http://freshare.net/article/ en bobk@freshare.net Copyright 2012 2012-05-18T16:36:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/a_problem_with_patches/ http://freshare.net/article/a_problem_with_patches/#When:21:59:01Z A lawn can be a source of pride when healthy and green, but a front yard full of disease can be an embarrassment. Dead-looking areas of the lawn can be the first sign of two common fungal diseases. Large patch of zoysia and brown patch on tall fescue showed up especially early this year thanks to above-normal temperatures… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-05-16T21:59:01-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/thinning_fruit_in_the_home_orchard/ http://freshare.net/article/thinning_fruit_in_the_home_orchard/#When:15:16:00Z Sometimes fruit trees try to produce more fruit than is good for the plant. Poor fruit size and flavor, plant stress, and alternate bearing can result when certain types of fruit trees aren’t properly thinned. “For gardeners with fruit trees, this process may be difficult, but it’s necessary to avoid these tendencies,” said Marlin Bates, University of Missouri… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-05-08T15:16:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/as_temperatures_rise_gardeners_look_to_warm_season_vegetables/ http://freshare.net/article/as_temperatures_rise_gardeners_look_to_warm_season_vegetables/#When:14:19:00Z Home gardeners can finally put their green thumbs back to work on garden mainstays like tomatoes and peppers. Warm-season vegetables need the milder temperatures of late April and early May to ensure successful growth from seedlings to fruitful plants. The average frost-free date-the day when the chance of a late freeze falls to 50 percent-was April 10 for… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-04-26T14:19:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/benefits_of_a_well_drained_soil/ http://freshare.net/article/benefits_of_a_well_drained_soil/#When:13:58:00Z 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. “Most gardeners don’t have an ideal soil, particularly as it relates to pore space,” said Marlin Bates, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “We need… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-04-25T13:58:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/to_seed_or_to_transplant/ http://freshare.net/article/to_seed_or_to_transplant/#When:22:06:00Z A fundamental and often overlooked decision in planting a garden is whether to directly seed a crop into the soil or to place transplants of a crop into the garden, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “Gardeners typically let this decision to be made for them,” says Marlin Bates. “If transplants of a particular crop are available,… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-04-19T22:06:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/get_into_a_two_week_planting_schedule/ http://freshare.net/article/get_into_a_two_week_planting_schedule/#When:17:44:00Z 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. “Some fruiting vegetables can produce throughout the season, so it makes sense to plant them all at once,” said Marlin Bates. “Almost all other vegetables, though, can be planted in… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-04-17T17:44:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/its_time_for_asparagus/ http://freshare.net/article/its_time_for_asparagus/#When:17:41:00Z Asparagus is always a welcome sight in spring as a first opportunity for fresh vegetables straight from the garden. It is important to know how to prepare and store fresh asparagus for the best taste and maximum freshness, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist. “If you are buying fresh asparagus, look for firm,… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-04-17T17:41:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/lesser_known_plants_that_deserve_a_place_in_the_midwest_vegetable_garden/ http://freshare.net/article/lesser_known_plants_that_deserve_a_place_in_the_midwest_vegetable_garden/#When:15:20:00Z 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 Apiaceae (ay-pee-AY-see-ee) family. Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-03-29T15:20:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/spring_pruning_subtraction_with_a_plus/ http://freshare.net/article/spring_pruning_subtraction_with_a_plus/#When:21:54:00Z Trees, hedges and bushes.... When spring comes, the impulse is to hand out haircuts. Correct pruning can help keep your plants’ size in check, remove undesirable growth and stimulate desirable growth. Spring is a good time for tree and shrub pruning for several reasons, says Chris Starbuck, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. “You can… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-03-27T21:54:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/soil_test_calibration_measurement_will_help_feed_lawn_not_burn_it/ http://freshare.net/article/soil_test_calibration_measurement_will_help_feed_lawn_not_burn_it/#When:21:49:00Z Not only have flowers, buds, pollen and green grass appeared with the coming of spring, but so have those fertilizer commercials. “Before you follow up on the advertisements’ suggestions, be sure to have your soil tested for free through your local… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-03-27T21:49:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/managing_your_gardens_soil_moisture_doesnt_have_to_be_difficult/ http://freshare.net/article/managing_your_gardens_soil_moisture_doesnt_have_to_be_difficult/#When:21:37:00Z Managing soil moisture is an important part of successful vegetable gardening in the Midwest, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “Springtime in our region often brings ample total moisture, but for gardeners with heavy soils, this can be as bad as drought,” says Marlin Bates. Too much moisture early on can stunt plants and prohibit good root… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-03-21T21:37:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/march_planets_in_view/ http://freshare.net/article/march_planets_in_view/#When:15:37:00Z If you’ve scanned the heavens at night this month, you probably couldn’t help notice a very bright “star” in the western sky. That’s actually sunlight reflecting off the clouds that surround our planetary neighbor, Venus. It’s proximity to Earth makes Venus glow brilliantly in the night sky. The other bright object that appears close to and just to the left… Pursuits, Backyard, Night Sky 2012-03-16T15:37:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/can_potting_soil_be_reused/ http://freshare.net/article/can_potting_soil_be_reused/#When:13:55:00Z With warm temperatures on the horizon, many gardening enthusiasts are making plans for their spring and summer gardens. With consumers facing rising costs in just about every area of their lives, some gardeners may wonder if it is OK to reuse potting soil. Kim Toscano, host of Oklahoma Gardening, said generally there is nothing wrong with… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-03-15T13:55:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/what_are_your_trees_worth/ http://freshare.net/article/what_are_your_trees_worth/#When:14:21:00Z This time of year Larry Godsey gets a lot of calls from woodland owners asking for advice about taxes on timber they have sold. Godsey, an economist with the Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri, usually starts by asking, “What is your basis?” A lot of woodland owners don’t know, and that means they… Pursuits, Backyard, Outdoor Projects 2012-02-24T14:21:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/start_seeds_indoors_to_jump_start_spring_gardening/ http://freshare.net/article/start_seeds_indoors_to_jump_start_spring_gardening/#When:22:10:00Z Seeds hold infinite potential for a seasoned gardener. While it may be easier to transplant the tomatoes, peppers and cauliflower you bought from the local garden store, starting seeds indoors gives you the chance to jump-start your garden with perfect timing. That begins with planting indoors in late February or early March. “Starting from… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2012-02-21T22:10:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/sparing_use_of_wood_ash_in_garden_can_be_beneficial/ http://freshare.net/article/sparing_use_of_wood_ash_in_garden_can_be_beneficial/#When:18:55:00Z Soon enough, southwest Missouri will get an arctic blast and homeowners will light of fireplaces and stoves for heat. That also means homeowners will have extra wood ash at some point. If used sparingly, wood ashes left behind after burning wood for winter heat (in wood stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces) can benefit plants and gardens. Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-12-16T18:55:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/winter_landscape_does_not_have_to_be_dreary/ http://freshare.net/article/winter_landscape_does_not_have_to_be_dreary/#When:13:53:00Z Just because the sky can be drab and dreary in the fall and winter months does not mean the landscaping around your home must be, too. David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension consumer horticulturist, said planting pansies along with your spring flower bulbs not only adds to the spring display, but can provide some bright, vibrant color… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-12-01T13:53:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/should_you_rake_or_leaf_well_enough_alone/ http://freshare.net/article/should_you_rake_or_leaf_well_enough_alone/#When:21:56:00Z Wind, weather and time are sending thousands of leaves cascading down onto your lawn. Should you rake, mulch or wait? That depends on your lawn, said Mike Richardson, professor-horticulture with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Every year, I get lots of questions from my neighbors about mulching leaves, raking them every week, or just waiting until… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-11-18T21:56:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/even_evergreen_leaves_change_color_and_drop_in_autumn/ http://freshare.net/article/even_evergreen_leaves_change_color_and_drop_in_autumn/#When:15:08:00Z During autumn, “evergreen” may be a misnomer when it comes to pines and arborvitae, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Deciduous trees may get all the attention for their color change and shed in the fall, but this… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-11-08T15:08:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/green_tomato_relish_partners_well_with_fried_catfish/ http://freshare.net/article/green_tomato_relish_partners_well_with_fried_catfish/#When:15:50:00Z If there is a signature Arkansas food, it may well be fried catfish. And the popular accompaniment to this entrée is green tomato relish. As colder weather arrives, some gardeners have a number of green tomatoes that won’t make it to ripeness. Pick them and head to the kitchen for a session of cooking and canning green tomato… Pursuits, Backyard, Cooking and Grilling 2011-11-03T15:50:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/fighting_moles_is_an_uphill_battle/ http://freshare.net/article/fighting_moles_is_an_uphill_battle/#When:16:30:00Z Moles have been extra busy this autumn, and you can almost see the resentment rise in homeowners as they survey their spoiled yards. “Even with our dry end to summer, lots of mole activity is showing up, which you typically do not see,” said Brad Fresenburg, a University of Missouri Extension state turf specialist. “That tells us they… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-10-25T16:30:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/take_steps_now_to_prevent_sunscald_on_thin_barked_trees/ http://freshare.net/article/take_steps_now_to_prevent_sunscald_on_thin_barked_trees/#When:16:18:00Z Homeowners who planted new trees this year, especially ones with thin bark, will want to protect the southwest side of the new tree this winter to protect it from sunscald. Many young, smooth, thin-barked trees like honey locusts, fruit trees, ashes, oaks, maples, lindens, red buds and willows are susceptible to sunscald and bark cracks according… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-10-25T16:18:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/overwintering_tropical_plants/ http://freshare.net/article/overwintering_tropical_plants/#When:10:58:00Z Many tropical plants thrive in the heat and humidity of a typical Missouri summer and can make great outdoor patio plants. But as temperatures drop in the fall, conditions can quickly become deadly. The simplest solution to this problem is just to let them freeze and buy new plants in the spring, but that can be expensive, and… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-10-13T10:58:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/october_blooms/ http://freshare.net/article/october_blooms/#When:21:10:00Z I’m not sure we could ask for any better weather this early fall in the Ozarks. Warm days, cool nights and soft winds have carried us through most days. Except for a few showers, it’s almost spring-like outside. Even my lilac bushes think so. A few buds have popped with a bloom or two, each one with the same sweet… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-10-07T21:10:00-06:00 http://freshare.net/article/fall_leaves_and_faded_garden_plants_make_great_compost/ http://freshare.net/article/fall_leaves_and_faded_garden_plants_make_great_compost/#When:18:38:00Z Curbside leaf and brush removal dates will be here before we know it. If you dread filling sacks with fallen leaves, a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist suggests a less agonizing and more rewarding alternative. “The carbon content of fallen leaves is a perfect pairing for the nitrogen content of annual landscape plants in the compost bin,” says… Pursuits, Backyard, Gardening and Landscaping 2011-10-06T18:38:00-06:00