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Reading Seed Catalogs

Seed Catalogs provide a dizzying array of options of seeds and plants. Retired MSU Horticulture Specialist Dr. Lelia Kelly talks about how to read the wealth of information provided in seed catalogs. Catalogs provide information about each variety including optimal growing conditions, disease resistance, days to harvest and what the plant looks like when it is mature.

Related Videos:
Seeds or Transplants
Starting Seeds Indoors

Tilling and Amending a New Garden

Transpiration
Taking Care of Mexican Bean Beetles

Planting Shrubs in Wet Heavy Soil

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This Week in the Garden

Cherry Gummosis

This week in the garden UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper identifies gummosis on a cherry tree. Gummosis is oozing of sap from a wound or when it is trying to flush out an insect or infection. >>Watch

Garden Notes
Labeling Garden Sprayers

You need to make sure you don’t use the same sprayer for herbicides and fungicides. Residual herbicide in the tank will unintentionally damage plants. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper talks about the importance of labeling your sprayers to make sure you don’t mix them up. >>Watch

Grapes and Muscadines

Mike Dennison gives the basics of growing grapes. There are two main types of grapes: bunch grapes and muscadines. The best time to plant or prune grapes is in the early spring. Muscadines are native to the south-eastern United States and do well in the climate. >>Watch

Garden Crafts For Kids

Mississippi State University Extension Horticulture Specialist Dr. Lelia Kelly talks about fun gardening activities and crafts to do with kids. >>Watch

Garden Safety

Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison talks about staying safe in the garden. In the middle of the summer the sun and heat can be dangerous. Insects can be a problem in the summer so wear insect repellent. Often garden tools are sharp so you must be careful when using and sharpening them. Mike does not recommend pruning trees with a ladder. Pesticides can also be dangerous. >>Watch

Basic Ikebana Flower Arranging

Master Gardener Mary Heim shows how to make a basic ikebana flower arrangement. Ikebana was developed in Japan over many centuries. It is minimalist by western flower arranging standards often only including three flowers. Mary uses three hydrangeas and three leaves. The flowers are arranged in a triangle with the largest on the bottom. >>Watch

Ikebana in a Vase
Arranging Grocery Store Flowers

Lawn Weed Killer Application

Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison reviews some options for applying weed killer on lawns. Weed killer must be applied evenly based on the label directions. Mike reviews several spreading options including hose-end sprayers, rotary spreaders for granular herbicides, and sprayers. >>Watch

Plant Superstitions

Fall Garden Clean-up

How to Cut Down
a Tree

Ornamental Grasses

Chainsaw Safety

Boxwood

Looking for more garden info?

Viewer Questions

What is this hanging in my Junipers? Is it a bagworm?

This is not a bagworm. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says this is the egg sack of a tropical tent-web spider. This spider is not native to the US and was first found in Florida a few years ago. It is a pest in tropical citrus and coffee plantations because the webs are so thick they can block photosynthesis. Mike says they can be considered beneficials and may be controlled by the colder winters in the US. >>Watch

What are some of the best long-term organic fertilizer options?

Phosphorus and Potassium are relatively stable in the soil, but nitrogen is short lived in the soil. Retired MSU Horticulture Specialist Dr. Lelia Kelly says most long-term or slow-release fertilizers are focused on nitrogen. She also gives amendments that will increase potassium and phosphorus if needed. >>Watch

Why does my limelight hydrangea have dying branches?

It is very strange that a mature plant suddenly has dying branches with no evidence of insects or disease. Retired MSU Horticulture Specialist Dr. Lelia Kelly wonders if there has been a change with the soil or drainage around the plant. This can cause root rot or other problems. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison also thinks there may have been digging in the area that damaged the roots. >>Watch

How do I keep ants from eating my squash flowers?

The ants are not eating your squash flowers. Retired MSU Horticulture Specialist Dr. Lelia Kelly says they are probably there because aphids are there. She recommends eliminating the aphids. She also gives some things you can do to try to keep the ants away. >>Watch

What is this weed in my yard?

This is a fleabane. Retired MSU Horticulture Specialist Dr. Lelia Kelly says it comes up in the fall with a base of leaves and will eventually have small daisy-like flowers. She says they are easy to pull or hoe. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison lists chemicals that will control fleabane. >>Watch