Midlands Plant and Flower Show April 16-19, 2015

April 16-19
Thursday- Saturday 8am- 6pm
Sunday 10am- 4pm

Come shop over 100 vendors for seasonal plants, flowers, yard decor and more!

Clemson Extension Master Gardeners will be on site to answer all of your gardening questions.

Food trucks will be on site. 

Festival and parking are free. Dress comfortably and bring your own wagon for easy transport. Wagons will also be available to rent.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Plant Sale April 18, 2015

Saturday, April 18 @ 9:00am–12:00pm at the Botanical Garden Parking Lot (enter from Botanical Parkway)

Once a year!  Don't miss this great opportunity to enhance your outdoor environments and support our local zoo and botanic gardens, too.

http://www.riverbanks.org/events/spring-plant-sale.shtml

Treat Insect Bites with Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil (EO) is an affordable and effective way to treat bug bites and stings.  Be sure to select 100% certified pure, therapeutic grade EO - no fillers, additives, bases or carriers added. Lavendar EO can be applied neat (straight from the bottle). Feel results right away!  
Note:  This post is not intended to provide or replace medical advice from physicians.  
Please remember to test a dab of any essential oil or blend on the hand before applying elsewhere.  All ideas, recipes, and essential oils discussed in the blog fall under this disclaimer: "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."

Brookgreen Gardens

The best way to envision your outdoor environment's possibilities is to take field trips around South Carolina.  One of the most inspiring places is Brookgreen Gardens near Myrtle Beach.

Before you make the drive north, read up on the history and spooky tales associated with Brookgreen Gardens.  Make sure your camera batteries are charged and that there's plenty of room on your memory card, because you'll shoot a lot of photos.  Take a notepad so you can jot down information you'll want later!

Growing Grass in Shade

South Carolina is blessed with beautful trees that provide welcome shade. However, that shade can make growing grass a real challenge.
Best grasses for shady areas include fine fescues and St. Augustine, according to the experts at Clemson Extension. Check out their recommendations today, and call us for a free consultation about keeping your lawn looking it best.

Jolly Joker Pansies

OK, these pretty pansies are not official Clemson regalia. However, they're tough bloomers! I planted Jolly Jokers last October and they survived last winter's freezes with aplomb, blooming continuously. This week, they're putting on a lovely show of color and spreading vigorously. Learn more about pansies from the experts at Clemson.

Garden Kneeling Pad

This knee pad is twice as thick as most others on the market, making it a great choice for those of us who need lots of cushioning.  Works nicely as a sit-upon, too.  Excellent user reviews.