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Master Gardeners of Greene County
November 2022
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Table of Contents for November's Newsletter
The Science of Fall Leaf Color
Native Seed Saving Webinar Free Online Event
Classes and Movies at the Library
Don't Chop or Shred the Leaves
How to Create a Habitat for Stem Nesting Bees
Food Preservation Online Classes
Garden Hour with MU Extension
The Garden Spade - September
Buy Native Trees and Shrubs form MDC
Researched Based Garden Links
Garden Links
One Last Thought
Get Your Soil Tested Now
Previous Newsletter Link
Need a Speaker for One of Your Meetings or Groups?
Gardening Questions Hotline - Phone, Email and Web Questionnaire
Subscribe to the Newsletter
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** Editor's note: It is getting to be that time of year to get your soil tested. Get it done early so you can have your soil amended before spring planting season. | |
The Science of Fall Leaf Color | |
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Although scientists do not know all the details, they do know enough to explain the basics to help nature lovers enjoy the kaleidoscopic display that occurs as trees go dormant in the autumn. The three main factors that influence fall leaf color include plant pigments, photoperiod, and weather conditions.
Learn more here.
Plus: 'Fall Color Reports' are weekly online updates from MDC's agency foresters all over the state here.
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Native Seed Saving Webinar Free Online Event
by Iowa Master Gardeners
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022 AT 6 PM
Have you ever wondered how to harvest and grow your favorite native seeds? We’ll be joined by Bill Johnson, Biologist at the Iowa DNR Prairie Resource Center, who will talk about harvesting, preparing, and storing 100 species of native grasses, sedges and wildflowers annually.
Webinar space is limited to the first 500 participants. All ages and backgrounds are welcome to attend this free presentation. For questions, email mgardener@iastate.edu
To register, visit our zoom page: https://go.iastate.edu/9OJJHO
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Classes and Movies at the Library | |
'Fall Gardens: Making the Most of Your Bounty' Free Classes & Events
Sponsored by the Springfield-Greene County Library District
You worked hard coaxing that garden through spring rains and summer heat. Now it’s time to serve up your harvest of herbs, fruits and veggies with these helpful how-tos. Save these three dates:
This Year, Plan for a Wild-Foraged Thanksgiving
Thursday November 3rd, from 6-8 p.m., at the Library Center's Auditorium, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield.
Fall is a special time for foraging when will fruits and nuts are abundant and the cooler, damp weather brings forth wild greens usually associated with spring. Why not consider a Wild-Foraged Thanksgiving? For more information on this class click here.
"The Biggest Little Farm"
Sunday, November 6, 6-8 p.m. at the Moxie Cinema, 305 S. Campbell Ave. #101.
Watch the critically acclaimed documentary, “The Biggest Little Farm” rated PG. The film follows a married couple on their journey to purchase and revitalize an abandoned farm as they leave behind their old lives in Los Angeles. Get inspired as the couple reconnects to nature and strives to create a fully functioning farm. A Seeding a Healthy Life event.
How to Save Seeds from Your Wildflowers
Thursday, November 10, 6 p.m. in the Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expy., Santa Fe Room.
Wildflowers and native plants can serve as a great introduction to seed saving. Learn some seed saving basics and take a close look at a few specific plants. A #PlantWildflowers event.
For more information contact Kathleen O'Dell, Community Relations Director, Springfield-Greene County Library District, email: kathleeno@thelibrary.org or (417) 616-0564.
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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.
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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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The Garden Spade Newsletter - September 2022 | |
'The Garden Spade Newsletter October 2022' by MU Extension Articles include: Pumpkin Ushers in Fall; Overwintering Summer Bulbs; Sweet Potato Recipe; Bobbing for Apples; Winter Cover Crops; Growing Clematis; Plants that Changed History: Potato; What is It? Kids Ask Dr. Bug; Garden Tips; Upcoming Events, Flyers & More.
Click here to read the newsletter. It is downloadable.
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Buy Native Trees and Shrubs from MDC | |
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Buy native trees and shrubs from Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) State Forest Nursery' Order are being taken through April 15, 2023.
Place orders online beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Sept. 1. Supplies are limited so order early. For complete details use this MDC link.
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Researched Based Gardening Links | |
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'Commercial Horticulture Newsletter' by MU Extension 10/21/22 Topics: Hydroponic Farm Interview, Adjusting Soil pH, Cereal Rye Cover Crop, Greenhouse/High Tunnel Sanitation, Business Entity Basics, MO Tomato School Recordings, Upcoming Class Offerings, View Past Issues, Videos Plus Much More.
1) 'Pawpaws: Missouri’s State Fruit' by Jan Wiese-Fales from Missouri Conservationist: October 2022: “Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) trees are easy to identify. They look like a tropical plant,” said MDC Community Forester Ann Koenig. “Smelling a crushed leaf is a dead giveaway. It smells more like green pepper than green peppers do. “I absolutely love the flowers in the spring. There’s nothing else that looks like them in bloom.” Continue learning here.
2) 'Pawpaws' -- This tropical fruit is a mystery to many. Yet, it grows wild in more than 25 states including Missouri. Learn more in this short video and from our online Field Guide.
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'Managing Lawns and Turfgrass | MU Extension by Brad Fresenburg and Lee Miller MU Division of Plant Sciences. It takes some time and effort to develop a lawn with the right mixture of turfgrass species and varieties for your landscape and situation. Learn more here.
'Earthworms' by MDC Field Guide: About 175 species in North America. Family, Lumbricidae and other earthworm families in the phylum Annelida (segmented worms). Learn more here.
'Fertile Legacy' by Brianna Randall for NWF Republished by MPF Oct. 2022: The current issue of the NWF National Wildlife magazine highlights current efforts to save Bell Bowl Prairie in Rockford, Illinois, and the importance of remnant prairie protection and features MPF's work—along with the stunning photo above by Missourian Noppadol Paothong. Hats off to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for recognizing and promoting the importance of protecting original, unplowed prairie. Read the article here.
'Urban Tree Pests' by Tim Abbey, Penn State Extension Educator, Horticulture Oct. 2, 2022: Many insects that feed on trees cause cosmetic/aesthetic damage only. Learning the key insects that impact tree health is critical when managing urban trees. (Many of these insects are found or expected in Missouri and have been reviewed in more detail by Missouri Dept of Conservation, Missouri Botanical Garden and/or MU Extension. Locate using both of the common and scientific insect names.) Continue reading.
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1) 'Whitefly - Indoors - Integrated Pest Management Strategies' by Missouri Botanical Garden: Whiteflies are common on houseplants and in greenhouses. They are piercing-sucking insects found on the underside of leaves. When disturbed on a heavily infested plant, a white cloud of adults will fly into the air. A large infestation can cause plant damage and loss of leaves. In most cases, it is more of a nuisance than a threat to the plant. Continue reading here.
2) 'Whitefly - Outdoors - Integrated Pest Management Strategies' by Missouri Botanical Garden: Identification of the whitefly is easy as a white cloud of insects rise from foliage when disturbed... The whitefly spends its winters in weeds and ornamental plants, migrating to crops and gardens in spring and summer. Once temperatures warm up in the summer, populations can build rapidly. Continue reading here.
'Demand for houseplants is thriving' Writer -Linda Geist for MU Extension Oct. 7, 2022: Spending on houseplants and office plants has flourished in recent years, says, Robert Balek, MU Extension horticulturist. Plants with certain trendy characteristics such as colorful foliage took center stage. Learn more here.
'Force bulbs indoors for early spring beauty' by David Trinklein, horticulturist for MU Extension Oct 6, 2022: While we can’t rush Mother Nature, we can give her a gentle nudge by forcing spring bulbs indoors for an early show of color. “That gentle nudge requires planning in fall to induce spring bulbs to flower indoors long before their outdoor counterparts make their appearance.” Continue reading here.
"Don't Rake the Leaves" If you simply must rake the leaves, pile them up along fence rows, place them over your garden or use as mulch around your flower beds or around trees. This will help home the beneficial critters like toads, frogs and salamanders, as well as, feeding birds the worms and bugs that live in the piles of leaves. Read on, 'Leave The Leaves! These Invertebrates Depend On It' Blog by Deborah Seiler Aug 29, 2022 for Xerces Society here.
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'Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases' by Richard M. Houseman, Associate Professor of Entomology for MU Extension: Ticks are the most important vectors of disease in domestic and wild animals throughout the world and are second only to mosquitoes as transmitters of human disease. Learn more here.
'CHIGGERS' by MDC Field Guide: Chiggers are extremely tiny, and it is very unlikely you will "see" one unless you are looking for them. You will need a hand lens or microscope to see them well. They are most active in afternoons and when the ground temperature is about 77-86F. They become inactive below 60F, and the ones that bite us are killed below 42F. Learn more here.
'Spring flowers shine from bulbs planted in the fall' by David Trinklein, horticulturist for MU Extension Oct. 19, 2022: Autumn is bulb-planting time. “Daffodils, tulips and hyacinths won’t greet you in the spring if they’re not planted in the fall.” Spring-flowering bulbs need 10 to 14 weeks of cool temperatures to induce flowering. Continue reading here.
'Pumpkin Picking Time' by David Trinklein MU Plant Science & Technology Oct. 6, 2022: Pumpkin and winter squash have been an important source of food for humans for thousands of years. The time of the growing season has arrived when pumpkins and winter squash are ready for harvest and storage. Learn more here.
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ONE 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. | |
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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.
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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.
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