By Pat Naughton Shasta Daisy Colors evoke emotions. A garden is a place to escape and relax. It should include colors that evoke serenity. White is associated with cleanliness and purity. It can be comforting by itself or mixed with soft pastels. White goes with everything and it even brings … Read More
By Pat Naughton “Only two things that money can’t buy, that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes”, wrote John Denver in the song Home Grown Tomatoes. Growing tomatoes can be a challenge in Brunswick County with the heat and drought conditions. With a few steps and daily monitoring, you can … Read More
By Pat Naughton Shamrocks are commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day. There is another plant with more impact on the Irish people than St. Patrick’s shamrock, potatoes. The potato blight which began in 1845 resulted in the death of one million people and two million people emigrating. For many Irish-Americans … Read More
By Pat Naughton Camellias are cherished plants of the south. Their pink, red, and white flowers provide a sense of spring in fall and winter. Proper care can help maintain this plant healthy all year long. Camellias are suitable for Brunswick county hardiness zone of 8A. They are susceptible to … Read More
By Pat Naughton There are two things to keep deer away from your prized plants, an 8 foot fence or a gun. But these have restrictions in many of the Brunswick Co. communities. A fishing line fence is an option that is very effective in keeping deer away from landscaping … Read More
By Pat Naughton December is a great time to bring greenery indoors for holiday decorations. Be selective about which plants you use for decorations. Certain plants can be hazardous to pets and people. One plant to avoid is oleander. Oleander is popular in this area because of its high … Read More
By Pat Naughton A succulent wreath is a beautiful way to add to your holiday table. There are many places to buy wreaths online. Making your own wreath is not hard to do and will give you a sense of accomplishment. The tools you need are as follows: wire wreath … Read More
By Pat Naughton October is a good time to begin to prepare outdoor plants for moving indoors for the winter. First check to see if the plant has any unwanted insects like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. It might be a good idea use a hose and wash the plant … Read More
By Pat Naughton September is by far our wettest month in Brunswick County. The average rainfall for September is over 8 inches. The additional moisture and warm weather makes September an optimal time for planting balled-in-burlap plants. When field grown trees are harvested, their root balls are balled-in-burlap. That is, … Read More
Written by Pat Naughton, Master Gardener Volunteer Social isolation can be stressful. Tending to outdoor plants brings a breath of fresh air to every gardener. An Alternative Method of Composting One of the best ways to care for plants is to add compost. Amending soil around plants with compost adds … Read More