Kirksville Area Master Gardeners share Milkweed for Monarchs
Kirksville Area Master Gardeners have given away more than 9,000 milkweed plants since 2014. Then-chapter president Diane Johnson launched the crusade after reading about the decline of monarch butterfly populations. Since the early 1990s, populations of eastern monarchs have decreased by as much as 90%.
It's time to protect plants from frost
Learn how to protect plants from frost with tips on timing, insulation, and care for sensitive species as cold weather nears.
Mums burst with big, beautiful, bold color
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few flowers signal fall’s arrival more than the cheerful chrysanthemum, or mum, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Mums’ long-lasting blooms put on a colorful display for weeks when other flowers have clocked out for the season.
Time to take plants indoors
As frost approaches, gardeners are tempted to dig up plants and place them in pots for use indoors. The results are often disappointing. Many garden plants do not make good houseplants. But if you are determined to try, MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein has suggestions.
Increase flower power by dividing overgrown perennials
As clump-forming perennials mature, they often become overcrowded, competing among themselves for light, water and nutrients. This typically results in fewer blooms. Dividing them restores vigor and lets gardeners expand their beds or share plants with others.
Lycoris: An intriguing flower that brings color at summer's end
When most garden flowers show the attrition of having endured the heat and humidity of a typical Missouri summer, lycoris adds beauty and intrigue to beleaguered landscapes. The pink, lily-like flowers seem to come out of nowhere to adorn gardens.
Crape myrtle: Colorful southern shrub that's moving north
In southern states, crape myrtle can add brilliant color to the landscape when few other trees or shrubs are in bloom. New cultivars of this flowering shrub that are better-suited to Midwestern winters are now available.
When it rains, it pours mopheads and lacecaps
Fall is an ideal time to establish hydrangeas in the landscape. Several species grow well in Missouri.
Too much moisture can hinder root development
Heavy or prolonged wet soil can drown deep roots and weaken plants, leaving them vulnerable when dry spells follow.
MU Extension gardens cultivate connections
Community gardens help grow connections and tackle food insecurity. That’s why MU Extension is committed to supporting communities across Missouri as they plant seeds of connection — one garden at a time.
July 25 is Turnip Day in Missouri
Learn about Missouri's Turnip Day tradition, its historical roots, and tips for planting turnips in late July for a fall harvest.
Daisies bring sunshine and blooms year after year
Daisies brighten gardens and roadsides from summer to fall. These easy-to-grow perennials offer cheerful blooms year after year.
Time to head out and sow some Chinese cabbage
Sow Chinese cabbage in well-drained soil, keep it moist and shaded, transplant in summer, and harvest firm heads in fall.
Use caution when hiring tree care professionals
Learn key tips for safely hiring tree care professionals to protect your property and avoid costly mistakes.
The great okra divide
Discover how to grow okra: from planting tips to harvesting young, tender pods rich in nutrients.
When your garden becomes a drive-thru for wildlife
Most gardeners know the frustration of having a beautiful garden decimated by wildlife. Just like people, deer and other critters are drawn to food that is tasty and convenient. A garden is wildlife’s equivalent of a fast food drive-thru.
Sweeten the Fourth with juicy watermelon
Celebrate National Watermelon Month with tips on selecting ripe, juicy melons for your summer gatherings.
Peppers: Easter eggs of the garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bearing fruit ranging in color from red, orange and yellow to purple, white and chocolate-black, sweet peppers are the Easter eggs of the vegetable garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Jefferson Farm & Garden provides bedding plants to nonprofits statewide
Jefferson Farm & Garden supplies thousands of free bedding plants to schools and community gardens across Missouri, supporting local food access.
Callie, petunia's upstart cousin, bursts with floral fireworks
Calibrachoa, a colorful cousin of petunias, offers abundant blooms for containers and baskets, thriving in sun and rewarding care.
Volunteer Master Gardeners help others learn to grow
Volunteer Master Gardeners share gardening knowledge through workshops and projects, creating more than $5 million in annual economic value.
Red, white and blue for the green thumb
Create a patriotic garden using red, white, and blue flowers with the 60-30-10 design rule for color balance and visual appeal.
![Beets are nutritious and easy to grow.Photo by Evan Amos [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2025/20250415-beets-1.jpg?itok=J5SBJi8C)
Beets: Well-rooted in nutrition
Few vegetables elicit less excitement from the average gardener than beets. Once relegated to pickling or making borscht, beet is enjoying greater respect due to its reported health benefits.
Don't plant seeds you didn't order
Do not plant unsolicited seeds. They may carry pests, diseases, or invasive species. Report or safely return unknown seeds.
Happy 70th birthday to Missouri's state tree
Celebrate 70 years of Missouri’s flowering dogwood, known for its stunning spring blooms and cultural history.