By Gary R. Bachman
MSU Horticulturist
Coastal Research & Extension Center

Although many Mississippi gardeners are wondering if it will ever quit raining and let their landscapes dry out a bit, now is actually a good time to think ahead to the inevitable hot and dry weather of summer.

Dry conditions create problems for our home gardens and landscapes, and gardeners water their lawns and landscape beds a lot more than usual during these times.

We typically water garden plants based on soil moisture, and when the soil feels dry, we water thoroughly. A common recommendation is to apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week. This irrigation is usually done with overhead sprinklers, but they are an inefficient method of applying water.

By Bonnie Coblentz
MSU Ag Communications

MISSISSIPPI STATE – Planting the right trees in the best locations is a good investment that can also pay dividends in energy savings for home and business owners.

Bob Brzuszek, associate professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture, said planting trees that block the summer sun on the south and west sides of buildings and roofs can substantially reduce air-conditioning costs.

By Gary R. Bachman
MSU Horticulturist
Coastal Research & Extension Center

With spring in the air and our landscapes waking up from their long winter’s nap, Mississippi gardeners jump into the many chores needed to get gardens off to the right start.

One of the first decisions to be made is what to plant. We flock to garden centers looking for inspiration and new plants to enjoy in the coming year. Sometimes we forget to look in our own gardens for the options we already have.