'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…
Poinsettia: America's most popular flower
Discover why poinsettias, with colorful bracts and tiny flowers, are America’s favorite holiday plant.
Tropical plants can overwinter indoors
Learn how to overwinter tropical plants indoors, keeping hibiscus, palms, bougainvillea, and more healthy through winter.
Flower math: Divide and multiply
Learn how dividing spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils can boost blooms and share flowers with neighbors.
Master Gardener duo donates to local food pantries
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Those who have planted gardens feel that they have “done something for the good of the whole world,” wrote American author Charles Dudley Warner in 1871.
Tips on watering your garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – How does your garden grow? No grow or slow grow? It could be your H2O. How and when you water your garden often makes the difference between healthy or diseased plants, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tom Fowler. Fowler offers some simple watering tips that can provide a bushel of benefits.
Master Gardeners fight food insecurity
Missouri Master Gardeners grow extra produce to donate to local food banks, helping communities fight food insecurity.
Grow your own veggies to ease COVID-19 financial stress
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In response to the tremendous interest in home food production, University of Missouri Extension now offers a free online course in basic vegetable gardening.“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put an added financial strain on many Missouri families,” said MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. This has resulted in many people putting out vegetable gardens for the first time in an attempt to lower their food bills.
Safe gardening grows your mindfulness
Gardening enhances physical and mental well-being by providing exercise, time in nature and healthy food. Follow safety guidelines to maximize these benefits.