Calhoun County Master Gardeners

Bad Bugs - Alabama Cooperative Extension System Most insects are actually good bugs, but the bad ones give them a negative reputation. Of all the identified insects, less than 1% are major pests. These examples highlight a few insect pest species in Alabama.

Think you know your Alabama trees?

Put your tree ID skills to the test! We've sketched the foliage of several common native trees found across the state.

This challenge is a fun way to sharpen your observation skills and learn more about the trees growing all around you. Once you've made your guesses, use the identification key to see how many you got right and learn the basics of tree identification. https://www.aces.edu/go/6025

Ready to play? Comment below with your answers.
We will share the correct answers in the comments later this week.

Yucca information from MG Betty Clark.

Calhoun County Gardening - Yuccas Bring Height, Beauty and Low-Maintenance Appeal to Home Landscapes - Calhoun Journal Calhoun County, AL – Yuccas are among the most striking and resilient plants found in home landscapes, offering year-round greenery, dramatic height, and exceptional drought tolerance. With more than 40 species of Yucca, these versatile plants thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 11, making th...

Early summer, and the snakes are on the move — through gardens, along fences, across warm paths in the evening. Most people meet a snake and reach for a shovel. You don't need to know which snake it is. You need to know one thing: leave it alone, and it leaves you alone 🐍

🐍 Common garter snake — the one you see most. Slim, striped, completely harmless. She spends her day eating slugs, grubs and the insects chewing your vegetables. The most useful neighbor your garden has, and the one most often killed by mistake

🐍 Eastern rat snake — long, dark, and a brilliant climber. She's not after you, she's after the mice and rats in your shed and woodpile. One rat snake working your property is better rodent control than any trap

🐍 Northern water snake — found near ponds, streams and pool edges. Harmless, but quick to flatten her head and bluff when cornered, which is why she's so often mistaken for something dangerous. Step back and she'll slip into the water

🐍 Eastern milk snake — smooth and glossy with reddish-brown saddles. She eats rodents and other snakes, including young copperheads. Her pattern mimics a venomous snake on purpose, a bluff that fools predators and people alike

🐍 Copperhead — the one venomous snake worth recognizing across much of the eastern states. Coppery head, hourglass bands. She won't chase you and she'd rather not bite. Give her a wide path and let her go her own way

🌿 The universal mistakes to avoid:
- Don't kill a snake to be safe — most bites happen when someone tries to handle or kill one
- Don't reach in to identify it; you never need to touch a snake to deal with it
- Don't assume harmless means tame — every snake bluffs when cornered, so give space instead of a hand
- If you're not sure what it is, treat it like the copperhead: back away and let it leave

You don't have to love them to let them pass 🐍

a good snake; just let them be

Eastern Rat Snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis = P. obsoletus obsoletus) are a common sight this time of year around homes, buildings, forest edges, and on road surfaces. Many people call them Black Rat Snakes or Black Snakes. Regardless of what you might call them, Eastern Rat Snakes are non-venomous (they’re constrictors), are not aggressive, and pose no risk to people, cats, or dogs. As with other snakes, if you simply leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone.

Eastern Rat Snakes are generally active during the daytime and are semi-arboreal (spend part of their life in trees). It’s not uncommon to spot one in a tree, bush, or up in the rafters of a building. They’re large, growing to a length of 5 - 8 feet, which is probably why some folks fear them. Mice, rats, voles, and chipmunks are common prey, so these harmless snakes are a *great* form of natural pest control around the your yard or on the farm.

This one is displaying its kinking behavior. It’s thought that they do this when they feel threatened while on the ground. Its irregular outline may aid in camouflage from predators in certain situations. Copperheads, hawks, raccoons, and coyotes will eat Eastern Rat Snakes but their biggest threats are likely cars, lawnmowers, and people with a misguided fear of any snake.

🐝🌼 Bees have officially been named the most important living species on Earth! Their pollination supports countless fruits, vegetables, and wild plants. Protecting bees means protecting biodiversity, ecosystems, and our food supply. Every flower planted helps! 💛🌍🍯🌸

These two non-native plantain species are common lawn w**ds throughout Alabama, but can be found in other areas such as food plots, pastures, or disturbed natural areas. Here’s how to recognize them.

🌱 Both species form a rosette of leaves.
🌱 Leaves of P. lanceolata are 4-5 inches long, 0.5-1.5 inches wide, lanceolate shaped with scarcely toothed margins and 3-5 parallel veins.
🌱 Leaves of P. major are 2-8 inches long, 1.5-3.5 inches wide, oval shaped, with smooth margins and 5-9 veins.

🌱 P. lanceolata has hairy stems that can grow 15-30 inches tall.
🌱 P. major has smooth stems that reach heights of 5-15 inches tall and forms a 2-6 inch long seed spikes with greenish-brown flowers.

🌻 Seed stems and flowers occur April through October and can be found statewide.

📍 Often found in disturbed areas. A common lawn w**d and problematic in food plots, natural areas, and pastures/hayfields. Adaptable to many soils conditions and tolerant of foot traffic. P. lanceolata is included on several states’ noxious w**d lists.

📖 These species are native to Eurasia, where they are known for many herbal uses. Alabama hosts several native Plantain species with Virginia P. virginica, American plantain P. rugelii, Blackseed P. rugelii appearing similar.

🌿 Join the 2026 Year of Alabama Invasive Plants Project to raise awareness, improve identification skills, and take action against invasive plants! Visit www.aces.edu/go/YearofInvasivePlants to learn more and take the pledge.

Pineapple Guava
A sweet summertime treat
..
Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana) is an evergreen shrub with edible flowers and fruits that is best grown in Central to South Alabama!
Further Reading:
NC State Extension--https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acca-sellowiana/
UF Extension--https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/pineapple-guava/