County Extension

These past couple of weeks I’ve had the opportunity to speak for the Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less class sponsored by the Brunswick County office of the N.C. Cooperative Extension. This is a series of classes held at the Dinah E. Gore Fitness and Aquatics Center at Brunswick Community College. The goal of these classes is just what the name suggests—to learn how you can eat smart, move more and weigh less.

By Judy Koehly
Master Gardener
As you plan your vegetable garden, you will choose what vegetables you wish to grow, and you should also choose which plants would attract beneficial insects.
A garden insectary is a small garden plot of flowering plants designed to attract and harbor beneficial insects. These “good insects” prey on many common garden insect pests and offer the gardener a safer, natural alternative to pesticides.

Brunswick County 4-H celebrated 2012 with a Hawaiian “4-0” theme at its annual achievement banquet on Thursday, March 7. The room was decorated in purple and green with help from Linda Marlowe and flowers made by members of the 4-H Teen Council. All attendees received leis and a spyglass.
Youth enjoyed a purple and green candy bar and the food catered by Smithfield’s Chicken and Barbeque. Breanna Long shared a comedy skit, and Kenan Bridges and Sammi Lawrence sang “Lucky.”

By Judy Koehly
Master Gardener
Plants don’t need as much care in winter as they do in summer, but it is important not to neglect watering your plants during the winter.
Some ice or wind damage is unavoidable, but a lot of cold weather damage to plants’ cells is caused by dehydration. In our region, normal winter precipitation is enough for plants because their cold-weather watering needs are considerably less. However, making sure your plants have adequate hydration is the best way to protect them in harsh weather.