Vegetables : article
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.
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.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. -Over time, a sunny garden may become a shady one as surrounding trees and shrubs mature.
"Landscapes change their degree of shade, making it a challenge to grow garden plants," said Chris Starbuck, University of Missouri Extension horticulturalist.
Microgreens are tiny, nutrient-packed greens with intense flavor and vitamins, perfect for boosting meals and nutrition.
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – Missouri farmers may have grown the peanuts that you enjoy in holiday candies like peanut brittle or peanut clusters.
Learn how mowing or composting leaves can enrich soil, control disease and support healthier lawns and gardens.
ROCKY COMFORT, Mo. – More than vegetables grow in Fue Yang’s high tunnels. It is where opportunity grows for area Hmong farmers.
Yang runs a teaching farm for University of Missouri Extension, Lincoln University and the Webb City Farmers Market. The collaborative effort is part of a grant from the…
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.
Volunteers teach urban youth in Kansas City to plant gardens, grow healthy food, and build lifelong skills.
VERSAILLES, Mo. – Ozark Prairie Master Gardeners know that good things come in small packages.
That is why mini-greenhouses are growing throughout the Lake of the Ozarks region.
The mini-greenhouses are the brainchild of Dan Britton, president of the Ozark Prairie Master Gardeners chapter in…
On-site crop health clinic at Clark Produce Auction offering Amish growers insect, disease diagnosis and tailored guidance.
Mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and enriches soil. Use 2–4 inches of organic mulch like pine bark or grass clippings for best results.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — If you’re looking for low-maintenance perennials that can take the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter, native plants should be at the top of the list. Yet gardeners often don’t consider natives for the vegetable garden, says a University of Missouri Extension…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Pest control in the garden might conjure images of a season-long battle with bugs, weeds and diseases. But sometimes four-legged “friends” such as deer, rabbits and squirrels can inflict far more damage, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Grow vegetables, fruits, and flowers in limited space with straw bale gardening, even on poor soil.
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.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Instead of tending to a garden that will only provide fruits and vegetables during the season, consider growing enough to preserve, suggests a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Plant seeds indoors now for a head start on a successful garden. Follow simple steps to grow healthy plants and enjoy a vibrant harvest.
Plant rhubarb in March for crisp, tart stalks. Choose sunny spots with good drainage and space plants 2–3 feet apart.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The idea that potatoes should be planted on St. Patrick’s Day is probably good advice for some parts of our country, but not for Missouri, said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As winter sets in, gardeners thumb through seed catalogs in anticipation of next year’s gardens.But not all seed sources are created equal, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Katie Kammler.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners sho
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.
Celebrate fall with pumpkins for decorations, cooking, and seasonal traditions.
Discover pumpkins’ rich history, decorative appeal, and nutritional benefits, from ancient staple to modern fall favorite.
Registration is open for the MU Extension Master Gardener online spring 2026 course. The 15-week class runs Jan. 2-April 27. The online core training is designed to provide in-depth horticultural knowledge. The course includes presentations and weekly discussion forums.
Discover the tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day to invite luck, prosperity, and cultural meaning across time.
Gardening enhances physical and mental well-being by providing exercise, time in nature and healthy food. Follow safety guidelines to maximize these benefits.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners sho
Learn how planting your own vegetables can help you reduce grocery bills, grow fresh produce at home, and enjoy healthier meals.
Learn why saving home garden seeds—especially from hybrid varieties—often leads to disappointing results in future seasons.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The second annual Mid-Mo Expo for backyard gardeners and small farmers offers presentations and demonstrations to improve productivity and profits.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Submitting soil samples to your local University of Missouri Extension center is easy, says Manjula Nathan, director of the MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Many garden and home-improvement stores offer a seemingly endless selection of fertilizers.
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.
Squash, rich in history and nutrition, was enjoyed at the first Thanksgiving but often plays a lesser role in today's holiday meals.
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.
Start seeds indoors in late winter to get a head start on spring gardening. Choose unique varieties and ensure strong seedlings for transplanting.
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Though sweet potato is one of the most widely served side dishes at Thanksgiving dinner today, it probably wasn’t on the menu at the first Thanksgiving in 1621, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
When giving thanks this Thanksgiving, give a special nod to pollinators that make much of your feast possible, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Tamra Reall.
Learn how to grow and harvest edamame in your garden for fresh, nutritious, high-protein beans.
Overwatering and excessive care can harm your garden. Learn how to strike the right balance for healthy plants and a thriving landscape.
Discover how to grow okra: from planting tips to harvesting young, tender pods rich in nutrients.
From county to county, MU Extension specialists such as Justin Keay carry the university’s promise into fields and families, planting knowledge that lasts.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Green beans are a staple in many vegetable gardens. A University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist suggests making room for other types of beans as well.
Sow Chinese cabbage in well-drained soil, keep it moist and shaded, transplant in summer, and harvest firm heads in fall.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Asparagus is a dependable perennial vegetable, often lasting in the garden for more than 15 years. Asparagus is an excellent source of folic acid and a good source of vitamin C, potassium, B vitamins, copper, vitamin A, iron, phosphorus and zinc.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri Extension regional horticulture specialist James Quinn said tomatoes are a good choice for gardeners using a high tunnel for the first time. Quinn spoke about high tunnels at a recent workshop at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center.
Heavy or prolonged wet soil can drown deep roots and weaken plants, leaving them vulnerable when dry spells follow.
Add unique veggies to your garden this year to spice up salads and try new flavors and textures.
Get expert gardening tips in short, engaging videos covering topics like plant care, pest control, and seasonal advice for gardeners at every level
Transform clean milk jugs into mini-greenhouses to start seeds and jump-start your garden.
Easily grow tasty, nutritious turnips in late summer for cooler-season harvest—plant in full sun, water weekly, mulch, and enjoy both root and greens.
Discover how high tunnels let farmers grow and harvest fresh vegetables through winter while boosting income and sustainability.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension regional horticulture specialist James Quinn talked about side ventilation in high tunnels at a recent workshop at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center.
Veterans and urban farmers collaborate in St. Louis to grow fresh produce, build community, and support mental well-being through agriculture.
Volunteer Master Gardeners share gardening knowledge through workshops and projects, creating more than $5 million in annual economic value.
During drought, water plants deeply and wisely to help them survive dry spells. Follow expert tips for effective watering.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – July, National Watermelon Month, is the time to celebrate this thirst-quenching, vitamin-rich garden delight.
Mark Twain wrote that one who has tasted watermelon “knows what the angels eat.”
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Wet conditions make tomato plants susceptible to devastating diseases such as early blight and Septoria leaf spot. Now is the time to combat them in the vegetable garden, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Guard your garden from deer, squirrels and groundhogs with natural sprays, noise or visual tricks—or by adding fencing for reliable protection.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–Success in the vegetable garden hinges on healthy plants.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Plant injury due to the off-target movement of herbicides such as dicamba and 2,4-D is one of the challenges to the production of specialty crops.
HANNIBAL, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a Specialty Crop Block Grant workshop 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, in Hannibal.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a Specialty Crop Block Grant workshop 6-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, in Jefferson City.
Explore different sweet corn varieties and their unique flavors, from traditional favorites to new hybrids that bring enhanced sweetness and tenderness.