Seed Cane (Sugar Cane) in South Georgia: Needs Long Season, Sandy Soil

Seed cane is a mature sugar cane stalk with buds for propagation. Historically grown in south Georgia for syrup. Needs sandy soil, regular feeding, long season, adequate water. May not survive winter in cooler areas. If

Mulching Leaves with Mower: Suppresses Dandelions, No Thatch Increase

Michigan study: mulched leaves suppressed dandelions 84%. Pennsylvania study: no negative effect on ryegrass quality, growth, or thatch. As long as wet leaf mats dont smother grass, mowing leaves in place is beneficial.

Carolina Allspice Fragrance Varies: Buy in Bloom, Choose Named Cultivars

Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) fragrance varies widely. Buy when flowering to select scented plants. Athens and Michael Lindsey are reliably fragrant. Nothing improves scent post-planting.

Blueberry Cross-Pollination: Choose Southern Highbush or Rabbiteye

Chippewa is a northern variety needing more chill hours than Georgia provides. ONeal is a Southern highbush, self-pollinating but yields larger berries with a partner like Blue Ridge or Star. Rabbiteye varieties (Alapaha

Relocating Bedding Plants During Construction: Heeling In

Dig a 2-ft wide, 6-inch deep trench. Place plants side-by-side at original soil depth, crowding slightly if needed. Backfill with native soil, water thoroughly. Plants (iris, daylily, coneflower, bellflower, jonquil) wil

Propagating 'Winter King' Hawthorn from Seed: Double Dormancy

Hawthorn seeds are doubly dormant, needing two years of warm/cold cycles. Collect berries, soak to remove pulp, plant 100 seeds 1 inch deep in a sunny 2x2 ft bed, cover with chicken wire. Expect ~20% germination after tw

Fruit-Bearing Cherry Trees in Atlanta: Sour Cherries Only

Sweet cherries fail in Atlanta due to winter temperature swings and late frosts. Sour cherries like Montmorency, Stella, North Star may succeed in sheltered spots with minimal fertilizer. One gardener reports increasing

Pine Needle Drop: Temperature Swings and Summer Drought

Green pine needles falling in late fall result from weak abscission layers formed during summer drought, then sudden temperature swings (30°F in 24 hours) causing water-filled needles to become heavy and drop. If canopy

Canna Lily Spread: Controlled by Moisture and Edging

A canna lily planted lakeside spread to 6x10 feet. Cannas thrive in constant moisture (like old washer drainage). They wont aggressively invade drier garden areas. If they spread too far, chop stems at the edge.

Dividing and Replanting Outdoor Amaryllis in Spring

Best time to divide hardy amaryllis (Hippeastrum x johnsonii) is spring when green shoots emerge. Dig clump, separate tennis-ball-sized or larger bulbs, leave smaller ones attached. Plant in sunny, protected spot, fertil

Creating Wildlife Habitat: Food, Water, Shelter

After removing tall pines, plant wildlife-friendly trees and shrubs: wax myrtle, serviceberry, holly, juniper, elderberry, viburnum. Crabapples like Prairiefire, Dolgo, Molten Lava, Donald Wyman are excellent. Add a smal

Southeastern Flower Show Skipped 2012, Returns 2013 for 25th Anniversary

The Southeastern Horticulture Society skipped the 2012 show to focus on the 25th anniversary show in late February or early March 2013. Exact dates at www.Flowershow.org.

Preventing Tree Roots in Raised Beds: Root Barriers

Tree roots invade raised beds annually. For annual beds, remove roots during replanting. For perennials, water more during drought. Best long-term: install a root barrier—aluminum flashing or fiberglass buried 18 inches

Meyer Lemon Spider Mites: Blast with Water, Then Oil Spray

Spider mites on indoor Meyer lemon: on a warm day, take plant outside and blast leaves/stems with strong water stream to dislodge mites. Then spray monthly with horticultural oil (neem oil) to suffocate survivors. More e

Selling or Donating a Large Oak Tree: Difficult but Possible

Selling a healthy oak is hard: firewood vendors have existing suppliers; flooring mills fear metal in trunks; woodworkers might want burls but are hard to find. Try advertising with photos on Highland Hardwares bulletin

Growing Persimmon from Seed: Male or Female, Consider Oriental Varieties

Planting a persimmon seed yields a tree, but sex is unknown for years—only females fruit. For reliable fruit, plant Oriental persimmons like Fuyu, Jiro, or Hana Fuyu, which are self-pollinating and non-astringent even wh

Fertilizing Pansies with Oatmeal: Impractical Nitrogen Source

Oatmeal contains protein (nitrogen), but soil organisms must break it down first—in cold soil, theyre inactive. Commercial fertilizer is far more practical. Eat oatmeal for breakfast; feed pansies proper plant food.

Nightshade Family and Arthritis: Tomatoes, Potatoes, Peppers, Eggplant

The nightshade (Solanum) family includes tobacco, jimson weed, angel trumpet, belladonna, and edible crops: tomato, eggplant, pepper, Irish potato. Some chemicals in these plants may affect arthritis in sensitive individ

Montauk Daisy Cuttings: Overwinter in Pots or Transplant

Rooted Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum) cuttings going dormant: if roots fill pots, transplant to sheltered outdoor spot for winter, then permanent location in spring. If roots are small, keep indoors. Once esta

Lemongrass Winter Care: Freeze Stalks for Cooking, Replant in Spring

Lemongrass (Andropogon citratus) is perennial in south Georgia but dies in Atlanta winters. Indoor overwintering is difficult. Best: remove leaves, chop fragrant white stalks, freeze in airtight jars for winter cooking.