Fertilizing 'Beauregard' Sweet Potatoes: Medium Feeder Schedule

UGAs Bob Westerfield classes sweet potatoes as medium feeders. At planting: 15-20 lbs 10-10-10 per 1000 sq ft. Three weeks later: 15 lbs 12-4-8 per 1000 sq ft. Four weeks after that: another 15 lbs 12-4-8. Protect from d

Greenhouse Citrus Pollination: No Bees Needed

Citrus (lemon, orange, kumquat) self-pollinate; they just need vibration. Shake plants occasionally or touch flower clusters with an electric toothbrush for excellent fruit set indoors.

Fall Vegetable Planting Calendar: Turnips, Mustard, Beets, Radishes

Plant fall crops Aug 15 – mid-September. Sow before a predicted rain for ideal germination. Full planting calendar and UGA publications at bit.ly/UGAgardening.

Hens and Chicks: Mother Plant Dies After Flowering

Its normal for the hen to die after flowering (usually at a few years old). The chicks (offsets) are the future. Plant each chicks base in gritty, well-drained soil in full sun. Theyll produce their own offsets.

Honeycrisp Apple Seeds: Not GMO, Will Grow Normally

Only two GMO apples exist: Arctic Gold and Arctic Granny (non-browning). Honeycrisp is not GMO. Your sprouted seedlings will grow normally. Note: most US corn/soy is GMO, so avoiding GMO-derived foods is difficult.

Preventing Rat Snakes from Dying in Deer Netting

Snakes and birds often fatally tangle in netting. Line the bottom of deer fencing with solid boards to block snake entry. This simple barrier prevents the tragedy.

Identifying the Giant Black Grasshopper: Lubber

Thats a lubber grasshopper. Color varies from black to yellow as they mature. Tiny wings mean they crawl and hop clumsily (lub). They eat crinum, pokeweed, veggies. Hand-picking is best control.

Watering New Bermuda Sod: Correct Schedule

Five minutes twice daily is useless after the first week. Transition to one deep watering (1 inch) per week. Measure your systems output to know runtime. Never water at 7 PM—prolonged wetness causes fungus. Water after 7

Gift Hydrangea 'White Robe': Likely a Florist Type

White Robe is a florist hydrangea, bred for indoor display, not garden hardiness. Its flower buds are tender and often killed by Atlanta winters. Plant in morning sun/afternoon shade and hope for the best, but expect inc

Fertilizing Houseplants: Skip 10-10-10, Use Specialty Formula

10-10-10 is too concentrated for pots and risks root burn. Use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer instead—its formulated for container safety.

Planting St. Augustine Grass in August: Use Sod Squares

August is late for sprigging St. Augustine. Instead, buy sod, chop into 2-inch squares, and plant 12 inches apart. Runners may not root well before winter. Warm weather planting of rooted pieces works best.

Flat Butter Beans Indicate Poor Pollination

Flat pods mean inadequate pollination. Butterbeans self-pollinate but attract bees with nectar; cross-pollination by bees improves set. Next year, plant multiple bean varieties and pollinator-friendly flowers nearby.

Saving Heirloom Tomato Seeds: Fermentation Method

Scoop seeds from a ripe tomato, cover with water in a jar. In a few days, white mold forms. Add warm water, shake, let settle. Viable seeds sink; mold floats. Pour off debris, dry seeds on a paper plate. Store cool and d

Late August Too Late for Zoysia Seed: Use Ryegrass Nurse Crop

Late August is too late for slow-spreading zoysia seed. Instead, plant annual ryegrass in September. In late April, spray with glyphosate to kill rye, till in early May, and seed Zenith zoysia. Tilling is essential for g

Growing Lavender Near Atlanta: Best Varieties and Soil

Lavender thrives in fast-draining soil and mild summers. Near Atlanta, try Provence lavender planted in 1:1 native soil and expanded slate (PermaTill). New Phenomenal lavender reportedly handles heat and humidity even be

Treating Take-All Root Rot with Peat Moss

Take-all patch affects all warm-season grasses. Lower soil surface pH by applying a ½-inch layer of Canadian peat moss over dead spots (1 bale per 1000 sq ft). Break it up, spread evenly, mow first, water in. The acidic

What Dug Up That Yellow Jacket Nest?

A 3-inch hole in a yellow jacket nest in autumn suggests a predator digging for larvae: raccoon, fox, armadillo, or skunk. No action needed—just fill the hole with soil.

UGA Extension: Your Best Source for Fruit Tree Info

The University of Georgia Extension offers hundreds of free, downloadable publications on fruit trees (apple, peach, cherry, plum) covering pruning, fertilizing, and yields. Search at bit.ly/UGApubs.

Distinguishing Wild Strawberries from Mock Strawberries

Leaves look similar. Wait for flowers: mock strawberry (Potentilla indica) has yellow flowers; edible strawberry (Fragaria spp.) has white flowers. Pull the yellow-flowered weeds.

Variegation Reversion in Spiderwort and Heuchera

Variegation loss is usually genetic reversion—mutant cells revert to the stronger, more photosynthetic green form. Its evolutionarily favored. Manage by clipping out green shoots at the base and providing optimal care to