By Anita B. Stone

Special to The Pilot

Whether we read the Magna Charta, the Declaration of Independence or "Common Sense," there is always mention of land, sustenance and sustainability, the historical and modern mantra for Moore County gardeners.

"We hold these truths to be self evident ..." that Moore County is one of those special places that will dig deep into gardeners' hearts and render the love and beauty of the landscape.

Just like George Washington's cherry tree, Thomas Jefferson's tulip tree or James Madison's historic pea grove, we continue to dig those spades, trowels and plows into the ground, whether it be with a hand machine or a small shovel.

Whatever the year, whatever the season, you can depend on gardeners to create every shape, color and size of bountiful food during each of the four seasons of the year. Some of us use greenhouses, cold frames and hoop houses, while others get down on our hands and knees and dig, plant and harvest.

Leafing through pages of history, we find some oldies, but goodies, including Weymouth Woods, a unique state park featuring several hundred acres of land and preservation of the longleaf pine. The Sandhills Research Station in Eagle Springs has been functional for more than 50 years, promoting agricultural research on a 100-acre tract filled with experimental plants for the future.

The Sandhills Community College, chartered in 1963, stands as one of the country's top-notch educational colleges, offering courses and degrees in horticulture. Day and evening classes are poised with instructors who teach landscaping, design, sustainability and major practices to improve and sustain our gardens.

From thousands of underground bulbs that push their way to the sunlight and surround mansions, country clubs and architectural buildings to the backyards of everyday people who spend hours digging, planting, reaping, harvesting and sharing nature, Moore County is a place where old meets new and retains the charm of a small yet modern place to explore.

We offer a multitude of activities during any given day of the week. Often seen in any arena are chickens crossing the roads, goats and sheep nibbling while sunbathing, alpaca grazing in the fields and cows, horses, farmers and gardeners working together, balancing the eco-structure of the environment and the landscape.

You will find some of the friendliest and knowledgeable gardeners in Moore County, as well as establishments that serve the public in the garden realm. Moore County Agricultural Extension Service graciously and liberally offers everyone an opportunity to become educated in horticultural and agricultural endeavors, the two areas intertwining significantly over the years. From seminars to classroom tools, assistance and information is available to farmers, backyard gardeners and jet-setters who require knowledge in maintaining and maximizing nature's best, including pond quality and water features, pest control and management and a new outlook utilizing organic methods to keep us environmentally healthy.

The county's Master Gardeners work feverishly as they volunteer to assist and inform everyone who seeks advice. Garden clubs offer neighbor-to-neighbor networking and socializing. FirstHealth has partnered with several of the markets to improve the nutritional health of people across the county.

Residents and tourists alike are continually mesmerized by the colorful landscapes throughout the year, hobbyists who share their knowledge of specialty plants and produce, no matter the season, including every type of plant and produce from lilies to pumpkins, strawberries to azaleas, manicured lawns that are second to none, and peaceful and quiet surroundings with only the twittering of birds to feed on butterfly bushes, bird watching and nesting included, butterflies and honeybees to pollinate lantana, or herb gardens that invade the air with outstanding aromas.

We constantly disregard soil-covered fingernails, bits, bruises and cuts from yard work and somehow manage to plow through the landscape irregardless of fatigue, over-achieving and piling on mounds of soil amendments until we get it right.

Pine trees are abundant which leads us to an acidic soil type where growing holly and hydrangea, camellias and azaleas become beautiful and bountiful, which is exemplified at the Sandhills Community College gardens, one of the country's finest gardens.

A number of reasons make our county stand strong above the rest. We can brag about school and community gardening, two major forces at work throughout the year.

Schoolchildren are being taught methods of planning, planting, growing and harvesting, which leads to community involvement and parental nurturing of education for our young students. Community assistance is always available as is a sustainability venue.

The county recognizes knowledgeable growers of fresh fruits and vegetables who make their inventory available to everyone through local markets and roadside stands. Major grocery stores have committed to purchase 10 percent of local produce to give back and keep the economics of growth in the community.

A "green," clean and natural environment is what many of us strive for, with an emphasis on water and energy conservation. And, like most of our past history, we continue to plunge forward, use new techniques and blend our gardening with a past history that keeps us growing and producing for a solid horticultural future.

Contact Anita Stone at writer7136@yahoo.com.

Tips for Local Gardeners

n Support local farmers to keep the economy up and growing.

n Practice water conservation and environmental controls.

n Search for the best, productive and most hearty plants and seeds for the garden.

n Use proper soil amendments to modify the soil into production quality.

n Read and utilize up-to-date practices for the garden.

n Learn new phrases and use "green," sustainability and energy practices.

n Always control manicured landscapes by ridding dead, diseased and damaged products.

n Learn to alternate and rotate crop areas for top-quality production.

n Get more bang for your buck by shopping around for the best deal. Begin a plant or seed exchange.

n Read books, take courses, talk to neighbors and share the social networking available.

n Use Facebook and Twitter to talk with other gardeners.

n Control pest management using environmentally safe products.

n Utilize free county services, including agricultural extension department and master gardeners.

n Maintain bird feeders and protect pond fish.