Thwart thistle take-over on “Gardening in Georgia”
Thistle flowers are beautiful. But the damage the invasive plant can do in a pasture or landscape is not. Find out how to thwart its takeover on “Gardening in Georgia with Walter Reeves” July 11 and 15.

Clean produce before enjoying
It’s fresh produce time in Georgia. Before you take a bite of a sweet, juicy cantaloupe or homegrown tomato or any other fruit or vegetable, don’t forget to thoroughly wash them first, says a University of Georgia food expert.

Planned family time good for children and parents
“We overschedule ourselves,” said Ted Futris, a relationships specialist with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. “If both children and their parents are constantly going, when are parents engaging in discussions with their kids? Parents need to be making a conscious decision to schedule time together on a regular basis.”

June starts wet, ends dry, remained hot
High pressure dominated Georgia’s weather in June, leading to temperatures that were well above normal. Lack of rainfall in most areas contributed to general drying of the soils in most counties and put stress on some crops.

Food preservation doesn’t save money for everyone
There are many reasons for preserving food at home. Some have to do with satisfaction, creativity or family tradition. Another may be economical. The practice may save money for some, but doesn’t for everyone.

Preserve your summer bounty
More and more, people are planting gardens and preserving its bounty. For some, the draw is self-sufficiency and quality control.

UGA’s Risse is new Georgia Power Professor
Mark Risse has been named Georgia Power Company Professor of Water Resources Policy at the University of Georgia, according to Steve Wrigley, director of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, where the position is based.

Apply proper fertilizer for large fruit, not plant
Fertilizer can work wonders on plants, but applying the wrong kind to tomatoes can leave you with a tall, healthy plant with no fruit, say University of Georgia Cooperative Extension experts.

Soggy spring weather wallops Georgia wheat
After rough spring weather, the heat is on. And some crops are doing better than others in Georgia fields, where farmers are finishing up a disappointing wheat harvest and hoping the rain hasn’t stopped for the year, say University of Georgia crop experts.

UGA Trial Gardens goes sustainable
Nestled between buildings -- and currently hidden behind a construction zone -- a garden grows. The University of Georgia Trial Gardens is where plants from all over the world are tested. Now grown in a sustainable way, the garden has little impact on the environment but a huge one on the people who visit it.

Wanted: College graduates with a background in agriculture
A recent study by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development reveals that the agribusiness industry has plenty of job openings, but not enough college graduates to fill them.

Hot weather kills people and animals
A Georgia summer can have periods of consecutive days with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees. These abnormally hot conditions, or heat waves, are dangerous.

Georgia blueberry crop ripe, ready and robust
A late spring freeze followed by heavy rains were a blessing for some Georgia blueberry growers. But they brought more hard work to others, according to University of Georgia experts.

Miracle gardening products most likely aren’t
From diet pills to wrinkle cream, if a product sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. Cable television and the Internet are filled with advertisements for wonder products. With gardening being a favorite outdoor activity, many of these so-called miracle products are designed with gardeners in mind.

U.S. agriculture can feed the growing world
Rising population and growing nutritional demands will require food production to double by 2050. Where the increase in food production will occur depends upon geopolitics, climate or climate changes and environmental considerations.

Milk or water still best thirst quenchers
With so many sports drinks, vitamin waters, energy drinks and specialty teas on the market, consumers may wonder which is best for them. An expert with University of Georgia says to be wary of them all and that milk and water are still the best thirst quenchers.

Bioenergy conference set for Aug. 11 in Tifton, Ga.
No single renewable energy source, such as biofuel, solar or wind, will break the United States’ fossil-fuel habits. But industry experts, scientists and policymakers will discuss how all three combined could at the 2009 Southeast Bioenergy Conference August 11-13 in Tifton, Ga.

Inmates grow food, skills at new garden
Some new gardeners shop hard for the best gloves, hat or kneeling mat. Some new gardeners in Thomas County gear up by wearing matching outfits and working with whatever tools the warden lets them use for the day.

UGA Trial Gardens open house July 11
What began as a vacant lot of land and one man’s dream has blossomed into a world-renowned research garden, where materials from plant breeders across the world are tested and displayed each year. The public can get a first-hand look at the University of Georgia Trial Gardens at its annual open house July 11 from 8 a.m. until noon.

Georgia emerges from three-year drought
Thanks to one of the wettest springs in Georgia’s history, the drought that has gripped the state for three years has ended.

Free information on 600 topics
Book stores and Web sites are filled with the latest manuals geared for both advanced and novice gardeners. But if buying the newest how-to book doesn’t fit your budget, turn to University of Georgia experts for free information online.

Peanut’s sleep habit helps farmers fight diseases
The peanut plant grows a thick canopy of compound leaves close to the ground. This structure provides for good nuts, but makes it hard for farmers to fight diseases that attack near the soil. But the plants do something naturally that can help farmers fight these threats, says a University of Georgia researcher, and the difference can be night and day—literally.

Biofuels in Georgia
Editor’s note: K.C. Das is an associate professor of engineering with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the director of the Biorefining and Carbon Cycling Program and manager of CAES biofuel research. The following is an abridged version of a Q&A on the status of bioenergy research in Georgia and its future. It originally appeared in the 2009 CAES Environmental Report magazine.

New commission may be on horizon
Town hall-type meetings will be held across the state to give producers a chance to learn more about the proposed ornamental horticulture commission.

May was wet, windy month in Georgia
May in Georgia was very wet. Temperatures were normal to 2 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. There were reports of hail or strong winds somewhere in Georgia on at least 16 days.

Student-grown watermelons, pumpkins to be judged
Growing gigantic award-winning watermelons and pumpkins takes skill, patience and time. Young gardeners across the state are encouraged to plant their seeds now if they plan to win either the annual Georgia 4-H Pumpkin or Watermelon Growing Contest this year.

Use credit wisely
People are tightening their economic belts these days, and so are banks. The days of limitless credit may be over. However, it’s still a valuable financial tool if managed wisely, says a University of Georgia financial expert.

UGA licenses new Bermuda grass that thrives in sun
An internationally recognized turfgrass researcher from the University of Georgia has developed a new Bermuda grass that thrives in sun and produces healthy turf in areas with less than half the light normally required for other Bermuda grass.

Radish oil for biodiesel
Corn and soybeans are excellent crops for use in ethanol and biodiesel production, but chickens, cows and people like to eat the crops, too. University of Georgia engineers are searching for non-food crops that can be used to make alternative fuels.

Planting forages for wildlife
Imagine waking up to a clear, cool morning, looking out your window and seeing deer or other wildlife feeding on your property. If you want to make it happen, consider growing food plots. Before you do, a University of Georgia expert warns not all crops are created equally for the job of attracting wildlife.

Farmers markets help Georgians connect with local food, farmers
“People want to look into the face of the person who grows their food and be able to trace it back and know how it’s grown,” said Louise Estabrook, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent in Fulton County.

Keep safety first during grilling season
What is red, white and blue and seen all over America? If you said red, juicy steaks over the flickering blue flames from the white-hot coals of the grill, you are exactly right. No summer would be complete without the sizzle of the grill.

Prepare for hurricane season
The probability of Georgia being directly hit by a hurricane in any given year is low. Regardless, Georgians should prepare just in case. Because when one does hit, it will be devastating, says the state’s climatologist.

UGA’s Cabrera named Georgia Power Professor
University of Georgia professor Miguel Cabrera has been named the inaugural Georgia Power Professor in Environmental Remediation and Soil Chemistry.

Predicting crop outcomes
Top agricultural scientists from across the United States met in Georgia this month to discuss ways to help farmers increase profits, optimize yields, decrease inputs and manage crops based on local weather and soil conditions.

UGA experts help sustainable farm grow better
“We didn’t like the fact that we didn’t know where our food was coming from,” said Tim Young, who owns Nature’s Harmony Farm.

Mind your peas and cukes this summer
Summer is the season for swimsuits and snacky treats. But to stay feeling and looking good, remember to watch what you eat, says a University of Georgia nutritionist.

Knock down wasp nests now
Now is the time to knock down wasp nests around your home before babies hatch and become a problem later this summer, says a University of Georgia entomologist.

Royal presented CAES Medallion of Honor
During graduation ceremonies for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences May 9, State Representative Richard Royal received the college’s highest honor: the Medallion of Honor for Service.

Scientists look for melon disease ‘smoking gun’
Watermelon farmers fear gummy stem blight more than any other disease. To develop better ways to manage it, University of Georgia plant pathologists are leading a regional effort to pinpoint its origins.

Dwarf crape myrtles offer new uses for old plant
Crape myrtles have long graced Southern landscapes as trees. Now gardeners can enjoy their hardy qualities in their smaller cousins. Miniature myrtles can be grown as shrubs, groundcovers or even hanging basket plants.

Protect yourself from mosquito baby boom
Georgia’s drought kept mosquitoes, to a point, at bay. But an abundance of rain and warm weather has sparked dormant eggs to hatch. By the millions, adult mosquitoes are descending on Georgians all across the state.

UGA expert offers financial advice
Many economic experts say the United States is in the midst of the greatest recession the nation has faced since the Great Depression. American families are affected directly by this crisis through job losses, home foreclosures and rising fuel and food costs.

Yard recycling featured on ‘Gardening in Georgia’
Recycling isn’t just for household waste. On the May 16 and 20 episode of “Gardening in Georgia with Walter Reeves,” see how to recycle things from the landscape, too. Tune into Georgia Public Broadcasting stations Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Greening up the green industry
“The thing that amazed growers around the country most was showing them how something as simple as changing out their light bulbs could save them so much money,” said Paul Thomas, a UGA Cooperative Extension horticulturalist.

Archway Program honored
The University of Georgia was recently awarded the 2009 Outreach Scholarship W.K. Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award for its Archway Partnership program. By receiving the award, the Archway Partnership is one of four regional programs invited to compete for the national 2009 C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award.

Volatile weather month smacks Georgia
April hit Georgia with almost every weather punch, including floods, hail, high winds, tornadoes and even two earthquakes.

Lanier and Hartwell basins improve to mild drought
Thanks to generous rains, Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell basins have improved to mild drought. The basins were previously in moderate drought.

Hard labor reaps onion research rewards
On April 20, Georgia’s Vidalia onion growers started shipping this year’s crop, one expected to be high in quality and yields. No grower can ship onions before this opening day, which the Georgia Department of Agriculture regulates to protect the quality and reputation of the state’s official vegetable.

Timing is everything on ‘Gardening in Georgia’
The most often asked questions from gardeners begin with “Is it time to…?” On “Gardening in Georgia with Walter Reeves” May 9 and 13, show host Walter Reeves and his guests will answer a variety of questions on what to do in the garden and landscape.

Flu outbreak requires preventative measures
Amid reports that an outbreak of H1N1 influenza, otherwise called swine flu, continues to grow in the United States and internationally, university experts say simple precautions should be used to prevent the spread of all types of flu.

New regional gardening show set to air
Beginning this spring Southern gardeners will have another tool to help them in the garden. “Your Southern Garden” with Walter Reeves is a new educational television show to help gardeners of all levels learn new tips, get fresh ideas and visit interesting sites.

Children get high blood pressure
We expect high blood pressure to affect adults. But more and more, children and teens are being diagnosed every day. One reason for the increase is more children and teens are now overweight or obese. Inactivity, poor eating habits and weight gain all contribute to the development of hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Track Georgia's precipitation
University of Georgia professor Mark Eiteman’s morning ritual begins at 6:45 each day. He brushes his teeth, makes a fresh bowl of fruit, checks his rain gauge and reports the measurement on the Internet. Collecting rain data isn’t part of his job. He volunteers to gather the information for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, or Co

Management, marketing focus of May beef cattle workshop
Three universities are teaming up to help beef cattle producers better compete in today’s tough cattle market. The all-day Southeast Beef Cattle Management and Marketing Schools will be held May 12-14 throughout north Georgia.

Volatile spring weather whips Georgia crops
Torrential rains have flooded fields and freezing temperatures have shocked plants, turning spring into a roller-coaster weather ride for Georgia farmers.

Rainwater finds new use as toilet water
“Most of our water demand could be supplied by harvested rainwater,” said Frank Henning, a former watershed agent with UGA Cooperative Extension. “It would be a win-win-win development. Rainwater harvesting can improve water conservation, reduce storm water problems and reduce the need to construct expensive reservoirs.”

Plant doctors identify diseases
Mother Nature has blessed Georgia with an abundance of rain over the past month, leaving most areas drought-free. But all that moisture mixed with warm spring temperatures creates a perfect environment for landscape diseases.

Unpasteurized milk poses serious health risks
Unpasteurized milk from cows, sheep or goats can carry dangerous bacteria that infect humans. People have contracted salmonella, E. coli, listeria and even rabies from consuming raw milk. It’s a risk people shouldn’t take, says a University of Georgia food specialist.

Rains come just in time for spring planting
Georgia’s last frost date has passed. And just in time for spring garden planting, rain has returned to Georgia. But those water-conservation habits learned during the drought can still be a sustainable way to keep landscapes healthy.

The handy-man special on ‘Gardening in Georgia’
Learn how to build a bird house, a raised bed and an individual sprinkler-head irrigation system on “Gardening in Georgia with Walter Reeves” April 25.

Learn to control asthma attacks
Do you or a family member suffer from asthma? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 23 million people, including 6.8 million children, have been diagnosed with asthma.

Tropics produce more baby girls than anywhere else
Women who want to increase their chances of giving birth to a girl should live closer to the equator, says a University of Georgia researcher, whose recent study sheds light on how temperature and day length can influence human reproduction.

Antimicrobial wash is better than chlorine
A new technology that kills pathogens on food at home and in restaurants, grocery stores, beverage-manufacturing and food-processing facilities has been licensed to the maker of FIT Fruit and Vegetable Wash™. The licensing agreement between the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. and HealthPro Brands, Inc., FIT’s parent company, vastly extends the range of applications for the company’s current anti-microbial food wash.

Fewer nuts could equal more money for pecan farmers
Due to its internal makeup, a pecan tree naturally makes a big crop every other year. This means some years are better, or worse, than others for pecan growers. But a new technique can stabilize production and help make each year a good year, says a University of Georgia pecan specialist.

Street vendors inspire new UGA bean patty
Soybeans are the typical replacement for ground meat in patties. But patties made with black-eyed peas and peanut could be just as good, say University of Georgia food scientists.

UGA helps students TAP into their potential
Elbert and Putnam counties will participate in a ground breaking program for high-risk students. What is learned will benefit the entire state, say specialists with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

UGA student sets state cricket-spitting record
David Friedman sent a cricket flying 31.55 feet – with his mouth. Now the University of Georgia junior from St. Simons holds the unofficial state record for cricket spitting.

March rain soaks Georgia’s drought
While temperatures were near normal for March in Georgia, rainfall was well above normal, according to data collected by the National Weather Service. Precipitation was below normal only along the state’s northern and southern borders and east-central area.