Why Container Drainage Water Turns Brown

Q: My older resin containers release yellowish-brown water when deeply watered. Are the containers breaking down? A: The containers arent degrading. The discoloration comes from decomposing potting soil and plant roots r

Carpenter Bees: Pollinators or Nectar Thieves?

Q: Are carpenter bees good pollinators? Some sources say yes, others say theyre not very beneficial. A: Their pollination value is questionable. They do pollinate large, open flowers like sunflowers, but they often rob n

Do Shrubs Really Soak Up Excess Ground Water?

Q: My townhomes ground floor is damp. I need a small, shade-tolerant bush that will absorb water from the soil. A: Plants dont actually soak up water from an area to dry it out. While some species tolerate wet roots, the

Substituting Urea Fertilizer with Milorganite

Q: I sent a soil sample to the Georgia Extension office. They recommend 46-0-0 fertilizer for my lawn, but I cant find it anywhere. Can I use Milorganite instead? A: Yes, Milorganite (5-2-0) works as a substitute for ure

Small Holly Replacements: Beyond 'Helleri' for Compact Spaces

Your Helleri holly outgrew its space—no surprise, as this cultivar reaches 6 feet tall despite being marketed as dwarf. For truly compact hollies, consider these superior alternatives. Top Compact Holly Selections Ilex

Controlling Grassy Weeds in Dwarf Mondo Grass

Two years after planting dwarf mondo grass sprigs 4 inches apart, grassy weeds have invaded the bare spaces between plants. Heres how to tackle them without harming your groundcover. Selective Herbicide Options Sethoxyd

Crape Myrtle Freeze Damage: To Prune or Wait?

After a freeze, your crape myrtle shows brown, wilted shoots on top but green growth below. Resist the urge to prune immediately—patience pays off. Why Waiting Works Even with brown leaves, the buds beneath may survive.

Using Pool Water for Irrigation: Safe for Plants?

Wondering if you can water your sugar maples and bermudagrass with swimming pool water? The short answer: yes, its generally safe. Chlorine Levels Compared Pool water typically contains 1-3 parts per million (ppm) of ch

Deadheading Dianthus: How to Encourage Repeat Blooms

Your dianthus put on a beautiful show, but now the spent blossoms have turned brown. Should you remove them? Yes—and the technique matters for future flowers. Precision Deadheading for More Blooms Examine the base of ea

Growing Azaleas in Containers: Best Varieties and Care Tips

Yes, azaleas can thrive in containers! While you may not see them often in pots, many compact varieties are perfectly suited for container culture. Choosing the Right Variety Select smaller-growing types by checking the

Tree Wound Care: Why Chain Oil and Other Sealants Harm More Than Help

After a tree service damaged healthy trees during a removal job, they claimed rubbing chain oil on the wounds was the best treatment. This advice is not only wrong—its harmful. The Science Against Wound Sealants Multipl

Giant Mimosa Tree: Unusually Large Specimen Raises Questions

Spotting a mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) towering 60 feet above the forest canopy is a remarkable sight. While impressive, such massive specimens are unusual—and they wont earn champion tree status in Georgia. Why T

Creating a Thriving Thyme Lawn: Essential Planting Tips

Moving from Florida to Athens and dreaming of a fragrant thyme lawn? With the right preparation, creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) can flourish in your new Georgia landscape. The key to success lies in understanding thym

No Tomatoes Native to Georgia—Embrace Global Diversity

Tomato (S. America), okra (S. Asia), asparagus (Mediterranean), apple (C. Asia), cucumber (India). Turfgrasses: fescue (Europe), zoysia (Korea), bermuda (Asia), centipede (China). Hollies: yaupon/American native; Burford

St. Augustine Cold Hardiness in France

Raleigh and Mercedes are most cold-hardy St. Augustine cultivars—similar tolerance. France: north = bluegrass/fescue; central = zoysia/cool-season; south = bermuda/zoysia/St. Augustine.

Hand-Pollinating Meyer Lemon for Better Fruit Set

Meyer lemon self-pollinates but helps to assist. When pollen darkens (mature), transfer with paper-towel matchstick from anthers to stigma. Repeat daily during bloom. Tiny lemon forms in days.

Rabbit Manure: High Nitrogen, Use Sparingly

most manures in N. Dig 2 trench 4 from plant, add ¼ cup pellets, cover. Large tomatoes: ½ cup monthly. No composting needed if used lightly.

Compost Ratios: Don't Overthink the 30:1 Rule

30:1 C:N is ideal but nature decomposes any mix. Layer brown/green debris, add manure, let microbes work. Harvest when original ingredients unrecognizable. Need 1–3 compost tilled 10 deep for impact.

Hydrangea Pruning Window: Now Through Early Summer

Cut back to just above a leaf pair. Can cut into old wood. Blooms fade now—perfect time to reduce size before next years buds form.

Don't Remove Squash Leaves—They Feed the Plant

Green leaves photosynthesize. Removing them reduces energy for fruit. No benefit to stripping foliage.