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This publication provides the basic concepts of tree identification using observation and a dichotomous key. It features an illustrated guide to distinguishing leaf characteristics, instructions for using a dichotomous key, and illustrated descriptions of 21 common trees in North Carolina.
Phorid flies are small flies that breed in moist, decaying organic matter and can be a problem in and around homes. This factsheet covers their identification, biology, habits, management and control.
This is the first chapter in the collection, How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel. It covers the benefits of bees, pollination in cities and towns, and how bee hotels can support native bees.
This factsheet offers information on the identification and management of various flatworms that may be found in North Carolina.
This chapter of, How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel, describes building materials and features of different bee hotels. It covers tunnel size, shelter, shade, orientation, navigation, and other features.
Identifying bees on the wing is known to be tricky. The Bees of North Carolina: An Identification Guide is a beginner’s resource designed to help quickly and generally identify native bees in North Carolina. Developed by experts at NC State Extension, it provides an overview of some of the most common groups of bees in the state. The guide will help users learn to recognize bees according to key characteristics and, eventually, according to their overall appearance.
This factsheet identifies several varieties of the ornamental Callery Pear tree and their impacts on native ecosystems.
It can be a challenge to manage a perennial garden to look tidy and maximize benefit to wildlife. To benefit native, solitary bees, we recommend trimming perennial stems in their first winter to a create a 12"-24" stubble. Bees occupy these cut stems as nesting space over the following year. Recommendations are based on participatory research conducted with Extension agents and Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers in North Carolina.
This publication provides homeowners with recommended chemical control options to use in combination with an integrated management plan for managing common diseases in the landscape or garden.
This publication provides strategies for managing soil and compost contamination from persistent broadleaf herbicides by answering frequently asked questions related to plant symptoms, herbicides and their usage, and prevention.
This factsheet offers information on the biology and management of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive agricultural, ornamental, and nuisance pest in the United States.
This factsheet offers information on the biology and management of the emerald ash borer, an invasive pest of ash trees in North Carolina.
This factsheet covers the description, biology, and management of the jumping earthworm, a common pest in North Carolina gardening.
This factsheet provides brief descriptions of common disease pests of oak (Quercus spp.) in North Carolina. Pest descriptions are brief to allow readers to peruse common diseases of oaks, but provide links for readers to learn more.
This factsheet provides brief descriptions of common insect pests of oak (Quercus spp.) in North Carolina. Pest descriptions are brief but provide links for readers to learn more.
Appendix 4 in the collection, How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel, provides detailed building plans for constructing a simple bee shelter.
This factsheet provides brief descriptions of common disease pests of maple (Acer spp.) in North Carolina. Pest descriptions are brief but provide links for readers to learn more.
This collection describes how to design and build a bee hotel to support native pollinator species.
The elm zigzag sawfly is an invasive species first reported in North America in 2020. This fact sheet details what is known about its biology, identification, and management.
Fine-ground basalt rock has recently become available as a soil amendment in North Carolina. This publication discusses the agricultural application of fine-ground basalt rock, the results of an incubation study to determine its lime equivalence, and its effects on soil nutrients and fertility.
Botrytis blight, or gray mold, is a fungal disease that is widespread in the United States and globally. This fungus spreads via spores in the air and can result in economic losses if not managed early. In North Carolina, this pathogen is most threatening in the spring when temperatures are cool. This factsheet provides information about the disease, how it spreads, when it is a problem, and how to manage it through cultural and chemical practices.
This factsheet is a guide to introducing children to common garden insects in an early childcare setting. It includes age-appropriate activities for childcare providers to engage young children in identifying garden insects at all life stages.
This factsheet offers information on the biology and management of the Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive forest pest in the United States.
This fact sheets details the identification and management of a common group of fungal diseases, anthracnose.
This factsheet provides brief descriptions of common insect pests of maple (Acer spp.) in North Carolina. Pest descriptions are brief but provide links for readers to learn more.
The second chapter in the collection, How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel, highlights some of the common occupants of bee hotels in North Carolina and their nesting requirements. It also details the seasons when adults are most often active (foraging and building nests) and describes body sizes and tunnel diameters.
This guide provides North Carolina bell pepper growers with a comprehensive approach to nutrient management through foliar analysis. Foliar analysis offers a precise method for assessing nutrient levels within plants, enabling targeted nutrient adjustments at key growth stages—vegetative, flowering, and early fruit set. This document covers essential sampling techniques, including optimal leaf selection, handling, and transportation, to ensure accurate results. It also provides recommended nutrient sufficiency ranges, allowing farmers to interpret foliar analysis data effectively and adjust fertilization practices to enhance crop health and yield. Additionally, guidelines for foliar fertilization are provided, emphasizing timing, solution preparation, and application methods to prevent plant damage and ensure nutrient uptake. By integrating foliar analysis into regular crop management, bell pepper growers can optimize nutrient application, improve fruit quality, and support sustainable production.
This publication discusses how to find information about frost and freeze probability data in North Carolina and how to use these resources to make planting and harvesting decisions.
This appendix from the Extension Gardener Handbook provides a list of links to useful online gardening resources.
Appendix 3 of the collection, How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel, provides a list of plants that create hollow or pithy twigs and stems that can be used as a source of nest materials for bee hotels.
This guide introduces readers to some of the most common visitors to gardens in North Carolina, particularly in turfgrass-dominated areas. Readers will glean basic information about bees, wasps, butterflies, flies, beetles, and true bugs found among wildflowers in these locations.
This factsheet covers information related to firewood as a threat in moving invasive pests to new areas.
This fact sheet compiles common arthropod pests of dogwood trees (Cornaceae) in North Carolina. It contains brief descriptions with links to reputable and more thorough fact sheets.
This educational resource for children aged 13-15 explains how to observe urban wildlife, record information and use findings to develop a wildlife habitat improvement plan.
Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth, playing a critical role in numerous physiological processes, including enzyme activation, protein synthesis, and hormonal regulation. While required in small amounts, zinc is indispensable for high-quality vegetable production. Deficiencies can severely affect crop performance, leading to reduced yields and quality. This publication focuses on zinc management for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, broccoli, and cabbage, addressing its importance, adequate soil and foliage levels, fertilizer sources, and strategies for identifying and correcting deficiencies.
This factsheet describes the bandedwinged whitefly (Trialeurodes abutiloneus).
This chapter in the collection, How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel, responds to critiques of bee hotels and their impact on bee populations.
This appendix to the collection, How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel, summarizes the best practices suggested throughout the document.
The red-headed flea beetle (RHFB), Systena frontalis, is a serious pest of broadleaved ornamental plants in nurseries. This document describes current knowledge of the pest and best practices for its management in nurseries.
Early childhood educators can easily engage children in growing, harvesting, and preparing tree fruits that provide numerous opportunities for hands-on learning. Fruit trees add year-round value to childcare outdoor learning environments and provide opportunities for children to follow seasonal changes. In addition, fruit trees help to increase the natural diversity of the spaces and provide pockets of shade. While growing fruit trees can be a very rewarding process, proper planning, preparation, and care of the trees takes time and is essential for success.
Earthworms can turn food scraps into a soil amendment called vermicompost — worm castings — which increases plant growth and reduces attacks by plant diseases and pests. Vermicomposting is easy, involves little work, and can be done indoors or outdoors. All you need is a container, bedding, worms, and worm food.
This factsheet describes oystershell scale insects (Lepidosaphes ulmi).
This factsheet describes walnut scales (Quadraspidiotus juglansregiae).
This educational resource for children aged 9-12 explains how to make a composting bin to house earthworms and recycle food scraps.
This poster-sized landscape management calendar is a guide to keeping your landscape healthy with sound management practices. It discusses proper establishment and maintenance practices as well as monitoring and targeted treatment of pests.
Abstract 2 of the collection, How to Manage a Successful Bee Hotel, lists plants that may be used in nesting materials for bees.
