“The greatest lesson I’ve learned thus far is to reflect on my progress as I keep moving forward,” says Rachel Baran, owner and operate of Sun Dragon Flower Farm.
Wildfires cast a pall over local gardens
Wildfires screen sunlight, affecting plants photosynthesis. Another downside of the fires is it can keep some gardeners inside just when their gardens need them. Find out how to garden safely when the skies are smoky.
Green Roundup: Conservation groups prepare for lawsuit over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan
The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of MountainTrue, the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity, sent a 60-day Notice of Intent to Sue to the U.S. Forest Service in relation to their Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan.
Gardening with Xpress: Summer’s bounty and bugs
Heat, sun and bugs take their toll on summer gardeners. You can toil away by timing your work and dressing the part.
Shortage trickles through peach economy
WNC farmers are left with bitter losses — 90 percent for peaches in Henderson County alone, amounting to $600,000 in lost revenue, says Terry Kelley, tree fruit expert and director of the Henderson County cooperative extension.
Gardening with Xpress: How to promote growth in underachievers
Cool nights are taking a toll on heat-loving veggies such as peppers, corn, tomatoes and eggplant. You might want to tuck them in at night.
Farm bill renewal raises questions for WNC farmers
Last month, Rep. Chuck Edwards convened a nine-member agricultural advisory board to provide a variety of perspectives as he advocates for the region’s interests in the farm bill.
WNC goatscaping services offer sustainable land management
Grazing goats are an increasingly popular means of eliminating invasive plants.
Why I volunteer: Building relationships with local farmers
Lisa Fields is a volunteer with Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. The nonprofit helps link farmers to markets and supporters and strives to build healthy communities through connections to local food.
Gardening with Xpress: Managing tiny but formidable flea beetles
Tiny flea beetles are here to stay, and will affect your garden to some extent. But organic gardening is about finding balance, not controlling nature for our benefit alone.
Gardening with Xpress: Climb aboard the spring-weather roller coaster
Gardeners and farmers are some of the first folks to be impacted by climate change. We pay attention to the temperature, sun, wind, rain, and rhythms of the living world. And when things like weather become more erratic or unpredictable, our crops feel it. Wild weather is becoming more and more the norm, so it will behoove us to learn to adapt.
Kids stuff: The benefits of gardening and cooking for young children
Jordan Diamond, Bountiful Cities’ FEAST program and garden coordinator at Lucy S. Herring Elementary School, discusses cooking with kids, the benefits of gardening for young minds and the joys of being outdoors with students.
Gardening with Xpress: Tips on snakes and seeds
Spring is nearly here, but slow your roll when it comes to planting. Oh, and those snakes you saw in the garden? More than likely they’re friends, not foes.
Green in brief: Duke Energy completes Hot Springs microgrid
The microgrid includes 2 megawatts of solar panel capacity and 4.4 MW of battery storage. Those resources are enough to power the entire town for an extended period if its connection to the main grid is disrupted.
Green in brief: Conserving Carolina to expand Bracken Mountain Preserve
On Dec. 30, the nonprofit completed the purchase of 34 acres in Brevard to expand the preserve. The new land will bolster the existing 395-acre park, owned by the city of Brevard, which connects to the Pisgah National Forest.
Green in brief: Asheville protects land at Mills River water plant
Backed by a $400,000 grant from the N.C. Land and Water Fund, the nonprofit Mills River Partnership is restoring roughly 14 acres of riverside near the plant. Maria Wise, the nonprofit’s executive director, says her organization will stabilize the riverbanks and replace invasive plants with native varieties.
Green in brief: WNC Nature Center opens new exhibit
In partnership with the WNC Farmers Market, the Asheville zoo launches its Educational Farmers Market Garden starting Wednesday, Nov. 16. The new exhibit focuses on sustainable relationships between agriculture and nature.
Gardening with Xpress: On curing sweet potatoes and protecting figs against frost
For this year’s final set of queries, Chloe Lieberman addresses ways to cure sweet potatoes, options for excess leaves and ideas for keeping your figs warm amid frosty nights.
Green in brief: Wildlands Network flags WNC roads for wildlife crossings
Of the 20 North Carolina sites in the new report, six are in Western North Carolina — including the nonprofit’s No. 1 site, Interstate 40’s path through the Pigeon River Gorge.
Gardening with Xpress: On blueberries and plastics
This month we’re exploring best practices for growing blueberries and safe ways to use plastics as part of your gardening toolbox.
Green in brief: Woodfin Greenway & Blueway gets $5.9M TDA boost
The funding represents the final amount needed for the $30 million project, which has been under development since 2011. The money will go toward constructing 5 miles of greenway along the French Broad River and Beaverdam Creek, as well as park facilities and a wave feature for whitewater enthusiasts.