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Love gardening? Curious about the natural world? Growing the Ozarks is your monthly dose of science-based gardening and nature insights every third Wednesday of the month. Host Kelly McGowan with the MU Extension chats with local Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists about everything from expert tips for thriving Ozarks gardens to discovering the region’s unique ecosystems.

This month, Kelly speaks with the Backyard Naturalist, Loring Bullard, about how plant and maintain a yard for attracting pollinators and reducing water and pesticide use. Homeowners have undergone a paradigm shift in the last few years after recognizing the need for pollinator protection and reduced water and pesticide usage. The sustainable home landscape prioritizes more native plants and less turf for a big impact in a small space. The Backyard Naturalist has more tips for creating a sustainable landscape at home. Loring Bullard has a long history of environmental education in the Ozarks, including serving for 23 years at the executive director of the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks. He has taught courses at Drury University and currently serves as a watershed consultant for the James River Basin Partnership, a board member of the Ozark Land Trust and Dark Sky Missouri. He is also the author of several books on the natural history of the Ozarks.

In this episode, Kelly speaks with Ed Kucab, president of the Christian County Master Gardeners, about how to save vegetable and fruit seeds. Saving seeds from plants like vegetables, fruit, and even flowers can help save money and preserve unique plant qualities, and make it easy to pass on heirloom plants to others. But which plants should be used for saving seeds? Seeds from plants that have performed well during the hot, dry part of summer make good candidates.Hybrid vs. heirlooms: Heirlooms are preferred for seed-saving purposes. Hybrid seeds may not be true to the parent plant. Cleaning and storage: Remove debris from seeds and allow them to dry. Store them in paper envelopes and in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration works for most seeds, but monitor moisture on a regular basis.