Master Gardener Newsletter - October 2020 - Autumn Colors and Where to Find Them

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Master Gardeners of Greene County

October Newsletter

Table of Contents for October 2020

Hotline Still Open - Remotely

Soil Testing "Dirt Days" in MG Hotline Room

Autumn Colors and Where to Find Them

Garden Tip

Wildlife Problems

2020-21 MDC Seedling Order Form - Tree and Shrub

Missouri Native Bees

First Frost Date

Garden Links

Previous Newsletter Link

Need a Speaker for One of Your Meetings or Groups?

Gardening Questions Phone Number

The Master Gardener Greene County Hotline is still available daily through this month. Please contact us 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.

All calls and emails are being handled remotely by trained Master Gardeners and answered daily. 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 remainder of the gardening season!

Soil Testing "Dirt Days" in

Master Gardener Hotline Room

Thursdays from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Master Gardeners are now taking soil samples in the Hotline Room at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center. Soil testing is $30.

Now through February is a great time to get your soil tested to get it ready for next spring's garden. This will give the nutrients the time they need to incorporate into the soil before planting season begins.

We only need 2 cups of soil taken from about 4-5 spots in your garden, lawn or field. If you do not know how to collect a sample, please give us a call at 417-874-2963.

Autumn Colors and Where to Find Them

Enjoy a Missouri autumn with Missouri Department of Conservation's fall color forecast updates from agency foresters all over the state. Cooler nights cause the breakdown of green pigments, allowing the fall colors to show through. Missouri trees first begin changing color in the northern part of the state, then move southward across the state. Find weekly updates on which trees are changing and where to get the best views .

Garden Tip: Use a pre-emergent in gardens and lawn now to keep spring weeds at bay. Do not use in beds where you have planted seed or are going to reseed your lawn. Read label for reseeding lawn if using.

Wildlife Problems

Wildlife are valuable natural resources and important components of a healthy ecosystem. However, given the wrong set of circumstances, almost any species of wildlife can become a nuisance. MU Extension's publication discusses problems caused by wildlife and how to control them. Download publication here.

2020-21 MDC Seedling Order Form - Tree and Shrub

Seedling Order Form 2020–2021 - Missouri Department of Conservation' -- Plan Ahead and Order Early!

Although we accept orders from Sept. 1, 2020, through April 15, 2021, we always sell out of some species quickly. To get the plants you want, please send your order as soon as possible. Otherwise, you can select the option to have us substitute suitable species for you. Some species are in short supply and will only be available online.

Tulip poplar

Check out our online catalog for all available seedlings. You can place your order online starting Sept. 1, 2020 or download the Seedling Catalog order form, and send it by regular mail or fax. Click PDF for complete details.

Missouri Native Bees

"Missouri has around 450 species of native bees, but it's not uncommon for more to be identified each year,” said MDC Urban Wildlife Biologist Erin Shank. “There are several common bees Missourians will encounter, including the bumblebee, carpenter bees, sweat bees, and the leafcutter bee.” Read more here.

PLUS-- Missouri Bee Identification Guide pdf.

First Frost Date

Garden Q&A What is the last fall planting date, the first freeze date, or the average frost date?

For our Missouri readers: Great question this time of year. These are three different dates and they change by locations. The last planting date for each veggie can be determined with the assist of: Home Vegetable Planting Calendar from MU Extension.

When Can We Expect Our First Autumn Frost in Missouri?

In order to pin point the information closer to home you might talk to your county MU Extension Horticulturalist Specialist.

September Tips and Tasks

Virtual Town Hall Meetings/Classes

Food Preservation Online Class

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

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