Johnston County Center: Commercial Horticulture, Nursery, & Turf

Are you a plant killer? Watch this episode of "In the Garden with Bryce Lane" to learn to keep plants alive: [more]
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Avoid foodborne illness this holiday season by following these Extension tips from #NCSU and Kansas State Univ: [more]
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For much of NC, Thanksgiving is a great time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. See Extension at #NCSU tips: [more]

Agriculture & Food: Commercial Horticulture, Nursery, & Turf

Commercial horticulture -- fruit, vegetable and landscape plant production -- represents a fast-growing segment of North Carolina's economy. North Carolina Cooperative Extension helps growers implement research-based production practices, investigate high-value alternative crops, develop sound business plans and explore new marketing options to ensure continued farm profitability, environmental stewardship and quality of life.

October is the time of year when we can experience the first frost and freeze in our area. The map illustrates the average dates in which a freeze can take place for the first time. For Johnston County our timeframe is between October 25th and 31st. Jeff Orrock, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the NOAA's National Weather Service, said "Looking ahead to winter with a continued El Nino in the Pacific Ocean there is a good chance we could see a wetter than normal winter which could help to bring water levels back up to normal. With the lack of any large scale rain this summer, due to the absence of tropical systems moving across our state, many areas are experience below normal rainfall, though the deficits are not huge." Now is the time to begin winter preparations and continue harvesting crops until the cold weather stops production.

More Events »

Events

	SE Vegetable & Fruit Expo December 1st, 2009 - December 2nd, 2009 Myrtle Beach, SC
	The 2009 Southeast Vegetable & Fruit Expo is in just a couple of weeks Dec 1-2, 2009. This year the Expo is being held at the beautiful Embassy Suites, Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, SC. The hotel is located on the beach! Rooms are still available at the hotel for $79.00 which includes a full-cooked breakfast and afternoon reception. If you haven't registered, it is not too late to sign up. There are many ... MORE

	Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Conference January 7th, 2010 - January 10th, 2010 Savannah, GA
	2010 Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Conference More information to follow. ... MORE

More News »

News

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Arrives
Posted October 14th, 2009 in Agriculture & Food: Commercial Horticulture, Nursery, & Turf

It is official. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, has been identified in North Carolina. First detected about two weeks ago in the Winston-Salem area, there has been another report in the coastal plain region. Originally found in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2001, it is now established in many states across the country especially along the east coast. It is an easy traveler in things like motor homes. There is a long list of ... MORE

NCDA&CS Offers Organic Certification Cost-Share Assistance
Posted October 8th, 2009 in Agriculture & Food: Commercial Horticulture, Nursery, & Turf

Organic growers in North Carolina can apply for partial reimbursement of the cost of becoming certified or recertified producers through a program offered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Growers who are certified or recertified after Sept. 30, 2009, can apply for assistance. The program will pay 75 percent of the cost of certification, up to $750. The program is for the 2009-2010 season, and is funded through a $30,000 grant ... MORE