Colorado Potato Beetles on Tomatoes: Hand-Pick for Control

Orange-residue beetles eating tomato leaf edges = Colorado potato beetles. Adults and pink larvae are slow—hand-pick in morning, drop in soapy water. Rarely hurt established tomatoes. Only spray for large infestations.

Growing Olives from Seed in Georgia: Experimental but Possible

Olives once grew commercially on GA coast. New interest in south GA (climate like Spain/Israel). To try: remove seed from dried olives, soak in soapy water overnight, plant in moist potting mix, bag, warm window. May not

Insecticidal Soap: Commercial Beats Homemade Every Time

Dish detergent burns leaves—its a herbicide, not insecticide. True insecticidal soap uses specific potassium salts of fatty acids. Only a few fats have insecticidal properties. Commercial products are calibrated, safe, e

Norfolk Pine Too Tall? Top It, But Expect a New Leader

Cut the top off a 32-year Norfolk pine, and it will sprout a new leader from the cut. Wont branch lower. Maintain height by regularly pinching the new tip bud as it emerges.

Phosphorus-Free Fertilizers: Why They're Pushed in the Southeast

Floridas phosphorus pollution (high natural P + cattle + lawn runoff) drives regional fertilizer formulas. Metro Atlanta soils usually have medium-high P; at pH 6.0–6.5, grass accesses it fine. Only a soil test (georgias

Planting After Stump Grinding: Nitrogen Tie-Up Fix

If lots of wood chips remain, soil nitrogen is tied up for a year. Fix: mix 1 pint 10-10-10 per 10-ft diameter area. Compact soil under new rootball to prevent settling.

Exposed Tree Roots: Cover with Soil or Mulch—But Not Against Trunk

Large exposed roots near trunk? Cover with planting soil and shade plants, or pine straw/chips. Keep 6 inches clear of trunk. If roots are at/beyond drip line, dig under and cleanly cut them.

Papyrus in Soil vs. Water: Species Matters for Winter Survival

Papyrus prefers wet roots, exposed crown. But cold hardiness varies: Cyperus involucratus (umbrella papyrus) survives Georgia winters; Cyperus papyrus (Egyptian) often dies. If yours is true papyrus, cut stems back, mulc

Mushrooms on Tree Roots: Sign of Internal Decay—Call an Arborist

Mushrooms on exposed roots mean fungus has breached the trees defenses. Roots likely damaged by construction/mowers. Tree may not be dying yet, but its compromised. Hire a certified arborist (georgiaarborist.org) to asse

Hardy Amaryllis (Hippeastrum x johnsonii): Southern Heirloom Bulb

Hardy amaryllis (Hippeastrum x johnsonii) blooms late May in Atlanta. Hybridized c. 1799 by Johnson—one of the first hybrid amaryllis. Unlike Dutch holiday types, this survives winters outdoors. Plant in morning sun/afte

Anise Spice vs. Anise Shrub: Different Plants, Similar Scent

Star anise spice = Illicium verum (Chinese). I. anisatum (Japanese) is toxic. I. parviflorum and I. floridanum are Southern shrubs—crushed leaves smell spicy, adaptable to sun/shade.

Coffee Grounds in Garden: Nitrogen Is in Your Cup, Not the Grounds

Drying grounds doesnt deplete nitrogen—brewing already extracted it into your coffee. Grounds add minor organic matter. Use damp or dry; sprinkle around plants. See Using Coffee Grounds in the Garden for more.

Pet Waste Composting: Not Safe for Garden Use

Dont compost pet feces for garden use. Cats/humans share zoonoses/parasites. Commercial digesters risk groundwater contamination. Double-bag and landfill—modern landfills isolate waste better than backyard systems.

Growing Mango from Seed: Fun Project, No Fruit in Georgia

Plant mango seed: eat ripe fruit, dry seed, remove husk, plant bean concave-side down in 8-in pot, bag it, warm spot. Sprouts in 2 weeks. Pinch at 4 leaves. Tropical—wont fruit in Atlanta, but makes a nice houseplant.

Ring Planter Around Tree: Keep Soil 6 Inches from Trunk

Piling soil against trunk invites bark rot and disease. Build planter with inner ring holding soil 6 inches away from trunk all around. Keeps flare dry and disease-free.

Bare-Root Seedlings: Why They Often Outperform Container Trees

Well-cared-for bare-root seedlings establish fast if planted right: wide loosened soil, 4-ft mulch ring, weekly summer water. Georgia Forestry Commission sells them at gatrees.org.

Loropetalum 'Burgundy' Too Big? Replace with Dwarf Cultivars

Burgundy loropetalum reaches 12 ft—pruning 3×/year is endless work. Transplant it and plant smaller cultivars: Ruby, Blush, or Purple Diamond (3–5 ft). Saves labor, fits the space.

Compost Nutrition: Not All Ingredients Are Equal

coffee grounds in NPK. Mix nutrient-rich (green) and carbon-rich (brown) materials for balanced compost that feeds plants and improves soil structure.

Bird Feeding Year-Round: Don't Cut Back in Spring

Garden coach Daryl Pulis advises: keep feeding in spring. Natural seeds/berries are scarce then. Birds will taper off on their own as wild food appears. Reduce only when feeder activity drops—unless you enjoy feeding yea

Shade Garden Plants: Colorful Options for Deep Shade

For deep shade under water oaks: aspidistra, plum yew, autumn fern (green but tough). Add color with variegated hosta, Solomons seal, painted fern. Scatter impatiens seed in late April for seasonal blooms.