Gardening

  • Tomato Troubles

    I have recently received numerous calls about problems with tomato plants.  This time of the year we typically see issues start to arise in our flourishing gardens. Two of the most common problems are leaf spots and blossom end rot.  There are three leaf spot diseases commonly found on garden tomatoes: Septoria leaf spot, early…

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  • We might not have quite made it to the first official day of summer, but temperatures have certainly reached into summer levels. High temperatures, combined with dry weather, pose a threat to home landscapes. Vegetable gardens, lawns, and even trees and shrubs are all susceptible to the effects of heat and drought. It is better…

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  • Back in the 60s, Simon & Garfunkel sang about parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Today, the list of herbs found in gardens would fill up the whole song. For centuries, herbs have been used for food and medicine. Today they are still used for seasoning food, providing pleasant fragrance, and even adding interest to the…

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  • Spring is here, and despite our cold snap last weekend, folks are busy getting gardens ready. Gardens can come in all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, not every landscape is suitable for in-ground gardens. In these situations, raised bed gardens have become increasingly popular. Raised beds are improved areas of soil elevated above ground level and…

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  • Roses are one of the most popular plants among Georgia gardeners even though growing roses in the southern climate can be challenging. Their large, fragrant blooms can be cheery and dramatic. Proper site preparation and planning and knowing which rose varieties to choose is the key to success. Before getting to the fun part of…

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  • Although it’s still cold and wintery outside, it is time to start prepping for warmer weather and spring gardening.  If your gardening goal is to fill your pantry with an array of homegrown food, then starting plants from seed can help you achieve that goal. Starting seeds indoors under controlled conditions, with no aggravation from…

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  • I get a lot of calls in the late Spring about “stickers” in the yard. By that time it is too late to treat/control. The plant is called spurweed and NOW is the time to apply control options. With all the moisture we have had, it is very prevalent right now. I’ve seen it in…

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  • “To every thing there is a season.” And fall is the season to soil test. Soils tests provide information on the soil’s actual nutrient status. Fall is a preferred time to take soil tests if one suspects a soil pH problem and wants to avoid the spring rush. Fall soil testing will allow you ample…

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  • Each year the Madison County 4-H holds a Fruit Tree Sale. Orders, with payment, are due by November 6th to the Madison County Extension Office. Trees will be available for pick up on November 20th for 9am-6pm. All sales are final and the buyer is strongly encouraged to follow guidelines provided by UGA Extension regarding…

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  • School has started back, football season is beginning, summer vegetable harvest is coming to an end and temperatures are starting to be more tolerable.  These are all signs that fall is just around the corner. As summer vegetables stop producing, it’s time to start planning and preparing fall gardens. Cool-season vegetables, packed with nutrients and…

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