There are a lot of things to think about in a landscape! Here are some resources that may help you with questions you have about maintaining ornamental plants at home:

General Resources

• NC Extension Gardener Handbook – includes chapters on a variety of gardening topics. You can also order a hard copy.

Right Plant, Right Place

Lawns

• NC State Turf Files – a great resource page for information about your lawn. Check out lawn maintenance calendars, information about weeds and other pests, and more.
• Carolina Lawns – a great publication covering the basics of establishing and managing your home lawn.
• Lawn and Garden Publications from N.C. Cooperative Extension

Flowers, Trees, and Shrubs

• Growing Annual Flowers
• Growing Perennial Flowers
• Pruning Trees and Shrubs
  • Before the Cut
  • How to Prune Specific Plants
  • General Pruning Techniques
  • Tools to Make the Cut
  • Calendars from Virginia Cooperative Extension
    • Deciduous Tree Pruning Calendar
    • Shrub Pruning Calendar
    • Evergreen Tree Pruning Calendar

Fruits and Vegetables

• Central NC Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs
• Vegetable Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide

Container Gardening

• How to Create a Container Garden for Edibles in the NC Piedmont
• Container Garden Planting Calendar for Edibles in the Piedmont
• Plants Grown in Containers (NC Extension Gardener Chapter 18)

Recycle and Water Efficiently

• Home Composting With Earthworms
• Backyard Composting of Yard, Garden, and Food Discards
• Rainwater Harvesting: Guidance for Homeowners

Fertilize Appropriately

• A Gardener’s Guide to Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs
• Fertilizing Deciduous Shade Trees in the Landscape

Manage Yard Pests

• NC Extension Gardener Chapters
  • Insects
  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Weeds
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Attract Wildlife

• Butterflies in Your Backyard
• Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants