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County Extension

  • Mintz competes in 4-H Youth Livestock Roundup

    In a county comprised of golf courses and urbanized living, Brunswick County youth often find it difficult to participate in some of 4-H’s more traditional programs like raising livestock animals to show at the county and state fairs. However, over the course of the past four years, their participation in these areas has increased with one youth in particular paving the way.

    In 2006, Elizabeth Mintz began her journey to raising quality livestock by participating in the N.C. State Fair annual Youth Market Turkey Show program. 

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  • Common insects and associated pests: attacking bedding plants and perennials

    Charlie Spencer 

    Master Gardener

    Sowbugs and Pillbugs (Isopods)

    Isopods (commonly called pillbugs) are not insects but relatives of the crab and shrimp. They have a head with obvious antennae and a trunk region with 11 pairs of legs. They tend to hide during the day and emerge at night to eat irregular holes in leaves of young plants. These pests are easily detected at night with a flashlight or by pulling back mulch around the plants. 

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  • Small trees that handle the drought

    If your “honey-do” list includes new trees for the landscape, you may want to consider how well your plants will hold up under the dry conditions we’ve had this year. Of course, they need to be good plants that perform well in all of our erratic weather. Chinese fringe tree, loquat and several tough flowering cherries are great choices for our challenging growing conditions.

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  • Common insects and associated pests attacking bedding plants, perennials

    There have been several calls on the information line in the last couple of weeks complaining about insect problems. Following are some common pests and solutions:

    Bedding plants and perennials provide the homeowner and landscaper with a multitude of colors and textures. Unfortunately, numerous insects, mites and other invertebrates (i.e. slugs, sowbugs and millipedes) consider these same plants as food. 

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  • Have you oiled your plants lately?

    Leave the 10W-30 for the guys down at the auto service center. We’re talking about the horticultural oils lots of us use to control scales, spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs and other critters. 

    Ever wonder what the difference is between “summer oil” and “dormant oil”? How about “superior” and “supreme”? Let’s try to clear up some of the confusion.

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  • Transition times are great for taking stock of what happened during summer

    Even though September has been fairly warm, the cooler days of autumn are upon us. We’ll soon be enjoying the brightly colored blooms of early “sasanqua” camellias and the spicy scent of osmanthus. These transition times are also great for taking stock of what happened during our long, hot summer.

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  • Brunswick County 4-H’ers to collect food to help community

    One of the short-term goals for 4-H’ers in all 100 North Carolina counties is to conduct canned-food drives during national 4-H week, the first week in October. Brunswick County 4-H is doing that by collecting items at the Cooperative Extension office and schools.

    On Oct. 4, a representative from Brunswick Family Assistance will speak to youth at the 4-H office and collect the food they have gathered so far. 

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  • Help our feathered friends: 10 steps to attract and keep birds happy

    By Charlie Spencer 

    As the seasons are starting to change, it seems like a good time to consider our feathered friends. Some of our summer visitors will be leaving and new arrivals from the North will be joining us in the next few months. Birds not only make our gardens more beautiful, but they eat lots of pests. Following are 10 tips to help attract and keep birds happy:

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  • What is your favorite gardening tool?

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  • 4-H’ers attend poultry institute

    Justin Simmons, son of Cleveland and Sybil Simmons of Supply, and Elizabeth Mintz, daughter of Ray and Cheryl Mintz of Leland, were accepted to attend the 2010 North Carolina State University Poultry Science Summer Institute during the first week of August.

    The four-day, four-night annual conference is “designed to broaden high school students’ understanding of the educational disciplines, scholarship opportunities, careers and industries related to poultry science.”  

    Click here to read more...

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