Renewal pruning is a technique used to reduce the size of overgrown shrubs – and sometimes as an opportunity to reshape shrubs into a more desirable form – by pruning the shrub down until the branches are just 6-12 inches above the ground. Mid-March is a good time to do renewal pruning.
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Each year, local students in 7th through 12th grade submit a Portfolio to the local Extension Office to signify their intent to participate in Junior/Senior Project Achievement in March. Portfolios are a celebration of youth’s work and accomplishments over the last calendar year. The document is two pages long and highlight the youth’s work in a specific project, their leadership activities, community service, and other events that they would like the judges to consider. Creating a portfolio provides young people with valuable life experience for when they need to create resumes for their careers.
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To help protect the quality of our community water source, Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department, in a coordinated effort with the Environmental Health Department, launched a rebate program last year to help people in critical areas around the Pilgrim Mill peninsula pay for the cost of having their septic tank pumped out.
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Like flowers and holidays, lawn diseases predictably show up during certain seasons. In the spring, we may see dead spots during spring green-up.
Round patches of dead grass are signs the lawn is infected with fungi that cause Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia homeocarpa), Brown Patch and Large Patch (Rhizoctonia solani), or Spring Dead Spot (Ophiosphaerella spp). Fungicide applications can help manage the disease, but getting the diseases truly under control requires correcting environmental conditions and cultural practices that cause plant stress and encourage fungal growth.
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Many people approach pruning with confusion, dread, or a chainsaw. I suggest approaching the task with a little knowledge, patience, and artistic vision. Appropriate pruning maintains plant health and promotes flower and fruit production. Timing, tools, and technique are important components for pruning that is both healthy and attractive.
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Fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety and can range from slight nervousness to panic. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health 75% of people fear public speaking more than death. However, for many people, speaking regularly builds confidence and gets easier over time.
Through Georgia 4-H, youth have the opportunity to begin practicing public speaking early in their academic careers. Youth can begin competing in public speaking contests in 4-H when they are in 4th grade and can continue competing through their senior year of high school. Contests are broken up into age groups: Cloverleafs (4th-6th grade), Juniors (7th and 8th grade), and Seniors (9th-12th grade).
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On February 8, 2023, the Georgia Capitol building turned shades of green as it welcomed more than 600 Georgia 4-H’ers, staff, and volunteers. While in Atlanta, 4-H’ers had the opportunity to learn about our state’s government, meet with Georgia legislators, and give thanks to supporters and donors from around the state.
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Flowers, candy, and cards are nice gifts to show someone we care, but they’re gone within a week. This Valentine’s Day, consider doing something that will give lasting peace-of-mind to a loved one: Complete the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care.
Available online, the Advance Directive for Health Care combines the living will and durable power-of-attorney for health care into one legal document that is written in plain-language. It is designed to allow individuals to make their healthcare wishes clear and to designate a trusted person – their health care agent – to make healthcare decisions for them in the event of incapacitation.
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Arbor Day is a national event of over 150 years’ standing. It originated in Nebraska in 1872, where pioneers arriving and settling in the treeless plains and prairies of Nebraska participated in an April event that resulted in the planting of over one million trees.
Officially, Arbor Day is still in April each year, but Georgia celebrates Arbor Day in February because late winter is an ideal time to plant trees in our climate. This year, Georgia Arbor Day is Friday, February 17, and the City of Cumming will hold its fourth annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Cumming City Center.
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Forsyth County’s Cloverleaf Campers (4th- 6th grade) will be traveling to Rock Eagle 4-H Center July 10-14, 2023. The cost for camp is $430. The price covers transportation on a Forsyth County School bus, lodging, meals, activities, and a camp t-shirt. Tentative activities during the week include swimming, canoeing, archery, a nature hike, herpetology, lake ecology, crafts, HOP (Health is Our Pledge) and outdoor recreation. Transportation to and from summer camp is included in the camp costs and will be provided by Forsyth County Schools buses.
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