Filtering by tag: Soil, Water & Air ✕

Smoky Mountain Farmer's & Artisans Market Flyer

2026 Smoky Mountain Farmers & Artisans Market

The 2026 market season starts up in May!The Smoky Mountain Farmers & Artisans Market offers weekly opportunities to stop by and check out all the great vendor booths. The Market is open Fridays…

Ladybug Larvae

Beneficial Insects

Written by: Molly Gillespie, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, edited by Minda Daughtry, NCCE Area Agent - HorticultureBuzzz, swat, zzzz, swat!Occasionally time in the gardens can be…

Cucumber suffering from summer heat

Heat Stress on Plants - Manage Your Expectations

Back in April of this year we talked about heat related concerns on gardeners, especially when many of us were eagerly anticipating getting outside to get our new plants going. Like everyone else,…

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What Is Cooperative Extension?

Did You Know? Your Local Cooperative Extension Office Does More Than You Think!Have you ever wondered what your local Cooperative Extension Office does? You may know it for soil testing and plant…

Roots escaping the heat

Hot Pots – What?!?

We’ve just experience bone chilling cold, so why is this article about how heat affects our plants. The answer: Thinking back and planning ahead. Dealing with the heat and lack of rain last summer…

Cow in winter snow

Managing Livestock in Winter

Winter can be a challenge when it comes to maintaining the health of our livestock herds. Just like with humans, changes in the outside temperature lead to respiratory challenges so always being on…

Healthy Vegetable Garden

Steps to a Successful Garden

At its core, soil is “a dark material consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles.” Its role is to provide water, nutrients, air, and microbes to support the roots of plants.…

Frozen/Dead Plant Leaves

Baby, It’s Cold Outside! (Finally)

When we talk about diseases, we often think about teeny, tiny “no-seeum” critters - living organisms like fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes causing disease. These are all causes of biotic…

Flower Seeds

Flowers to Sow in the Fall for Spring Color

The temperatures are dropping and our summer gardens are beginning to look a bit frumpy. As we get ready to tackle preparing our landscapes for fall, let’s dream a bit about spring blooms because…

Fire Blight

Fire Blight Showing Up on Apple and Pear Trees

Fire blight is one of the most devastating and difficult-to-control diseases of many fruit trees, including apple and pear, as well as of other ornamental plants in the rose family (much more than…