What’s this stuff in my stream!?
“There’s orange water coming up through the ground!” said the homeowner who called me last week, wondering what kind of contaminant had made its way into her yard. If you’ve ever come across this...
Category: In the Garden
Monarda (Bee balm)
Our family now has a new favorite garden perennial plant. Ever since our ‘Jacob Cline’ Monarda (Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’) came into bloom, it has been the most gorgeous flower we have tried in...
Toad Lily
Toad lilies (Tricyrtis hirta) bloom from September to October and have small, lily-like white to pale lilac flowers with heavy purple to maroon spots. They prefer evenly moist, well-drained,...
Somewhere Down in the Pawpaw Patch
When I was growing up in S.C., we kids played outdoors, most days. The weather didn’t matter; I was all about being outside – running, biking, swimming, climbing trees, and exploring. I’ve...
Jumpstart Healthy Behavior Change
If healthy behavior changes were easy, you would not have clicked this post in hopes of finding a quick solution to becoming a better version of yourself. The truth is, making healthy behavior...
Food Insecurity and Food Deserts
Food Insecurity and Food Deserts are terms used in the news to describe society’s status with food. What is Food Insecurity? Food Insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to adequate...
Be Septic Safe
Septic systems harness the power of microbes and soils to treat wastewater. A well-maintained septic system can last up to 30 years and keep you, your family, and your community healthy! A failing...
Burnout
Burnout is often mentioned, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout comes from prolonged stress over time, whether the stressors are mental, physical, or emotional. You have reached...
Be Water-Wise: Washing Paint from Paint Equipment
Painting is a lot of work. Once you finish, you must clean up. How do you wash your paintbrushes? Many people wash their paintbrushes in the sink with running water or clean them outside with a...
More than a Honeycrisp; Local Apple Options for Diehard HC Fans
‘Honeycrisp’ apples are a consumer favorite, but if you ask growers in South Carolina, it is a much different story. While consumers desire a red apple with a combination of crunch and sweet,...
Move More, Sit Less
Our bodies are a combination of 206 bones and more than 600 muscles that do everything from pumping blood to helping us carry heavy groceries to the kitchen. Just like any other animal, our bodies...
Cardinal Flower
Want to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your shady garden, and you have too many rabbit or deer visitors? Planting cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is your answer. A Southeastern native...