Middle South Regional Report

South African Wonders

Forget Paris or Cancun. If I had a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, I'd visit the Cape Province of South Africa to see firsthand the wealth of unique plant life that has made this region a favorite of plant explorers for centuries. At least...
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Resources

Hot Plants for Cool Climates
Colorful Oasis Rainbow Foam

Grow Under Fluorescents
Protect Plants from Snowblower
Inventory Seed-Starting Supplies
Treat Plants for Fungus Gnats
Check Houseplants for Thrips

Helping Plants Overwinter

Winter can be hard on plants, sometimes more so in our region than than in areas with seemingly harsher winters. Two factors stand out: fluctuating temperatures and the lack of reliable snow cover. Temperatures in the 60s this week may feel great to...
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Resources

Nepeta 'Walker's Low'
Making Suet For the Birds

Clean Bird Feeders and Birdbaths
Keep Birdseed Out of the Garden
Trim Back Indoor Plants
Using Last Year's Seeds
Pot Up Cuttings

Frogs, Ethanol, Herbicides, and Why We Should Care

Although the authenticity of Chief Seattle's famous "All Things Are Connected" speech is disputed, the underlying principle rings true: Whatever man does to the web of life on Earth, he does to himself. A story I recently read in ScienceNews reminded...
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Resources

Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Weather-Resilient Garden

Check Houseplants for Pests
Watch for Freeze-Thaw Heaving
Clean and Sharpen Tools
Spread Organic Matter
Avoid Using Salt to De-Ice

Plant Winterberry for Holiday Decorations

Berry-laden holly is a classic holiday decoration and one that is easy to grow in your back yard. While most hollies are evergreen, one of my favorites is deciduous winterberry ( Ilex verticillata ), which sports densely packed, bright red berries that...
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Resources

The Garlic Lovers' Cookbook, Vol. II

Plant Garlic
Set Up Grow Tunnels
Gather Pine Straw
Cut Back Mums
Edible Ornamentals

Plan for Spring Color

Fall has arrived, and the vibrant jewel tones of summer are slowly but surely giving way to the subtler hues of winter. Soon, the color will have drained down the hillsides, and we'll be left with a much more subdued, though no less beautiful,...
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Resources

Flower Bulb Information
HortIdeas Newsletter

Preserve the Harvest
Adjust Soil pH
Collect Decorations
Bring Houseplants Indoors
Weed the Garden

Autumn Leaves are Garden Gold

Many people think only about raking chores when they ponder fall leaves. But savvy gardeners know that these leaves are packed with valuable nutrients and organic matter, and thus are perfect for amending garden soil. Fall leaves are, in effect, a...
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Resources

Nasturtium
Build a Compost Bin

Induce Christmas Cactus Buds
Celebrate Arbor Day This Fall
Lightly Till Your Vegetable Garden
Don't Let Pesticides Freeze
Wear Gloves Planting Hyacinths

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

Middle South Regional Report

South African Wonders

Resources

Reminders

Helping Plants Overwinter

Resources

Reminders

Frogs, Ethanol, Herbicides, and Why We Should Care

Resources

Reminders

Plant Winterberry for Holiday Decorations

Resources

Reminders

Plan for Spring Color

Resources

Reminders

Autumn Leaves are Garden Gold

Resources

Reminders

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