By Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension Agent Popular Shrubs Offer Unique Color-Changing Opportunity Hydrangeas have long been cherished as one of the most spectacular flowering shrubs in residential landscapes, delivering impressive bursts of color from late spring through early summer. These beloved plants captivate gardeners with their massive flower clusters, but what many don’t…… read more »
Tag Archives: Gardening Tips
The Science Behind Changing Hydrangea Colors: A Gardener’s Guide to pH Manipulation
Save Your Summer Tomatoes: Spot and Stop Common Garden Issues
🌿 Gardening Tips: Watch Out for Common Tomato ProblemsBy Jessica Strickland, Wayne County Horticulture Extension Agent As summer approaches, gardeners across Wayne County are eagerly anticipating that first juicy bite from a homegrown tomato. But before those tomatoes reach peak ripeness, some common growing issues could appear—especially with unpredictable rainfall and fluctuating temperatures. 🍅 Blossom-End…… read more »
June Gardening Tips
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 »
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 »
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 »
Attract Birds to Your Garden this Winter
Feeding birds in your backyard is a great way to add some life and color to a cold, winter landscape. There are many different bird species who can visit a feeder. The type of landscape habitat you have in your backyard will determine how many and the types of birds who visit. A landscape that…… read more »
