Master Gardeners of the Ozarks - MO

07/25/2026

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map is a valuable tool used by gardeners to determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a specific location. The map is based on the annual extreme minimum winter temperatures.

07/17/2026

Manure 💩

Using manures can be a great way to add organic and cheap nutrients to your soil, if you know how to use it. Different manures have different NPK, or nutrient, values. Typically these are much lower than chemical fertilizers because they are organic, but they are still effective. Additionally, they provide a variety of beneficial micronutrients as well as improving soil texture and microbiome.

There are two primary types of manure: hot and cold. If a manure is considered “hot,” that means it is fresh, decomposes quickly, and has a lot of nitrogen. To avoid burning your plants, hot manures must be composted before applying to the garden. After it is composted, it is considered “cold.” A cold manure is one that is ready to go in the soil. Some manures are always cold and do not need composting.

Every manure has different benefits and recommended applications, so be sure to research the manure you are using before applying it.

One highly important aspect of using manures as fertilizers is maintaining sanitation in vegetable gardens. Manure can carry an array of diseases that can contaminate crops that have come into contact with amended soil. To avoid any health risks, the FDA advises (and requires, for commercial establishments) that manure is applied (meaning put in the soil, not just piled up somewhere) at least 120 days before harvest for any crops near the ground (watermelons, green beans, etc) and at least 90 days for lower risk crops (cucumber, etc).

There are many more things to learn about the benefits and specifics of using manures, but these basics should provide the knowledge you need to get started with this organic, sustainable, and accessible fertilizer.

07/14/2026

Interested in Becoming a Master Gardener?

Registration is now open for the fall online Missouri Master Gardener Core Training class. This fifteen week course will begin August 23, 2026, and will conclude December 24, 2026. Master Gardener Core Training is a comprehensive course that covers a wide variety of subjects and is intended to prepare participants for a fulfilling volunteer experience with local Master Gardener chapters.

For more information about Master Gardener Core Training and to register visit: https://extension.missouri.edu/courses/missouri-master-gardener-online-core-training-fall-2026.

Learn gardening basics online with expert-led lessons in plant science, soils, vegetables, flowers, pests and sustainable practices.

07/11/2026

What is This?!?!

At first glance, this bright green creature may look like something from a science-fiction movie, but it's actually a tomato hornworm—the larval stage of a sphinx moth. Tomato hornworms are common garden pests that feed on tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other plants in the nightshade family. Their green color provides excellent camouflage during the day, making them surprisingly difficult to spot.

Did You Know?
Tomato hornworms fluoresce under ultraviolet (UV) or black light. Gardeners can use a handheld UV flashlight after dark to locate hornworms hiding among tomato foliage. Under UV light, the caterpillars glow, making them much easier to find and remove. If your tomato plants suddenly seem to be losing leaves overnight, a nighttime "blacklight patrol" may reveal the culprit.

07/09/2026

Fried Sage Leaves

Sage is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial herb prized for its soft gray-green leaves and earthy, savory flavor. A favorite in both the garden and kitchen, sage is easy to grow in southwest Missouri and attracts pollinators while providing fresh flavor for a variety of summer and fall dishes.

A wonderful and unique way to use some of your fresh sage is to create fried sage leaves. This dish is a fantastic light appetizer or a crispy garnish for summer/fall soups and salads. This recipe for fried sage leaves calls for only three ingredients and is ready in a few short minutes.

To make fried sage leaves, you will need fresh sage leaves, olive oil (or oil of your choice), and flaked sea salt (optional).

First, remove the tough stems from the sage leaves, then wash and thoroughly dry the leaves.

Cover the bottom of a sauce pan with olive oil and heat to 350 Farhenheit. Because the leaves fry very quickly, the olive oil won't have time to burn/smoke.

Drop a layer of sage leaves in the hot oil, careful not to crowd the pan. The leaves should sizzle when hitting the oil. Fry for 30 seconds to one minute or until crispy.

Remove leaves from the oil and drain on a paper towel. Lightly salt fried leaves and enjoy.

05/16/2026

The 2026 Missouri Master Gardener Conference is bringing gardeners from across the state to Springfield for four days of workshops, garden tours, hands-on learning, and expert speakers. You do not have to be a Master Gardener to attend.

June 4–7, 2026
Springfield, Missouri
Oasis Convention Center

What to expect:
• Garden tours
• Hands-on workshops
• Research-based gardening education
• Expert speakers and demonstrations
• Opportunities to connect with gardeners from across Missouri

Whether you grow vegetables, flowers, native plants, or just want a better yard, this conference is designed for gardeners of every experience level.

Register now before spots fill:
https://pears.io/events/mu/5436/

05/12/2026

Fans of Rose O'Neill: Bonniebrook Art Gallery and Kewpie Museum is open for the season! This special place commemorates the legacy of the famed Kewpie artist, who loved the Ozarks and considered the region her home despite her widespread fame.

You can tour the home and museum throughout the week, but a special time to visit is this Saturday (May 16) when locals gather for their monthly bluegrass jam. It runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is one of seven jams throughout the season. Visiting the home/museum requires a ticket (which helps preserve the site) but attending the jam as a musician or listener is free.

If you'd like to learn more about Rose's legacy and Bonniebrook, check out the 2024 Ozarks Alive article in the comments.

04/22/2026

Don't miss out on the Master Gardeners Plant Sale, happening this Saturday, April 25 at the Spring Fling.

04/15/2026

Frost and Freeze Records
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintain records of first and last seasonal frost dates. Knowing both the first and last frost dates in your area minimizes the risk of cold weather damaging or killing your plants.

See the average first and last frost dates for locations across the U.S. and Canada with our frost dates calculator. Simply enter your postal code to see when the last spring frost date and first fall frost date typically occur in your area. Knowing local frost dates can improve your gardening by gi...

04/13/2026

Native Violets
The violet Viola is a spring flowering deer-resistant perennial. Despite its reputation as a w**d, it is an amazing plant. It functions as a low-maintenance groundcover in difficult landscape situations and supports much wildlife.

The violet Viola is a spring flowering deer-resistant perennial. Despite its reputation as a w**d, it is an amazing plant. It functions as a low-maintenance groundcover in difficult landscape situations and supports much wildlife.