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.
Clematis, Queen of the Vines
Clematis vines offer vibrant blooms and support pollinators. Native and hybrid varieties thrive in Missouri gardens. Proper care ensures seasonal beauty.
The 'soy of gardening' includes edamame
Learn how to grow and harvest edamame in your garden for fresh, nutritious, high-protein beans.
Easter lilies toxic to cats
Easter lilies and similar flowers are highly toxic to cats. Even small amounts can cause kidney failure. Keep these plants away from felines to ensure their safety.
Extension horticulturist named Conservationist of the Year
Todd Higgins was honored as 2025 Conservationist of the Year for promoting soil health and conservation practices across northwest Missouri.
March is the time to plant hardy, heady, healthy cabbage and kale
Plant hardy, nutritious cabbage and kale in March for fresh, colorful greens that thrive in cool weather.
Kick-start the gardening season by turning it inside out
Start your gardening season early by sowing vegetable and flower seeds indoors so they’ll be ready to transplant when spring arrives.
Harvest all season long with succession sowing
Plan garden sowing in waves—plant seeds at intervals, rotate sites, vary varieties—to enjoy fresh, staggered harvests all season.
St. Patrick's Day: Time to rock your shamrock knowledge
Discover the history and botany behind shamrocks and clovers — and learn how to spot a four-leaf clover this St. Patrick’s Day.