Preparing Plants for Springtime

By Pat Naughton   With the warmer weather of March, plants are beginning to start new growth.  Now is a good time get plants ready for springtime.   To prune or not to prune, that is the question.  For flowering plants that bloom in spring pruning should be done after … Read More

The Great Backyard Bird Count February 14-17, 2020

By Pat Naughton   Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time.  Now, more than 160,000 people of all ages and … Read More

Indoor Plants for a Healthy House

By Pat Naughton   Winter is here and that means spending more time indoors.  Cabin fever is not the only illness that can come from being cooped up indoors.  Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) are given off from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals that may have … Read More

Holiday Decorations Using Yard Plants

By Pat Naughton Bring the beauty of the backyard to your table to brighten up the holidays.  Evergreens, pinecones, and bright berries can be used to make colorful centerpieces.  Here are a few decorations made from plants in my backyard.   Set the stage for a centerpiece with a ring … Read More

Botanical Garden Edible Garden is More than Meets the Eye

By Pat Naughton   There is a Thanksgiving bounty in the Edible Garden of the Brunswick County Botanical Gardens.  This demonstration garden features colorful plants that taste just as great as they look.  Many of the plants in the garden will be maturing in November.    Experienced Master Gardener Volunteers … Read More

Effective Methods for Controlling Moles in Lawns

By Pat Naughton Controlling mole mounds can be frustrating.  Fall is a time when critters are thinking about two things, food and habitat.  Moles feed on insects, worms, and other invertebrates living in your soil.  This time of year they live close to the surface and easy meal for moles.  … Read More

What is this Plant?

By Pat Naughton The most common question Master Gardeners are asked is, “What is this plant?”.  Plant identification is an art and science.  The North Carolina State Extension Service offers a six-week course just on this topic. Fortunately, there are some free apps that Master Gardeners use to get an … Read More

Watering Your Lawn Frugally

By Pat Naughton Applying the right amount of water in the correct locations is key to saving money and having a green lawn.  Watering a typical 5000 sg ft yard with a half inch of water uses 1,558 gallons of water.  Which costs close to $5 each time. According to NC … Read More

Feeding Your Lawn

By Pat Naughton Summer is a good time for fertilizing warm season grasses common in Brunswick County.  A soil sample is recommended to determine fertilizer needs.  The first step is to obtain a soil sample box and form.  These are available at the following locations in Brunswick County: Bolivia 28422 … Read More

Raised Beds for Supply Senior Center

By Pat Naughton “We really appreciate what you are doing”, shouted the three ladies from a car in the parking lot of the Supply Senior Center.  “That’s where the initiative for the six raised gardening beds came from” said Melissa Star, Director of the Supply Senior Center.  The patron of … Read More

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