Middle South
July, 2005
Regional Report
National News - From NGA Editors
New Improved Shrub
The Texas Superstar Plant Program at Texas A & M University takes well-known plants and develops unique selections with new characteristics. In 2005 breeders improved upon a common landscape shrub...
New Corn Earworm Control
Corn earworm is a big problem for gardeners across the country. An old-fashioned yet effective organic control is to apply a several drops of mineral oil on the corn silks (where the adult moths...
Clay Controls Weeds
Over the past decade, kaolin clay was introduced as a disease and insect control for various crops (see "High Tech Dust Foils Pests" ). Now, new research from the USDA suggests that this clay...
No-Mow Grass
It's midsummer and many gardeners are getting tired of mowing the lawn. There's no getting around mowing a manicured Bermuda grass or Kentucky bluegrass lawn, but if you have an orchard, vacation...
In the Garden
I'm in a Pickle -- Preserving the Harvest
A word to the wise: Beware of asking a farmer to plant "a row" of anything for you. This spring, my 86-year-old neighbor offered to plant some beets for me. Now, 60 pints of pickled beets later, we've harvested less than half the crop. I overheard him...
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Resources
Web Finds
USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning The USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning provides very detailed instructions on preparing,...
Tool or Gardening Product
Villaware Victorio Food Strainer and Sauce Maker A Victorio food strainer makes short work of preparing applesauce. You simply wash, quarter, and...
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Regional Reminders
- Plan for Vacation
- Protect Blueberries
- Prune Blackberries
- Clean Out Your Freezer
- Tidy Up Crape Myrtles
