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A small river runs through a wooded area with a sand beach.
April 20, 2023 - Filed Under: Irrigation, Water

Agriculture is the world’s single largest consumer of fresh water, making the water shortages expected over the next 10 years in at least 40 states -- Mississippi included -- critically important.

A man and woman sit opposite one another while talking.
April 17, 2023 - Filed Under: MSU Extension Head Start

GULFPORT, Miss. -- When Martin King’s sister encouraged him to enroll his children in Head Start, he took her advice. And he said he’s glad he did. King’s children, ages 3 and 5, began class in September at Gaston Point Head Start. It is one of several locations in Harrison County where the Mississippi State University Extension Service manages and delivers the early learning program.

Red, white and purple flowers bloom above foliage.
April 17, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Every year, I look for ways to add interest to my front porch with colorful hanging baskets, and there are many different plant choices and combinations that make this possible. One of my favorite hanging basket combinations is Supertunia petunias and Superbells.

Two men tie barbed wire around a fence post.
April 14, 2023 - Filed Under: Disaster Response, Disaster Relief, Disaster Recovery

EGYPT, Miss. -- On hot days, Robert Thompson’s beef cows used to retreat to a cluster of trees in the middle of his pasture for shade.

The 24-head herd will have to cool down elsewhere now as two towering brush and limb piles have replaced the resting area. Clearing a new place for the cows is one of many tasks facing Thompson after an EF-3 tornado chewed through the 18-acre grazing area in Monroe County during a March 25 severe weather outbreak.

Four students stand in a row with their teacher and hold up the herbs they were about to plant in the raised bed.
April 12, 2023 - Filed Under: Family, Children and Parenting, MSU Extension Head Start

D’IBERVILLE, Miss. -- Students at Gilbert Mason Head Start eagerly anticipated Work Together Wednesday, when the 4- and 5-year-old classmates planted herbs in the school’s raised beds. Wednesday’s activities were part of the school’s celebration of the Week of the Young Child held nationwide April 1-7. The annual observance is organized by the National Association for the Education of the Young Child. Each day, teachers used themes related to food, music and art to encourage movement and healthy lifestyles for students and parents.

A dark shrub is covered in pink blooms.
April 10, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

One thing we know we can count on in the South is that it’s going to get hot. It is useful to include plants in your landscape that can handle the hot and dry conditions.

Loropetalum is a drought-tolerant plant that adds rich color and charm to your landscape.

A collage of photos of hydrangeas, loropetalums and azaleas
April 6, 2023 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden, Flower Gardens, Landscape Design and Management, Landscape Plants and Trees Diseases, Christmas Trees

RAYMOND, Miss. -- The hard freeze that swept Mississippi on March 19 and 20 dampened some of spring’s early displays and left many landscape plants with unsightly cold damage. Now, homeowners are wondering what to do about their landscape plants that lost their leaves or have brown-tipped or brown, shriveled leaves.

April 4, 2023 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Corn, Cotton, Rice, Soybeans, Pre-Planting, Planting

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- If the newest Mississippi planting forecast holds, more corn and rice will be produced in 2023 compared to recent years, while demand will drive down cotton acreage.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, released its annual prospective plantings report March 31. According to the report, intended cotton acreage is at 400,000 acres, down 25% from the 530,000 acres planted in 2022. Growers also plan to plant 700,000 acres of corn, which is 21% more than the 580,000 acres harvested last year.

April 3, 2023 - Filed Under: Irrigation, Natural Resources

STARKVILLE, Miss. – A Mississippi State University Extension Service specialist has joined a national collaborative founded to guide climate change research.

Stressed-out man with head in his hands.
April 3, 2023 - Filed Under: Health and Wellness, Disaster Response, Mental Health First Aid

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- After natural disasters, food and shelter are prioritized well above mental health, but ignoring emotional distress can lead to serious physical health conditions.

A goat.
April 3, 2023 - Filed Under: 4-H, 4-H Livestock Program, Youth Livestock, Youth Projects, Agriculture, Livestock, Goats and Sheep

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Not so long ago, goats were niche livestock animals in Mississippi. But these small ruminants have grown in popularity in recent years, especially dairy goats. Farmers who have limited acreage or want to diversify their livestock operations often choose goats. Others want goats for their meat or milk. Regardless of the purpose, people who want to join the ranks of goat owners should understand some important aspects of goat ownership before bringing one home.

April 3, 2023 - Filed Under: Community, Lawn and Garden, Landscape Architecture

PICAYUNE, Miss. -- The public is invited to celebrate part of the Mississippi State University Crosby Arboretum’s history during the Strawberries & Cream Festival April 16 in Picayune. The event commemorates the Depression-era strawberry farm located on the grounds of what is now a premier native plant conservatory. The festival begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Activities will be held on the Pinecote Pavilion. Admission is free.

Dr. Eddie Smith
April 3, 2023 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden, Flower Gardens

Eddie Smith is the new face and driving force of the Southern Gardening family of resources that includes weekly videos, newspaper columns, guest appearances and social media posts focused on gardening in Mississippi.

A cluster of red blooms is surrounded by green leaves.
April 3, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

I believe the geranium is one of the most popular landscape plants in the South. I see them at almost every garden center or nursery I visit. I also remember as a kid seeing my grandmother’s potted geranium in a container on her front porch. It had bright-red flowers.

Alt Text: Close-up of freeze-damaged blueberries
March 27, 2023 - Filed Under: Agriculture, Crops, Commercial Horticulture, Commercial Fruit and Nuts, Fruit, Local Flavor, Specialty Crop Production

POPLARVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi blueberry producers expect to see substantial yield losses in the state’s largest commercial fruit crop after the hard freeze that hit the state on the weekend of March 18. Eric Stafne, fruit and nut specialist with the MSU Extension Service, said growers will see significant losses. The condition of the crop is poor based on what commercial growers are reporting to him and his observation of damage to blueberry plants at the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville, where he is based.

Numerous red, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom on a vine.
March 27, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

Weeds are often defined as being any plant out of place, but that definition never sat well with me. This simplistic definition seems to emphasize the aggressiveness of plants that don’t behave in the garden. For example, I’ve never heard anyone having problems with hydrangeas popping up in the landscape unexpectedly.

A woman works in a laboratory.
March 23, 2023 - Filed Under: Sweet Potatoes, Soil Testing, Plant Disease and Nematode Diagnostic Services

Sweet potato growers in Mississippi can get free nematode testing of soil samples they send to Mississippi State University from now until Dec. 31, 2024. The samples can be submitted in nematode bags available at local county MSU Extension Service offices; samples are also accepted in quart-sized, sealed plastic bags.

Two green insects rest inside a plant bloom.
March 20, 2023 - Filed Under: Cotton, Insects-Crop Pests

The tarnished plant bug is Mississippi’s No. 1 most economically damaging insect in cotton, costing an estimated $42 million in yield losses plus millions more spent to control the pest.

A large, yellow bloom.
March 20, 2023 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

I’m a fan of whatever plants happens to be in bloom at any given time, but sunflowers are definitely one of my top five favorites, especially for use in arrangements. Last summer, I decided I wanted to have sunflowers every week until frost.

March 20, 2023 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden, Cut Flowers and Houseplants, Floral Design

MERIDIAN, Miss. -- Gardening and floral design enthusiasts and professionals can enjoy a floral design demonstration and reception at Merrehope in Meridian. Petals & Prosecco will feature Jim DelPrince, a horticulture specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He will show attendees how to make 19th century-style mantel garlands.

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