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TOM WALDEN: Different and unusual gardening techniques used at Epcot
MARSHVILLE — As I talked about last week, if you isolate yourself from others, you’ll miss out on their knowledge. That’s not counting that you’ll probably also become a crabby hermit. By yourse...
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TOM WALDEN: Ways to grow plants you never dreamed of
MARSHVILLE I’ve said before that if you don’t travel away from home, you might think everyone performs tasks the same way. For instance, when you mention barbecue around here, it’s almost always...
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TOM WALDEN: Kalmia Gardens offers taste of mountains and coast.
MARSHVILLE — Like most people who grew up in this area, I think it’s a pretty great place. The majority, even if they agree, sometimes want to just get away for a few days. If you enjoy the coas...
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TOM WALDEN: With proper care, seeds can last long time
MARSHVILLE — Sometimes as you get older, you can adopt some really bad habits. For instance, I’ve noticed some drivers treat a stop sign as merely a suggestion. They slow, take a quick look arou...
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TOM WALDEN: Plant now so perennials can withstand summer heat
MARSHVILLE — I know I seem to repeat myself about this time every year. The reason is studies show you retain only about 10 percent of what you read or hear. A good speaker or writer therefore, ...
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TOM WALDEN: There's always a plant you haven't seen yet
MARSHVILLE — Sometimes, you think you’ve seen them all. Of course, I’m talking about plants. Since my wife has always been a consistent gardener, as well as family and friends, I’ve been exposed...
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TOM WALDEN: The mystery of Scotch broom
In the last couple of years, I found another plant that was different and unknown to me. Shortly after I dug and potted 2 small specimens of this plant, I mentioned it in one of my columns.
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TOM WALDEN: Heirloom gift changed my mind about impatiens
MARSHVILLE A few weeks ago I talked about fun in the sun. When you hear that phrase you may be thinking sun, sand and the beach. As I wrote about, though, there are plants, specifically flowers,...
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Biggest pumpkin tips scales at 1,725 pounds
Contest organizers say the entry topped the 1,689-pound record-holder grown in 2007 by Joe Jutras of North Scituate, R.I.
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TOM WALDEN: Collards and the importance of sharing information
MARSHVILLE — If you travel to different areas of our country and even the world, you’ll notice that the food is different. Of course, the food is bound to be different because there are differen...
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TOM WALDEN: Golden Leaf, perennials and moving plants inside
MARSHVILLE — How long would you work an 80-hour week? A week, two weeks, perhaps 1 or 2 months if you were forced into it? Most people could do it provided it was a desk job. I don’t know how lo...
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Two win at N.C. Mountain Fair
FLETCHER — Two Union County exhibitors’ entries were named Grand Champion during the N.C. Mountain Fair, which opened Sept. 11. Robert Smith’s entry was named Grand Champion in the Toggenburgs c...
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Pollution-control funds available for farmers
MONROE — The Union Soil & Water Conservation District will soon receive its cost-share allocation from the state for non-point source pollution control from agricultural activities. These fu...
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TOM WALDEN: Plants from loved ones most precious ones we own
MARSHVILLE — From time to time, I talk about where and how I’ve acquired some of our plants. I’ve mentioned many local nurseries I’ve purchased from over the years. There are at least a half doz...
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Autumn is time for soil testing
Cooperative Extension can provide test kits, advice and results.
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