How-To Archive | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener

Subscribing to Walter’s Newsletter

The “Georgia Gardener” emailed newsletter is sent out every two weeks, usually on Thursday mornings. It is distributed by NewsTalk 750 – WSB, which maintains the subscriber list. They have a stringent corporate privacy policy that makes sure you will...

Finding Walter’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution Articles Online

Q: How can I find your gardening questions and answers articles in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution? A: Unfortunately, the AJC does not post all of my articles. Here is their official statement: Thanks for taking time to write. I’m sorry you...

How to Choose a Landscape Designer

Did you build your own home? For the majority of homeowners in the area, the answer is “No! I didn’t have the skills to take on such a big project!” But when it comes to landscape design, homeowners are not...

How To Amend Your Soil

Good soil is the basis of every landscape success. Most of us are not blessed with good soil – we have lots of clay, which holds WAY too much water. Here is what I do to build the soil in...

How to Buy Fertilizer

For a couple of years now, I have presented a talk entitled “You Can’t Get Any Lower Than Dirt!” to gardening groups in the Southeast. I talk about why organic matter is so important to your soil and why adding...

How to Maintain Your Mower

Maybe you were one of those who can’t resist the ‘call of the turf’ this year. If you begin mowing (assuming you could get your machine started!) without doing some preliminary maintenance, you could damage your mower and your lawn....

How to Make Garden Footstones

At this time of year, I’m looking for any excuse to keep out of the sun while still accomplishing projects for my landscape. My wife has been plotting new pathways through our back yard and she recently asked me to...

How to Propagate Shrubs from Cuttings

June is the perfect time to propagate shrubs. Whether it’s your great-grandmother’s rose or just a favorite hydrangea, we all have situations where we want to make clones of a single plant. A garden friend sent me pictures of his...

How to Deal With Flooding

The university Extension offices in several states have collected great advice on preparing for and dealing with the aftermath of flooding. I hope you never need this information, but…….. University of Georgia Flood Information Caring for Flooded Lawns – UGA...

I’m Looking Over My Dead Dog Rover

When I mentioned to a schoolteacher friend that I had sung “I’m Looking Over My Dead Dog Rover” (sung to the tune of “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover”) on my radio show, she exclaimed, “You have too much...

How To Do a Science Project

Science projects can be a real strain for kids and their parents. Many times “let’s do an experiment on plants!” is the first thought. Before starting, this note from Peter Macinnis, a teacher in Australia, might be helpful: “Plant growth...

How to Order Hey Bug Doctor!

I’ve enjoyed reading Jim Howell’s columns on insects in the AJC Home and Garden section for several years. When I heard he was compiling the columns to put into a book, I was excited – and I was glad to...

Seeds – Saving

This past spring, a friend gave me three seeds from a giant gourd. He assured me that if I planted the seeds in warm soil I would have gourds like the beachball-sized one he held in his arms. Unfortunately, I...

How to Soil Test

If the word TEST gives you the fantods, contemplate a test that is simple to take, doesn’t reflect on your intelligence and has no wrong answers. Consider performing a soil test on your landscape. Click here to order a soil...

Make a Career in Agriculture/Horticulture

Thinking about a career change? Want a second job? Worried about what to study in college? Starting salaries of students in agriculture/horticulture, including bonuses, are second among UGA colleges behind only the Terry College of Business. Ag jobs shine in...