Rust a problem on apple trees

Spring weather brings not only gardens to life but diseases as well. One type of disease that proliferates in cool, wet weather like we’ve had is rust.  There are over 5,000 species of rust MORE »Posted: Yesterday

Preventing blight in the garden

Tomatoes are by far the most popular crop grown in home gardens. However, they are plagued by a number of disorders and diseases. The most common disease we see on garden tomatoes year after MORE »Posted: Yesterday

Fighting Fire Blight

Fire blight is a common disease of apple and pear trees in western North Carolina. Although the name may be unfamiliar, chances are, you’ve seen it without knowing it. The aptly named disease causes MORE »Posted: Yesterday

Summer Explorin’ Programs

Summer is just around the corner and the Caldwell Cooperative Extension Center has some exciting 4-H programs planned.  These activities are for youth ages 5 and up.  Classes are filled on a first come MORE »Posted: 4/26/13

Yellow wheat problems?

There are some fields of yellow wheat in Caldwell.  The fields I have looked are yellow because of a sulfur deficiencey.  This has been caused by our above average rainfall.  Sulfur, nitrogen and potash MORE »Posted: 4/24/13

Boxwoods

Boxwoods are a favorite in traditional southern landscapes. They are “Man’s Oldest Garden Ornamental.” They are part of older historic estates in Lenoir. For example, the Broyhill House on the southwestern corner of Smith Crossroads is MORE »Posted: 4/24/13

Kudzu Bugs

This week’s warm temperatures have generated lots of kudzu bug calls. The bugs have been with us all winter, but the cold temperatures kept them inactive. Now that we’ve had warm temperatures, the bugs are on MORE »Posted: 4/15/13

Observing Nature . . .

There are always exciting things happening in nature. It does not matter if you look way off in a remote area or look in your own backyard. There is always something interesting that’s happening. It MORE »Posted: 4/7/13