Congrats to Becky Homan- MLNA Member

Becky Homan not only is an MLNA member and a St. Louis Master Gardener, but she's also the author of a new book called “Missouri Gardener’s Companion, an Insider’s Guide to Gardening in the Show-Me State.” It's part of a new state-by-state series of gardening books by the Connecticut-based Globe Pequot Press, the largest publisher of regional travel in the United States, with an exceptional concentration on outdoor recreation -- exactly, says Becky, what home gardening should be about! Watch MLNA blog for the upcoming book review!

The publisher solicited the following book-jacket reviews for her "Missouri Gardener's Companion":“This is a great go-to book for every gardener in the state. It is ideal for the beginner and for those of us who need to brush up on our gardening information from time to time. Becky's easy-to-read style and thorough listing of resources make it a superb guide.”--P. Allen Smith,

“Becky’s knowledge and gardening connections make this an enjoyable and invaluable resource for all Missouri Gardeners—from novice to master gardeners.”—Eric Tschanz, president and executive director, Powell Gardens.

So far, her first first three book signings are on:-- Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Missouri Botanical Garden (www.mobot.org) in the Garden Gate Shop, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, 63110, during the St. Louis Herb Society's popular, annual herb sale.-- Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Powell Gardens (www.powellgardens.org), 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, 64061, about 30 miles east of Kansas City, during the garden's heavily attended annual Spring Plant Sale. -- Saturday, May 10, 2 to 4 p.m., just before Mother's Day, at Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive Street (between Euclid and Taylor avenues) in the Central West End of St. Louis, 63108.

For more information contact her at becky.homan@sbcglobal.net, or at (314) 852-1171.

Ask landscape questions or share a topic! Tell us how you’re handling weeds this spring!

Q. What do I to do need when I have a fall weed extravaganza like last year? These winter weeds are everywhere!

A. Last year produced a bumper crop of cool season weeds with enough seed to ensure a vigorous new crop this spring. The key for this year is to plan a control strategy that will get a head start on weeds and keep weed encroachment to a minimum. Here is a description of one common weed growing rampant this spring:

Common chickweed (Stellaria media) is a matted, winter annual that is a prolific spring weed that thrives under cool, wet conditions. It rarely tolerates hot, dry conditions that occur in late spring or early summer. It develops low growing, tender, free branching stems that root at each node. It has opposite, smooth, leaves and shallow, very frail roots. The tiny but noticeable flowers are single or in small clusters at ends of stems. The plants form a thick mat of succulent tender vegetation in the early spring that is not eradicated by close mowing. The rough dark brown seeds germinate from late fall through early spring. Common chickweed is effectively controlled by timely applications of pre-emergent. Pre-emerge applications should be made in early fall prior to the emergence of chickweed. Post-emerge control of chickweed in early spring can be achieved by mechanical removal or with control products specifically labeled for this use.

R&R-not rest and relaxation-but Research and Results!

(MLNA has inquiring minds….let us know your topic of interest and we will gather the research & results!)

Mulch and Nutrient Cycling: Research Results

(See complete research results at: http://ohioline.osu.edu/sc186/sc186_14e.html )

Mulching with composted yard waste and ground wood pallets has a dramatic effects on soil organic matter, microbial activity, and nitrogen cycling according to Ohio State Agriculture Research & Development Center.
Research results were apparent after only one season. Both mulches increased organic matter content of the soil relative to the bare soil control, with the yard waste mulch having the most substantial effect. Both mulches also increased microbial biomass as indicated by increased microbial nitrogen and a doubling of soil respiration (Figure 3). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that soil microbes are carbon limited, and that the addition of organic carbon can increase microbial biomass in the soil.
Previously increased plant growth in response to mulching has been attributed primarily to conservation of soil moisture and weed suppression. In this study, neither of the mulches had any effect on soil moisture or average soil temperature, and plots were fastidiously weeded, so these variables were not a factor. Rather, the primary effects of mulches were conclusively linked to the impacts of their C:N ratio on microbial biomass and nutrient cycling as they decomposed. Clearly, understanding the dominating influence of soil microbes on nitrogen availability is key to understanding the dynamics of soil fertility.

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) Survival At Risk

TLC is needed when planting dogwood trees this spring. Recent study indicates canker infection ( Collar Rot / Phytophthora cactorum) frequently occurs through injuries caused during transplanting, lawn care (mowing injuries) and soil cultivation in the root zone!This disease causes injury to flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and may kill the affected tree or weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to attack by other organisms.
The first symptom noticed is usually a reduction in the number and size of leaves. The leaf color is lighter than normal during the summer and in late summer the leaves turn prematurely yellow or red and drop early. Affected trees in the later stages of the disease may produce an abnormally large number of flowers and fruits. During dry times in summer, diseased dogwoods are much more likely than healthy trees to have large numbers of leaves curl or shrivel or to show wilting of all foliage. Affected dogwoods exhibit gradual dieback of twigs and branches, sometimes starting only on one side of the tree, but eventually ending in death of the entire tree.

Dogwood-Missouri’s State Tree…

Always a favorite, the Flowering Dogwood is a frequently requested selection yet a success challenge. Studies have been done to determine how this native tree of Missouri might be able to adapt to a cultivated situations. MLNA would like to share your positive experiences and recommendations. We wish to increase everyone’s success level, reduce tree loss and educate our professionals. Please share your comments and information with maryannfink@mlna.org . Watch in upcoming newsletter for follow up contributions about care and management practices for this favored tree. For more information about this research visit: http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/collarot/collarot.htm