A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

Communicating the science of farming and gardening to Jackson County

Recent Posts

  • Check the Soil’s pH

    By Greg Pittman, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent and Jonathan Page, 4-H/ANR Educator Throughout the year we take several calls from gardeners and farmers who are baffled at the slow growth of their crops or how stunted the crop is. Soil testing is almost always the recommendation, it’s $8 per sample and helps to understand…

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  • By Greg Pittman, ANR Extension Agent and Jonathan Page, 4-H/ANR Educator Have you taken a walk through the woods lately? It does not take many trees to be considered woods when it comes to the Joro Spider. The Joro thrives in the woods but is often found around carports and entry ways around homes. Most…

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  • Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ida will bring a lot of rain to Northeast Georgia in the next few days. If you are on private well water be sure to check out the following UGA publications. A flood is described as “water from heavy rain, storms, or hurricanes that spills or seeps into a household drinking water well,”…

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  • According to Pam Knox, Director of UGA Weather Network, Tropical Storm Fred will be an issue in regards to rain for North Georgia. We are expected at least 2 inches of rain but in some locations 6-10 inches of rain. Also, expect high winds forthose few days. There is also a chance of tornadoes in…

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  • You have spent countless hours tilling, planting, weeding, and more in your garden. Now it is time to harvest the fruit of your toil! The goal of harvesting is to minimize crop loss and maximize crop yield. Be sure to pick at peak maturity, properly handle them and also think about storing or canning them.…

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  • After the bright colored blooms of spring and summer fade away, it’s time to decide if you want to keep an attractive landscape going into the fall. Keeping in mind that perennial plants take longer to establish and will be around for a few years, it is much like a long-term investment. Annuals however are…

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  • As summer begins to wind down, fall armyworms and bermudagrass stem maggots are multiplying in Georgia. While it is obvious by the name as to what bermudagrass stem maggots feed on, fall armyworms will eat most any forage plants or turfgrass. Both of these pests can cause severe yield losses to bermudagrass hayfields and need…

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  • Long periods of hot weather and drought lead to poor forage growth and the development of toxic weeds in pastures. This unfortunate natural occurrence may force livestock to graze on weeds they typically would not, and if toxic weeds are ingested, this can result in the death of cattle. If you do not want to…

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  • With fall around the corner and hay in the barn, it is that time of the year when beef producers are starting to plan for the winter. Until then, a few simple beef management practices can be followed. The flies that are attracted by hot and humid weather can usually be managed with fly tags,…

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  • When is the last time you tested your well water? Routine tests for household wells can determine whether or not your well water is acceptable for household use. It is not uncommon for runoff to contaminate private wells, and the recent rains in Jackson County could have made an impact on your well water. While…

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