Take a drive around Columbia County, and it seems like everyone has some type of fruiting tree or vine growing in their landscape. One of more neglected fruit-bearing plants in the area is the muscadine. Muscadines are grapes native to America, and they are a staple of home gardens all over the Southeast.

Following a few simple steps will greatly increase the health of your vines and produce bigger, sweeter grapes.

February is the optimal time of the year for chores such as pruning roses and overgrown plants and applying pre-emergent herbicides.

Major pruning of most roses needs to be completed by bud break. Roses respond to pruning and grooming by producing flowers in greater quantity. For most roses, heavier pruning yields larger, more attractive flowers. Major pruning is done in early spring before growth begins, while grooming is done throughout the growing season.

When the faucet is turned on, you expect the water to be safe to drink. If it comes from the county system, the water that comes out of the faucet has been tested and meets safety standards. However, everyone does not receive water from a municipal source.

There are many private wells in the area. The owners of these wells expect the water pumped out of the ground to be safe to drink. The owner of the well is responsible for testing the quality of the water he is drinking.

Many gardeners have questions about pruning. The main concern is what plants to prune and when to prune them. The major factor in deciding when to prune is whether or when the plant flowers or sets blooms.

Light, corrective pruning can be done any time of the year and will reduce the need for severe pruning, which might weaken the plant. When severe pruning becomes necessary it should be done in late winter or early spring. Pruning in late summer should be limited because new growth might not have time to mature before cold weather.