Autauga County - Alabama Extension

06/01/2026

Our office will be closed in accordance with other Autauga County office buildings on Monday, June 1st, but our agents are still available. If you need assistance, please call Autuaga County Extension Director, Darrue Sharpe at 334-320-1135. We will reopen for normal business hours at 7:30am on Tuesday, June 2nd.

05/31/2026

The Butterfly Pea
Soil Stabilizer and Nitrogen-fixing Ground Cover..
The Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum) has an extensive root system and nitrogen-fixing bacteria that is a great choice for gardeners looking for a native soil stabilizer!
Further Reading:
Flora of Alabama--http://floraofalabama.org/Plant.aspx?id=1896
NC State Extension--https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centrosema-virginianum/

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.

05/30/2026

Beach season is here!

Including Gulf coastlines, bays, rivers, bayous, and tidal shorelines, Alabama has more than 600 miles of coastal waterfront that support a diverse ecological system, including seven common species of jellyfish.

These species include the sea nettle, moon jellyfish, cannonball jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war, oceanic jelly, sea wasp, and mushroom jelly. While jellyfish may have a bad reputation, they are fascinating and beautiful creatures that belong to a group of animals called coelenterates.

If you accidentally come into contact with a jellyfish:
• Do not rub the affected area
• Rinse with saltwater — freshwater can stimulate the stinging cells
• Apply meat tenderizer (this is not a myth!)
• Watch for adverse reactions and seek medical attention if necessary

Learn more about these translucent creatures and jellyfish sting treatments here:https://www.aces.edu/go/6351

05/29/2026

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05/29/2026

Don’t let the sweet smell fool you. Japanese honeysuckle is a highly invasive plant that spreads aggressively across Alabama landscapes.

This fast-growing vine produces fragrant white-to-yellow flowers and dark berries that are easily spread by wildlife. Once established, it can smother and kill native trees and shrubs in forests, wetlands, roadsides, and home landscapes.

Although it was once promoted for deer forage, Japanese honeysuckle is no longer recommended because of its invasive nature.

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.

05/29/2026

Don’t Messi around. Help us kick hunger and meet our GOOOOOALLLLL!

The scales are officially open for Alabama Extension’s Grow More, Give More 250 Pound Challenge. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, gardeners across Alabama are stepping up to grow a little extra and give a little extra to people in need.

This statewide challenge celebrates America’s 250th anniversary by encouraging every Alabama county to donate at least 250 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries, neighbors, community kitchens, and organizations serving others.

​Whether its tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, or strawberries—every pound makes a difference. Let’s work together to kick hunger!

Learn more and track your donations at https://www.aces.edu/go/6385

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

Blight is the most common disease affecting tomatoes in Alabama and typically begins appearing from late May through June, especially during warm, wet conditions caused by frequent rainfall or overhead irrigation.

The key to managing blight is starting early before the disease has a chance to spread. Learn how to identify blight symptoms and explore management options to help protect your tomato crop. https://www.aces.edu/go/6390

05/28/2026

FREE Beef Quality Assurance Certification Class

Join Extension Agent Josh Elmore to become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certified.

📅 Date: June 15, 2026
🕦 Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

📍 Location:
Autauga County Agricultural Center Auditorium

💲 Cost: Free
🥪 Lunch included with registration
✍️Register using QR code below or by going to https://au-academics.my.salesforce-sites.com/pmtx/evt__conf_detail?id=a1RUg000001iLRZMA2&sfdcIFrameOrigin=null.

For more information contact:

Josh Elmore
📧 [email protected]
📞 334-850-7859