Drought Chops Japanese Beetle, Sittlebug Numbers

ATHENS, GA - Georgia's drought conditions may have the state's farmers depressed, but it's put a smile on the faces of crape myrtle and rose growers. While the drought withered many crops, it also drastically reduced the number of Japanese beetles munching on these and other landscape plants.
Oct 2, 2007

Nature Disturbed, Blooms Await on 'Gardening'

ATHENS, GA - It's been a tough year for Georgia gardeners. On "Gardening in Georgia" Oct. 4 and 6, find out how to give nature a hand. "Gardening in Georgia" airs on Georgia Public Broadcasting television stations across Georgia each Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sep 29, 2007

Fall Fire Ant Control: Get 'Em While They're Young

ATHENS, GA - When you think of fire ants in the fall, "vulnerable" isn't the first word that pops into your mind. But it should be. If Dan Suiter, a Cooperative Extension entomologist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, could treat fire ants only once a year, he says he'd do it in the fall.
Sep 23, 2007

South Carolina Botanical Garden Events

CLEMSON, SC - The South Carolina Botanical Garden offers monthly First Friday Nature Walks for adults as well as a wonderful variety of cultural and educational programs for children and families throughout the year.
Sep 21, 2007

Revenge of the Plant Nerds

ATHENS, GA - Walter Reeves is a self-described plant nerd. Join the club as he hosts “Gardening in Georgia,” Sept. 27 and 29, and shows how to bring patio plants inside, designs beautiful containers for shade and teaches viewers all about Georgia palm trees.
Sep 21, 2007

Project to Use Sun, Wind to Pump Water to Cattle

ATHENS, GA - Cattle sometimes go to streams and rivers to drink because there is no other place they can get water. But they can pollute that water downstream. A University of Georgia expert is setting up sites near Georgia’s coast to show cattlemen how to use wind and sun to take the water to the cattle.
Sep 19, 2007

Homeowners Can Conserve Water, Save Money During Drought

Residents in the Palmetto State can do their part to conserve water due to the ongoing drought and save a few dollars on their water bill. State and local representatives from the South Carolina Drought Response Committee upgraded the drought level to severe for all counties except Beaufort and Jasper on Sept. 5.
Sep 18, 2007

Need Outdoor Water? 4-H'er Upgrades Rain Barrels

ATHENS, GA - As this year's drought drags on and on, prospects don't look good for fall gardens. Collecting and using the rain we do get could be the answer. "Our local government, in their quest to address storm-water issues, encourages all citizens to implement storm-water control methods at their homes," said former Clarke County 4-H'er Chip Felton, one of two Northeast District winners in the Georgia 4-H Leadership in Action project.
Sep 17, 2007

Vegetables Brighten Containers, Fall Dinner Tables

ATHENS, GA - Salad season isn't over yet. As fall takes hold, it's the perfect time to plant winter vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, kale, spinach, onion and Brussels sprouts. And growing them doesn't have to take an acre.
Sep 14, 2007

White Grubs Seem Harmless as They Eat Up Your Lawn

ATHENS, GA - You'd expect something that could destroy huge chunks of your lawn to look menacing and possess a suitably evil name. It's just hard to fear white grubs.
Sep 13, 2007

Waiting for Rain, Find Water to Use

ATHENS, SC - As dry heat continues to sear Georgia landscapes this fall, the answer to some water woes may be hiding in the ever-running air conditioner. "You'd be surprised how much water you can collect from condensation from your air conditioner," said Steve Brady, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent in Cobb County. "Collecting and using water that's normally wasted around your home can help you nurse your landscape through this drought."
Sep 11, 2007

Hordes of Whiteflies Hitting Georgia Farmers Hard

ATHENS, GA - Small, white smears appear on automobile windshields throughout south Georgia now. They're signs of head-on collisions with whiteflies. The minuscule menaces are hitting vegetable farmers hard, too, says a University of Georgia entomologist.
Sep 1, 2007

Good Crop Shows Life Left in Georgia Tobacco

ATHENS, GA - For the past few years, Georgia's tobacco industry has been like a tired, old man seeking a peaceful way to die. Acres and yields declined. Farmers quit. But the old man isn't giving up yet, says a University of Georgia expert. The trend could reverse this year.
Aug 26, 2007

Clemson offers Master Naturalist classes

CLEMSON, SC - Clemson extension is offering a series of 10 classes from Sept. 6 to Nov. 8 for those interested in becoming a master naturalist.
Aug 21, 2007

Warm, Dry Winter Predicted

ATHENS, GA - The crowd of Georgia peanut shellers gasped at Joel Paz's presentation. The slides weren't gory, but the information was scary nonetheless. Peanut shellers don't want to hear that the state's rain deficit will likely continue into the fall.
Aug 19, 2007