Truck Crops Experiment Station

05/26/2026

Important information regarding soil testing at MSU. One of the biggest mistakes people make is failing to provide a good soil foundation for their plants to thrive. A test gives you a starting point for determining what nutrients are lacking. Best $12 you will ever spend on your garden. or landscape.

New Soil Testing Information! Soil testing is the first step to healthy soil and productive crops, pastures, turf and gardens.

Follow the steps below to submit your soil sample:

Order online. Visit soiltesting.extension.msstate.edu and follow the instructions to complete your order. Enter your contact info, sample names and crop or intended use.

Choose payment. Cost is $12 per sample. You may pay by cash or check sent with your soil sample or choose to receive an invoice to pay by credit card. Your payment options are cash, check or invoice.

Prepare and label your sample. Collect the soil to be tested. Fill the sample collection container to the fill line and close the container. Write the “sample name” (and your name, if desired) on the outside of the container. Clearly write your order number and sample name on each container. This information must match what was entered online.

Ship or drop off your sample. The new shipping address and drop off location is:
Southern Soil & Plant Lab, LLC.
117 Haley Barbour Parkway
Yazoo City, MS 39194

Receive results. Results will be sent to you and your county Extension office. You can contact your Extension agent for assistance with the sample report and recommendations.

Important Reminders

Cost is $12 per sample.

You may pick up your soil sample containers from your county Extension office.

You are responsible for shipping samples to the soil testing laboratory.

Contact your local Extension office for help with collecting soil samples, understanding crop codes, interpreting soil test reports and general soil fertility questions.

05/26/2026

We are excited to be trialing this new Savlia here in central Mississippi.

05/08/2026

🥳🎉🥳🎉

Happy birthday to us!! Today is our birthday, and we're turning 112 years old! Since 1914, we've been connecting, educating and empowering Mississippi communities.

However, we realize we still might be "new" to some people!

Here are some commonly asked questions about us...

Q: What is MSU Extension?
The Extension Service is the statewide, community-based education agency of Mississippi State University. We provide useful, practical education based on the best university research to help Mississippians improve their businesses, strengthen their communities, and live healthier lives.

Our main goal has remained the same for more than 100 years—we connect, educate and empower Mississippi communities.

Agriculture, natural resources, family, health and wellness, government and community development and 4-H youth development are our priorities.

Q: Where are you located?
We are headquartered at the Bost Extension Center on the MSU campus in Starkville AND we have Extension offices in ALL 82 counties. We also have four regional MSU Research and Extension Centers.

Q: How do you get all of your knowledge and resources to people?
Local Extension agents and staff receive training in a wide range of subjects and are ready to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with clients through programs, field days, workshops, consultations, etc. Our on-campus faculty provide training and support, too!

Our goal is to deliver research-proven information to all Mississippians, through face-to-face events and by using digital and print methods. If you have a question, we probably know the answer! If we don’t, we know whom to ask!

Our website is a great resource, too! Visit here: extension.msstate.edu

Q: How do you contact Extension?
You can email, call, or visit in-person with your local Extension agent! Find yours here: http://extension.msstate.edu/county-offices (Each county office is also on Facebook!)

Education. Outreach. Service. We are Extension!

05/08/2026

Identifying the real source of garden problems is key to healthier plants. MSU Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab is a phenomenal resource for this.

04/27/2026

🚨 Don’t miss out! 🚨

Registration is still OPEN for the 2026 Specialty Crops Short Course (and this is one you won’t want to miss if you’re serious about growing your operation or exploring new opportunities.)

📅 Thursday, May 7, 2026
📍 Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center (Raymond, MS)
⏰ 8:45 AM – 4:30 PM (Registration begins at 8:00 AM)
💲 Registration: $35 (includes lunch!)

Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just getting started, this full-day program is packed with practical, real-world information you can actually use:

✔ Marketing strategies & enterprise budgets
✔ Fruit & vegetable production
✔ Organic production methods
✔ Diversification options (ornamentals, hydroponics & more)
✔ Pesticide use & safety
✔ Disease & insect management

💡 PLUS: Hands-on workshops at the end of the day!
Spots in workshops are limited, so be sure to rank your top choices when you register. We’ll do our best to get you into your preferred session.

⏳ Deadline to register: Wednesday, April 29
Space is limited, and we need your registration to reserve your spot!

👉 Check out the agenda for full details and workshop descriptions.
If your plans require accommodations, please let us know at least three weeks in advance.

📞 Questions? Contact Dr. Rebecca Melanson at [email protected] or 601-857-2284.
Don’t wait; invest in your knowledge, your crops, and your success this season. 🌱

Mississippi State University Extension Service

The 2026 Specialty Crops Short Course will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond, MS. Presentations on marketing, budgets, fruit production, vegetable production, organic production, specialty crop options (ornamentals, hydroponics, etc...

04/24/2026

🌱 Thank you for joining us last Friday! 🌱

A big THANK YOU to everyone who attended our Organic Vegetable Production Workshop!

We truly appreciate you taking the time to learn, ask great questions, and share your experiences. The strong turnout and engagement made for an excellent day of discussion around organic production practices, pest management, and potential on-farm decision-making.

I’m also grateful to our speakers, collaborators, and partners who helped make this workshop a success: André Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva, Shaun Broderick, Qianwen (Megan) Zhang, Sara Paz, Luan Pereira Alves, Camila Rodrigues, Sagar Pokhrel, Ibukun Timothy Ayankojo Ph.D., Paweł Orliński, Rebecca Melanson, Paulo Cremonez, Jenny Bibb Ryals, and Haley Williams. Your expertise and willingness to share practical, research-based knowledge are what make these events impactful.

Special thanks to Libby Durst (MSU) for joining us and representing the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, and to the Mississippi State University Extension Service and Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

In case you missed it, program topics covered:
➡️️ Selecting Hardy Varieties for Organic Production
➡️️ Organic Fertilizer Management in Watermelon Seedling and Onion Production
➡️️ Irrigation Management and Scheduling
➡️️ Certification and Challenges During Transition
➡️ Food Safety in Vegetable Production
➡️ Growing Organic Vegetables in Mississippi: Practical Strategies for Success
➡️️ Organic IPM Resources for the Southeast U.S.
➡️️ W**d Management Practices in Vegetables
➡️️ Disease Management in Organic Vegetable Production
➡️️ Prevention Is Better Than the Cure: Organic Insect Management

Looking forward to continuing support for growers with science-based tools and resources that strengthen sustainable vegetable production across Mississippi. Thank you again for being part of the conversation. 🌿👩🏾‍🌾👨🏽‍🌾

Stay tuned: more programming is on the way!

04/22/2026

One of our favorite spring-blooming perennials is Baptisia. This legume is a very long-lived perennial in the landscape. It dies to the ground during the winter but quickly emerges the next spring with a great show. They come in several colors and once done blooming have a shrub-like appearance. The foliage is vase-shaped, allowing you to tuck lower-growing plants near it. They require little maintenance: just cut them to the ground during the winter when they are dormant.

We will showcase the trial garden at our 5th Annual Summer Field Day on June 16th, where you can walk through many new plants that are coming to garden centers next year. It will be from 8 AM to noon here at the Truck Crops Station (2024 Experiment Station Rd, Crystal Springs, MS, 39059).

All seats are full for this event, but you can join the waitlist via the registration link below.

https://reg.extension.msstate.edu/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0081-0004-568560e67f4e498aa68bda84473b1ade

04/20/2026

Join us on May 7 at the Central MS Research and Extension Center for a hands-on hydroponic workshop! We’ll teach you everything you need to know about managing small-scale systems, including benchtop and vertical towers, perfect for your home or backyard farm.

🎁 Giveaway Alert: One attendee will walk away with their very own benchtop hydroponic system!

Space is limited, so grab your spot now: https://msuext.ms/specialtycrops

12/04/2025

We are in full poinsettia season! Their beauty transforms our homes and communities this time of year. But it's important to care for them properly so they look their best. We wanted to answer some of the most common questions we get about them.

Poinsettia Q&A

How do you pronounce poinsettia?
Poyn·seh·tee·uh

How do I water them? 💧
Poinsettias are sensitive to watering extremes. Check the weight of the pot to determine if water is needed: if it feels heavy, wait to water; if it feels light, go ahead and water. If they get too dry, they may prematurely shed their lower leaves.

Their colorful plastic pot covers are helpful for protecting furniture and keeping water contained, but water often pools at the bottom of the pot inside the sleeve. This is a perfect setup for root rot. So here’s the most important tip for keeping them healthy: remove the pot cover before watering. Let excess water drain off for a few minutes and then return the plant to the pot cover.

Where can I put them? 🌡️
They prefer normal room temperatures (60–80 ºF). Cold temperatures (below 50 ºF) or hot temperatures, such as near a heater or fire, can damage them.

Do they need light? 🔦
Poinsettias prefer a brightly lit room. That said, they can handle being in poorly lit spaces for a few weeks. Light is usually not a problem except in extreme circumstances, such as placing them in a windowless or unlit room for several days.

For those who purchased a poinsettia this season, we hope you enjoy it and get the most out of it!

11/17/2025

How are your gardens holding up as we wrap up the season? 🌱🍂
Late-season crops can surprise us: some are holding on and still thriving, others winding down. Hopefully you also got some great plants from our last plant sale!

Cole crops (Brassicas, e.g. cabbage, collards, broccoli, kale, mustard, turnips, cauliflower) are great to go into winter and are usually planted in 6-8 weeks before first frost.

Share what’s growing strong and what challenges you’re seeing. Check our previous post for tips for keeping things healthy through the frost!

We'll also like to know - What was your favorite crop to grow this year? 🍅🥬🍓

Drop a photo or comment below—we’d love to see your progress! 👇