Aerating and Liming Bermuda: Timing Matters

Lime can be applied any time, but aeration of bermudagrass should wait until the lawn is at least 50% green—usually late April in Georgia. Aerating dormant or semi-dormant grass damages crowns and invites weeds. You can

Is Treated Lumber Safe for Raised Vegetable Beds?

Modern pressure-treated lumber uses alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or micronized copper azole (MCA), which are far less toxic than the old chromated copper arsenate (CCA). Research indicates minimal leaching into soil,

Where to Buy Metal Plant Label Holders

Durable metal label holders (copper or zinc) with wire legs are available at most local nurseries. For online convenience, two reliable suppliers are MetalGardenMarkers.com and EverlastLabel.com. These holders last for y

Squirrel in the Attic: Why Repellents Fail and What Works

Home remedies like cedar oil, garlic, cayenne pepper, mothballs, ultrasonic devices, and radios are largely ineffective for evicting squirrels from an attic. Mothballs are especially dangerous—their vapors are toxic to h

Testing Old Seed Viability with the Paper Towel Method

Before planting leftover seeds from a seed club or previous years, test their germination rate. Place five seeds on a damp paper towel, roll it up, seal in a plastic bag, and set in a warm spot (top of the refrigerator w

Affordable Tree Seedlings from the Georgia Forestry Commission

For large-scale planting, the Georgia Forestry Commission offers inexpensive tree seedlings. Orders open after July 1st for pickup at local Forestry Commission offices in December. This is an economical way to establish

Alabama Jumper Earthworms: Will They Aerate Red Clay?

The Alabama jumper (Amynthas gracilus) is a non-native earthworm heavily marketed for deep burrowing in clay. However, earthworms need oxygen, and heavy, wet clay is a poor environment for them. They are unlikely to esta

Protecting Peaches: Netting for Birds and Squirrel Strategies

Bird netting is effective for keeping birds off peach trees, but it requires daily checks to release any birds that become entangled. Use small scissors to carefully cut them free. The bigger challenge is squirrels. They

Where to Buy Heirloom Tomato Plants Near Washington County

Heirloom tomato plants are increasingly available at local farmers markets, independent garden centers, and hardware stores in spring. For the widest selection, including rare varieties, online suppliers are an excellent

Can Bottlebrush Survive Atlanta Winters?

Bottlebrush (Callistemon) is a stunning Australian native, but its cold hardiness is marginal in the Atlanta area. Landscapers report frequent winter damage north of the city. However, the cultivar Woodlanders Hardy, sel

Shade Plants for Color Under a Bradford Pear

Grass struggles under the dense shade of a Bradford pear, but many ornamental plants thrive there. Excellent choices for color and texture include fatsia, Japanese painted fern, variegated Solomons seal, hosta, Lenten ro

Building Raised Vegetable Beds: Plans and Soil Mix

Raised beds simplify vegetable gardening by improving drainage, allowing custom soil blends, and reducing compaction. A practical design uses 2x6 lumber to create beds 3 feet wide (for easy reach) and 8 feet long. For th

Weeds After Aeration and Overseeding Fescue: What to Do

Seeing a flush of weeds after aerating and overseeding fescue in fall is common. The aeration process brings dormant weed seeds to the surface where they germinate alongside the new grass. If the weeds are broadleaf type

Lime Application for Zoysia Grass: Test First, Then Apply

All lawn grasses, including zoysia, perform best when soil pH is in the optimal range (typically 6.0–6.5). If the soil is too acidic, fertilizer nutrients become unavailable. Dont guess—get a soil test through your local

Using Lime and Gypsum When Planting Tomatoes

Garden lime adds calcium, which prevents blossom-end rot in tomatoes, and raises soil pH. However, you need very little—about one tablespoon per planting hole. Too much lime can raise pH excessively, locking up other nut

Should You Add Sand After Aerating a Bermuda Lawn?

Adding sand after aeration is a common practice, but experts advise against it for improving drainage in clay soil. To make a measurable difference, you would need to spread one to two inches of sand over the entire lawn

Fertilizing Fescue: Understanding Rates and Slow-Release Options

The recommendation to fertilize fescue three to four times a year is based on delivering a specific amount of actual nitrogen—typically one pound per 1,000 square feet per application. The fertilizer analysis determines

Dung Beetles for Dog Waste: A Reality Check

While dung beetles are famous for cleaning up cow pastures, using them for dog waste in a residential yard is not straightforward. You can collect beetles from a cow pasture (look under fresh patties), but there are doze

Pruning Chinese Photinia: Timing and Technique to Avoid Disease

Chinese photinia (Photinia serrulata) is a close relative of the popular red-tip photinia and shares its susceptibility to a devastating leaf spot disease (Entomosporium). This disease spreads rapidly in wet conditions,

Planting Cumberland False Rosemary in the Atlanta Area

Cumberland false rosemary (Conradina verticillata) is a lovely native shrub that naturally grows in sandy soils along stream banks. To succeed with it in the Atlanta area, mimic those conditions. Choose a site with morni