Mosquito Control in a Seasonal Shallow Pond

A shallow pond that dries to puddles in summer becomes a mosquito nursery. Apply methoprene, an insect growth regulator, preemptively before the pond dries. It prevents larvae from maturing into biting adults and is labe

Remove Winter Covers From Hydrangeas and Figs Now

Covering hydrangeas and figs in February is overkill. They only need protection below 20°F. Uncover immediately when nights stay above 20°F. Prolonged covering causes heat damage or tender growth that freezes at 32°F.

Red-Shouldered Bugs: Harmless Goldenrain Tree Visitors

Red-shouldered bugs (not box elder bugs) congregate near goldenrain trees in March. Harmless; birds eat them. Leave alone.

Honey Mushroom Rhizomorphs Under Poplar Bark

White vine-like strands under bark are rhizomorphs of Armillaria mellea (honey mushroom). They spread between weakened trees. No cure; monitor tree health.

Black Streaks in Zoysia: Spring Thatch Decomposition

Black streaks in spring zoysia are fungi decomposing dead blades/thatch. No fungicide needed. Prevent by fertilizing after May 1, watering 1 inch weekly only when dry, mowing 1.5–2 inches weekly, and aerating in May.

Gardenia Deaths: Irrigation Missed the Root Ball

August-planted gardenias died because sprinkler water shed off the canopy, missing the root ball. Hand-water the root ball twice weekly in hot weather.

Japanese Maple Damaged by Falling Tree: Prune Stubs, Wait

A bounced pine tree smashed the back of a Japanese maple. Prune stubs cleanly, slice off loose bark, and wait. It may not regrow on that side but will have character.

Air Layering: Step-by-Step for Shrubs

Air layering roots a limb while still on the plant: scrape bark, apply rooting hormone, wrap with wet sphagnum moss, seal with plastic wrap and foil. Check for roots in 8 weeks, then cut and pot. Great for roses, camelli

Cranberries Won't Grow in Georgia's Heat

Cranberries require cool summers, cold winters, and constant root moisture. Georgia is too hot. See Tim Dalys article for details.

Sapsucker Holes Attract Insects to Fermenting Sap

Sapsucker holes bleed sap that ferments, attracting insects. Rain or a hose washes it away. The tree heals itself.

Native Azalea With Tiny Root Ball: Return or Baby It

A 3-gallon pot with a tiny root ball means the plant never established in the larger container. Return it for exchange. If keeping, amend planting hole heavily and water diligently.

Engorged Tick on Steps: Lone Star Tick

The beetle is a fully engorged lone star tick, dropped off after feeding to lay eggs. Remove carefully; dont crush.

Planting Three Dogwoods for a Multi-Color Clump

Plant white, pink, and red dogwoods in an 8-foot circle with trunks 18 inches apart in a triangle. Theyll fuse into a multi-colored mass. Loosen soil thoroughly. See UGA guide at bit.ly/UGAdogwoods.

Cleyera Decline: Shade and Pruning Invite Leaf Spot

Cleyera in deep shade with frequent top-pruning develops Entomosporium leaf spot on tender new growth. The disease spreads, and low light prevents recovery. Replace with loropetalum or a smaller shade-tolerant shrub.

Giant Indian Hawthorn With Leaf Spot: 'Majestic Beauty'

A 15-foot Indian hawthorn is likely Majestic Beauty, a large cultivar. Prune stubs cleanly, remove fallen leaves, mulch, spray with recommended fungicides (see links), fertilize with Holly-Tone, and hope for the best.

Clothes Moth Infestation: Bag, Vacuum, Monitor

Clothes moth larvae eat fabric. Empty the room, inspect every item, bag clean items in sealed plastic, vacuum thoroughly, then return bagged items. Check bags weekly for a month. Sprays and mothballs dont work.

Reviving a Declining Indoor Ivy

Low light is the usual cause. Repot in fresh soil, fertilize, and hang under a tree outdoors for a couple months. It should rebound dramatically.

Houseplant Leaf Spots: Fungal, Not Insect

Yellow halos around leaf notches indicate fungal disease, not insect feeding. Trim affected spots with alcohol-dipped scissors. Move plant outdoors for summer light to aid recovery.

Winged Elm Identified by Corky Wings

The oak with corky wings on branches is a winged elm (Ulmus alata), a fine native shade tree.

Water-Holding Tree Crotch: Don't Drill Drain Holes

A water-filled crotch in a multi-trunk magnolia is natural. The tree walls off the wet area. Drilling a drain hole invites rot fungi. Leave it alone; use a mosquito dunk if mosquitoes breed there.