Kiwi Fruit Ripening Timeline and Harvest Tips

Kiwi fruit reach full size by August but dont mature until late October–November, when seeds turn black. Sugar content must reach 6% on the vine for full flavor. Fruit softens off the vine, but vine-ripened is best. Moni

Overwintering Abyssinian Banana: Protecting Large Specimens

The trunk of a banana is actually tightly rolled leaf sheaths protecting the true stem inside. Cutting back a 10-foot plant to fit a greenhouse damages the embryonic flower stalk. Best practice: Move smaller offsets to

Assessing Winter Damage on Container Witch Hazel

To check if a drought-stressed witch hazel is alive, scratch the bark with a thumbnail. Green tissue underneath indicates living cambium—theres hope for spring recovery. Brown, dry tissue means the branch is dead. The pl

Managing Invasive Goldenrain Tree Seedlings

Goldenrain trees produce abundant, lightweight seed pods that disperse widely. To reduce volunteers: Collect and dispose of as many pods as possible. Use a herbicide dabber: pack a sponge into a 4-foot PVC pipe, fill wi

Formosa Azalea Cold Hardiness in the Atlanta Area

Formosa azaleas have thrived in Atlanta gardens for decades. While warming trends help, sudden bitter cold snaps still occur. Plant in a site shielded from northwest winter winds, and ensure strong root establishment ove

Pollination Distance for Nellie Stevens Holly

Nellie Stevens holly requires a male pollinator (Edward Stevens) for heavy berry set. Since hollies are insect-pollinated, within flying distance is the practical guideline. In a typical residential landscape, placing th

Stone Pine Viability in East Cobb, Georgia

Stone pine (Pinus pinea), native to the Mediterranean, may survive in a protected East Cobb microclimate but faces winter hardiness challenges. For the best selection and advice, contact Piccadilly Farm near Athens (706-

Propagating Liriope from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide

Liriope can be grown from seed, though it requires patience. Heres the process: Soak berries overnight, then rub to release seeds. Discard pulp. Dry seeds on a paper towel. Sow in shallow containers with moist potting m

Hickory Twig Girdler: Identification and Control on Pecan Trees

Small limbs on the ground with beveled, chewed ends signal hickory twig girdler activity. This beetle targets pecan, hickory, and oak in fall. Females lay eggs in twigs, then girdle them; wind snaps the weakened branches

Caring for a Resident Rock Pigeon Through Winter

A white dove thats taken up residence on your porch is likely a hand-raised rock pigeon or homing pigeon. Good news: these birds handle cold weather well, foraging on seeds and scraps. No intervention is needed for survi

Trucker's Favorite Corn: Heirloom Seed Sources and Saving

Truckers Favorite corn, cultivated since 1899, is available at both garden centers and heirloom seed dealers—the seed is identical. This open-pollinated variety produces less sweet but prolific ears, ideal for fresh eati

Rooting Chinese Privet Cuttings from Sanford Stadium

The hedge at UGAs Sanford Stadium is Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), a vigorous shrub that roots readily with proper technique. For winter propagation at home: Take 6-inch cuttings, noting which end faced the trunk

Winter Pruning Guide for Bradford Pear Trees

November is an excellent time to prune mature Bradford pears. With leaves gone, the trees structure is fully visible, allowing you to correct the weak branch angles and crowded growth that characterize this species. Prun

Why Squirrels Lick Mortar and How to Redirect Them

If youve ever spotted a squirrel enthusiastically licking the brick mortar on your front steps, youre not alone. This odd behavior usually signals a mineral deficiency, particularly a craving for sodium or calcium. Durin

Growing Dwarf Citrus in Containers: Meyer Lemon Best, Oranges Difficult

Meyer lemon is the most popular container citrus. Oranges are rarely grown in pots, but some mandarin, satsuma, citrangequat, and orangequat cultivars may work. Details on cold-hardy citrus at xrl.us/coldcitrus.

Annual Ryegrass Cover Crop: Mow and Till in March

Ryegrass prevents erosion, suppresses weeds, adds organic matter. Leave uncut until mid-March, then mow low, wait a week, and till into soil for enrichment.

Heirloom Seed Suppliers: Local Nurseries and Garden Watchdog

Local nurseries carry Seeds of Change, Johnnys Selected Seeds, Botanical Interests. For online orders, check company websites. Verify reliability at www.gardenwatchdog.com.

Birch Aphids Dripping Honeydew: Treat with Imidacloprid in March

Birch aphids excrete honeydew onto surfaces below. Apply imidacloprid (Bayer Tree & Shrub, Bonide Systemic Granules) in March for control. More details at xrl.us/birchaphid.

Pruning Mature Fruit Trees: Remove Dead, Crossing, and Vertical Wood

For unpruned mature fruit trees (apple, peach, cherry): winter—remove dead wood, limbs crossing center, slender upright shoots from horizontal branches. Space limbs symmetrically. Water and feed regularly during growing

Leggy Pansies from Warm September: Prune and Delay Planting

Mid-70s temperatures in September caused pansies to stretch. Prune long stems, fertilize for new growth. Next year, wait until first week of October to plant.