Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Thursday, March 28, 2013  A free adaptive gardening seminar at the Robert Mills Carriage House offers tips for those who garden but may be limited by physical disabilities such as injury or arthritis.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  The South Carolina Forestry Commission says it still has plenty of seedlings available as tree planting season comes to an end.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013  South Carolina's deer hunting season ended a month ago, but that means nothing to Roger Smoak who works with clients to help them attract deer and grow big bucks.

Friday, January 11, 2013  Keep the Midlands Beautiful is giving away free mulch Saturday thanks to the ground up remains of Christmas trees dropped off by the community since Christmas.

Monday, December 10, 2012  Boy scouts were just a few of the people going to Harbison State Forest Saturday to plant trees.

Thursday, December 06, 2012  Students at a Midlands elementary school are getting a jump start on Arbor Day.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011  Area landscaper offers tips about gardening during the heat.

Thursday, April 08, 2010  The concept behind the "Garden of Hope" is centered around neighbor helping neighbor.

Thursday, April 08, 2010  With the cold weather virtually gone, South Carolina residents can flex their green thumbs for spring planting.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009  Unseasonably warm temperatures are causing an itch that growers like Rebekah Cline can't scratch just yet. The co-owner of Rebekah's Garden knows temptation can be costly. "I'm in that position. Haha. I'm ready to plant.  But I know we're going to get hit with another cold," says Cline. Cline used to go by the old rule of thumb which claimed it was safe to plant after March 15th. But the last two years changed her philosophy. In 2007 an Easter freeze killed South Carolina's peach crop. In 2008 farmers and growers took a hit when a march freeze hit strawberries and plants. Now, warm conditions are tempting customers to plant early. Cline says, when to plant, is the hot question at her business. "All the time. Every single day. We just tell them the truth. We don't know for sure. But we think we're going to have another cold spell," says Cline. Before the likely temperature drop, safe plants to buy include perennials, shrubbery, trees and ferns. Cline says to hold off on tender plants, like annuals, impatients and begonias, because they're grown in climate controlled greenhouses. Until mid spring, mother nature is playing a waiting game on cline her customers. "I hope God grants us some beautiful weather so we can plant," says Cline.