Darlene Underwood is a Mississippi master gardener, national accredited flower show judge and Garden Clubs of Mississippi third vice-president. Reach her at darlene.underwood@att.net.
Pumpkins and gourds come in all forms and colors. They’re everywhere this time of year, from edible pumpkins and decorative gourds to bi-color Emini-pumpkins and huge prize winners weighing in at over 400 pounds. The U.S. produces about 990,000 tons (more than 2.1 billion pounds) of pumpkins annually. It’s estimated that about 1 billion pounds […]
Whether you have an elaborate kitchen garden or a small patch for raising veggies, things will start to slow down in the fall. Check off these chores to prepare for next season. CARE FOR YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN • Clean out beds. Removing all plant debris helps prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in your garden […]
Although September here on the Coast is still very warm, we can expect cooler temperatures around mid- October. So, now’s the time to finish the gardening season strong by prepping your garden for winter. Some essential outdoor chores to add to your fall to-do list include: Giving permanent plantings such as trees, shrubs and perennials […]
If you garden and enjoy plants, chances are you love birds, too. Although most birds nest in spring, some birds hatch more than one flock a year. Providing nesting areas encourages our feathered friends to visit and maybe stay while raising their young. WHAT KIND OF BIRDHOUSE DO BIRDS PREFER? Birdhouses should be made of […]
As homes and commercial buildings crop up in ever greater numbers, consuming hundreds of acres of woodlands and wetlands, wildlife is struggling to find places to live. Summer is a wonderful time to get outside with your children and create a wildlife habitat in your backyard. A backyard refuge for birds, bees and small animals […]
As a child living in rural Mississippi, I dearly loved the feeling of walking to Gaines Creek through a “cathedral” of overhanging trees and vines. This time of year, many of us enjoy admiring and smelling the flowering climbing vines that seem to be in full bloom everywhere. While lovely, these vines can create a […]
If you don’t have a yard or outdoor area large enough to grow vegetables, don’t let that stop you! Anyone can grow excellent produce in a small space, even pots. There are several things to keep in mind as you begin: PICKING THE RIGHT PLANTS: As more people choose to live on smaller lots or […]
Springtime is delightful anywhere, but especially on the Coast! Fruit trees are blooming, perennials are popping up and native azaleas are showing fabulous color along the riverbanks, ponds and maybe even in our gardens. What a glorious cacophony of visual beauty! To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. So, let’s get outdoors and […]
What’s a holiday feast without herbs to turbocharge your favorite dishes? Many herbs can be grown indoors during the cooler part of the year here on the Coast, and most can be moved into our gardens once the weather warms up. Herbs not only add flavor to food, but they also make attractive house plants […]
Just when we see most of our garden blooms fading with cooler fall weather, low and behold, native wildflowers put on their spectacular display. Whether planted in flower beds or self-seeded along rural fence lines, vacant lots and drainage ditches, it’s hard not to notice this breathtaking display of fall beauty. The value of this […]
