Horticulture

  • 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.…

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  • By: Robyn Stewart, ANR Agent For folks that weren’t raised around agriculture, it can look deceptively like the perfect life. Getting to spend every day outside in the fresh air, watching gardens and crops grow, experiencing the wonder of newborn calves and other livestock—there are a lot of incredible things to experience in the world…

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  • Robyn Stewart            When I bought my house last fall, there were a few major projects in landscaping that we tackled. First and foremost, we tore out several trees and gardens, and also pruned all the lorapetalum around the property. This summer, we actually wound up cutting back the lorapetalum and tearing out all of the…

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  • Robyn Stewart One of the most popular vegetable plants grown by home gardeners in Georgia is the tomato. Tomatoes are popular for a huge number of reasons, from taste, versatility, available varieties, and dietary benefits. Tomatoes are a great addition to any diet due to their high levels of antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, folate, and…

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  • Robyn Stewart I hope that you are still maintaining your social distancing and prioritizing the health of yourselves and your loved ones. With that said, I know many of us have started to enjoy time with close families and friends as Georgia starts reducing COVID restrictions on events and gatherings. The other day as I…

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  • Robyn Stewart Pollinators are a vital part of a balanced ecosystem and critical to the well-being of humans. There are over 100,000 different varieties of insects and over 1,000 other species that serve as pollinators. These species are essential for the reproduction of over 225,000 different flowering plant species, including over 150 food crops. The…

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  • Robyn Stewart As temperatures start to rise and the sun starts to shine, the Extension office starts to get more requests for help on weed management in lawns. For many residents the presence of weeds in their lawns can be an issue throughout the spring and summer. There are several ways to start combating summer…

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  • Robyn Stewart            My favorite part of the year is putting up a live Christmas tree. A live tree is a beautiful addition to any home, but does require some maintenance and planning to have. If you’re like me and purchased your tree at Thanksgiving, or if you wait a bit longer to put one up,…

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  • Holiday Plant Care

    Robyn Stewart            With Thanksgiving festivities behind us, many Lincoln County residents are looking forward to the end of the year holidays. No matter what you celebrate, there is a chance that you will soon purchase or be given a new plant. From poinsettia and amaryllis to Christmas cactus, it is important to take proper…

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