A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

Agriculture & Natural Resources Updates for Fannin & Gilmer Counties

Recent Posts

  • Oak Tree Flagging

    The emergence of “Brood X” exceeded expectations in North Georgia, as those of us who happened to reside in the “cicada zone” observed droves of periodical cicadas emerging in huge numbers. Over the past month, the song of male periodical cicada has faded and we’re seeing less and less of these fascinating insects. When it…

    Posted in: ,
  • Tomato Troubles

    Many gardeners are trying their hand at growing tomatoes this season and many of them have some nice tomatoes that will be ready soon. “What’s wrong with my tomatoes?” is a common question that comes across my desk throughout the summer months. Truth be told, tomato problems may be caused by a myriad of factors,…

    Posted in: ,
  • Do you have an evil force in your yard that grows more powerful from the warmth of each passing day? English ivy (Hedera helix), Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), kudzu (Pueraria montana), Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), and oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) are all nonnative, invasive vines of concern in our Georgia landscapes, but there are…

    Posted in: ,
  • Each year the North Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteers coordinate a Plant Sale, of which all profits are used to provide college scholarships for Fannin and Copper Basin High School students pursuing higher education in an agriculture-related field. After much work and collaborative planning, the North Georgia Master Gardeners and the Fannin County Extension Office…

    Posted in:
  • Did you know there are two types of cicadas commonly found in the Eastern United States? The most familiar is the annual cicada, also known as the “dog day cicada”, which we see every summer. The periodical cicada, as you’ve likely heard in various news outlets, is the other type and it is getting a lot of…

    Posted in:
  • Hummingbird feeder

    With warmer weather finding its way into North Georgia, it is time to roll out the welcome mat for one of Georgia’s most loved pollinators – the hummingbird. Anyone who has witnessed these fantastic creatures in action are well aware of how they got their name. While the hummingbird may be Georgia’s smallest bird, they…

    Posted in:
  • Hemlock Branch

    Yesterday while walking with my faithful companions Susie Q and Maggie Mae, I was admiring the signs that spring has sprung. Cast an eye into the woods and you’ll see a horde of ferns pushing their way through the leaf litter, dogwoods decorate the wood line, gracing us with their delicate blooms, and songbirds are…

    Posted in: ,
  • Fire Image

    Smokey Bear may disagree with me, but I’d like to argue that fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing and managing the intensity and spread of unwanted wildfires. But, I realize that the idea of fighting fire with fire may sound counterintuitive, so let me provide some context of how…

    Posted in:
  • Muscadine

    Spring is a time of rebirth.  The landscape is beginning to burst into bloom and pollen season is in full force.  My favorite pollinator, the southeastern blueberry bee is tirelessly working the blueberry blooms while the European honey bee dutifully hums to and fro whatever forage she can find. On warm, spring days, it’s easy…

    Posted in:
  • Azalea Care

    Azalea Lace Bug

    Azaleas have been a southern favorite for years. In the Old South azaleas graced plantation houses with their charm, provided flowers for corsages, and were the backbone of many landscape plantings.  The taller Indica azaleas worked well to hide the less attractive foundations of homes.  The plants grew so large they even supplied a hideaway…

    Posted in: