Made it to the Springfield Botanical Gardens just in time!
By Sydnee Crain, FB post May 18, 2013

Made it to the Botanical Gardens just in time… Though I missed the blooming of the Siberian Iris, apparently, (darn! My favorites!) the bearded ones were dew-covered and happy… And the peonies – oh!! – both the ladybugs and I were in “Piney” (what Mama calls peonies) Heaven!! In fact, I was on olfactory overload, between the iris, peonies, roses and honeysuckle.

Wonderful morning, and so blessed to have such a place within a 30 minute drive. I’m so grateful to the many volunteer gardeners who make Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Parks and the Botanical Center a place of astounding beauty, education, and opportunities for families to further bond. I know I sound like an actress in a commercial, but ya– it’s THAT awesome!

Didn’t make it to the butterfly house, because A) I got a headache B) The place got too crowded for my comfort… Some kind of festival going on. I arrived at 7 a.m., and it was just me, the geese and purple martins, a dog-walking couple, and two zealous joggers. By 10 a.m. it was like Disney World….  Sydnee

Reply from George: Sydnee, thanks for the comments… so glad you enjoy the gardens, the event was Young Sprouts in the Garden. A huge success! The yellow, white and dark red peonies were especially beautiful Saturday morning! By the way, two groups of Girl Scouts were also in the park helping plant annuals. By 10:00 it was packed.

Thoughts from Scott: I love a gentle rain
By Scott Cunningham, FB post May 15, 2013

I love a gentle rain. It’s like God is washing Mother Earth clean again. I love the sound of the wind in the trees. So thankful for such a wonderful spring in the Ozarks. Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Sugar Peas, Onions, Squash-all nestled in their new home. It’s so nice to enjoy the bounty that comes from a little tlc.

The butterflies are gracing the nursery-Garden Adventures-zebras, tigers, admirals, spicebush and more. Need ideas about butterfly plants to help attract butterflies to your yard? Visit the Dr. Bill Roston Butterfly House at Nathanael Greene Park in Springfield or come see us at Garden Adventures Nursery, Nixa.  Scott

Visit the Beautiful Iris Garden at the Springfield Botanical Gardens
2400 S. Scenic Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807
Tel: 417.891.1515

Yesterday and again today I visited the beautiful Iris Garden at the Springfield Botanical Gardens, Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

What a stunning floral presentation! I really believe this is the best this garden has looked in the last few years. There has been a tremendous amount of time invested by members of the Iris Society of the Ozarks and other community volunteers. Thanks to all of you!

If you haven’t been out to see this beautiful garden you owe it to yourself to make the trip! And, hope the storms over the next couple of days are kind to all the gardens.

See you around the gardens! GD

May Pictures – Nathanael Greene Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO 65807
By Packy Savvenas on May 15, 2013 post in Great Ideas & Art

The start of Spring at Nathanael Greene here in Springfield, Mo. It’s amazing, it was after the snow fall in May and I did not expect to run into lots of butterflies, new plant life etc.. It was just another great day of shooting.

Finding a passion for my photography, here in Missouri, started when I looked at the smaller things in life. I found a new world; a view. I hope you enjoy, if you do please continue to visit my website http://www.packy-savvenas.com/ where I put up new photos, blog post, etc…

Photography is a hobby of mine, but I use it with my artwork consistently. It is key for a designer to understand how to work with pictures. It’s content, etc…

View the May photograph gallery here http://www.packy-savvenas.com/may-pictures-nathanael-greene-park-springfield-mo/

Then look over the other photo galleries Packy has on the website that include the park and additional subjects.

It is essential to treat weeds to reduce the competition to desired plants according to Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Barton County. “When weeds are present, they are competing for nutrients, sunlight, air and moisture,” said Scheidt.

However, in order to have success, correctly identifying weeds is very important. “Identifying a weed incorrectly can lead to applying the wrong treatment,” said Scheidt.

The most successful way to kill a weed is to treat for it while it is in a young stage of growth. According to Scheidt, most weeds are hard to control once they have reached over four inches in height or diameter, so treating for weeds during the early stages of growth is pertinent.

WEED IDENTIFICATION

University of Missouri Extension has many helpful resources to help correctly identify weeds and learn about growth stages and the most effective method for control.

The website, http://weedID.missouri.edu, contains about 350 different plant species that could be encountered as a weed of field and horticultural crops, pastures, lawns, gardens, and noncrop or aquatic areas in Missouri and surrounding states, said Kevin Bradley, MU Extension weed scientist.

Users choose either “broadleaf” or “grass and grass-like” and then narrow the list of suspects by selecting from among more than a dozen characteristics such as habitat, lifecycle, leaf type and root system.

For more obscure characteristics like the presence of ligules and auricles, helpful illustrations appear when users keep the mouse pointer over the drop-down box.

NEW WEED APP

University of Missouri Extension has released a free app for iPhones, iPads and Android devices to help people identify weeds in the field, lawn or garden.

The app, called ID Weeds, has information on more than 400 plant species that could be encountered as weeds in crop fields, pastures, lawns, gardens or aquatic areas in Missouri and surrounding states.

ID Weeds lets users narrow the list of suspects with a series of drop-down boxes for various plant characteristics. If a user is not familiar with technical terms such as “ligules” or “spatulate,” they can click on “what’s this” to see an illustration.

“Seems like most people have a cell phone these days, so this app can aid producers with quick information,” said Scheidt.

Download iPhone and other iOS devices at itunes.apple.com/app/id-weeds/id559906313. For Android devices, search for “ID Weeds” at play.google.com/store.

ONLINE PUBLICATION

Finally, the University of Missouri Extension has many helpful guides on herbicides and control methods for weed control.

One document, “MUPastureWeedBrush.PDF” lists weed names, control methods, mixtures and correct timing herbicide application. This link can also be found on the Cedar County Extension website or by going to http://extension.missouri.edu and typing in “Pasture Weed and Brush Control.”

“This guide is quick and easy to follow, it also provides efficacy ratings on herbicides,” said Scheidt.

Local Extension offices can aid producers with printed information and tips on how to navigate through the MU Extension website. In Greene County the Extension office is located inside the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Aveue, phone 417.881.8909.

Information provided by MU Extension Southwest Region News Service