Lawn and Garden
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Leyland cypress has become one of the most widely used plants in commercial and residential landscapes across Georgia as a formal hedge, screen, buffer strip or wind barrier. Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) is a graceful, rapidly growing evergreen tree that is adapted for growth within the 6-10a USDA hardiness zones. Leyland cypress is considered relatively pest-free; however, because of its relatively shallow root system, and because they are often planted too close together and in poorly drained soils, Leyland cypress is prone to root rot and several damaging canker diseases, especially during periods of prolonged drought. Disease management is, therefore, a consideration for Leyland cypress.
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Cane blight can be a major disease of blackberry in the Southeast, resulting in severe losses. The wet, humid conditions observed in Georgia and other southeastern states allow for significant losses following pruning or other injuries to the primocane.
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The flatheaded appletree borer is a polyphagous pest—so called because it feeds on multiple tree species—native throughout North America. Flatheaded appletree borers impact specialty crops such as fruit, nut, and ornamental trees. Nursery growers in Georgia face mild to moderate levels of infestation depending on the local beetle population size and favorable environmental conditions. Adult flatheaded appletree borers are metallic greenish-bronze and appear fattened in cross-section, which causes them to produce “D” or oval-shaped exit holes as they emerge from wood; these exit holes commonly are associated with buprestid beetles. The elytra or wing covers of flatheaded appletree borer adults have markings that appear as light-colored zigzagging bands. Larvae are cream-colored and have an enlarged, fattened thoracic segment behind the darker true head of the insect—this is what gives them the flatheaded name.
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The lantana lace bug, Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål (Tingidae: Hemiptera), is a serious pest of lantana (Lantana
camara L.). Although lantana is regarded as an invasive weed both in the United States and worldwide,
many popular cultivars continue to be planted in residential and public ornamental landscapes and gardens.
Previously, the lantana lace bug was deliberately introduced to several countries as a biological control agent for
lantana. Te lantana lace bug is also referred to as T. lantanae or T. vanduzeei in many publications. This publication covers the identification, biology, symptoms and management of lantana lace bugs.|
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C 1258
Fall Vegetable Gardening
This publication covers fall vegetable production including planting dates, spacing, general culture of cool-season vegetables planted in Georgia in the fall. Many people consider the end of summer to be the end of gardening season. However, there is a whole other world of vegetables that can be planted in the fall garden in Georgia. Temperatures are milder, and there generally are fewer insects and diseases to contend with when planting in the fall. Cool-season vegetables are ironically planted in the late-summer heat, but thrive as they mature during cooler temperatures as the season progresses. Whether you choose to plant only a cover crop or to try your hand at some cool-season vegetables, planting for the fall growing season will keep your garden productive all year long.
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This publication covers routine maintenance and troubleshooting for common motorized equipment (small engine) that is used by small farmers and gardeners. Gardening and landscape equipment can be an expensive investment for both consumers and professionals. However, quality equipment can last a lifetime when cared for properly. Typically, you get what you pay for when it comes to equipment. Higher quality equipment certainly costs more upfront, but usually has fewer problems and will tend to outlast bargain-type tools. With name-brand equipment, parts also tend to be
more readily available. We recommend that you purchase the best equipment you can afford and learn how to take proper care of your equipment to protect your investment. For the garden and landscape, motorized equipment can include everything from a string trimmer to a full-size garden tractor. Most garden equipment is powered by either a two-cycle or four-cycle engine. Two-cycle motors mostly are found on smaller handheld equipment, such as chainsaws, tillers, and trimmers. Four-cycle motors typically are found on larger equipment such as lawnmowers, tillers, and garden tractors, which have separate reservoirs for their gas and engine oil. When properly maintained, both types of motors are quite reliable. Sometimes, very basic issues may keep motors from functioning well. All motors require three basic things to run properly: fuel, fire, and air. If any one or more of these three elements is lacking, the engine will either run poorly or not run at all.|
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This publication is an annually-updated guide to fall gardening information and resources for Georgia. Topics include planting tall fescue lawns, soil bag flower beds, planting pansies like the pros, planting collards, turnips and cabbage, planting a home fruit orchard, mulching with leaves, gardening chores, cleaning and storing garden tools, treating for fire ants, and additional resources.
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This publication provides information on pulse width modulation (PWM) technology including its working principle, components, benefits, and best management practices for its optimal utilization on agricultural sprayers. Agricultural sprayers are commonly used for pesticide applications and come in various design types and sizes, including three-point hitch, pull-behind, and self-propelled. During pesticide applications, maintaining a target application rate across the whole field is important for effective pest management. On sprayers with traditional flow-based control systems, the liquid flow rate is regulated to account for ground speed variations by adjusting the spray pressure. However, this becomes an issue when spray pressure reaches outside the narrow operating range of the selected nozzle and results in non-uniform droplet size and pattern. Higher spray pressures at faster travel speeds produce finer droplets which are more prone to spray drift; applications at lower pressures produce coarser spray droplets and reduce spray fan angle. Pulse width modulation technology was developed to overcome this pressure variation issue; pulse width modulation does not rely on spray pressure to regulate system flow rate with changes in ground speed. In pulse width modulation systems, the flow rate is varied by changing the intermittent cycling of the electronically actuated solenoid valves while the system pressure remains constant throughout the boom.
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C 576
Dahlias
Dahlias are among the most spectacular flowers you can grow in your garden. Hundreds of varieties are available, with flower sizes ranging from 1 to 14 inches in diameter. Almost any color except true
blue can be produced in Georgia. In exchange for their beauty, dahlias require dedicated care. Most of them need special soil preparation, staking, watering during dry periods, disbudding and a
strict insect control program. This publication contains information about successfully growing dahlias in Georgia.|