|
|
|
Master Gardeners of Greene County
August 2023
| |
|
Table of Contents for August's Newsletter
Editor's Note
Master Gardener Newsletters 2023 Jan-July in Review
Time to Start Your Fall Garden
Identification Tips for Swallowtail Butterflies
The "People's Garden" Initiative
The Good Mosquito
Flowers, Veggies, Fruits and More
Native vs European Bees
Garden Insects (Good & Bad) Plus Diseases
Black-eyed or Brown-eyed Susans
Food Preservation Online Classes
Garden Hour with MU Extension
Fall is for Seeding Your Lawn
Newsletters of Interest
Native and Invasive Plants
Garden Links
One Last Thought
Get Your Soil Tested Now
Previous Month's Newsletter Link
Need a Speaker for One of Your Meetings or Groups?
Gardening Questions Hotline - Phone, Email and Web Questionnaire
Subscribe to the Newsletter
| |
|
Editor's note: For the last two months we have been having some problems with lots of our newsletters ending up in spam folders due to some sort of security upgrade. Hopefully this has been resolved.
I have reposted the January - June and added July to it so you can review past newsletters. Lots of helpful information in June and July that is still pertinent. Try to go back and read them if you can.
PLEASE make sure that our email address is in your contacts list. This will help prevent future emails from going into the spam folder.
Thank you.
| |
|
Master Gardener Newsletters 2023
January - July in Review
| |
|
January - July, did you miss any issues? You can still enjoy the Master Gardeners of Greene County, (MGGC) January - July 2023 monthly archived newsletters. For new readers, these free public educational gardening issues are available each month, you can sign up for the reminder of 2023 and beyond on any newsletter. A winter/spring reading library.
Note, the January's 2023 issue contains 2022 monthly links. Pick and choose or work your way through the year from top to bottom. Newsletter archives January - July 2023, feel free to save and share with your friends any or all of these links:
January 2023
February 2023
March 2023
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
July 2023
--Master Gardeners of Greene County, review the website. If you have a question, check out the 'Ask a Master Gardener' area.
--Join the Facebook page. Keep up to date with what is happening.
| |
|
Educational Opportunities
Become a Master Gardener (Online courses)
Read July's newsletter for further information. Course starts August 14th.
Making Friends with Fritillaries
Thursday Aug. 3 FREE virtual program - 6:30-7:30 pm
Presented by Dr. Chris Barnhart. Learn about fritillary butterflies at MDC's Aug 3 free virtual program and how we can help these beneficial insects, an important part of Missouri’s outdoor world. Learn about butterfly conservation efforts at the MDC free online program 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thru, Aug 3.
Three species of the greater fritillary butterflies are among the largest, most colorful, and longest-lived butterflies in Missouri.
MSU biology professor emeritus Dr. Chris Barnhart will focus on the regal, the Diana, and the great spangled fritillary. He will discuss the biology of these insects, ongoing research, and how people can help to protect these and other species of butterflies.
Learn more details and register here.
| |
Time to Start Your Fall Garden | |
|
Here we are, into August and it is time to start thinking about planting for a fall harvest. We are, also, thinking about how to store our harvest from both what is growing now and what we will be growing this fall.
Let's make the garden work hard for us. Plant that late season garden and reap its rewards.
Vegetable Planting Calendar
Download the PDF so you can see the calendar.
Guide 6201' by MU Extension: Some vegetables may be planted for a fall crop. When a fall crop is possible, a second set of dates is listed under the dates for spring planting in the guide. All gardeners can benefit, the guide provides an extensive list of planting dates and varieties that do well in Missouri. (If you live within the 'Ozarks plateau', you may want to follow the north Missouri planting dates due to the possibility of late spring or early fall frost. If you follow the south Missouri planting dates, be prepared to cover plants for frost protection.) The guide also provides information on the following: how much to plant per person; how much seed to purchase for a 100-foot row; row spacing; inches between plants in the row; depth of planting; days from planting to eating; and vitamin content of the vegetable.
Vegetable Harvest and Storage Dig potatoes when tops die and pull onions and garlic when tops fall over and start to turn brown. Dry in a ventilated area and store in a cool, dry place.
Summer Vacation Planning Includes Plant Care by Michele Warmund, MU Plant Science & Tech July 7, 2023: A great summer getaway requires reservations, transportation, packing, and planning for plant care. After a wonderful vacation, it's never fun to come home to dead plants. However, with some before-you-go planning, plants will be thriving upon your return. Learn more here.
Trees (and shrubs) in drought: Love and water deeply by MU Extension July 5, 2023: With more than 90% of Missouri under drought, browning lawns and wilting cornfields are common sights. But don’t forget about your trees (and shrubs)... it takes decades to replace a large tree, says MU Extension specialist Joni Harper. Learn more plus review the links at the bottom of the article here.
| |
Turn up the flavor and nutrition by planting turnips by Linda Geist for MU Extension July 21, 2023: You may not be able to squeeze blood from a turnip, but you can easily grow this tasty and nutritious vegetable. “Turnip is an underappreciated and underused fall vegetable crop,” said David Trinklein... Turn up the flavor and nutrition by planting turnips. Read more here. | |
Starting to Think About Next Year's Garden? | |
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about next year's garden. Write down how your garden went and rainfall and what grew well and what didn't. You can still get the Gardening Journal from MU Extension
Learn more about Three Sisters Gardening: A Companion Planting Technique: 'The Three Sisters of Indigenous American Agriculture U.S.D.A. Stories from the Collection: According to Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph.D. Administrator, Agricultural Research Service. U.S.D.A., "in agricultural parlance, 'The Three Sisters' are crops planted together in a shared space: maize, beans, and squash…. Developed through indigenous agricultural practices, these three plants protect and nourish each other in different ways as they grow and provide a solid diet for their cultivators." Learn the history and current day aspects of this companion planting technique here.
TWO LINKS: Hobby Greenhouses by Univ of GA Extension Topics Include: Introduction; Types of Greenhouses; Locating Your Greenhouse; Designing Your Greenhouse; Types of Frames; Beds for Growing Small Plants; Greenhouse Heating; Greenhouse Ventilation and Cooling; Other Greenhouse Necessities; Plans; References. Continue here.
PLUS VIDEO: Greenhouses, High Tunnels and Protected Structures Video with Patrick Byers, horticulture field specialist, MU Extension for Springfield Community Gardens Oct 23, 2020: Growing produce under protection offers huge benefits to farmers and gardeners. This class investigates crop production using high tunnels and greenhouses and emphasizes season extension, control of growing conditions, and challenges to growing in these structures. On the farm examples are included throughout the presentation. View video 2hr 10min here.
| |
|
Fruit Spray Schedules for the Homeowner by MU Extension: A preventative spray schedule can keep disease and insects at bay. For more information, see MU Extension Guide g6010 here.
TWO LINKS: Want to grow grapes and other fruit in Missouri? Home Fruit Production: Grape Culture here.
PLUS: Fruit Production - Missouri by Michele Warmund, MU Division of Plant Sciences: Missouri is home to almost all temperate zone fruit plants, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, currants, blueberries, grapes, apricots, cherries, plums, nectarines, peaches, apples and pears. They can be harvested from mid-May through the end of Oct. Read on here.
| |
|
Looking to enhance your agricultural knowledge?' You can access recordings of numerous Springfield Community Gardens (SCG) Zoom educational workshops covering various agricultural topics. Many are with Patrick Byers, horticulture field specialist, MU Extension and all are free on SCG's YouTube channel anytime here.
Your Gardening Questions Answered Statewide Of course, you are welcome to contact your local county University of Missouri Extension office with any unanswered gardening questions. In addition, for all of your gardening questions statewide, you may also contact the Master Gardeners of Greene County Hotline. For more information about contacting them by phone or email this time of year, visit their webpage, here.
| |
|
Tomatoes Not Ripening? by Tom Fowler, MU Extension Field Specialist in Horticulture: Learn more, scroll down to the article in this MU Extension pdf 'The Garden Spade' newsletter here.
TWO LINKS: Rotten tomatoes in garden? Blossom-End Rot by Linda Geist for MU Extension July 13, 2023: Your beautiful tomato plant is setting fruit and soon has nice green tomatoes. Then... a dark sunken spot shows up at the bottom of the fruit. You might think an insect or disease has attacked your plant, but such is not the case... Today, it is called blossom-end rot. It is a physiological disorder caused by a calcium imbalance. Read more here.
PLUS: Blossom-End Rot by M. Godfrey for Hort. Mag.: There is a dark spot on the bottom of the tomato. What should I do? What other plants get blossom-end rot? Answer here.
Garden Q&A by Texas AgriLife Extension: Q. Why do my cucumbers bloom without setting fruit? A. This is probably a pollination problem. Cucumbers have male and female blooms and for proper fruit set, the pollen must be transferred from the male to the female blooms. This is usually done by pollinating insects, primarily honeybees. If pollen transfer does not take place, fruit will not set. Learn more about cucumbers here.
PLUS: How to Hand-Pollinate for More Cucumbers Watch this video from Bonnie Plants, here.
| |
Read The Problem with Honeybees by Allison McAfee for Scientific American.
Bee Basics Introduction to our native bees.
| |
Garden Insects (Good & Bad) Plus Diseases | |
What is Integrated Pest Management? Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Missouri’s Agriculture by Fred Fishel MU Department of Agronomy: IPM has different meanings to everyone who works in the agricultural environment. It can be thought of as a systematic approach to solving pest problems by applying our knowledge about pests to prevent them from damaging crops. | ALSO review related publications, Integrated Pest Management in Missouri’s Green Industries and in Missouri’s Urban Environment, links included. Continue reading here.
Common Diseases in the Home Garden By MU Extension: For more information about diseases in the garden, see MU extension guide g6203 here.
COMMON GARDEN PESTS AND PROBLEMS by Missouri Botanical Garden: These pest and problem pages contain information on over 200 of the most frequently encountered garden plant problems by the Plant Doctors at the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Most are problems gardeners experience almost anywhere, but some problems are more specific to our area. In our resource guide, we have followed an integrated pest management approach where simple, safe, and less invasive strategies are listed first. Start here.
| |
|
Mosquito Management at Home by Aaron Anderson for Xerces Society11 May 2022: Spring is quickly turning into summer, and with the warming temperatures comes the drone of mosquitoes in our parks and yards. Unfortunately, the insecticide sprays used by pest control companies can be harmful to a wide variety of other insects. Fortunately, there’s a much more effective way to reduce your itchy bites this summer and protect pollinators in your yard: focus on eliminating areas where mosquitoes breed. Learn more here.
| |
|
Grass Spiders from Wild Guide in Missouri Conservationist July 2023: The unique web of grass spiders is more often noticed than the spider itself. The web is sheetlike, usually positioned horizontally, with a funnel leading downward to a shelter, a rock crevice or dense vegetation. Grass spiders prey on numerous insects that are pests to humans, controlling populations of the species they consume. Learn more here.
Spider Facts by Missouri Dept of Conservation Information for our readers: Lots of different kinds, sizes, and shapes. Missouri is home to more than 300 kinds of spiders. Learn more here.
| |
Twig Girdler and Twig Pruner by Bruce A. Barrett MU Dept of Entomology for MU Extension: Small branches accumulating on the ground and the presence of clean-cut twigs, and in some cases dangling (flagged) branch tips within a tree, indicate the presence of beetle pests referred to as twig girdlers and twig pruners. Both of these long-horned beetle species (Cerambycidae) attack numerous types of shade, nut and fruit trees. Heavily damaged trees appear ragged and unattractive, and young trees can become deformed by repeated attacks. Learn more here. | |
|
TWO LINKS: Japanese Beetle Missouri by MU Extension IPM Pest Monitoring Network July 2023: Japanese Beetles, Popillia japonica Newman, emerge from the soil from June to August. They are established throughout Missouri and are a key pest to field and specialty crops. Read more here.
PLUS: Have Japanese Beetles? Organic Management Options for the Japanese Beetle at Home Gardens by Extension here.
TWO LINKS: Blister Beetles by Charles Allen for TX A&M Extension: Blister beetles are in the insect family Melòidae. They can be found in many different colors and several sizes and body shapes. Learn more here. (If website is under maintenance visit Blister beetle on Wikipedia, click here.)
PLUS: 10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Blister Beetles in Garden by Andre Campbell for Dre Campbell Farm (suggested by Su Lyn) here.
| |
|
Signs of Squash Vine Borer Damage and How to Control It by Marie Iannotti, veteran Master Gardener, a former Cornell Coop Extension Hort Educator for The Spruce: It's an all-too-common occurrence. Your squash plants looked fine yesterday. Today they’re wilting, and no amount of watering has helped. What happened? Learn more here.
Stink Bugs - Integrated Pest Management Strategies by Missouri Botanical Garden: Tomato and other veggie growers, learn more about stink bugs and their damage to tomatoes other veggies and host plants here.
| |
|
TWO LINKS: Cucumber beetles in home gardens - These are two excellent UMN and MU Extension articles that includes both the yellow and black striped and spotted cucumber beetles. Learn more here. PLUS: More here.
TWO LINKS: Flea Beetles (Kuschelina gibbitarsa) by Bob & Barb Kipfer for Springfield Plateau Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalist™ May 25, 2020: As Barb was talking native plants with a visitor to our backyard, I was patrolling with my camera and saw a little black spot on a pipevine leaf. Moving in on it I got the picture just before it jumped a foot away into the leaves. Continue reading with photos here.
PLUS: Flea Beetle - Integrated Pest Management Strategies by Missouri Botanical Garden here.
| |
|
TWO LINKS: Garden Q&A: Q: Is diatomaceous earth OK for the good bugs? A: Good question. it is not poisonous, but the rule is, "If it kills bad bugs, it will also generally kill many good bugs." Here is more information on DE, two links. 47 Bugs Diatomaceous Earth Kills (Complete List) here.
PLUS READ: Diatomaceous Earth General Fact Sheet National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. Read here.
Editor's note: Diatomaceous earth is fossilized aquatic diatoms and cuts the beetle's carapace. This will kill any beetle, good or bad. But a great deterrent is using kaolin clay (Surround). Bugs do not like walking on it. It will keep those pesky bugs off of a lot of things.
If the bugs can't eat, they will die. It is great for good bugs as it does not harm them and does not destroy their food sources.
Mix 3/4 C of kaolin clay with 1 qt of water in a small sprayer. Spray on tops and bottoms of leaves or tomatoes. Continue shaking as you spray as it will settle quickly. It should last through several rains. Spray again as needed.
| |
|
Ecologist Tim Blackburn: Moths pollinate a wider range of species than bees by Sascha Pare for Live Science published July 10, 2023: Ecologist Tim Blackburn tells Live Science about the incredible, hidden world of moths here.
Assassin Bug by Garden Adventures - MU-IPM Program: One assassin bug that lives in Missouri is the wheel bug. Its name comes from the cog-like crest found on its back. They are large insects measuring up to 1 1/2 inches in length but are rarely seen because of their camouflage. Learn more here.
Honeybees More Faithful to Their Flower Patches Than Bumble Bees by USDA ARS News Service June 29, 2023: Honeybees are more faithful to their flower patches than bumble bees when it comes to returning to collect more pollen and nectar, according to a study by U.S.D.A. ARS scientists. Overall, 76 percent of honeybees in the study revisited the same plot of alfalfa flowers in contrast to just 47 percent of eastern bumble bees. But size does matter; read on here.
| |
The “People’s Garden” Initiative | |
The "People’s Garden" is a USDA program that focuses on growing fresh, healthy food. Additionally, it supports resilient, local food systems; teaches people how to garden using conservation practices; nurtures habitat for pollinators and wildlife and create greenspace for neighbors. School gardens, community gardens, urban farms, and small-scale agriculture projects in rural, suburban and urban areas can be recognized as a “People’s Garden” if they register on the USDA website here.
| |
|
More information on the Elephant Mosquito.
Another 'Elegant Mosquito' article here.
| |
Flowers, Veggies, Fruits & More | |
|
The Marvelous Marigold by David Trinklein, MU Plant Science & Tech: Marigold’s ease of care and striking display of color throughout the summer makes it one of our most popular annuals. Marigold (Tagetes sp.) are native to the Americas from Argentina north to New Mexico and Arizona. Learn more here.
Waterlily: Easier to grow than you might think by Linda Geist | Republished in MOMGA News June 2023: Some gardeners consider waterlilies to be the ultimate challenge. Many admire them but few grow them... Though waterlilies may appear exotic and fragile, they are tough and durable, according to David Trinklein MU Extension. Learn more here.
Christmas cactus: A gift that keeps on giving Writer Linda Geist: MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein says Christmas cactus is a gift that gives for many years with proper care. Trinklein has recommendations if you want similar success with your Christmas cactus, read on here.
| |
Black-eyed or Brown-eyed Susans | |
|
This self-paced course provides research based information needed to safely and successfully preserve food at home. Participants of all levels of food preservation experience are welcome, including individuals with little or no previous food preservation experience. This course covers pressure canning, boiling water bath canning, steam canning, dehydration, and freezing. Highlights include preserving salsas, pie fillings, pickling, sweet spreads, and harvesting and storage of produce.
Registration is $30.00
Click here for more information and registration.
| |
Get your Lawn and Garden Questions Answered at the Garden Hour with MU Extension | |
|
Virtual Town Hall: Mandy D. Bish - MU Extension Specialists will address lawn, garden, and insect questions during the 'Garden Hour' with MU Extension. NOW EVERY Wednesday of the month from 12-1pm. The virtual event is free. To register for the virtual event and/or ask a gardening question, please visit.
To see recordings from previous events, please check out the YouTube videos on the MU Extension IPM channel here.
For more information visit. Or contact Mandy D. Bish, MU Plant Science & Technology at (573) 882-9878 or email: bishm@missouri.edu
| |
Fall is for Seeding Your Lawn | |
Cool-season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar by MU Extension: Tall fescue and/or Kentucky bluegrass can undergo some drought stress and recover. For more information, see MU Extension Guide g6705 here.
| |
|
The Garden Spade Newsletter July 2023 by MU Extension: Articles Include: Help Trees Recover From Drought + Green Beans + Butterfly Weed + Drought Tolerant Missouri Natives + Summer Vacation Planning Includes Plant Care + Drought Resources for Gardeners + Weed of the Month: Wild Violets + Spider Mites + What is It? + Kids Ask Dr. Bug + Gardening Tips + Upcoming Events & Flyers. Details plus more, read pdf here.
Missouri Produce Growers Video Newsletter by MU Extension Hort Team July 28, 2023 Topics: Tomato Harvest/Storage + Fall Veggie Options + Cultural Weed Control + Green Beans Harvest/Storage + Article Herbicide Drift on Specialty Crops + Upcoming Class Offerings + New Publications and More here.
| |
|
Natural Resources Newsletter July 2023 by MU Extension Topics: Forest Ecology & Management Be Fire Wise! + Pond Owners Reducing the Chance of a Fish Kill During Drought + MDC White Nursery Needs Your Seed Help + An Invasive Species - Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) + Future Events. Details plus more here.
Missouri Produce Growers Video Newsletter July 14, 2023 by MU Extension Hort Team Topics: Post-Harvest Storage of Garlic & Winter Squash + Sweet Potato Harvest, Curing and Storage + Japanese Beetle Control in Fruit Crops + Short-Season Summer Cover Crops + Missouri Produce Growers Bulletin Articles & Archive + Upcoming Class Offerings + New Publications + Details and more here.
| |
|
Missouri Prairie Foundation News July 18, 2023: NEW Grow Native! Transitional Shade Garden Landscape Plan + National Moth Week + Grow Native! Master Class Online Native Grasses & Sedges for Native Landscape Design Aug 2 + Moth Species New to Missouri Found on Prairie. All of this and more, details here.
Engaged Neighbor Newsletter Issue 1 July 2023 by David Burton MU Extension: New news for individuals interested in neighboring; improving their neighborhood and community. Review timely, relevant, useful, research-based articles from MU Extension, read here.
| |
Native and Invasive Plants | |
|
Wildflowers for Summer Garden Color by David Trinklein MU Plant Science & Tech July 10, 2023: The term ‘wildflower garden’ conjures up images of a collection of delicate spring wildflowers that thrive in shady, moist conditions. However, there are numerous summer-flowering wildflowers native to dry, sunny hillsides, glades, and other areas with more austere conditions for plant growth. Learn more here.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) by MDC Field Guide. Occurs on the border of dry woods, glades, prairies, and in bottomland soils in valleys, also along roadsides, railroads, idle fields, pastures, fence rows, and thickets. Long in cultivation, sassafras requires full sun for best. The leaves are also a primary food for a host of spectacular moths and butterflies, including the lovely black and blue spicebush swallowtail. Beautiful fall color. Learn more here.
| |
|
TWO LINKS: Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) by Missouri Department of Conservation Field Guide: This is a medium to large tree with a straight trunk, somewhat hanging branches, and a rather spreading, rounded crown. Leaves are alternate, simple, with a leathery. Fruits August–September, clusters with 15–30 fruits, each round, dark purple to black, ¼–½ inch across, shiny, thin-skinned, with juicy flesh, bittersweet, edible. Learn more here.
PLUS More info from Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder here.
Wild Grapes or Grapevine, Various Missouri Species by MDC Field Guide: The stems of most of our native grapevines can reach 65 feet or more in length. Learn more here.
| |
|
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) by MDC Field Guide: Chicory aka succory, is a tap rooted perennial herb that generally grows 2'-4’ tall. Native to Europe, it is naturalized throughout much of the U.S. now found growing in fields, pastures, roadsides. etc. Learn more here.
Invasive Plants | Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) | Explore this info from the Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP) is a multidiscipline group that works to bolster efforts to identify and control invasive plants across the state. This article has but a small part of the total information available.
PLUS: More on Mimosa aka Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) in Missouri by MDC here.
Bristle for thistles that run amok by MU Extension June 26, 2023: Thistles have taken advantage of grass stands weakened by drought, and many SW Missouri fields now have large amounts of musk and bull thistles, says MU Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg. He reminds Missouri landowners that state law requires them to control all Canada, musk or Scotch thistles and prevent them from going to seed. Learn more here.
| |
|
THREE LINKS: Musk Thistle Control by MDC: Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) is an invasive plant from Eurasia that is spreading in Missouri. Cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical control methods have all been used on musk thistles with varying degrees of success in different parts of the country. Musk thistle favors abandoned fields and overgrazed pastures. Learn more here.
PLUS More from MDC here.
LAST: Musk Thistle: Here is some information on the topic of removal. State Law Requires Property Owner Control of Thistle continue reading here.
| |
A LAST THOUGHT Have you been to the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO? If not plan a group or family fall's visit today. In addition to the many beautiful floral and demonstration gardens, a number of gardening organizations are headquartered there, including MU Greene County Extension office and the Master Gardeners of Green County Hotline. Questions call 417-891-1515 or tour the gardens and all of the other attractions online. | |
|
**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.
Bring the soil sample(s) to the Greene (or local county office) County Extension 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.
| | |
|
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.
| | | | |
