Early Spring 2024 Snapshots From Extension’s Pollinator Paradise Garden
In late 2008, I planted a demonstration pollinator garden at Chatham Mills to provide forage from early spring to …
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.
Cicada Damage to Blueberry Crop
It seems we are finally on the other side of the “cicada invasion” which of course was not an …
View Recording of CCP Bumble Bee Conservation Webinar
Chatham Conservation Partnership (CCP) conducted a webinar on Bumble Bee Conservation on April 18, 2024, and we had a great turnout of …
Should Farmers & Gardeners Worry About the Upcoming Cicada Emergence?
In case you haven’t heard, 2024 marks the emergence of the 13-year periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.). The 13-year cicadas are known as Brood …
Ground-Nesting Bees Should Be Appreciated, Not Feared!
Every year, from mid-March through mid-April, I get calls from folks worried about all the bees hovering over their …
Algal Leaf Spot
January is a good time to inspect southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) for the presence of algal leaf spot. According …
Southern Magnolia Leaf Variation
The presence or absence of pubescence (trichomes) on foliage, and their appearance, can be significant plant identification features. However, for …
Aureolaria Laevigata, or Appalachian Oak-Leach
While walking along a trail in the Cherokee National Forest in August of this year, I noticed a yellow-flowering …
Parrotfeather or Proserpinaca?
Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) is an aggressive non-native aquatic weed, most commonly found in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Extensive …
Edibles for the Winter Landscape
Our Master Gardener℠ volunteers in Craven County have added some nice color to the entrance of the Craven County …
Do Ginkgo Trees Produce Fruit?
Ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba) produce something that certainly looks like a fruit, but these trees are actually gymnosperms. Gymnosperms …
Consider Agastache for Pollinators and a Long Flowering Period
I was very intrigued by a new plant to my garden this past year, Agastache ‘Blue Boa’. According to the …
Arrowleaf Tearthumb (As in Tear, Tore, Torn)
Arrowleaf tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum) is a widespread native annual that you’ll want to handle with gloves on, if you …
Sago Palm: Worth the Trouble in Eastern NC?
Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is a popular landscape plant in coastal areas from Eastern North Carolina southwards into Florida. …
Common Dayflower: Attractive but Invasive
Here’s another fall clean up chore. Dayflower (Commelina communis) is producing its colorful blue flowers, and is easy to …
Doveweed: The Grassy Weed That Isn't
As of early October, doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora) is one of the more noticeable low-growing weeds in our landscape beds. …
Ginkgo Biloba "Fruit" - or Something Else?
Not exactly a welcome sight on or underneath the ginkgo tree. Ginkgo fruit creates a mess and produce a …