Horticulture and gardening : article
As autumn paints Missouri’s landscapes in brilliant hues, it also signals the start of the best season for planting trees, says University of Missouri Extension state forestry specialist.
HILLSBORO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a one-day workshop for those thinking about selling produce and other goods at farmers markets.
The Feb. 3 workshop covers food safety, sampling, funding, customer service and opportunities for discussion with other vendors, said MU…
ST. PETERS, Mo. – You can still safely shop and eat local during COVID-19, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
Understand how the new FDA preharvest water rule shifts compliance steps and deadlines for produce growers.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Fermented or "sour" mulch from large batches hit with too much rain can damage the leaves and stems of annuals, perennials and small woody plants, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
Controlling moles is challenging; effective methods include traps, baits, and repellents to mitigate lawn damage.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The flickering of fireflies signals the beginning of warm summer nights. Although these common beetles evoke a sense of wonder for many people, they are simply performing a luminescent courtship ritual that has evolved over countless years, says University of Missouri Extension…
Learn to support pollinators through hands-on classes covering bees, butterflies, habitat, and conservation starting in May.
Missouri launches its first Heroes to Hives program, teaching veterans beekeeping skills and pollinator care.
Learn how dividing spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils can boost blooms and share flowers with neighbors.
Spring bulbs add early color with minimal care. Plant, water, and enjoy daffodils, tulips, crocus, and more in your garden.
STARK CITY, Mo. – In the dead of Missouri winter, members of a southwestern Missouri family pluck lemons, oranges and grapefruits from trees in their greenhouse.
Veterans develop new skills in beekeeping and business to aid their transition to civilian life, while supporting agriculture and pollination efforts.
Community garden at Wildwood YMCA offers 70 plots, supports local food pantries, and plans a sensory garden for all.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Those unsightly round, brown growths seen on oaks this time of year won’t harm the tree, says a University of Missouri Extension fruit specialist.
From youth gardening lessons to a thriving floral and coffee shop, Garden 'n Grow inspired a small-town business that now enriches its community.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
A community garden in Noel, Missouri, brings together diverse groups, promoting cultural exchange, shared meals, and stronger connections across differences.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If a little is good, a lot must be better.
Discover how gardening can strengthen your immune system, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being through nature and physical activity.
Help monarch butterflies thrive by planting milkweed, creating pollinator gardens, reducing pesticides, and protecting habitats.
Ancient Olympians used garlic for strength and stamina. Discover its history, health benefits, and planting tips for today’s gardens.
Cut open a seed and you’ll see a miracle.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Too many gardeners go all in when it comes to planting a vegetable garden by planting the entire garden at once, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo.
Learn how to extend the life of Valentine's Day flowers with a simple homemade preservative and expert tips to keep them fresh longer.
Extend the life of Valentine's Day flowers with expert tips and a homemade preservative recipe using soda, mouthwash, and dish soap.
Discover the benefits of wildcrafting in Missouri, including plant identification tips and preparation methods for edible spring greens
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some Missouri trees are producing a gooey, orange slime that seeps and grows.Bright orange tree slime brings wonder to the woods after cool, wet spring days, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall.
HANNIBAL, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a Specialty Crop Block Grant workshop 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, in Hannibal
HILLSBORO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a Specialty Crop Block Grant workshop 6-9 pm. Monday, Jan. 29, in Hillsboro.
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.
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.
MEXICO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners and Grow Well Missouri partner to plant seeds of hope in food pantry clients at Mexico’s Help Center.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The colorful sweet pepper is the Christmas ornament of the vegetable garden, bearing fruit that ranges from red, orange, yellow and white to purple and chocolate black.
Growing
COLUMBIA, Mo. –During August, homeowners may notice signs of grubs, an unwelcome annual visitor to healthy, green lawns.
“The earliest symptoms of white grubs feeding on turf grass roots are wilted patches,” said Brad Fresenburg, University of Missouri Extension turf researcher.
Create a twilight garden with white, fragrant, night-blooming plants for evening beauty and pollinators.
Hannibal farm produces cold-pressed sunflower oil to meet demand during the global shortage.
Celebrate 70 years of Missouri’s flowering dogwood, known for its stunning spring blooms and cultural history.
Plan garden sowing in waves—plant seeds at intervals, rotate sites, vary varieties—to enjoy fresh, staggered harvests all season.
Harvesting timber selectively boosts forest health, wildlife habitat, and provides landowners with sustainable income.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The cranberry keeps a low profile most of the time, but this time of year it shines as the crown jewel of holiday dinners.
Bright, long-lasting kalanchoe flowers add vibrant color and easy-care charm to your home year-round.
Community gardens and nutrition programs help Monroe County residents grow and access fresh, healthy food.
Get picky kids to try fruits and vegetables by involving them in gardening and hands-on food experiences.
Enhance your garden's health by improving soil structure with organic matter like compost, manure, and peat moss for better plant growth and water retention.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Homegrown herbs may earn their keep better than any other crop in the garden, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Programs train veterans in beekeeping and farming while connecting them with peers and new career opportunities.
Heroes to Hives provides veterans with beekeeping training, fostering camaraderie and a renewed sense of purpose.
Heroes to Hives offers veterans free beekeeping training and community support, expanding to a new St. Louis site in 2024.
High heat and dry conditions can lower pond oxygen and water levels, putting fish at risk and requiring careful management.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Producers should take care to choose an appropriate site for a high tunnel, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein. He spoke to agriculture educators recently at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center.
ST. PETERS, Mo. – A high tunnel workshop will be held 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the University of Missouri Extension Center in St. Charles County, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “We are in a food production revolution,” University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein told agriculture educators recently at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center.
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.
Discover shade-loving hostas: vibrant foliage, thousands of varieties, easy care, plus planting and pest tips.
Discover hostas, hardy perennials that thrive in shade, offering diverse foliage, fragrant blooms, and easy care for any garden.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Of all the things growing in a garden, children are the most important. April is National Gardening Month and an ideal time to discuss the need to teach youngsters about what unfortunately is becoming a lost art, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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.
Discover how herbs like lavender and rosemary were used historically to freshen homes and enrich gardens.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Espalier (pronounced “is-PAL-yer”) is a centuries-old art of growing plants in two dimensions, or on a single plane. Most people have areas in their gardens where an espaliered plant would fit, either as a way to spruce up a barren wall or as a screen, said a University of…
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Look no further than your back yard for inexpensive fall centerpieces.
That’s the advice from Kim Martin, manager of Tiger Garden, the student-run floral shop on the University of Missouri campus. The shop celebrated its grand re-opening recently with special events and workshops.
Enhance your garden's beauty by dividing and replanting overgrown iris clumps every 3-4 years to promote vibrant blooms and healthy growth.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Most Missouri lawns have had plenty of water during this year’s cool, wet spring, so homeowners may not be thinking of how to properly irrigate those lush, green lawns now that the year’s first summer heat blast has arrived.
Do spent grounds from your morning cup of joe help your plants grow? There is much on social media about benefit of using spent coffee grounds to boost plant growth, but research is unclear about the benefits. In fact, they can sometimes harm plants.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
Homegrown sweet corn needs hot sun, warm soil and timely planting. Learn planting depth, spacing, pollination, watering and harvesting tips.
Related story: Proper pruning prevents problems
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Now that the leaves have fallen, it’s time to think about pruning your trees.
Join a June 5 bus tour of KC-area farms to explore high tunnels, produce growing, and food safety practices.
Learn how to pick a fresh Christmas tree, care for it with water, and keep it safe and vibrant through the holiday season.
Kirksville Area Master Gardeners have given away more than 9,000 milkweed plants since 2014. Then-chapter president Diane Johnson launched the crusade after reading about the decline of monarch butterfly populations. Since the early 1990s, populations of eastern monarchs have decreased by as much…
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.
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.
While tulips and daffodils take center stage when planting bulbs at this time of the year, other species such as crocus should not be overlooked.
Put fallen leaves to work: leaving them in place provides insulation, boosts soil health, and creates winter havens for pollinators.
Leaving fallen leaves provides habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects while enriching your garden naturally.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–There are a lot of vegetables out there for home gardeners in the Midwest to try beyond the standard offerings at the garden center, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.Marlin Bates suggests gardeners look into some of the lesser-known members of the…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Want to make your garden or flower bed even more green this year? Forgo those plastic planting pots and go biodegradable.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Winter-hardy perennial flowers likely will survive April’s historic low temperatures across Missouri, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Their tender annual counterparts, however, may not be so lucky.
When most garden flowers show the attrition of having endured the heat and humidity of a typical Missouri summer, lycoris adds beauty and intrigue to beleaguered landscapes. The pink, lily-like flowers seem to come out of nowhere to adorn gardens.
ALBANY, Mo. – University of Missouri’s Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center will soon help gardeners learn how to grow their own pizza toppings, says MU Extension field horticulturist Gwen Funk.
The idea comes from thinking outside of the pizza box, and it delivers taste and fun, Funk says.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Managing soil moisture is an important part of successful vegetable gardening in the Midwest, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. While tomatoes are the most popular choice for high tunnel production, many other vegetables, fruits and flowers flourish in the controlled environment of high tunnels, said University of Missouri Extension regional horticulture specialist James Quinn.
Plant hardy, nutritious cabbage and kale in March for fresh, colorful greens that thrive in cool weather.
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.
A Master Gardener teaches preschoolers to grow and enjoy fresh food while building community through themed school gardens.
MEXICO, Mo. – A national tomato growers supply company honors a Missouri Advanced Master Gardener this spring by selling tomato seeds she saved for decades.
Urban gardener turns a city lot into a thriving coffeehouse garden with chickens, vegetables, and community spirit.
Missouri Master Gardeners grow extra produce to donate to local food banks, helping communities fight food insecurity.
Microgreens are tiny, nutrient-packed greens with intense flavor and vitamins, perfect for boosting meals and nutrition.
In the short term, skip single traps and remove early-arriving beetles.
COLUMBIA, Mo.