the color white showcases how we can, with planning, extend our garden enjoyment into the evening,” Funk says.
![Squirrel.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240806-squirrel-1.jpg?itok=pJx6hcgx)
What to do when wildlife treats your garden like a buffet
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Pest control is an important part of establishing an attractive garden. Insects, diseases and weeds are formidable foes, but the damage they inflict often pales compared to the destruction perpetrated by some of our four-legged “friends,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
![Fall is the ideal time to plant garlic in the Midwest, according to MU Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. Fall planting allows roots to develop. Photo courtesy of Rusty Lee.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240725-garlic-2.jpg?itok=hRXSOKJS)
Garlic: secret weapon of ancient Olympians
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the world enjoys the 2024 Olympic Games this summer, the use of performance-enhancing substances will be under close scrutiny. University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein notes that garlic was given to the original Olympic athletes in ancient Greece to increase strength and stamina. Thus, this culinary staple was perhaps one of the earliest performance-enhancing agents in sports.
![Turnips. Photo by thebittenword.com, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/202207180turnip-1.jpg?itok=QhZQ6jJO)
July 25 is Turnip Day in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – There is an old Missouri saying, “On the 25th of July, sow your turnips, wet or dry.” This local proverb vaulted into the national spotlight during the presidency of Missouri native Harry S. Truman, said University of Missouri Extension state specialist David Trinklein.
![Japanese beetles are on the rise in Missouri gardens. They tend to favor certain plants, including hibiscus (rose of Sharon), rosebushes and hollyhocks. They can quickly defoliate plants. Photo by Linda Geist.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240712-japanese-beetle-1.jpg?itok=tJr88Tjn)
Battling Japanese beetles in your garden and flowers
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Patience and a bucket of soapy water are your best friends when fending off Japanese beetles in the garden, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall. Reall recommends tapping beetles off plants by hand and putting them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them. You can also shake them off the plant into the bucket.
![Mulch beds keep the soil cooler in summer and warmer in winter, an important benefit for flowering bulbs. File photo.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/g06960photo01b.jpg?itok=uzoYcnXw)
Gardens will thank you very 'mulch' during summer heat
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mulches benefit gardens throughout the year, but they are particularly helpful during the heat of summer, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
![Sarah Linsenmeyer and daughter Pearl Zwingle work at Westwinds Court, a neighborhood garden in Columbia, Mo., in this 2009 file photo.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/PlantingGardens-2.jpg?itok=xmXZiwaP)
Protect yourself from heat stress in the garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardeners love to garden, but don’t overdo it on hot summer days. During extreme heat, the best time to do garden tasks is early in the morning, said Donna Aufdenberg, University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. The second-best time is in the late evening.
![Peas](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/Doperwt_rijserwt_peulen_Pisum_sativum.jpg?itok=gw1_UCcK)
Early June peas
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No other vegetable is as closely associated with a month of the year as is garden pea, and few things match the gastronomic appeal of fresh peas from the garden. The term “early June peas” often appears on labels to indicate they are young and still have a high sugar content, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Peas are sweetest when they mature in cool weather, before too much of the…
![Pink peony. Photo by Oleksandra Deriy, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), via Wikimedia Commons. Attribution required.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20210526-pink-peony.jpg?itok=x22X-3YN)
Peony: A Memorial Day tradition
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In the 1800s, peonies were one of the few flowers in bloom in late May. After the Civil War, mourners used peonies to adorn the graves of fallen soldiers on Decoration Day, which we now call Memorial Day. The huge, lavish blooms emit a luscious floral perfume that continues to make them one of America’s most treasured garden flowers, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
![Tulip field at Keukenhof in the Netherlands. Photo by Patrick Byers.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240520-tulip-PB.jpg?itok=dcO-atQK)
Horticulturists tour tulips of the Netherlands
Some University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialists recently traveled to the Netherlands to experience the height of the tulip season. The specialists toured the vast Keukenhof botanical garden in Lisse, Netherlands, where about 7 million tulip bulbs are planted each year.
In thymes of old, Rosemary used lavender to freshen the air
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Long before plug-in air fresheners and scented candles, people used plants to make their homes more livable by masking unpleasant odors.
![Narcissus (daffodil). Photo by Kham Tran. Shared under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 3.0).](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Yellow-Daffodil.jpg?itok=YdOJu7UR)
Care of spring bulbs after flowering
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Right after daffodils, tulips and hyacinths have spent their last flowers, many homeowners mow the plants down. That’s a bad idea if you want them to keep flowering year after year. Spring-flowering bulbs need to photosynthesize and produce food in order for the bulbs to enlarge and set the stage for the following year. For that, leaves are needed.
![Volunteer Extension Master Gardeners at the Harry S Truman National Historic Site. Photo courtesy of Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240424-mgs-1.jpg?itok=tZF6ROlK)
Truman gardens still bloom with beauty thanks to Master Gardeners
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – It’s only fitting that the peonies at the President Harry S Truman National Historic Site in Independence should be in full bud on his May 8 birthday. Peonies still line fragrant walkways to the carriage house at the home of the 33rd president of the United States, just as they did when Harry and Bess Truman lived there.
![Missouri Master Gardener](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/MasterGardenerLogo_revised_vector.jpg?itok=tDCnrqPI)
Missouri Master Gardeners volunteer to teach others their passion
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – During this National Volunteer Week, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall notes that volunteers across the state are the backbone of the Missouri Master Gardener Extension Program. “They are such an important part of our extension mission and are ambassadors for sharing research-based information with our communities,” Reall says.
![Warrensburg Adventure Club](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/1596460462_45_66_ppydvzoG8S%20copy.png?itok=ODEuqGXS)
Warrensburg Adventure Club provides stability, support and a sense of belonging
Within the community of Warrensburg, Missouri, lies a sanctuary for young minds – the Warrensburg R6 Adventure Club. Led by the passionate and seasoned advocate for child enrichment, Casey Conklin, this program has blossomed into a haven where every child, regardless of economic background, finds a place to thrive.
![Hostas](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240209-hosta-1.jpg?itok=1t_tX-UA)
Hosta steps out of the shadows in 2024
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Perhaps no plant brightens a shady area more than hosta, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. The hardy perennial that thrives in shade is low-maintenance and easy to grow.
![Trumpet lily](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/Lilium_x_African_Queen.jpg?itok=1Gq0uVW3)
Lily: More than just an Easter plant
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you mention the word “lily” to most people, they’ll think of the Easter lily. Although an attractive potted plant, that pure white beauty struggles somewhat in Missouri’s climate if planted outdoors, said David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
![Calla lily](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/1152px-Orange_calla_lily._%288065555221%29.jpg?itok=HgCmFNBH)
Plant these 'Fab 4' for flowers galore
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein says it is time to plant some bulbs indoors for later enjoyment outdoors.
![Toni Gatlin](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240320-kcbugs-2.jpg?itok=bOrB7ad2)
Master Gardener works to help prevent diabetes through fresh food
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener Toni Gatlin can’t change genetics, but she hopes to change the eating habits of children to help prevent diabetes. About 37 million Americans – around 11% of the U.S. population – have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health problems linked to diabetes affect the eyes, kidneys, heart and nerves, says MU Extension health and safety…
![Marigolds and tomatoes.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/5978880742_9c67d020d9_c.jpg?itok=qjalPU6O)
Companion planting: Positive partnerships that produce more
CARROLLTON, Mo. – Some things just go together like biscuits and gravy or peanut butter and jelly. Likewise, plants have companions that produce best when planted side by side, says Kathi Mecham, a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist in Carroll County. With gardening season ahead, Mecham suggests considering how plants can benefit each other. Plan so that “function and beauty” go hand in hand, she says.
![Students at George Washington Carver School in Kansas City.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240222-kcmg-12278.jpg?itok=tVJsS7kw)
MU Master Gardeners 'Dreams' team grows love of gardening, education
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City and Master Naturalists use gardening to teach students to grow healthy food and dream big. The Extension Master Gardener group, called Urban Green Dreams, works with Kansas City youths using Eating From the Garden, a research-based MU Extension program for fourth and fifth grade students.
![stock photo](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/ashesAdobeStock_181765992.jpg?itok=_bb9LyOr)
Don't trash the ashes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The phrase “waste not, want not” goes back to a time when the essentials of life were difficult to obtain, but it continues to be good advice today, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. It applies even to ashes produced this time of the year by wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. “When collected and spread on the garden, wood ashes are an excellent and free source of calcium and other…
![Tuesday Tip](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20240208-tt-1_0.jpg?itok=kVoEmV4G)
Tuesday Tip videos bring gardening tips alive
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Dedicated volunteers from Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City create the Tuesday Tip series of short videos designed to educate and entertain those interested in gardening.
![Stock photo. Not for reuse.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/AdobeStock_236364739.jpg?itok=z5bHSa7Z)
Give Valentine's Day flowers some TLC for extended enjoyment
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Valentine’s Day flowers will last longer if kept watered and fed, said University of Missouri horticulturist David Trinklein. Trinklein’s tips and homemade preservative recipe provide an extended warranty of sorts to make certain flowers last up to twice their normal lifespan.
![African violet](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/UG_004.jpg?itok=0H_DoSqK)
African violets help chase away winter blues
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Just in time to brighten the dull, dreary days of winter, the National Garden Bureau has named African violet as its houseplant of the year for 2024. The choice is an excellent one, says University of Missouri Extension state horticulture specialist David Trinklein. African violets thrive in most interior settings, provide nearly continuous color and are inexpensive.