As we welcome summer, our gardens are thriving! But with warmer weather comes the need for consistent watering 💧 and careful monitoring for pests and diseases 🐛. Below are some timely tips to help your garden grow strong through the month of June. 🌿🌻 🌱 Lawn Care Tips ✅ Mow Smart, Grow Strong ✅ Sprayer…… read more »
Category Archives: Gardening Tips
June Gardening Tips
Watch Out for Squash Bugs: Common Garden Pest Threatens Summer Crops
By Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension Agent As summer approaches and gardens begin to thrive, many North Carolina gardeners eagerly anticipate harvesting fresh squash. But along with the joys of growing zucchini, pumpkins, and squash come some unwelcome visitors—squash bugs. Squash bugs are among the most common and destructive pests in home gardens this…… read more »
Black Coating on Your Plants? Sooty Mold May Be the Culprit
By Jessica Strickland, Agriculture Extension Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Wayne County — (May 24) — If you’ve recently noticed a black, soot-like substance covering the leaves of your garden plants, don’t panic—it’s likely not a disease, but something known as sooty mold. This dark fungal coating can make foliage appear almost charcoal gray and…… read more »
Black Spot & Powdery Mildew: The Enemies Lurking in Your Rose Garden
Roses are a beloved staple in many gardens, known for their stunning blooms and romantic symbolism. However, growing healthy roses can be challenging—especially when common plant diseases take hold. Among the most frequent reasons gardeners struggle with rose cultivation is poor disease control, with black spot and powdery mildew topping the list of threats. Black…… read more »
May Gardening Tips
Gardening in Eastern North Carolina during May is all about transitioning fully into the warm growing season. Here are some tailored tips to make the most of your garden this month: 🌱 Vegetable Garden 🌼 Flowers & Ornamentals Your Gardening Tips Sponsored By 🌳 Lawns, Trees, and Shrubs 🐛 Pest and Disease Management 🌦️ Other…… read more »
Choosing the Right Tomato Varieties Key to Garden Success, Says Local Expert
Goldsboro, N.C. (May 3, 2025) – For many home gardeners, nothing beats the satisfaction of harvesting a ripe, juicy tomato grown right in their own backyard. But as any seasoned gardener knows, tomatoes can be particularly vulnerable to a host of diseases. Jessica Strickland, Horticulture Extension Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Wayne County,…… read more »
Spring Cleaning in the Garden
Maybe it is the sunshine and fresh air at this time of year that causes many of us to get into a spring cleaning mood. Not only can our houses benefit from a spring cleaning but our gardens and landscapes also can benefit from a freshening up that we can enjoy well into the summer…… read more »
April Gardening Tips
Gardening in April in Eastern North Carolina is an exciting time as the weather warms up and plants begin to thrive. Here are some key gardening tips for this month: Vegetable Gardening Flower Gardening Your Gardening Tips Sponsored By Lawn Care Trees & Shrubs General Maintenance April is a great time to get your garden…… read more »
March Gardening Tips
March is a transitional month in Eastern North Carolina, as the region moves from winter into spring. It’s a great time to prepare your garden for the growing season ahead. Here are some gardening tips for Eastern North Carolina in March: 1. Start Seeds Indoors 2. Prepare the Soil 3. Plant Cool-Season Crops 4. Prune…… read more »
February Gardening Tips
Gardening in February in Eastern North Carolina is all about preparing for spring while taking advantage of the mild winter weather. Here are some general gardening tips for this time of year: General Garden Maintenance ✅ Clean Up Garden Beds – Remove dead plants, leaves, and debris to prevent pests and diseases.✅ Prepare Soil –…… read more »
