Agriculture & Natural Resources

Prices for General Soil and Water Testing:

Basic Soil Test: $9.00 per bag, shipping included.
Soil Testing in Georgia (brochure)
Soil Testing for Home Lawns, Gardens and Wildlife Food Plots (brochure)
Basic Water Test: $24, shipping included (mineral content, pH, hardness).
Bacteria in Well Water: $49 per test, includes over-night shipping. Samples accepted only M-T-W. Requires a special kit available at the office.
Home Loan Closing Water Test: Bacteria, Lead, Nitrite, & Nitrate. Samples accepted only on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday! For 5 to 7 business days - $100.00 or for 2 to 3 business days - $158.00, over-night shipping is included. Requires a special kit available at the office.

Local Interest Publications:

Extension Publications

Vegetable Garden Calendar (C 943) The recommendations in this circular are based on long-term average dates of the last killing frost in the spring and first killing frost in the fall. Every year does not conform to the "average," so you should use your own judgment about advancing or delaying the time for each job, depending on weather conditions.
Native Plants for Georgia Part I: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines (B 987) This publication focuses on native trees, shrubs and woody vines for Georgia. It is not our intent to describe all native species — just those available in the nursery trade and those that the authors feel have potential for nursery production and landscape use. Rare or endangered species are not described. Information on each plant is provided according to the following categories: Common Name(s)/Botanical Name/Family, Characteristics, Landscape Uses, Size, Zones and Habitat.
Key to Diseases of Oaks in the Landscape (B 1286) This publication contains a guide to diseases of oak trees in the landscape.
Stinging and Biting Pests (C 782) This publication contains descriptions and images, as well as methods of control, for common stinging and biting pests found in Georgia, including: bees, wasps, hornets, fire ants, scorpions, caterpillars, spiders, chiggers and flies.
Landscape Plants for Georgia (B 625) This publication includes a list of good plants for Georgia organized into various sizes and groups. The design qualities of plants—their form, size, color and texture—are emphasized according to the principles and requirements of good landscape design and plant maintenance. Hardiness and disease and insect resistant qualities are also considered.
Growing Indoor Plants with Success (B 1318) Interior plants are an ideal way to create attractive and restful settings while enhancing our sense of well being. In addition, houseplants can be a satisfying hobby and can help purify the air in our homes. To be a successful indoor gardener, you need to understand how the interior environment affects plant growth and how cultivation differs from growing plants outdoors.
Millipedes and Centipedes (B 1088) Millipedes and centipedes do not carry diseases that affect people, animals or plants. Millipedes do occasionally damage seedlings by feeding on stems and leaves, and may enter homes in large numbers during periods of migration and become a considerable nuisance. They do not cause damage inside the home, although they may leave a stain if they are crushed. Centipedes, which have poison glands and can bite, pose an occasional threat to humans.
Cation Exchange Capacity and Base Saturation (C 1040) Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of the total negative charges within the soil that adsorb plant nutrient cations such as calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) and potassium (K+). As such, the CEC is a property of a soil that describes its capacity to supply nutrient cations to the soil solution for plant uptake.
Weed Control in Home Lawns (B 978) Weeds can be major pests of home lawns. Due to differences in color, leaf size, shape and growth habit, weeds detract from the natural beauty of desirable turfgrasses. Additionally, weeds compete with turfgrasses for sunlight, soil moisture, nutrients and space. Many weeds can quickly become the dominant species in a lawn. This publication contains comprehensive information about weed control in home lawns.

View other publications on Bees

View other publications on Blueberries

View other publications on Lawn Care & Landscaping

View other publications on Weeds

View other publications on Weeds, Diseases & Pests

ANR Agent

Brennan JacksonAgriculture & Natural Resources
brennan4@uga.edu 478-986-3958

Email Our Office with Questions or Concerns

Upcoming Events

Apr 19 2024 Georgia Master Naturalist Program The Georgia Master Naturalist Program is an adult environmental education course developed by UGA Extension and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources for people interested in exploring the habitats, ecosystems and the natural environments of our state. The Program is a combination of lectures and hands-on field studies taught by UGA faculty and field experts. Each year's program is unique and field trips and topics are subject to change. Previous Athens Area Master Naturalist programs included trips to Thompson Mill Arboretum in Braselton, GA and Rock and Shoals Granite Outcrop. Georgia Master Naturalist Program graduates are invited to the annual ANREP conference. We are currently accepting applications for the 2024 Master Naturalist course! The course will begin in April of 2024 and will be held on Fridays for nine consecutive weeks.
- Bogart, GA - (61.0 Miles)
Apr 23 Backyard Cattle 101 Have you been considering getting cattle for meat or milk for your family but are not sure where to start? Let's get your backyard cattle journey started on the right foot. Oconee County Extension will be hosting a 2-day workshop on the basics of backyard cattle. Meeting dates will be Tuesday, 4/23 and Thursday, 4/25 at the Oconee County Extension Office from 6-7:30PM. Registration will cover both days so you'll only have to pay the $20 fee once! A light dinner will be provided. Participants will also receive a gift to help them start their backyard cattle journey. If you would like more information about cattle or are interested in registering for the Backyard Cattle 101 program, call 706-542-7078 or stop by the UGA Extension – Oconee County office at 1420 Experiment Station Rd., Watkinsville, GA.
- Watkinsville, GA - (51.0 Miles)
Apr 25 Homeowner Landscape Basics Lunch & Learn Get the lowdown on your landscape! Join us every 4th Thursday of the month from February to May for this free online program from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Get insights to make the most out of your landscape. Topics covered include: plant for the place, common landscape plants, pruning, & turf. Register for one session, or all four in the series!
- Virtual Event
Apr 25 Backyard Cattle 101 Have you been considering getting cattle for meat or milk for your family but are not sure where to start? Let's get your backyard cattle journey started on the right foot. Oconee County Extension will be hosting a 2-day workshop on the basics of backyard cattle. Meeting dates will be Tuesday, 4/23 and Thursday, 4/25 at the Oconee County Extension Office from 6-7:30PM. Registration will cover both days so you'll only have to pay the $20 fee once! A light dinner will be provided. Participants will also receive a gift to help them start their backyard cattle journey. If you would like more information about cattle or are interested in registering for the Backyard Cattle 101 program, call 706-542-7078 or stop by the UGA Extension – Oconee County office at 1420 Experiment Station Rd., Watkinsville, GA.
- Watkinsville, GA - (51.0 Miles)
Apr 26 2024 Georgia Master Naturalist Program The Georgia Master Naturalist Program is an adult environmental education course developed by UGA Extension and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources for people interested in exploring the habitats, ecosystems and the natural environments of our state. The Program is a combination of lectures and hands-on field studies taught by UGA faculty and field experts. Each year's program is unique and field trips and topics are subject to change. Previous Athens Area Master Naturalist programs included trips to Thompson Mill Arboretum in Braselton, GA and Rock and Shoals Granite Outcrop. Georgia Master Naturalist Program graduates are invited to the annual ANREP conference. We are currently accepting applications for the 2024 Master Naturalist course! The course will begin in April of 2024 and will be held on Fridays for nine consecutive weeks.
- Bogart, GA - (61.0 Miles)
Apr 27 Make & Take Nesting Shelves Come build with us! On Saturday, April 27th, Oconee County GA Cooperative Extension will be holding a Make & Take nesting shelf building program. Participants will be building a nesting shelf for American Robins, Barn Swallows, and Eastern Phoebes. Pre-registration is required and the cost of nest shelf building slot is $25. If you would like more information or are in registering for the Make & Take program, call 706-542-7078 or stop by the UGA Extension – Oconee County office at 1420 Experiment Station Rd., Watkinsville, GA. It's sure to be a fun, family-friendly day of learning about our native species. No prior experience or equipment is needed. Just bring yourself and your family! We hope to see you all there!
- Watkinsville, GA - (51.0 Miles)