This year we have encouraged community and school gardens all across Georgia to add pollinator habitat to their gardens. The Pollinator Spaces Project website provides information to help gardeners learn about pollinator health and to create beautiful pollinator spaces. Local UGA Cooperative Extension agents have been hosting pollinator workshops during the year. All this adds up to beautiful, new pollinator habitat across the state!
To be included in the tally of gardens, growers send Becky Griffin (beckygri@uga.edu) photographs of their new spaces with some information about their garden. These new gardens are awarded a certificate of participation in Georgia pollinator history!
Lithia Springs Community Garden makes pollinator plants an important part of the space!
As of now, 18 Georgia counties are represented with over 48 pollinator gardens. To see photos of these gardens, and perhaps get inspired visit the garden gallery. Also, a story map has been created which highlights five of the spaces. This story map will be updated this winter with an interactive Georgia map.
Zach White, of Reinhardt College, recently hosted a showing of Flight of the Monarchs. This movie reminds us of another reason to add pollinator habitat. The migration of the monarchs is remarkable and many of us with pollinator plants have been excited to be a part of the migration.
The reasons to add pollinator plants are many:
Increased pollinators activity assists in food production
These plants add an element of beauty to the food garden
Your work will aid in conservation efforts
Pollinator plants also attract other beneficial insects
You can enjoy watching the insects!
If you want to be part of this program contact Becky (beckygri@uga). We would love to include your garden.
This week we are fortunate to have Tim Daly as a guest blogger. Tim is a UGA Cooperative Extension agent for Gwinnett County, Georgia. Those of you work in community gardens in Gwinnett probably already know Tim. We are excited he is available to clear up any confusion about organic gardening. Tim writes….
Organic gardening has become quite popular among gardeners, but a considerable amount of confusion exists about exactly what it is and what it is not. Organic gardening uses a combination of methods and strategies to produce healthy plants.
It also requires a thorough understanding of the ecological relationships among soil, plants and other organisms in the garden. Contrary to popular belief, organic gardening is neither a method of pest control, nor the avoidance of the use of all chemical pesticides.
The Belvedere Community Garden is an ecosystem.
Organic starts with healthy soil
Organic gardening requires a long-term outlook in regard to soil preparation. Developing healthy, fertile soil helps to provide plants with necessary nutrients. Organic gardeners use natural, organic fertilizers and mineral amendments to improve the overall quality and fertility of their garden soil.
Healthy soil is key!
Most synthetic fertilizers provide nutrients that are immediately available to the plant. However, they do not contribute to the overall health and long-term fertility of the soil.
Organic matter in the soil is important because it breaks down and releases nutrients for the plants. It also improves the soil’s water- and nutrient-holding capacity and provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms. Organic matter in the soil can be increased by the addition of manure, topsoil, peat moss, compost and other suitable materials.
The garden is an ecosystem
The first key to successful pest control is to begin by purchasing healthy, quality plants that are free of insects and diseases. Next, encourage beneficial insects, such as lady beetles, lacewings and certain species of wasps, to stay in your garden. Certain herbaceous plants, such as dill, wild mustards and yarrow, provide shelter and food for these beneficial organisms. Plant these among your vegetables.
North Fulton Annex Community Garden has an area dedicated to plants that attract beneficial insects.
Choose plants that have varieties with known resistance to diseases and insects as a method of reducing pests. For example, some varieties of tomatoes have been bred to resist certain fungal diseases.
Remove and dispose of plant material, such as leaves, branches and fruit, that has fallen to the ground. Reduce the incidence of disease by keeping plant leaves and stems as dry as possible. Use drip irrigation rather than overhead watering to conserve water and reduce the amount of time plants remain wet.
Organic pesticides are available
When necessary, use organic pesticides. There are several choices available. Botanicals, such as rotenone, pyrethrum and neem oil products, are plant-derived materials.
Microbial pesticides that control certain insect pests are formulated from microorganisms or their byproducts. An example is DiPel, which contains a species of bacteria that targets certain caterpillar pests.
Minerals, such as sulfur and copper, are the primary organic materials used to control fungal and bacterial diseases. Always remember that even if a product is considered to be organic, it is still a pesticide. Exercise caution when using these products. Some organic pesticides are as toxic as or even more toxic than many synthetic chemical pesticides.
There are pros and cons to organic gardening. Understanding the basics of this practice and what it involves will help you succeed in having healthy, productive plants no matter what growing method you follow.
Thanks, Tim, for this great information! Tim is a great resource for vegetable gardeners, being a frequent connoisseur of homegrown tomatoes. You can reach Tim at UGA’s Gwinnett County office at tdaly@uga.edu.
Do you want to grow beautiful orange pumpkins for Halloween? But, after years of seeing your crop succumb to disease you have become discouraged. And, after learning that most of the pumpkins you see for sale at church pumpkin patches are grown in New Mexico (think LOW humidity), you have given up. Well, I have great news for you!
University of Georgia researchers have developed and released a new pumpkin variety bred especially to handle Georgia’s summer climate. Orange Bulldog was developed by UGA researchers from germplasm collected in South America. It shows greater resistance to viruses than conventional pumpkins. The vines show resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew. This is really great news for Georgia gardeners!
Orange Bulldog Pumpkin. Photo credit: UGA
The pumpkins average about 10 pounds. Most have an internal cavity which is perfect for carving. The color ranges from a salmon color to a burnt orange. And, seeds were readily available for 2016 and should be for 2017.
Many community gardeners don’t take advantage of our Georgia winters and finish their garden as the temperatures get cool. As you get ready for the garden break, don’t leave a weedy mess!
A garden plot left full of weeds is not just an eyesore that is unfair to your fellow community gardeners, it can be detrimental to your future crops.
The Weed Seed Bank – don’t make deposits
Weed scientists have a saying:
One year’s seeding means ten years weeding!
If a weed is allowed to produce seed those seeds will happily deposit in your plot to germinate at another time. In weed science terms, you have added to the dreaded weed seed bank. Plant seeds are tough and are a plant’s mechanism for long-term survival.
Some seeds from a legume collected beneath permafrost in the Yukon germinated. The estimated age of those seeds? 10,000 years old!
A sample of seeds dated 237 years old from a British museum herbarium germinated.
Garden Debris Can Create a Welcome Over-Wintering Spot for Pests
Pests like Mexican bean beetles can overwinter in garden debris waiting for your spring planting of bush beans. Don’t give them that extra edge.
What are some alternatives? If you aren’t growing cool-season vegetables, try growing a cover crop. Or, cover your plot with plastic and do some winter solarization. At the very least, clean your plot and add a cover of mulch.
Give next year’s warm-season crops a good start while being a good community garden neighbor.
Choose the mild weather during this period to plant or transplant the following: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, lettuce, mustard, onions, radishes, spinach and turnips. Plant your second planting of fall crops such as collards, turnips, cabbage, mustard and kale. For variety recommendations see the Vegetable Planting Chart.
There is still time to plant lettuce and other cool-season greens.
2. Refurbish mulch to control weeds, and start adding leaves and other materials for the compost pile. Store your manure under cover to prevent leaching of nutrients.
3. Water deeply and thoroughly to prevent drought stress. Pay special attention to new transplants.
Seedlings will probably need supplemental water during October, which is usually one of our driest months.
4. Harvest mature green peppers and tomatoes before frost gets them — it may not come until November, but be ready.
5. Harvest herbs and dry them in a cool, dry place.
This week we are excited to have award winning pastry chef Gracie Atsma joining us to discuss one of my favorite topics – peanuts! It is peanut harvesting time all across Georgia.
It is peanut harvesting time in Georgia.
Many school and community gardeners are also pulling up peanuts. What to do with the harvest? Chef Atsma shares a possibility with us!
Gracie’s Peanut Brittle
Sugar: 4 1/2 cups
Corn syrup: 2 1/4 (ish) cups
Water: 1 1/2 cups
Raw peanuts: 4 1/2 cups
Butter: 3 tablespoons
Vanilla Extract: 2 tsp
Salt: 1 tsp
Baking soda: 2 tsp
Dark Chocolate: a bit (optional)
Start with mixing together and dissolving the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a large saucepan over heat. Bring to a boil and keep a candy thermometer handy to make sure the mixture reaches 250ºF (121ºC). Be careful here; don’t get burned.
Once that reaches temp, add the butter and Peanuts, and continue boiling until it reaches 312ºF (155ºC). Be sure to be stirring constantly otherwise the bottom will burn!
Once it reaches 312ºF, remove from heat and keep stirring as you carefully add the Vanilla, salt, and baking soda. It will foam up a bit, so add slowly.
Have a nonstick pan ready and pour the hot mixture over it as soon as the last three ingredients are combined. Use a greased metal spatula to spread it out evenly, quickly though because it’ll get hard fast!
There you go! Once it hardens you can break it up into edible brittle pieces. Personally, while its cooling, I like to melt a bit of dark chocolate and pour it over top and put the whole thing in the fridge to cool. When it comes out you have a salty sweet treat just in time for fall!
Chef Gracie Atsma at work
You can find Pastry Chef Atsma at Ike and Jane in Athens, Georgia. Gracie started as a home cook and has always appreciated locally grown foods. As a teenager she had a garden of her own. She says “there is no down side for using locally grown, fresh food.”
What is the number one way to combat an insect problem in the garden? Know your pest. The answer is that simple. Correct identification of the pest is essential in any type of garden management.
Aphids on lettuce
Step #1 Correct identification
Sadly, I have often seen gardeners find signs of a pest and immediately reach for an overall insecticide without properly identifying the problematic insect. This can be detrimental to your garden. Insecticides can kill insects that are beneficial to your garden, like pollinators and insect predators.
This praying mantis is beneficial to your garden.
Step #2 Learn about the lifecycle and biology of the pest
Once the pest is correctly identified, a major part of growing organically or using integrated pest management (IPM) is learning about the insect to develop a plan of control. Learn about the life cycle and biology of your pest. Knowing all you can about a pest so you can manage that pest is just common sense.
For example, Mexican bean beetles lay their eggs in garden debris. Knowing that, you can help lessen your bean beetle problems by cleaning up your garden at the end of the summer.
Mexican bean beetle larva
Planting early, using netting, and choosing resistant varieties are all effective strategies that work in pest management IF the pest is known. Too much science for you? Your local UGA Extension agent is the resource to help you. Use his/her entomological skills to make your garden better!
And, remember that when using any insecticide the label instructions are the law!
On September 9th the Georgia Environmental Protection Division declared a Level 1 drought for 53 Georgia counties. This includes the Northwest part of Georgia which is experiencing severe and extreme drought conditions.
A Level 1 Drought Response declaration means you will be hearing more from your local water authority about water conservation.
What does this mean to community and school gardens?
At this point, not much. As always, we need to use best management practices in watering our gardens. According to the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010 irrigation of personal food gardens is allowed at anytime. It allows daily outdoor watering for “purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. by anyone whose water is supplied by a water system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division.”
You may want to make sure your irrigation system, hoses, and faucets are not leaking. Does your garden have a rain barrel? Find additional watering tips below:
Less than 10 miles outside of Las Vegas’s famous strip is a community food garden. Vegas Roots is a garden in the desert. On a recent trip out west I thought it would be fun to visit a garden with very different growing conditions than what I was used to in Georgia. And, I was curious to know what they were growing in the desert!
Vegas Roots Garden on a hot, July day.
The Climate
The climate in this area is hot in the summer, really HOT! In July and August it is not uncommon for temperatures to be over 110 degrees F. And, it is dry. The average rainfall is 4.17 inches; compare that to Georgia’s 55 inches. So, how does this garden grow? It grows pretty well!
Vegas Roots Community Garden was created six years ago. It is a multi-faceted space that contains plots for community members to rent, an area for children’s gardening, and rows for growing food that is donated to seniors and others in need. Volunteers are always welcome and the nearby casinos are very supportive of this space.
Growing Food in the Desert
If you are interested in renting a 5′ X 10′ plot the cost is $500 per year. The plots come with improved soil and a drip irrigation system installed. The irrigation is automated and most of the rent costs go to pay for water.
Irrigation systems are installed in all the gardening beds.
I visited this garden in early July and was surprised to see beautiful tomatoes and large squash fruits. With a climate so dry, Vegas Roots Community Garden does not have the fungal disease problems that we struggle with in Georgia. I got to eat juicy, ripe raspberries and saw apricot trees. Herbs were plentiful and sometimes the garden sells them to restaurants. My tour guide, Betty, says they will get burnout of plants later in the summer.
It turns out apricots grow fairly well in this desert garden.
I asked about pollinators and it turns out that there are native bees and other pollinating insects that pollinate the plants. The gardeners plant pollinator flowers to attract them, but pollination is not a problem. The garden does not allow pesticides.
Sunflowers help attract native pollinators.
The afternoon I was there a delegation from South Korea was due to visit the garden. It turns out those South Koreans are interested in setting up community gardens in their neighborhoods. Betty indicated that they often get visitors who are in town for the more famous Las Vegas sites.
Vegas Roots volunteer, Betty, is justifiably proud of the garden.
What a great treat to see such a lovely space. Thanks, Betty!
It is the time of year when Georgia gardeners think about their Fall, cool-season gardens. Leafy greens like spinach, leaf lettuce, and kale are all popular cool-season crops. They don’t require the time necessary to make a “head”, you can eat the thinnings, and the varieties available are endless.
Lettuce in the Trustees Garden Savannah, Georgia
Often at the beginning of cool-season planting time, germination rates can be an issue. “I have purchased new spinach seed and my germination rate is only about 50%.” Or, “My arugula just did not come up at all.” The problem might not be the seed quality but the soil temperatures, especially in a hot summer like we have been experiencing. Seeds require a specific range of soil temperatures for best germination.
If soil temperatures are close to the range extremes, the germination rate will definitely be affected. These temperatures not only affect the germination rate but how quickly the seeds emerge. For example, at 50°F spinach seed can take as much as three weeks to emerge. At 70°F you could see emergence in just days.
