Venomous (Poisonous) Caterpillars – Photos
Several kinds of venomous caterpillars are commonly seen in late summer – early fall. They are usually inconspicuous, so when one is encountered it’s “OUCH – what stung me???!!“. Below are photos of those you might find in the Southeast. Because they are so uncommon and because they feed on...
Yellowjackets – Control
Yellowjackets are extremely aggressive and will attack if their nest is threatened. When stung, an intruder is marked with a special scent that encourages other yellow jackets to attack. As with fire ants, some people can have severe reactions to yellow jacket stings. These insects are actually beneficial because they...
Hydrangea – Identification and Pruning
Q: I have hydrangeas on some new property. I would like to prune them but am unsure which hydrangeas I have, and therefore when to prune them. How do I tell them apart? A: In my garden, the color and shape of the faded bloom helps me identify hydrangeas. Common...
Organic Herbicides (Weed Killer)
Many homeowners want “organic” choices when it comes to selecting weed killers. Fortunately, there are several choices for both selective and non-selective weed control. Vinegar has been touted as a herbicide but the kitchen version is too weak to do much damage. Industrial acetic acid will kill weeds but I...
UGA Vegetable Gardening Publications
With food prices high, folks have been thinking about growing some of their own food. Food gardening is not hard and it doesn’t have to take much room in your landscape. You can even do it in containers! These gardening publications are available on the Internet or ask for a...
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How to root a fig cutting
Q: A fig tree that has been in my family for three generations and produces a great harvest. My father recently passed away and we are selling the property. It is too large to transplant. Is there a way to...
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Fly attacking tomato hornworm video
You might have seen pictures of the little white cocoons that result after a parasitic wasp attacks a tomato hornworm. But have you ever seen a large, hairy FLY attack a green, tomato eating monster? The fly is a tachinid...
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European Hornet in Home
Q: I have these insects at my home. I see individuals going behind my house’s fascia. Do I have a huge problem? A: You have European hornets. These large stinging insects typically build a nest in empty hidden spots, like...
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Elm Leaf Beetle Damage
Q: What could cause this much damage to my elm tree? This was my first year in my house in Winterville so I don’t have another summer to compare the infestation with, but it seemed extensive. A: University of Georgia...
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Is white sap on fig fruit harmful?
Q: Some of our figs have white goo on them. What is it? Is it harmful to ingest? A: Like many members of the ficus family, edible fig tree branches and fruit exude a milky white latex when injured. I...
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Bugs dying under lily leaves
Q: Why are all these mosquitoes dying under my lily leaves? t A: University of Georgia insect expert Dr. Nancy Hinkle says these are the shed skins (exuviae) of insects like midges, aphids, etc. When one of these insects molts...
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Venomous (Poisonous) Caterpillars – Photos
Several kinds of venomous caterpillars are commonly seen in late summer – early fall. They are usually inconspicuous, so when one is encountered it’s “OUCH – what stung me???!!“. Below are photos of those you might find in the Southeast....
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Yellowjackets – Control
Yellowjackets are extremely aggressive and will attack if their nest is threatened. When stung, an intruder is marked with a special scent that encourages other yellow jackets to attack. As with fire ants, some people can have severe reactions to...
-
Cover crops for a garden
Q: What would be a good soil-improving cover crop? How do I plant it? A: Cover crops prevent erosion and enrich the soil when you have nothing growing in your vegetable garden. Cool-season cover crops can be planted from early...
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Brown Leaves on Magnolia Branch Tips
Q: These brown leaves on my magnolia happened this year and two years ago at the ends of some of the branches. What’s causing this? A: To diagnose your problem, I walked across the street and looked at my neighbor?s...
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Squirrel Damage to Tomato
Q: Do you know what would cause this damage to tomato plants? A: It could be either a squirrel or a chipmunk. In my experience, squirrel damage is usually higher on the plant than chipmunk damage. The chipmunks usually chew...
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Squirrel Damage to Pepper Plant
Q: I planted peppers six weeks ago. One morning they were completely gone! So I planted a couple more plants two weeks ago and this time we put chicken wire around them. This morning this is all that is left!...
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Diagnosing (Identifying) Holes in the Yard
Sometimes many heads are better than one when it comes to solving a problem. Wade Hutcheson, my Extension colleague in Spalding county, gets plenty of calls from the citizens of his area asking his help in identifying various holes in...
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Weeds – Identification with Pictures
Weed control in the landscape is a tough business. You have to know a lot about the weed in question just to get started! As in most situations, a picture is worth a thousand words. Go through the sites below,...
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Bermuda – Weed Control
BASIC INFORMATION: Weed Identification Pictures General Turf and Weed Info Lawn Care Calendars THREE METHODS There are three primary methods of controlling weeds. Any one method, when used alone, will not usually control all of your weeds. To consistently control...
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Brown Patch – Diagnosing
You have brown patches of dead grass in your lawn. Is it the common lawn disease ‘brown patch’ or is it something else? The answer is important: if it is brown patch you probably need to spray with a fungicide....
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Timing Spring Pre-emergent Herbicide Application on Lawn
One of the sourest phrases that can be directed at a child or adult is “I told you so!” Whether you touch a hot match, leave tools out in the rain, or lift cinder blocks all afternoon, someone is usually...
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Bermuda Grass – Disease – Brown Patch
Brown patch is most prevalent on bermudagrass which has been heavily fertilized when night temperatures are above 68 degrees and day temperature are above 80 degrees. Dead patches of grass may start small but can grow and join together to...
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Lawn – Growing in Shade
OK. I admit it. I have given up. I came to the conclusion that grass just would not grow in the corner of my lawn near the ornamental cherry trees. The shade there is so dense that my grass, no...
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Lawn – Leveling
A new home in my neighborhood had bermudagrass sod planted in March. By May, one area was a perfect checkerboard of straight lines, composed of weedy plants, surrounding the individual squares of sod. Evidently the sod installers were in such...
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St. Augustine Grass Seed – Where to Buy
Q: Please tell me where I can buy St. Augustine grass seeds. Our lawn has some now and we like it a lot, but we’re having trouble finding seeds. A: You can’t buy St. Augustinegrass seed. The plant is very...
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Crapemyrtle – Pruning
One of the most confounding arguments I face is whether and how to prune crapemyrtles. They are mercilessly “murdered” by unaware landscapers and homeowners each winter… yet they still bloom in summer. Some people even believe a crapemyrtle won’t bloom...
How to root a fig cutting
Q: A fig tree that has been in my family for three generations and produces a great harvest. My father recently passed away and we are selling the property. It is too large to transplant. Is there a way to...
Fly attacking tomato hornworm video
You might have seen pictures of the little white cocoons that result after a parasitic wasp attacks a tomato hornworm. But have you ever seen a large, hairy FLY attack a green, tomato eating monster? The fly is a tachinid...
European Hornet in Home
Q: I have these insects at my home. I see individuals going behind my house’s fascia. Do I have a huge problem? A: You have European hornets. These large stinging insects typically build a nest in empty hidden spots, like...
Elm Leaf Beetle Damage
Q: What could cause this much damage to my elm tree? This was my first year in my house in Winterville so I don’t have another summer to compare the infestation with, but it seemed extensive. A: University of Georgia...
Is white sap on fig fruit harmful?
Q: Some of our figs have white goo on them. What is it? Is it harmful to ingest? A: Like many members of the ficus family, edible fig tree branches and fruit exude a milky white latex when injured. I...
Bugs dying under lily leaves
Q: Why are all these mosquitoes dying under my lily leaves? t A: University of Georgia insect expert Dr. Nancy Hinkle says these are the shed skins (exuviae) of insects like midges, aphids, etc. When one of these insects molts...
Venomous (Poisonous) Caterpillars – Photos
Several kinds of venomous caterpillars are commonly seen in late summer – early fall. They are usually inconspicuous, so when one is encountered it’s “OUCH – what stung me???!!“. Below are photos of those you might find in the Southeast....
Yellowjackets – Control
Yellowjackets are extremely aggressive and will attack if their nest is threatened. When stung, an intruder is marked with a special scent that encourages other yellow jackets to attack. As with fire ants, some people can have severe reactions to...
Cover crops for a garden
Q: What would be a good soil-improving cover crop? How do I plant it? A: Cover crops prevent erosion and enrich the soil when you have nothing growing in your vegetable garden. Cool-season cover crops can be planted from early...
Brown Leaves on Magnolia Branch Tips
Q: These brown leaves on my magnolia happened this year and two years ago at the ends of some of the branches. What’s causing this? A: To diagnose your problem, I walked across the street and looked at my neighbor?s...
Squirrel Damage to Tomato
Q: Do you know what would cause this damage to tomato plants? A: It could be either a squirrel or a chipmunk. In my experience, squirrel damage is usually higher on the plant than chipmunk damage. The chipmunks usually chew...
Squirrel Damage to Pepper Plant
Q: I planted peppers six weeks ago. One morning they were completely gone! So I planted a couple more plants two weeks ago and this time we put chicken wire around them. This morning this is all that is left!...
Diagnosing (Identifying) Holes in the Yard
Sometimes many heads are better than one when it comes to solving a problem. Wade Hutcheson, my Extension colleague in Spalding county, gets plenty of calls from the citizens of his area asking his help in identifying various holes in...
Weeds – Identification with Pictures
Weed control in the landscape is a tough business. You have to know a lot about the weed in question just to get started! As in most situations, a picture is worth a thousand words. Go through the sites below,...
Bermuda – Weed Control
BASIC INFORMATION: Weed Identification Pictures General Turf and Weed Info Lawn Care Calendars THREE METHODS There are three primary methods of controlling weeds. Any one method, when used alone, will not usually control all of your weeds. To consistently control...
Brown Patch – Diagnosing
You have brown patches of dead grass in your lawn. Is it the common lawn disease ‘brown patch’ or is it something else? The answer is important: if it is brown patch you probably need to spray with a fungicide....
Timing Spring Pre-emergent Herbicide Application on Lawn
One of the sourest phrases that can be directed at a child or adult is “I told you so!” Whether you touch a hot match, leave tools out in the rain, or lift cinder blocks all afternoon, someone is usually...
Bermuda Grass – Disease – Brown Patch
Brown patch is most prevalent on bermudagrass which has been heavily fertilized when night temperatures are above 68 degrees and day temperature are above 80 degrees. Dead patches of grass may start small but can grow and join together to...
Lawn – Growing in Shade
OK. I admit it. I have given up. I came to the conclusion that grass just would not grow in the corner of my lawn near the ornamental cherry trees. The shade there is so dense that my grass, no...
Lawn – Leveling
A new home in my neighborhood had bermudagrass sod planted in March. By May, one area was a perfect checkerboard of straight lines, composed of weedy plants, surrounding the individual squares of sod. Evidently the sod installers were in such...
St. Augustine Grass Seed – Where to Buy
Q: Please tell me where I can buy St. Augustine grass seeds. Our lawn has some now and we like it a lot, but we’re having trouble finding seeds. A: You can’t buy St. Augustinegrass seed. The plant is very...
Crapemyrtle – Pruning
One of the most confounding arguments I face is whether and how to prune crapemyrtles. They are mercilessly “murdered” by unaware landscapers and homeowners each winter… yet they still bloom in summer. Some people even believe a crapemyrtle won’t bloom...
