Quiz - 2001

April 7

Feature: "Spring Tour of the J.C. Raulston Arboretum."

Q: What region of the state has the most formal gardens?

A: Despite being home to the state's largest cities, the NC Piedmont is also the region with the most signature gardens, with over 35 gardening sites, followed by the coast and then the mountain region.

What other Tar Heel gardening treasures can be found throughout the state? From Asheville to Manteo, North Carolina is home to all types of formal gardens, representing the very best in cultivation from the state's fertile landscape. For more information about North Carolina gardens, click here.

April 14

Feature: "Using Recycleables in the Garden," Nancy Anderson, Horticultural Agent, Cumberland County.Q: What kinds of recyclables can be used to keep crawling pests at bay?

A: When it looks like crawling bugs may threaten your favorite garden plants, old milk cartons may be just what the gardener ordered. By cutting the bottoms and tops from milk cartons and placing the resulting pieces one to two inches into the soil around the plants (at varying heights appropriate to the height of each plant), green thumbs everywhere can create the best de-fence against worrisome worms and sneaky slugs.

In addition, Tar Heel gardeners can combat meddlesome mites with aluminum foil. Because sunlight reflecting off the aluminum foil tends to deter mites, simply surround the stem of threatened plant with a sheet of the foil, anchoring it with stones.

April 21

Feature: "Controlling Bad Bugs With Good Bugs in the Garden," Karen Neill, Horticultural Agent, Guilford County.

Q: Which Tar Heel "lady" is most beneficial to North Carolina gardens, the lady bee, the lady beetle, or the ladybug?A: This one is a trick question.the lady beetle is also known as the ladybug. These special "ladies" commonly known for their tiny, oval shape and red color with black spots, lay many eggs which hatch into many more lady beetle larvae - beneficial babies that resemble tiny, short-snouted alligators with six legs.

For these bug babies, the next stage is the pupa. Pupae are about the size of the adults, but the legs and antennae are closely pressed to the body. Each of these lady beetle larva eats many aphids (the real plant sapsuckers that can discolor, wilt or deform your favorite plants) and plenty of other pests.

REMEMBER: The eggs of some lady beetles are yellow and less than 1/l6 inch long. And are often laid on end in small masses. Because lady beetle pupae do not resemble the cute red and black adults, many gardeners assume that lady beetle pupae are pests "sucking the life" out of the plant. Consequently, these pupae are squashed or scraped off and destroyed. Keep in mind, each ladybug pupa destroyed allows thousands of bad bugs to survive! To learn more about these benefiticial beetles, click here.

April 28

Feature: "Espaliering," Bill Lord, Environmental Agent, Franklin County.What is espaliering a what can it do for my garden?

Espaliering is a traditional European pruning technique dating back to the Middle Ages, when feudal lords planted fruit trees along the interior walls of castle courtyards to provide fresh fruit during long sieges.

Today, espalier refers to both the two-dimensional tree or shrub or the horticultural technique of actually training the plant.

Espaliered plants are used in today's landscape for both function and beauty. In an area where space is limited or where a plant is needed to decorate a large blank wall, the espalier is most helpful.

There are numerous espalier techniques to employ from the very simple, free flowing natural and informal designs to complicated formal patterns. Most informal espaliers do not which already has interesting or unique characteristics. Often a stunted or deformed plant is appropriate for an informal espalier.

What plants can provide the best decoration for NC yards and gardens?

For more information, on the best way to espalier, click here.

Taken from "ESPALIER" leaflet produced by: M. A. "KIM" POWELL
Extension Horticultural Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina State University

May 5

Feature: "Accent Plants, Using Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape" Why are ornamental grasses popular for North Carolina landscapes?

Ornamental grasses are highly resistant to insect and disease problems, tolerant to heat and drought, and require little or no pruning. Two important requirements are full sun and well-drained soil. Ornamental grass species grow to various sizes, some growing to 10 to 15 ft, while others are considered dwarf plants used as ground covers.

Designers and gardeners realize the fine accent and architectural effect this group of plants contributes to a garden. As one applies the principles of good design - repetition, variety, balance, emphasis, sequence, and scale - along with the design qualities of color, texture, line and form, one appreciates the many uses and functions of ornamental grasses. (The term "ornamental grass" is really a catchall term used to describe all grasslike plants. These would include sedges, reeds, rushes, and a wide host of others.)

Most ornamental grasses would be described as having graceful, arching foliage, with several species being variegated. Seasonal interest is accomplished from spring "green- up" through the summer, with rich autumn colors in the fall and winter. The flower plumes on several species can be spectacular, giving interest for outdoor scale or dried and used indoors.

Ornamental grasses have several uses as functional landscape plants. When combined with a few evergreen shrubs, Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana), Zebragrass (Miscanthus sinensis zebrinus), or Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostisa cutiflora stricta) can create an excellent screen for privacy.

Most ornamental grasses can stand alone when used as an accent plant or focal point, especially when plumes of several species are abundant.

In addition, Blue Fescue (Festuca ovina glauca) with its blue-green foliage and fine texture is excellent as a ground cover in a small area. A favorite for eastern North Carolina on slopes or eroded areas is Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula).

For more information on ornamental grasses that are a Tar Heel favorite, click here.

Information taken from Ornamental Grasses for North Carolina Produced by:

M. A. (Kim) Powell
Extension Horticultural Specialist
Department of Horticultural Science

May 12

Feature: "Growing Seedless Watermelons in the Home Vegetable Garden," Bill Lord, Extension Environmental Agent.

Q: Where did the idea of a watermelon that is sweeter, easier to eat, has a longer shelf life, and no messy seeds to clean up originate?

A: The concept of triploid (seedless) watermelons began in 1939 in Japan. Although small, white rudimentary seeds do develop within these watermelons, they are eaten along with the flesh just as immature seeds are eaten in cucumber.

Although the procedure for production of seedless watermelons has been known for almost 50 years and commercial varieties have been available for over 20 years, the interest in and acreage of seedless watermelons has remained small in North Carolina until recently. Erratic performance, poor seed germination, high seed costs, and inadequate varieties resulted in the lack of interest in seedless watermelon production in the past, but most of these deterrents have now been overcome. To learn more about how seedless watermelons are grown, click here.

May 19

Feature: " Ingredients for a Successful Herb Garden," Nancy Anderson, Horticultural Agent, Cumberland County.What are the basic guidelines for growing herbs?

An herb is any plant used whole or in part as an ingredient for health, flavor, or fragrance and conveniently enough, herbs as a group are relatively easy to grow.

When growing herbs follow these basic guidelines:

• Plant herbs in average garden soil with organic matter added to improve texture and drainage.
• Choose a site that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.
• Avoid ground where water stands or runs during heavy rains.
• Compensate for poor drainage with raised beds amended with compost.
• Apply balanced fertilizers sparingly to leafy, fast-growing herbs. Heavy applications of fertilizer, especially those containing large amounts of nitrogen, will decrease the concentration of essential oils in the lush green growth.
• Plan your herb garden by grouping herbs according to light, irrigation, and soil requirements. Most herbs enjoy full sun, but a few tolerate shade. Herbs can be classified as either annual, biennial, or perennial. Be aware of the growth habits of the plants before you purchase them. Some herbs, such as borage, anise, caraway, chervil, coriander, cumin, dill, and fennel, should be direct-seeded, because they grow easily from seed or do not transplant well. Other herbs, such as mints, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and tarragon, should be purchased as plants and transplanted or propagated by cuttings to ensure production of the desired plant (do not come true from seeds).

Taken from Growing Herbs for the Home Gardener produced by:

Erv Evans, Extension Associate
Jeanine Davis, Extension Specialist
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
North Carolina State University

May 26

Feature: "That Southwestern Look; Low Maintainance, Drought Resistance Landscape Plants," Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery.What drought resistant plants are most successful in this state?

Choosing plants native to North Carolina or plants that flourish during dry spells, doesn't mean just having a landscape of cacti, rocks and sand. It means having a landscape that is practical as well as visually pleasing, allowing Tar Heel gardeners to conserve water, time and money.

Drought-tolerant plants, shrubs and trees come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Here are just a few of the possible choices available at your local nursery: English ivy, clematis, black-eyed susan, verbena and purple coneflowers. Dwarf aucuba, barberry, boxwoods, glossy abelia, hollies and juniper are also popular selections. You can't overlook the beauty of nandina, flame azalea, Carolina rhododendron and forsythia. Favorite drought-tolerant trees include crape myrtle, red maple, river birch, flowering crabapple and a variety of oaks.

For more information about drought tolerant perennials, click here.

June 2

Feature: "Colorful Cannas Varieties," Mike Gray with Tony Avent, Plant Delights NurseryWhy are Cannas also known as Arrowroot or Indian Shot?

IN certain areas of the tropics, Cannas are cultivated for their edible root, which is a rich source of starch.

One possible reason for the nicknames is that Cannas is indigenous to the West Indies, where native people, the Arawaks, used the root powder. The Arawaks used the substance to draw out toxins from people wounded by poison arrows.

For more information about Cannas, click here.

June 9

Feature: "Growing Tasty Cantaloupes," Bill Lord, Environmental Agent with Jonathan Schultheis, Extension Horticultural Specialist.What NC town is famous for its cantaloupes?

The small town of Ridgeway, located in northeastern NC is known nationwide, and, in some places, worldwide, for its tasty cantaloupes. In the 1800's the same skilled German farmers who began producing cantaloupes and other fruits for Civil war soldiers, used The Raleigh & Gaston Railroad depot in Ridgeway, (one of the first two railroads in North Carolina), to the distribute the local's favorites cantaloupes nationwide. The tasty Ridgeway cantaloupe became very well known at many fine establishments in the early 20^th century ten of thousand melon crates were shipped from the little Ridgeway depot. Although the train is gone today, the legacy of the Ridgeway cantaloupe still continues put this small town on the map.

June 16

Feature: "Controlling Fire Ants" with Charlie Apperson, Extension Entomology Specialist

How do you get rid of fire ants?

Unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of fire ants completely. However, you can eliminate them in contained areas or reduce the level of infestation. As in other ant treatments, you have two choices: to treat each mound separately or to spray over a general area. Treating each mound is more environmentally safe because you use only a fraction of the insecticide needed for a general area. Regardless of which method you use, however, you need to kill the queen because she is the only member of the colony capable of laying eggs.

See http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/ifa-treat.htm for more information.

June 23

Feature: "Grass Recycling" with Karen Neill, Horticultural Agent, Guilford County

Why should I bother recycling my grass? Can't I just bag it?

A new North Carolina law prohibits yard waste, including grass clippings, from being discarded in landfills (as of January 1, 1993). Grass clippings make up about 50% of yard waste, which in turn comprises about 30% of landfill waste. Because you can recycle grass clippings, you really don't need to throw them out. In addition, most new lawnmowers come with attachments for mulching your grass as you cut it, so you don't have to rake afterwards. Recycled grass can also serve as a fertilizer for your lawn, saving you time and money. In fact, grass clippings can generate up to 25% of your lawn's yearly fertilizer needs. Your lawn will stay greener as a result, and you will be helping to protect the environment.

Contact the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources for more information about Senate Bill III.

For more information about recycling grass click here.

June 30

Feature: "Funky Urban Garden," Bill Lord with Edith EddlemanWhat kinds of vegetables can I grow in a garden when I just have a city lot?

Your can grow virtually anything except for corn, which needs a large plot of land to cross-pollinate. First, be sure that wherever you plant your garden receives five hours or more of sunlight daily. Leafy vegetables like cabbage and mustard greens tolerate more shade than root vegetables like radishes and beets. Fruit-bearing plants like peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers need the most sun. You can also plant peppers and tomatoes in a large container and leave them on your deck. Carrots make attractive borders on sidewalks. If you have a fence, there are many vining types of vegetables like cucumbers and melons. Pole beans also do well on fences. If you are growing melons, as they begin to enlarge, tie the fruit to the fence in a sling made of nylon hose, so they don't drop off the plant before they are completely ripe.

For more information about urban gardening, see http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8102.html.