“Bad weather always looks worse through a window.” ~ Tom Lehrer, mathematician (Photo by Trish Steel)
This has been a very unusual spring in Missouri. Very low temperatures in April and May, and several inches of snow in May set multiple weather records in 2013.
Today’s guest is Pat Guinan, climatologist for University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program.
“The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway” ~ Michael Pollan, author
Starting a garden for the first time can seem daunting. Truth is all it takes is a few simple tools, a little sweat and the desire to see things grow.
Today’s guest is David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.” ~ Vladimir Nabokov, author of Lolita (Photo by Jon Sullivan)
Talk about being all dressed up with nowhere to go…too many Missouri gardeners are watching spring days slip away into too much rain and temperatures that are too cool. This year’s unusual weather has delayed the gardening season well past the “frost-free” date. Gardeners may be eager to put spade to soil, but it’s very important that they wait.
Today’s guest is David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. He warns that long-term garden problems can arise if you try to work soil when it’s wet.
University of Missouri Extension has a wealth of information:
“Even the richest soil, if left uncultivated will produce the rankest weeds.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci (Photo by John Kelley)
Clay soil does have many benefits. Its ability to hold nutrients and water make it the most fertile soil type. Clay soil’s problem is structure. It compresses together very easily, making it difficult for water, air and fertilizer to reach plant roots. But, don’t despair if your soil is mostly clay. With just a little elbow grease you can transform that fertile soil into one with the perfect structure for gardening success.
Today’s guest is Jennifer Schutter, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
University of Missouri Extension has a wealth of information:
MU’s Randy Miles shows the absence of moisture in the deep-soil profile. (Photo by Kent Faddis)
Temperatures in the 70s make for lovely fall weather in the Midwest this year. Fall colors are a bit subdued, because there were so many trees damaged during the drought. Scorched trees and lawns aren’t the only remnants of weeks of triple-digit heat and no rain. Below the surface, in the soil’s root zone, there is no moisture.
The Midwest needs snowfall and slow, soaking rains this winter to recharge the bone-dry soil profile. On today’s show, University of Missouri meteorologist Anthony Lupo and Randy Miles, an MU soil, environment and atmospheric scientist will talk about weather, El Nino, drought damage and what we need to keep 2013 from becoming a repeat of 2012.
"On my income tax 1040 it says 'Check this box if you are blind.' I wanted to put a check mark about three inches away." ~ Tom Lehrer (Photo by Darren Shaw)
It’s tax filing season once again, and that means that as January comes to a close employees, companies and investors will be busy getting needed documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Armed with forms, internet web sites and tax software, taxpayers will work diligently to keep the taxes they owe to an absolute minimum.
Today’s guest was Andrew Zumwalt, financial planning specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Feb. 20-26 will be designated Missouri Saves Week by Governor Jay Nixon. Contact your local University of Missouri Extension office to learn of scheduled activities in your area.
