The China Berries trees are beginning to flower and if the old farmer saying is correct “That their flowers mark the end of the frosts” then we should be set free to plant.   Also, the Southern Plant and Flower Festival is coming to full bloom, in fact today is the last day. No self-respecting, serious gardener would miss the Southern Plant and Flower Festival at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market.  Open from noon until 5:00 p.m. and with free admission and parking, it is the perfect Sunday evening family-outing.
   Our glorious spring weather makes all those Yankees shiver in the chill of the north and long for their vacation in South Carolina. However, we tend to take all this beauty for-granted.  We hide in our air-conditioned homes and offices and let the outside adventures pass us by.  With the high price of fuel, wouldn’t it be a great idea this year to make our yards a beautiful vacation destination and skip the costs of traveling.
Also, don’t forget the simple beauty of our forests, or what we called it as I was growing-up in McBee “The Woods.”  During my youth, daddy worked a day job to pay for his farming habit so while he was at work, I went exploring, “The Woods.”  I was lucky because on our property we had a medium sized hill we called “Rabbit Mountain.” It was a kid’s dream.  It had rocks for throwing, crevices for foxholes, slopes for sliding, and even a couple of small caves for hiding. Needless to say it was a haven for wildlife, including a barefooted, scrawny, dirty-faced little boy.  The only time I would come inside was to eat or watch Red Skelton or Mission Impossible.
   Today adults and kids need to be taught about nature and the environment; they know its wild out there with such creatures as “Lions, Tigers, and Bears,” but they haven’t experienced the true beauty and knowledge that’s waiting for them.  Clemson University doesn’t educate just up on the Hill: the Pee Dee Research & Education Center (PDREC) invites you to the ”Celebrating Rural Heritage Day” at the Outdoor Education Trail from 10:00 a.m. ‘til 4 p.m. on April 25th.   In other words, while you are enjoying the beauty of the Outdoor Education Trail you will be learning a little bit about our southern rural heritage at displays highlighting such favorites as Barbeque and Blacksmithing, Cane Syrup and Corn Milling, Fiddling and Fishing, Cotton and Kudzu, Rice and Red Wine, Tobacco and Tea, Soap and Sassafras, and etc.  Eat your heart out city folks. ADMISSION IS FREE.  The PDREC is located on Pocket Road near the Florence/Darlington County line.  In Florence, take Exit 169 off I-95 or Irby St to TV Road.  Go north on TV Road until it dead ends into Pocket Road.  Turn left; the Pee Dee Research and Education Center is one mile on the right.                
   Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.