DALY: Zoysia makes an attractive and durable lawn
If you are willing to make the investment and provide the appropriate care, consider growing Zoysia. It will thrive and beautify the home landscape. With Zoysia, your lawn can be the envy of the neighborhood.
DALY: Heirloom vegetables valued for superior flavor
Heirloom plants are definitely worth planting. If properly stored, their seeds can provide vegetables with the same desirable traits year after year.
DALY: Keeping carpenter bees away from your home
Although carpenter bees can be pestiferous, by taking a few simple steps, their damage can be reduced.
DALY: If you lack space for a vegetable garden, consider using containers
Even with have limited space, growing vegetables in containers can be quite rewarding. If given proper care, they will provide a bountiful harvest.
DALY: The native dogwood colors the spring landscape
Dogwoods are a delightful addition to the landscape. Under the right growing conditions, they will thrive and produce attractive blooms in the spring.
DALY: Lawn care during early spring affects quality through the year
Remember, actions taken during the period when the grass comes out of winter dormancy will influence how well the lawn performs during the spring and summer months. With a little planning along with proper cultural practices, your warm season lawn can be healthy, attractive, and the envy of your neighborhood.
DALY: Moss in lawns a sign of poor growing conditions
Moss can be eliminated by the application of chemicals labeled for controlling it. As the moss begins to die, it will turn an orange-brown color. After dying, remove by the dead moss by raking. Though moss can be controlled by chemical or mechanical means, it will return if the cultural conditions that favor the growth of healthy grass are not implemented.
DALY: Follow all label directions when using pesticides
The most important aspect of applying any pesticide is to follow all label directions and safety precautions. Thoroughly read and understand the product label before you select, purchase, and apply it.
DALY: Topping can be harmful to trees
Topping robs the tree of its natural form, shape, and beauty. Proper pruning practices enhance the visual aspects of the tree and stimulate good tree health.
DALY: Once a great tree, American chestnut has nearly vanished due to blight
With the disease resistant hybrids of the American chestnut being developed, perhaps by the end of this century, the forests of the eastern United States will once again have large populations of these wonderful trees.
DALY: Professional expertise required for controlling bed bugs
Although bed bugs are quite rare in comparison to other household pests, reports of infestations of them are on the increase. Becoming familiar with them can help to avoid infestation or at least prompt earlier intervention by a professional.
DALY: Perennials provide beauty in the garden year after year
Perennials, if properly planted and maintained, will provide beauty for years to come. No garden would be complete without them.
DALY: Aquariums bring natural beauty indoors
An aquarium can be a source of beauty and interest to the indoors. If properly installed and provided with the appropriate care, their presence can be a great asset to your home or office.
DALY: The cause of brown patches on your lawn
Using fungicides to control brown patch is difficult, but they do offer some level of protection. These chemicals suppress the development and spread of the disease, but they do not reverse the already visible damage.
DALY: Crape myrtles color the summer landscape
Trees are easy to maintain and an assett to any yard.
DALY: Moles and voles are unwelcomed visitors to the landscape
The difference between two lawn pests.
DALY: Rain barrels good water source for landscape
Rain barrels provide good way to water landscape.
GARDENING: Pests are a fact in the home and garden
Pests, whether they are insects, weeds or plant diseases, are a fact of life in the home and garden. One of the most effective ways to control them is to practice “integrated pest management” or IPM, which anticipates problems and uses preventative measures. Integrated pest management does not eliminate chemical pesticides altogether.
DALY: Follow all label directions for safe use of pesticides
Homeowners purchase and use chemicals to control the many pests that plague both our homes and gardens. When using these products remember they are poisons designed to kill or adversely affect living organisms in some way.
DALY: Proper mowing keeps lawns healthy and attractive
One of the most important components of lawn maintenance is mowing. It directly affects the health and quality of the turfgrass. Improperly mowed lawns will suffer and develop an unsightly appearance. Proper mowing consists of cutting the grass at the correct height and frequency. Doing so will create a healthy lawn by encouraging the development of a dense stand of turfgrass which helps reduce weeds and other pests.
DALY: What to know when choosing your landscaper
Many homeowners are considering hiring a landscape contractor to improve the appearance of their home landscape. With so many companies around choosing the right one can be a challenge. Several factors need to be taken into consideration before making the final decision on whom to hire. The task can be easier if you follow several simple steps.
DALY: Special care must be used when removing storm-damaged trees
The high winds during recent storms have blown over many trees, causing damage to property, bringing down power lines and even causing a few fatalities. The heavy rain in these storms has saturated the soil, making the trees more susceptible to the effects of heavy wind.
GARDENING: With proper care, boxwoods thrive in the landscape
Boxwoods are famous for their use in formal gardens, on historic estates such as Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, or the Biltmore House in Asheville, N.C. Boxwoods have a multitude of uses in the landscape and are frequently utilized as hedges, screens and specimen plants. They are sensitive plants, but they will thrive if given the right growing conditions.
DALY: Risk of late season freeze not over yet despite warm temps
With the recent warm weather, many people want to begin planting summer flowering plants and vegetables in their gardens. However, in spite of the mild temperatures, the risk of a late season frost has not passed. The average last date of frost in our area is usually around April 15. Planting anything that is not cold hardy prior to that date is at risk of suffering freeze damage.
DALY: How to care for your lawn during warmer temperatures
As the weather begins to warm up, the warm season turfgrasses, Bermuda, centipede, St. Augustine and zoysiagrasses, are beginning to come out of winter dormancy and turn green. When soil temperatures rise in the spring, turfgrass plants begin to generate new leaves and stems.
GARDENING IN GWINNETT: Though irritating, remember that pollen has a useful purpose
After a long, cold winter, springtime has finally arrived. Redbuds, dogwoods, cherry trees, azaleas and many other flowering plants color the landscape. However, spring also brings on the pollen.
GARDENING: Pruning is beneficial to roses
Pruning is a beneficial gardening procedure in growing roses. It encourages new growth and removes dead or diseased parts. Periodic cosmetic pruning should be done throughout the growing season. More intense pruning should be done in the late winter and early spring for most types of roses.
GARDENING: Groundcovers: A pleasing alternative to grass
Groundcovers are low growing plants that grow rapidly to form dense plantings.
GARDENING IN GWINNETT: Light pruning is usually all the crape myrtle requires
Crape myrtles are some of the most commonly planted flowering trees in the landscape. They provide abundant summer color with minimal maintenance. The winter months are the best time to prune crape myrtles. However, the practice of butchering them is very common. Light pruning is usually all the plant requires.
Certain plants are effective at creating privacy screens
As Gwinnett County has increasingly become more developed, many new homes have been built on smaller lots. As a result, we receive many inquiries from residents about what plants will grow rapidly and provide adequate privacy from neighbors’ homes or from undesirable views.
DALY: Blackberries are easy to grow and produce bountiful fruit
Blackberries are one of the easiest fruits for homeowners to grow. Once established, they require minimal maintenance, have few pest problems, and produce abundant fruit.
GARDENING: Blueberries are easy, enjoyable fruit to grow
Blueberries are one of the few fruit crops in production today that are native to Georgia. They are easy to grow, require minimal maintenance and are relatively free of any major pests.
DALY: Holiday plants require special care to survive
Along with evergreens, several ornamental plants help create festive displays during the holiday months. Poinsettias and holiday cacti are among the most popular, and can be attractive plants for the home and the office if they are properly cared for.
DALY: Mistletoe can kill trees that have suffered environmental stresses
Since most of the leaves have fallen off deciduous trees, mistletoe infestations are now visible.
DALY: Fall is best time to plant trees
The fall is the best time of the year to plant trees and shrubs. During the cold weather, the above ground parts of the plants grow very little. However, the roots will continue to grow, spreading out into the soil, which helps the plant to become established by spring.
GARDENING IN GWINNETT: The kudzu bug: A new insect pest in our area
Last fall, several county agents in areas northeast of metro Atlanta began receiving phone calls from homeowners observing small insects congregating in large numbers on the sides of their homes. They were also found in high concentrations in nearby kudzu patches.
DALY: Digital photography helps diagnose landscaping issues
Recently a resident contacted me regarding some insects she observed infesting her hibiscus plants. From her description, I suspected what they were, but without actually seeing them, I could not be certain. She sent me several digital pictures of the insects.
DALY: Bigleaf hydrangeas are excellent shade plants
The bigleaf hydrangeas, also called French or snowball hydrangeas, are the most popular and well known of the hydrangeas grown in our area. They bloom profusely during the early summer months with pink to dark blue clusters of flowers.
Tomatoes produce abundantly
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetable garden plants grown. The Extension office receives more calls regarding them than any other vegetable. They are relatively easy to grow and are an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space. Each plant has the potential to yield 10 to 15 pounds or more of fruit when planted and given proper care.
DALY: Fear not arachnophobes, most spiders are harmless
Often the extension office receives calls from homeowners concerning spiders they have found and whether they are poisonous. There are many species of spiders native to our area, but only two are venomous: the brown recluse and the black widow. However, most spiders are harmless and are actually beneficial because they consume insect pests, like flies and mosquitoes.
DALY: 'Topping' can be harmful to trees' health
One of the most destructive tree pruning practices is "topping." It is the removal of much of a tree's branches above a certain height without giving consideration to its overall structure and health.
DALY: Choosing a reliable landscape professional
During the springtime, many people are thinking about hiring a landscape contractor to improve the appearance of their home landscape. With so many companies around choosing the right one can be a challenge. Many factors need to be taken into consideration before making the final decision on whom to hire. The task can be easier if you follow several simple steps.
DALY: Eastern tent caterpillars unsightly, but not harmful
Many homeowners are currently observing a strange type of webbing that has suddenly appeared in some of their trees. Although some may conclude the webs are caused by a spider, the real culprit is the eastern tent caterpillar.
DALY: Though troublesome, pollen has a purpose
After a long, cold winter, springtime has finally arrived.
GARDENING IN GWINNETT: Follow label directions when using pesticides
Throughout the year, a variety of pests can potentially plague both our homes and gardens. To remedy the problem, homeowners will purchase chemical pesticides.
HOME&GARDEN: Follow label directions when using pesticides
Throughout the year, a variety of pests can potentially plague both our homes and gardens. To remedy the problem, homeowners will purchase chemical pesticides.
DALY: Popular Bradford pear trees have drawbacks
One of the most popular flowering trees over the past few decades has been the Bradford pear tree. They have been planted extensively by homeowners and landscapers for their rapid growth, beautiful pyramidal form, white spring flowers and colorful fall foliage. These trees have the ability to grow in all types of environmental conditions and are pest resistant.
GARDENING IN GWINNETT: Organic vegetable gardening is all about the soil
Some of the most frequent questions we receive at the Extension office are on the subject of organic gardening. It is the combination of methods and strategies for the production of healthy plants based on a holistic view of the garden.
GARDENING IN GWINNETT: Time to control crabgrass, other weeds
One of the most important lawn care tasks in early spring is the application of pre-emergent herbicides (weed killers) to prevent weed seeds from germinating. They are commonly used for controlling summer annual grasses, such as crabgrass, goosegrass, and other lawn weeds. The pre-emergents will not control established emerged weeds.
DALY: Blueberries are carefree and fun to grow
Blueberries are one of the few fruit crops in production today that are native to Georgia. They are easy to grow, require minimal maintenance and are relatively free of any major pests.
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