Lee County Master Gardener Plant Sale 2024
The Lee County Master Gardener Plant sale started on a cool and windy Saturday morning and continued the following Monday and Tuesday in the 3rd week of April. Just in time for spring planting after a heavy rain the previous week. There were good varieties available for plant buyers to choose from. Some of these are normally found in the sale and some were new. Master Gardeners enjoyed being able to share plants which they have had success with in their gardens. Information on many of the plants from the plant sale can be found on this website by clicking on the plant sale button below and following the menu on the plant sale page.
The Lee County Master Gardener Plant sale started on a cool and windy Saturday morning and continued the following Monday and Tuesday in the 3rd week of April. Just in time for spring planting after a heavy rain the previous week. There were good varieties available for plant buyers to choose from. Some of these are normally found in the sale and some were new. Master Gardeners enjoyed being able to share plants which they have had success with in their gardens. Information on many of the plants from the plant sale can be found on this website by clicking on the plant sale button below and following the menu on the plant sale page.
Spring Lawn Guide
By Ms. Mary Michaela Parker
MSU Extension Service
Regular mowing will be pivotal in helping you control weeds that pop up during warmer months (Photo by Canva)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. Not only is the grass starting to grow, but winter weeds are also starting to grow vigorously. Between caring for your turfgrass and tending to the weeds, March, April, May, and June are some of the busiest times of the year for lawn management.
Here are a few things to do from March 22–June 21:
If you want to learn more about caring for your lawn, Extension Publication 1322, “Establish and Manage Your Home Lawn,” is a good place to start! It has all the research-based information you need! If you have any questions, you can directly reach out to your Extension Office, and they can help you out!
By Ms. Mary Michaela Parker
MSU Extension Service
Regular mowing will be pivotal in helping you control weeds that pop up during warmer months (Photo by Canva)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. Not only is the grass starting to grow, but winter weeds are also starting to grow vigorously. Between caring for your turfgrass and tending to the weeds, March, April, May, and June are some of the busiest times of the year for lawn management.
Here are a few things to do from March 22–June 21:
- Mow your grass frequently as the temperature gets warmer. Regular mowing will be pivotal in helping you control weeds that pop up.
- Be sure to fertilize the lawn at some point to allow for quick coverage. Pay close attention to make sure the grass is responding to the nutrients, not weeds.
- Speaking of herbicides, do not apply postemergence herbicides to warm-season grasses during the transition to springtime. Applying these herbicides in March and April can hinder turfgrass in the early stages of active growth. If you do wish to apply postemergence herbicide on your lawn to kill weeds, you’re safe to do so beginning May 1 on the Gulf Coast and May 15 in central and north Mississippi.
If you want to learn more about caring for your lawn, Extension Publication 1322, “Establish and Manage Your Home Lawn,” is a good place to start! It has all the research-based information you need! If you have any questions, you can directly reach out to your Extension Office, and they can help you out!
Lee County Master Gardener Projects
The Lee County Master Gardeners lead and participate in many projects that help to promote gardening and serve as beautification to areas in Lee County. The projects provide a way to engage the public in gardening activities and to share current ideas and develop new ideas. Please use the Master Gardener Project button to explore and learn how the Lee County Master Gardeners contribute their time and love of gardening with the community. |
Mississippi State University Extension Service Publications
The Extension Service has many publications which provide information on a wide variety of topics. Click on the button to go to the publication website |
Mississippi Vegetable Gardener's Guide
MSU Extension Publication Number: P3616
View as PDF: P3616.pdf
Variety Recommendations for Mississippi Vegetable Gardens
MSU Extension Publication Number P3744
View as PDF: P3744.pdf
There are many good reasons for growing a vegetable garden in Mississippi.
MSU Extension Publication Number: P3616
View as PDF: P3616.pdf
Variety Recommendations for Mississippi Vegetable Gardens
MSU Extension Publication Number P3744
View as PDF: P3744.pdf
There are many good reasons for growing a vegetable garden in Mississippi.
- A garden offers the opportunity to enjoy vegetables at their freshest. Sometimes only minutes elapse between harvest, preparation, and eating. Most fresh vegetables available at the grocery store travel about 1,800 miles between producer and consumer, and this travel often occurs over a period of several days. There’s a lot to be said for “homegrown” freshness.
- In recent years many people are growing vegetables to save money on their grocery bill.
- A garden can be a wonderful place for children. They provide opportunities for play, learning, and for having fun.
Magnolia Botanical Gardens
Verona Research and Extension Center Magnolia Botanical Gardens serves as a demonstration and educational resource for green industry professionals and consumers. There are many ornamental plants in the botanical gardens including Mississippi Medallion plants. Many plants are labeled for identification. The public is invited to view these gardens to see plants they may want to include in their landscape. Magnolia Botanical Gardens is located at the Verona Research and Extension Center, south of Verona, MS on Hwy 145. |
Soil Testing Services at MSU
The Mississippi State University Extension Soil Testing Lab has new equipment that allows it to offer an expanded range of services to clients.
Clients can now choose several different tests. The standard soil test for each sample costs $10, paid by check or card. A test for both soil and organic matter costs $12 for each sample.
Soil tests are useful for clients interested in improving crops, lawns, home gardens, and wildlife food plots. Soil tests take the guesswork out of fertilizer and lime applications.
Step 1:
Register your soil sample on the Mississippi State Extension Service website.
You will be prompted to make an account if you do not have one. Once you have logged in, fill out the required fields concerning your contact info and desired crop code.
Crop codes are categorized and listed via a dropdown menu.
You may select up to six different crop codes for each sample.
Most homeowners and farmers should choose “soil test.”
For those interested in knowing the soil organic matter, that option is available, but know that it will not impact fertilizer and lime recommendations. Soil organic matter is an indicator of overall soil health.
Composed material, mulch, and potting media samples are not truly “soil,” so it is not appropriate to test them for soil organic matter. Choose “soil test” for these samples.
Online payment options include credit card and eCheck.
If you would rather pay via physical check/money order, please include payment when mailing your soil sample (rather than mailing it separately). We will not process samples without payment.
Once you submit your sample form, you will get an automated confirmation email containing an attachment with your receipt. Please check your junk mail folder if you don't see it in your inbox. Print this attachment to include with your soil sample.
If printing is not available, then at a minimum, write your order number somewhere on the soil sample box.
The email attachment shows the order number located in the top left.
Step 2:
Take the soil sample to your local Extension office or mail the soil sample directly to the MSU soil testing lab.
If mailing via the U.S. Post Office:
MSU Soil Testing
P.O. Box 9610
Mississippi State, MS 39759
If mailing via UPS/FedEx:
MSU Soil Testing
MS 9610
405 E Garrard Road
Starkville, MS
If you take your soil sample to your local Extension office, they will mail the sample to our lab for free. However, if you are concerned with quick turnaround time, then mailing the sample yourself will probably be the fastest option. Taking the sample to the local Extension office may delay your results by several days.
Typical turnaround time is within 2 weeks from the time the soil sample is received at the soil lab. You will get an email containing your results.
The Mississippi State University Extension Soil Testing Lab has new equipment that allows it to offer an expanded range of services to clients.
Clients can now choose several different tests. The standard soil test for each sample costs $10, paid by check or card. A test for both soil and organic matter costs $12 for each sample.
Soil tests are useful for clients interested in improving crops, lawns, home gardens, and wildlife food plots. Soil tests take the guesswork out of fertilizer and lime applications.
- Define the area to be tested (for example, front yard, back yard, and garden). Each area requires its own soil sample.
- Gather the supplies you need: soil probe, spade or shovel, plastic bucket, and sample boxes or zip-top bag.
- Collect 15–20 different soil plugs, digging 4-6 inches deep, from different places in the defined area. Remove vegetation/turf from the ground surface before collecting plugs.
- Mix soil samples from each designated area in a plastic bucket.
- Fill the soil sample into the sample box or a pint-size zip-top bag. Fill the containers full.
- Label soil samples for easy identification.
- Bring your samples to the Lee County Extension office (5338 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo) and we will process and ship the samples to MSU for analysis. Or you may register your soil sample through the Extension Portal.
Step 1:
Register your soil sample on the Mississippi State Extension Service website.
You will be prompted to make an account if you do not have one. Once you have logged in, fill out the required fields concerning your contact info and desired crop code.
Crop codes are categorized and listed via a dropdown menu.
You may select up to six different crop codes for each sample.
Most homeowners and farmers should choose “soil test.”
For those interested in knowing the soil organic matter, that option is available, but know that it will not impact fertilizer and lime recommendations. Soil organic matter is an indicator of overall soil health.
Composed material, mulch, and potting media samples are not truly “soil,” so it is not appropriate to test them for soil organic matter. Choose “soil test” for these samples.
Online payment options include credit card and eCheck.
If you would rather pay via physical check/money order, please include payment when mailing your soil sample (rather than mailing it separately). We will not process samples without payment.
Once you submit your sample form, you will get an automated confirmation email containing an attachment with your receipt. Please check your junk mail folder if you don't see it in your inbox. Print this attachment to include with your soil sample.
If printing is not available, then at a minimum, write your order number somewhere on the soil sample box.
The email attachment shows the order number located in the top left.
Step 2:
Take the soil sample to your local Extension office or mail the soil sample directly to the MSU soil testing lab.
If mailing via the U.S. Post Office:
MSU Soil Testing
P.O. Box 9610
Mississippi State, MS 39759
If mailing via UPS/FedEx:
MSU Soil Testing
MS 9610
405 E Garrard Road
Starkville, MS
If you take your soil sample to your local Extension office, they will mail the sample to our lab for free. However, if you are concerned with quick turnaround time, then mailing the sample yourself will probably be the fastest option. Taking the sample to the local Extension office may delay your results by several days.
Typical turnaround time is within 2 weeks from the time the soil sample is received at the soil lab. You will get an email containing your results.
Location:
MSU Lee County Extension Office
5338 Cliff Gookin Blvd.; Tupelo, MS 38801
MSU Lee County Extension Office
5338 Cliff Gookin Blvd.; Tupelo, MS 38801