gardening
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The Madison County Extension Office will be hosting a free educational class that covers irrigation system design and maintenance for home landscapes and gardens! Mark your calendar for March 31, 2026 at 5:30 PM! Registration will end at 5:00 PM on Friday, March 27,2026. The meeting will be held at the Madison County Extension Office…
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When Mother Nature decides to turn the thermostat down below freezing, it affects more than just water lines and power bills. Many plants develop wilted leaves, blackened stems, and may look as if they’ve been scorched. Others will not show signs of damage until spring, when they come out of dormancy. The following is a…
Posted in: Agriculture -
It is that time of year again when leaves are falling and completely covering landscapes. If you don’t enjoy raking, bagging, and dragging leaves to the curb, you can reuse them as mulch. In nature, leaves act like a blanket that protects the roots of trees and plants from very cold temperatures. If you remove…
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Gardeners have used compost for centuries to increase soil organic matter, improve soil physical properties, and supply some of the essential nutrients for plant growth. Composting is a method of speeding natural decomposition under controlled conditions. Many types of organic materials can be used for compost. This is an easy way to transform your landscape…
Posted in: Gardening -
I have recently received numerous calls about problems with tomato plants. This time of the year we typically see issues start to arise in our flourishing gardens. Two of the most common problems are leaf spots and blossom end rot. There are three leaf spot diseases commonly found on garden tomatoes: Septoria leaf spot, early…
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Back in the 60s, Simon & Garfunkel sang about parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Today, the list of herbs found in gardens would fill up the whole song. For centuries, herbs have been used for food and medicine. Today they are still used for seasoning food, providing pleasant fragrance, and even adding interest to the…
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Spring is here, and despite our cold snap last weekend, folks are busy getting gardens ready. Gardens can come in all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, not every landscape is suitable for in-ground gardens. In these situations, raised bed gardens have become increasingly popular. Raised beds are improved areas of soil elevated above ground level and…
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Although it’s still cold and wintery outside, it is time to start prepping for warmer weather and spring gardening. If your gardening goal is to fill your pantry with an array of homegrown food, then starting plants from seed can help you achieve that goal. Starting seeds indoors under controlled conditions, with no aggravation from…
Posted in: Gardening -
Fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes are one of the great joys of summer. However, sometimes diseases, pests and/or environmental stresses get in the way of our tomato harvests. I have already gotten several calls and visits about problems with tomato plants. Below are some common issues and potential solutions. Black area on bottom of tomatoes – This…
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The warmer temperatures and extra time at home have prompted you to plant a garden. Day-dreams of fresh, hand-picked veggies going straight from the garden to your dinner table are inching towards reality. But having a success vegetable garden takes some work and planning. Here are some tips to help you hopefully reach your dreams…