It is time to turn the calendar to July, which signals hot days ahead. July is usually one of the hottest months here in the Mid-South. This is also the time when ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas are in full bloom. It is almost impossible not to notice these hydrangeas blooming in the landscape. My wife and I […]

Spring has sprung! Trees are leafing out, turfgrasses are greening up, azaleas are in full bloom, and perennials are pushing their way out of the ground. There is nothing quite like spring in the Mid-South. Spring also brings a variety of local plant sales at Memphis Botanic Garden, Lichterman Nature Center, and the Dixon. Master […]

Have you ever heard a gardener tell someone to “check with your local Extension office”? Whether it’s a struggling tomato plant, a patchy lawn, a tree disease, or an unfamiliar insect, the Extension office is often the first and best place to turn. But what exactly is an Extension office and how can it help […]

February is Black History Month. In honor of this, I would like to introduce you to Thomas Monroe Campbell, America’s first Black Extension agent. Campbell attended Tuskegee Institute during the presidency of Booker T. Washington. At the time, my personal hero George Washington Carver was serving as the institute’s leading science professor. Washington and Carver […]

As winter settles across Tennessee, outdoor gardening activities slow. Despite this, January is far from a “lost month” for gardeners. With careful planning and indoor work, this quiet period can set the stage for a successful 2026 growing season. Extension agents advise taking advantage of this time to review last year’s garden. Take stock of […]