Ashley Best
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Cover crops (aka green manures) are low-cost, high-impact plants you grow between or after cash crops to build soil, suppress weeds, hold nutrients, and attract beneficial insects. Even in small spaces like raised beds, well-chosen cover crops can keep your soil healthy and productive year after year. Below is a practical guide — grounded in…
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Nitrate accumulation in forages is a serious but often overlooked risk for beef cattle operations. While nitrates occur naturally in plants, drought, over-fertilization, or cloudy weather can cause levels to spike high enough to threaten cattle health. Understanding how nitrates build up—and how to manage them—can prevent costly losses. How Nitrates Accumulate Plants absorb nitrogen…
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Why Water Matters for Pollinators As we are entering a dryer period of Georgia weather, a pollinator waterer is something to consider adding to your garden space. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more, rely on water not just for hydration, but for cooling, feeding larvae, and even mineral intake. In dry weather, bees may…
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Fall is one of the smartest, most underrated times to expand a pollinator garden. Cooler air, still-warm soil, and lower drought stress let plants put energy into roots instead of leaves so they arrive at spring with a head start.
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As we move into the dog days of summer here in Newton County, landscapes across our community begin to show signs of stress. Brown patches in lawns, wilting garden plants, and an increase in certain pests are all too common in late July. As an Extension Agent, I often hear from homeowners who are unsure…
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Spring Blooming Plants Summer Blooming Plants Fall Blooming Plants Winter Interest Plants
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In the wake of Hurricane Helene, there are a lot of trees down in pastures and on fences. On top of the obvious issue of down fence not holding cows and horses in, this can create a couple of additional issues: If you have any questions or need any help, please feel free to reach…
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Written by Dr. Bob Stougaard The most recent USDA NASS Georgia Crop Progress and Condition Report had this to say about livestock and pastures: Cattle were in mostly good to fair condition, while pastures were in mostly fair to poor condition. Armyworms continued to be a problem for many operators, although cooler weather brought some…
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Broccoli Growing Basics: Soil: broccoli prefers a soil pH between 6 to 7 and temperatures of 60–65°F (will tolerate temperatures between 40–75°F). Spacing: Rows 18–36” apart, sow 4–6” and thin to 12–24” Companion planting: Incompatibility – cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, beans, tomato, strawberry. Companions – beets, spinach, chard, garlic, potatoes, cucumbers, rosemary. Water requirements: Best watered…
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Demos and Break Outs will include: Conference registration and overnight lodging on October 2nd is covered for this event HOWEVER if you do not cancel and do not show you will be responsible to pay the conference fee of $300!CANCELLATION POLICY – MUST NOTIFY US OF CANCELLATION NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 20th! Small Farm Conference Registration…
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