Rose Rosette Disease
The Rose has long been considered the most beautiful flower in the world and is often referred to as “The Queen of the Garden.” Its beauty has inspired poets, artists, composers, and lovers the world over — but to have a variety of roses in a garden here in Northeast Georgia can take quite a […]
From Mudslide to Tranquil Terrace
Who’s ready to talk about drainage issues again? What can I say, water is everywhere and can do major damage to a landscape without proper guidance. In our many years of working on people’s yards, drainage is almost always a part of the project. Builders often create beautiful houses without giving much thought to the […]
UGA Extension: We exist to serve you!
Ray Parker, Jr.’s lyrics* to the movie Ghostbusters say it all about the University of Georgia Extension service: If there’s somethin’ strange in the neighborhood (invasive wildlife) Who ya gonna call? UGA Extension! There’s somethin’ weird and it don’t look good (improper pesticide usage) Who ya gonna call? UGA Extension! UGA Extension is this amazing service […]
Garden Expectations: Classic Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Garden Expectations developed by watching too much HGTV or visiting formal gardens are comparable to Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations – full of extreme imagery and a colorful cast of characters. The images presented by popular media outlets capture our attention and pull us into the belief that our gardens, homes, and lifestyles can be perfect, […]
Hemlock T.L.C.
You’ve heard it before: Save the Trees! But hear me out, hemlocks are particularly important and particularly in danger. A few years ago I talked about the hopeful hemlock and its fight for survival. Now I’ll explain a little more about how you can treat them. All About Hemlocks: A Refresher If you didn’t know, […]
Dig a Hole, Plant a Tree
Dig a hole, plant a tree. It’s that easy, right? Unfortunately, no. As a Certified Arborist, I get asked all the time about what trees I recommend, where to plant them, and how to care for them. There’s a lot to consider when planting a tree and it can be overwhelming to say the least. […]
Know What’s in your Garden: Pets and Plants
Every pet owner knows that one of the most fundamental characteristics of animals is curiosity. Our pets have a childlike innocence and fascination with the unknown that keeps us entertained but also makes us wary of the dangerous situations they might get themselves into. This is especially true when it comes to what they consume. […]
Best Pest Management Strategy is Often Doing Nothing
A friend recently told me about an experience she had years ago as a budding, would-be gardener. Creating a pathway through a pretty strip of meadow on her then-rural, Gwinnett County property, she managed to get a nasty case of poison ivy. The next day, armed with pruning shears, she located and cut to the […]
The Hopeful Hemlock
Are you familiar with the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)? I hope so, because that means the tireless work of a whole lot of North Georgia volunteers is paying off in increased awareness of the tree’s beauty and value—and of the plight that is threatening its survival. If you’ve hiked the slopes, ridges and ravines of […]
Got Deer? Make Your Garden Deer Resistant
Got deer? Make Your Garden Deer Resistant With Strong-Smelling Plants We get asked about deer-resistant gardening all the time. Deer are everywhere, and they’ll eat anything—including your prized azaleas and hosta! They eat tree leaves, too, up to almost six feet off the ground. Male deer damage trees by rubbing them with their antlers. Spring […]
