Summertime is when our beautiful native plants, majestic trees and shrubs, and yes, even our soils teem with living organisms. Parasitoids, beneficial nematodes and fungi, along with insect predators, are just a few of these organisms that help keep the bad pest populations at bay. These are…

Summer is now in full swing and cattle producers have and will be thinking about managing flies, deworming and may even be considering other vaccinations as part of their herd management program. These things got me thinking about cattle handling facilities.

For over 100 years 4-H has been growing children. 4-H started out as Corn Clubs for boys that taught them ways to get more corn yield from an acre of land. The girls wanted to get involved too, so Canning Clubs were formed. The girls were taught the best and safest techniques for canning tomatoes.

June is National Healthy Home Month. Usually when we think of “healthy” we think diet and exercise, but there is another way to improve your and your family’s health. Making sure you have a healthy home will decrease the risk of health-related issues such as allergies and asthma, and in some…

In North Carolina, fresh market strawberry production ranks third in the nation behind California and Florida with approximately 1,000 acres harvested each year. May is “Strawberry Month” and during this time, folks flock to pick-your-own strawberry farms, local produce stands, farmers marke…

Get ready artists, because we need your best creations!

It’s the time of year when it’s difficult to resist the impulse to plant during our warm and beautiful spring days!

According to Education Week (www.edweek.org), having good oral communication skills is ranked at the top of lists of skills sought after by employers.

Calling all 4-H alumni (and current 4-H families): Join us at the Jackson County 4-H Achievement Night Carnival, from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25. Learn what 4-H’ers are doing these days, celebrate their achievements and check out our new location at the Skyland Services Center, 876 Skyland …

We are all living in a fast-paced world. Children and youth are experiencing more and more a sense of being stressed and overwhelmed and need to learn coping strategies.

In last month’s article “Mysteries of Mulch Unearthed” readers discovered the benefits of mulch, the various types of mulch and tips detailing the pros and cons when used in varying landscape scenarios.

Homeowners have many decisions to make when adding to or creating a new landscape that may include raised beds filled with flowers, herbs or vegetables. Considerations such as selecting the proper species of shrubs and trees, along with sun, shade and water needs are definite “to do’s” that …

Do you wonder if there’s some way you might get more involved in the community? Are you a retired teacher missing contact with kids? Are you feeling bored? Are you looking for a local cause to support? Do you need to build your resume? Would you like to make a difference?

Do you ever get confused with all the different products when you go to the grocery store? Or do you go in with an idea of what you want, but leave with bags and no clue about what you are going to have for dinner?

4-H goes about teaching youth development via the four H’s – Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

Most all of us have witnessed from TV or firsthand the effects of Hurricane Florence “down east” in our state. The situation reminds me of how disasters bring people together in times of need.

As the season begins to change so will the livelihood of our wildlife neighbors.

Think back to when you were 12 years old. Where did you live? Do you remember what your bedroom looked like? Who was your best friend? What did you like to do? Eat? Wear? This may be an easier exercise for some of you than others.

Most pests that commonly invade our garden are easily spotted and feed during the daytime.

Over 200 years ago, switchel was widely craved by thirsty farmers. Today, it’s loved for its natural, beneficial ingredients.

The webpage “7 Simple Steps to Eating The Med Way” reflects a way of eating that is traditional in the countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea and includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil, and limits highly- processed foods and added sugar. The Mediterr…

Jackson County 4-H is boring – and that’s just the way we like it.

I just love the part of my job where I get to see young people grow their skills. It’s amazing to experience them working together, building confidence, planning and implementing projects and being creative. These skills get practiced in Jackson County 4-H every day, and I’d like to tell you…

Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to start planning your vegetable garden.

Every winter, homeowners notice and ask the question, “What is the blue-gray and green stuff growing on my trees, stone walls, fence posts, walkways and lawn?”

As spring approaches you are probably thinking about planting or seeding something no matter if you are a home gardener, vegetable farmer or a livestock farmer. This month I would like to discuss a few things to be mindful of when planning for your spring farming and gardening activities this year.

Jackson County 4-H is thriving.

As we plow into the new year, gardeners with home orchards e-mail or call in asking questions about what type of fertilizer to use, when to fertilize and how much to apply for a successful crop of apples, pears, grapes and blueberries. Choosing the right food, such as a granular 10-10-10, co…

“Unless we change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.”

Healthy soil is the foundation of successful gardening.

Fall is here.

Cut flowers are a sure win to brighten your home and beautify the outdoors. If you have a garden, you can easily grow your own flowers while taking time to relax and enjoy their outdoor beauty or bring them inside to create an eye-catching floral arrangement.

Hydrangeas are a beloved landscape plant, especially so with the newer hybrids. There are more than 100 different varieties, including the climbing hydrangea, large oak-leafed varieties, red-stemmed choices and hydrangeas with pure white blooms. Because there are oodles of cultivars it’s hel…

If you are out on any pastures or old farm fields you may notice an evergreen tree with small blue berries at this time of year. It is not a prolific tree for our counties like over in eastern Tennessee or down east in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, but nonetheless it is a native tre…

“Hey, look at this big tomato!”

The drought of fall 2016 is slowly improving across Jackson and Swain counties with new growth of established and re-seeded pastures showing signs of success due to the recent rains since winter. Most horse pastures needed some replanting of grasses, along with fertilization to stimulate the…

4-H is the youth development program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

Over the past few weeks, many homeowners have called our office or sent e-mails with attached photos of blackened leaves at the tips of stems and branches of their apple, pear and crabapple trees.