DIY Sod Installation: Fall vs. Spring

Fall sodding works if soil preparation is thorough. Till in lime (if needed), rake smooth, and never lay sod on compacted soil. Water to keep sod and top inch of soil moist—not soggy. Do not fertilize. Deep roots prevent

Trapping Camel Crickets with Duct Tape

Camel crickets are easily caught on sticky surfaces. Make traps: staple 12-inch strips of duct tape (sticky side up) onto 12x12 cardboard squares to cover them completely. Place several along baseboards in the infested r

Overseeding Fescue in Cool Weather: Perfect Timing

With warm soil but cooling air, now is ideal for fescue overseeding. Fescue is a cool-season grass; it does most of its growing between now and April. Fertilize at seeding, then again in late November, mid-February, and

Grub Control: Why Doing Nothing Is Often Best

Grubs are annual pests—larvae of beetles like Japanese beetles and chafers. Those found now will become adults next summer and leave. Natural controls (predators, diseases) keep populations low in home lawns. Insecticide

Serviceberry: Managing the Shrubby Habit

Serviceberries (Amelanchier species) are naturally multi-stemmed, shrubby trees. Constantly removing basal shoots fights their genetics. If you want a single-trunk tree, youll need ongoing pruning. Accept the natural for

Why Winterizer Fertilizer Harms Bermudagrass

Applying winterizer to bermudagrass wastes money and risks cold damage. Bermuda starts storing root reserves in mid-September for spring green-up. High-nitrogen fertilizer (common in winterizers, e.g., 30-0-10) forces to

Mixing Fescue and Ryegrass for Winter Erosion Control

When soil temps are above 55°F, fescue alone germinates well—no rye needed. In cooler months (Dec-Feb), a mix can help: rye germinates fast as a nurse grass, but limit it to 40% of the blend. A ratio of 2 lbs rye + 3 lbs

River Rock vs. Mulch Around Trees

River rocks are a decorative choice, but they dont decompose to feed the soil like organic mulch. Weeds eventually grow between the stones, creating maintenance. Organic mulch (wood chips, pine straw) improves soil healt

Winter Pruning Dates for Southeast Georgia

In Southeast Georgia, winter pruning for beautyberry and crapemyrtle (both bloom on new wood) is best done in January and February, before spring growth begins. This is earlier than the December-March window typical for

'Green Giant' Arborvitae for Privacy Screening

Green Giant arborvitae is an excellent choice for a tall, fast-growing evergreen screen. It reaches heights to block second-story views, has attractive foliage, and is less prone to canker than Leyland cypress. For faste

Removing Stubborn Holly Bushes: Persistence Wins

Holly has an incredible will to survive. Glyphosate (Roundup) absorbs slowly and doesnt translocate well in holly. Even repeated applications may not kill it. Whether you pull with a truck or cut and treat the stump, exp

Yellow Jacket Nests: Why Multiple Entrance Holes?

Yellow jackets dont deliberately create multiple entrances for ventilation. UGA entomologist Paul Guillebeau explains they often nest in pre-existing cavities like rotted roots, which may have several openings by chance.

Evergreen Shade Trees for Middle Georgia: Pine is the Main Option

Few evergreens provide dense shade like a pine. For a front yard where summer cooling and winter sun are desired, deciduous trees are superior—they shade the house in summer but allow warming sunlight through bare branch

Planting Daffodils: Soil Prep Matters More Than Bulb Price

Success with daffodils hinges on soil preparation, not bulb cost. All bulbs demand fast-draining winter soil; cold, wet conditions cause rot. Amend planting holes with expanded shale (PermaTill, Soil Perfector) for drain

Disease-Resistant Climbing Roses from Bill Radler

Bill Radler, breeder of the Knock Out® series, has developed several climbing roses with strong disease resistance. Notable cultivars include Morning Magic™, Winners Circle, Ramblin Red, and Cancan. While personal experi

Pruning Leyland Cypress: Avoiding Brown Gaps

Leyland cypress does not regenerate green growth from old, brown wood. Pruning back three feet into the brown zone will leave permanent bare patches. Only cut back to a point where green shoots remain. The best time for

Winter Care for Blueberry Bushes

Blueberries are fully winter-hardy and need no cold protection. The real threat comes later: birds eating the fruit. A simple, effective solution is a cage made from 1¼-inch PVC pipe covered with bird netting, painted gr

Luffa Vine: Vigorous but Not Invasive in Cold Climates

Luffa gourds grow explosively in summer, potentially covering structures. However, they are reliably killed by winter cold in temperate zones, preventing invasiveness. The dried gourds are then harvested for sponges. Det

Using Wood Chips as Mulch: Best Practices

Wood chips excel as mulch under trees, shrubs, and on paths—apply 4 inches to settle to 2 inches. For future garden beds, a 12-inch layer left to decompose for two years creates rich, black soil. However, for flowers and

Why Not Overseed Centipede or St. Augustine with Ryegrass

Overseeding centipedegrass or St. Augustinegrass with ryegrass is not recommended. The fertilizer needed for ryegrass stimulates the warm-season turf, making it vulnerable to freeze damage. The ryegrass also traps winter