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(NAPSI)—People are increasingly concerned about dirt and germs these pandemic days, but many are neglecting an unseen area where airborne contaminants can lurk: the air ducts.Even in the cleanest house, the indoor air system can recirculate dust, dirt, and particles from renovation and remod…
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(BPT) - A gallon of milk. Cream for your coffee. A pat of butter. Whether you’re enjoying a yogurt on the go in the morning or family night at home with a cheese and veggie pizza, dairy has been an enjoyable and nutritious part of daily life for generations. Throughout that time, America’s d…
(NAPSI)—It’s official: 1-800-Flowers.com has named the sunflower as 2021’s Flower of the Year and the Prayer Plant as Plant of the Year. With everyone looking forward to a fresh start, there’s never been a better time to celebrate the hope, positivity and bright outlook each one of these wel…
(NAPSI)—You can spread a little happiness during the holiday season, or anytime, by spreading a little hoppiness, and helping a tiny frog called the coquí.Contemplating Coquís Coquís are endemic to the nature-rich island of Puerto Rico and have been a cultural symbol there since the times of…
(NAPSI)—This holiday season, you don’t have to look far to find items that deliver great features and functionality but use less energy. Products that earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR label save money on energy bills and help protect the environment, making them gi…
(NewsUSA) - Covid-19 caused us all to spend much more time at home, reconnecting with a welcomed resurgence of simple pleasures and fundamental pursuits, which were nearly lost in our frenzied day-to-day lives, prior to the pandemic.
(NewsUSA) - Clean, safe, reliable water is more important now than ever. With the global health emergency still posing challenges, clean water is essential for maintaining personal hygiene at home and in the community to help prevent the spread of illness.
(StatePoint) With more of life centered at home due to cool weather and social distancing, it’s time to ensure the space where your family spends the majority of its time is healthy and safe.
Planning to leave the vegetable garden fallow this fall? If you take the time to plant a cover crop instead, you will reap the benefits later. In general, cover crops protect the soil from erosion, suppress weeds, maintain soil moisture, increase organic matter, and recycle nutrients. But fo…
(StatePoint) If your effort to reduce your personal plastic use has fallen by the wayside in recent months, you’re not alone -- reusable bags and containers have gotten a bad rap during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a new report shows that they can be a safe, effective way to tackle the gl…
Septic systems harness the power of microbes and soils to treat wastewater. A well-maintained septic system can last up to 30 years and keep you, your family, and your community healthy! A failing septic tank can spread disease as sewage backs up into your home, your neighbors’ yards, or int…
(StatePoint) Each American throws out about 4.5 pounds of trash per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By incorporating the “Three Rs” (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) into routines, you can help divert some of this waste away from landfills to help protect the environment.
During this unprecedented time of social distancing and stay at home orders, it is the perfect time to consider making something together with your family or housemates that have a purpose and benefits the environment. Bonding over a fun and useful project will create memories, provide you w…
When designing the perfect landscape, plants often take center stage. However, the “hardscaped” areas of our yard are where we often relax and enjoy the fruits of our botanical labor. Rather than simply installing concrete patios and walkways, consider using permeable materials to create the…
Clemson University’s Cooperative Extension Service is proud to offer a brand new program to the citizens of South Carolina! Many landscape professionals, whether in the private industry, grounds-maintenance, or employed by government agencies, are in constant need of good training resources …
Moore Farms Botanical Garden: Saturday, June 13, 8AM-1PM, Cost is FREE!
You've been missing us, and we've been missing you. So, we have an exciting announcement to make! Watch the video linked below to get all the juicy details.
The fear of being bitten by a snake worries many folks whether the snake is venomous or not. There are 38 species of snakes found in South Carolina, but only six are venomous. The venomous snakes found in South Carolina are all pit vipers with one exception – the coral snake. The pit vipers …
I always look forward to our crossvines (Bignonia capreolata) flowering every spring. Although most of the flowers may be produced high up in deciduous trees, after they bloom, the landscape becomes covered with their shed yellow- and mahogany-colored flowers.Crossvines are evergreen to semi…
Did you know that South Carolina has an official state grass? Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) was named the state grass in 2001. This native, warm-season, perennial grass originally grew in the natural prairies found in South Carolina four centuries ago. It was an important food source for…
Thank you to all who have sent in photos of your outdoor experiences during this time of isolation. Keep them coming so we can share them here with everyone. These are some of the great shots submitted so far. Spring is one of our favorite seasons here at PDLT, and while we have all been fo…
Darlington, South Carolina, has been named a 2019 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Want to add some additions to your landscape? Looking for that “WOW” factor? Our online plant sale is for you! The plant sale features many varieties of choice, hard-to-find and unusual plants. The sale is offered online this year so we can do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19.Shoppin…
The bromeliad family is large and varied. Its two best-known members, pineapples and Spanish moss, give an idea of the diversity of this group of plants. Most bromeliads are easy to grow either indoors or in the greenhouse. They have attractive forms and leaf colors, and many with flowers th…
The garden is closed temporarily to visitors to limit the spread of COVID-19, so we're bringing Moore Farms Botanical Garden to you! We created a series of four videos giving viewers a tour of the grounds, and you can watch them now.
(StatePoint) Want to go green while practicing social distancing? Here are a few ideas to consider:
During challenging economic times, Americans try to stretch their dollars. Food is a flexible budget expense that can be reduced when money is tight. You can serve satisfying meals within your food budget if you: have some knowledge of nutrition. carefully plan your meals. shop skillfully. h…
*As always, consult with your professional advisors: accountant, tax advisor, attorney, and management team before making decisions and for any further clarifications and details that will be specific to your own situation. About the Program As part of the $2 trillion economic stimulus packa…
Effective Weed Management The most effective weed management strategy is to maintain a thick and healthy lawn. This minimizes sunlight from reaching the soil surface, as many weeds require sunlight for maximum germination. Weeds are plants of opportunity, and they will utilize any turfgrass …
Spring is here and so are the carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are very active from early spring through summer around houses and other wooden structures. These insects earn their name because they bore one-half inch wide holes that appear to be perfectly round on exterior wooden surfaces. The…
Through a partnership with the S.C. Department of Education, Clemson Cooperative Extension's School Gardening for S.C. Educators program — which began in 2013 as a pilot program in the tri-county Charleston area — is now in more than 32 counties across the state. The program continues to gro…
(Juice – Salsa – Sauces – Tomatoes with Okra) Canning Tomatoes & Tomato Products Tomatoes and tomato products have traditionally been canned in a boiling water bath (212 °F). However, recent research shows that for some products, pressure canning will result in a high-quality and more nu…
Do you have a shady garden where you would like to plant perennials? Hostas, ferns, and Lenten roses are the usual choices, but there are a number of wonderful perennial selections to choose from that will add bloom, texture, and color to your landscape. Here are several of my favorite early…
Are you looking for an early-season, shade-loving perennial that has blue flowers and is also a native perennial wildflower? Then Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are an excellent choice to add to your landscape. Growing in USDA planting zones 3 to 8, these beautiful plants grow best…
The home gardener has several ways of irrigating the garden: a watering can; a garden hose with a fan nozzle or spray attachment; a portable lawn sprinkler; a soaker hose; or drip or trickle irrigation. Most of these options are simple to use and work adequately. While drip or trickle irriga…
Early spring has arrived at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens. Come for a visit!
There are two approaches to fertilization. First, have the soil analyzed by a reputable lab and follow the scientifically based recommendations. The second often referred to as “a general approach,” is to buy a bag of fertilizer and follow the instructions noted. The recommended method is to…
“Spring in Nature’s way of saying Let’s Party” ~Robin Williams~
2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and we are celebrating by hosting 50 Days of Cleanups!