Category: In the Garden

Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)

Apr 16, 2020 | In the Garden

Did you know that South Carolina has an official state grass? Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) was named the state grass in 2001. This native, warm-season, perennial grass originally grew in the...

Termites

Apr 15, 2020 | In the Garden

It is springtime. That means love is in the air, and so are termites. Across the Southeast, native subterranean termites swarm (fly) in the spring, leaving their colony in the hopes of starting a...

Blue Ghosts

Apr 9, 2020 | In the Garden

If you are fortunate enough to live near the southern Appalachian Mountains, you may see ghosts this time of year. If you are really lucky, you may see hundreds of ghosts, for at the edge and up...

Making Luffa Soap

Apr 8, 2020 | In the Garden

In an earlier blog post, we discovered how easy it is to grow luffas. Making soap from luffas is a fun and easy craft project for all ages. The finished soap scrubbers can be used in the tub,...

Tiny Ants Around Your Home

Apr 6, 2020 | In the Garden

As people are spending more time around their homes during the concerns of COVID-19, they may be more likely to notice small ants crawling in and around their houses. Now is the perfect time to do...

Fusicolla Orange Slime on Trees

Apr 2, 2020 | In the Garden

Infrequently in the spring, you might see an orange, slimy substance slowly oozing from a wound on a hardwood tree. This is a fungus or a complex of fungi and yeast that colonize the sap that leaks...

Perennial Selections for Shade Gardens

Mar 30, 2020 | In the Garden, Uncategorized

Do you have a shady garden where you would like to plant perennials? Hostas, ferns, and Lenten roses are the usual choices, but there are a number of wonderful perennial selections to choose from...

When It Comes To Plants, Looks Can Be Deceiving

Mar 26, 2020 | In the Garden

Each year, I look forward to watching the bleak winter landscape begin to come to life as if transitioning from black and white to Technicolor. Yellow is one of the first colors to appear with the...

Now is the Time to Support our Local Farmers!

Mar 25, 2020 | In the Garden

COVID-19 has taken the world by surprise, and many people around the world have had to slow or shut things down in recent times. While many folks are working from home, one group of people who...

Fertilization of Peach Trees

Mar 23, 2020 | In the Garden

When fertilizing peach trees in a backyard setting, consider tree age and growth rate, soil/tissue analysis, as well as location. Since peach trees do not produce fruit during the first two years...

Virginia Bluebells

Mar 19, 2020 | In the Garden

Are you looking for an early-season, shade-loving perennial that has blue flowers and is also a native perennial wildflower? Then Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are an excellent choice to...

Tips for Fertilizing Pecan Trees

Mar 16, 2020 | In the Garden

There are two approaches to fertilization. First, have the soil analyzed by a reputable lab and follow the scientifically based recommendations. The second often referred to as “a general...