One of the most important needs of plants is good soil for them to grow in. A soil test from the University of Georgia is the most accurate and effective way to assess the nutrient status and the relative acidity of the soil (pH). Applying fertilizer without a test can lead to applying too much or too little lime and fertilizer needed for optimum plant growth. To collect the soil, take a minimum of ten samples randomly in the area that requires testing and mix the soil thoroughly in a container, like a bucket. Bring two cups of the soil to the Extension office for testing. You will then place the soil in a small bag, and fill out some information on the side of it. For a fee of $8.00 per sample, the Extension office will mail it to the University of Georgia Soil Testing Laboratory with the results…
A Bit of Dirt – Winter 2009
PRESIDENT’S CORNER – By Debbie Bush Hello all! As I write this message to you, I’m looking at my beautiful sugar maple in all its fall glory thinking that the drought has taught me a few good lessons – I have been heavy handed with watering. My sasanquas are stunning and the japonicas are loaded with buds. My flowering trees and rhodies were magnificent this spring. Another lesson is that boxwoods are worth their weight in gold. I should have learned that when I visited George Washington’s Mt Vernon and saw his original boxwood plantings flourishing but it took a drought for me to have my “ah-ha” moment. Boxwood’s are now my favorite plant to buy. But not all is good, I’m sad that the drought has taken a toll on my ground covers. I remember my Great-Grandmothers’ Grandmother’s and Mother’s gardens as a child and the joy of spending…
The Arthritic Gardener
For those of us with arthritic joints, gardening can be a challenge; however, it can be made enjoyable. Gardening helps maintain joint flexibility and improves your quality of life. Here are some tips, techniques, and tools that can help keep an arthritic gardener active and happy in the garden. Work only during the time of day you feel your best. If you are stiff in the cool of the morning, conduct garden tasks during the warmer afternoons. Before starting, warm up your muscles and flex your joints with some gentle stretching exercises. Ask your doctor or physical therapist to recommend some warm-up and stretching exercises. I usually start each day with about 20 minutes of Tai Chi since it puts very little stress on my joints and increases my flexibility. Since I take arthritis medication, I usually protect my skin with sunscreen and wear a hat to make me less…