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Master Gardeners of
Greene County Newsletter
January 2025
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Table of Contents - January 2025
Questions about Gardening
Getting ready for 2025 - This Season's Gardening
MDC's Annual Tree Sale - Ends April 15th
MU Extension, MDC Partner, to Offer Free White Oaks
WEBINARS, CLASSES AND EVENTS
Eagle Days
MDC Learn About Prescribed Fires - January - Online & In-person
Turf and Ornamentals Webinars - Starting on Jan. 7th thru Feb.
Managing Crops to Maximize Yields - Jan. 14th to Feb. 25th
Seeded Tree Islands for Beauty, Shade & Native Diversity Webinar - Jan. 15th
Gardeners Gathering: NC Tomatoman’s All Tomato Overview - Jan 16th
Online Master Gardener Program - January 17th Deadline
Beyond Grocery Store Orchids - Feb. 18th
Annual Spring Garden Workshop - Mar. 15th
Food Preservation - Ongoing
Beekeepers, Explore Organic Methods
2025 Heroes to Hives - Registration: Though Feb. 28th
Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays
Organic Gardening Online Course
Get Your Lawn and Garden Questions Answered @ Weekly Garden Hour
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Reader's Special Notice: 'Ask A MO Master Gardener Facebook Group'
Writer's Corner: Linda Geist
Internet Plant Sites
Trees
Lawn and Garden
Winter Gardening Articles
Other Newsletters of Interest for Winter Reading
Six Perennial Veggies for Endless Abundance
Garden Links
Get Your Soil Tested
A Last Thought
Previous Newsletter
Need a Speaker
Greene County Giving
For All Your Gardening Questions - Hotline
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Gardening Questions?
Or Soil Samples
From now until March 1st the Hotline will only be staffed on Thursdays from 10-4. Feel free to call in anytime and leave a message. Someone will get back to you.
Readers statewide can pose questions by calling 417-874-2963 or fill out an 'Ask A Master Gardener' form or email us at hotline@mggreene.org with your question and contact information.
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Planning Your 2025 Garden | |
More articles and plans will be added for your review next month:
January, it's already that time of the year! The new seed catalogs are out and/or will be arriving soon, giving you plenty of time to start planning your spring garden. Don't you just love browsing through them, looking at the new varieties or finding the tried and true ones?
If you are a new or seasoned gardener, the University of Missouri Extension program has valuable information available for your review to assist with making the 2025 gardening season productive. Below are some guides to get you started. More will follow monthly, or you may do an online search by topic at this MU Extension website here.
Remember what growing zone you are in. Find by zip code for US or for map of Missouri.
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From Seed to Harvest and Beyond: Garden Journal and Calendar
It provides a place to keep all gardening information, plans and notes together. By MU Extension is a garden journal for Missouri gardeners, as well as a how-to guide and information resource. You can tell from year to year what is going on with your garden. You can record what you planted and how well it did or not, and whether or not there was a drought or too much rain.
From January through December's gardening, learn more details and order your copy online today here.
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Vegetable Gardening by James Quinn & David Trinklein, MU Division of Plant Sciences: Vegetable gardening is a rewarding activity that can provide fresh, flavorful produce. It offers many of the same benefits as other gardening activities, including exercise, fresh air, landscape beautification and enjoyment. In addition, it promotes a varied and nutritious diet at a lower cost by reducing food expenditures more than the costs associated with growing the vegetables. Learn the basics plus more here. | |
Vegetable Planting Calendar - For planning and drawing out your map of where to plant your vegetable and flower gardens, both first time gardeners and seasoned professionals can benefit from this guide available from MU Extension. The guide provides a complete 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 frosts. If you follow the south Missouri planting dates for spring plantings, 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. You may read and obtain a copy (print out PDF version) of the Vegetable Planting Calendar guide sheet online here. | |
Are my seeds still good? Testing seed germination Post by Ken Johnson for Univ. IL Extension: Unfortunately, as seeds get older, their germination rate decreases. Fortunately, there is an easy way to test your seeds to see if planting them will be worthwhile. Learn how here. | |
Starting Plants Indoors From Seeds Revised by David H. Trinklein, MU Division of Plant Sciences: Many flowers and vegetables may be started from seeds indoors. Vigorous plants started indoors flower sooner and produce an earlier harvest than plants started outdoors. Seeds of certain species, however, are best sown directly outdoors when weather conditions permit and are actually delayed by transplanting. Continue reading here. | |
Building and Using Hotbeds and Cold Frames Revised by David Trinklein MU Horticulture Extension State Specialist: Consider constructing a low tunnel, cold frame or hot bed to grow salad greens during the cold months to extend the growing season. Learn more here.
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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.
| Lasagna gardening - Layers and layers of goodness by Linda Geist for MU Extension: Lasagna gardening is no-till, no-dig gardening that uses materials typically thrown away such as kitchen and yard waste. Learn how to layer organic materials to create a garden with minimum work here. |
Square Foot Gardening - Method by Square Foot Gardening Foundation - Suggested by PA State Extension: Join the millions of gardeners around the world who grow their own organic, fresh produce with Square Foot Gardening. Would you like to grow abundant fresh vegetables in a small space with less weeding, no tilling, no heavy digging, and less work? If so, try Square Foot Gardening. The procedure is outlined here.
Plus review the educational website for other Square Foot Garden news
| Native Easy Landscape Plans by Grow Native! Here are a few design ideas for smaller scale plantings using native plants. If your growing conditions differ from those described here, please talk with a Grow Native! Nursery, garden center, or landscape designer about alternative native plants that will work for you. Learn more here. | Missouri's Grow Native! Suggests growing these native plants for attracting visiting songbirds to your landscape. Continue here. | Missouri Frost / Freeze Probabilities Guide Published by the MU Integrated Pest Management Program: Typically, the last spring frost occurs over northern and central Missouri by the third and second week of April, respectively. Frosts are more likely to be experienced... later in the spring over the Ozarks when compared to central Missouri. Learn more here. |
TWO LINKS: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles by US EPA: What is IPM? IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Continue reading here.
PLUS: 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. Continue reading here.
| Tree Care by Missouri Dept. of Conversation (MDC): From tree selection and planting to pruning guidelines, this section covers everything you need to know to take care of your backyard trees. Get MDC information on your important tree care here. | |
Missouri Department of Conservation's Annual Native Tree Sale
Buy native trees and shrubs from MDC’s
George O. White State Forest Nursery
Need trees and shrubs for your landscape? Go native with tree and shrub seedlings from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) that can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation, while also improving the appearance and value of private property.
The nursery provides mainly one-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings for sale include many varieties of low-cost seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, plus other purposes. Some supplies are limited. Ends April 15th, 2025. Some are already sold out.
Place orders online now, here.
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MU Extension and MDC Partner
to Offer Free White Oaks
Published Dec, 9, 2024: This is a joint limited participation program to establish white oak seed orchards on private land. These orchards are intended to provide a steady supply of white oak acorns from trees of known quality and growth characteristics... Interested landowners can receive 50 white oak seedlings after completing a free three-part webinar series, Landowners are expected to plant the seedlings on property they control in a plantation arrangement.... After planting, landowners must commit to caring for the trees and monitoring their growth and survival.
More details with registration information here.
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WEBINARS, CLASSES & EVENTS | |
Eagle Days - Discover Nature
By Missouri Dept. of Conservation: Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular. If you can’t make it to one of our many Eagle Days events (check out the calendar as more are added), browse our best-places list for locations to enjoy eagle-viewing on your own. From late December 2024 through early February 2025, watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water’s edge. Get out early in the morning to see the eagles flying and fishing. Best places for winter eagle viewing here.
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MDC offers January programs in Greene & Taney Counties to learn about prescribed fire.
Participants must complete online portion to take part in Jan. 18 or Jan. 25 hands-on field workshops. When used in controlled, supervised conditions, fire can be a beneficial land management tool. However, it’s important to stress that prescribed fire involves planning and on-site management.
There is a $25 fee. Here are details about each county program.
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Turf and Ornamentals Webinars
Beginning on Tuesday January 7th
on consecutive Tuesdays in January and February
1 to 3pm ET (12 to 2pm CT)
By Penn State Extension: Registration is open for a series of educational webinars; designed for the Green Industry, including landscape and grounds management professionals, turfgrass managers, greenhouse, and nursery growers, arborists, Master Gardeners and gardeners.
Fee is $20 each webinar.
Learn the details here.
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Managing Crops to Maximize Yields
Vegetable Production Webinar Series
Online Tuesday Evenings Jan. 14 – Feb. 25, 2025
from 6:00- 7:30 PM CT
By MU Extension: Growing vegetable crops successfully requires a solid understanding of foundational concepts in crop management such as fertility, irrigation, pest, and weed management. Join us for this 7-part webinar series....
"To support access, this webinar is offered on a sliding fee scale based on household income. The registration fee varies from $49 to $75 based on your self-selected household income range. If you have questions about the webinar series, contact the Pike County MU Extension office at 573-324-5464." Additional details and registration information here.
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Seeded Tree Islands
for Beauty, Shade & Native Diversity Webinar
Wed, Jan 15, 2025
At 4:00 pm
A Grow Native! Master Class: Join veteran horticulturist Scott Woodbury to learn how to plan, install, and maintain a seeded, natural-style woodland landscape with high diversity and low maintenance. This live Zoom class includes a presentation and Q & A session.
Cost: Free to all MPF dues-paying members and Grow Native! professional members, or $15 for non-members.
Visit our MPF membership page to become a member and attend all master classes for free! More class details, register here.
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Gardeners Gathering:
NC Tomatoman’s All Tomato Overview
Thursday, January 16, 2025
From 7:00 - 8:00pm
A Free Zoom Presentation. More details see flyer; plus, more information and register here.
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Online Master Gardener Program
WANT TO BECOME A MASTER GARDENER? Now you can!
Registration deadline is January 17
The spring online session runs January 19 to May 31, 2025
Want to become a Master Gardener? University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener Online Course Still Open for Registration! The 15-week online course begins January 19 and ends May 31, 2025.
The Extension Master Gardener Course provides in depth horticulture training for Missourians who wish to spread their knowledge of gardening. The course prepares Extension Master Gardener volunteers for horticulture questions frequently asked by citizens around the area, based on unbiased research-based gardening information. An additional total of 30 volunteer hours is required to become an Extension Master Gardener.
The 15-week course begins Jan 19 and ends May 31. Master Gardener online core training is a semester-long course organized by weekly learning modules. The scheduling of the course coincides with the University of Missouri’s fall and spring semesters. The course is offered by the Extension Division of the University of Missouri and does not carry official University course credit.
Course Objectives:
1. To understand the mission of the Missouri Master Gardener Program and how it functions.
2. To acquire a working knowledge of the fundamental principles of plant growth and development.
3. To apply concepts of plant growth and development to everyday situations and uses in horticulture.
4. To learn basic terminology associated with the art and science of horticulture.
5. To gain an appreciation of horticulture as a life-long pursuit.
The online Extension Master Gardener Course is now open for registration. Deadline is Jan 17. The registration page also has additional information about how to access the course, cost, etc.here
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There should be an in-person one for Greene County and other counties later on in 2025. Keep an eye out for details from your home county. | |
Beyond Grocery Store Orchids
Virtual Live Webinar Tuesday, Feb. 18
5:30-6:30 PM CT - 6:30-7:30 PM ET
Registration is Open! Fee $10
By PA State Extension: Discover the secrets to growing exotic orchids at home with the Extension Master Gardeners of Monroe County. This engaging presentation goes beyond the common Phalaenopsis orchid to explore a variety of captivating species that can thrive indoors without the need for a greenhouse.
Learn more event details and register here.
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Here is the clickable link to register online.
NOTE!! Bring CASH or CHECK as they do NOT take credit cards.
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Food Preservation
By MU Extension. This ongoing 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.
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Calling all beekeepers!
Explore Organic Methods!
by Penn. State Extension: Ongoing
Check our new intermediate beekeeping online self-paced course to learn the science and practice of beekeeping. Discover organic methods for managing your honey bee colonies.
For details on 'Beekeeping 102' continue here.
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2025 Heroes to Hives
What’s the buzz! Registration for the '2025 Heroes to Hives' Our free 9-month online intensive course registration OPEN until February 28, 2025!
Program runs from March - November
Online courses (100+ hours)
Small business development training
Training of therapeutic practices
On the ground training
Certificate of completion
Heroes to Hives (H2H) - Beekeeping Training - Free own-paced online lectures with hands-on learning.
H2H offers veterans beekeeping training, camaraderie and purpose Article by Writer: Linda Geist for MU Extension Nov. 6, 2024: Military veterans like beekeeper Kit Smith find comfort and knowledge through the 'Heroes to Hives' program offered by MU Extension... Smith joined H2H to learn more about beekeeping, but he found that the program was about much more than that... Learn more about H2H training details and get started here.
Registration runs November 1st through February 28th every year.
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Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays
Topics on approxmately 146 videos with more added weekly. The horticulture trainings are provided by agents and specialists from the Univ. of Kentucky discussing gardening topics from vegetables to fruit to landscaping and lawns.
You can join the online webinar class that begins 12:30 pm EST / 11:30 am CST on Wednesdays.
Click to review and register here.
Also, previous archived topics for you to review and watch on YouTube here.
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Get your Lawn and Garden Questions Answered
at the Garden Hour with MU Extension
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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
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Readers Special Notice
Are you a member of the statewide
‘Ask A Missouri Master Gardener’ Facebook Group?
Do you or a friend have a question, or need information about Landscaping? Gardening? House Plants? Lawn Care? Ask a Missouri Master Gardener! Get the help you need.
The Master Gardeners of Greene County recently took over the day-to-day management for the statewide ‘Ask A Missouri Master Gardener’ group, here, in conjunction with the University of Missouri Extension.
The group, also, has posts about some the newest information and articles on gardening, plus other topics of interest, from MU Extension and other providers.
Join us today!
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Writer's Corner: Linda Geist
Senior Strategic Communication Associate, Office of MU Extension.
Missouri has become a peanut powerhouse Writer Linda Geist for MU Extension Dec. 5, 2024 Did you know? In 2020, the USDA named Missouri a primary peanut-producing state, a designation for states averaging more than 10,000 tons of peanut production annually over three years, says Justin Calhoun, MU Extension soil and cropping systems specialist. Most of state’s crop goes to candy, peanut butter. Learn more here.
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Have yourself a kalanchoe; Versatile, vibrant houseplant Writer Linda Geist Dec 11, 2024: Few plants can boast colorful, long-lasting flowers and attractive foliage the remainder of the year, said MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Florist’s kalanchoe delivers both, making it a versatile houseplant. Its vibrant flowers provide a welcome burst of color during the dreary days of winter. Learn more here.
| Deck the halls with plants using proper caution Writer Linda Geist for MU Extension Dec. 13, 2024: For many, the holiday season would not be complete without evergreens, holly, mistletoe and other traditional plants. But it’s important to exercise care with some of these plants for happy and safe holidays, said MU Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Learn more here. | |
Christmas cactus: A gift that keeps on giving Writer Linda Geist for MU Extension: University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein says Christmas cactus is a gift that gives for many years with proper care. Trinklein has recommendations if you want success with your Christmas cactus outlined in this article here. | |
Revised 2024 - Editor's Note: This comprehensive pdf list has been compiled and updated by longtime volunteer Barbara Clark. This is an online list of websites dedicated to plant identification and information including: resources; native flowers and domestic plants; wildflowers and plants to attract birds and pollinators; weeds and invasive pests. After review, you are welcome to share this list with your friends! Suggestions welcome for review. This list's pdf is based on the Greater Ozarks Hosta Society website click here. | |
Is that Vine Damaging My Tree? by Scott A Sjolander for Penn State Extension: Homeowners may ask that question of whether a vine harms their landscape tree, particularly if the tree is declining in health. The short answer to the question about that vine growing in the treetop causing damage is, "it depends." Learn more here.
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Researched Based Articles | |
For our readers, learn more about, Soils, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management from MU Extension: Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, air and water. Visit this site to learn about soils here. | |
Fall Garden Care for Pollinators by Dianne Machesney, Master Gardener, Penn. State Extension: Did you know pollinators need plants year-round? Yes, even in the fall and winter. Plants and debris left in the garden serve as safe places for pollinators to overwinter. Learn more about creating such spaces here. | |
Winter Plant Protection by David Trinklein, MU Plant Science & Tech Dec 3, 2024: While nature is concerned with the survival of the fittest, we are not pleased when we find that nature has not chosen our favorite plants for survival. Therefore, winter protection of some sort becomes important to ensure that certain plants will survive our midwestern winters. Learn more here. | |
Svalbard’s Global Seed Vault Banks Biodiversity and Sprouts Controversy by Adriana Craciun for Gastro Obscura Dec. 2, 2024: The Arctic facility is the world’s largest safeguard for seeds—and fertile ground for critics and conspiracy theories. Continue reading here.
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Striped Bark Scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) by MDC Field Guide: This is the most common scorpion in the U.S. and is the only species of scorpion in Missouri. Primarily found in the Ozarks and other parts of the southern half of Missouri where glades and other sunny dry habitat suit them... and sometimes in buildings and shelters and under piles of wood, brush, or garbage. Learn more here.
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Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) by MDC Field Guide: Common in forested areas statewide, especially where water is near. A chipmunk-sized rodent with large dark eyes, a slightly upturned nose and large ears, all of which make it look a little like a mouse. Discover more here.
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What is this bug? Tips for identifying insects by Laura Rice for The Standard Dec. 10, 2024: Is that an assassin bug or a stink bug? A ladybug or a harlequin bug? A carpenter ant or a termite? (We can answer at least one of those questions right now – but read on for more!) here. | |
Strange Fruit by Annette MaCoy, Master Gardener, for Penn. State Extension Sept 22, 2024: Fruit that may look bizarre and taste unusual to us abounds in all parts of the world, but you can have an orchard of strange fruits in your own landscape. Learn more here | |
Very Dark Foliage Plants by Susan Marquesen, Master Gardener, Penn. State Extension Sept. 22, 2024: Very dark foliage plants, from trees and shrubs to perennials and annuals, can add interest and drama to your garden throughout the growing season. Learn more here. | |
Not-so-Nice Native Plants by Denise D'Aurora, Master Gardener, Penn. State Extension Sept. 22, 2024: Native plants have many ecological benefits but some of them have poisonous properties. You may not want to invite these native plants into your yard. Learn more here. | |
Hidden Dangers of Holiday Decorations for Birds by Natalie Wallington for Audubon Magazine, Updated Dec. 20, 2024: Holiday decorations can pose hidden dangers to birds. From avoiding fake berries to choosing native plants, small changes can help keep wildlife safe this season. Find out how to celebrate responsibly and make your home a holiday haven for birds. Read on here. | |
Holiday plants bring wintertime cheer Writer Curt Wohleber for MU Extension Dec 13, 2024: The leaves have dropped, branches are bare, and the garden blooms are gone, but trees and flowering plants still bring us cheer during the winter holidays. Learn more about some plants that are as closely associated with the winter holidays here. | |
What Is a Bay Leaf, Exactly? There are at least six different answers by Andrew Coletti for Atlas Obscura: Whether you’re making a recipe from India, Jamaica, or Spain, you’re likely to encounter bay leaf in the ingredients list. Just make sure you know which kind of bay leaf the recipe calls for. Learn more here. | |
Other Newsletters of Interest for Fall Reading | |
The Garden Spade Newsletter December 2024 by MU Extension -Articles: Chestnuts Provide Holiday Flavors + Composting Reduces Landfill Waste + Houseplants Brighten Winter Days + Pear Recipe + What is It? Poppies! + Evergreen Trees Differences + Kids Ask Dr Bug -An Insect Pet? + Gardening Tips & Tasks + Upcoming Events, Flyers & More Here. | |
Preserve It Fresh, Preserve It Safe Newsletter Jan/Feb 2025: 'Preparing & Planning for the Year Ahead' Have you considered what you will be preserving later this year? While it seems early to think about this, it is the time to plan for your future needs. Different varieties of produce have different results in different home-processed products. So, it is important to consider what you will grow in your garden. Continue reading here. | |
Missouri Produce Growers Video Newsletter by MU Extension Hort Team Dec. 6, 2024: Troubleshoot Some Vegetable Disease Problems + Chinese Chestnuts Processing + Strawberry Lessons Learned + Maple Syrup Inside a Sugar Shack + Annual and Perennial Cover Crops in Vegetable Systems + Workshops, Classes, New Publications and More Here. | |
Lawn & Garden Newsletter by MU Extension Dec. 10, 2024 -Gardening resources you can use, topics: Online Extension Master Gardener Training, Register by Jan 12, Begins Jan 19, 2025 + Dec Gardening Tips & Tasks + Protect Plants this Winter + Miss a 2024 Lawn & Garden Issue? See Archives + Details & More Here. | |
Missouri Prairie Foundation Newsletter December 18 -Topics: Missouri Prairie Journal Archives + Short-Eared Owls Hikes + Monarch Butterfly Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection + Grow Native! Master Class: Seeded Tree Islands for Beauty, Shade, and Native Diversity Jan 15th + Cutleaf Coneflower Cuisine + Easy Crafting with Eastern Red Cedar. Details plus more here. | |
The Monthly Monitor Greene County MU Extension News December 2024: This newsletter is intended to help friends, supporters and residents in and around Greene County to connect with the latest news, online webinars, events, other newsletters, extension services and much more. Continue reading here. | |
The Engaged Neighbor Newsletter December 20, 2024, Issue #2 by David Burton, MU Extension: A communication with individuals interested in becoming an engaged neighbor and improving their neighborhood and community. Review our relevant, useful, and research-based information here. | |
Six Perennial Veggies for Endless Abundance |
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) Asparagus is a delicious and nutritious perennial vegetable that produces tender spears in the spring. It can be harvested lightly the third year after planting, then more aggressively in subsequent years. Once established, an asparagus bed can continue to produce for up to 20 years or more, making it a long-term investment in your garden’s productivity.
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) Horseradish is a pungent root vegetable that adds a spicy kick to dishes. Once planted, it can spread vigorously, so it’s best grown in a designated area or container.
Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sunchokes, are grown for their crisp, nutty tubers. They are easy to grow and can become invasive, so it’s essential to plant them in a contained area. They look like sunflowers when they bloom.
Perennial Kale (Brassica oleracea) Perennial kale is a hardy variety of kale that continues to produce leaves year-round, even in cold climates. It’s an excellent source of nutritious greens for salads, smoothies, and cooked dishes.
Walking Onion (Allium proliferum) Walking onions, also called Egyptian onions or tree onions, produce clusters of small bulbs at the top of tall stems. These bulbs can replant themselves, “walking” around the garden (be careful where you plant them) and providing a continuous harvest of green onions.
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) Rhubarb is a hardy perennial with tart stalks that are perfect for pies, jams, and sauces. It thrives in cooler climates and can be harvested throughout the spring and early summer. CAUTION: do NOT eat the leaves.
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Get Your Soil Tested Soon
If you haven't gotten your soil tested in the last 2-3 years, it is time to do that again so that it can be ready for planting season. If you are doing cover crops, then wait until they have died back, or if you are using a low tunnel then wait until after harvesting.
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. Be sure to get what you need out of a soil sample so you understand what you need to add in the way of nutrients for what you will be planting. Remember that different areas may need different Ph or additional fertilizers. Like corn is a heavy feeder.
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 your 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.
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A LAST THOUGHT Come out and see the Four Seasons Garden and check out the beauty of how winter changes everything and notice the shapes of the different gardens. See them at the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO. Tram services are offered, call and check for information. Plan a group or family winter 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. | |
Need a Speaker for a Meeting or Group?
Master Gardeners of Greene County are available 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
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OUR OFFICES ARE INSIDE
Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center
2400 S. Scenic Ave.
Springfield, MO 65807
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