Spring Fever Advice

Horticulture at Home

Katy Shook, Area Horticulture Agent

The best piece of gardening advice I ever received was: “Choose plants for your landscape as if you were choosing furniture for your house.” That prompts the questions: Do I need it? Do I have room for it? How am I going to use it?

It is undeniably tempting to purchase now, and ask questions later. Unfortunately, a majority of plant problems in home landscapes are a result of wrong plant, wrong place. That’s ok if we’re practicing “trowel and error” or working on turning our brown thumbs green, but it’s not ok if products are over and unnecessarily applied as a result.

So how do we balance our spring fevers with best management? Before purchasing and installing landscape plants, consider this:

In what Zone does the plant grow best? Most commercially sold landscape plants are tagged with important features like hardiness zones. This gives growers an idea of what climate is best suited for the plant. Northeast North Carolina falls into Zone 8 – check the plant tag to ensure a match.

Do I have the right place for this plant? Not only should gardeners match space requirements, but sun and moisture needs as well. It seems obvious, but match sun loving plants with full sun locations, and put shade loving plants in the shade. Although a plant may not die as a result of being planted in the wrong place, it will struggle with problems and poor performance.

Is this plant a good choice? Once you’ve made a match on site requirements, think about performance. Some plants offer unique characteristics but are notorious for problems. Understand the plant’s features and decide if it is a match for your needs. Remember that if a plant seems too good to be true, it usually is. To help with selection, visit the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox.

For more information on plant selection, call the Ask A Master Gardener Helpline at (252) 482-6585.

Use the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox to help find the right plant for the right place. Picture – Kathy Sill

Rainbow Hummus Pinwheels

4-H at Home

Camaryn Byrum, 4-H Agent

What’s your favorite type of sandwich? Do you like ham or turkey, grilled cheese, or a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Toasted or not toasted? Mustard or mayonnaise? Maybe you like potato chips on your sandwich. There are breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches and even dinner sandwiches. There are countless sandwich combinations. You can get so creative when preparing a sandwich. This recipe is a twist on a classic turkey sandwich. Substitute bread for a wrap, add some fresh veggies, and you’ve got yourself a refreshing rainbow hummus wrap.

Rainbow Hummus Pinwheels

Ingredients—for the wraps

• 2 wraps (Cauliflower, wheat, spinach—you pick!)
• ½ cup prepared hummus
• 4 slices turkey breast
• ½ red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
• ½ cucumber, cut into 2” long spears
• ½ cup finely shredded red cabbage

Ingredients—for the dressing (If you do not have these ingredients on hand, you can use a store-bought dressing.)

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ cup avocado oil mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, dill, chives, garlic, salt and pepper.
2. Lay wraps flat on a clean countertop and spread each with ¼ cup hummus.
3. Roll up the turkey slices and divide between the wraps, placing slices in the center of wraps. Arrange bell pepper, carrot, cucumber, and cabbage around the turkey.
4. Roll up wraps tightly and place seam-side down on a cutting board.
5. With the help of an adult, cut rolled-up wraps crosswise into ¾ inch thick pinwheels. Serve with dressing from step 1.

Living Well Month – Healthy Eating

Family and Consumer Sciences at Home

Submitted by: Mary Morris, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent

Saying yes is the ultimate commitment. It means agreeing and acknowledging that your health is important. When you say yes to your health, you make wellness a priority in your conscious thoughts and daily actions, which turn into healthy habits!

Choosing healthier goals makes creating positive & lasting changes easier. So, when it comes to our health, let’s all get in the habit of saying: “YES… and… what else can I do to feel better? Check MyPlate to get additional information on planning meals and basic healthy eating tips. You can also visit the Health & Nutrition page on our website for more information about local programs.

For questions contact Mary Morris at 252-482-6585 or mary_morris@ncsu.edu.