DR. GROW BRINGS GARDENING ADVICE FOR LOCAL AREA

The advice Paul Schnare reads in gardening magazines usually is accurate, but it's not always applicable to Southeast Missouri's unique climate.

He also noticed that fancy gardening columns often features products and plants that no one in this area can find, let alone grow.

"Something that works great in Connecticut, doesn't work here," Schnare said. "I thought it would be nice to present information apropos to this area and give some information about products and plant varieties that are readily available."

And so, Dr. Grow, a new column for the Southeast Missourian, was developed. The column will appear in the newspaper every other Wednesday with advice concerning timely gardening topics throughout the year.

Schnare's advice is based on both education and experience in the gardening field. Born and raised in Cape Girardeau, Schnare holds a Ph.D. in plant physiology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a bachelor's degree in forestry and a master's degree in plant genetics. He has owned and operated Sunny Hill Garden Center in Cape Girardeau since 1981.

Gardening is the number one hobby in the United States.

"Because of that, a real cross section of people are interested in gardening," Schnare said. Some tend vegetable gardens. Others plant flowers. Others design elaborate landscapes. And still others raise berries and fruit.

Southeast Missouri, he explained, is in a transitional growing zone. Plants typically found in the South can be grown here. At the same time, plants typically grown in the North can also thrive here. But sometimes, special precautions are needed to care for the plants.

Schnare said gardening is a good way to learn about the environment and to get people outside. "Too often, people go from their air conditioned homes to their air conditioned cars to their air conditioned offices," he said. "Gardening is a good way to get outside and experience nature. As you begin to grow things, you start to get in touch with nature."

At the same time, gardening doesn't have to be a meticulous, time-consuming, expensive undertaking. "The column is designed for the average person who doesn't want to spend a lot of money, but who wants a nice lawn and garden," he said.