Planting Ponderosa Pine Seedlings: Why Georgia Isn't Ideal Habitat

If youve received a small ponderosa pine seedling and are wondering whether to plant it now or store it in a cool garage until spring, the answer is clear: plant it outdoors immediately. However, dont be surprised if it

Understanding and Managing Gummosis on Stone Fruit Trees

Gummosis—excessive sap flow on peach, cherry, or plum trunks—is usually caused by bacterial or fungal canker entering through wounds or poor pruning cuts. The tree exudes gum to seal the infection. No spray cures it; the

Pre-Emergent Herbicides Work on Coastal Georgia Lawns Despite Myths

A lawn service claimed pre-emergents dont work on St. Simons Island because it doesnt get cold enough. This is false. Several pre-emergents are effective when applied in late February. The service may lack a commercial p

Transplanting Crape Myrtle Root Sprouts Successfully

Crape myrtle sprouts (suckers) are connected to the mother tree by a thick root and have few roots of their own. To transplant: dig beside a sprout, sever the connecting root with pruners, and leave it in place until nex

Why New Homes Have a Pine Straw Buffer Along the Foundation

The pine straw strip between the house and sod is a termite protection zone. Liquid termiticides are applied in a trench against the foundation; disturbing this zone (by planting, mulching, or digging) can create a bridg

Finding Reliable Poisonous Plant Resources for Georgia

No single book covers only Georgias poisonous plants, but the UGA Extension publication Poisonous Plants in the Landscape (free via 1-800-ASKUGA-1) is excellent. Online, the UGA Extension website has color photos of comm

How to Ferment Tomato Seeds for Saving and Replanting

Tomato seeds are coated in a gel that inhibits germination. Fermentation removes it. Scoop seeds into a jar, add water, and wait 3–4 days until mold forms. Then fill the jar, shake, and let settle. Viable seeds sink; deb

Will Cut Bamboo Canes Root If Used as Garden Stakes?

Green bamboo canes stood upright (as teepee poles) will not root. They may root only if laid horizontally on moist soil, partially buried. To prevent any chance, use fully dried, brown canes or burn the cut ends. Bamboo

Using a Pump with Rain Barrels: Pressure and Volume Limits

To run a sprinkler from rain barrels, you need a pump delivering at least 30 psi—typically a $200+ direct-drive model with a pressure switch. Two 55-gallon barrels hold only 110 gallons, enough for about 160 sq ft at 1 i

Controlling Tuliptree Scale on Yellow Poplar

Blackened leaves and bumps on twigs indicate tuliptree scale (Toumeyella liriodendri). The bumps are female scales sucking sap; their honeydew excretion grows sooty mold. Control requires two steps: spray crawlers in fal

Invasive Microstegium (Japanese Stiltgrass) May Reduce Tick Populations

A study in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stiltgrass) invasion correlates with higher tick mortality for American dog ticks and lone star ticks. The dense grass may alter mic

Chinese Tallow Tree: Invasive "Popcorn Tree" With Biodiesel Potential

Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) is a highly invasive volunteer tree. Seeds spread aggressively; roots sucker prolifically. Several Southern states list it as a noxious weed. The Good, Bad, and Ugly Bad: Displaces nat

Funnel Spider Webs in Junipers: Beneficial, Not a Problem

Hundreds of funnel webs in junipers = recent spider hatch. Spiderlings build webs immediately to catch first meals. Most die; survivors control spider mites and other juniper pests. Why So Many? One egg sac = dozens of s

Ground Cherry Identification: Wild Tomatillo Relative

Your woodland edge plant is ground cherry (Physalis spp.), close kin to tomatillo (P. philadelphica) and tomato. Papery husk encloses marble-sized fruit. Identification Lantern-like inflated calyx (husk) around fruit. F

Smooth Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea): Beautiful Berries, Rotten Smell

Blue-black berry clusters on a thornless vine with grape-like leaves in October = smooth carrion flower (Smilax herbacea). Key Traits Dioecious: male/female plants; only females fruit. Flowers smell like carrion—attract

Rotten Egg Smell in Houseplants: Overwatering Diagnosis

Sulfurous rotten egg smell = anaerobic soil bacteria from chronic overwatering. Repotting with fresh soil wont help if watering habits dont change. The Cause Multiple people watering just in case keeps soil saturated. Ox

Compost Tumblers: Low Yield, High Effort

Compost tumblers sound great but underdeliver: hard to turn when half-full, poor mixing, small yield (20% of input volume). A 55-gallon drum half-filled yields ~1 shoebox of compost. Better Alternative: Static Pile Minim

Converting Fescue to Centipedegrass: Kill Fescue First

Overseeding centipedegrass into living fescue fails—fescue outcompetes slow-starting centipede seedlings. Complete renovation is required. Step-by-Step Conversion Mid-April: Spray fescue with glyphosate. Wait 2 weeks, r

Georgia Tech Garden: Gold & White, Not Black & Gold

A reader wanted black mondo grass + yellow plants for Georgia Tech colors. Correction: Techs colors are White and Gold (per Ramblin Wreck fight song). This opens better plant options. White & Gold Plant Combo White: Whi

Georgia Erosion Law: Landscapers Need Certification

Georgia House Bill 285 requires certification in erosion/sediment control for anyone conducting land-disturbing activities—including landscapers installing seasonal beds, extending borders, or moving soil with a shovel.