Improve Soils with Cover Crops

Crimson Clover blooms in spring.

If you have empty space in your garden that will remain bare through the winter consider planting a cover crop such as crimson clover, rapeseed, or rye. Cover crops provide many benefits, including weed and disease suppression, improving soil condition, and adding nutrients to the soil. Early fall is prime time to plant winter cover crops.

Find out more about the different types of cover crops that can be planted now and the benefits they provide -- read the entire article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website, http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+147.

Questions? Use our 'Ask an Expert' widget to get answers to your questions:  http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=askanexpert

Email Listserves - Sign Up Today!

Pender Gardener
Weekly updates on what to do and plant in your landscape and lawn!

• To subscribe to the Pender Gardener email listserve, send an email to mj2@lists.ncsu.edu. Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the message put: subscribe pendergardener

Food Gardener 
Weekly updates on what to do and plant in your vegetable and herb garden!

• To subscribe to the Food Gardener email listserve, send an email to mj2@lists.ncsu.edu. Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the message put: subscribe foodgardener

Prepare Your Lawn for Winter!

Winter Kill in a Centipede Lawn

Though winter is still months away, now is the time to start preparing your lawn for cold weather. Cold weather damage, known as winter kill, is a common problem in our area and shows up as large dead areas in spring. This is often caused more by our fluctuating winter temperatures than by extreme cold. When temperatures go up in winter, grasses like centipede are tempted to start growing too early. When winter warm spells are followed by sudden cold temperatures, winter kill is the result.

Many lawns throughout southeastern NC are in poor shape thanks to the extreme cold our area experienced last winter followed by this summer’s severe drought. There are a couple of things you can do now to help your lawn recover and make it through this winter in good health. Two of the most important fall lawn chores are applying a potassium fertilizer and raising your mowing height by 1/2". 


Learn more! Read the whole article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+146

Learn much more about turf care, download Lawn Maintenance Calendars, find out about current problems, and sign up to receive Turf Alert! emails from NCSU’s Turf Files website, http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu.
 
If you have questions about lawn care contact your local Cooperative Extension Office. In Pender County call 259-1235, visit our office at 801 S. Walker Street in Burgaw (office hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm), or post your questions online using our ‘Ask an Expert’ widget available at http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=askanexpert.

Fall Extension Gardener Newsletter Now Available!

Just in time for the first cool, rainy weekend of autumn -  The Fall 2011 issue of the Extension Gardener Newsletter is now available online!

Extension Gardener Newsletter is written by horticultural experts with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Each issue includes statewide features plus a special regional section written specifically for your area of the state.


In the Fall 2011 Coastal Plain issue, you will learn about:

• Analyzing the Home Lawn
• Xeriscaping
• Growing Winter Squash and Giant Pumpkins
• Recycling Leaves
• Japanese Plum Yew
• Fall Garden Chores
• Large Patch Disease
• and more!

Download your copy here today: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/successg/latest%20issue_eg.htm

Time to Plant Cole Crops!

Young Broccoli Plants

September is prime time to set out transplants of cabbage, kale, collards, broccoli, and cauliflower, a group of crops collectively known as the cole crops. If you have tried growing these crops in the spring before and failed, be sure try again this fall. 

Cole crops thrive in the consistently cool temperatures of autumn, producing superior flavor to their spring grown counterparts. Space broccoli and cauliflower transplants 2’ apart. Cabbage can be planted closer, while kale and collards should be set a little further apart. 

Find out more! Read the whole article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+145


Want to learn more about growing vegetables, fruits and herbs? Subscribe to FoodGardener, an email news service from Pender Cooperative Extension dedicated to bringing you timely information on sustainable home food production for southeastern and coastal NC. To subscribe, email charlotte_glen@ncsu.edu and request to be added to the FoodGardener listserv. 


If you have questions about growing vegetables contact your local Cooperative Extension office. In Pender County call 259-1235, visit our office at 801 S. Walker Street in Burgaw (office hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm), or post your questions online using our ‘Ask an Expert’ widget available at http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=askanexpert.

After the Storm: Pruning damaged trees

Branch Collar

Tropical storms, hurricanes, and strong thunderstorms can leave your yard in a mess. When storms occur, broken limbs and branches are the most common type of damage sustained by trees and shrubs. While a few broken branches will not cause serious harm to a tree for the present time, how you care for a tree with a broken branch will have a huge impact on its long term health and ability to withstand future storms. 

When removing a damaged branch from a tree or shrub, cut just beyond the swollen area known as the branch collar and never flush against the trunk. When branches are properly removed, the tree will be able to see over the wound to keep out decay and insects. The sealing process is starting in this picture and can be seen as the doughnut shaped ring outlining the pruning cut.  


Learn more! Read the entire article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website, http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+144.

To find out how you can prevent future damage through proper tree selection and maintenance, read this Pender Gardener article from Sept. 2010: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+94.


Questions? Get answers by posting them online using our 'Ask an Expert' widget: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=askanexpert.