Recent Posts
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As we transition from fall into early winter, we imagine the beauty of spring wildflowers. You can set the stage for a healthy, vibrant spring garden by aligning your planting strategy with nature’s rhythm. But as with anything, success depends on several key factors, including timing, preparation, and knowing your local climate. We are in…
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Close your eyes, you are sitting on your porch, “Georgia On My Mind” is playing in the background. You are eating a juicy peach* and then you hear an American green tree frog melodious trill. Does this make you think of the other Georgia symbols? Most of the symbols denote agriculture, nature, and flowers. Agribusiness…
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Remember when you were a kid, and you’d get tucked in on all sides nice and snug for a good night’s rest so you’d be ready to go the next day? Your gardens need that same care in late fall to have the best start in the spring. Some call it “putting the garden to…
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Whether you’re a seasoned composter or just starting out, fall is the perfect time to build a nutrient-rich pile from your garden cleanup. In Fall specifically, you are probably cleaning up your gardens from summer. Browns (carbon-rich) provide structure and absorb excess moisture. Greens (nitrogen-rich) add nutrients and help the pile heat up. Important Tips…
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Where do insects and other invertebrates go in the winter? The vast majority “overwinter,” or spend winter, right where they spent all summer — just less active and more hidden. Think twice before you rake, mow, and blow this year. Invertebrates rely on fallen leaves and other organic debris to cover and insulate them from…
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As the air grows crisp and the nights get longer, there’s something magical about spending time in the garden during the Fall. With Halloween around the corner, why not embrace the season’s spooky spirit and plant a garden that looks like it leapt straight out of a ghost story? Whether you’re decorating for trick-or-treaters, planning…
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Just in time for Halloween — the spooky-looking creepy-crawly Joro spider has reached the north Georgia area. Native to Japan and China, Joro spiders are believed to have made the trek overseas by hitching a ride in a shipping container. The striking arachnid has been sighted in Paulding County. The spiders are known for their…
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If you have pine trees on your property, one of the biggest threats to their health could be lurking just beneath the Southern Pine Beetle (SPB). Though only about the size of a grain of rice, this destructive insect can kill entire stands of trees in a matter of weeks if left unchecked. SBP are…
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Hummingbird moths have been seen as a lucky omen. In particular, a swarm of the moths was seen flying across the English Channel on D-Day, the day of the Normandy landings in the Second World War. Spiritually, the hummingbird moth is seen by some cultures as a symbol of peace, prosperity, longevity, and good fortune. One of the most enjoyable insect visitors to…
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Without pollinators, people and earth’s environment would be in jeopardy. Of the 1,400 crop plants grown around the world, those that produce all our food and plant-based industrial products, almost 80% require pollination by animals. Visits from bees and other pollinators also result in larger, more flavorful fruits and higher crop yields. We have pollinators…