Recent Posts
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A naturalist is any person who studies the natural world. Naturalists make observations of the relationships between organisms and their environments, as well as how those relationships change over time. Well-known examples of naturalists in history include Charles Darwin, John Muir, Rachel Carson, and William Batrum. Notable naturalists in recent history include Janisse Ray, Steve and…
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Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate north from their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. They arrive in Georgia in the spring between late March to early April. Migration depends on the weather and food sources. We need to be prepared for the hummingbirds’ arrival by putting out feeders by mid-March. We should fill the feeders with…
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Gardeners tend to affectionately hang onto plants that we have grown. This affection will lead to decisions about pruning. Just like we must cut things out of our lives, to grow as human beings, plants also need this cutting away. Pruning is about growth, which may not seem intuitive, but is the plant’s response this…
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In recent years, lead in water has made headlines across the nation. Lead is harmful when too much is ingested, because it builds up in the body until it reaches toxic levels. Lead damages the brain, nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system, and red blood cells. It is more toxic to children than to adults, and…
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By Phillip Prichard, Master Gardener Extension Volunteer It’s January it is cold, probably dreary and you’re eager to put gardening skills to work. First, take a mental note through your last year’s garden, or review notes or photos. If you didn’t take any notes, plan to keep records this year. List anything you want to…
Posted in: Winter -
Okay, okay so it is hot! What is new about that that? It is always hot in July. The funny part is, why are the weather reporters always surprised when July is hot? We as gardeners should never be surprised by the heat and the humidity in Georgia this time of year. Nor should we…
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By Phillip Prichard, Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteer From tomato hornworms and mites to aphids and beetles, bugs can be a major annoyance in the garden. Instead of treating your garden with chemical pesticides, have you considered growing plants that naturally repel bugs. Many plants have properties, like a strong scent or compounds, that are…
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Trudy Sowar, President Paulding County Farm Bureau Board You may have seen this posted on your Facebook page or in a news article. Before the pandemic most of us wouldn’t give this much thought. After Covid and the empty grocery shelves we may be inclined to take more notice. When we sit down to a…
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Ruby-throated Hummingbirds spend the spring, summer and early fall in Georgia. Feeders and flower gardens are great ways to attract these birds, and some people turn their yards into buzzing clouds of hummingbirds each summer. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are eastern North America’s only breeding hummingbird. A feeder with a simple sugar water solution of balance is…
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When it comes to our landscapes, do we ask ourselves why we plant what we plant? How much are we influenced by our neighbors’ landscapes? How much is determined by ill-advised and uninformed HOAs? We are now at the point where these questions must be considered in depth, because our landscapes are no longer just…