Horticulture
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Plants need a few things in order to thrive, primarily adequate light, nutrient-rich soil, and sufficient water. Water is one of the six essential nutrients for all living things. In plants, water is required for seed germination, nutrient transportation, photosynthesis, transpiration, and structural support. Too much water can be just as harmful as too little.…
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Georgia is home to an abundance of natural beauty, from pine forests to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the beaches of Jekyll and Tybee Island to our own Clarks Hill Lake. If you ever get the opportunity to explore our forest ecosystems more thoroughly, you might overlook some of its most interesting fauna – mushrooms. Mushrooms…
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Spring is full speed ahead here at the Extension office. Dare I say, it is my favorite time of year, as I get increasing requests to come spend time out in the community – not much better than a sunny day and visit with clients! In case you don’t know- I am available to come…
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What is the difference between lawn and turf? A lawn, by definition, is an area of short, mown grass in a yard, garden, or park. Turf refers to grass and the layer of soil held together by its roots. If you speak to a horticulturist, they will use the term “turf” or “turfgrass” instead of…
Posted in: Horticulture -
Do you know one of the biggest pet peeves of most agricultural agents I know? Watching irrigation systems run while it’s actively raining outside. Only 0.3% of water on Earth is suitable for human use, and the U.S. uses over 407 million gallons of water per day. In Georgia, residents use an estimated 51-75 gallons…
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With Masters Week upon us, I was asked if I could highlight some of the agriculture related to the Augusta National Golf Course and famous tournament – in all honesty, I’m surprised I haven’t thought to do this before now! Prior to 1856, the property on which the Augusta National sits was an indigo plantation.…
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Lilies have always had a prominent place in the landscapes of my life, from my grandmother’s house, to my parent’s mountain cabin, and now to my own home. There’s something about their showy flowers and smell that has made them one of my favorite flowers and landscape plants. Both lilies and daylilies are wonderful additions…
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The other day I was out doing some work around my property and had not one, but two thistles growing in my lawn. Thankfully, thistles in their rosette stage are easy enough to kick out of the soil and kill off, but I’m glad I noticed them before they bolted, flowered, and spread. As our…
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As a county agent, I am often asked to guest present for different organizations. This week, the Wilkes County Iris Gardening Club asked if I would come give a presentation to their membership about native plants for Georgia. Native plants are an interesting subject to me as the definition of what is “native” is variable…
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Planting a variety of trees on your property can enhance it’s natural beauty, provide shade, and attract wildlife with shelter and food. We often recommend planting trees in the fall in Georgia, since this allows the root system of the plant to get established before the hot and dry demands of the next summer. One…