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...
Shrub – Transplanting 1-2-3
Most shrubs and trees should be transplanted when the demand for water is least, in late fall or winter. Since many roots will inevitably be lost, they need many weeks to regenerate themselves before the hot, dry blasts of summer arrive. If you are contemplating moving a plant that would...
Shrub – Pruning Calendar
The Home & Garden section of the Atlanta Journal and Constitution published a very nice pruning calendar several years ago. When viewed on a sheet of newsprint, it was gorgeous. When reduced to fit onto a sheet of typing paper it was impossible to read. I imagine you didn’t keep...
South Africa Adventure – 2014
As many of you know, I led a group of gardeners and spouses to South Africa in 2010. The memories of that vibrant, beautiful, surprising country still linger in my brain! We had such a good time I’ve decided to lead another group trip there in January, 2014. Want to...
New Gardening Books
I regularly receive interesting-looking gardening books from publishers. I don’t have time to read them all or give an intelligent review but I know they would appeal to many gardeners. These are some of the books I’ve gotten recently. You can click the link under the book cover images to...
Houseplants – Cleaning and Propagating
Last week I covered pruning and providing moisture for houseplants. I also detailed how to care for a holiday poinsettia. This week, I’ll describe how to clean leaves and propagate a couple of houseplants plus give some hints on amaryllis...
Clivia
When I answered a question about clivia on my radio show, a listener had mush to say on the subject. Read Mary’s comments below: “Last Saturday a caller asked about a seed pod on her clivia. The seed pod turns...
Christmas Cactus – HUGE!
My mom told me that you talked about Christmas cactus on the radio recently. She asked if I could take a picture of our family cactus and send it to you. It belonged to my mom’s mother for years, we...
Houseplants – Light Levels Needed
Plants need strong light in order to grow well indoors. The level of light that you find comfortable in your home is not nearly what a plant needs to thrive. Try this test in the spots where indoor plants are...
Azaleas – Late Spring/Summer Pruning
If your azalea has been growing in a spot for a few years, it has likely reached the size you want. But the size an azalea would like to achieve might not agree with the size you’d like. If your...
Azalea – Planting Properly
In high dudgeon, Dave Hudak wrote me recently: “Last year I planted twenty one azaleas. They were inexpensive one gallon plants. Eight died within seven months. I’ve noticed that the others are struggling but still trying to grow. When I...
Azalea Pruning and Lace Bugs
Azalea blooms are only a memory in June but there are still things to do for their care. If the shrubs are threatening to grow too tall, now is the perfect time to remove some of the taller branches. Use...
Azalea and Rhododendron – Difference
According to David C. Zlesak at the University of Minnesota: “Rhododendrons and azaleas are spectacular flowering shrubs that add splashes of bright color to the landscape. What are commonly known as rhododendrons and azaleas are genetically distinct, but are both...
Azalea – Growing, Pests and Propagating
Few plants are as beautiful and as varied as the azalea. These shrubs are emblematic of spring in Georgia. A recent University of Georgia publication provides all you need to know to have success with this great plant. Selecting and...
UGA Tree Publications
The following publications are available online from the University of Georgia: Fast Growing Shade Trees Trees for Georgia Watering Trees Pruning Shade Trees Wetland Trees and Shrubs Treehouse Construction Nature Trail Construction Construction Allelopathy in Trees Assessing Construction Damage: Tree...
Trees – Straightening When Bent
Younger and smaller trees in landscape settings that are bent or leaning can be gently straightened by staking with a guy rope. Do not wrap wire padded by a water hose around the trunk. Nylon strap or cotton cloth more...
Trees – Recovering from Storm Damage
Trees are well adapted to survive for long periods of time in spite of numerous and severe injuries. The great majority of damaged trees will survive, recover, and continue to provide the shade and screen we ask of them. First,...
Trees – Planting Correctly
It is said that when you plant a tree you give a gift to future generations. Fall is an excellent time to plant trees in your landscape. The soil is warm, so roots are encouraged to rapidly elongate. Days are...
Trees – Dealing With Storm Damage
Ice, snow and wind storms can cause extensive damage to trees. Snow and ice add tons of extra weight to individual trees. Stems and branches break, while some trees may be completely bent over. Here’s what you can do after...
Tree Planting – Use Phosphorus Fertilizer
One of the great gifts of gardening in the South is the fact that our soil rarely freezes. That means we can plant shrubs and trees during months our Northern neighbors are shoveling their sidewalks. If you decide to plant...
Tree Damage – Insurance Claims
You may be able to claim a storm loss or insurance benefit as a result of storm damage. Here are ways to assess the value of damaged trees and landscaping: • The decrease in the fair market value of the...
Tree – Straightening When Blown Over
Summer or winter storms often blow over otherwise healthy trees. Here is a review of the basics of righting trees that lean or have fallen. The first task is to shovel out a space under the root ball so it...
Tree – Covering Exposed Roots
D.S. recently sent me a question I have heard over and over again after heavy, eroding rains. “I have a maple tree whose roots are showing through the soil around it.” he wrote. “How much new topsoil should I put...
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. Websites Preen has terrific weed...
Diagnosing 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...
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....
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...
Lawn – Timing Pre-emergent Herbicide
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
