Did you help count tarantulas in 2004? Did you look for native bumblebees in 2005 and 2006? Do you enjoy observing nature? Then you could be a citizen scientist and we need you! The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission ANHC) brought citizen-science to a state-wide audience with the Arkansas Tarantula Survey and…[more]

Was your mom born with a green thumb? Or is she the type who can kill a plastic plant? Whatever her lot, there is a plant for every lifestyle and every level of gardening expertise, says Dr. Clydette Alsup, horticulturalist and associate professor of agriculture at Missouri State University.

With so many different kinds of potted plants to choose from for Mother’s Day (May 13), it can be…[more]

Plant lovers, mark your calendars! May 10th is slated for the opening day of a new botanical garden in Fayetteville. 

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks has been in the works for years and will be opening in phases. The first phase is the opening of a five acre section on the tenth of May. Eventually, the gardens will span about 86 acres.

The portion to…[more]

First of all: know what you want. If you need some ideas, visit the library or your local book store and browse through landscape books, garden and pond magazines. You can also search the web and read and study as much as possible.

Layout is the most…[more]

“All grass seed bags have a seed label printed or pasted on the bag. Consider several pieces of information on the label before you purchase the seed,” said Brad Fresenburg.

The seed tag will list species such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue or perennial ryegrasses.

The label also lists: the variety name, its purity, which should be greater than 90 percent; germination, which should be greater…[more]

JEFFERSON CITY-Rex Martensen wasn’t thinking of tick-borne disease when he skinned a raccoon after a hunt on Christmas Day in 2005. He wasn’t thinking of the raccoon when he got sick. He thinks of both now, every time he works with wild game.

Martensen is a private land field programs supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation in Jefferson City. As a wildlife expert, he knew that handling…[more]

Springfield’s Sister City of Isesaki, Japan, has sent a donation to the City of Springfield for almost $17,000 to aid ice-storm recovery efforts at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and other gardens in the Springfield-Greene County Park System.

Isesaki Mayor Ichio Yanai and Hiroshi Matsumoto, President of Isesaki International Relations Association, sent a letter to Mayor Tom Carlson stating that the citizens of Isesaki contributed $16,998.52 for Springfield’s…[more]

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The combination of above-normal temperatures in March followed by freezing temperatures in early April makes it difficult to predict the impact on fruit trees and ornamental plants.

“It’s an unusual year,” said Chris Starbuck, a horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “We’re kind of in uncharted waters because of the record high March temperatures preceding the current cold snap.”

Before the cold…[more]

Have you ever considered manufacturing or marketing a favorite family recipe or homemade product? The AgriMissouri™ program, housed within the Missouri Department of Agriculture, assists Missourians in marketing their Missouri-made specialty products, farmers’ markets and agritourism business. They also provide start-up assistance to those entering these types of businesses.

“We are…[more]

The City of Springfield and Springfield-Greene County Park Board will participate in a collaborative effort to Reforest the Ozarks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 14, at the Missouri Entertainment and Events Center, 3001 N. Grant Ave.

A news conference will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 4, at the Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage St.

Reforest the Ozarks will provide an…[more]