The Center for Home Gardening is currently closed to ensure visitor and staff well-being. Our Plant Doctors are still available through phone and e-mail to answer your gardening questions. Please note that response times may be delayed due to limited staffing.

Horticulture Answer Service
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Phone #: 314-577-5143

Plant Information
E-mail: plantinformation@mobot.org

Due to the Center for Home Gardening being closed, we are not able to conduct free soil pH tests at this time. As an alternative, soil samples can be submitted to the University of Missouri Extension's Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory. 

Plastic Pot Recycling in the St. Louis region continues to remain suspended for 2021. Garden centers that have pot recycling collection trailers will NOT be accepting garden plastics. Please see the Plastic Pot Recycling: Update and Perspective blog entry for more information about the program's suspension. Additional questions about pot recycling can be submitted to the Green Resources Info Service at greenresources@mobot.org. 

Plants of Merit are plants selected for their outstanding quality and dependable performance in the Midwest in the categories of annuals, bulbs, edibles, houseplants, perennials, shrubs, trees and vines. Click the link below to view the new Plants of Merit selections for 2021.

Plants of Merit 2021

• Don't remove spring bulb foliage prematurely or next year's flower production will decline. 
   
• Plant hardy water lilies in tubs or garden pools
   
• Begin planting gladiolus bulbs as the ground warms.
   
• Plant summer bulbs such as caladiums, dahlias, cannas and elephant ears.
   
• Begin planting warm-season annuals. 
   
• Set out tomato, peppers and eggplants as soils warm (mid to late May). 
   
• Watch for striped and spotted cucumber beetles now. Both may spread wilt and mosaic diseases to squash and cucumber plants.
   
• Herbs planted in average soils need no extra fertilizer. Too much may reduce flavor and pungency at harvest.
   
• Take houseplants outdoors when nights are consistently above 50 degrees. Most prefer only direct morning sun.
   
• Monitor pines, especially Scotch and mugo for sawfly activity on new shoots. 

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