Category Archives: Vegetable Gardening

A Basic Soil Chemistry Review

By Justin Keay [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener Winter 2019 issue. It is part of a 4-part series of articles on how to test soil, get the sample analyzed, understand the report and use it to apply the correct type and amount of fertilizer.] Before you take on the task of analyzing a soil test, it

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How to Interpret a Soil Test

By Justin Keay [This article first appeared in The Gateway Gardener Winter 2019 issue and is part of a 3-part series on how to take a soil sample, receive a test report, and how to understand it and fertilize properly. Links to the other articles in the series can be found at the end of this article.] Having your soil

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How, Why and When to Test Your Soil

A picture of someone taking a soil sample

Soil testing is an important practice for anyone trying to grow healthy and productive plants. By Justin Keay [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener Winter 2019 issue.] MU Extension offices across the state processes thousands of soil samples every year and MU Extension Specialists are always happy to help you understand your soil test results. Soil testing

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How to Choose and Apply Fertilizer

By Justin Keay [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener Winter 2019 issue, and is part of a 4-part series on how to take a soil sample and how to analyze a soil test report and then use that information to purchase and apply the appropriate fertilizer.] Now that you’ve taken a soil sample, had it analyzed and

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Egyptian Onion: The Most Shared Veggie in the Garden

a picture of Egyptian Onion

Harvest season is the most fun of all! One of the easiest to harvest and share are my Egyptian onions. By Steffie Littlefield [This article first appeared in The Gateway Gardener September 2019.] Harvest season is the most fun of all! One of the easiest to harvest and share are my Egyptian onions. First, I should tell you how these

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Smart Gardening is FUN Gardening!

Image of couple at Garden Center

Many of the people I assist in their gardens, enjoy doing the work themselves. Gardening is one of their hobbies or recreational activities. It can be strenuous and even considered a workout to weed one’s own garden, trim the bushes and dig up and transplant perennials and shrubs. By Steffie Littlefield [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener

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Various Methods to Suppress Weeds

An image of weed suppression techniques being applied to a garden.

Weed pressure in the garden can be daunting. Successful weed management in organic agriculture is a challenge that requires patience, preventative measures, dedication, and a commitment to following through with the systems put into place. By Crystal Stevens [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener June 2018 issue.] Weed pressure in the garden can be daunting. Successful weed

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Horseradish–Some Like it HOT!

An image of horseradish plants

For years I have referred to horseradish as a root vegetable that is thankfully perennial. This pungent root that can be grated or processed into a strongly flavored garnish for meats and vegetables, grows very well in our loamy soils and with hot dry summers. By Steffie Littlefield [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener June 2018 issue.]

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Grow Delicious Greens

A photo of a greens garden

Vegetable gardening can seem intimidating and overwhelming to beginning growers, but with the right tools, a little time, patience, and experience, gardening can become second nature. How miraculous is it to think that a few seeds can produce such bounty throughout the season? Now is the perfect time to plant easy-to-grow greens such as salad mix, spinach, collards, head lettuce,

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