Lawn and Garden Resources
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This publication offers information on types of plants suitable for mixed containers, with an emphasis on perennial and woody species and cultivars, as well as aesthetic qualities, cultural conditions and placement within the container.
Bodie V. Pennisi and Matthew Chappell
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C 945
Home Garden Figs
This resource provides information on how to best grow figs in Georgia. Figs will do well in most parts of Georgia except the mountainous areas.
Bob Westerfield
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The plants and gardens that we tend matter for our personal health. They can enhance our homes, making them a haven for rest and well-being. They provide much-needed exercise, nutrition, and diversion while also providing the space to make important community connections.
Sheri Dorn
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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.
William G. Hudson, Shimat V. Joseph, and Zia Valerie Williamson
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The lantana lace bug is a serious pest of lantana. 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. This resource covers the identification, biology, symptoms, and management of lantana lace bugs.
Shimat V. Joseph and William G. Hudson
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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.
Bob Westerfield
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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.Bob Westerfield
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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.
Sharon Dowdy, Kristin L. Slagle, Bob Westerfield, Clint Waltz, April Reese Sorrow, Stephanie Schupska, Paul Pugliese, and Amanda Swennes
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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. Use this resource to successfully grow your own dahlias in Georgia.
Bodie V. Pennisi
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