![Woolly bear caterpillar. Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/woollybear.jpg?itok=lanRiXuu)
Dr. Bug is on call when kids ‘bug’ you about bugs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Snow days and winter holidays give parents and child care workers openings to teach kids about the wonders of nature. “Winter break is a great time to teach children about insects and gardening,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Tamra Reall. “Books they received as holiday gifts, TV shows or movies may spark their interest and prompt questions.”
![University of Missouri Extension entomologist Kevin Rice and his team of graduate students research the use of pyrethroid nets to control foliage-eating Japanese beetles. Photo by Jessi Dodge, MU Extension.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/JapaneseBeetles.jpg?itok=xNryjGkx)
MU research targets Japanese beetles
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Japanese beetles—those mean, green eating machines—are peaking throughout much of Missouri.University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice hopes his research on Japanese beetles will take a bite out of their buffet.
![Roses are in their summer glory at Chance Gardens in Centralia, Mo. It is open to the public during daylight hours 365 days a year. Photo by David Trinklein](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/roses-chance-gardens.jpg?itok=gJM1LDE9)
Rose, summer's elegant beauty
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The treasured rose plant’s elegant flowers hold a special place in the hearts and minds of people everywhere, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.Roses’ beauty peaks in June at Missouri’s latitude, bringing mid-year gardening joy, he says.
Mulch ado about something
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mulches can help garden soil stay cool during the heat of summer. Maintain 2-4 inches of an organic mulch to keep the soil cool, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. This promotes root growth and curbs soil moisture loss. By blocking sunlight, mulch also prevents weeds from germinating. Finally, organic mulches improve soil structure as they decompose and add nutrients to the soil.
![Students at Sacred Heart Villa Preschool on The Hill in St. Louis learn how to make 'smashy peas' from chef and Master Gardener Margaret Grant. Photo by Linda Geist.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/peas-0315.jpg?itok=XLncczF-)
Master Gardener nurtures school garden that fuels love of food, community
Includes sidebar, “Tips for gardening with children.” ST. LOUIS – A Master Gardener nurtures little minds and mouths at Sacred Heart Villa, a preschool in St. Louis.University of Missouri Master Gardener Margaret Grant teaches preschool students to grow what they eat and eat what they grow. The program is in its second year.
![Pink peony.Photo by Oleksandra Deriy, shared under a Creative Commons license (CC-BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/May_Pink_Peony.jpg?itok=aTFyoyLF)
Billowing blooms crown peony the queen of spring
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few flowers symbolize the arrival of spring more than peonies. Their huge, lavish blooms and distinctive floral scent make them one of America’s most treasured perennials, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
![Vinca, or periwinkle, is a popular, shade-tolerant groundcover plant.Photo by Leonora Enking, shared under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 2.0).](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/vinca.jpg?itok=ldElbKQ0)
Groundcovers: Shady characters for problem areas
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many landscapes have problem spots where nothing grows well or looks attractive, such as the area below a large tree with a dense leaf canopy.The area beneath a tree receives relatively little light. This and the competitive root systems of many tree species create a problem for gardeners, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein
![St. Louis Master Gardener Paul Whitsitt practices sustainable gardening in an urban setting. He raises chickens that provide eggs for a coffeehouse he owns in St. Louis’ trendy Tower Grove area. Photo courtesy of Paul Whitsitt.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/whitsitt.jpg?itok=xaWk-FJT)
Master Gardener's coffeehouse brings farm to the city
ST. LOUIS – Master Gardener Paul Whitsitt takes the farm to the city and the city to the farm.
Registration open for Missouri Master Gardener conference
BRANSON, Mo. – Registration is open for the 2018 Missouri Master Gardener State Conference, Sept. 28-30 at Chateau on the Lake in Branson.Gardeners can choose from a variety of tours and sessions, said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. Branson entertainers the Hughes Brothers will perform during a Friday evening welcome reception at the resort.
![The variegated leaves of the Paradise Island hosta.Photo by Andy Mabbett, shared under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 3.0).](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/hosta-paradise-island.jpg?itok=-hQNmaYq)
With more than 4,000 cultivars, hostas are emperors of the shade
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A problem many gardeners face is what to plant in a shady area.Perhaps no plant brightens a shade garden more than the hosta, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. The hardy perennial thrives in shade and is easy to grow.“It is little wonder why hostas earned the title of ‘emperors of the shade,’” said Trinklein. “Their lush foliage brings attractive color to the shadiest of garden…
Hostas: Emperors of the Shade
COLUMBIA, Mo. —Few plants add more interest to shady areas than hostas.
Practice patience when preparing garden soil
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Spring is almost here, but gardeners shouldn’t be too quick to start working the soil, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
Top 10 tips for long-living trees
NEVADA, Mo. —Trees, like people, have a life span. They live, they flourish, they die.
![Public domain image](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/small%20garden.jpg?itok=nKTbAcOb)
Beginning gardening
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It could be the memory of shelling peas with your grandmother or a desire for fragrant flowers. It could be as simple as wanting to shave a bit off your food bill. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided to plant your first-ever garden.
Don't let April snow showers dull May flowers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – April’s cold start in Missouri reminds gardeners that planting date is a matter of risk versus reward, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.“Growers who plant early risk crop damage or loss to freezing temperatures,” he said. “However, if the latter does not occur, they are rewarded by earlier produce, which commands more competitive prices at the market.”
![Calibrachoa Superbells Dreamsicle.Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/calibrachoa.jpg?itok=pcYqssLx)
Calibrachoa: Petunia's pretty little cousin takes center stage in 2018
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While new flowering species are introduced on a fairly regular basis, very few have supplanted longtime garden favorites such as geraniums and petunias, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. An exception is calibrachoa, or “callie” for short.
![The nectar and leaves of azaleas contain toxins, so the plant should be kept out of reach of children and pets.Photo by Jud McCranie, shared under a Creative Commons License (CC-BY-3.9)](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/azalea.jpg?itok=Ntl2HTQi)
Check your home for toxic plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is estimated that more than 700 plant species growing in North America can have harmful effects on humans, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.Many plant poisonings occur when curious children are attracted to colorful berries and blooms on plants within their reach. Their low body weight makes plant toxicity higher in children than adults, said MU Extension safety and health…
![Blue hydrangea.Shared under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0) by Flickr user Liz West.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/hydrangea.jpg?itok=s-9cZjD2)
Hydrangeas, the bold chameleon of plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bold, eye-catching hydrangeas appear at floral shops and garden centers now through Mother’s Day.“Hydrangea’s regal elegance is uncommon among potted plants,” said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
St. Paddy's Day is a dud for planting spuds in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The admonition for gardeners to plant their potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day is probably good advice for some parts of our country, but not for Missouri, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.“It is a few weeks too early,” he said. Wait to plant potatoes until soil temperatures warm to above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
![Madness Royal petunia.Photo by David J. Stang, shared under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 4.0)](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Petunia_Madness_Royal_4zz.jpg?itok=FIT2Cub4)
New petunias pack a punch of color
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bursting with color and relatively low-maintenance, petunias are a longtime favorite of gardeners. But that wasn’t always the case.
![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_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Beets-Bundle.jpg?itok=MitTW0ox)
You can whip potatoes, but it's hard to beat beets
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few vegetables elicit less excitement from the average gardener than beet. Once relegated to pickling or making borscht, beet is enjoying greater respect due to its reported health benefits, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
![Photo Miya, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), via Wikimedia Commons. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bouquet_of_white,_pink_and_yellow_flowers.jpg.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Bouquet_of_white%252C_pink_and_yellow_flowers.jpg?itok=hCLDrvEM)
Give Valentine's Day flowers some TLC for flor-amore
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Valentine’s Day flowers, like love, can stand the test of time if given a little TLC. Call it flor-amore.Proper care and a homemade preservative provide an extended warranty of sorts to make certain flowers last up to twice as long, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Ashes to ashes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ashes produced by wood-burning fireplaces or stoves are an excellent example of the idiom “don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.“When collected and spread on the garden, they are an excellent and free source of calcium and other plant nutrients,” Trinklein says.
Master Gardener training begins Feb. 26 in Hillsboro
HILLSBORO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension in Jefferson County will hold Master Gardener classes Monday evenings at Jefferson College’s Hillsboro campus.Weekly classes will be 6:30-9:30 p.m., Feb. 26 to May 7, said MU Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly.
Amaryllis: Plan now for show-stopping blooms next year
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Among indoor flowering plants, few match amaryllis in grandeur, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.Its blooms are spectacular in size and come in many colors and patterns. “In addition to being colorful, it is relatively easy to re-bloom. It can continue to give pleasure to its recipient for many years,” Trinklein said.If you received an amaryllis as a holiday gift, plan now so it can…