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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
As gardeners plan for the upcoming year, January is an ideal time to start thinking about fruit, vegetable, and herb cultivation. Here are some key tips to guide your gardening efforts this month. Selecting Fruit, Vegetables, and Herbs: Fruit Planting: Grapevine Pruning: Starting Cool-Season Vegetables: Asparagus Planting: By following these tips in January, you’ll set…… read more »
As winter settles in, many gardeners are already dreaming of the warmer days of spring when their gardens come to life once again. January offers a great opportunity to plan and prepare for the upcoming growing season. By taking a few simple steps now, you can ensure a healthy, vibrant garden when the weather warms…… read more »
As the holiday season is now behind us, many gardeners begin to dream of warm spring days when we can spend more time in our gardens. Take advantage of January to plan and prepare for the gardening season. General Garden Tips: Lawn Trees, Shrubs and Flowers Early in the New Year, winter-flowering camellias (Camellia japonica)…… read more »
