Horticulture
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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…
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Every year, we hit the first week of April and I wonder how we’re so far along in the year. With some beautiful weather and plentiful rain in the forecast for the next week or two, it’s time to start thinking about chores to get your lawn in tip-top shape for the summer season. Depending…
Posted in: Horticulture -
the middle of winter, the last thing most people are thinking about are weeds or other pests in their lawns and gardens. Our Extension office usually starts getting calls in late spring and early summer about weed problems like lawn burweed. The challenge we have is that by the time we get a call from…
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By: Robyn Stewart, ANR Agent A live Christmas tree in the home has been a staple in the United States since the 1800’s. The idea of a Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 1500’s and they remained undecorated or hung with apples throughout the 1600’s. In the 1700’s, evergreen tips were hung upside down…
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By Robyn Stewart, ANR Agent Ornamental plants are those which are used in a landscape to primarily add visual appeal and decorative value to an area. In addition to this, they can be used for cut flowers and provide food and shelter to animals and insects. Pruning ornamental plants can do a number of things…
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By Robyn Stewart, ANR Agent The American chestnut has been in existence for over 40 million years, and more than a century ago there were over three billion trees growing in the eastern United States. The American chestnut composed more than 25% of the tree population in the Appalachian Mountain range during this time.…
Posted in: Horticulture