Turfgrass : article
COLUMBIA, Mo. - You can save yourself some yardwork this year and do your lawn a favor by not bagging those grass clippings you mow, said a University of Missouri Extension turf scientist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some gardeners take a hands-off approach to leaves. But leaves left on lawns can pack down into a tight mat, preventing sunlight from reaching the grass, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Leaves also trap and hold moisture, which increases the…
Discover how improper fertilizing and watering can worsen lawn diseases like brown patch and large patch, and learn effective prevention strategies.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While you’re familiar with onions, garlic, leeks and shallots, which are all members of the genus Allium, there’s a whole group in that genus that are known for their looks rather than their taste. They’re called ornamental onions or alliums.
Gardening reduces food costs, boosts physical health, improves well-being and benefits the environment, while connecting people through learning and community.
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.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — An ideal soil is half solid and half pore space by volume, and that pore space should be equal parts air and water. Gardening practices greatly influence pore space in cultivated soils.
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Homeowners who see parts of their lawn turning brown may reach for a garden hose, thinking the grass needs a drink. But that might just make the problem worse, warns a University of Missouri Extension regional agronomist.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo.
Coleus adds vibrant, low-maintenance color to gardens with striking foliage for sun or shade areas.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For home lawns, Missouri weather is like Goldilocks’ porridge. For some types of grass it’s too hot and for others it’s too cold. In Missouri, the hard part is finding a grass for which the weather is “just right.”
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Salt does more than melt the ice on your sidewalks and driveways.It can harm your lawn and shrubs, says University of Missouri Extension turf management specialist Brad Fresenburg.Too much salt can leave dead strips along sidewalks and driveways. It can kill shrubs and flowers.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Increasingly, gardeners are interested in finding out how to grow vegetables without using synthetic fertilizers.
Learn how to spot plants that may be invasive, understand labels like “fills in quickly,” and choose species wisely for your garden.
Free wood ashes boost calcium, phosphorus and potassium, helping raise garden soil pH safely—avoid ashes from cardboard, trash, coal or treated wood.
Test your garden soil before adding fertilizer to avoid waste, nutrient imbalance, and poor plant growth.
Turn fallen leaves and faded garden plants into nutrient-rich compost for a healthier garden and easier seasonal cleanup.
Controlling moles is challenging; effective methods include traps, baits, and repellents to mitigate lawn damage.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If a little is good, a lot must be better.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo.
Ensure healthy lawns and gardens by choosing topsoil with the right texture, pH, and organic matter for optimal plant growth.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo.
Leaving fallen leaves provides habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects while enriching your garden naturally.
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Use your mower’s highest setting for fewer weeds and lusher grass.University of Missouri Extension turf pathologist Lee Miller says mowing too low is a common mistake.“We want your grass to be the trees of your lawn,” he says. “Your feet should sink into the grass.”
Learn how mowing or composting leaves can enrich soil, control disease, and support healthier lawns and gardens.
COLUMBIA, Mo.–There’s probably no more common cultural practice than mowing the lawn. University of Missouri Extension specialists warn against overdoing it.
Nostoc, or witch’s butter, appears in wet, bare lawn spots. It’s harmless but unsightly; remove with rakes, shovels, or improve drainage.
Apply spring preemergent herbicides at the right soil temperature to prevent crabgrass and other weeds in your lawn.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Be mellow until the forsythia turns yellow.
That’s the advice from University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Lee Miller for applying crabgrass pre-emergent herbicides to lawns.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners sho
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Homeowners should put a lot of thought in selecting the right lawn-care service, said a University of Missouri turf grass scientist."You should always follow some basic guidelines in choosing a lawn-care company," said Brad Fresenburg.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners sho
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. – Winter is finally releasing its grip, so lawns will be greening up and growing. It will soon be time for one of the most basic homeowner rituals: mowing the lawn.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lawn mowing is often one of the first jobs young people have.It is also one of the most dangerous spring activities, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Due to warm, humid days this spring, homeowners and lawn managers might notice an off-yellow or orange coloring of zoysia grass lawns, said a University of Missouri turf researcher.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Homeowners looking forward to a lush, green lawn this spring and summer should take care not to overdo it, says a University of Missouri Extension turfgrass specialist.
GALENA, Mo. –Hot, dry weather has put lawns to the test this summer. As a result, many homeowners are attempting to keep their lawns active and alive by irrigating.
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.
Heavy or prolonged wet soil can drown deep roots and weaken plants, leaving them vulnerable when dry spells follow.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – During her 23 years as a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist, Pat Miller has answered a lot of questions and looked at a lot of plants. Here are her top 10 horticulture tips.
Volunteer Master Gardeners share gardening knowledge through workshops and projects, creating more than $5 million in annual economic value.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you’re thinking of reseeding your lawn now that warm weather has arrived, think again.
Warm, wet weather helps dog vomit slime mold grow on mulch, harmless but curious in appearance.
During drought, water plants deeply and wisely to help them survive dry spells. Follow expert tips for effective watering.
Rain boosts mole activity as they tunnel for earthworms, leaving damage in lawns. Learn effective methods to manage and control them.
Protect plants from winter damage caused by cold temperatures, snow, and road salt. Learn how to minimize harm and keep plants healthy during the cold season
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - The growing season has ended and many gardeners are heading out to clean up what the frost has left behind. But some gardeners don't bother with fall cleanup.