Gypsum – as Soil Amendment

Gardeners are no different from other folks – they want to accomplish more work with less effort. One of the biggest jobs when gardening in north Georgia is turning hard red clay into soil that will produce

Recommended Garden Books

Looking for a gift for that gardener who seems to have everything they need for their garden? Most diggers in the dirt enjoy reading about other gardeners and their trials and tribulations. In addition, serious g

Ordering Plants from a Catalog

Few couples can remember the subject of their first serious argument. I can. I even remember that it occurred on I-285 near Buford Highway on a Saturday afternoon. I casually mentioned to her that I had ordered s

Poisonous Plants

Through a good part of my childhood, one voice of authority manifested with equal weight alongside the commandments of my parents: that of Mrs. Mabel Prayor. An older neighbor, she was hired to cook meals, settle

Soil – Defining

I was explaining to someone recently that flowering cherry trees absolutely require well-drained soil to succeed. "Well, that's not a problem," they responded, "I'm planting on a slo

Planting zones- Explanation

I was following a slow-moving compact car on a suburban street last week when it suddenly pulled to the right and decelerated to a crawl. On-coming traffic kept me from passing. As I waited, the driver of the car

Cold weather – Protecting Plants

(written in 2000)The predictions of the weather forecasters have proven true this winter season. It has been COLD!! After December, Atlanta gardeners have begun to appreciate the travails their neighbors from the

Drought – Watering Shrubs

Plants must have water to survive. Water in a plant is like blood in an animal. Water carries dissolved nutrients, sugars and hormones throughout the plant's system. Some plants can go for long periods rece

Soil Testing – Using Gypsum

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the importance of soil testing and the role of pH in plant health. I gave instructions on how to collect a soil sample and have it tested. In the days following, several questi

Soil – Percolation Rate

Throughout my childhood, I was awakened each morning by the sound and smell of percolating coffee. After a hearty cup of Maxwell House, my father was off to feed the chickens, milk the cows or tend to the innumer

Plants Called Grasses That Are Not Grasses

When I mow my lawn, I say that I am cutting my grass. But many plants are called "grass" without really being a grass. The website www.wikipedia.com has some enlightening details. "In popular la

John Travolta – Gardener??

"Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah….Stayin' alive, stayin' alive…." The disco beat propelled John Travolta (as Tony Manero) across the dance floor. Fingers popping, head snapping, his fluid moves

Gardening – Yields Unexpected Results

My friend Vickey C. once gave me a few plants of Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) for my shady back yard. I planted it and didn't notice it again until months later – when I found it had alre

Sinkholes in the Landscape

Sinkholes in the yard are an unfortunate but common problem that may arise five to ten years after a home is constructed. These holes, or underground cavities, form gradually but can appear in your lawn overnight

Pollination – In Your Garden

One of the most delightfully informative garden books I've ever read is "Sex in Your Garden" by Angela Overy . Ms. Overy (yup, that's her real name!) describes how plants use false adverti

Water Drops Do Not Burn Foliage

I have been asked many times if it is true that water drops on plant leaves can lead to burning of the leaf tissue in strong sunshine. It is true that a water drop can act as a lens…… but in order fo

Fall Planting – When is Too Late

It has long been known that it is beneficial to plant trees and shrubs in fall. Warm soil stimulates roots to grow but cool above-ground temperatures mean the leaves are not demanding much moisture. That said, wh

Pressure-treated Wood – Safety

Pressure-treated lumber (sold prior to 2004) has come under fire as dangerous to those who use it in the landscape. There are extremely intense arguments on both sides of the question. I can not judge which side

Starting Plants from Seed

Starting seed indoors is a great way to save money when you need lots of plants for your landscape. With a sunny window, a sunroom or an artificial light set-up you can raise hundreds of dollars worth of plants f

DeKalb County Free Compost Sites

DeKalb County composts yard waste and makes it available to citizens at four sites. The county gives instructions and hours at this website: Call before you go on a weekend.