Choctaw County-Alabama Extension

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Did you know Alabama has the third highest number of species on the endangered and threatened species list? To protect our incredible biodiversity, the state has been involved in major conservation efforts over the past 100 years:

American Alligators: In 1938, Alabama was the first state in the U.S. to protect the American alligator—almost three decades before it was listed federally. Today, populations are thriving to the point where the state has a regulated hunting season. 🐊

Bald Eagles: Bald eagles did not successfully nest in the state from 1949 to 1991, largely due to the use of DDT. Thanks to the 1972 DDT ban and restoration efforts that released young eagles back into the wild, Alabama went from a 40-year hiatus of resident eagles to celebrating the 40th annual Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park.

While these wins are significant, there is still more work to do, especially for our aquatic systems. Read the full article on our blog to learn how you can help protect our state's natural treasures by participating in citizen science! 🌲

Link: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/saved-by-conservation-alabamas-wildlife-comebacks/

06/03/2026

June is a busy month in the garden! Whether you're planting vegetables, maintaining flower beds, or keeping your lawn healthy through the summer heat, Alabama Extension has expert tips to help.
Some gardeners are already enjoying their first harvests, while others are just starting to see their gardens grow. Wherever you are in Alabama, check out these June planting and landscaping resources to keep your garden thriving all season long.

Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama: www.aces.edu/go/5710
Alabama Gardener's Calendar: https://www.aces.edu/go/5027

If you have questions, complete the Master Gardener Help Request form to connect with local experts. https://www.aces.edu/go/3352

06/02/2026

Soil Testing 101 a Success! 🌱

Today, the Choctaw County Extension Office hosted our Soil Testing 101 Workshop led by Extension Agent Wade Hummer. Participants learned the importance of soil testing, how to properly collect representative soil samples, and how to interpret soil test reports to make informed decisions about fertilizer and lime applications.

Whether you’re managing a farm, maintaining a pasture, growing a garden, or caring for your lawn, understanding your soil is the first step toward success. We appreciate everyone who took time out of their day to join us and invest in improving the productivity and health of their land.

A special thank you to Wade for sharing his expertise and to all who attended and contributed to a great discussion.

06/02/2026

🌿 Many people know about the native Passionflower vine or Maypop. It's tough to miss 3 inch wide flowers of purple, blue, and white or the dark green edible fruits.

But we have another, quieter, passionflower vine. The Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea). This is a delicate vine that climbs using tendrils usually on the edges of woodlands and wetlands. The foliage is 2 lobed and pleasingly rounded. The flowers are small, perhaps 2 centimeters (almost an inch) across and pale yellow to yellow green.

Yellow passionflower also has its own private pollinator, the Passionflower Bee (Anthemurgus passiflorae). The bee raises its young only on yellow passionflower pollen. They are very small and black and hard to spot.

Flowers are blooming now and will continue through summer. Green berries will turn purple in August. The fruits are not the tropical flavor of the Maypop. They are usually bitter.

06/02/2026

Come on by and get all your soil questions answered, starting at 11:00!

05/31/2026

Don't let this tree blend in! Tree-of-heaven is a fast-growing invasive species of increasing concern in Alabama. Use these clues to identify this plant and control it early before it spreads.

🌿 Compound leaves can grow up to 3 feet long, with 10-40 leaflets.

🌿 Leaflets are arranged oppositely (or nearly oppositely) along the leaf axis.

🌿 Leaflets have smooth margins other than 1-4 coarse teeth near the base of each leaflet, with a gland (extrafloral nectary) on the underside.

🍃Female trees produce clusters of seeds with a flat, papery wing (samara), often twisted.

🌳 Young trees have smooth gray bark, which becomes rough and “cantaloupe-like” as they age.

📍Can be found statewide, although more common in northern Alabama and urban or disturbed areas, though now entering more intact forests.

⚠️ Tree-of-heaven propagates through wind-driven winged fruits (samaras) and extensive root suckering. Sometimes confused with other species including native sumacs, black walnut, or American elderberry.

Coming soon: New ACES article on tree-of-heaven identification, look alikes, and control options.