Weeping Cherry Seedlings: Grafted vs. Seed-Grown

Plants dug under weeping cherry are likely root sprouts, not seedlings. Weeping cherries are usually grafted (Prunus subhirtella Pendula on standard rootstock). Seedlings revert to upright cheerful cherries. One stunning

Orchid "Babysitting" Services: A Niche Idea

No known Atlanta orchid-sitting services exist, but the concept is sound — orchids are unattractive between blooms. Contact the Atlanta Orchid Society (meets 2nd Monday at Atlanta Botanical Garden) to find enthusiasts wh

Year-Round Vegetable Gardening in Georgia: Multiple Plantings

Georgias long season allows 2–3 summer plantings plus spring/fall cool-season crops. Nearly every month offers harvest potential. Free UGA Extension guide Home Vegetable Gardening in Georgia (1-800-ASKUGA-1) details sche

Correcting Lawn Watering Practices to Prevent Runoff

Watering midday to avoid standing water is misguided. Instead: Water deeply once weekly (if no rain). Install rain sensor on irrigation system. Split cycle: two morning runs with 1-hour soak between. Water before noon

Rosemary: The Ideal Full-Sun Container Evergreen

For an 18-inch decorative pot in full sun, rosemary is perfect. Upright (Athens Blue Spires, Tuscan Blue, Arp) or trailing types work. Even better: a rosemary topiary. Pair with thyme for trailing edge. Both need fast dr

Three-Pronged Strategy for Dallisgrass Control

Dallisgrass requires persistent, integrated management: Optimize turf: Correct mowing height and fertilization. Spot-treat: Glyphosate on clumps (shield desirable grass). Pre-emergent: Apply annually in March to block

Converting Bermudagrass to Zoysiagrass by Plugging

Zoysiagrass slowly but surely outcompetes bermudagrass. A neighbors zoysia patch expanded from 1 ft to 15 ft diameter in 14 years. Plant 3-inch Meyer zoysia plugs 12 inches apart in May; expect full conversion in ~5 year

Disease-Resistant American Chestnut: Progress and Availability

The American Chestnut Foundation is developing blight-resistant trees 99% American chestnut. Disease-resistant seeds are available to donors. Other sources like Empire Chestnuts offer hybrid chestnuts. Full reintroductio

Norfolk Island Pine Bark Damage: Can It Survive?

Bark removal destroys the cambium layer that transports water. If a dog ate the bark around the trunk, the plant will likely die within weeks. No treatment can reconnect severed vascular tissue. Prevention Spray trunk w

Groundcover Alternatives to Grass: Beyond Clover

Crimson clover is an annual that dies in summer; subterranean clover reseeds better but also dies in heat. Neither provides year-round cover. Better shade options: Green n Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum Eco Lacquered Sp

When to Harvest Pears: The Firmness Test

Unlike most fruit, pears ripen off the tree. Pick when: Flesh yields slightly to thumb pressure (firm as a softball). Color shifts from bright green to yellow-green. Skin dots (lenticels) turn from white to brown. Rip

Growing Cockscomb Celosia from Saved Seed

Celosia has three flower forms: feathery plumosa, spiky spicata, and brain-like cristata (cockscomb). Save seed from bouquets, store cool and dry. Sow in spring when nights stay above 55°F in full sun.

Managing Butterfly Bush Size: Pruning Limits and Alternatives

Butterfly bush (Buddleia) grows 10+ feet if unpruned. Hard pruning to 8 inches yields 6-foot regrowth in one season. Constant pruning removes flower buds. Dwarf Nanho series still reach 6 feet. Realistic Options Move c

Cicada Damage on Oak Trees: Temporary Tip Dieback

Dying leaf tips on North Georgia oaks in summer are likely from 17-year cicada egg-laying in June. Females insert eggs into small branches, causing tip death. No long-term harm occurs; its a natural, periodic event.

Fertilizing Plum Trees: Calcium Nitrate Alternatives

Calcium nitrate is recommended for plums because it doesnt acidify soil. Hard to find locally; available online. Practical alternative: March: 1 cup 10-10-10 per year of tree age (max 10 cups). August: 1 cup 10-10-10 p

Blossom End Rot in Container Tomatoes: Causes and Fixes

Black, sunken bottoms on container tomatoes indicate blossom end rot — a calcium uptake issue caused by fluctuating moisture and heat in limited soil volume. In-ground plants avoid this with better moisture buffering. C

Controlling Wax Scale on Gardenia

White, waxy bumps on gardenia branches are wax scale insects. Females lay eggs in March; crawlers emerge in May. Two-part control: Now: Pick off and destroy all visible adults. June: Spray with carbaryl (Sevin) or hort

Canning Pears: Resources for Home Preservation

Pears and other fruits are easily canned using a water bath canner and Mason jars. Rather than detailing steps, consult University of Georgia Extensions free, research-based publications on fruit preservation for safe, t

Growing Iris from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide

Collect iris seeds as pods open. Use 1-gallon pots with 1:1 potting soil and ground pine bark. Sow 40 seeds per pot, cover with 1 inch soil, water, and mulch heavily. Place near a water source. Timeline Water weekly in

Rejuvenating Leggy Ligustrum with Hard Pruning

Ligustrum thats bare at the bottom and dense at the top suffers from self-shading. Cutting the top wider than the base worsens this. Solution: cut back to 6–12 inches in late February. Regrowth Strategy New shoots emer