Green Thumb Lums

02/26/2026

Milkw**d and Bee Balm

02/13/2026

Build This Simple "Ladder" Trellis for Better Cucumber Harvests

Cucumber vines are notorious land-hogs that can easily sprawl six feet across your garden, choking out neighboring plants. By training them vertically on a "ladder" structure like this, you condense that entire footprint into a single square foot of soil. This allows you to grow a heavy harvest in a tiny raised bed or tight corner without sacrificing valuable ground space.

Prevent the "Yellow Death" of Mildew

The number one killer of cucumber plants is fungal disease, which spreads rapidly when wet leaves sit on damp soil. This trellis design forces the foliage upward, maximizing airflow and keeping the leaves dry and off the dirt. By improving circulation, you drastically reduce the risk of powdery mildew and rot, keeping your vines green and productive for weeks longer than ground-crawling plants.

Let Gravity Grow Straighter Fruit

When cucumbers grow on the ground, they often curl, develop yellow "belly rot" spots, or get eaten by slugs. Hanging them from a sturdy post allows gravity to pull the fruit perfectly straight as it develops. The result is cleaner, uniform produce that looks like it came from the grocery store, with zero dirt to wash off.

Stop Playing Hide-and-Seek at Harvest Time

Green cucumbers camouflage perfectly against green leaves, making it easy to miss ripe fruit until it becomes a bitter, yellow giant. This open-ladder design puts every single vegetable at eye level. You can spot harvest-ready fruit instantly, ensuring you pick them at their crisp, sweet peak rather than finding them rotting weeks later.

02/13/2026

Planting by the Moon is an age-old practice that gardeners and farmers have used for hundreds of years. The Old Farmer’s Almanac includes the Moon phases in its planting calendars, and many old-time farmers swear it results in healthier, more productive gardens. Here’s how it works.

It’s a simple practice based on the idea that the cycles of the Moon affect plant growth. Just as the Moon’s gravitational pull causes tides to rise and fall, it also influences moisture levels in the soil.

Seeds absorb more water between the New Moon and the Full Moon because moisture is increasingly drawn to the soil’s surface during this period. This extra moisture causes seeds to swell, promoting stronger germination and better-established plants.

Throughout history, people have planted according to the Moon’s phases—from the Ancient Egyptians to the Romans. Pliny the Elder, a Roman historian, wrote about the Moon’s influence on agriculture. Even in completely different regions like China and Africa, the Moon’s cycles were considered in planting practices.

To discover WHEN to plant by the Moon, visit Almanac.com/planting-by-the-moon

02/13/2026

🌱 Two Weeks Away – Register Soon! 🌱

Ready to grow something new? Join Gabriella de Souza, Consumer Horticulture Agent with the NC Cooperative Extension, for a hands-on Seed Starting Workshop! You’ll learn the basics of starting your garden from seed and take home your own seeded tray, ready to grow.

🌼 Bring seeds to swap, share, and grow your collection while connecting with fellow plant lovers. This FREE workshop is perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike and a great way to get ready for the gardening season ahead!

📅 Tuesday, February 24
⏰ 11:00 AM
📍 Senior Resource Center

⚠️ Spaces are limited—register soon!
Register through the portal or call our reservation line (910) 798-6450

02/03/2026

These plants don’t just look nice, they work hard 🍃 Thick groundcovers block sunlight from w**ds, hold moisture in the soil, and reduce how often you need to mulch or w**d.

01/29/2026

How long do garden seeds last? How do you tell if your old seeds are still good? Here's how to find out! 🌱

First off, seeds are living things, and their viability is greatly affected by how they are stored. Most experts agree that dark, cool, and dry conditions are best for seeds, and most seeds last for a couple of years if stored in these conditions. That being said, some seeds also have a longer life expectancy than others.

If you're not sure how to determine how old your seeds are, just follow these simple steps to test them! More at Almanac.com/How-Long-do-Seeds-Last 🌱

01/25/2026

Ever made a wish on a dandelion? You just helped distribute over 100 tiny clones across your neighborhood!

Mind-Blowing Dandelion Facts:

🔬 They're genetic photocopiers: Most dandelions reproduce through apomixis—creating seeds WITHOUT fertilization. Each fluffy seed is a genetic clone of the parent plant. No pollination needed!

🪂 Engineering marvel: That delicate "parachute" (called a pappus) can carry seeds miles away on a light breeze. It's so efficient that scientists study it for drone and micro-aircraft design.

💯 Prolific travelers: A single seed head contains 100+ seeds, each ready to float away and establish somewhere new. One plant can produce thousands of seeds per season!

🌱 Nearly indestructible: Mow them down? No problem. That deep taproot stores energy and simply sends up new growth. They're survivors by design.

Why This Matters:

This incredible reproductive strategy is why dandelions are so successful at feeding early pollinators and colonizing disturbed soil. They're not aggressive—they're perfectly adapted!

When you see those white puffs this spring, you're witnessing one of nature's most elegant dispersal systems in action.

01/24/2026

🌱 What Dandelions Are Telling You 🌱

Those dandelions popping up in your yard aren't just early risers—they're nature's soil reporters! These resilient plants are some of our earliest pollinator food sources AND free garden consultants.

What Your Dandelions Are Doing for You:

🌱 Reading your soil: Where dandelions thrive tells you about your soil's story—they're indicator plants showing you conditions other species might struggle with.

🌱 Breaking up compaction: Those deep taproots (up to 10 feet!) are nature's tillers, aerating soil without any work from you.

🌱 Mining nutrients: They pull calcium, potassium, and minerals from deep underground, bringing them to the surface for other plants to use.

🌱 Feeding early pollinators: Native bees desperately need these January blooms when little else is flowering.

Late January Dandelion Observations:

📍 Harvest: Young winter leaves are less bitter—perfect for salads, pesto, or sautéing. Every part is edible and medicinal!

📍 Or leave them be: Let those taproots work their magic. They're improving your soil for free.

📍 Plan companions: Come spring, consider what you might plant alongside them. Many native wildflowers love the same conditions.

Remember: A diverse yard is a healthy yard. Dandelions support the ecosystem just as much as any cultivated flower! 💚

01/23/2026

Family Talking Circles: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Families 🪶

Talking circles are a sacred practice rooted in Indigenous cultures, where every voice matters and is heard with respect. This powerful tradition can transform how your family communicates.

Benefits:
✨ Everyone gets equal time to speak without interruption
✨ Builds deep listening skills and empathy
✨ Creates a safe space for authentic sharing
✨ Strengthens family bonds across generations
✨ Teaches children respectful communication
✨ Resolves conflicts with understanding, not judgment

In Indigenous communities, the talking circle has been used for centuries to make decisions, heal relationships, and pass down wisdom. The circle represents equality - no one sits at the "head" - and often includes a talking piece that's passed to show whose turn it is to speak.

Try it this week: Gather your family in a circle, choose a meaningful object as your talking piece, and let each person share without interruption. You might be amazed at what you learn about each other. 💚

01/22/2026

The Surprising Map of Plants

Visit https://brilliant.org/dos/ to get started learning STEM for free, and the first 200 people will get 20% off their annual premium subscription.In this m...

01/21/2026

This list includes native and a few nonnative plants that attract hummingbirds. I encourage you to research native plants in your area and incorporate them into your garden to support your local ecosystem. You can contact your extension office for guidance. More info in comments below. 💚

What are some of your favorite pollinator-friendly plants? 🌸🐦🌼🦋🐝