Start plant care now for 2025 holiday blooms
Amaryllis and Christmas cactus gifts can rebloom next year with proper early care—begin now to set the stage for holiday blooms.
Nut with two names comes out of its shell during holidays
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Given most nuts ripen late in the year, they have long been associated with the holiday season,” said David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. It also is one of the few times when consumers see what nuts looks like in nature. Most often, nuts are purchased with their shells removed and ready for use. One of the nuts likely found in the bin or bag of mixed nuts at a supermarket is…
Squash: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride at Thanksgiving
Squash, rich in history and nutrition, was enjoyed at the first Thanksgiving but often plays a lesser role in today's holiday meals.
Mow or compost leaves for best results
Learn how mowing or composting leaves can enrich soil, control disease and support healthier lawns and gardens.
Gardeners can save money, trouble with fall soil test
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If a little is good, a lot must be better. That’s often the approach home gardeners take when plants and flowers don’t do well, says University of Missouri Extension soil scientist Manjula Nathan. But adding more fertilizer and topsoil without testing the soil may be a waste of money. It also can be bad for the environment because excess nutrients often leach into water supplies.
Why are some spring plants blooming now?
Unseasonable blooms occur as plants respond to hot, dry weather and fluctuating fall temperatures.
Pumpkin: An ancient vegetable still in vogue today
Discover pumpkins’ rich history, decorative appeal, and nutritional benefits, from ancient staple to modern fall favorite.
Plant bulbs now for a colorful spring
Plant spring-blooming bulbs now to ensure vibrant flowers and healthy roots next season.
Sedum: Pollinators love this easy-peasy purple and pink plant
Sedums are low-maintenance, late-blooming plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with vibrant purple and pink flowers.
Dahlias dazzle and delight as gardens dim
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As autumn approaches, many garden flowers show the ravages of a long, often brutal summer. However, it’s at this time that dahlias are most spectacular, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Warm days and cool nights associated with late summer and early fall cause dahlias to produce flowers with intense, dazzling color.
Missouri growers are sweet on honey of a berry
Honeyberry, a hardy shrub thriving in Missouri's diverse soils, offers early spring fruit with antioxidant-rich berries resembling a blend of raspberry and blackberry.
The woods: Missouri's other place to shop for food
Discover Missouri’s woods for wild fruits, nuts, and edible plants that add flavor and nutrition to your meals.
Hang the moon with twilight gardens
Create a twilight garden with white, fragrant, night-blooming plants for evening beauty and pollinators.
What to do when wildlife treats your garden like a buffet
Guard your garden from deer, squirrels and groundhogs with natural sprays, noise or visual tricks—or by adding fencing for reliable protection.
Garlic: secret weapon of ancient Olympians
Ancient Olympians used garlic for strength and stamina. Discover its history, health benefits, and planting tips for today’s gardens.
Battling Japanese beetles in your garden and flowers
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Patience and a bucket of soapy water are your best friends when fending off Japanese beetles in the garden, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall. Reall recommends tapping beetles off plants by hand and putting them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them. You can also shake them off the plant into the bucket.
Gardens will thank you very 'mulch' during summer heat
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mulches benefit gardens throughout the year, but they are particularly helpful during the heat of summer, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Protect yourself from heat stress in the garden
Stay safe in your garden during heat — hydrate, wear sun protection, take breaks, and watch for signs of heat stress.
Early June peas
Discover why garden peas are sweetest when harvested young in early June—planted early to retain sugar before weather warms.
Peony: A Memorial Day tradition
Peonies, cherished for their fragrance and blooms, have honored Memorial Day since the 1800s.
Horticulturists tour tulips of the Netherlands
Horticulturists explored tulip fields in the Netherlands, learning about history, breeding, and vibrant displays at Keukenhof gardens.
In thymes of old, Rosemary used lavender to freshen the air
Discover how herbs like lavender and rosemary were used historically to freshen homes and enrich gardens.
Care of spring bulbs after flowering
Don’t cut or tie off leaves—let them die back naturally, then apply a phosphorus-rich, low-nitrogen fertilizer to help bulbs bloom again.
Truman gardens still bloom with beauty thanks to Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners continue to care for Truman Gardens, preserving its historical beauty with vibrant blooms that enhance the visitor experience.
Missouri Master Gardeners volunteer to teach others their passion
Missouri Master Gardeners volunteer to teach gardening skills, sharing knowledge and passion with their communities.