Munch a bunch of edible flowers
Edible flowers brighten meals with color and flavor — learn safe varieties, uses, and tips for harvesting and preserving blossoms.
Dogwood: Nature's little showoff
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Few spring scenes are as spectacular as the annual display provided by dogwood trees in the Ozark woodlands,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Inconspicuous for most of the year, these diminutive denizens of our forests outdo their towering neighbors with spectacular exhibitions of color before most other species leaf out, Trinklein says.
Weekly Garden Hour resumes
The Weekly Garden Hour returns with expert advice on lawn care, gardening, diseases, and insects. Join free virtual sessions every Wednesday at noon.
After the bloom fades, Easter lily can see new life
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Easter lily used for spring decorations can provide beauty and fragrance for another season. After blooming ends, plant Easter lilies outside as soon as the ground can be worked, says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Jennifer Schutter. The following year, they will bloom in June and have a sweet fragrance.
Bells of Ireland: A St. Patrick's Day favorite
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Bells of Ireland, their meaning, symbolism, and how this good-luck plant adds charm to Irish traditions.
Planting seeds of thought for choosing seeds
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As winter sets in, gardeners thumb through seed catalogs in anticipation of next year’s gardens.But not all seed sources are created equal, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Katie Kammler.Choose a reputable source known for disease-free seed, high germination rates and good results, says Kammler. Consider the variety selection, seed treatments and organic versus non-organic.
Poinsettia: America’s No. 1 potted flower is relative newbie to the holidays
Discover how the poinsettia became America’s top potted flower and learn tips to keep it vibrant through the holiday season.
'Leaf' it to nature for compost and nutrients
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some gardeners take a hands-off approach to leaves. But leaves left on lawns can pack down into a tight mat, preventing sunlight from reaching the grass, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Leaves also trap and hold moisture, which increases the potential for disease. However, tree leaves can be a valuable asset to gardeners who want to start a compost pile or add nutrients to lawns,…
Heirloom apples are ripe for the picking
Discover heirloom apples at peak season, from Jonathan to Golden Delicious, perfect for picking and enjoying fresh this September.
Conditions are right now for cracking, splitting tomatoes
Tomatoes may crack or split after dry periods followed by rain; consistent watering, mulching, and timely harvest can help prevent damage.
Budding flower business benefits from drip irrigation
Drip irrigation helped a growing cut-flower farm boost production while cutting water use, improving plant health, and easing labor demands.
Perennial of the Year steeped in American patriotism
Monarda, also called bee balm, blooms with vibrant colors, attracts pollinators, and honors American history with its patriotic roots.
MU Extension horticulturist searches for rare Ozark butterfly
A horticulturist searches Ozark forests for the rare woodland swallowtail butterfly, a unique pollinator of the region.
MU Master Gardener blooms with floral subscription service
Discover a gardener’s floral subscription delivering fresh, seasonal bouquets locally via weekly, biweekly or monthly service.
Watermelon: The food of angels
COLUMBIA, Mo. – July, National Watermelon Month, is the time to celebrate this thirst-quenching, vitamin-rich garden delight. Mark Twain wrote that one who has tasted watermelon “knows what the angels eat.” “Aptly named, watermelon is 92% water,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. It is part of the gourd family, which also includes cucumber, squash, pumpkin and muskmelon.
Celebrate Christmas in July with painted leaf poinsettia
Enjoy mid-year blooms with painted leaf poinsettia, a vibrant, low-maintenance plant that attracts pollinators and resists deer and rabbits.
Gooseberry: Small but mighty
Discover Missouri gooseberries, a small fruit that thrives locally, perfect for pies, jams, and easy home gardening.
Healthy communities begin with healthy food
Community gardens and nutrition programs help Monroe County residents grow and access fresh, healthy food.
Peonies thrive on neglect, can live more than 100 years
Peonies thrive with little care, live over 100 years, resist pests, and brighten gardens with their long-lasting, fragrant blooms.
Low temperatures leave plants in the cold
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Winter-hardy perennial flowers likely will survive April’s historic low temperatures across Missouri, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Their tender annual counterparts, however, may not be so lucky. MU Extension horticulturists across the state answered numerous calls from concerned gardeners about freeze damage to their flowers and flowering shrubs as temperatures dropped into the…
From overlooked plot to community hub: Wildwood YMCA gardens
Community garden at Wildwood YMCA offers 70 plots, supports local food pantries, and plans a sensory garden for all.
Patience is lawn owner's friend in March
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Be mellow until the forsythia turns yellow. That’s the advice from University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Lee Miller for applying crabgrass pre-emergent herbicides to lawns. “The forsythia bloom has been used as a phenological indicator on when to apply pre-emergent herbicides and it’s a fairly easy and obvious sign,” he says.
Pansy: Not just another pretty face
Pansies bloom year-round across North America, thriving in various climates.
Grant aims to improve lavender growing in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians may learn more about lavender thanks to a grant to University of Missouri Extension from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The $39,274 grant will determine standardized growing practices for lavender in Missouri. It is one of four grants recently awarded by the Missouri Department of Agriculture to MU Extension. Federal funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block…
Norfolk Island pine: A houseplant for the holidays and beyond
NEVADA, Mo. – If you don’t have time or space for a large Christmas tree, consider a Norfolk Island pine. “Many stores sell these evergreen houseplants during the holidays,” says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Pat Miller. “These easy-to-grow plants often come decorated and are perfect for gift-giving or to keep for yourself.”