Acorn Weevils: The Tiny Larvae in Your Acorns

Life Cycle Acorn weevils overwinter in soil, emerge mid-summer. Females bore holes in acorns to lay eggs. Larvae feed inside until autumn, then emerge after acorns fall. Testing Acorns Float test: infested acorns float;

Bougainvillea Goldenraintree: A Pink-Podded Beauty

Identification Tree with compound leaves like pecan/walnut and hundreds of watermelon-pink triangular seed pods is bougainvillea goldenraintree (Koelreuteria bipinnata). Ornamental Value The pink seed capsules create a

Controlling Bahiagrass in Fescue Lawns

Options DIY: Light applications of MSMA or CAMA crabgrass killer for 1–2 years gives fair control. Professional: Lawn services can apply metsulfuron (Blade, Manor) for excellent control.

Growing Osage Orange from Seed: Simple Bucket Method

Seed Preparation Collect fruit (hedge apples) and store in a drained bucket outdoors until spring. The fruit will partially rot, softening enough to sift out seeds in April. Planting Sow seeds ½ inch deep in a sunny spo

Hyacinth Container Planting: Timing and Cold Treatment

When to Plant Plant pre-chilled hyacinth bulbs in containers as soon as nighttime temperatures drop below 50°F. Add pansies for color until spring. The bulbs will bloom in sequence from late winter through April or May.

Zoysiagrass Winter Fertilization: Question the November Application

Red Flags A lawn company wants to apply pre-emergent + non-nitrogen fertilizer for root growth in November. This contradicts standard advice against fertilizing zoysia in fall. What to Ask Request university research s

Tree Identification Resources: Website and Book for Georgia

Online Tool The National Arbor Day Foundation offers a tree identification key with color photos of leaves, bark, and more. Recommended Book Trees of Georgia and Adjacent States—includes pictures of leaves, stems, bark,

Mosquito Biology: Why Only Females Bite

Male vs. Female Diet Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar; their mouthparts cannot pierce skin. Females require blood meals to develop eggs. Males live a few days to a week; females live 2–3 weeks.

Viburnum 'Winterthur': The Showstopper Shrub

The Plant That Wows Experts The viburnum that elicits oohs and aahs from horticulturists is Winterthur—a standout for its beauty and performance.

Lemongrass Winter Care in Georgia: Best Bet Is a Sheltered Outdoor Spot

Indoor Struggles West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is hard to keep alive indoors over winter. Recommended Approach Plant the clump in a sheltered outdoor location (e.g., southeast side of house, well-mulched)

Snake Identification: Black Rat Snake on Your Deck

Likely ID A black snake 12 feet up on a deck is almost certainly a rat snake—harmless and excellent for rodent control. They are skilled climbers. Legal Note All non-venomous snakes in Georgia are protected by law. Kill

Kombi Shovel: Specialty Tool Available by Special Order

Where to Buy The Kombi shovel, recommended for tough digging, is sold only by special order from Carolyn Krueger: hbirdhollow@verizon.net.

Air Spade Alternative for Homeowners: Not Practical

No Good DIY Version The air spade uses compressed air to excavate roots without damage. A hose makes a mess; a pressure washer makes an even bigger mess. Theres no practical homeowner equivalent—hire a professional if ne

Bulbs Planted Upside-Down? No Problem—Tropism Saves Them

Why Theyll Still Grow Plants exhibit tropisms—growth responses to stimuli. Foliage is negatively geotropic (grows away from gravity), so leaves emerge upward regardless of bulb orientation. Roots are positively geotropic

Daylily Seed Propagation: Collecting, Drying, and Sowing

Seed Collection When seed pods split at the tip, collect seeds within days. Dry in a cool, dry place (air-conditioned house works) for a couple of weeks until shriveled. Store in paper envelopes in plastic boxes, cool an

Split Bradford Pear: Why You Should Replace, Not Repair

Assessment A 15-year-old Bradford pear split during hurricane remnants. While the nursery advises against painting the wound, the expert disagrees with keeping the tree. Bradford pears are prone to repeated splitting; th

Blackberry Planting: Fence vs. Arbor and Variety Selection

Training blackberries on fences complicates pruning. Better: build a 2-wire arbor 6 ft from fence. Recommended varieties: Gem, Arapaho, Black Satin. Free UGA pamphlet available (800-ASKUGA-1).

Indoor Cricket Control for Event Preparation

Crickets hitchhiked in on potted ferns. Fix: 1) Spray ferns outdoors with permethrin/bifenthrin, keep out 1 week. 2) Place sticky traps with night lights indoors to catch stragglers.

Fescue Failure Over Ground Stumps: Nitrogen Tie-Up

Grass dies over ground stumps because decay fungi consume soil nitrogen. Fix by adding extra fertilizer (pint of 10-10-10 per 10-ft circle) at planting to feed both grass and decomposers.

Choosing the Right Winter Fertilizer for Pansies: Nitrate Nitrogen

Pansies absorb nitrate nitrogen best in cold soil. Sodium nitrate (nitrate of soda) works but adds sodium, which compacts clay soils. Use only on sandy/compost-rich beds at 0.6 lb/100 sq ft. Better: buy dedicated pansy f