Falling Leaves and Soil Testing
Leaves will be falling from the trees this month as the shorter and cooler days set in. Don’t allow …
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.
Planting Bulbs and Winter Blooms
There is still time to plant spring flowering bulbs. If you can’t find what you are looking for in …
Ground Pearls in Turf
As an Extension Agent, I often get asked about ground pearls. Because we have sandy soil here in Carteret …
Plant Stems Raising Baby Pollinators
Last month I gave a presentation at Carolina Home and Garden, off Highway 24, in Newport, on caring for …
Gradually Welcome Houseplants Back In
Houseplants that have spent the summer months outdoors should be acclimated to less sunlight before being taken inside for …
Making the Most of Leaves as Mulch or Compost
Since I’ve been writing about making use of what nature gives us to help the ecological life cycle along, …
What Caused My Tomato Plant to Wilt?
In this episode of the Extension Gardener on the Crystal Coast video series, Shawn Banks discusses the process of …
Watch for Spiders on the Trail
I went for a walk on one of our many trails in the county last week. This time it …
Summer Lawn Check-In
All of our warm season grasses are growing like crazy in the heat of the summer, as long as …
Harvesting Summer Vegetables
Early morning is the best time of the day to harvest most summer vegetables. I was asked why I …
Native Plants on the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Trail
Shawn Banks, County Extension Director & Horticulture Agent, is back on the trail! This time he revisits the Theodore …
Summer Lawns and Soil Samples
Hopefully, with all the rain we’ve had your lawn has a bright green healthy color and is looking worthy …
Urgent New Pest Alert: Box Tree Moth Found in the US
Box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis, is native to Asia. It was introduced into Europe in 2007 and quickly spread …
Calico Scales About to Hatch!
Calico scale, Eulecanium cerasorum, was accidentally introduced to California from Asia in the 1920s. It has now become established …
Installing a New Package of Bees? Here's a New Tip to Improve Acceptance
Springtime for beekeepers is synonymous with starting new colonies, especially since annual losses have been hovering ~40% every year so …
Information on Terrestrial Flatworms and Hammerhead Worms
As if Asian giant hornets weren’t enough, this year also saw media attention on a lesser-known, but bizarre, group …
Cinara Aphid - Early Christmas Visitors
This is an updated version of an older post from 2017. Apparently COVID isn’t stopping some insects from traveling and …