A single leaf can trigger a medical emergency. That is not a horror-movie exaggeration. It is the reality of oleander, a flowering shrub that lines driveways, brightens front yards, and decorates countless Southern landscapes. Across warmer states, veterinarians continue to warn pet owners about the risks tied to this plant. Reports of dogs and cats…
southern gardening
Soil Scientists Warn: This Contamination Is Spreading Fast in Home Gardens Across the South
If your garden has ever looked “fine” one week and then started twisting, stalling, or producing weirdly bitter harvests the next, it’s easy to blame weather. But a growing number of gardeners are running into problems that don’t wash off and don’t compost away, especially after bringing in “free” inputs like manure, mulch, hay, or…
The Mulch That’s Causing Mold Problems in Southern Homes
If your flower beds look great but your porch smells musty after a rain, your mulch might be part of the problem. In warm, humid regions, some mulch stays wet long enough to grow fuzzy patches and kick off that “basement” odor outdoors, and sometimes it doesn’t stop there. When you spread the wrong material…


