Environment Blog Posts
February 14, 2025
In honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about love… lovebugs, that is!
February 4, 2025
If you have rose bushes in your landscape, now is the time for pruning! Heavy pruning needs to be done mid-February to mid-March while the plants are still dormant.
January 24, 2025
Are you already thinking about what you will plant this spring and summer? If you are, don’t forget to test your soil. It’s the best way to know if your garden or lawn needs critical nutrients and how much.
December 6, 2024
The Eastern redcedar, scientifically known as Juniperus virginiana, is a versatile and resilient evergreen tree native to North America.
December 3, 2024
It’s the holiday season, and many of us like to celebrate this time of year by decorating our homes and gathering with friends and family to enjoy fellowship, food, and gift giving. But it is also a time of increased household waste. These tips can help you have a more sustainable holiday.
November 15, 2024
Colder weather is just around the corner! Do you have a plan to winterize your home for when freezing temperatures arrive? Preparing your home for the cold not only ensures comfort, but also helps protect your home from damage.
November 4, 2024
The ginkgo tree, scientifically known as Ginkgo biloba, is an incredible species that stands out because of its unique characteristics and beauty.
October 25, 2024
It’s spooky season, and there’s nothing as spooky to some people as a creepy-crawly spider! Many people have arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders.
October 18, 2024
Halloween spending is expected to reach $11.6 billion this year, and many of those purchases will become waste. Check out these tips for ways to have a more sustainable holiday.
October 4, 2024
In the fall, I love driving down the road to see beautiful trees changing color as they prepare to drop their leaves for the winter. My favorite trees, however, are magnificent, fiery red maple trees. Their color stands so boldly against the yellow and brown background of the other fall colors.
September 24, 2024
As summer comes to an end, the time for fall lawn care approaches. Warm-season grass growth is beginning to slow down while temperatures become slightly cooler.
September 6, 2024
Next time you’re walking in the woods or in the park, take a moment to look up. If you see a tree that is over 100 ft tall, there is a good chance you are seeing a sycamore tree.
September 3, 2024
Termites exist all over Mississippi and will eventually infest and damage any structure that contains wood or other cellulose components unless you properly protect those structures.
August 15, 2024
If there’s one thing that’s important in gardening, it’s proper watering. Vegetable gardens need about 1 inch of water each week.
July 31, 2024
If you’ve heard the term “zero waste,” you may be wondering what that is and how it can be possible. Zero waste is aimed at reducing waste throughout the production chain – from the time materials are gathered for production to the time the product is purchased and used by a consumer. Get tips on how to implement the principles into your lifestyle.
June 28, 2024
Close your eyes and think back to your childhood.
June 21, 2024
When it comes to lawn care, summer is one of the busiest times of the year.
June 3, 2024
This tree is quite a unique specimen. Its qualities – name, oil, habitat, and how it reproduces – make sassafras a tree to marvel at.
May 28, 2024
Do you enjoy having cut flowers around the house? With the right preparation and some gardening labor, you can harvest your own blossoms just outside the back door.
May 7, 2024
We’ve talked about a few trees this year. We hope you’ve learned a thing or two about how to identify different trees!
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About Extension for Real Life
Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.
That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living. Pretty good gig, right?
The three main writers for the blog are Ellen Graves (Seamstress of Social Media Strategy), Susan Collins-Smith (Content Connector) and Keri Lewis (Captain Cat Herder). But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!
You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu