Controlling Caterpillars

Ragged holes are sign of caterpillar feeding.

Just as plants have peak seasons, so do pests. Aphids rule the spring, beetles reign in summer, but fall is the season of the caterpillar. Many different types of caterpillars can currently be found munching on tree, shrub, and vegetable leaves in our area. In many cases they can be left alone, causing no lasting damage to plants, but there are some situations where control is needed. If you have a caterpillar outbreak that requires control, numerous insecticides are available that can do the job, including several organic products. 

Learn more about when control is needed and what you can use to get the job done by reading the whole article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/2012/08/controlling-caterpillars/

Wet Weather Good and Bad for Gardens

Hydrangeas often develop leaf spot in late summer following rainy weather. Like many leaf spot diseases on ornamentals, this problem is mostly cosmetic and usually does not require spraying.

Recent heavy rains have been both good and bad for gardens in our area. The rainfall, and the milder weather that came with it, were a much needed relief from the scorching heat of the July 4th week. As a result of this abundant moisture, many plants have put on new growth and appear much healthier than a few weeks ago. But this healthy veneer may not last as moisture induced disease problems start to become obvious. Common wet weather diseases include leaf spot, root rot, and southern stem blight. To learn more about these problems read the rest of the article posted here on the Pender Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/2012/07/wet-weather-good-and-bad-for-gardens/

Leaf spot diseases on vegetables are more serious because they often cause reductions in yield. This is Septoria leaf spot on tomato. Image source: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/info/plant-diseases/septoria-leaf-spot

Soil pH - A matter of balance

Iron chlorosis on hydrangea due to high soil pH

Do you know the pH of your soil? There is a good chance it is either too high or too low. 

 

Soil pH problems are common in our area, often causing poor plant growth, pale or discolored leaves, and wasted fertilizer applications. Adjusting soil pH can dramatically improve plant performance, but first you need to know which direction to adjust it. Lime and sulfur, both natural products, are used to adjust soil pH.

Blossom end rot can be caused by low soil pH

 High soil pH (over 7.0) often results in iron chlorosis, which appears as yellowing between the veins on new growth. Most vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants grow best when the soil pH is between 5.5. and 6.5. Notable exceptions include blueberries, camellias, azaleas, gardenias, and centipede grass, which prefer more acidic soils. High soil pH levels are especially common near the beach.

Nutrient disorders like blossom end rot, a common problem in tomatoes, squash, peppers, and watermelons, are more prevalent in overly acidic soils (pH below 5.5). Other conditions that cause this disorder include drought, over fertilization, and extreme heat. 

To learn more about soil pH issues and how to adjust your soil pH read the whole article on the Pender Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+179

 

Plant Sale Nurtures Spring Fever!

Double Knock Out Rose

Spring is here and what better way to explore its possibilities than by attending the Pender Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale, coming up Thursday, April 19, 2pm-6pm, Friday, April 20, 8:30am-6pm and Saturday, April 21, 8:30am-noon. The sale will be held at the Pender County Cooperative Extension office, 801 S. Walker Street in Burgaw.

For flower lovers, the sale will offer a full palate of annuals and perennials to purchase, with special focus given this year to flowering plants that attract beneficial insects and pollinators. Those with culinary tastes will savor a variety of herbs, vegetables, and fruit plants including figs and blueberries. While at the sale, be sure to check out the 'Master Gardener Grown' tent where you will find different and unusual varieties of plants propagated and grown by Pender County Master Gardeners.

All gardeners should plan to attend the free gardening class that begins at 10am on Saturday, titled ‘Growing Great Soils’.  This 2 hour class, taught by Extension horticulture agent Charlotte Glen, will discuss common soil problems in coastal and SE NC and how to fix them without spending a fortune. If you would like to attend the class, call 259-1235 to register.

Master gardeners will be on hand throughout the sale to answer questions and offer advice. Proceeds from the sale benefit Pender County Cooperative Extension’s educational programs and teaching gardens. For more information, including a list of the plants that will be offered, visit http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/content/2012PlantSale or call 910-259-1235.

Too Early to Plant?

Squash Seedling

Our mild winter has rapidly turned into an early spring, leading many gardeners to wonder if it is safe to plant frost sensitive vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash outside now. For some crops the answer is yes, but be prepared to protect them if temperatures near 32 degrees are predicted. For others, even though our days have warmed soil temperatures are not yet quite warm enough for them to grow well. 

In a typical year, coastal areas in our region can expect the last spring frost to occur around March 30, while inland areas often experience light frosts as late as April 15. This year, warmer temperatures seem to have set in early. As a result soil temperatures throughout southeastern NC have already reached 60 degrees or more, making them warm enough to plant many summer crops outside. Though unlikely, frost can still not be ruled out, so if you do plant early have a plan to protect sensitive crops by covering them with old sheets or floating row cover, especially during the next few weeks.

To find out which crops can be planted now and which should not read the entire article, available on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+176

What is organic gardening?

Organic gardeners rely on beneficial insects such as this immature ladybug to help with pest control, but there is much more organic gardening than simply letting Mother Nature take care of your yard.

Interest in organic gardening is higher than ever but so is confusion over exactly how to accomplish it. How do you provide the nutrients plants need to survive? What can you do about insects and plant diseases? Are some plants too difficult to grow organically in our climate? The answers to some of these questions may surprise you.

Want to know more? Read the whole article on the Pender Extension website to learn more about organic fertilizers, pest management, and soil preparation: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+175


Stay up to date with planting times, pest control, and more by signing up for the Food Gardener Email News.

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Stay up to date with lawn and garden chores, subscribe to the Pender Gardener Email News.

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Planting for Pollinators

Honeybee visiting broccoli flowers

Honey bees and other pollinators are essential for the production of many of the foods we grow and eat every day. These include fruits like blueberries, apples, and peaches, as well as many vegetables, including cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, beans, melons, and peppers. Throughout the year, these industrious insects rely on a wide variety of flowers, including weeds, to provide the nectar and pollen that are their food.  As gardeners we can promote pollinator health by planting a diversity of flowers to serve as nectar sources, as well as by simply allowing vegetables, herbs, and weeds to bloom in our yards. 

What you do in your own backyard can greatly affect pollinator activity and health in your garden, as well as the larger region. Including plants in your yard that attract and sustain honey bees and other pollinators can increase pollinator populations in your area and lead to higher vegetable and fruit yields in your yard and community.  

You may choose to include flowers throughout your yard as a way of supporting pollinators. Annuals flowers like cleome, cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers are excellent bee attractors. So are many herbs. Allow basil, fennel, oregano, chives, mint, and dill to bloom in the garden to bring in pollinators and beneficial insects. Cover crops like buckwheat and clover also do a great job, as do perennials like purple coneflower, agastache, joe pye weed, goldenrod, asters, and black eyed susans. 

Henbit, a common weed and nectar source!

Allowing winter vegetables like broccoli, kale, and mustard to bloom out provides a source of nectar early in season, a critical time for pollinators since few other plants are in bloom and changing weather conditions make them particularly vulnerable to food shortages. Many common lawn weeds also serve as often overlooked sources of early season nectar. Allowing winter weeds such as henbit, field pansy, and chickweed to mature in some areas of your yard will support pollinators in your community. 

If you have questions about protecting pollinators and beneficial insects contact your local Cooperative Extension office. In Pender County call 259-1235, Mon – Fri, 8am and 5pm, or visit us online anytime at http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=askanexpert, where you can post your questions to be answered by email using the ‘Ask an Expert’ widget!

Learn more! Read the whole article on the Pender Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+174
  

Plant a Spring Salad Garden!

Romaine Lettuce

Lettuce and other salad greens are easy to grow and thrive in the cool temperatures of spring. 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.

Though iceberg may be the lettuce most familiar to many of us, it is not the easiest to grow. Fortunately there are other types of lettuce available that are tasty, beautiful and simple to cultivate. The easiest to grow are known as looseleaf or leaf lettuces, which make open, loose heads. Many selections are available, including ruffled green leaf varieties like ‘Simpson Elite’, red blushed or red leaf selections like ‘Red Sails’ and ‘Prizeleaf’, and deeply lobed types that are commonly referred to as ‘Oak Leaf’ varieties. When mixed together, the assortment of colors and textures that looseleaf varieties exhibit make a stunning display in the garden as well as in the salad bowl.  

Two other types of lettuce that are easily grown in our area are romaine and butterhead, which is sometimes referred to as bib lettuce. The leaves of romaine lettuce, a staple ingredient in Caesar salad, are thick, crisp, and sweet. They make fairly large heads, and are ready to harvest within 60 to 80 days from planting. Young plants should be spaced 10” to 12” apart. Butterhead lettuces produce small, tightly folded heads of tender leaves with a delicate buttery flavor. Butterhead varieties are ready for harvest in 40 to 50 days and should be spaced six to eight inches apart. 

To learn more about salad greens you can plant this spring read the entire article on the Pender Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=HOME+2

If you have questions about growing vegetables contact your local Cooperative Extension office. In Pender County call 259-1235, Mon – Fri, 8am and 5pm, or visit us online anytime at http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=askanexpert, where you can post your questions to be answered by email using the ‘Ask an Expert’ widget!

Compost Happens!

Black gold!

There is a completely natural and readily available substance that is guaranteed to help your plants grow better. This is no scam; it’s compost! And the best thing is you can make it yourself for free! In fact, you may be throwing away materials you could be using to make this valuable garden resource. 

Composting is simply the act of helping natural materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable scraps to break down. The finished product of composting is compost - a dark brown, crumbly, earthy smelling, soil like substance some gardeners refer to as black gold because of the many ways it benefits the soil and plant growth. Homemade compost is just as good as that bought at the garden center – and a lot cheaper!

Learn more about composting - read the whole article on the Pender Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+173

Find out more about composting from these great online resources:

• Florida's Online Composting Center -- Everything you need to know about composting! http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/compost-info/
• Composting – Publication from NC Cooperative Extension, http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/pdf/ag-467.pdf
• Vermicomposting - Composting with worms! Learn how from this Pender Gardener article: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+113
• Grow your own compost in place by sowing and turning in cover crops and green manures - Learn more from this Pender Gardener article: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+147

If you have questions about composting, contact your local Cooperative Extension office. In Pender County call 259-1235, Mon – Fri, 8am and 5pm, or visit us online anytime or visit us online anytime at http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=askanexpert, where you can post your questions to be answered by email using the ‘Ask an Expert’ widget!

Grow Your Own!

Basil Seedlings

Nothing holds the promise of spring like a packet of seeds. If you have never grown plants from seed let this be the year you start. You do not need a greenhouse to grow healthy transplants and many varieties can easily be started indoors over the next month to transplant outside in spring, while other varieties can be sown directly in the garden.  

Now is the time to start seeds of basil  tomato, peppers, impatiens and other slower growing vegetables and flowers indoors to have transplants ready for spring. 

Learn more about growing plants from seed and gain hands on experience at the upcoming 'Growing Flowers and Vegetables from Seeds' workshop. Click here for details: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/content/spring2012seed

Read the rest of the article on the Pender Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+170

Improving Sandy Soil

Yellowing of lower leaves on this broccoli plant is a classic symptom of nitrogen deficiency, a common problem problem in sandy soils.

Southeastern North Carolina is not a place known for wonderful soils. One of the most common problems gardeners face in our area is dry, poor sand. Fortunately sandy soils are easy to work, so if sand is your problem getting your soil into good shape should not wear you out. And, once you have improved a sandy site you will find these soils can be very productive, producing prolific vegetables and robust trees, shrubs and flowers. 

Find out more about improving sandy soils - read the entire article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+169


To learn more about the common soil challenges in our area, and how to fix them without spending a fortune attend the free class ‘Growing Healthy Soil’ offered by Pender Cooperative Extension, Thursday Feb. 16, 10:30 – noon, at the Hampstead Library, and again Saturday Feb. 18, 10:30 – noon, at the Burgaw Library. Registration is required by Feb. 14. To register, or if you have questions, call the Pender Extension Center at 910-259-1235 or email charlotte_glen@ncsu.edu.

A complete listing of spring gardening classes offered by Pender Cooperative Extension is available here: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/content/spring2012

Milder Winters May Mean Trouble for Plants

Milder winters may tempt plants to open flower and leaf buds too early, making them vulnerable to frost and cold injury. For fruits like blueberries, this can result in lower yields or crop loss.

While it comes as no surprise to gardeners, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made it official – we are experiencing milder winters in southeastern North Carolina. This recognition was formalized on January 25, with the release of the updated plant hardiness zone map. Milder winters probably sound like good news for plants and gardeners, but in reality they can create more problems than opportunities in our region.

In addition to flower and fruit loss, fluctuating winter temperatures can also result in cold injury to lawns and ornamentals. For warm season lawns, like centipede, mild winters can result in winter kill due to late season frosts.

Learn more about how winter temperatures affect plants growing in our region. Read the entire article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+168

Fall - A Great Time to Soil Test!

Chlorosis on pepper leaves caused by Magnesium deficiency

If your lawn or garden did not do as well this year as you would have liked, part of the problem may be in the soil. Chlorosis, or yellowing between the veins is a common sign of soil problems. This symptom can indicate a deficiency of iron or magnesium. In many cases the actual cause of the deficiency is high soil pH, rather than low nutrient levels in the soil. The only way to get to the root of the problem and know for sure is to soil test.

Soil testing is free in North Carolina, provided by the NC Department of Agriculture, and testing supplies can be picked up from any Cooperative Extension office. Fall is the perfect time to submit soil samples for testing. Results for samples submitted now should be ready in four to five weeks, much quicker than the nine to ten weeks it often takes in the busy spring season. 

Learn more about soil testing - read the whole article here on the Pender Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+157

Sign up for the Pender Gardener or Food Gardener listservs to receive weekly updates of what to do in your yard and garden!

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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!

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Become a Food Gardener!

Broccoli

If excessive heat and drought ruined your summer garden or, like me, prevented you from planting one, now is the time for your second chance. Many favorite vegetables can be planted over the next month for harvest throughout the fall and into winter. What’s more, FoodGardener, a new email service from Pender Cooperative Extension, will increase your chances of success by keeping you up to date on when and how to plant as well as how to sustainably manage garden pests.

To find out which vegetables and herbs can be planted now in your fall garden, read the rest of the article on the Pender County Extension website, http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+142.

Sign up for the FoodGardener email news service, brought to you by Pender County Cooperative Extension. FoodGardener will keep you up to date on what you can grow, when and how to plant, and provide recommendations for sustainable and organic pest and crop management. To sign up, simply email charlotte_glen@ncsu.edu and request to be added to the FoodGardener listserv OR send an email to mj2@lists.ncsu.edu. Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the message put: subscribe foodgardener.

Good Bug, Bad Bug

Recognize this common beneficial insect? This is an immature ladybug feeding on an aphid. In a few weeks, it will form a cocoon then emerge as the more readily recognized red and black beetle.Learn more about beneficial insects and managing pests naturally at a free class, Thursday, May 26, 10am - noon at the Surf City Community Center!

There are all kinds of insects in this world. Some of them eat plants, others feed on nectar, a few feed on blood, and then there are the bugs that eat each other. Officially known as beneficial insects, these good bugs help keep plant damaging insects under control naturally. They are definitely something you want in your garden. Luckily, creating a yard that beneficial insects will want to call home is simple and inexpensive. To find out how, click here, http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+129, to read the rest of the story on the Pender County Extension website. 

Using Natural Pesticides

Colorado potato beetle larvae (seen right) can be controlled with natural pesticides containing spinosad. Because natural pesticides break down faster than synthetic products, they need to be reapplied more often. 

In the last few years, the number of natural pesticides available from local garden centers has increased. These products, derived from plants, microorganisms and other naturally occurring materials can be used to successfully control insect pests in the garden and landscape, when used properly. Simply substituting natural products in place of more traditional synthetic pesticides though rarely provides good results. 

Learn more! Read the rest of the story on the Pender County Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=AGRI+9

Free Class!

Growing Vegetables and Herbs

Wednesday, April 6, 10:00 - 11:30
Opening Day, Poplar Grove Farmer's Market!
Upstairs in the Cultural Arts Center
Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Highway 17 N., Wilmington
http://www.poplargrove.com/

FREE!

Learn the basics of growing vegetables and herbs with a special emphasis on the challenges and opportunities of gardening near the coast. Pender County Extension Horticulture Agent, Charlotte Glen, will cover the following topics :

• Which vegetables and herbs you can grow and when to plant them
  
• Growing vegetables and herbs in containers and raised beds
• Fertilizers, pest problems, and other essentials

This class is free, but space is limited so registration is required. Please call (910)259-1235 before 5pm, April 4, to register.

While you're there, be sure to visit the Poplar Grove Farmer's Market, where you can buy fresh, local produce and handmade crafts every Wednesday, 8am - 1pm, April 6 - December 14. http://www.poplargrove.com/farmers_market.htm

Grow Your Own!

Whether due to the slow economy or just a desire for fresh, tasty food, many of us are deciding to try our hand at growing our own. Many vegetables and herbs can be grown in our area, though some are easier than others. 

If you have the room, watermelons are among the simplest of summer vegetables to grow. Easy herbs and vegetables for smaller spaces or containers include peppers, basil, chives and zucchini. 

For more suggestions of easy to grow herbs and vegetables, see the full article on the Pender Cooperative Extension website: http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=news&ci=LAWN+120.