Growing a Cinnamon Tree in a Container

You can grow true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) in a large container (half whiskey barrel) moved indoors for winter. Source a seedling online. Grow for two years with regular water and fertilizer. In year three, harvest ¼-

Composting 20-Year-Old Beans and Popcorn

Old dry beans and popcorn can be composted. Crush them into pieces (not flour, which can cake) and layer thinly with leaves—alternate a layer of beans/corn with 2 inches of leaves. Dampen every few layers. Turn the pile

Don't Double Up Pre-Emergents: One Application Works

Halts and LESCO 0-0-7 both contain pendimethalin. Applying them together is just a double dose—wasteful and unnecessary. A single application at the labeled rate, watered in and timed correctly (when forsythia blooms), g

Christmas Cactus Bud Drop: Causes and Fixes

Bud drop on Christmas cactus is usually caused by low humidity or hot, dry air from a furnace vent. Move the plant away from heat sources. In summer, place it outdoors in bright shade. Bring it back inside when nights dr

Growing Southern Magnolias in Germany

Germanys hardiness zones run north-south. Eastern Germany (Zone 6) is like the NC mountains; western Germany is like north Georgia. For southern Germany, cold-hardy cultivars like Edith Bogue or Brackens Brown Beauty hav

Permanent Outdoor Plant Labels: The P-Touch System

Ink markers fade in sun within months. The most durable system is a Brother P-Touch label maker with laminated tape, paired with flat metal label holders (copper or zinc) on wire legs. This combination lasts for years in

Centipede Grass pH at 6.5: Should You Lower It?

Established centipedegrass tolerates a pH of 6.5 well, even though it prefers more acidic soil. Forcing a rapid pH drop can stress the grass. Instead, let it decline naturally over a couple of years by using acidifying f

Crabgrass Control in the Vegetable Garden

For crabgrass in a vegetable garden, use a pre-emergent containing trifluralin (such as Monterey Vegetable Weeder). Applied according to label directions after seeding or transplanting, it prevents crabgrass germination

Apple Serviceberry: A Great Native Tree for Georgia

Apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora), especially the cultivar Autumn Brilliance, is an excellent native choice for Georgia. It offers showy white spring flowers, edible reddish-purple summer berries (loved by b

Should You Remove a Crape Myrtle That Stains Concrete?

If the seed pods from a crape myrtle stain your walkway and the tree is too close to the house, removal is a perfectly valid choice. Theres no shame in editing the landscape to suit your needs. Replace it with a small, c

Meyer Lemon Leaf Drop: Overwatering and Root Rot

White fuzzy growth on the soil surface is a fungus feeding on organic matter—a sure sign the soil stays too wet. Meyer lemons dropped leaves and flowers because the roots are rotting from overwatering. Water only when a

Dimension 2EW vs. Homeowner Pre-Emergents for Mulberry Weed

Dimension 2EW (dithiopyr) is a professional-grade, concentrated liquid pre-emergent labeled for mulberry weed. It is toxic to fish, expensive, and overkill for home landscapes. Homeowner products containing dithiopyr—lik

Host a Plant Dig Day Before a Teardown

If you have the right to salvage plants before a property is demolished, organize a first come, first served dig day. Start by making a detailed inventory: quantities, sizes, and variety names (e.g., 15 clumps of daffodi

Do All Vines Twine Counter-Clockwise?

Vine twining direction is not determined by hemisphere. It is a genetic trait of each species. Some vines twine clockwise, others counter-clockwise, and some can even reverse direction if obstructed. The mechanism is cir

Why Your Onions Only Produce Scallions

Onion bulbing is triggered by day length. Georgia requires short-day or intermediate-day varieties. Long-day onions (common in northern stores) will only produce green tops (scallions) here because our summer heat arrive

Peat Moss in Clay Soil: Why It Makes Mud, Not Drainage

Adding peat moss to heavy clay soil often backfires. Peat particles are microscopic and hold enormous amounts of water. Mixed with fine clay and silt, the result is a slick, slimy mud that drains poorly and compacts easi

Tree Pollen Allergies: Male Trees Aren't the Main Culprit

The idea that high pollen counts are caused by planting only male trees is a myth. Most tree species have perfect flowers (both sexes in one) or separate male/female flowers on the same tree. True dioecious species (sepa

Red Pepper in Bird Seed: A Squirrel Deterrent That Works

Research from Cornell University confirms that adding cayenne pepper to bird seed significantly reduces squirrel feeding without harming birds. Birds lack the receptors for capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot.

Fruit Tree Spray Schedule: Essential for Quality Harvests

Apples, peaches, and plums are magnets for insects and diseases. To get edible fruit, you must follow a spray schedule starting at bloom time. Both organic and synthetic options exist; the key is consistency and timing.

Medinilla Magnifica Care: Fixing Curling Leaves

Medinilla magnifica is a tropical Philippine shrub prized for its pendant pink flower clusters. Curling leaves usually indicate low humidity, cold drafts, or overwatering. In winter, keep it on a sunny windowsill away fr