Master Gardeners of Greene County, Springfield, MO

🌱 Garden Check-In! 🌱

How’s your garden growing? We’d love to see what you’ve got going on this season! Drop your garden pictures in the comment whether it’s veggies, flowers, herbs, or even your favorite houseplants.

Tell us what’s thriving, what you’re harvesting, or what challenges you’re facing. Let’s learn, share, and grow together! 🌼🍅🥒

Weekly Garden Tip By Isaac Walker
Fertilizers - Part 2: pH and CEC

Last week, we discussed the role of fertilizers in the garden. Now, let’s take a more scientific approach to understanding why we sometimes need fertilizers and how plants can obtain those nutrients.

Start by imagining a particle of soil. This particle carries a charge, and most likely, it will be negative, as are most North American soils. Conveniently, most molecules that are nutritious to plants have a positive charge, and since opposite charges attract, these molecules can form weak bonds with the soil particles. Plants can access those nutrients by swapping positively charged hydrogen atoms for the nutrients bonded to the soil. This is called cation exchange (the term cation refers to any positively charged molecule). The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of a soil is how much potential it has to bond with nutrients and then trade those for H+.

CEC is mainly influenced by a few factors. Firstly, a soil has to contain nutrients in order for cation exchange to take place. A depleted soil will not do well simply due to a lack of nutrients. Additionally, soil density, texture, and makeup (sand vs silt vs clay vs organic matter) can change how many nutrients it can hold.

Lastly, soil pH helps determine how easily nutrients can be taken up by plants. The pH of a soil is its concentration of hydrogen. The higher the concentration, the lower the pH. For most plants, a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is optimal for cation exchange. With too much hydrogen in the soil, nutrients will not be able to bond, and a higher pH can reduce the availability of micronutrients such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). Maintaining the proper pH can be done through testing your soil and adding necessary amendments.

To sum things up, just like choosing the right fertilizer is important, it is also important to be aware of your soil’s CEC and how you can improve it, if necessary. Some soils will need fertilization to make up for a low CEC, and understanding your soil’s CEC can help you use fertilizer efficiently and effectively.

🌿 Our Learn to Grow class starts in just ONE HOUR! 🌿

Join us at 9:00 AM in the Demonstration Garden, proudly managed by the Master Gardeners of Greene County.

📍 The garden is located right next to the Botanical Center when you pull into the parking lot.

Be sure to bring:
🪑 A lawn chair
📝 A notebook and pen for notes

It looks like the rain is going to hold off, so we’re looking forward to a great morning of learning together. See you soon!

🌱 Become a Missouri Master Gardener – Online Core Training Registration Is Open! 🌱

Do you love gardening and want to learn more from research-based experts? Whether you're a beginner or have years of experience, the Missouri Master Gardener Online Core Training can help take your gardening knowledge to the next level!

✅ Learn about:
🌿 Soils & Plant Nutrition
🍅 Vegetables & Fruits
🌸 Ornamental Plants
🐝 Insects & Disease Management
🌳 Trees, Lawns & Landscaping
🌎 Environmental Stewardship
💧 Sustainable Gardening Practices

📅 Course Dates: August 23 – December 24, 2026
💻 Format: Fully Online
💲 Cost: $200

After completing the training, participants give back to their communities through volunteer service, helping educate others and promoting successful gardening practices across Missouri.

Whether you're interested in becoming a volunteer Master Gardener or simply want to expand your gardening knowledge, this course is a fantastic opportunity!

Registration is now open!
https://extension.missouri.edu/courses/missouri-master-gardener-online-core-training-fall-2026

Have questions? Contact Debi Kelly at [email protected] for more information.

Tag a friend who loves gardening and help us spread the word! 🌻

🚨Attention member! 🚨

Herb Garden workday this evening cancelled Due to the increasing storm and hail chances this evening, the workday will be moved to Monday evening, June 15 at 6:30pm when it will also be cooler.

🌿🐞 THIS SATURDAY! 🐝🦋

Did you know some of the best pest control for your garden has wings, legs, and antennae? 🤯

Stop fighting nature and learn how to work with it!

Join the Master Gardeners of Greene County for our FREE Learn to Grow class:
🌿 Beneficial Insects for the Garden 🌿

Discover how ladybugs, lacewings, pollinators, and other helpful insects can:
✅ Reduce pest problems naturally
✅ Improve pollination
✅ Create a healthier garden ecosystem
✅ Help your plants thrive without relying on chemicals

📅 Saturday, June 13
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Master Gardener Demonstration Garden
2400 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO

🪑 Bring a chair and notebook
💲 FREE to attend
📝 No registration required

Whether you’re a beginner gardener or have years of experience, you’ll leave with practical tips you can use immediately in your own garden.

Tag a gardening friend and invite them to join you! 🌻👇

Ask a Master Gardener with Helen Vanella

I have aphids  on my snow peas and other plants. How can I kill these, what do I need to spray and kill these?

Using an insecticide on aphids is not necessary and will kill many beneficial insects as well. A brisk spray of water will knock the aphids off the plant and likely kill the soft bodied insects, and those pests will not return. Sometimes doing nothing much is the best thing to do. If you have a healthy, balanced garden, waiting for the beneficial predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, or praying mantis is the best plan.

Have additional questions about this topic? Reach out to our hotline.

📞 Call: (417) 874-2963
📧 Email: [email protected]

🌱 Garden Update 🌱

The garden is thriving with all the recent rain and warm temperatures! ☀️

Tomatoes are beginning to take off, peppers are settling in nicely, and summer vegetables are growing a little more each day. We’ve also been keeping an eye on weeds, watering when needed, and watching for beneficial insects that help keep the garden healthy. 🐝🐞

This time of year is all about patience, consistent care, and enjoying the progress. Every visit to the garden brings something new to discover!

💡 Remember, if you’re having gardening issues, questions, or just aren’t sure what’s happening in your landscape, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Hotline. We have an amazing team of Master Gardeners ready to help with research-based answers and guidance.

📞 Call: (417) 874-2963
📧 Email: [email protected]

What’s growing in your garden right now? Share a photo in the comments we’d love to see it! 🌿🍅🥒

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🌿🎉 Final Day of the 2026 Missouri Master Gardener Conference 🎉🌿

As we wrap up an incredible weekend of learning, networking, and gardening inspiration, we’re grateful for everyone who helped make the 2026 Missouri Master Gardener Conference a success!

🌱 Today features another exciting lineup of educational sessions covering topics such as:
🌸 Pollinators and native plants
🌿 Sustainable gardening practices
🍅 Food production and vegetable gardening
🌳 Landscaping and garden design
🐝 Conservation and environmental stewardship

💚 Over the past four days, attendees have explored beautiful gardens, connected with fellow gardeners from across Missouri, learned from outstanding speakers, and gathered new ideas to take back to their communities.

Thank you to our presenters, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and attendees for sharing your passion, knowledge, and dedication to gardening and education.

📸 Before you head home, share your favorite conference memory, photo, speaker, or garden inspiration in the comments!

🌿 Safe travels, and we’ll see you next year!

💚🌱🌸

🌿🎓 Day 3 of the 2026 Missouri Master Gardener Conference! 🎓🌿

Today is packed with learning, inspiration, and opportunities to connect with fellow gardeners from across Missouri!

☕ Start your morning with networking and conversation before diving into a full day of educational sessions led by experts in horticulture, conservation, pollinators, native plants, landscaping, vegetable gardening, and more.

🌱 Today’s Highlights
✅ Educational breakout sessions
✅ Expert speakers and hands-on learning
✅ Vendor shopping and exhibits
✅ Networking with Master Gardeners from around the state
✅ New ideas to bring back to your own garden and community

📚 Whether you’re interested in pollinators, native plants, sustainable gardening practices, food production, or landscape design, there’s something for every gardener today.

📖 Don’t forget to visit the vendors, connect with fellow attendees, and take plenty of notes—you’ll leave with ideas and inspiration to last all season long!

🌿 Thank you to everyone helping make this conference a success. We hope you’re enjoying an incredible weekend of learning and growing together.

📸 Share your favorite session, speaker, or conference moment in the comments!

🌱💚🌸