| Title |
Excerpt |
Author |
Date |
| Japanese Beetles to Emerge Soon |
Japanese beetle grub worms are appearing throughout Missouri and will emerge by July 1, says an entomologist for University of Missouri Extension. White grubs of the Japanese beetle can be found just below the soil surface in many parts of Missouri. They will begin emerging as adult beetles the last… |
University of Mo. Extension |
06/14/13 |
| May Weather Full of Extremes |
May’s weather was one for the record books. “There is great disparity between what we saw last year vs. this year,” said Pat Guinan, state climatologist with the University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program. The temperatures in March through May made it the coolest spring since 1984, Guinan said.… |
University of Mo. Extension |
06/13/13 |
| Attracting Wildlife to Your Lawn or Garden |
Suburbanites and city dwellers don’t have to drive to the country to enjoy viewing wildlife. A few simple additions and changes can make even a small backyard attractive to a greater variety of birds and other wildlife. “Wildlife have four basic requirements-food, cover, water and space,” said Bob Pierce, University… |
University of Mo. Extension |
06/07/13 |
| April and May Set Weather Records |
Lots of rain, low temperatures and even snow set weather records in April and May in Missouri. “You can’t get much more of a difference, last spring versus this spring,” said Pat Guinan, climatologist for the University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program. “April was 2-3 degrees below normal in… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/23/13 |
| Wet Spring Puts Plants at Risk Should Hot, Dry Weather Arrive |
The excessive spring rains could put plants at risk when Missouri weather turns dry and hot. “The big problem that plants have right now is there is no reason for them to send down a deep root system since all they need in life is near the soil surface,” said… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/23/13 |
| MU Bobwhite Quail/Native Pollinator Field Day Set for June 20 |
The University of Missouri’s Bradford Research Center will host a bobwhite quail and native pollinator field day Thursday, June 20, 1-7 p.m. The free event offers landowners, farmers and wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about habitat-management for northern bobwhite quail and using native plants for landscaping. The field day… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/16/13 |
| Webster County Master Gardener Plant Sale Set for May 11 |
Contact: Bob Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist Tel: (417) 859-2044 E-mail: schultheisr@missouri.edu The annual Webster County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to noon (or until all plants sell out) on Saturday, May 11, at the Webster County Extension Center, 800 S. Marshall St. (next to… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/03/13 |
| Spring Frost Advisory Means Some Plants May Get Nipped |
With warnings about potential frost on Friday and Saturday in the news, now is a good time to remind gardeners that on average the last expected frost in southwest Missouri is on April 17. “It really is best to wait until the frost date has passed to plant,” said Patrick… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/12/13 |
| 15th Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale April 27 at Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center |
The annual Master Gardener Plant Sale in Greene County will start at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, April 27, at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center located in Nathanael Greene Park, 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, Mo. Members of the Master Gardeners of Greene County gather plants to sell from their own gardens—and from… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/12/13 |
| Top 10 Tips for Long-Living Trees |
Trees, like people, have a life span. They live, they flourish, they die. University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Pat Miller offers her Top 10 practices for prolonging the life of your tree. 1. Don’t plant too deep Planting too deeply can cause roots to encircle the tree and eventually… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/11/13 |
| Time to Take Action Against Bagworms is Now |
Right now is a good time to take action to control bagworms according to Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension. Bagworms are actually the larvae of a moth. The larvae cover their bodies with a protective layer of plant parts. In the fall, the larvae pupate within… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/11/13 |
| April is National Garden Month |
April’s showers and flowers make it the perfect month to celebrate gardening. During National Garden Month, you can reflect on all the benefits gardening brings beyond the fruit, produce or flowers that grow, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. Growing your own food Food is a necessity that can… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/04/13 |
| Drought Damage: Which Trees Will Survive? |
Last year’s drought left many of Missouri’s trees and shrubs in trouble. As spring arrives, we’ll learn what survived and what did not. Trees can be very resilient and may surprise you, said Tim Baker, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. However, it’s still too early to tell which… |
University of Mo. Extension |
03/22/13 |
| Helping Your Soil Be All It Can Be |
The earth beneath your feet may seem ordinary and benign. It’s anything but. Good soil can mean the difference between a garden that thrives and one that struggles and dies. Plants depend on soil for water, nutrients, minerals and even physical support. You may need to add organic matter to… |
University of Mo. Extension |
03/14/13 |
| Practice Good Garden Hygiene by Sanitizing Tools |
Just like surgeons and dentists, gardeners should work with clean tools. Sanitizing garden tools between uses will lower the risk of spreading diseases from one plant to another, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “In this day and age we are seeing more and more soil-borne diseases, such as… |
University of Mo. Extension |
03/14/13 |
| Soil Tests Take the Guesswork Out of Fertilizing Your Lawn and Garden |
Many garden and home-improvement stores offer a seemingly endless selection of fertilizers. What’s the best choice for your lawn or garden? Only your soil knows for sure. The easiest way to make sure your plants get the nutrients they need is by having the soil tested, says David Trinklein, University… |
University of Mo. Extension |
03/07/13 |
| Container Gardening: Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers |
If you’re yearning to grow flowers or vegetables but are short on space or have limited mobility, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein suggests giving container gardening a try. Container gardening allows for creativity in a small space and, since plants can be moved inside in the spring and… |
University of Mo. Extension |
03/07/13 |
| Get a Jump on Spring Gardening |
Gardeners willing to put in a bit of effort can jump-start this year’s vegetable or flower garden by starting seeds indoors. Tender seeds need the right amount of heat, light and water to germinate and thrive, says David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. Accurate temperature control is… |
University of Mo. Extension |
03/07/13 |
| MU Hosts Prescribed Burn Workshop on March 9 |
The Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri’s Bradford Research Center are presenting a prescribed burn workshop for landowners on Saturday, March 9. The workshop will be held at the Bradford Research Center in Columbia from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshop topics will include safety, proper methods and… |
University of Mo. Extension |
02/28/13 |
| Committee Searching for Nutrient Reduction Strategies |
Nutrient loads can cause problems with water quality. That’s why the Missouri Nutrient Reduction Strategy Committee is working to decrease the amount of nutrients that end up in the Mississippi River. The committee, which is made up of 31 organizations and individuals, formed in 2011 when the Environmental Protection Agency… |
University of Mo. Extension |
02/15/13 |
| Green Stink Bug Emerging as Primary Pest |
The green stink bug may emerge as a primary rather than secondary pest in the coming growing season, said Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri Extension entomologist. Bailey said increased numbers of green stink bugs might be due to buildup of Bt proteins in corn crops, as well as no-till practices,… |
University of Mo. Extension |
02/01/13 |
| Japanese Beetles on the Rise in Missouri |
Japanese beetle populations in Missouri are likely to increase exponentially in the coming year, says an entomologist for University of Missouri Extension. For the past year, researchers have been monitoring the beetles’ numbers at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course near MU Faurot Field, said Wayne Bailey. During that time, the… |
University of Mo. Extension |
01/24/13 |
| Spring Gardening Seminar Set for Feb. 23 in Jefferson City |
The Cole County University of Missouri Extension Center, Lincoln University and Central Missouri Master Gardeners will present the third annual Spring Gardening Seminar, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Carver Farm in Jefferson City. Cost of the seminar will be $25, lunch included, or $15 for those who… |
University of Mo. Extension |
01/17/13 |
| It’s Tree Pruning Time |
Now that the leaves have fallen, it’s time to think about pruning your trees. “The best time to prune is during the dormant season, from the time of leaf fall in the autumn until they leaf out in the spring,” said Hank Stelzer, University of Missouri Extension forestry specialist. “You… |
University of Mo. Extension |
12/14/12 |
| Forestry Club’s Tree Sale in New Location |
Students from the University of Missouri’s Forestry Club will sell Christmas trees at a new location this year due to construction at Faurot Field, where the group has sold trees for more than 40 years. Abby Kircher, a junior and club president, said the group will sell trees and wreaths… |
University of Mo. Extension |
11/27/12 |
| Fire Ants Mobilize in the Aftermath of Disaster |
When natural disaster hits, fire ants may follow, says a University of Missouri Extension entomologist. Ice storms in 2009 destroyed trees and landscaping in southern Missouri. Joplin’s devastating 2011 tornado leveled hundreds of buildings. Replacement mulch, plants and trees brought in from out of state may have carried hitchhiking fire… |
University of Mo. Extension |
11/09/12 |
| Galls on Oak Trees Unsightly But Harmless |
Those unsightly round, brown growths seen on oaks this time of year won’t harm the tree, says a University of Missouri Extension fruit specialist. It has been a “banner year for galls” on oak, hickory, chestnut and walnut trees, says Michele Warmund, extension horticulturist and professor of plant sciences at… |
University of Mo. Extension |
11/09/12 |
| Fall Foliage in Mid-Missouri Expected to be Colorful |
Fall foliage in mid-Missouri is expected to peak during the week of Oct. 14, according to University of Missouri forestry professor Stephen G. Pallardy. Sugar maples along Missouri’s rivers, hills and bluffs will burst with vibrant color this year despite the severe drought, Pallardy said. Generally, fall color may reach… |
University of Mo. Extension |
10/11/12 |
| Gardeners Interested in Finding Out How to Grow Vegetables Without Synthetic Fertilizers |
Increasingly, gardeners are interested in finding out how to grow vegetables without using synthetic fertilizers. “While there are a number of organically derived fertilizers that can be applied to plants, they tend to be costly,” said Marlin Bates, University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. “On a larger scale, sustainable and… |
University of Mo. Extension |
10/10/12 |
| Prepare Lawns Now to Get Green in Spring |
Cool-season lawns should be reseeded and fertilized by mid-October, says a University of Missouri Extension turf pathologist. Many Missouri lawns received extensive drought damage this summer, but there are steps lawn owners can take to assure a lush, green lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood next spring,… |
University of Mo. Extension |
09/25/12 |
| Learn About Deer Management, Harvesting and Processing at Missouri Venison University |
As the fall deer season approaches, a one-day workshop in Columbia will provide new and experienced hunters a look at topics ranging from the ecology of white-tailed deer to hunting regulations to preparing venison for the dinner table. Missouri Venison University, Oct. 20 at the University of Missouri, is sponsored… |
University of Mo. Extension |
09/19/12 |
| Southwest Research Center Field Day Set for Sept. 14 |
From dealing with drought to beekeeping, the Southwest Research Center Field Day will showcase a breadth of agricultural research and practice Friday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Southwest Research Center, located four miles west of Mt. Vernon Mo., is part of a network of University of… |
University of Mo. Extension |
07/31/12 |
| Landscape Plants Need Immediate Rescue |
Landscape plants are dying from heat and lack of rain. There’s so little moisture in the soil that without irrigation many homeowners will lose landscape plants. Even well-established trees are in crisis, according to Chris Starbuck, associate professor of plant sciences for University of Missouri Extension. “At this point we’re… |
University of Mo. Extension |
07/12/12 |
| Heat, Drought Spark Wildfire Danger in Missouri |
Wildfire season in Missouri typically runs from late March to early May, but hot, dry conditions this year puts the state at heightened risk of wildfire into summer and perhaps beyond, says a University of Missouri Extension state forester. “This summer is beginning to remind me of the extreme fire… |
University of Mo. Extension |
07/03/12 |
| Japanese Beetles Rear Their Shiny Heads Again on Flowers and In Fields |
Farmers, gardeners and homeowners should keep their eyes peeled for shiny, green and bronze Japanese beetles feeding on the crops, vegetables and flowers. This insect’s wide variety of food preferences make scouting a necessity. “Certainly we need to be looking at this point,” said Wayne Bailey, a state entomologist for… |
University of Mo. Extension |
06/28/12 |
| Flash Drought Still an Issue Despite Recent Rain |
A University of Missouri climatologist said May, and now June, continued a weather trend that set records and prefaced an emerging drought most of the state faces. “Back to back we’ve seen top 10 records for temperature highs and precipitation lows for Missouri, and we’re breaking various temperature records left… |
University of Mo. Extension |
06/14/12 |
| Know Your Enemy: MU Website Helps ID Common Weeds |
When weeds invade your field, pasture, garden or lawn, you want to use the right weapon for fighting back. “Proper identification of weeds is important so that you choose an appropriate and cost-effective method of control,” said Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Extension weed scientist. There are hundreds of common… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/31/12 |
| Watermelons in the Home Garden |
Most plants in the vegetable garden need just a few square feet of space to grow well. Members of the squash family, called cucurbits, are the exception. Available space may be part of the reason most American gardeners limit their production of cucurbits to cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash, but… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/24/12 |
| Disease Problems Dog Trees Around State |
Two diseases this spring are making trouble for some tree species around Missouri. Fire blight, a bacterial infection, and the fungal disease anthracnose gained footholds in some trees, aided by a stint of cool, wet weather in April and May. “This spring presented a good illustration of the disease triangle,… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/24/12 |
| MU Expert Offers Tomato Tips |
Tomatoes reign supreme as the No. 1 home gardening vegetable for a reason. “Our friend tomato is one of the easiest vegetables to grow,” said Tim Reinbott, superintendent at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Center. Hundreds of tomato varieties crowd seed catalogues and gardening centers. Experimenting with new varieties… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/24/12 |
| A Problem with Patches |
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… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/16/12 |
| Thinning Fruit in the Home Orchard |
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… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/08/12 |
| Warm Temperatures Continue Through April; May Rainfall Uncertain |
It’s too close to call yet, but April temperatures this year look to be cooler than March’s. “It’s rare, but occasionally it occurs where March is warmer than April,” said Pat Guinan, extension climatologist with the University of Missouri Commercial Agriculture Program. “The numbers are indicating it’s going to be… |
University of Mo. Extension |
05/08/12 |
| As Temperatures Rise, Gardeners Look to Warm-Season Vegetables |
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… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/26/12 |
| Benefits of a Well-Drained Soil |
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… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/25/12 |
| To Seed or to Transplant? |
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.… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/19/12 |
| Get Into a Two-Week Planting Schedule |
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… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/17/12 |
| It’s Time for Asparagus |
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… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/17/12 |
| Tent Caterpillar in Attack Mode in the Ozarks |
This is the time of year when you might find your trees and shrubs under attack from the eastern tent caterpillar, a native defoliator, according to Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Volunteers at the Greene County Master Gardeners helpline inside at the Greene County Extension have received… |
University of Mo. Extension |
04/13/12 |
| Warm Winter Weather Doesn’t Always Mean More Insects This Spring and Summer |
Many area lawn and garden enthusiasts are hoping above average winter temperatures right now don’t result in terrible outbreaks of plant eating insects this Spring and summer like so many old-timers say. However, one local horticulture specialist says “not so fast” on the speculation that warm winter weather equals more… |
University of Mo. Extension |
01/18/12 |