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Click on the following links to see the Garden Calendars for each month:
National Pollinator Week Photo Contest Winner
Thank you to all of our applicants in the National Pollinator Week Photo Contest. We enjoyed sharing and admiring your creative photography skills. We appreciate all you do to support our amazing pollinators! Please enjoy our winning photo, one last time.
Amanda McGuire - Bumblebee on Yellow Coneflower
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BOLOs (Be On The Lookout)....
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Month-by-month lists of common plant diseases, pests, and other problems you may encounter in North Carolina yards and gardens. Straight from our PDIC (Plant Disease & Insect Clinic) entomologists and pathologists!
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🍂 Fall Native Plant Sale – Coming Soon!
We’re excited to bring back our Native Plant Sale this September, featuring a great selection of North Carolina natives from Carolina Native Nursery in Burnsville. These plants are well-adapted to our soils and climate, making them low-maintenance and highly beneficial for your landscape—and local wildlife.
🌱 Why Choose Native Plants?
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have time for more plants,” consider this: natives typically need less water, fertilizer, and fuss than many ornamentals. They’ve evolved to thrive here, and they support the web of life around us—pollinators, birds, beneficial insects, and more. With increasing urbanization, much of our land has become fragmented. Turf grass and exotic ornamentals dominate, offering little value to wildlife. But by planting even a few natives, you help rebuild habitat and restore balance—right in your own backyard.
🌼 Small Changes, Big Impact
Native landscapes have a “snowball effect.” Once you experience the butterflies, birds, and blooms they attract, it’s hard not to share the excitement. And when neighbors and friends follow your lead, the impact multiplies.
🌿 Tips for Adding Natives to Your Garden
- Plant for all seasons – include evergreens, berries, seed heads, nectar sources, and grasses.
- Design naturally – use curves, clusters, and layers to mimic nature.
- Give space – check mature sizes and plant accordingly.
- Expect a few nibbles – caterpillars mean butterflies!
- Avoid windows – keep plantings a safe distance for birds.
Support your local Extension office and help your local ecosystem by shopping the sale this fall. More details to come!
Questions?
Contact: Cari Rosenbalm, Horticulture Agent
📞 828-632-4451
“It will be the plants that we use in our gardens that determine what nature will be like 10, 20, and 50 years from now.”
— Doug Tallamy
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Alexander County Farmers Markets
If you are in need of fresh, local produce, honey, baked goods, eggs, beautiful planters for your porch, perennials for your flower beds, handmade jewelry or crafts, you have got to visit the Alexander County Farmers Market! The Taylorsville Market is held every Saturday from 8am to Noon and we also have the Bethlehem Market (located at Mount Bethel Methodist Church off Hwy 127) that runs every Thursday from 4-7pm. We have so many awesome vendors that we are THRILLED to have! If you are in town on Thursday or Saturday, stop by the market to support your local vendors! If you are interested in becoming a vendor at either market, please contact Cari Rosenbalm, Horticulture Agent, at 828-632-4451. Here are a few goodies from this past weekend from our local vendors!
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Spotted Lanternfly Confirmed in Caldwell County
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed an established population of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Caldwell County. Current surveys indicate the infestation is primarily concentrated within a 1-mile radius in the Lenoir area, with monitoring efforts ongoing to determine the full extent of its spread.
This destructive pest poses a serious threat to a wide range of plants, including grapes, fruit trees, and hardwoods. It is crucial for residents, gardeners, and growers in Caldwell County and surrounding counties to stay alert and report any sightings. Early detection is key to managing the spread.
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Japanese Beetles Are Back
Japanese beetles are once again causing damage to roses and other plants. One of the most effective treatments for adult beetles is carbaryl (commonly sold as Sevin). The liquid version is recommended over the powder, as dust formulations can harm beneficial pollinators by clinging to their bodies.
Keep in mind that Sevin only targets adult beetles. To reduce future populations, consider applying granular products in the fall and spring to control the grub stage in the soil. Products containing B.t. (a natural bacterium) or imidacloprid (Merit) are commonly available. Because beetles lay eggs over several weeks, multiple applications—typically August through October and again April through May—are necessary for effective control.
Despite best efforts, complete eradication is unlikely—Japanese beetles can fly in from nearby areas, especially if neighbors aren’t managing their populations. And unfortunately, roses will always be a favorite target.
Questions about beetle or grub control? Feel free to reach out!
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Upcoming Events
7/4 - Independence Day! (Alexander County offices will be closed)
7/10 @ 5:30pm - 4H Garden Club
7/12 @ 8-12pm - Donation Station @ Alexander County Farmers Market!
7/14 @ 7pm - Beekeepers Meeting
7/18 - Mini Garden Judging!
8/7 @ 5:30pm - 4H Garden Club
9/1 - Labor Day (Alexander County offices will be closed)
9/3 @ 2-4pm - Commercial Pesticide Class
9/4 @ 6-8pm - Private Pesticide Class
9/11 @ 5:30pm - 4H Garden Club
9/19 @ 9am-6pm - Native Plant Sale Pickup
10/9 @ 5:30pm - 4H Garden Club
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NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
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