Meet the Cast Iron Plant!

Cast Iron Plant or Aspidistra elatior, gets its name for being tough as nails, even my mother can't kill it! This plant with it's long leathery leaves provides a great contrast to finer textured plants. It thrives in full shade which can be a hard place to find plants that fit. It can tolerate temperatures down into the 20s which is perfect for the mild Georgia winters. Cast Iron typically has few to no pests.  An occasional watering is all this plant needs to thrive.Cast irons are great for borders, around the base of trees, or in containers.

Got Grubworms?

We've all seen those pesky little grubs rummaging around in our soil and flower beds, but how do you get rid of them?

Beneficial Nematodes offer a safe alternative to chemicals and insectisides.
These bloodthirsty  microscopic worms are natural born killers. Let them loose in your soil and they begin their search for grubs, fleas, termites and many more  pests in your soil.  Once a nematode has found their poor unsuspecting prey, the nematode releases a poison which paralyzes and then kills their target. Nematodes also kill the larvae of the insects which effectively wipe out generations of pests. It takes a few days to see results for some pests , and up to 3 weeks to see results for grubs. With nematodes there are no dead insects left in your soil because nematodes devour the entire insect.

Nematodes are readily available online with different varieties available to suit your climate and soil type. They are easily applied , and do all the work for you. And they are not harmful to humans or animals!

Landscaping for your Dog!

Dogs need a place to call their own in your house, a place to provide entertainment, let some energy out, and not get yelled at if they chew up something.
Making sure plants are not toxic if your beloved pup take a nibble on one of their leaves.Azaleas and rhododendrons, black walnut, and oleander are just a few plants that are toxic to animals if digested. For a complete list visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/



Keep fertilizers out of your pet's  reach. Make sure to wait the appropriate time before letting the four legged creature run around in your recently fertilized lawn. Fertilizers can really upset your pet's stomach.

Some plants can actually repel fleas from your yard. When your dog brushes against these plants, the oil rubs off on their skin. Not only does this help combat fleas but makes the smell nice too!Some of these plants include rosemary, and sweet bay.   A backyard of these tall grasses and perennials can keep your dog occupied for hours.
Just a few simple plant choices can enhance your dog's experience in their own backyard.

Take All Root Rot

Have you been noticing wilted circular patches that are brown or bronze in your lawn?
You might have take all root rot, a fungus that attacks St. Augustine, bermuda and centipede grasses.

To identify the disease, pull up a piece of the infected grass. If it is pulled up easily and has  black, rotted roots , then Take all is your culprit.
Take All likes to attack in the fall and often goes undetected until early spring where noticible symptons appear, but at this point the damage has been done.

There is not much you can do for your lawn in the summertime just don't make it worse. Water deeply and infrequently as possible. Overwatering is often a cause of Take All. Make sure the pH is not too high, preferably between 5.5 and 6. If chemicals must be used then apply in fall or early spring .

For more information on Take All Root Rot and other turf grass diseases check out http://www.caes.uga.edu/

Tips for Saving Water with your Irrigation System

Summer brings water restrictions to Georgia.
Here are just a few tips to help conserve water and money with your irrigation system.
1. Install a master valve: A master valve detects if a zone valve is broken or has a leak and shuts the main system down to prevent severe water loss and damage. These master valves are especially important for irrigation systems for places such as vacation homes where a leak wouldn't be detected for days and therefore running the water bill up high.
2. Install a Rain and Temperature Gauge: These sensors help minimize wasting water. The rain gauge detects if a considerable amount of rain has fallen and shuts off the automatic timer. A temperature gauge monitors the air temperature and humidity to determine the dew point and when the least amount of evaporation will occur. These detectors pay for themselves in about a year.
3. Switch to pop up sprayers: Pop Up Sprayers spray slower and more efficiently than conventional sprayers thus reducing run off water waste.

4. Consider other options for water sources: Rain Barrels are a great way to harvest roof run off  that would otherwise be stormwater runoff.  For a larger capacity, Cisterns can be installed to hold thousands of gallons of water that can then be applied to the landscape.

Athens Farmers Market

With Summer time coming into full swing, we have something to look forward to besides the 100 degree weather.. Fresh Produce!
The Athens Farmers Market brings fresh and local produce into the heart of Athens every Tuesday and Saturday. Not only are you supporting  local farmers but the prices are low and the food is tasty.
On Tuesdays from 4-7pm you can find Little Kings, on Hancock Ave., bustling with vendors, arts, and live music. If you're looking for more of a variety of produce, be sure to catch the Farmers Market on Saturday Mornings 8am to Noon  at Bishop Park off Oglethorpe Ave. for over 50 local vendors!
A variety of prepared food vendors such as Dondero's Kitchen, Luna Bread, and 1000 Faces Coffee  are available as well.
For more information visit their website:

http://athensfarmersmarket.net/

The Lurking Danger of Sink Holes

Yesterday on I-24 north of Chattanooga, TN a giant sink hole suddenly opened up that was 25 feet wide, 25 feet long, and 20 feet deep. Luckily no one was hurt but this got us thinking... What are the chances of this happening in your back yard?

Sink holes occur when the rock below the land surface is limestone , salt beds or a rock that can naturally be dissolved by groundwater.  Caverns begin to develop as the rock below erodes thereby weakening the structural support of the rock. When these caverns get too big the land suddenly collapses, taking everything on top with it.

 The most damage from sinkholes tends to occur in Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.While Georgia does not have a lot of the susceptible rock
we are not out of the clear yet! Many of the recent sinkholes are man made and are related to poor land use practices such as changing the natural water drainage patterns.
  Sink holes don't have to be enormous to be destructive they can be just a few feet wide in your backyard.

Here are a few signs that you might have a sinkhole forming...
1. Cracks in interior joints around doors or windows,
2. Large depressions in your yard or street
3. Deep cracks and separation of paved walks and streets.
4. Sediment in your water
5. Observation of an actual cavity forming.
If you see any of these symptoms contact a landscape professional.
(ga.water.usgs.gov , sinkhole.org)

The Wonderful Rain Barrel

What are Rain Barrels and Why Use Them?

Water conservation is important to preserve our fresh water supply. There are many outdoor water-saving tips that can be used to help save on tap water use. One way is to use rain barrels or catchers to collect and store rainwater from rooftops for lawn and garden use. Rain barrels can also conserve water, help reduce water bills, and reduce pollution by reducing stormwater runoff. The water collected in the rain barrel would normally flow off the roof or through roof gutters and downspouts becoming stormwater runoff. Depending on the house location, this runoff can travel onto paved surfaces and eventually into a storm drain.

Rain barrels can be used to save water for plants during dry periods. They can also be arranged to slowly release the collected rain fall to areas that can soak up the water, reducing stormwater runoff and increasing groundwater recharge. The good news is that rain barrels are inexpensive, easy to install and easy to operate and maintain. Ready-made rain barrels can be purchased from local suppliers or on-line.

To Keep Garden Produce Safe, How Should I Use the Water Collected in the Rain Barrel?

As the water collected in the rain barrel is coming off a roof, into gutters and down downspouts, it is not considered to be “drinkable” or potable water. Remember, birds and animals are also on the roof. So, water from the roof can contain bacteria and other disease-causing organisms from bird and other animal waste that might be on the roof. How you use this water in your garden and the type of plants you use it on is an important consideration. Rain barrel water is fine if used to water non- edible plants – like flowers or lawns.

But Can I Use the Water In My Vegetable Garden?

Yes, but only in the same way that other nonpotable water is used. Avoid using overhead irrigation.It is best to use this water for drip or trickle irrigation This prevents contamination of edible above the ground plant parts that are hard to clean, especially leafy greens. However, the vegetable is not safe to eat unless it is thoroughly washed using “drinkable” water first. Rain barrel water should not be used close to harvest time to water the vegetable garden and should NEVER be used to wash fruits or vegetables from the garden or orchard prior to consumption. (URI.edu)

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

For those living in the Athens, GA area the State Botanical Garden of Georgia provides a great landscape resource for the community. With many different types of gardens, trails, and plant communities a visitor can spend a lot time immersed in nature. If learning is what you are looking for, the Botanical Gardens provide tons of educational opportunities for adults, kids, schools, camps and other organizations.

One of my favorite aspects of the Bot Gardens is its Heritage Garden which "contains plants of historic and socioeconomic interest to Georgia. Included in this garden are ornamentals such as heirloom annuals and perennials and antique roses; fruit crops such as apples, pears, and peaches; row crops such as cotton, tobacco, and peanuts; and a selection of plants native to Georgia."

Preserving historic landscape vegetation, and telling its story  is an important part of any region's heritage...Thanks Bot Gardens!

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Olmstead park in Atlanta

One of the most revered and talented Landscape Architects was a man named Fredrick Law Olmstead (April 26, 1822 – August 28, 1903).  Considered the 'father' of Landscape Architecture, Olmstead is credited with the design behind Central Park and Prospect Park in New York City. His design firm developed dozens of famous parks throughout the US and world.

The most notable in our area of Georgia is Olmsted Linear Park in Druid Hills, Ponce de Leon Ave.  It is made of 50 acres of six distinct parks, strung along Ponce de Leon Avenue like a necklace. The parks were designed in the late 19th Century. Each of the six parks has its own name: Deepdene, Dellwood, Shadyside, Springdale, Virgilee and Oak Grove (formerly Brightwood). 

The drive down Ponce through these historic parks makes for a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Meet the Eastern redbud

As far as smaller native Southeastern trees go, the Eastern redbud (Cercius Canadensis) is up there on the list.  It typically grows to 20-30 feet tall with a 25-35 foot spread.  The flowers are showy, magenta pink in color,  appearing in clusters from March to May, on bare stems before the leaves. Sometimes even on the trunk itself! The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees.

According to Wikipedia  "In some parts of southern Appalachia, green twigs from the Eastern redbud are used as seasoning for wild game such as venison and opossum. Because of this, in these mountain areas the Eastern redbud is sometimes known as the spicewood tree."

So spice up your lawn and your dinner with an Eastern redbud!

Best Azalea EVER!

Rhododendron simsii, or better known as Formosa Azalea is one of our favorites.They typically grow to 10'-12' high and spread 8'- 10'.  The Formosa is a very pest tolerant species and is generally available throughout its hardiness range (Zone 8-10).

We like this little shrub because it attracts butterflies (for the kids), cut its beautiful flowers (for the wife) and is a low maintenance plant (for the husband). It has something for everyone!