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Armadillos increasingly at home in the Show-Me State
COLUMBIA, Mo.- Missourians may find unexpected visitors in their lawns and gardens this summer as armadillos become a more familiar sight in the southern half of the state, said a University of Missouri Extension wildlife specialist."They are now commonly seen in southern Missouri," said Bob Pierce."We're getting more calls every year," said Jim Braithwait, wildlife damage biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Fuel-saving tips for Memorial Day auto travelers
COLUMBIA, Mo. - While record-high fuel prices may keep more Americans home this Memorial Day weekend, AAA estimates that at least 31 million Americans will still hit the highways.Motorists can use basic fuel-saving tips to take some of the sting out of soaring gas prices."You can increase fuel efficiency in several ways," said Leon Schumacher, a University of Missouri professor of agricultural systems management specializing in fuel-…
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Volunteers across the state crucial to monitoring water quality in Missouri’s lakes
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. - Missouri's lakes are an indispensable natural resource and a key economic asset bringing millions of dollars into the state's economy each year through tourism and recreation. That makes understanding and protecting the quality of Missouri lake water a vital task. However, with almost 300,000 acres of lake surface across the state, monitoring that water is an enormous and never-ending project.
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Asparagus is a heart-healthy choice
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Asparagus is one of those vegetables that people either love or hate. "If you haven't tried asparagus in a while, you may want to reconsider because asparagus is loaded with healthy nutrients," said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
The nutritious advantage of nuts
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Nuts are high in calories and fat, but those calories are loaded with nutrition. "Nuts in moderate amounts daily can make a huge difference in your health," said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health specialist.
Compost can improve the quality of your garden soil
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Many gardening difficulties are rooted in substandard soil. The good news is that whether your garden has a nutrient, moisture or aeration problem, you can improve the soil with compost, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist."While it is unlikely that the nutritional requirements of the garden will be satisfied by adding compost, an application can greatly reduce your fertilizer inputs,"…
Fragrant plants give gardens an extra dimension
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Home gardeners may want to plant flowers for their fragrance as well as their appearance, said a University of Missouri horticulturist."Fragrance gardening deals with creating a garden that excites the sense of smell as well as that of sight," said David Trinklein. "Fragrant plants can turn an attractive garden into an unforgettable one."
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Boost your health with blueberries
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - This is the season to check out locally grown berries, and one of the best choices for your health is fresh blueberries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks blueberries among the highest in antioxidant content and as a powerful ally in fighting aging and associated ailments, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
Fermented mulch can strike 'sour' note with landscape plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Fermented or "sour" mulch from large batches hit with too much rain can damage the leaves and stems of annuals, perennials and small woody plants, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist."The excessive rain across the state can cause large stockpiles of mulch to ferment," said Chris Starbuck. "With the onset of warmer weather, the compounds produced by fermentation volatize quickly after the mulch is…
Disaster plans critical for flood plain residents
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Families who may be evacuated from flood plains along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and tributaries should plan to be away from their home for at least a week, according to a community emergency management specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
Wet weather conducive to tomato diseases
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Wet conditions make tomato plants susceptible to devastating diseases such as early blight and Septoria leaf spot. Now is the time to combat them in the vegetable garden, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.Typically, these diseases are controlled with fungicides applied at seven- to 10-day intervals, said Marlin Bates. But gardeners also can take other measures to prevent or at least…
Safe disposal of broken compact fluorescent light bulbs
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Using compact fluorescent light bulbs is an easy and effective way to save on utility costs. "Using these bulbs can be very helpful to the family budget, but their use is not without risks," said Marsha Alexander, University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.
Create a household inventory before disaster strikes your home
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - The damage from recent flooding reinforces the importance of having an up-to-date household inventory. Imagine trying to compile a detailed list of property for an insurance claim just after a natural disaster. You will remember big items like the furniture and appliances but not the small things that your family needs to function comfortably.
Mature trees and plants can cast shade over once-sunny garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. -Over time, a sunny garden may become a shady one as surrounding trees and shrubs mature."Landscapes change their degree of shade, making it a challenge to grow garden plants," said Chris Starbuck, University of Missouri Extension horticulturalist."Analyze the degree of shade in your garden periodically to determine if changes in plant materials may be needed," he said. "Choose plants that do well in less light."
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Wind farms generate power, revenue, say MU Extension specialists
ROCK PORT, Mo. - The landscape in northwest Missouri is changing. Scattered across three counties, 75 turbines spin to harvest the wind.University of Missouri Extension specialists say that there are excellent opportunities for sustainable wind power in northwest Missouri. Four wind turbines supply all the electricity for the small town of Rock Port in Atchison County. The city of just over 1,300 residents is the first in the United…
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Combating common pests of cucumbers, melons and squash
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Cucurbitaceae is one of the most cultivated plant families in the world. From this family come watermelon, cantaloupe, casaba, honeydew, muskmelon, cucumber, summer and winter squash, and pumpkins, to name a few. Unfortunately, cucurbits aren't just popular with people: Several common insects are also fond of the plants, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Farm ponds can put food on the table
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Many Missourians may have an untapped resource to combat rising food costs right in their own back yard: Families with ponds at least one-quarter acre in size can take a bite out of grocery bills by raising bass and bluegill to eat, said a University of Missouri fisheries expert.
Fruits and vegetables: better than supplements
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Many people try to fulfill their nutrition needs by taking dietary supplements. But instead of buying supplements, you might want to head to the produce aisle to meet your dietary requirements, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
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Emerald ash borer arrives in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. - They're here: Emerald ash borers, which have killed tens of millions of ash trees in eight states, are now in Missouri. On July 23, USDA scientists discovered seven of the insects in traps in Wayne County in southeast Missouri.
Picking the right apple
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Low-calorie apples are a dieter's dream-a medium apple has only about 80 calories. While they aren't bursting with vitamins and minerals like some fruits, apples are loaded with pectin, a cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber. "Apples also contain antioxidant properties, which may be their secret weapon against disease," said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
ATV safety often neglected, says MU Extension specialist
MARSHFIELD, Mo.-The recent death of a 5-year-old child while riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with her teenage sister near Hillsboro, Mo., points to the need for greater attention to ATV safety, said a University of Missouri Extension safety expert. Missouri ranked ninth in the U.S. for ATV-related deaths in 2006, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Missouri Highway Patrol statistics for 2007 show 13 people killed…
Teaching your teen financial literacy
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - In a recent national survey of high school seniors' knowledge of basic personal finance and economic topics, students could answer only 48 percent of the questions correctly. "Adolescents clearly need a crash course in personal finance to prepare them for the future. Otherwise we are setting up a whole generation for financial failure," said a University of Missouri Extension family financial education specialist.
Freezing foods requires the right touch
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Freezing can extend the shelf life of food by months, but preserving the quality of frozen food does require proper handling, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist."The secret to success is to freeze the right foods in the right containers, for the right length of time, at the right temperature, with the right handling," said Glenda Kinder. She offered these tips for…
Take steps to offset soaring heating costs
COLUMBIA, Mo.-Consumers may take some solace in forecasts for a winter of above-normal temperatures across the Midwest, but also should take steps to offset soaring heating costs, said a University of Missouri Extension housing specialist."There are some relatively inexpensive steps you can take to keep your heating bills from going through the roof," said Barbara Buffaloe.
Check chimney before burning wood for home heat
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missourians planning to heat their homes with wood to offset soaring heating oil and natural gas prices should check their chimneys now, said a University of Missouri safety specialist. Heating oil users will pay 36 percent more on average than last year. Homeowners with natural gas face a 24-percent increase, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. "Safety precautions should be taken to prevent the threat of…