By Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer With spring blooming all around us, what gardener doesn't want to continue such a colorful display in their yard all summer? While gardeners like to plant perennials for their beautiful color, shape, and longevity, most perennials only bloom for a specific time. To enjoy garden color all summer, add annuals to your planting mix, whether in the ground, in containers, or in hanging baskets. To really extend your color and get the most bang for your buck, select colorful annuals with staying power. At JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleig ..read more

By Joanne K. and John W., NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers When sunny 70+ degree days start popping up in March in eastern NC, gardeners become eager to start digging in the dirt to plant their veggies. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) come in a variety of sizes and colors. However, not all vegetables are happy in the ground when temperatures fluctuate between 30°F and 70°F, with the possibility of frost lingering in the air. One of these vegetables is every gardener's favorite — the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Who doesn't love the taste of the homegrown tomato, fre ..read more

Joanne K.,  Pitt County Arboretum E Extension Master Gardener Volunteer As spring bulbs start to bloom, you will also start to see tips of your perennials poking above ground or showing some new growth. Late winter, early spring is a great time to divide your perennials. Plant division allows you to maintain the desired plant size, revitalize its growth, and produce more plants for yourself or to share with fellow gardeners. Division is not needed every year. Many perennials, however, can become too thick after growing for two or three years in the same place resulting in smaller, fewe ..read more

By John W., Cindy C., and Joanne K., Pitt County Arboretum Extension Master Gardener Volunteers What should you do when you walk in your garden and find that something has eaten the cabbage, the tomatoes have black ends, the azalea leaves have been eaten, a plant failed to grow, and dead patches have appeared in your lawn? Most gardeners have run into these or similar problems. Below are resources to help you try to solve your problems. First, carefully look at the plant problem, collecting as much information as possible. The more you know about the problem, the easier it is to find a solut ..read more

Story by Susann C., Pitt County Arboretum Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Why do people like to grow vegetables? There are so many different reasons. Many people find gardening to be a source of relaxation, a way to enjoy their backyards. Some people like growing their own produce because they like to know where their food comes from and whether it has been sprayed with herbicides or is organic. Others appreciate being less dependent on grocery stores with their rising prices and limited inventory. Then there are folks who welcome variety and trying new foods. Finally, the satisfaction ob ..read more

By Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer With the holiday season upon us, evergreens are decorating everything from churches and front doors to streetlights and car bumpers! These greens appear in many forms, including trees, wreaths, and garlands. Evergreens as Christmas symbols were derived from pagan-inspired traditions begun thousands of years ago when greens were used as decorations for pagan winter festivals. During the winter solstice, Egyptians celebrated Ra, the Sun God, by making wreaths and garlands and decorating conifers. Druids decorated evergreens to ..read more

By Joanne K., with contributions from Diane S., Dell E., Tommy M., and Alta A., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Gardens are always changing, and the Arboretum gardens are no exception. Plants die, outgrow their space, fail to thrive, or a garden just needs to be rejuvenated. A case in point is our new vegetable garden, the latest work in progress! When the irrigation system no longer functioned in the old vegetable garden adjacent to the Children's Garden, the vegetable garden team, in consultation with the Horticultural Extension Agent, decided to create a new one in an are ..read more

By Joanne K., Pitt County EMGV Coleus displays  in many home and public container gardens around the area have been spectacular this year. Perhaps you have a favorite coleus or another summer annual that you don't want to lose when the frost comes. Coleus Green (Coleus scutellarioides) in late summer. Photo by Joanne K. As summer winds down, many annuals have luxuriant growth from which cuttings can be taken to propagate over the winter to enjoy in your garden next spring. Propagating cuttings is a fun way to extend your gardening season. Following are two easy propagation methods using ..read more

By Joanne K., Pitt County EMGV Eastern NC is definitely in the dog days of summer now, with the heat index soaring above 100 and rain coming sporadically. Containers plants are particularly vulnerable to this twin whammy of hot, dry conditions, as the containers tend to dry out quickly. Pitt County Master Gardeners were asked to share photos of some of their favorite container gardens that have held up well this summer despite unfavorable growing weather. Below are their containers, along with the plants that have beat the heat! Photo 1: by Cindy C., Pitt County EMGV Coleus scutell ..read more

By Joanne K., Pitt County EMGV Although it's the middle of summer, now is the time to start planning and planting your fall vegetable garden. The eastern NC climate allows for three-season gardening, and the cooler fall temperatures are ideal for such crops as lettuces, onions, broccoli, collards, and cabbage. Fall planting can be done between mid-August to mid-September. Start by getting a soil test, which is free between April 1 and the end of November. Soil test boxes and forms are available at the Pitt County Agricultural Center lobby and the NC Cooperative Extension office at 403 Govern ..read more