Environment Blog Posts

The tufted titmouse is a bird you’ve likely seen in parks, woodlands, and in your back yard. They’re native to the eastern parts of the United States and are attracted to areas where there is an abundance of broadleaf trees, such as oaks, hickories, and maples. 

Early fall is one of the best times to test your soil. A soil test can tell you if your lawn or garden needs critical nutrients and how much. This way, your plants and your wallet will stay healthy. You won’t waste your money applying fertilizer or lime that your plants don’t need.

Figs are in season from July to October. So, now is the perfect time to find some figs to eat and cook with! There are two main fig varieties found in Mississippi: Celeste and Southern Brown Turkey.

“Rockin’ robin, tweet-tweedle-lee-dee!” You sang that sentence as you read it, didn’t you?

September is one of my favorite months. The scorching hot temps will soon turn into nice cool weather, and the leaves will start to change colors.

You’ve likely heard of companion planting, but do the principles work?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no; and other times maybe.

If you hear a bird call that sounds like a fast, high pitched “chick-a-dee-dee-dee,” you can confidently say it’s coming from a Carolina chickadee– they get their name from this distinctive call.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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

While scientists know bats eat mosquitoes, the insect makes up only part of their diet. So the question is: Do bats significantly lower mosquito numbers?

What do turkey, water, willow, swamp chestnut, and white all have in common? If you guessed they’re all native oak trees in Mississippi, you’d be a winner!

During summer nights, something magical happens. Tiny insects light up the night sky, making summertime just a bit more special than it already is.

“Coo-OO-oo-woo!” With their rather sorrowful call, the mourning dove sings one of the most recognizable songs.

Summertime is officially here! Kids are out of school, and many people are gearing up for summer adventures with the family.

Snakes, like other wildlife, need a suitable place to live and enough food to eat. If the area around your home checks these boxes, they may take up residence there. These tips can help reduce the chances of a surprise encounter with a snake around you house.

If you have a home garden, you know the pain of managing the pests that feast on your crops. Luckily, you won’t have to guess what bug is snacking on your plants! We’ve gathered information on common pests found in Mississippi gardens to help you identify and manage the bugs that are giving you problems!