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Suffolk Extension Master Gardeners

Suffolk Master Gardeners

13 hours ago

🌼 Chrysanthemum Care: More Than Just a Fall Favorite! 🌿

Though we often associate chrysanthemums (or “mums”) with autumn color, these versatile perennials can shine in the garden throughout the growing season. With hundreds of varieties available, they offer a wide range of bloom times, colors, heights, and flower forms, making them an easy way to add long-lasting interest to your landscape.

Mums perform best when they’re planted in full sun, in well-drained, fertile soil, and given consistent water and light feeding during the growing season. A little care goes a long way toward big blooms!

A few key tips for success:
🌱 Plant in spring when possible so roots can establish
✂️ Pinch plants back early to encourage fuller, bushier growth
🌸 Remove faded blooms to extend flowering
💧 Avoid overly wet conditions—good air circulation and drainage are essential
🌿 Divide every 3–5 years to keep plants vigorous

With the right timing and maintenance, mums can reward you with a long season of color and strong garden performance year after year.

For full planting instructions, seasonal care, propagation tips, and overwintering advice, read the full article from Penn State Extension:
👉 ... See MoreSee Less

Suffolk Master Gardeners

1 day ago

🍃 Have you ever looked closely at what’s inside a leaf? 🌿

As gardeners, we know leaves are where photosynthesis happens but the internal structure of a leaf is just as fascinating as what it does.

Starting on the outside, leaves are covered by a waxy layer called the cuticle, which helps reduce water loss. Some plants have thicker cuticles than others, especially those adapted to dry conditions.

Leaves also need to exchange gases. This happens through tiny openings called stomata, which allow carbon dioxide in and oxygen out. Most stomata are found on the underside of the leaf, helping reduce water loss from direct sun and wind exposure.

These openings are controlled by guard cells, which open and close the stomata depending on conditions like water availability.

Inside the leaf, the veins contain xylem and phloem, which move water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant. Surrounding these veins are specialized cells that carry out photosynthesis.
Leaves may look simple, but they’re actually highly organized structures working hard every day to keep plants alive. 🌱

Learn more here:
crowspath.org/natural-history/trees/leaves/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSc8KdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFYSXNzanRx... ... See MoreSee Less

Suffolk Master Gardeners

3 days ago

Are you growing any fruits in your garden? 🍓🫐

Head on over here to learn more about growing small fruit in your home garden here: ... See MoreSee Less