County Extension

By Charlotte Glen
Horticulture Agent
Pender County Cooperative Extension

Most of our area saw its first frost last weekend…right on schedule. The first frost of fall typically occurs during the first week of November in southeastern coastal North Carolina.
With frost, many plants stop growing, changing the gardener’s palette of gardening chores. The following tips will keep you on task in your southern yard and garden this fall.
Houseplants

4-H’ers from across North Carolina joined Brunswick County 4-H Teen Council representatives Kenan Bridges, Camille Carr and Sammi Lawrence at the 2012 State 4-H Council Conference in Raleigh on Nov. 3-4.
They participated in leadership and skill building workshops, district council and state council board meetings, heard speakers, competed for the 4-H Spirit Stick and also enjoyed dances and other fun evening activities.

Many people gain 1-5 pounds each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. That may not seem too bad, but the long-term problem is that most people who gain weight during the holidays never manage to return to their pre-holiday weight in the new year. Year after year, this adds up.
Research has shown (and I’m sure that many of you know from personal experience) this can be a difficult time to try to lose weight. So this year, instead of focusing on weight loss, set a goal of staying at the weight you are right now.

I bet there are cranberries in your house right now. Cranberries are a must for most families at Thanksgiving.
What’s your favorite way to serve them? For some, it has got to be the jellied cranberry sauce…complete with those little ridges straight from the can. Other families look forward to a sauce made with fresh whole cranberries and oranges, or maybe you prefer a special jelled cranberry mold.