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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.
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Alliums have some of the most striking flowers around the globe
COLUMBIA, Mo. — When contemplating which spring-flowering bulbs to plant this fall, few gardeners will consider alliums. “This is unfortunate, since ornamental alliums produce striking, globe-shaped purple flowers that float like vibrant spheres on green flower stalks,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Plant Madonna lily in August for years of pure joy
Few garden perennials deserve the title “heirloom” more so than Madonna lily: Some historians believe it is the first to have been cultivated by humans for ornamental purposes. August is an ideal month for planting this iconic beauty and a good time to explore it in greater detail.
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Lady beetles and aphids: Why releases often fall short
Lady beetles, aka ladybugs, feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects, making them important natural enemies of common pests. While they are valuable predators, simply releasing them without the right conditions rarely leads to meaningful control.
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Biological control: Natural enemies can help manage pests
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Biological control – using living organisms to help manage insect pests and weeds – can be an effective part of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall.
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Grapes: Good things come in small packages
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Long before they became a delectable feature of fruit trays or the essence of a respectable vintage, grapes were busy proving that good things come in bite-sized, sweet packages, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Choose these cool flowers for hot days
Instead of signaling an end to the garden’s visual appeal, hot summer weather simply sets the stage for heat-loving flowers to take over and truly shine. The right plant in the right place makes gardens burst with summer color.
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Wet or dry, plant turnips in July
Learn about Missouri's Turnip Day tradition, its historical roots, and tips for planting turnips in late July for a fall harvest.
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Tomatoes struggle in summer heat
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The scorching heat of a typical Missouri summer can be hard on our garden plants, including tomato, the most popular home garden vegetable in the U.S., said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Beat the burn: Planting trees and shrubs in July
Just because July has arrived, there is no need to stop planting trees and shrubs. Early spring and late fall are the traditional times for planting woody ornamentals. But the development of different methods of growing nursery stock and modern transplanting equipment means planting at other times is possible and may be quite desirable.
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Highway 13 Butterfly Trail connects Missouri communities
RICHMOND, Mo. – Missouri Highway 13 could soon become a living corridor of color, movement and ecological renewal with the Highway 13 Butterfly Trail, says Kathi Mecham, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in horticulture.
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A summer slice of heaven
July is National Watermelon Month.
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Keep July 4 cookouts sweet with fresh-picked corn
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Nothing says summer like biting into delectable, juicy sweet corn at a Fourth of July cookout. Whether boiled in a pot or charred over an open grill, savoring freshly picked sweet corn embodies the patriotic spirit of a midsummer celebration before fireworks light up the night sky.
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When the heat is on, these shrubs deliver
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Midwesterners are all too familiar with scorching summers. While midsummer doesn’t offer the vivid floral displays of spring shrubs, great options are available, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Gardeners willing to embrace a more subtle look can choose from several tough, drought-tolerant shrubs that continue to bloom beautifully despite the heat.
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Daylily: Big color without the fuss
Daylilies combine stunning, long-lasting floral displays with rugged resilience, so it’s little wonder daylily is America’s most popular flowering perennial.
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Vines that shine: Screening views while adding beauty
Ornamental vining plants often are overlooked as a way to screen unpleasant views while adding beauty to a landscape, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.