Master Gardener Newsletter - December 2020 - Training, Orchids, Raccoons and more!!

About Us

Member Log In

Master Gardeners of Greene County

December Newsletter

Table of Contents for December 2020

Hotline is Open on Thursdays

Growing Orchids

Growing Succulents

Extension News of Note....

Evergreens for Year Round Color

Master Gardener Training

Garden Links

Get Your Soil Tested Soon

Previous Newsletter Link

Need a Speaker for One of Your Meetings or Groups?

Gardening Questions Phone Number

The Master Gardener Greene County Hotline will be staffed only on Thursdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This will be to collect soil samples or if you need to go in for help with your gardening questions. Please call before coming in.

Feel free to contact us any with your questions by phone (417-874-2963), by email or on our website. Feel free to send pictures of your problems or questions via email. For more information check here.

Please leave a detailed message if calling or just sending an email.

In the meantime, if you need a faster answer to your important gardening question, use the MU Extension website and use the topic search box.

Wishing all a wonderful December.

Growing Orchids

Despite their reputation for being difficult, many orchids can be easy to grow as houseplants. Without needing much care from you, these varieties can bloom every year, or even multiple times per year.

15 East to Grow Orchids

Care Guide

Growing Succulants

When you need houseplants that can thrive with little water, look no further than these succulents to add to your collection.

Succulents have become super popular over the last few years, and for good reason. There are hundreds of unique varieties and just about anyone can grow them, beginners included. Their special water-storing tissues allow them to survive in environments that are too dry for most other plants, so they'll hang in there even if you forget to water them for a while. Succulents also thrive in dry air and warm temperatures, which most homes already have, so you don't have to change a thing to grow one in your living room. They adapt well to life on the inside and are easy to find at garden centers and nurseries.

Top 10 Easiest to Grow

Succulent Care

Propagate Succulents

Extension News of Note:

November 2020 Greene County MU Extension Council Packet: This Monthly Greene County MU Extension December Newsletter is replacing the Reaching Out Report.

This Newsletter has information relevant to anyone in Greene or surrounding counties. Learn about upcoming MU Extension programs and past programs that have had an impact on the community.

You can register to receive this free monthly newsletter by email or access it from the Greene County Extension website. Please share with a friend! To read this new issue online, start here.

Evergreens for Year Round Color

Evergreens are great for bringing color and beauty to your home or garden. With year round color, flowers, berries or just greenery, they can add a lot of interest in an otherwise winter garden.

Evergreen Shrubs

Note the zone. We are in zone 6.

How to Prune an Evergreen

10 Winter-Friendly Outdoor Plants

MU: Selecting Broas-Leafed Evergreens

Master Gardener Training

Join Missouri Master Gardeners Mission of "Helping others learn to grow" New 2021 Classes Starting Online

Fee is $200. The 14-week session begins Jan. 17, 2021.

Dr. David Trinklein teaches the course with MU Extension horticulture specialist Sarah Denkler. “Students work at their own pace within the confines of a course schedule,” Trinklein said.

Classes are delivered as a series of scripted and narrated video presentations. Topics include basic botany, soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening, fruit production, landscape design, woody ornamental plants, herbaceous ornamental plants, turf management, insect and disease management, and pesticide safety.

Those who successfully complete the core training and perform at least 30 hours of volunteer service qualify for MU Extension Master Gardener certification. Local Master Gardener coordinators help online trainees find volunteer opportunities to meet the service requirements.

Registration deadline for the spring online session is Jan. 10, 2021. For more program information and to register visit this page.

December Tips and Tasks

Virtual Town Hall Meetings/Classes

Food Preservation Online Class

Get Your Soil Tested Soon

Basic soil testing analysis is done by the MU Soil Lab in partnership with our Master Gardeners of Greene County. Results include fertilizer and lime recommendations. Additional tests are available for nutrient management plans, environmental issues, potting mixes, compost, manure and water usage. Each sample should contain a total of 2 cups of dry soil and from 6 to 7 inches deep and about 5 or 6 different areas. Results are typically provided within two weeks.

We recommend bringing the soil sample(s) to our office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursdays. Master Gardeners can complete the paperwork and submit your test. One of our extension specialists will review your results. In most cases, gardens, lawns and fields should be tested every two years.

The cost is $30 per sample. Feel free to call if you have any questions.

417-874-2963

Previous Newsletter

Need a Speaker for a Meeting or Group?

Master Gardeners of Greene County are unavailable at this time to speak to garden clubs, civic organizations, schools and other groups on a wide variety of topics within the world of gardening, horticulture, landscaping and the environment.

Please keep us in mind for a future date.

For more information.

Email Us

Donating to MU Extension

Without MU Extension, there would be no Master Gardeners.

Gifts from individual donors support MU Extension's educational programs in Greene County. Primarily, we receive cash donations by check or online with a credit card and the non-cash donation of vehicles.

For more information

Donate Online

Tax deductible donation

Explore MU's NEW Website for Information on Programs, Events and More