Contractors from DRC Emergency Services, LLC, began removing ice storm debris from roadsides in unincorporated Greene County Monday. Now that debris removal has begun, county officials better understand the process and we hope information in this statement will help answer many of the questions we’ve been receiving.

Debris removal crews will make at least two passes down every Greene County roadway. The first pass began Monday and will…[more]

Banana Facts

Banana “Trees” are not actually trees but are herbaceous plants in the genus Musa and of the family Musaceae. Due to their size, shape and structure they are often mistaken for trees. Bananas are largely cultivated for their fruit. But the plant is also used as ornamental plants in gardens.

Typically, there are two types of Bananas that are cultivated, mainly in tropical regions.…[more]

COMING UP: The 27th Annual Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference will be held Feb. 12 -14, 2007, at the Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone, Springfield, Mo. This year’s theme is “Making Money with Specialty Crops” and several sessions on strawberries and blueberries are already planned. The event is sponsored by the Missouri State University Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. For more information…[more]

Persons planning to clean up and prune ice-damaged trees can gain some good tree care advice at one of three tree pruning workshops being held in Springfield on Friday January 26.

“Get some training before you start. You don’t want to make a bad situation worse through improper pruning,” said Paul Whitsell with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The programs are being conducted by the Missouri…[more]

In order to keep your garden in the best condition possible it is important to be able to detect and treat any weeds, diseases or insect infestations. The following tables should serve as a valuable reference for the most common problems.

Weeds:

Type Description Control

BUCKTHORN Flowers in summer; withers in fall. Cut out, hand pull or use 2.4-D.

CLOVER Considered weed…[more]

“How do I soundproof my garage, basement, or a bedroom in my single family house or condo so my 4 piece rock band can practice and record and not bother the neighbors?” If I had a dollar for every time I was asked this question, I would be in the Bahamas right now, instead of writing this article. Many factors need to be considered prior to beginning your studio or…[more]

The inveterate gardener enjoys the planning as much as the blooms--poring over seed catalogues; determining where the perfect spot for that new variety of flower is; the excitement of receiving the seeds or plants and deciding to take time off from work, or shopping or even such important chores as walking the dog and vacuuming the carpet. All these are set aside to enjoy the thrill of dirt under the…[more]

Opportunities to gain and share horticultural knowledge and skills are available through University of Missouri Extension’s Master Gardener program.

According to Gaylord Moore, MU Extension horticulture specialist and Master Gardener coordinator in Greene County, the first class session will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 and continue through March 12 at the Library Station, 2535 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield, Mo.

All of…[more]

I really surprised myself by becoming involved with organic farming just if you are short years ago, and boy am I glad that I did. I was going through some tough times in my little home. I live in a small ranch style house in the California country, attempting to make a living as a handyman. Work turned out to be a little more scarce than I first had anticipated…[more]

According to Gaylord Moore, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension, a timely harvest is the key to drying and preserving decorative gourds.

“Gourds must mature on the vine.  Gourds picked too early – before maturity – tend to rot instead of dry,” said Moore.  “Just be sure you get your gourds out of the field or garden before frost because frost damage reduces shelf life.”

Gourds…[more]