Storing Pesticides and Tools Safely

Tool Storage After upgrading to a 12×20 ft shed, I installed horizontal 1×4 boards every 2 ft. Drilled ¼-inch holes in wooden handles, hung tools on 12-penny finish nails. Long-handled and short-handled zones keep things

Holiday Gift Ideas for Gardeners

I have “See–Want–Buy” syndrome at garden centers, so I gift myself. For the gardener who has everything, consider: Garden books (reference or bedside reading) Quality tools (pruners, hori-hori, broadfork) Magazine subsc

Types of Lime for Garden Use

Quicklime (calcium oxide) White crystalline solid; highly reactive with water (generates heat). Sold at masonry suppliers. CAUTION: Highly caustic. Hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) Dry powder from quicklime + water. S

Georgia Drought Resources: Restrictions, Maps & Watering Guides

No single state website consolidates drought info—this page aims to fill that gap. Current Georgia Watering Restrictions Georgia Drought Map Watering Trees / Shrubs / Flowers / Lawns Planting During a Drought

The Case of the Mysterious Clay Particles

Two Reports, Miles Apart In July, M.D. (Hall County) and K.E. (Marietta) reported identical phenomena: tiny, biscuit-shaped red-clay pellets appearing on decks, driveways, and vehicles—mostly in open areas, not under tre

Free Horse Manure in DeKalb County

Little Creek Farm, a DeKalb County horse park on Lawrenceville Highway, produces mountains of manure. The conservancy hosts periodic “Manure Days” where gardeners can load bags or truckloads for a small fee. Horse lover

Best Management Practices to Protect Water Quality

Georgia faces tough water-management choices. While total supply is adequate, distribution and quality protection are critical. Florida’s longer experience offers a solid framework: their Best Management Practices (BMP)

Mysterious Clay Particles Falling from the Sky: Reader Theories

Readers offer theories on clay particles appearing to rain from the sky: Dirt rain / wind-blown clay from construction sucked into storms. Comet/meteor dust (iron oxide). African dust clouds crossing the Atlantic. Cicad

The Mystery of Falling Clay Balls: Yellowjackets Exposed

For weeks, tiny red-clay pellets rained onto decks and driveways in Hall County and Marietta. Theories ranged from meteor dust to artillery fungus. UGA entomologist Bob Matthews identified the source: yellowjackets. Why

Roof Rats Chewing Tree Bark: A Garden Mystery Solved

Paul H. noticed bark stripped high in his Yoshino cherries. Tooth marks pointed to a rodent. After spotting rats in a birdhouse, he trapped a roof rat. Bait bags taped to limbs were emptied nightly. Once the rat was gone

More Mulch Myths: Needles, Wood Chips, and Compost Speed

Myth: Pine Needles & Oak Leaves Ruin Soil pH Any organic mulch slightly acidifies soil as it breaks down. Acid-lovers (azaleas, rhododendrons) love it; other plants tolerate it with occasional lime. Myth: Fresh Wood Chi

Georgia’s “Droughts of the Century”: A Historical Perspective

Every dry summer gets labeled a “Drought of the Century,” but since 1924 Georgia has endured five such events. Master Gardener Maria Helena Dolan compiled newspaper records to show how drought perception has shifted over

Mulch Myths Debunked: Volcanoes, Acidity, and Tiny Rings

Myth 1: Piling Mulch High Is Good “Volcano mulching” (12–24 inches against the trunk) traps moisture, inviting decay fungi and voles. Always pull mulch back 6 inches from trunks and keep total depth ≤6 inches. Myth 2: P

Why I Weed by Hand: The Joy of Immediate Results

(Written in 1993) A Weekend of Chores One March weekend I raked, mowed, dug, pruned, sprayed, fertilized, and planted raspberries. The results of most tasks wouldn’t appear for months. But weeding the perennial beds? Ins

Why Plants Are a Better Investment Than CDs

The Magic of Plant Division My mother taught me to save: a $5 deposit would grow for nine years. But as a gardener, I’ve found a far higher return—400% or more—by dividing perennials. Viburnum: Four vigorous sprouts ap

The Strangest Questions Ever Asked at Extension Offices

University of Georgia Extension agents field countless practical queries—but some are unforgettable. Bibb County agent Aaron Lancaster shared these real questions with a Master Gardener training class. Try answering five

Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum): Ornamental or Weed?

Identification Q: Can you identify this plant? A: Garden coach Daryl Pulis identifies it as Talinum paniculatum, commonly called Jewels of Opar. Caution Although sold as an ornamental for its delicate pink flower panicl

Replacing a Fireblight-Susceptible Crabapple

Reader Question Q: Our favorite crabapple tree died from fireblight. We plan to remove it and want to know: is it safe to plant another crabapple in the same spot? Should we choose a different species? Do we need to trea

Best Plants for Shade Gardens

Shade gardening success depends on more than just light levels—soil type, moisture, and exposure all matter. Research each plant’s needs before planting. Below are reliable performers for Southern shade gardens. Shrubs

Finding a Garden Coach: Expert Guidance for Your Landscape

What Is a Garden Coach? Sometimes you need more than a book or a website—you want a knowledgeable person to walk your property, identify plants, spot problems, and suggest improvements. That person is a garden coach. Whi