What's in YOUR Kitchen Sponge?

What comes to mind when you think of a clean kitchen? Shiny waxed floors? Gleaming stainless steel sinks? Spotless counters and neatly arranged cupboards? You can have all that and still have a filthy kitchen...

Tired of seeing people throw trash out on the side of the road? Find out how to "Swat-A-Litterbug!"

Do you take supplements or are you considering it? If so, read on for some important information.

Are you curious about your well water? Does it need to be chlorinated? It's easy to find out!

Play volleyball in the sand - just like at the beach!

This native shrub will add beauty and fragrance to your yard.

Can you give a dog a home? Or a cat? How about a kitten? These animals need your help.

Congratulations to Veronica Matheson of Asheville for her Blueberry Bread recipe!

Remember that resolution you made in January to eat more fruits and veggies? Now is the time to reach under the bed, pull it out and dust that resolution off. Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables.

There are so many delicious fruits and vegetables available at this time of the year, there is no reason not to live up to your resolution. Tomatoes, watermelon, broccoli, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, corn and many more are all in season. When produce is in season, it is fresher and usually less expensive.

If your New Year’s resolution was to eat more fruits and veggies, now is the time to re-visit it with these simple tips.

1. Have a salad for one meal a day. These days, salads are not the boring bowls of lettuce they use to be. Toss together different combinations of lettuce, chopped vegetables, fruit, nuts, beans, low-fat cheese, fish or grilled chicken, and low-fat dressing for a delicious and very easy lunch or dinner.
   
   
2. Throw some corn on the grill at your next barbecue. Leave it in the husk or wrap it in foil for a healthy addition to your meal.
   
   
3. Surprise yourself with fruit. Berries are a very versatile fruit. They go well in baked goods, make delicious sauces for meats, and are tasty in salads and desserts. Try adding some blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or blackberries to your next recipe.
   
   
4. Have a slice of watermelon. Nothing says lazy summer days in the South like a big juicy slice of watermelon.
   
   
5. Visit your local farmer’s market. For the freshest produce, go to the farmers’ market and buy fruits and veggies that don’t travel as far. Most foods travel 1,500 miles before they get to your table. You might be surprised to find out what is grown near you and how tasty it can be!

Road signs are important, but they aren't much help if you can't see them for the weeds. A lot of them get knocked down, too. If you know of a sign that is missing, or you can't hardly see it because it is weed covered, here are the numbers you need to know:

• Interstate signs -- call the North Carolina Department of Transportation Maintenance Department at 298-0390.
• County Road Signs -- 250-4845
• City Street Signs -- 251-1122

An easy way to save water is not to water the lawn. Unless the lawn was just planted this spring, cool season grasses can be allowed to go dormant in the summer. Recent research at NC State University has shown that the crown of a healthy tall fescue plant can survive 40 to 48 days without water. After that time the crown can die from dehydration. So during an extended drought, if you can apply a half inch to an inch of water once a month, that should be enough to ensure that the grass will survive to green back up in the fall.

Of course grass with a good healthy root system is best equipped to withstand dry conditions longest. Some steps you can take to make your fescue or bluegrass lawn the most drought-tolerant include:

1. Maintain the mowing height of at least 3 inches.
2. Make sure the soil pH is 6.0-6.5.
3. Also make sure the soil phosphate is adequate (soil test).
4. If soil is compacted, aerate in the fall.
5. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizer after early March. Feed again in September.

For more information, call Buncombe County Cooperative Extension at 255-5522.

July 24th, 2008 @ 4 - 5:30 pm
Barnardsville, NC 

If you are a farmer or someone considering startup egg production, you are invited to an on-farm demonstration in Barnardsville to see a recent startup operation of egg production on a small-scale. The Dillingham’s broiler chicken house has been used as a tobacco barn for the past 35 years. They have renovated and “predator-proofed” the structure, and have installed electric poultry netting for an outside run. The operation currently includes 40 Highline and 30 Leghorn birds.

This tour should be of interest to anyone considering startup egg production on a small farm or in a backyard setting. This demonstration is one of four being conducted by the Small Farms Initiative, through Buncombe County Cooperative Extension, with special support from Buncombe County Government and farmer cooperators in the county to implement new production practices or to test and demonstrate the production of new farm commodities.

For more information or to register for this free program, contact Jean Harrison or Jeff Bradley at the Buncombe County extension office at 255-5522 or jean_harrison@ncsu.edu, jeff_bradley@ncsu.edu.

Directions: Follow future I-26 west to exit 15, the Barnardsville/Jupiter exit. Turn right onto Highway 197 and travel 6 miles. Turn right onto Dillingham Road and follow it for approximately 6 miles until you see two large chicken houses on your left (one red, one gray block). Look for the NC Cooperative Extension on-farm tour signs. Event Location is 6 Spice Cove Drive, Barnardsville, NC 28709.