Category Archives: Gardening Tips
September Gardening: Essential Tips for Fall Garden Preparation
By Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension AgentAs summer transitions into fall, September presents gardeners with a crucial window for preparing their landscapes for the cooler months...
Sep 05, 2025
Think Twice Before Fertilizing Your Lawn This Fall
Extension Agent Warns Against Nitrogen-Based Fertilizers for Warm-Season GrassesBy Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension AgentAs autumn temperatures arrive in Eastern North Carolina,...
Aug 30, 2025
Webworms vs. Bagworms: A Gardener’s Guide to Tree Pest Identification
By Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension AgentAs the seasons change and we spend more time observing our landscape trees, many gardeners notice unusual webs, bags, or silk structures...
Aug 23, 2025
Time to Plant a Fall Vegetable Garden in Wayne County
By Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension AgentExtended Growing Season Offers Fresh Harvest OpportunitiesWhile summer remains at the forefront of many gardeners’ minds, agricult...
Aug 16, 2025
August Gardening Tips
Here are some helpful August gardening tips for Eastern North Carolina (Zone 7b-8a) to keep your garden thriving through the late summer heat and prepare for the fall: General Garden MaintenanceWater ...
Aug 06, 2025
Beat the Heat: Essential August Gardening Tips for North Carolina Homeowners
By Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension AgentAs the sweltering heat of August settles across North Carolina, many gardeners find themselves retreating indoors during the hottest par...
Aug 02, 2025
Save Your Summer Tomatoes: Spot and Stop Common Garden Issues
Gardening Tips: Watch Out for Common Tomato ProblemsBy Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension AgentAs summer approaches, gardeners across Wayne County are eagerly anticipating that fi...
Jun 21, 2025
Watch Out for Squash Bugs: Common Garden Pest Threatens Summer Crops
By Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension AgentAs summer approaches and gardens begin to thrive, many North Carolina gardeners eagerly anticipate harvesting fresh squash. But along wi...
May 31, 2025
Black Coating on Your Plants? Sooty Mold May Be the Culprit
By Jessica Strickland, Agriculture Extension Agent, North Carolina Cooperative ExtensionWayne County — (May 24) — If you've recently noticed a black, soot-like substance covering the leave...
May 24, 2025
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. A...
May 17, 2025