Ready, Set, Grow!: Success in the garden starts with the right plant in the right place. ☀️🌿
Before you dig, hear from NC State Extension’s Scott Zona, manager of the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, with practical tips for beginning gardeners.
Today, NC State Extension celebrates 112 years of serving North Carolina. 🎂
For over a century, we’ve empowered communities across our state by leading agriculture forward, preparing youth with leadership skills and helping families thrive.
Through it all, our mission has remained the same: to transform science into everyday solutions for North Carolinians.
Thanks for being part of our story!
ℹ️ Historical image descriptions:
1. Members of the first N.C. Boys' Corn Club, the direct precursor of North Carolina 4-H (c. 1909).
2. Members of the Watha Women's Club, with president Mrs. Joe Kelly, in Pender County (circa 1920s). These types of clubs evolved into Extension's modern Family and Consumer Sciences programs.
3. Farmers meet at a forest thinning and management demonstration, at the farm of A.F. Hunt in McDowell County, to hear Extension forester R.W. Graeber discuss demonstration results (c. 1931).
4. North Carolina's first state home demonstration agent Jane S. McKimmon, right, poses with her successor, Ruth Current, left, and Academy Award-winning actress Jane Darwell (c. 1949). McKimmon was in New York for the radio dramatization of her life story.
5. A farmer operating an early mechanical tobacco harvester (c. 1953).
6. A North Carolina 4-H'er with a counselor taking part in an environmental education program (circa 1970s).
7. Extension horticulture specialist Larry Bass, second from right, appears on Almanac Gardener, Extension's longest-running TV show (circa 1980s). Others are, from left, Alice Russell, the second state Master Gardener coordinator; agent Linda Blue; and Extension communication specialist Mike Gray.
Need the perfect Mother's Day activity? 🍓 Visit a pick-your-own strawberry farm!
Strawberry season in North Carolina got off to an early start this year, and while much of the state is experiencing extreme drought conditions, there’s still good news for families hoping to get out to a local farm.
Check out the link in our bio to hear our conversation with NC State Extension strawberry specialist Mark Hoffmann about what’s happening this season.
Ready, Set, Grow!: So, you’re just beginning your gardening journey, but you don’t know which plants to start with. 🤔 NC State Extension is here to help!
Check out our newest episode of Homegrown to learn about seven plants for beginner gardeners. 🪴
We had a farm-tastic time at Farm Animal Days! 🐮🐥🐴
At this annual event, children and families flocked to NC State’s Beef Education Unit to learn more about agriculture and meet farm animals.
Thank you to everyone who came out to make it such a great event!
🎥 Video description: The video showcases the Farm Animal Days event at the NC State Beef Education Unit, featuring families exploring exhibits. Scenes include close-ups of horses, cows and turkeys in their enclosures. Children are seen interacting with animals while learning from nearby educational signage. The footage begins and ends with an outdoor view of a bright red tractor parked at the NC State Beef Education Unit on a grassy hill under a clear blue sky.
It’s udderly adorable over here at Farm Animal Days! 😍🐮
This annual event, hosted at NC State’s Beef Education Unit, gives young children the chance to see farm animals up close and learn about agriculture.
Make sure to stop by tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to catch the festivities.
North Carolina farmers are facing a serious drought. How will this drought impact yield, and what can farmers do to navigate these conditions?
To answer these questions, we talked to NC State Extension vegetable specialist Emmanuel Torres Quezada about the drought and the challenges it brings for farmers. Read what he has to say at the link in our bio.
How do you tell the difference between a bee, a wasp or a fly? 🤔🐝
There are key differences between the three that are easy to spot with the trained eye. Whether you're seeking peace of mind or looking to identify new guests in your garden, we can help you name that insect.
🎥 Learn how to spot them in an episode of Homegrown at the link in our bio.
🪴 Need some gardening inspiration, and want to protect pollinators too? 🪴 Check out these snapshots from the Chatham Mills Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden!
This demonstration garden was created by Agriculture Agent Debbie Roos of the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. The garden features over 235 species of perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and grasses, and 85% of them are native to North Carolina.
The garden is located at the Chatham Mills complex in Pittsboro and is open 7 days a week. Address: 480 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro, NC 27312.
There are thousands of species of very hungry caterpillars in North Carolina. 🐛 Before you grab the pitchforks and pesticides, consider that only about 3% of caterpillars are garden pests. Not to mention that caterpillars are baby butterflies and moths, and who doesn’t want more beautiful butterflies in their garden!
🎥 Discover the wonderful world of North Carolina caterpillars in this episode of Homegrown at the link in our bio.
Did you know that Extension has dozens of demonstration gardens across the state? 🌻🪴🐝
These public teaching gardens have signage identifying plants selected to thrive in your region. Some gardens have specific themes, including pollinator gardens, shade gardens, vegetable gardens, composting stations and more.
Tours and workshops are offered at many of our gardens, and everyone is invited to explore! Find a demonstration garden in your area at the link in our bio.
As a cold snap has rolled through North Carolina this week, you might be wondering: When will my last frost date be? 🥶
Check out our interactive map at the link in our bio to determine the average last frost date for your area.
