Outdoors

The Potting Shed: Attitude is basic tool for the life-long gardener

Bob Johnson

As I age, I am determined to continue my gardening as a form of exercise and mind control. In my garden, I am able to express myself and to maintain control over outcomes. No force exists to tell me how to, why to, or what not to at any time while... Full story

Godwin Column: Plants register shock from surprising weather

Peg Godwin

A combination of conditions unusual for late spring has surprised gardeners. The recent cold night temperatures and windy wet weather conditions have injured the tender growth on many plants. The weather conditions, combined with the plant's growth... Full story

The Potting Shed: Make Yankee peonies a Southern abundance

Bob Johnson

In my mind's eye, I remember the peony-lined sidewalks at my grandfather's house that were always so abundant and beautiful. This memory was revitalized as I visited Griffin's Plant Shed on U.S. 258 and found gallon-sized pots of ready-to-bloom... Full story

Godwin: Leaf gall caused by variety of fungi

Peg Godwin

Are you finding many soft distorted leaves on your azaleas, Camellia sasanqua and/or rhododendrons? These thickened, curled, fleshy leaves range in color from pale green to white. The recent moist, cool weather arrived in time to increase the... Full story

Godwin Column: Dealing with carpenter bees

Peg Godwin

Carpenter bees once again are excavating tunnels for nesting sites. Coarse sawdust is on my deck and at the base of a storage building. Carpenter bees target wooden decks, overhangs, exposed wood and wooden furniture. They prefer untreated and... Full story

The Potting Shed: Iris brings color for months

Bob Johnson

Irises come in a rainbow of colors, which is why they were named Iris - for the Greek goddess of rainbows. There are bearded iris, beardless iris, wild iris and hybrid iris. More than 200 species grow wild, and there are thousands of hybrid... Full story

The Potting Shed: Choosing a quality lawn care provider

Bob Johnson

Traveling U.S. 70 daily to work proves to me that lawn maintenance has become a major business in our recessed economy. Every other vehicle I pass is pulling a trailer loaded with lawn care equipment. It seems that most families in our area have... Full story

Godwin Column: Peonies and ants have unique relationship

Peg Godwin

How many times have you reached for a pesticide to kill the ants on your peonies, and been told the ants are necessary for buds to open? Research has some interesting answers to help us understand the relationship between ants and peonies. It is... Full story

Column: Repairing damaged centipede lawns

Peg Godwin

Centipede grass is a low maintenance lawn that is easy to care for in our area. Many southeastern North Carolina growers are expressing frustration, however, because their lawns have suffered serious damage this past winter due to cold injury.... Full story

The Potting Shed: Get to know the amazing honeybee

Bob Johnson

Last week, I was totally amazed by the number of honeybees that had taken over several of my large holly bushes while they collected pollen. I thought that maybe we need a little more knowledge about bees and, therefore, bring this information to... Full story

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