Fayette County Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources
From our "Know and Grow in Fayette County" blog
Red Maple (Acer rurum) Flowers This months find are flowers from the Red Maple (Acer rurum). Did you know that the red maple is one of the first trees to bloom in the spring? Red Maples are a beautiful landscape tree that can reach 50-100¡¯ high with a moderate growth rate of 12-24¡± per year. […]
Master Gardener Extension Volunteers highlighted some common invasive species found in Fayette County for National Invasive Species Awareness Week (2/24-2/28/2025) on our Facebook page. Each day, an invasive plant was highlighted to increase knowledge on identification and some native alternatives to consider. Since management options vary, consider contacting our office. Monday: 2/24/2025 Name: Nandina or […]
Since we missed Aprils find, this month we have two finds to share! Oak Leaf Blister In the image below, you will see small yellow dots all over the leaves of this red oak. Oak Leaf Blister is a fungal disease that attacks oaks during cool wet spring weather. Red oaks are particularly prone to […]
Since we missed Aprils find, this month we have two finds to share! Wool Sower Galls While walking around Lake McIntosh, Wool Sower Galls were found growing on these white oaks. This plant growth forms on the plant by the secretions of a tiny gall wasp grub, Callirhytis seminator. This gall is specific to white […]
Other Upcoming Events
May 10
Sow and Grow Garden Club
Fayetteville, GA
Join us for our 2025 youth spring garden club on 2 scheduled Saturdays in March, April and May. Youth will explore the outdoors and learn about habitats through hands-on activities in our Education Garden.
This program is for 1st thru 3rd graders.
May 24
Sow and Grow Garden Club
Fayetteville, GA
Join us for our 2025 youth spring garden club on 2 scheduled Saturdays in March, April and May. Youth will explore the outdoors and learn about habitats through hands-on activities in our Education Garden.
This program is for 1st thru 3rd graders.
Jun 10
Buzzing in the Summer: Native Plants and Attracting Pollinators
Fayetteville, GA
Join us and learn the story of native bees, butterflies, and birds and why native plants are important.
This program explores the "why" (ecological importance) and "what" (types and characteristics) of native plants and their vital connection to wildlife.
The educator for this program will be Fayette County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) Charlane Hemphill.
Home Garden Publications
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(B 1271) This publication discusses the basics of growing tomatoes successfully, as well as avoiding common problems encountered by the home gardener.
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(B 1518) This bulletin offers information about plum production, pruning, thinning, fertilization, and variety selection in the home garden. Plums belong to the Prunus genus and consists of many species of different origins and diverse fruit types. Most commercially grown varieties are derived from either Japanese or Asian plums (P. salicina and its interspecific hybrids) or European plums (P. domestica). Japanese plums are primarily for fresh consumption, while European plums are for both processing and fresh consumption. The products obtained from processing plums include prunes (dried fruit, the predominant product), canned fruit, jam, jelly, juice, and beverages.
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(B 577) This publication explains everything you need to know about growing a successful home vegetable or herb garden, including location and planning, soil preparation, choosing what to plant and how to tend it, fertilizer, weed control, mulching and composting, watering, pollination, disease and insect control, harvesting, and freezing, canning and preserving.
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(B 807) Bunch grapes are often called ¡°pod¡± grapes in rural Georgia since they produce large clusters of fruit. Georgia's climate is not well-suited to home garden production of European bunch grapes, but American bunch grapes and hybrids between the two species (French hybrids) grow well in Georgia. If grapes are well cared for and sprayed when diseases and insects threaten, you can expect yields of 20 to 30 pounds of fruit per vine.
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(C 1005) The rich, full flavor and freshness of a home-grown pepper just picked from the bush are the gardener's reward for growing their own peppers. Fortunately, the most popular pepper varieties are easy to grow as long as you understand and follow a few basic gardening principles.
Well Water Publications
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(B 1523) Mechanical filtration removes suspended solids and dirt to greatly improve the clarity of water. Various kinds of mechanical filtration methods and devices are available for home water treatments. Primarily, the size of the suspended solids will determine the appropriate type of mechanical filtration device suitable for your unique situation. Consumers interested in filtration devices should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various available options with a water treatment professional. This publication discusses the various aspects of mechanical filtration.
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(B 1542) Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, is usually produced from charcoal in granular or powdered form. It is a form of carbon that has been processed (activated) to make it highly porous, with a very large surface area available for physical adsorption or chemical reactions. Among others, water treatment is an important application of activated carbon. Activated carbon filters treat general taste and odor problems, including chlorine residue, various organic chemicals, and the radioactive gas radon. This publication discusses various types of activated carbon water treatment systems, their usefulness and limitations, along with required maintenance.
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(B 1563) Private well waters often contain high levels of iron, manganese, and hydrogen-sulfide. While these contaminants are not considered to have any human health consequences, they can cause various issues such as staining, impaired taste, and odor problems once their concentration exceeds certain levels, and homeowners need an appropriate system to remove them¡ªsuch as an oxidizing filter. Oxidizing filters operate using oxidation, which occurs when a substance comes into contact with oxygen or another oxidizing substance. Everyday examples of oxidation are rust and the brown color that develops on a cut apple. This publication discusses various aspects of oxidizing filtration technique such as applicability, types of filter media, maintenance, etc.
Lawn and Landscape Publications
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(C 943) The recommendations in this circular are based on long-term average dates of the last killing frost in the spring and first killing frost in the fall. Every year does not conform to the "average," so you should use your own judgment about advancing or delaying the time for each job, depending on weather conditions.
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(B 987) This publication focuses on native trees, shrubs and woody vines for Georgia. It is not our intent to describe all native species ¡ª just those available in the nursery trade and those that the authors feel have potential for nursery production and landscape use. Rare or endangered species are not described. Information on each plant is provided according to the following categories: Common Name(s)/Botanical Name/Family, Characteristics, Landscape Uses, Size, Zones and Habitat.
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(B 931) Pesticide and fertilizer recommendations are often made on a pounds per acre and tons per acre basis. While these may be applicable to field production of many crops, orchardists, nurserymen and greenhouse operators often must convert these recommendations to smaller areas, such as row feet, square feet, or even per tree or per pot. Thus pints, cups, ounces, tablespoons and teaspoons are the common units of measure. The conversion is frequently complicated by metric units of measure. This publication is designed to aid growers in making these calculations and conversions, and also provides other data useful in the management, planning and operation of horticultural enterprises.
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(B 1312) This publication is a joint effort of the seven disciplines that comprise the Georgia Vegetable Team. It is comprised of 14 topics on tomato, including history of tomato production, cultural practices, pest management, harvesting, handling and marketing. This publication provides information that will assist producers in improving the profitability of tomato production, whether they are new or experienced producers.
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(B 1286) This publication contains a guide to diseases of oak trees in the landscape.
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(C 774) Fences may be used to protect or divide property, to improve its appearance, to confine animals, or to exclude animals. This publication covers the planning for, type of, materials for, and maintenance of permanent and temporary fences.
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(C 782) This publication contains descriptions and images, as well as methods of control, for common stinging and biting pests found in Georgia, including: bees, wasps, hornets, fire ants, scorpions, caterpillars, spiders, chiggers and flies.
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(B 625) This publication includes a list of good plants for Georgia organized into various sizes and groups. The design qualities of plants¡ªtheir form, size, color and texture¡ªare emphasized according to the principles and requirements of good landscape design and plant maintenance. Hardiness and disease and insect resistant qualities are also considered.