Middle South Regional Report

When Frost Threatens

If you haven't been hit by your first fall frost, it's surely right around the corner. Fortunately, the first cold snap is often followed by an extended warm spell, so if you can protect tender plants you'll probably get a few more weeks of growth. So...
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Resources

Southern Birds and Butterflies
All About Frost

Divide Iris and Daylilies
Divide/Plant Peonies
Spread Compost
Plant Cover Crops
Plant More Pansies

Genetically Modified Food

Next on your dinner plate: genetically modified salmon or pork. Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released draft "guidance" for producers of genetically engineered animals. The FDA will now begin accepting proposals to sell the...
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Resources

Scarecrows in the Garden
Preserving Summer Flowers

Fall is for Planting
Dig Summer Bulbs
Get Houseplants Ready for Indoors
Harvest Pumpkins
Gather Flowers for Drying

Beautiful Plants or Troublesome Invasives?

OK, I'll admit it. I've knowingly planted invasive species. Well, sort of. Our fence is draped with white sweet autumn clematis, 'Heavenly Blue' morning glories, and red cardinal climber, all of which could be considered invasive in our region. (Does...
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Resources

Native Plants for Georgia
Mulch with Weeds

Pot Up Perennial Herbs to Bring Indoors
Start New Garden Beds
Choose the Right Bulbs
It's Time for Chrysanthemums
Remove Synthetic Burlap

Preserving the Bounty

I suspect I'm like most gardeners, full of mixed feelings about this time of year. On the one hand, I'm relieved that cooler weather will soon arrive, especially after this year's hot, dry summer. On the other hand, the hint of fall in the air brings...
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Resources

Herb Day at Cheekwood Gardens
Food Preservation Information

Begin Dividing Perennials
Take Cuttings
Renovate Lawn
Order Garlic
Help Roses Enter Dormancy

Enjoy Year-Round Bloom with Flowering Trees

I bet there's a perfect spot in your yard for a small flowering tree, and now is the perfect time to think about where. Evaluate your landscape and make your fall planting list. Include several types of trees that bloom at different times, then...
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Resources

Arbor Day
Use Branches in Bouquets

Start Fall Lettuce
Divide Daisies
Sow Biennials
Root Cuttings
Organize Seeds

Bees and Wasps

Our daily newspaper recently published an article titled "Summer Pests Are Here," and the first category was Bees and Wasps. The writer describes this scenario: You're out mowing the lawn and all of a sudden you feel the tell-tale sharp pain of an...
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Resources

Read Grocery Labels
Garden Insects of North America

Divide Bearded Iris
Sow Fall Beans
Harvest Okra
Dry Herbs
Plant Cukes

Harvest Rainwater with a Rain Barrel

With much of our region experiencing serious drought and some of the hottest weather still ahead of us, now is the time to look for more ways to conserve water in your landscape. We've had some dramatic thunderstorms roll through our area, with the...
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Resources

Rain Barrel Plans
Rain Gardens

Water Soil Before Fertilizing
Cut Back Perennials for Rebloom
Nurture Roses
Plan Your Late Summer and Fall Garden
Water Tomatoes to Keep Soil Moist

Insect Pest Primer

Insect Control Rule Number 1: Never spray an insecticide until you've identified the culprit! Not all insects are pests -- many are beneficial, most are benign. Don't assume that any insect crawling around on a plant is there to cause trouble. Case in...
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Resources

Constructing a Rain Barrel
Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden

Harvest Herbs
Visit the Garden Daily
Harvest and Store Produce
Continue Planting
Rejuvenate Dry Container Gardens

Focus on Fungus: Managing Garden Diseases

Gardeners in our region no doubt welcomed the recent rains. I know I did. But although they provided only a drop in the bucket when it comes to replenishing wells, lakes, and aquifers, the rains did bring something else: garden diseases. Or at least...
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Resources

Plants Favored by Deer
Angelonia

Fertilize Container Plantings
Replace Flagging Annuals
Spend Half Hour a Day Pulling Weeds
Keep Tomatoes Evenly Watered
Avoid Using Sprinklers in Midday Sun

Tips for Terrific Tomatoes

By now you've planted your tomatoes in the garden. Have you thought ahead and set up some sort of training or staking system? Mulched around the bases? It's not too late, but the sooner the better. Tomatoes are often cited as one of the easiest garden...
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Resources

Companion Planting
Apply Water Where You Need It

Keep Seedbeds and Transplants Moist
Control Mosquitoes
Thin Seedlings
Control Slugs
Prune Dianthus

Plant Some Veggies!

If you're new to gardening and are inspired to grow some vegetables, you might be unsure how to begin. Here are some things you'll want to consider. If you want to turn part of your lawn into a small vegetable patch, choose an area in full sun where...
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Resources

NGA's Food Gardening Guide
Donate Extra Produce

Avoid Overfertilizing Plants
Water Deeply
Mulch Containers
Attract Beneficial Insects
Remove Diseased Rose Leaves

Middle South Regional Report

When Frost Threatens

Resources

Reminders

Genetically Modified Food

Resources

Reminders

Beautiful Plants or Troublesome Invasives?

Resources

Reminders

Preserving the Bounty

Resources

Reminders

Enjoy Year-Round Bloom with Flowering Trees

Resources

Reminders

Bees and Wasps

Resources

Reminders

Harvest Rainwater with a Rain Barrel

Resources

Reminders

Insect Pest Primer

Resources

Reminders

Focus on Fungus: Managing Garden Diseases

Resources

Reminders

Tips for Terrific Tomatoes

Resources

Reminders

Plant Some Veggies!

Resources

Reminders