Archive for July, 2010
The Science Behind Fall Leaf Color
Pigments of Fall Color David C. Zlesak, Regional Extension Educator, Horticulture University of Minnesota Brilliantly colored leaves and fruit transform the fall landscape into enchanting scenes and is a hallmark of Minnesota and other Northern-tiered states. Heightened interest in plants...
Sudden Oak Death (SOD)
Sudden Oak Death (SOD) fungus could be a serious threat to oak trees in the Southeast. It has caused great damage to oaks in California. Several commonly grown woody plants (camellia, rhododendron, viburnum, etc) can be carriers of the disease,...
Stone Mulch – Bad for Trees
Norm Mittleider, owner of The Art of Pruning (770-407-1511) read my comments about using stone mulch in a landscape. He comments: “You could not have said it any better when addressing the question of using stone as mulch. I have...
SOD Update from Dr. Woodward
from Dr Jean Williams-Woodward April 9, 2004 By now most of you may have already heard that Phytophthora ramorum, cause of Sudden Oak Death (SOD), has been positively identified on plants within five Georgia nurseries: John Deere #173, College Park;...
Sassafras – Planting
I personally wish more gardeners would plant sassafras in their landscapes. I don’t think I have ever seen it offered at a nursery. If several were planted together, the fall color would be spectacular. The tree is touchy about being...
Repairing a Broken Tree
When storms break tree limbs it can be heartbreaking to survey the damage. Trees, however, are remarkably able to recover from damage if given a little help. This article from Michigan State University gives some great hints: Repairing Storm Damage...
Pine Needle Cast Disease
When pine needles turn reddish-brown in early summer, several things could be the cause. It could be beetles in the trunk, compaction damage to the roots or, occasionally, a needle disease. In the year after a wet summer, the disease...
Pine Beetle Identification
Pine trees are always subject to insect attack and should be examined periodically to determine if insect problems are developing. Several species of small brown or black beetles are common pests of pine trees. They are often referred to as...
Osage Orange – Uses
Garden friend D.G. has had much more experience with osage orange than most. His comments on the tree are below: “I grew up on a small general farm in west-central Illinois, where my father had about a quarter-mile row of...
Identifying Insects and Animals
My neighbor Chrissy has taught me more about the insects that live in my neighborhood than any adult possibly could have. Every couple of days there comes a short “Ding Dong” of our doorbell, followed by a couple of firm...
Beekeepers – Finding
There are many friendly beekeeping clubs scattered across Georgia. Most sponsor regular meetings and classes for beginners. Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association Tara Beekeepers Association Cherokee Beekeepers Club Georgia Beekeepers Association Henry County Beekeepers Gwinnett Beekeepers...
Hornworms – Determining Difference
Taken from Hornworms and “Hummingbird” Moths The tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is usually much more common in vegetable gardens than the tomato hornworm, Manduca quinquemaculata, but both may be found together as they generally have similar habits. The tomato hornworm...
Woodpecker – Control
V. C. called me in an agitated state. “A woodpecker is pecking holes in my kitchen window screen!”, she exclaimed. “What can I do to keep this bird from visiting me every morning?” This is the time of year when...
Cat – Control
Cats digging in a flower bed can be a confounding problem. There are no repellents that are really effective. When I offered radio advice on the subject, a listener added these comments: “I was listening to your show Saturday morning,...
Chameleon – Feeding
I had an interesting call this week – a fellow who raises chameleons needed to know how to culture fruit flies to feed to the reptiles. This is pretty far afield for the Extension Service – we can tell you...
Moths – Control
Few things are more disappointing than donning an expensive wool sweater, only to find that moths have been snacking on the threads for weeks. Reweaving is costly and patching is almost impossible. “If only I had checked on my clothes...
Mole Control – Castor Oil
Moles can be a real bother in a lawn. Many times the best control option is to mash down their tunnels with your shoe and forget about them. A commercial product which contains castor oil has appeared. Research results on...
Termite Treatments – Comparing Costs
A RETREATMENT contract is the most frequently issued type of contract. It requires the pest control company to retreat any area where termites are found following the original treatment. It does NOT require any repairs to be performed if the...
Termite – Inspections
Termite control can no longer depend on the injection of chemicals around your house. It is imperative that your house be inspected each year for signs of termite infestation. The inspection should be thorough. Insist that your pest inspector schedule...
Spider Mites – Control
Spider mites are difficult to control in the landscape. Symptoms include twisted foliage, “speckled” leaves and tiny webs between leaf stems and main stem. Butterfly bush, verbena, foxglove and several houseplants are common hosts for spider mites. There are three...
