Poinsettia: America's most popular flower
Discover why poinsettias, with colorful bracts and tiny flowers, are America’s favorite holiday plant.
Tropical plants can overwinter indoors
Learn how to overwinter tropical plants indoors, keeping hibiscus, palms, bougainvillea, and more healthy through winter.
Missouri’s fall foliage color show begins soon
Witness autumn’s palette unfold across Missouri as trees light up with reds, golds and rust — plan your fall color trek today.
Flower math: Divide and multiply
Learn how dividing spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils can boost blooms and share flowers with neighbors.
Master Gardener duo donates to local food pantries
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Those who have planted gardens feel that they have “done something for the good of the whole world,” wrote American author Charles Dudley Warner in 1871.
Tips on watering your garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – How does your garden grow? No grow or slow grow? It could be your H2O. How and when you water your garden often makes the difference between healthy or diseased plants, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tom Fowler. Fowler offers some simple watering tips that can provide a bushel of benefits.
Master Gardeners fight food insecurity
Missouri Master Gardeners grow extra produce to donate to local food banks, helping communities fight food insecurity.
Grow your own veggies to ease COVID-19 financial stress
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In response to the tremendous interest in home food production, University of Missouri Extension now offers a free online course in basic vegetable gardening.“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put an added financial strain on many Missouri families,” said MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. This has resulted in many people putting out vegetable gardens for the first time in an attempt to lower their food bills.
Safe gardening grows your mindfulness
Gardening enhances physical and mental well-being by providing exercise, time in nature and healthy food. Follow safety guidelines to maximize these benefits.
Spinach's popularity grew during Great Depression
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Many unsubstantiated stories exist about why cartoonist E.C. Segar chose spinach to give superhuman powers to his comic strip character Popeye the Sailor during the Great Depression.
Ask a Master Gardener: Options for small trees and shrubs, recommendations on hand tools
Readers can pose questions or get more information by calling 417-874-2963 and talking to one of the trained volunteers staffing the Master Gardener Hotline at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Greene County located inside the Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO 65807.
Try some edgy veggies for a groovy garden this year
Add unique veggies to your garden this year to spice up salads and try new flavors and textures.
Go wild at nature's free salad bar
Discover the art of wildcrafting and enrich your diet with Missouri's edible spring greens like dandelions, lambsquarters, and watercress.
Pansy: A flower for all seasons
Pansies bloom in spring and fall, adding vibrant color and charm to gardens across the seasons.
Dr. Bug answers questions you're itching to ask about mosquitoes
Get answers to curious questions about mosquitoes, larvae, and bug behavior for kids and families.
Dr. Bug talks Pokemon and why your Christmas tree may be bugged
Discover why your Christmas tree might host tiny mantises and how Pokémon’s Scyther was inspired by real bugs.
Selecting and caring for your poinsettia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No flower says Christmas like the poinsettia. Now is the time of year when these colorful plants adorn mantels, tables and hallways across the country.Native to southern Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia is the most popular potted plant in the United States. Poinsettia sales are estimated to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the U.S. economy. And it happens in a very short time.
Dr. Bug is on call when kids ‘bug’ you about bugs
Help kids explore the world of insects with answers to their curious bug questions and fun winter bug facts.
Mulch ado about something
Mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and enriches soil. Use 2–4 inches of organic mulch like pine bark or grass clippings for best results.
Master Gardener nurtures school garden that fuels love of food, community
A Master Gardener teaches preschoolers to grow and enjoy fresh food while building community through themed school gardens.
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.
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
Master Gardener's coffeehouse brings farm to the city
Urban gardener turns a city lot into a thriving coffeehouse garden with chickens, vegetables, and community spirit.
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
Discover hostas, hardy perennials that thrive in shade, offering diverse foliage, fragrant blooms, and easy care for any garden.