Basic Slag: Steel Byproduct, Not Common in Georgia

Basic swag is basic slag—a liming byproduct of steelmaking, sold near Birmingham. Too heavy to ship economically; Georgia lime is cheap. Soil test (georgiasoiltest.com) and apply recommended lime instead.

Flowering Pear Varieties: Skip Bradford, Choose Chanticleer or Aristocrat

Bradford has weak branch angles, splits after ~12 years. Chanticleer (upright) and Aristocrat (broader) are stronger. New dwarf Jaczam (Jack™) is an option. Plant in fall.

Oystershell Scale on Zelkova and Maple: Winter Oil Spray

Scale insects suck sap; eggs under dead female shells. Scrub gently with plastic scrubber. Better: spray entire tree in winter with horticultural oil (SunSpray). Repeat in April and May when crawlers emerge. oystershell

White Deposits on Hydrangea Leaves: Pollen or Exudate

Likely pollen or plant sugars/salts deposited by light rain, accumulating at leaf edges as water evaporates. Harmless, temporary. No action needed.

Sansevieria Cylindrica Rhizome: Propagate the Runner

The thick horizontal root is a rhizome. Let it grow 1–2″, then cut near base, lay half-buried lengthwise in damp potting soil. Warm window, keep moist. New leaves and roots in a month. sansivieria rhizome

Permanent Weed Barrier? Only Concrete Works

Landscape fabric under stone eventually accumulates humus from decomposing leaves, allowing weed germination. Pre-emergents help but require reapplication. Best low-maintenance approach: pine straw mulch + weekly spot-sp

Rosinweed (Silphium compositum): Taprooted Native Perennial

Carrot-like root, 4–5 ft summer stalk with yellow flowers. Found on powerline easements and roadsides. Deep taproot makes transplanting difficult but its a valuable native pollinator plant. rosinweed rosinweed

Gypsum for Blossom End Rot: Neutral pH Calcium Source

Gypsum (calcium sulfate) adds calcium without raising pH. Pulverize a 2″x2″ piece of drywall and mix into tomato bed soil. Prevents blossom end rot better than repeated liming.

Careers in Agriculture: Beyond Farming

UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences reports nearly 2 jobs per graduate, high starting salaries, <5% unemployment at graduation. Majors span food science, agribusiness, environmental law, genetics, precis

Diatomaceous Earth: Pool Grade vs. Insect Grade

Pool DE is heat-treated, creating crystalline silica—dangerous to lungs (silicosis, cancer). Insect DE is unheated, sharp particles that cut insect cuticle. Never use pool grade for pests. Check label Section 11 for sili

Pecan Pollination: No Male/Female Trees, Just Timing

Pecans are monoecious but dichogamous—pollen shed and female receptivity often dont overlap. Plant two compatible varieties (e.g., Stuart, Elliott, Gloria Grande, Sumner) for reliable crops. Seedlings are unpredictable;

Kudzu Bug Control with Bees: Evening Spinosad Spray

Spray spinosad (Captain Jacks) directly on bugs at dusk when bees are in hive. Residue becomes non-toxic once dry. Alternatively, deploy sticky milk-jug traps in April to catch overwintered adults. milk jug kudzu bug tra

Apple Burr Knot: Disease with No Home Cure

Burr knot (genetic/environmental) creates root initials on trunk, weakening tree and inviting dogwood borers. No homeowner treatment. Consult UGA Extension pathologist Elizabeth Little. apple burr knot apple burr knot ap

Zoysia Mowing Height: Recovering from Scalping

Dropping from 2.25″ to 1.5″ removed green tissue, exposing brown stems. Grass recovers if kept at 1.5″ with regular mowing. Bag clippings to prevent thatch. Replace blade annually—zoysia dulls blades fast.

Grape Herbicide Injury: 2,4-D Drift Damage

Distorted new growth indicates 2,4-D drift from nearby lawns/fields. Grapes are hypersensitive; vapor drift and root uptake both cause damage. Yield reduced current and possibly next year. Avoid 2,4-D near vineyards.

Male Black Widow Spider: Harmless, No Hourglass

Male black widows have yellow/red dorsal markings, no ventral hourglass, and no venom. Females are venomous but rarely bite unless threatened. Wear gloves when reaching into hidden spaces. Brown recluse bites are worse.

Wild Ginger (Hexastylis arifolia): Native Groundcover for Shade

Heart-shaped leaves smell of ginger. Common in damp, shady woods. Callaway ginger (Hexastylis shuttleworthii Callaway) is a showy mottled form. Ants disperse seeds from the hidden little brown jug flower. Taxonomy debate

Greenhouse Tomato Trellis Method: Lower and Lean

Commercial technique: overhead pipe, strings, indeterminate vines. As fruit harvested, lower vine, remove leaves, bury stem to re-root. Vine grows 20 ft/year, yielding 20+ clusters per plant. Requires horizontal space.

Hosta Leafy Scape Bracts: Same Explanation, Different Photos

Bob Solberg confirms: early spring forces leafy bracts on flower scape. The plant compensates for disrupted timing. Temporary—next year normal. Enjoy the oddity.

Apple Pollination Mismatch: Add a Crabapple

Mild winter likely desynchronized Fuji and Red Delicious bloom. Both universities list them as compatible. Plant a Dolgo crabapple as a universal pollen donor—keep it small, flowering annually.