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Environment Blog Posts

Several types of plastic and other waste surround a green chasing arrows emblem.

April 22, 2024

Whether you recycle or not, you probably are familiar with the “chasing arrows” emblem found on plastic products. But many consumers don’t know that this symbol denotes only the type of plastic an item is made from, not its ability to be recycled. Check out these tips that can help you reduce your plastic waste.

Herb Container

April 17, 2024

By Chloe Evans

If you love the idea of adding beautiful landscape features to your yard but don’t know where to start, container gardening is an easy way to make a statement and limit costs! To make it even easier, we asked the host of Southern Gardening, Dr. Eddie Smith, to curate a variety of container gardening combos for you to choose from. 

When following the thriller, spiller, and filler combination rules, container gardening can be achieved by anyone. For clarity, a thriller grabs attention with color and/or height. A spiller adds length to the...

Honey Bee Swarm

April 10, 2024

Have you ever seen a honey bee swarm? Seeing hundreds of bees clumped together on a tree, shrub, fence, house, or other object can be both fascinating and scary. If you’re like me, it can also be intimidating! 

A closeup of a poplar tree showing its leaves and flowers

March 28, 2024

It’s in your kitchen, hallway, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. You probably sit on it, but it’s 200 feet tall! Have you figured it out yet? It’s the yellow poplar tree!

Man mowing grass.

March 22, 2024

It’s spring, meaning things are starting to grow! The “spring transition,” when grasses go from dormant to active, is in full swing this month.

Eastern Redbud Tree with pink flowers.

March 1, 2024

Could your yard use some beautification? Always! Do you want a small tree with beautiful, fragrant flowers? The eastern redbud is just for you! 

Person planting vegetables.

February 26, 2024

Spring is right around the corner, and you probably are getting an itch to start setting out plants in your landscape and garden. If you’re new to gardening, you’ll need to know what plant hardiness zone you’re in.

Blackberries growing.

February 16, 2024

Looking to plant a fruit plant on your property but not sure which to choose? May we suggest blackberries! Blackberries are among the easiest fruit plants to grow, and they produce tasty berries that are perfect for baking!

Pink roses

January 31, 2024

Roses and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. If you’re like me, roses are at the top of your list of favorite plants. They’re a flower that never goes out of style! 

Yellow buttercup weeds.

January 26, 2024

Whether you have a large lawn, field, or pasture, you’ve probably had to deal with pesky weeds. 

Loblolly Pine Tree

January 12, 2024

Have you ever wondered what kind of trees are in your yard? Or maybe someone asked you about a certain tree in your yard, and you didn’t have an answer.

Annual bluegrass weed.

January 5, 2024

The new year is a great time to start learning about topics you don’t know much about.

A pile of gifts wrapped in various papers and ribbons.

December 15, 2023

When you think about the holidays, all the food, gifts, holiday décor, and gatherings with friends and family likely come to mind. What you may not think about is how much garbage we create during this season. Check out these tips that can help you recycle this holiday season.

Pink holiday cactus

December 8, 2023

Holiday cacti are popular this time of year. They are a great addition to holiday décor and are even a great gift! If you’re like me, I’m running out of gift ideas for my loved ones.

Eurasian Collared Dove

December 4, 2023

We’ve reached the end of our yearlong series that introduced you to some of Mississippi’s birds! We hope these blog posts have helped you identify and learn more about our feathered friends.

Red and Yellow Poinsettias

November 17, 2023

If you’re like me, you’re starting to think about your holiday plans. How will I decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas? What will I gift my friends and family during this festive season? Plants make perfect gifts and add a nice touch to your holiday decor.

Red-Headed WoodPecker

November 3, 2023

Many birds aren’t as easy to identify as red-headed woodpeckers. With their bright red head and neck feathers and loud pecking noise, they surely know how to make their presence known!

A person putting mulch on a flower bed.

November 1, 2023

We’ve almost made it to the end of the year. Isn’t that hard to believe? As we start to wrap up the year, take some time to think back on all you’ve accomplished in your yard and landscape.

A redbird sits on a platform bird feeder full of black oil sunflower seeds.

October 27, 2023

Want your feathered friends to have a supplemental source of food this winter? Set out a bird feeder for them. There are many types of bird feeders, but they are not all created equal. Check out the common types of feeders and decide which ones will work best in your yard.

Four jack-o-lantern pumpkins

October 20, 2023

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love having pumpkin carving parties with friends. Pair the night with apple cider and a bonfire, and it’s my ideal day!

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About Extension for Real Life

Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.

That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living. Pretty good gig, right?

The three main writers for the blog are Ellen Graves (Seamstress of Social Media Strategy), Susan Collins-Smith (Content Connector) and Keri Lewis (Captain Cat Herder). But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!

You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu

Recent Posts

Several types of plastic and other waste surround a green chasing arrows emblem.
Out of the seven types of plastics that are manufactured, only two of them are commonly recycled. Making a few different choices can help cut down on the plastics that end up in the landfill. (Photo by fotofabrika/stock.adobe.com)
How to Reduce Plastic Waste
A woman stands in front of a kitchen counter filled with food products.
Beginning and maintaining a healthy diet does not have to be complicated. Following these simple tips can help.
3 Tips for Healthier Eating