Georgia Magazine - July 2013 - (Page 50B)

Gardens plant of the month Bonus t n conte Colorful ‘bells’ Beautiful Calibrachoa, commonly known as “million bells,” come in a variety of colors. UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA St. Augustine grass grows in popularity St. Augustine grass seedheads S t. Augustine grass has long been admired in the southern part of Georgia for its attractive blue-green color, but many homeowners north of Macon are also discovering the grass. From Rome to Marietta to Athens, more homeowners are choosing St. Augustine grass for their warm-season lawns. South Georgia gardeners have long relied on the grass because it thrives in warm weather and in sandy soils, but it has many other beneﬁts. If you are considering a lawn change, St. Augustine grass is worth a look. It is a dense, attractive grass that holds up well to heat, drought and dog play. However, it is susceptible to cold injury and chinch bug damage. You need to weigh the pros and cons, but St. Augustine grass might be the turfgrass that meets your lawn needs. St. Augustine grass also has better shade tolerance 50B COURTESY PIKE NURSERIES I f you love ﬂower power, Calibrachoa is the perfect choice! Often called “million bells,” Calibrachoa is similar to the beloved petunia, but the ﬂowers are smaller and more abundant. The many varieties of Calibrachoa come in nearly every color under the sun—from sunkissed yellow to orange to magenta to a crisp white. Plant Calibrachoa in any area that receives full sun (six to eight hours a day) and that has well-draining soil. They’re ideal for the garden or planted in containers and are a must for hanging baskets. Note that this plant likes to wander a bit and, depending on the variety, will grow 12 to 14 inches wide and 5 to 10 inches tall. Simply keep the plant well-watered and fertilize every four to ﬁve weeks, and you’ll be rewarded with tons of ﬂowers. Source: Pike Nurseries, www.pikenurseries.com BY BECKY GRIFFIN AND CLINT WALTZ than other warm-season grasses. It can be a good ﬁt for lawns that are partially shaded. One of the main concerns about using St. Augustine grass north of Atlanta is its cold hardiness. “Raleigh,” “Palmetto” and “Mercedes” are cultivars that show some cold hardiness and are suitable for North Georgia. As with other warm-season grasses, site preparation is key for establishing a new, healthy lawn. Eliminate all weeds and till the soil thoroughly to a 4-inch depth with organic matter added. Fertilizer and lime should be included at rates recommended by soil test results; check with your local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension ofﬁce. Rocks and other debris should be removed as the area is raked smooth. Slope the area away from buildings. Sod or plugs establish St. Augustine grass since no seed is available. Rolling the new lawn with a water-ﬁlled roller will ensure good root-to-soil contact and a smoother lawn. St. Augustine grass should be mowed at a height of 2 to 3 inches, using sharp mower blades. When there is no rainfall, water one inch per week. Fertilize according to soil test results. A healthy lawn is more able to stand up to insect or disease pressure. For more information on growing turfgrass in Georgia, see www.georgiaturf.com. Becky Grifﬁn is the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension turfgrass associate in Cobb County. Clint Waltz is a Cooperative Extension turf specialist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. More online at www.georgiamagazine.org GEORGIA MAGAZINE http://www.pikenurseries.com http://www.georgiaturf.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - July 2013

Georgia Magazine - July 2013
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Liberty Notes
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar of Events
Georgia’s Energy Outlook
Currents
Fly-in or Drive-In
“Air Fare America”
Wood Basket of the World
Link to Video on Georgia’s Tree Industry
Lighten Up!
Control What You Consume
Around Georgia
Enhancing your adventure
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Snapshot
More Snapshot photos
Plant of the month
July’s online trivia contest
Georgia Grown spotlight

Georgia Magazine - July 2013