02/26/2026
Garden tasks: Now is time to get a jump start on a soil sample for your garden or yard. We’ve been happy with soil tests from Redmond Agriculture. Very easy and very thorough. Order the test, fill the containers, send them in and results come in about 2 weeks. Faster than the free MO Extension office test and much more detailed. Soil isn’t just about NPK. You can have pretty good looking soil and still be low on major minerals and trace elements. About $40.
Once you get your results my favorite place to go is Fox River Produce, outside of Drakesville, Iowa. David Yoder has bulk quantities of minerals and nutrients, like kelp, iron, boron, bloodmeal, pelleted chicken manure, and biochar. He can look at your report and mix up bags based on results or sell a premixed blend. I also buy a ready mixed formula for tomatoes which I think is fine for my peppers. He’s Amish so you usually have to leave a phone message for him to return. 641-722-337. He also carries some liquid formulations that you can water in or use as a foliar spray. I don’t know how he would feel about pot growers, but bloom boosters and starter fertilizers, as well as some Neptune products are available.
3rd good idea: diatomaceous earth. Fossilized aquatic organisms that are rich in silica and pe*****te the bodies of bugs.. Organic and cheap. You can buy it at MFA, where it’s sold as a bug killer for cattle. Reapply after a rain. Great on eggplant and squash.
Last good idea is Holstein Acres east of Lancaster. This one is complicated. Their signage is horrible (it only faces east,) but if you want some big utility pots for above ground growing, this is a good source. Take 136 east of Lancaster and look for the big tower. Turn right on Tower Rd. and drive to Sanchez Road. Turn right, I think. You’ll probably have to turn around so you can see the sign. Good luck. It’s really not that bad, but you may do some sightseeing.
Then come see us for plants in the spring. Peckosh Landscaping 23198 Hwy H, just south of Kirksvillle. Trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, natives, vegetables.
