ANR
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A walk through our local parks, state forests, and even our own backyard reveals a rich mixture of plants and wildlife. Typically, some will be native species and others are specimens imported from foreign regions. Is one type better than the other? In certain circumstances, both native and introduced species can become invasive. In a…
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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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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).…
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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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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…
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Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that kills nearly 21,000 people annually, including over 800 deaths in Georgia each year. Every January, the University of Georgia Radon Program urges Georgians to test for the presence of radon gas in their homes. People who order a test kit online before February 14, 2023, receive a $5…
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Along just about everything else, the cost of water has risen. In the December billing statement, the Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department announced slight increases in base and usage rates for water and sewer services. The 2023 rate increase is part of a multi-year plan to ensure the department maintains cost recovery and sufficient…
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With an October freeze and weeks of balmy December days followed by several consecutive days of sub-freezing temperatures, winter has tossed Georgia some unusual surprises so far. Both temperature conditions can affect the development of fruit crops, including blueberries and peaches, crops that are economically important to Georgia.
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Fruits and vegetables make quick, tasty, and nutritious snacks and meals. They contain many of the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to stay healthy and fight illnesses. Plus, there are plenty of economical choices. What fresh fruits and vegetables lack are added preservatives. Like other perishable foods, they good bad – often sooner rather…
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