ANR
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Take a walk around your neighborhood, a county park, or a natural woodland, and the chances are high that you’ll encounter at least one invasive plant species. Invasive plants, insects, and animals are introduced both intentionally and accidentally. When they escape into nature, they become bad actors, causing ecological problems by outcompeting or consuming native…
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According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is the fastest growing agribusiness sector in Georgia. CEA is an indoor produce growing system through which farmers control light exposure, temperature, humidity, and other plant growth factors while minimizing the damaging effects of severe weather and pests. The need for alternative growing options…
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’ve always considered hydrangeas a staple of southern landscapes, so I was delighted to discover one in the backyard last spring after Beloved Husband cleared a jungle of invasive, non-native privet. Free from the suffocating privet, the small bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) pushed out a few lovely, blue blooms. I pruned it a bit after…
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Three years after its debut, the Georgia Green Landscape Stewards program is expanding throughout the state with the assistance of University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteers. Launched in 2021 by Camden County Agriculture and Natural Resources agent Jessica Warren and Martin Wunderly, area water agent for UGA Extension’s Northeast District, the program provides fact-based…
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Heather N. Kolich, ANR Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County First, I filled a tub with orchid bark potting mix and water, allowing the bark to become saturated before adding it to the new pot. The chunky size of the bark allows for good drainage and plenty of air around the roots. Then I removed the…
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I recently visited the State Botanical Gardens in Athens where orchids are featured throughout the tropical Main Conservatory inside the visitor’s center. With an estimated 28,000 species in more than 800 genera, orchids are believed to be the largest and most diverse family of flowering plants. Here are some more amazing facts about orchids. Orchids…
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Heather N. Kolich, ANR Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County When I leave the house each morning, I hear the calls and songs of several bird species. This spring, we might hear another sound: the raspy song of male periodical cicadas trying to attract a mate throughout the daylight hours. Specifically, we’re expecting Brood XIX (Brood…
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Trees, shrubs, vines, and ground cover plants provide resting places for birds as well as escape cover from predators. Native plants are a natural choice for resident and migratory birds. Flowering native plants, such as serviceberry and redbud trees, smooth sumac and wax myrtle shrubs, Virginia creeper and passionflower vines, and herbaceous flowers like asters,…
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Drilled wells are deeper (100-400 feet) and less prone to contamination than bored wells, which tend to be shallow (10-30 feet deep). The deeper wells draw from the aquifer, which provides natural filtration for water, whereas shallow wells rely on surface water. Older wells (more than 20 years) are also at higher risk of contamination.…
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As Americans are wont to offer a bowl of chicken soup for relief from colds and flu, Brits are known to offer a cup of tea to counter stress. Research from the University of Georgia now suggests drinking tea may be effective in preventing infection with COVID-19. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, UGA Center for…
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