News Stories - Page 260

Here's a closeup picture of blueberries being grown in Alapaha. Picture taken in May, 2013. CAES News
Blueberry Freeze
Early blueberry varieties felt the chill of deep freezes during January and February, according to University of Georgia blueberry specialist Erick Smith.
Building a raised bed garden can be the perfect way to have a garden in limited space where the soil conditions are poor. But there are drawbacks to raised bed gardens, like the soil dries out quickly. CAES News
Raised Beds
Backyard gardeners with limited space may want to try gardening in raised beds. University of Georgia horticulturist David Berle says they are perfect for gardeners who have a “tough, urban site” where the soil conditions are not ideal.
Photos of seeds available at a recent seed swap at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. CAES News
Seed Shopping
Starting seeds indoors and growing transplants allows home gardeners to try some new varieties that are not available at local garden centers. Check catalogs produced by seed companies and try some new vegetable varieties that are easy to grow and mature quickly.
A vegetable garden in Butts Co., Ga. CAES News
Perfect Planting Spot
The ideal place for a vegetable garden is a level, well-drained site that receives full sun all day. The site should also get good air circulation and the soil should be loose, fertile and easy to work.
Feed the Future Peanut & Mycotoxin Innovation Lab (PMIL) Dave Hoisington welcomes an international class of plant breeders to the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for a technology workshop. CAES News
International Crop Breeders
When breeding a new crop variety, plant breeders often have to collect data from dozens or hundreds of seedlings to determine which plants have the traits they are looking for. Crunching all that data can be complicated, but new bioinfomatics systems, which track traits and make projections on future plant performance can make the process quicker, less expensive and more productive.
Parsley, rosemary, thyme, chives and oregano plants wait to be installed in a square foot garden plot. CAES News
Herb Garden
All herbs like well-drained soils, so it's easiest – and better for the plants – to grow them in pots. The exceptions are rosemary and thyme, which can be planted as ground cover in sunny areas.
A bumble bee collects pollen from a tomatillo bloom in a Butts Co., Ga., garden. CAES News
Garden Problems
There is nothing more frustrating than planting a vegetable garden and not producing a substantial crop. Numerous problems can contribute to low yields, but, fortunately, most of them can be avoided.
Fresh vegetables at a vendor stand at the Athens Farmers Market in Athens, Ga. CAES News
USDA
The process of applying for federal grants can be daunting, but extra funding can help farmers diversify their farms or make them more sustainable or profitable. University of Georgia Extension is currently working with the USDA to host two workshops to help farmers apply for grants through the USDA’s Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion programs.
UGA Extension consumer horticulturist Bob Westerfield checks bean plants for signs of disease and insects on the UGA campus in Griffin. Westerfield grows vegetables at work to be prepared to answer home gardener questions. He grows them at home for his dinner table. CAES News
Seed Shopping
Successful gardeners know that a bountiful harvest in the summer begins with proper planning in the spring. When the weather is still too cold to till the soil, seasoned gardeners are indoors ordering specialty seeds and planning what to plant and where.