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Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers
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    • January winter
    • February to do list
    • March timely tips
    • April 15th last frost
    • May spring frenzy
    • June garden tasks
    • July summer tasks
    • August hot summer
    • September gardens
    • October fall begins
    • November planting
    • December gardens
    • NCSU Garden Newsletter
  • Our Publications
  • Videos
  • Consider a Donation
  • Home Depot Events
  • HOME
    • About Master Gardener Volunteers
    • 2021 Master Gardener training
    • Demonstration GARDENS
  • Request Our Help
    • Speaker Request
    • Garden HELP Desk
    • School/Community Garden Consultation
  • Garden Zone
  • GARDEN CALENDAR
    • January winter
    • February to do list
    • March timely tips
    • April 15th last frost
    • May spring frenzy
    • June garden tasks
    • July summer tasks
    • August hot summer
    • September gardens
    • October fall begins
    • November planting
    • December gardens
    • NCSU Garden Newsletter
  • Our Publications
  • Videos
  • Consider a Donation
  • Home Depot Events

Our Publications

Here are several publications with how-to information that can help with your gardening needs. Several of these are Know to Grow guides produced by a team of Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in Mecklenburg County. We welcome your feedback! 

If you're looking for plant-specific information, a great resource is NCSU's Plant Toolbox. It has detailed descriptions and photographs of over 4,000 plants that grow in and another North Carolina. Check it out!  

The Basics

Right Plant Right Place
This is a must-read! By choosing plants that are well-suited to a location, they'll perform well with limited work on your part.
Understanding plant tags
Plant tags are filled with helpful information that will help you select the right plants for your landscape, and give you details on how best to care for your plants. 
Cultivating in clay
What can you do with clay soil? It's comprised of very fine mineral particles and not much organic material. The resulting soil is quite sticky since there is not much space between the mineral particles, and it does not drain well at all. Learn how to make it work for your gardening and lawn needs!  
How to prune specific plants
This guide provides a list of some of the most frequently planted shrubs, trees, subshrubs and vines of the Southeast. You'll also find information on each plant’s function in the landscape, tips on what type of pruning the plant can tolerate, and the best time to prune in the Southeast.

Vegetables & Herbs

Fall vegetable gardens
Whether you're starting with seeds or transplants, this guide covers key steps! It also lists plants for late summer/early fall planting. 
Vegetable planting guide for school gardens
Growing a school vegetable garden opens the door for students to understand where their food comes from and why it's important to eat vegetables. This guide gives a-z steps. 

Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, Wildlife

Protecting Pollinators
This guide covers ways to help pollinators thrive. It also gives resources for children's activities. 
Beneficial Insects
Beneficial insects can be divided into four basic types: predators, parasitoids, decomposers/recyclers and pollinators. Learn about threats to these insects and ways you can help them thrive. 
Bees of North Carolina: An identification guide
This is a beginner’s resource designed to help quickly and generally identify native bees in North Carolina. The guide will help users learn to recognize bees according to key characteristics and, eventually, according to their overall appearance.  
Hummingbirds
Learn about plants that attract hummingbirds (see the list!). This guide also offers advice about hummingbird feeders, water, shelter and nesting. 
Creating a Winter Habitat for Wildlife
How can you attract a variety of wildlife to your landscape during the winter months? Shelter, food and water can be critical to helping wildlife survive. Keep a journal of your observations! 

More Resources

Fall Planning and Preparing for Spring Gardening
This guide provides a checklist of things to address in your garden during the fall -- for example, dividing perennials, collecting seeds and planting cover crops for the winter. You will also find a list of questions to help you plan for spring. 
Container gardening
It's a great way to grow annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs, whether you’re short on space, don’t have a lot of time, are new to gardening, or simply want an easy way to add to your existing garden area.
Composting
Yard waste makes up 20% of our landfills.  Composting offers an eco friendly, cost-saving solution, allowing us to recycle yard waste back into our yards, benefiting our environment, our gardens, and our budgets.
Vermiculture
Learn more about composting with worms, including benefits, types of bins and maintenance. 
Xeriscaping
Landscapes that embrace xeriscape ideas feature a variety of plants and garden styles that are less vulnerable to drought and water shortages. This guide offers steps to consider for your property. 

NC Extension Gardener Handbook

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NC Extension Gardener Handbook
This is a primary source for research-based information on gardening and landscaping successfully in the Southeast. It explains the “why and how” basics for every gardening subject from soils and composting to vegetable gardening and wildlife management.
You can view the online version here. If you prefer a hard copy or eBook, see details about the cost and how to order.   

Horticulture Help Desk   |   Speaker Request   |   Community Garden Consultation   |   Become a volunteer  

 ​The Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a part of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and North Carolina State University
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Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Mecklenburg County All Rights Reserved
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