Food Gardening
Cilantro/Coriander
Coriandrum sativum taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing Cilantro and Coriander are 2 stages of the same annual plant. The parsley-like foliage, which is picked before the seed stalk forms, is called...
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing This traditional perennial herb grows as a ground cover up to 12 inches high and spreading many times as wide if it is not...
Tarragon
TARRAGON, FRENCHArtemisia dracunculusTARRAGON, MEXICANTagetes lucida taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing True French Tarragon is a vegetatively propagated, 2-foot-tall perennial herb of outstanding character. • See also Home Garden Tarragon It is...
Basil – Care
If you buy seedling basil plants from a nursery and plant in April, you’ll be picking fresh leaves by mid-May. Basil planted from seed (less expensive, of course) won’t be ready for picking until June. Try a purple-leaf or curly-leaf...
Oregano, Greek
Origanum heracleoticum (True Greek Oregano) taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing Oregano is an easily grown semi-hardy perennial that will reach 18 inches in height. Cooks flavor Mexican and Mediterranean dishes with...
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing Rosemary is a small, woody shrub, marginally hardy north of zone 7. Even so, gardeners grow it as a perennial, dutifully lifting and potting...
Garlic
Allium sativum taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing Garlic is a hardy perennial bulb that is grown as an overwintering annual. The bulb actually consists of a cluster of small bulblets called...
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing Perennial. Thomas Jefferson grew Lemon Balm in his garden at Monticello. This upright plant (24 inches) has hairy, square, branched stems. The dark green...
Lavender
Lavandula spp. taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing Perennial. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the best known but least adapted to growing in the Southeast. Look for hybrids such as ‘Dutch’, ‘Provence’...
Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing A native of southern Europe and Asia, hyssop has been used for centuries as a flavoring in soups, stews, or teas and may be...
Fennel, Finocchio
Foeniculum vulgare Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing Fennel is a European herb known for its aromatic seeds and tender, fragrant leaves. This herb has a wonderful anise-like...
Dill
Anethum graveolens taken from The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Walter Reeves and Felder Rushing Dill is a common herb that has a place in every garden because of its many culinary uses. Just a few plants provide enough...
Beet
Beta vulgaris Garden beets are closely related to sugar beets and to Swiss chard. All are the same species and are members of the goosefoot family. Beets originated in the maritime regions of Europe, and gardeners hybridized them in Germany...
Shallot
Allium cepa var. aggregatum Shallots are related to onions, but have a milder, more delicate flavor. In some parts of the country people call any green onion a shallot. The difference is that onion bulbs develop only 1 sprout per...
Tomato Disease Guide
Tomatoes are favorite summer vegetable but they are susceptible to several diseases and conditions. Following are excellent guides to diagnosing tomato diseases. UGA Tomato Problems Guide Auburn Tomato Disease Guide Texas – Diagnosing Tomato Problems Maine Tomato Problem Guide Wilt,...
Soil Temperatures for Planting
Q: Is there a general rule for when soil temps reach plantable levels for gardens? i.e.: when outside temp is steady 70 degrees, etc.? A: Here is a reference from the Arizona Master Gardener manual that may help: Seeds for...
Farmer’s Markets – Finding
Nothing beats meeting the person who picked, baked or preserved the food you’re about to buy. Farmer’s markets are located throughout Georgia. I found large compilations that list produce markets across the state. Check out: Pick Your Own.org and North...
Growing Seedless Watermelons
If you’ve enjoyed a delicious seedless watermelon, you might wonder how they are grown. It starts by treating watermelon seedlings with a chemical that makes the plant have 4 times (4X) the normal number of chromosomes. After planting, when this...
