Mulching Your Garden Beds
How was farming possible in the thousands of years before the use of commercial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides? You …
Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers
Since 1979, North Carolina Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers (EMGVs) have been leaders in this internationally acclaimed program, guiding homeowners in making environmentally sound decisions in their landscapes. Trained by North Carolina State University faculty and staff, EMGVs provide research-based information about gardening and environmental stewardship to individuals and communities across the state. EMGVs engage the community through education and outreach on a wide variety of subjects and through a broad spectrum of projects, all designed to maximize their impact.
Vegetable Crop Rotation Tips
If you have a vegetable garden or otherwise grow annual plants, a one-time proven cultural method for preventing disease …
Drought Tolerant Black Eyed Susan
A native plant selection, Black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta is technically an annual plant starting from seed each year in the …
Planting Cool Season Vegetables
Something most people don’t realize is that many of the crops we call “cool season” vegetables are actually biannual …
Fertilize Your Summer Lawn
When it comes to lawns, in our area we grow warm season grasses. They should probably be called hot …
Thunderstorms and Trees
It’s worth mentioning that with the heat comes severe thunderstorms. This means strong winds that can break off dead …
Controlling Mosquitoes Without Chemicals
It’s hot and humid outside, which means it’s also mosquito season. Besides causing those itchy bites, mosquitos can spread …
Native Swamp or Sweetbay Magnolia
One of my favorite trees is the Swamp or Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiania. It is evergreen (at least in …
Controlling Weeds in the Landscape
With the rain, comes the weeds. Weed control is always an issue in warm and wet climates like Eastern …
Lookout for Cucumber Downy Mildew
The most obvious symptom of cucumber downy mildew are the yellow spots on the top of cucumber leaves that …
Summer Lawn Mowing Tips
If we keep getting rain a couple times each week, we shouldn’t have to run the irrigation system to …
Donate Your Extra Produce
Share your garden harvest on Saturdays for those in need. “Plant It Forward” as summer vegetables are ripe for the …