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Butterfly Garden
 
Lee County Master Gardeners maintain a butterfly garden on the grounds of the Lee County Extension Office on Cliff Gookin Boulevard.  The garden is a demonstration garden of plants that serve as host plants for varieties of butterflies in North Mississippi.  Plants are rotated at times to use new plants to provide ideas to home gardeners for planting their butterfly or pollinator gardens.  ​
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Tree of the Month: Ginkgo
 
The ginkgo tree, scientifically known as Ginkgo biloba, is an incredible species that stands out because of its unique characteristics and beauty.
Key Features:
  • Seeds: The seeds of ginkgo trees are small, pale yellow, and they have a foul-smelling odor.
  • Leaves: Ginkgo trees are easily recognized by their leaves. They are bright green, fan-shaped, and 2-4 inches in diameter. In the fall, their leaves turn yellow.
  • Bark: Ginkgo trees have a brown and deeply fissured bark on young trees, and it may look cork-like on older trees.
  • Height and Size: Gingko trees grow up to 100 feet tall and spread 30 feet wide.
  • Longevity: These trees can live for over a thousand years.
The beauty and longevity of ginkgo trees make them a valuable addition to any landscape.
Lee County Master Gardener Projects

The Lee County Master Gardeners lead and participate in many projects that help to promote gardening and serve as beautification to areas in Lee County.   The projects provide a way to engage the public in gardening activities and to share current ideas and develop new ideas.   Please use the Master Gardener Project button to explore and learn how the Lee County Master Gardeners contribute their time and love of gardening with the community.  
Mississippi State University Extension Service Publications

The Extension Service has many publications which provide information on a wide variety of topics.  Click on the button to go to the publication website
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Mississippi Vegetable Gardener's Guide
MSU Extension Publication Number: P3616
View as PDF: P3616.pdf
Variety Recommendations for Mississippi Vegetable Gardens
MSU Extension Publication Number P3744
View as PDF: P3744.pdf 

There are many good reasons for growing a vegetable garden in Mississippi.

  • A garden offers the opportunity to enjoy vegetables at their freshest. Sometimes only minutes elapse between harvest, preparation, and eating. Most fresh vegetables available at the grocery store travel about 1,800 miles between producer and consumer, and this travel often occurs over a period of several days. There’s a lot to be said for “homegrown” freshness.
  • In recent years many people are growing vegetables to save money on their grocery bill.
  • A garden can be a wonderful place for children. They provide opportunities for play, learning, and for having fun.
Regardless of motive, gardening can be as simple or as complex a project as you make it. As the interest in all aspects of gardening has increased, so has the need for more information and education. Careful planning can make gardening easier, more productive, and more enjoyable. In planning your garden, it is important to consider a few basics
Magnolia Botanical Gardens
Verona Research and Extension Center

Magnolia Botanical Gardens serves as a demonstration and educational resource for green industry professionals and consumers.  There are many ornamental plants in the botanical gardens including Mississippi Medallion plants.  Many plants are labeled for identification.  The public is invited to view these gardens to see plants they may want to include in their landscape.  Magnolia Botanical Gardens is located at the Verona Research and Extension Center, south of Verona, MS on Hwy 145.
​Location:
MSU Lee County Extension Office
               5338 Cliff Gookin Blvd.; Tupelo, MS 38801