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Submitted by singer on August 15, 2016

Since this is August, we are now officially in the dog days of summer.

Extreme heat and humidity cause lots of problems for both garden plants and gardeners. For those gardeners who enjoy the vegetable garden bounty, this time can be especially troubling, as many of our vegetable plants tend to shut down for a while.

Microgreens such as the mix pictured are rich in phytonutrients and grow quickly indoors with minimal effort on a windowsill or under lights. (Photo by Gary Bachman/MSU Extension Service)
Beet bull blood is a common microgreen with red foliage. Fresh seed is required to be successful growing microgreens at home. The plants have a variety of uses but do not require a lot of space. (Photo by Gary Bachman/MSU Extension Service)

Submitted by singer on August 12, 2016

RAYMOND, Miss. -- With few problems this year, Mississippi’s peanut growers should see a good crop.

“Overall, peanuts are doing very well,” said Jason Sarver, Mississippi State University Extension Service peanut specialist. “Peanuts in south Mississippi received consistent rain throughout the season. We were really dry for a while across northeast Mississippi and the Delta. But between days 70 and 80, we started catching some rains across both regions that helped make a nice crop.”

Peanuts in this Monroe County field look good on Aug. 10, 2016. Harvest is expected to begin around Sept. 10, and yield may average more than 4,000 pounds per acre, up from the average of 3,400 pounds per acre last year. (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Kevin Hudson)

Submitted by singer on August 12, 2016

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” Most Americans over the age of 30 will recognize this line from the “Wizard of Oz.” Dorothy and her friends were traveling the Yellow Brick Road through the dark and wild forest, worried they might encounter these fearsome creatures.

Before European settlement, mountain lions were part of the native Mississippi landscape, but changes in their habitat and overharvest by humans have resulted in no remaining wild populations of these big cats in the state. (Submitted photo)

Submitted by singer on August 9, 2016

DURANT, Miss. -- Early child care educators, families and other residents in the Durant area now have a new place to visit and borrow educational books, toys and games.

On Aug. 2, the North Central Mississippi Resource and Referral Center celebrated its grand opening, becoming the 18th center of its kind in the state.

Members of Mississippi State University Extension Service, the Early Years Network and Excel by 5 celebrated the grand opening of the North Central Mississippi Resource and Referral Center with Durant Mayor Tasha Davis (center) and community members on Aug. 2, 2016. The center provides early child care educators, families and other residents in Holmes County a place to visit and borrow educational books, toys and games. (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Alexandra Woolbright)

Submitted by singer on August 8, 2016

In the past, I’ve expressed my love for chili peppers -- the hotter the better. But there are only so many ghost, Trinidad Moruga and Carolina Reaper peppers I can eat. Lately, my gastrointestinal tolerance for their heat is waning.

Ornamental peppers are available in an ever-increasing array of colors and styles, such as these NuMex April’s Fools peppers. (Photo by MSU Extension/Gary Bachman)
Ornamental peppers, such as NuMex Chinese New Year, tend to hold their pods high above the foliage, proudly showing their fruit. (Photo by MSU Extension/Gary Bachman)
Ornamental peppers typically have peppers in various stages of coloration on the same plant. The best show is late summer through fall, as seen on these NuMex Easter plants. (Photo by MSU Extension/Gary Bachman)

Submitted by singer on August 5, 2016

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion in the Mississippi State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences places an emphasis on outreach that is shown through more than a dozen programs offered in conjunction with the MSU Extension Service.

Doctoral student Yan Campbell, front, and research associate Vi Jackson serve trays to consumer panelists, who evaluate the food samples and determine how acceptable they are. (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Kat Lawrence)

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