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A closeup of a poplar tree showing its leaves and flowers

It’s in your kitchen, hallway, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. You probably sit on it, but it’s 200 feet tall! Have you figured it out yet? It’s the yellow poplar tree!


Blue hydrangea bush.

August Landscape Checklist

July 31, 2023

August is typically a busy month for many people! The kids are back in school, and people are returning to their fall routines after summer.

A dog sits in a swimming pool

How Do I Get Rid of These Horseflies?

July 24, 2023

If you’ve ever had an encounter with a horsefly, you know they are annoying. If you’ve ever been bitten by one, you know it hurts! So, how can you keep these pesky critters from spoiling your outdoor summer fun? The answer probably isn’t what you want to hear. 

asian lady beetle

Tips to Avoid an Asian Lady Beetle Invasion

July 21, 2023

Believe it or not, fall is right around the corner. I know, I know, you probably just rolled your eyes as sweat dripped down your face from the summer heat.

A woman stands in a kitchen holding a plate of prepared Baked Tomatoes with Cheese.

The Food Factor: Baked Tomatoes with Cheese

July 18, 2023

If you like tomatoes, this is an easy and healthy recipe that is great with eggs or as a side dish.

canned fruits and vegetables

10 Home Canning Mistakes to Avoid

July 14, 2023

Some canning mistakes can be deadly if your products are contaminated by the botulinum toxin, which causes botulism poisoning. You cannot see, smell, or taste this toxin, but the tiniest taste of contaminated food can kill you. You want to avoid these 10 major canninng mistakes.

A girl and boy stand in a kitchen and hold up the popsicles they are eating.

Summer Cooking Fun: Homemade Strawberry Popsicles

July 11, 2023

With more time at home, summertime is a great time to teach kids new recipes to help them step up their cooking game. Take advantage of this summer season and have some fun in the kitchen with your kids.

Northern mockingbird.

Bird of the Month: Northern Mockingbird

July 7, 2023

Every Mississippian is familiar with the northern mockingbird. In 1944, it became the official bird of Mississippi.

July Landscape Checklist

July 3, 2023

And just like that, our mild, rainy summer has turned hot and steamy. 

A woman stand in a kitchen with prepared food.

The Food Factor: Summer Squash and Onion Packet

June 30, 2023

Try this tasty way to cook those zucchinis from your summer vegetable garden.

Grass with brown spots.

Tips to Recognize Lawn Problems

June 28, 2023

A lot of time and energy is put into caring for your lawn: mowing, fertilizing, watering, and everything in between.

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About Extension for Real Life

Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.

That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living.

Blog content is created by a core team of communicators, including Susan Collins-Smith, Ellen Graves, Natasha Haynes, Qula Madkin, Michaela Parker, and Jonathan Parrish. But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!

You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu