Controlling Cole Crop Pests

Holes in the leaves of cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards, and other cole crops are a telltale sign of caterpillar feeding. The term ‘cole crops’ is a common name for vegetables in the cabbage family. Also known as brassicas or crucifers, this group includes many of our favorite fall vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, collards, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens, turnips, rutabaga, and kohlrabi.

While generally easy to grow, vegetables in this family are prone to a few pest problems, the most common of which is caterpillars. Fortunately caterpillars are relatively easy to control, though early detection and treatment is important to prevent serious crop damage. In addition, organic products are most effective if applied when caterpillars are small.

Find out more! Read the rest of the story on the Pender County Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+96

Growing Muscadine Grapes

Want to grow grapes in the south? If so, you have two choices, plant muscadines or plant another type of grape and watch the vines die. While table, wine, and concord type grapes rarely live for more than a few years in our area, muscadines thrive.

This tough, native grape can be found growing along woodland edges throughout the south and is easily cultivated in home gardens. Both bronze and black muscadine varieties are available. Both types are delicious to eat fresh, with an intense fruity taste, and make wonderful jams, jellies, pies, juices, and wines.

Learn more! Read the rest of the story on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+95.

Photo by: Connie Fisk, Extension Associate, NC Cooperative Extension.

Extension Gardener Newsletter - Fall Issue Now Available!

The latest issue of the Extension Gardener newsletter in 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 2010 Coastal Plain issue, you can learn about:

• Gorgeous Grasses for Garden Texture
• Preventing Garden Diseases
• Leafy Greens and Crucifers
• Pink Muhly Grass
• Tips and Tasks for Fall
• Florida Betony and Weed Management
• Growing Your Own Mulch
• and more!

Download your copy here http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/extgardener/ today!

Hurricanes and Trees

Hurricanes and trees may sound like a bad combination, but the outcome of these two meeting is not always destructive. How well a tree survives a hurricane depends on several factors, many of which are under your control. These include tree species planted, tree root health, and pruning practices.

Though commonly practiced, topping (severe pruning - seen left) is detrimental to tree health and increases the likelihood the tree will fail in future storms. If you feel your tree needs this type of pruning you are better off removing the tree and replanting with a more wind resistant species.

Find out more! Read the rest of the story on the Pender County Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+94

Plant a Salad Garden!

Lettuce and other salad greens are easy to grow and thrive in the cool temperatures of fall. They can be ready to harvest in as little as 30 days from sowing, making them one of the quickest vegetables you can grow. What’s more, lettuce and many of the greens popular in salad mixes flourish when grown in containers, so you can easily grow your own salad even if you do not have a vegetable garden!

Young lettuce plants are readily available from local garden centers and farmers markets. Or you can grow your own from seed. Either way, lettuce planted now will provide you with fresh tasty greens from fall until hard frost.

Learn more! To read the rest of the story visit the Pender County Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+93.