Georgia Magazine - May 2011 - (Page 43)

Discover the “Georgia Gold Medal Plant of the Month” on page 50C of the May 2011 issue, online at www.georgiamagazine.org. web exclusive web exclusive Berries, including blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, are among the easiest and least space-demanding fruits to grow and are great producers in the home landscape. handhold while leaning into the bed, support a trellis for climbing plants, hold deer or bird netting in place, if needed, and add a design element to the landscape. Finials, copper caps or even solar light caps can be placed on top of these posts. Remove the grass or weeds below, secure the bed edging, ﬁll with compost and plant. Where to get the plants? Growing plants from seed is inexpensive and offers more options, but does take close monitoring. Skip watering for a day or leave tender seedlings out in bright sun and the crop is lost. If you only need a few tomatoes and peppers and are not a pro at growing plants from seed, then let the experts start the plants for you and purchase them at your local garden center. You can try different varieties and have the instant gratiﬁcation that comes with plants in place after spending an afternoon in the garden. Some crops, like radishes, beans and turnips, grow easily from seeds planted in the ground, but new or busy gardeners will probably have better results buying herbs, tomatoes and peppers as plants. Don’t forget fruit plants can also thrive in your home landscape. Fig May 2011 trees have a tropical appearance, and many fruit trees have a beautiful spring bloom. Blueberries are among the easiest fruits to grow and incorporate into a landscape plan. Turn to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension for information: www. caes.uga.edu/extension/anr or (800) ASK-UGA1 (800-275-8421). It is easy to get inspired, till up a huge garden and buy dozens of packets of seeds. If this is how you take on new projects, and you have time to spend in your garden this summer, fantastic, but choosing a few plants to grow in a smaller space is a wiser choice for beginning or busy gardeners. A small garden can be rejuvenating and relaxing; planting, tending, harvesting and processing a large garden may end up adding stress. A few tomato, pepper, herb and squash plants, supplemented with corn and other vegetables from your farmers market, may be a perfect balance for you. Connie Cottingham is a freelance garden writer, master gardener, garden club member and landscape architect who gardens in Zone 7b Athens. More online at www.georgiamagazine.org Raised beds offer many beneﬁts and are an attractive addition to the home landscape. May garden tips: • When gardening, take rest breaks, change chores periodically to work different muscles and drink plenty of water. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and a hat! • Orchids are happy outside in bright shade (direct sun will burn the leaves) once nighttime temperatures stay above 50 degrees. Consider hanging orchid plants from an arbor or tree branch. • Prune spring-blooming plants after they bloom. If a tree or shrub has a branch that has not leafed out and the rest of the plant has, then the branch is dead and can be cut off. • Summer annuals planted in May can provide six to seven months of nonstop color. • Revive your summer containers to liven up your deck or patio. Many vegetable and fruit varieties have been bred to thrive in containers. Consider ‘Blue Suede’ blueberries, bred in Georgia. 43 http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/anr http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/anr http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - May 2011

Georgia Magazine - May 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Georgia’s Energy Outlook
Special Energy Report
Dolphin Tales
Agrability in Georgia
Creature Comforts
Georgia@home
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - May 2011