Tag Archives: featured

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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Plant Berry Bushes for the Birds

Cardinal bird in snowy winterberry bush

As a family with an active child, our most successful place to watch birds is through windows. Birds tolerate us that way and we see amazing things while munching granola in our PJs. By Scott Woodbury [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener September 2017 issue.] As a family with an active child, our most successful place to

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Keep Your Garden Going Longer

A photo of a row cover in a vegetable garden.

September always seems to be playing with our gardening psyche. According to University of Missouri Extension, and basically every other credible planting calendar, we should be seeing some solid growth patterns on our cool-season vegetables this time of year. Of course, weather depending… By Matt Even [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener September 2017 issue.] September always

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Native Plants to Attract Hummingbirds

An image of a hummingbird visiting royal catchfly

When the red buckeye and columbine bloom in April, it signals the time to start looking for the ruby-throated hummingbirds. By Scott Woodbury [This article was first published in The Gateway Gardener April 2016 issue.] When the red buckeye and columbine bloom in April, it signals the time to start looking for the ruby-throated hummingbirds. It pays to look in

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