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Plan now for later irrigation needs

Submitted by Mercer Morrison, Web Producer
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 10:56am
Plan now for later irrigation needs

By Gary R. Bachman
MSU Horticulturist
Coastal Research & Extension Center

Although many Mississippi gardeners are wondering if it will ever quit raining and let their landscapes dry out a bit, now is actually a good time to think ahead to the inevitable hot and dry weather of summer.

Dry conditions create problems for our home gardens and landscapes, and gardeners water their lawns and landscape beds a lot more than usual during these times.

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Recycling in Hattiesburg presentation by Gaining Ground-Pine Belt

Submitted by Edith González, Community Blogger
Monday, May 20th, 2013, 10:36pm
Recycling in Hattiesburg presentation by Gaining Ground-Pine Belt

Gaining Ground Pine Belt Chapter invites you to the presentation: Recycling in Hattiesburg, May 24 at 7 p.m. at the Parkway Heights Methodist Church (2420 Hardy St).

T. D.

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Salvia varieties create colorful, informal feel

Submitted by Mercer Morrison, Web Producer
Monday, May 13th, 2013, 3:53pm
Salvia varieties create colorful, informal feel

By Gary R. Bachman
MSU Horticulturist
Coastal Research & Extension Center

Many gardeners try to give their landscape the feel of an informal cottage garden. This garden concept has a loose, flowing feel, kind of like you just let plants grow wherever they happen to pop up in the landscape.

I had a professor way back in college who had a unique cottage garden planting method: He would walk through the landscape and just toss plants over his shoulder. We planted them where they landed. And you know what? His gardens looked awfully good.

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Homemade plant tags give gardens personality

Submitted by Mercer Morrison, Web Producer
Monday, April 29th, 2013, 3:45pm
Homemade plant tags give gardens personality

By Gary R. Bachman
MSU Horticulturist
Coastal Research & Extension Center

Like many home gardeners, I used to put plants in my landscape without worrying about labels because I was sure I’d remember what was planted where. And like most of you, I would end up scratching my head wondering what I had planted where.

One of the best gardening tips I can share, especially in the spring when you’re putting so many new things out, is to label your landscape plants.

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Pine Belt Fiber Artists and Producers meet April 20

Submitted by Edith González, Community Blogger
Thursday, April 18th, 2013, 1:48pm
Pine Belt Fiber Artists and Producers meet April 20

The  Pine Belt Fiber Artists and Producers will meet, April 20 at 11:30 a.m. at A Stroka Gene-us Alpaca Farm. So if you like to knit or crochet come join us and meet fellow knitters.

Bring a dish to pass for a pot luck lunch and the project you're working on.
If you're not working on anything, come anyway and learn something new.
If you interested in learning how to knit/crochet come to learn the basics and be hooked on the craft.
Bring your own yarn and needles/hook or purchase at the farm.

This is a free event.

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Use care when dividing perennials in the spring

Submitted by Mercer Morrison, Web Producer
Monday, April 15th, 2013, 4:47pm
Use care when dividing perennials in the spring

By Gary R. Bachman
MSU Horticulturist
Coastal Research & Extension Center

With spring in the air and our landscapes waking up from their long winter’s nap, Mississippi gardeners jump into the many chores needed to get gardens off to the right start.

One of the first decisions to be made is what to plant. We flock to garden centers looking for inspiration and new plants to enjoy in the coming year. Sometimes we forget to look in our own gardens for the options we already have.

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The case of the missing blue Mexican petunia

Submitted by Mercer Morrison, Web Producer
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013, 4:52pm
The case of the missing blue Mexican petunia

By Gary R. Bachman
MSU Horticulturist
Coastal Research & Extension Center

The story you are about to read is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

It was a spring morning several years ago just like this morning when I received the call. I thought it was going to be like many others I receive. I was wrong.

The person on the other end of the phone had a neighbor’s cousin to visit the coast some years ago but wasn’t sure about the season. While at a local golf course, they had spotted a blue azalea, and now the caller wanted one.

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