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Fruits : article

'Bee' mindful of pollinators when spraying fruit crops

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bees are a fruit tree owner’s friend and need special protection from pesticides, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Bees are essential to pollinate many fruit crops, including apple, pear, Japanese plums, sweet cherries, blueberry and elderberry…

'Governor of Grapes' toasts work of MU Extension

FREDERICKSBURG, Mo. – When problems arise with the ex-governor’s vineyard, he calls University of Missouri Extension viticulturist Dean Volenberg.

A flood of support

ST. PETERS, Mo. – From flood-ravaged fields to productive gardens, University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners in St. Charles County show how volunteers help communities flourish.

Aid for ailing plants

COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you have the sniffles or a bad infection, a visit to your doctor can usually put things right. Plants can get sick too and the University of Missouri Plant Diagnostic Clinic is where you can turn for help.

Apple bobbing: British game of sweet, sour or rotten courting

British courting tradition turned Halloween game: women bobbed for apples—one bite meant marriage, two heartbreak, three none.

April is National Gardening Month

Gardening reduces food costs, boosts physical health, improves well-being and benefits the environment, while connecting people through learning and community.

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.

Autumn is pumpkin time

Discover the rich history and modern uses of pumpkins, from early American diets to today's fall decorations. Learn about their nutritional benefits and culinary uses.

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.

Be vigilant for spotted lanternfly in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri residents are urged to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly (SLF), an insect that could have devastating effects on the state’s $4.2 billion wine and grape industry. SLF can damage fruits including grapes, as well as ornamentals and urban landscapes.

Boost your health with blueberries

Fresh blueberries pack high levels of antioxidants, especially anthocyanidins, to help neutralize free radicals and support long-term health.

Breakthrough in fight against global disease of citrus trees

Researchers test heat treatment to combat citrus greening, aiming to save trees and support global citrus production.

Carefully select topsoil when doing fall yard work

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Not all topsoil is created equal.

Clay soil: A mixed blessing, but easily corrected

KIRKSVILLE, Mo.

Combating common pests of cucumbers, melons and squash

Manage pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs with trap cropping, hand removal, and selective insecticides to protect your cucurbit crops.

Companion planting: Positive partnerships that produce more

Discover how companion planting boosts growth, deters pests, attracts pollinators, and enhances garden beauty and soil health.

Conditions are right now for cracking, splitting tomatoes

Tomatoes may crack or split after dry periods followed by rain; consistent watering, mulching, and timely harvest can help prevent damage.

Cover crops improve garden soil

COLUMBIA, Mo.

Crops face danger of BMSB damage

Brown marmorated stink bugs threaten crops, reducing yields in soybeans, corn, fruits, and vegetables across Missouri.

Cultivando la Inclusividad

A Spanish-language gardening webinar led to increased resources for Spanish-speaking communities, expanding agricultural and environmental education globally.

Cultivating Inclusivity

Spanish-language webinars and resources expand access to gardening and agriculture education for diverse communities.

Deck the halls with proper caution

COLUMBIA, Mo. – For many, the holiday season would not be complete without evergreens, holly, mistletoe and other traditional plants. But it’s important to exercise care with some of these plants for happy and safe holidays, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.

Don't trash the ashes

Free wood ashes boost calcium, phosphorus and potassium, helping raise garden soil pH safely—avoid ashes from cardboard, trash, coal or treated wood.

Don’t guess on garden fertilizer

Test your garden soil before adding fertilizer to avoid waste, nutrient imbalance, and poor plant growth.

Early grape harvest in Missouri in 2024: low yield but high quality

Missouri’s 2024 grape harvest is early with lower yields but high-quality fruit for a promising vintage.

Eggplant: The power of purple

GALLATIN, Mo.

Elderberry business grows with help from MU Extension’s Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center

Elderberry farms expand production and reach new markets with support from a trade assistance program helping small businesses grow.

Establish a home orchard

Plan and grow a home orchard by choosing the right fruit plants, considering pollination, soil, and disease resistance.

Fall for strawberries, the fruit of love

Discover why strawberries are called the fruit of love and get tips for selecting, storing, and enjoying them.

Farmers market workshop set in Hillsboro

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…

FDA finalizes the preharvest water rule: What does it mean for produce growers?

Understand how the new FDA preharvest water rule shifts compliance steps and deadlines for produce growers.

First MU Master Pollinator Steward classes begin in May

Learn to support pollinators through hands-on classes covering bees, butterflies, habitat, and conservation starting in May.

For something different, consider growing citrus trees indoors

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Home gardeners who want to try something different might want to grow a sour orange or other citrus tree indoors, said a University of Missouri fruit researcher."There are many different types of citrus trees that can be grown indoors," said Michele Warmund.

From citrus to cows, SW Mo. family grows own food

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.

Fruit with bacterial spot not pretty, but safe to eat

COLUMBIA, Mo.—Consumers used to picture-perfect fruit at the supermarket might shy away from homegrown or locally produced fruits blemished by a common disease of peach, nectarine, apricot or plum, but fruits affected by bacterial spot are safe to eat.

Garden 'n Grow grows business for small town

From youth gardening lessons to a thriving floral and coffee shop, Garden 'n Grow inspired a small-town business that now enriches its community.

Garden critters: 'Frenemies' in grow places

COLUMBIA, Mo.

Gardeners can save money, trouble with fall soil test

COLUMBIA, Mo. – If a little is good, a lot must be better.

Gardening boosts your immune system

Discover how gardening can strengthen your immune system, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being through nature and physical activity.

Giving thanks for the beautiful, bitter cranberry

Cranberries are a holiday favorite with a rich history, from their bitter taste to health benefits and uses in food, dye, and medicine.

Good Agricultural Practices training offered in St. Peters, Olathe

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fruit and vegetable growers can learn about produce safety and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification at workshops in early 2018. GAP certification training will be held Jan. 18 and Feb. 16 in Olathe, Kan., and Jan. 26 in St. Peters, Mo.

Gooseberry: Small but mighty

Discover Missouri gooseberries, a small fruit that thrives locally, perfect for pies, jams, and easy home gardening.

Gourds: The Swiss army knife of the plant world

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Our ancestors couldn’t go to the hardware store or shopping mall to buy utensils and other household essentials. Instead, they improvised with items found in nature. The dried fruit of several members of the cucumber family proved useful for many purposes, said University of…

Grant writing workshop set in Hannibal

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

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.

Growing seeds of hope for the hungry

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.

Hard cider fermenting in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fermented apple juice, known as hard cider, is growing more popular in Missouri. “Several breweries and wineries in the state have ramped up production to satisfy the demand,” said Michele Warmund, a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. 

Have yourself a berry little holiday

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.

Healthy communities begin with healthy food

Community gardens and nutrition programs help Monroe County residents grow and access fresh, healthy food.

Heirloom apples are ripe for the picking

Discover heirloom apples at peak season, from Jonathan to Golden Delicious, perfect for picking and enjoying fresh this September.

Helping picky eaters 'grow' into healthy eaters

Get picky kids to try fruits and vegetables by involving them in gardening and hands-on food experiences.

Helping your soil be all it can be

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.

High tunnel construction tips

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.

High tunnel workshop offered in St. Peters

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.

High tunnels increase freshness and cash to producers

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.

Hitchhiking spotted lanternfly could become problem in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – An exotic pest that hitchhikes on train cars, trucks and boats could suck the life out Missouri crops.

Hitchhiking spotted lanternfly threatens state's wine industry

The spotted lanternfly is a threat to Missouri’s wine industry, hitchhiking on vehicles and posing risks to grape production and tourism.

Increasing fruit, vegetable production can help double value of Missouri ag

Expanding fruit and vegetable production can boost farm income, create new market opportunities, and help strengthen Missouri’s agricultural economy.

June 5 bus tour to visit KC-area farms growing produce in high tunnels

Join a June 5 bus tour of KC-area farms to explore high tunnels, produce growing, and food safety practices.

Lasagna gardening: Layers and layers of goodness

JACKSON, Mo. – As traditional gardening season takes a bow, lasagna gardening makes a grand entrance.  Lasagna gardening is no-till, no-dig gardening that uses materials typically thrown away such as kitchen and yard waste, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg.

Let the gourd times roll

Learn how to harvest, cure, and store gourds for decoration, crafts, and seed saving this fall.

Low temperatures leave plants in the cold

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.

Many vegetables grow well in high tunnels

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Master Gardeners fight food insecurity

Missouri Master Gardeners grow extra produce to donate to local food banks, helping communities fight food insecurity.

Mature trees and plants can cast shade over once-sunny garden

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.

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.

Missouri growers are sweet on honey of a berry

Missouri farmers find honeyberries easy to grow in various soils, sun or shade, with resistance to diseases and pests.

Missouri has become a peanut powerhouse

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – Missouri farmers may have grown the peanuts that you enjoy in holiday candies like peanut brittle or peanut clusters.

Mow or compost leaves for best results

Learn how mowing or composting leaves can enrich soil, control disease, and support healthier lawns and gardens.

MU Extension and partners grow knowledge among Hmong farmers

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…

MU Extension gardens cultivate connections

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.

MU Grape and Wine Institute expands as interest in winemaking grows

Expansion of state grape and wine support boosts resources and training for Missouri winemakers during rising industry interest.

MU Master Gardeners 'Dreams' team grows love of gardening, education

Volunteers teach urban youth in Kansas City to plant gardens, grow healthy food, and build lifelong skills.

MU Master Gardeners build mini-greenhouses

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…

MU plant diagnostic clinic helps Amish producers in Clark

On-site crop health clinic at Clark Produce Auction offering Amish growers insect, disease diagnosis and tailored guidance.

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.

Nature's multipurpose utensils

COLUMBIA, Mo.

No reports of spotted lanternfly in Missouri but vigilance urged

No spotted lanternfly detected in Missouri yet, but residents and growers are urged to stay vigilant and report sightings.

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.

On patrol for critter control

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.

Order apple trees in fall for spring planting

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fall is prime time for harvesting juicy, crunchy fresh apples at their peak of perfection. “While munching on those tasty fall treats, make sure to peruse the nursery catalogs and place an order for apple trees to plant in your own yard,” says Michele Warmund, University of…

Ounce of prevention in fall is best medicine for garden success in spring

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ben Franklin’s adage of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could be gardeners’ theme song for November.

Peppers: Easter eggs of the garden

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.

Picking the right apple

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Low-calorie apples are a dieter's dream-a medium apple has only about 80 calories. While they aren't bursting with vitamins and minerals like some fruits, apples are loaded with pectin, a cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber.

Plan to grow enough to preserve

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 rhubarb, the pie plant, in March

Plant rhubarb in March for crisp, tart stalks. Choose sunny spots with good drainage and space plants 2–3 feet apart.

Practice good garden hygiene by sanitizing tools

COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners sho

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.

Prevent peach leaf curl

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Leaf curl is a troublesome disease of peach, nectarine and related plants. "Leaf curl is worse when the weather is cool and wet," said Lala Kumar, University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. Leaves infected with the fungus Taphrina deformans become thickened,…

Produce safety workshop set for Jan. 17 in Webb City

WEBB CITY, Mo. – Fruit and vegetable growers can learn about produce safety at a half-day workshop Jan. 17, 2018, in Webb City, Mo.

Prune fruit trees in midwinter

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The best time to prune fruit trees in Missouri is midwinter, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Debi Kelly.

Pumpkin ushers in fall decorations, foods

Celebrate fall with pumpkins for decorations, cooking, and seasonal traditions.

Rotten tomatoes star in garden horror show

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Your beautiful tomato plant is setting fruit and soon has nice green tomatoes. Then, to your horror, a dark sunken spot shows up at the bottom of the fruit.

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.

Sanitize tools for good garden hygiene

COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners sho

Saving seeds not a good investment

Learn why saving home garden seeds—especially from hybrid varieties—often leads to disappointing results in future seasons.
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