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Plant Tool Box
Click here to visit the Extension Master Gardener Tool Box.
Butterfly Puddles
Master Gardener Handbook
Peruse the ultimate in gardening knowledge for Brunswick County. The Extension Master Gardener Handbook is available here online.
Pesticide Predicaments
Help is here with these guides about what to use and how to use it.
TurfFiles
All things about your lawn click here.
Fall Plant Sale September 20 & 21
Well, folks, we are getting close to our in-person Fall Plant Sale from 9 to 11:30 on Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21. As in the past, the in-person plant sale will be held behind the fenced area across the street from the Botanical Demonstration Garden off Referendum Drive in Bolivia, NC.
Because of requests from the public, we are holding a two-morning plant sale. However, to be honest, the best selection will be available early Friday. We are holding no plants back – and not even selling any first to our fellow Master Gardeners (I am sorry to say!!!!).
We will have a good number of most Perennials being offered but limited numbers of the Shrubs and Trees. We did this to offer a wider variety to assess interest and consider higher volumes for future sales.
We have put the Fall Plant Sale list as presently planned on our here and on our Facebook site (facebook.com/bcmgva) but things can change due to – well – LIFE! We have also tried to note the NATIVES (in color) because of the high public interest and requests for native plants for coastal landscapes.
We hope to see you at the Fall Plant Sale. Any remaining plants will be sold during our Botanical Demonstration Garden Open House on the morning of September 28.
In the case of bad weather on the day of our Fall Plant Sale (and Open House too), please visit our website or Facebook page. That is where we will be alerting the public about any changes due to weather. Of course, we hope that we have beautiful weather for all three days.
As always, we thank you for supporting our Master Gardener plant sales. Funds raised go toward a variety of educational programming, work in our Botanical Demonstration Garden, landscaping of Habitat for Humanity houses, and many more activities that help area gardeners learn how to be successful with your landscape in our hot temperatures and soil conditions that vary widely depending on where you live in Brunswick County.
Paul Soltero and Wanda Maggart
2024 Fall Plant Sale Team Co-Leads
Plant Clinics around the County
September 2024
If you have a gardening question or need help identifying a problem in your landscape, Master Gardener volunteers will be available to help at the times and places listed below. Please bring clear photographs (close-up, whole plant, adjacent area) or samples (leaves, twigs) to assist in identifying the cause(s) of the problem.
Calabash, S.W. Branch Library, 9400 Ocean Highway, Thursday, 9/5, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Belville / Leland, 580 River Road SE, Belville, Friday, 9/13, 1:00-3:30pm
Oak Island, Oak Island Recreation Center, 3003 E. Oak Island Drive, Monday, 9/16, 9am – 12pm
Calabash, S.W. Branch Library, 9400 Ocean Highway, Thursday, 9/19, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Southport, 113 W. Moore Street, Friday 9/27, 9:00am – 12:00pm – TENTATIVE
Become an Extension Master Gardener in 2025
Are interested in becoming an NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer? As a prerequisite, you will need to review the following website and complete the “Interest Form” located at the bottom of the page.
NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteer program, Brunswick County Center.
You will then be contacted Extension Staff beginning in September.
Plant Showcase
Kathy Copley’s latest installment is here:
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
‘Blue Heaven’ Form
Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
To view all of our Showcased Plants, click here.
Create a Customized Planting List using Plant Toolbox
The Brunswick County Newcomers Packet has been refreshed and provides our residents with a wealth of information about plants that we suggest for our Zone 8A. A comprehensive resource for those new to gardening — it is meant to serve as a starting point as you select plants that will grow and thrive in our coastal environment. In this packet, you will find a wide variety of selections from annuals and perennials to large trees and to native plants.
The Brunswick County Extension Horticulture Staff and the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are here for you, to help make the transition to gardening in a subtropical environment a little easier. We provide unbiased, research-based information to help improve the lives (and gardens) of our residents.
Click here for the Newcomers’ Packet.
Integrated Pest Management
Traditional pest control involves the routine application of pesticides. IPM, in contrast focuses on pest prevention and using pesticides only as needed. IPM programs take advantage of all appropriate pest management strategies, including the judicious use of pesticides. Read more here.
The mission of the North Carolina Native Plant Society is to promote the enjoyment and conservation of North Carolina’s native plants and their habitats through education, protection, propagation, and advocacy. Check out the website to learn of speakers, plant ID, and native plant events. Read more about Natives using our links here.
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC) is a nationwide call to action to preserve and create gardens and landscapes that help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across America. Click here to register your garden through the Pollinator Partnership and be added to the map in support of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge.
Basics of Butterfly Gardening
Begin planning your garden with the Basics of Butterfly Gardening, from the North American Butterfly Association. Learn which native plants are suitable for butterfly gardens in your location, with Regional Butterfly Garden Guides.
Composting at Home: An Introduction to the Basics
If you missed the live session, which was attended by over 1400 people, you can watch the recording here: https://ilsr.org/webinar-home-composting-may-2020
Many thanks to Rhonda Sherman, NC State Extension Specialist, for sharing this webinar!
Learn more! NC State Extension Composting portal: https://composting.ces.ncsu.edu
Extension Gardener Handbook, Composting: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/2-composting
Handling Flooding and Storm Damage in the Landscape
Click the link to see the NC State Extension article on this topic: https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/weather-2/handling-storm-damage-in-the-landscape/