Master Gardeners of the Ozarks - MO

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.

04/06/2026

Gardening By Month - April

🍃Apply mulch to landscape beds once soils have warmed and the chance of frost has passed
🍃Remove winter mulch from roses. Prune roses before new growth begins
🍃Plant dahlia tubers as soon as the danger of frost has passed. Stake or cage at the time of planting to avoid injury to the tubers
🍃Cool season vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can be planted all month
🍃Remove tree wraps from fruit trees
🍃Apply bactericide at bloom and petal fall to control fire blight on apple trees
🍃Begin thinning peach and apple blossoms to promote large fruit size and prevent limb breakage
🍃Aerate lawn if thatch is heavy or soil is compacted
🍃Don't be too anxious to move house plants outdoors. A good chill can knock leaves off of tender plants

04/01/2026

Trees are a valuable part of any landscape. They provide shade, wind protection and visual appeal. They also reduce energy costs and serve as recreation for children and habitat for wildlife. Given the value of trees, it is wise to consider their selection, planting and maintenance to ensure success.

Trees provide shade, wind protection and visual appeal. Given their value, it is wise to put consideration into their selection, planting and maintenance.

03/29/2026

Are you wanting to get your little ones in the garden this year? MU Extension horticulture specialist Donna Aufdenberg has created a series of fun, hands-on youth gardening resources to help kids dig into learning. From planting projects to creative garden activities, these ideas make it easy for families to grow curiosity, and maybe a few vegetables, too! https://extension.missouri.edu/news/youth-gardening-offers-creative-learning-opportunities