Fayette County Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources
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From our "Know and Grow in Fayette County" blog
March 2025 Find of the Month
Red Maple (Acer rurum) Flowers This months find are flowers from the Red Maple (Acer rurum). Did you know that the red maple is one of the first trees to bloom in the spring? Red Maples are a beautiful landscape tree that can reach 50-100’ high with a moderate growth rate of 12-24” per year. […]
Native Plant Awareness Week Posts
Master Gardener Extension Volunteers highlighted some common invasive species found in Fayette County for National Invasive Species Awareness Week (2/24-2/28/2025) on our Facebook page. Each day, an invasive plant was highlighted to increase knowledge on identification and some native alternatives to consider. Since management options vary, consider contacting our office. Monday: 2/24/2025 Name: Nandina or […]
Fayette Find of the Month: May 2024 (number 2)
Since we missed Aprils find, this month we have two finds to share! Oak Leaf Blister In the image below, you will see small yellow dots all over the leaves of this red oak. Oak Leaf Blister is a fungal disease that attacks oaks during cool wet spring weather. Red oaks are particularly prone to […]
Fayette Find of the Month: May 2024
Since we missed Aprils find, this month we have two finds to share! Wool Sower Galls While walking around Lake McIntosh, Wool Sower Galls were found growing on these white oaks. This plant growth forms on the plant by the secretions of a tiny gall wasp grub, Callirhytis seminator. This gall is specific to white […]
Other Upcoming Events
Jan 20
Milkweed for Monarchs (a Two-Part Series)
Fayetteville, GA
You're invited to learn about seed stratification, native milkweed, and the Monarch butterfly in these hands-on classes. You will be provided the materials for the hands-on portions of these workshops. Class is limited to 20 participants and requires that you attend both part 1 and part 2 of this program (part 2 to be held on March 10th).
Jan 29
January is National Radon Action Month!
Join Rebecca Cantrell, UGA Radon Educator | College of Family & Consumer Sciences, January 29, 2026 @ 10 a.m. via Zoom. All participants will receive a free radon kit!
Discussion and Topics will include:
What is radon?
How does it come into your home?
How to test for radon?
The health effects of radon.
How to fix radon.
Feb 3
Deer vs. Dreams: My Garden is Not Your Buffet
FAYETTEVILLE, GA
Join our Fayette County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer, Charlane Hemphill, as we learn why deer are in our gardens, what habitats they have, and how to limit browsing in our gardens.
Feb 3
Fayette County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) 2026 Program Orientation
Fayetteville, GA
We are preparing for our 2026 MGEV program!
You must attend this orientation session to be eligible to apply for this volunteer program. This orientation meeting is where we will discuss the purpose and expectations of the MGEV program and to answer your questions. If you are interested, the volunteer application will only be available at this orientation meeting. There are only 14 spots available for the Fayette County 2026 MGEV class.
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Home Garden Publications
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Home Garden Plums (B 1518) This bulletin offers information about plum production, pruning, thinning, fertilization, and variety selection in the home garden. Plums belong to the Prunus genus and consists of many species of different origins and diverse fruit types. Most commercially grown varieties are derived from either Japanese or Asian plums (P. salicina and its interspecific hybrids) or European plums (P. domestica). Japanese plums are primarily for fresh consumption, while European plums are for both processing and fresh consumption. The products obtained from processing plums include prunes (dried fruit, the predominant product), canned fruit, jam, jelly, juice, and beverages.
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Home Garden Bunch Grapes (B 807) Bunch grapes are often called “pod” grapes in rural Georgia since they produce large clusters of fruit. Georgia's climate is not well-suited to home garden production of European bunch grapes, but American bunch grapes and hybrids between the two species (French hybrids) grow well in Georgia. If grapes are well cared for and sprayed when diseases and insects threaten, you can expect yields of 20 to 30 pounds of fruit per vine.
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Home Garden Asparagus (C 1026) For gardeners who are willing to put in a little effort and have some patience, asparagus can be a rewarding and delicious vegetable to grow. This publication explains how to grow asparagus in a home vegetable garden.
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Growing Cucumbers in the Home Garden (C 1034) Cucumbers are one of the most popular crops in today's home garden. This publication helps you to select the varieties to suit your needs.
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Heirloom Vegetables in the Home Garden (C 1302) This publication discusses heirloom vegetable choices and some of the common issues that growers may encounter when growing heirloom vegetables in a home garden setting. Additional author: Whitney Richardson, University of Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture, with technical assistance from Makenzie English, University of Georgia Department of Horticulture Program Assistant.
Well Water Publications
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Lead and Copper (C 858-10) Private wells are exclusively supplied by groundwater. The source waters for most public water systems in south Georgia (and some in north Georgia) are also supplied by groundwater. Generally, lead and copper concentrations in the major underground aquifers in Georgia are far below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action levels. They enter the household drinking water system and exceed the action levels almost exclusively via corrosion of plumbing materials. Many homes built prior to the 1988 still have lead solder connecting copper pipes, unless later on replaced by PVC pipes. Also, indoor plumbing fixtures are often made of lead and copper or their alloys, such as brass. Corrosive water can dissolve small amounts of these metals from plumbing which, upon drinking, may be harmful to your health. In 1992, the lead and copper rule, published by the EPA, became effective and required that municipal water suppliers must treat water to reduce concentrations below action levels of 0.015 milligrams (mg) lead per liter or 15 parts per billion (ppb) and 1.3 mg copper per liter or 1.3 parts per million (ppm). Keep in mind, however, that the EPA does not regulate private water supplies (such as well water), nor can the EPA control the lead and copper contamination that may result from your household pipes.
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Mercury in Your Water (C 858-13) Mercury in your drinking water poses a threat to your health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the current standard for mercury in drinking water at 2 parts per billion (ppb). The amount of mercury in public water systems is regulated according to EPA standards. If your water comes from a public system, it is routinely tested to ensure safe mercury levels. However, if you are concerned about mercury levels in your municipal water supply, you should request a consumer confidence report from your water provider or visit EPA’s site at www.epa.gov/ccr. Unlike users of public water systems, those who use private water supplies (such as wells, springs, and cisterns) are responsible for ensuring the quality of their own drinking water. Since private systems are more susceptible to mercury than public water systems, private well owners should take steps to guard their health. Measures include routine testing and wellhead maintenance and protection.
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Uranium in Your Water (C 858-14) Uranium in your drinking water may be harmful to your health. If your water comes from a public system, it is routinely tested to ensure safe levels of uranium. If your source of household water is a private well, cistern or spring, you are solely responsible for the quality of your own drinking water. Private well owners are encouraged to monitor uranium through water testing.
Lawn and Landscape Publications
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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.
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Conversion Tables, Formulas and Suggested Guidelines for Horticultural Use (B 931) Pesticide and fertilizer recommendations are often made on a pounds per acre and tons per acre basis. While these may be applicable to field production of many crops, orchardists, nurserymen and greenhouse operators often must convert these recommendations to smaller areas, such as row feet, square feet, or even per tree or per pot. Thus pints, cups, ounces, tablespoons and teaspoons are the common units of measure. The conversion is frequently complicated by metric units of measure. This publication is designed to aid growers in making these calculations and conversions, and also provides other data useful in the management, planning and operation of horticultural enterprises.
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Fences for the Farm (C 774) Fences may be used to protect or divide property, to improve its appearance, to confine animals, or to exclude animals. This publication covers the planning for, type of, materials for, and maintenance of permanent and temporary fences.
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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.
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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.
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The Management and Use of Bahiagrass (B 1362) Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) is a long-lived, perennial warm season grass that is grown extensively in the southeastern United States. It is most commonly used as a pasture species, but can be used for hay production, erosion control, and wildlife habitat. Bahiagrass can also be used in "sod-based rotation" sequences that have been found to suppress pest problems (nematode and disease issues) in crops such as peanuts.
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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.
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Annual Bluegrass Control in Residential Turfgrass (B 1394) Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) is a problematic winter annual weed in residential turf. Compared to most turfgrasses, annual bluegrass has a lighter green color, coarser leaf texture and produces unsightly seedheads. Contrary to its name, both annual (live for one season) and perennial (live for many seasons) biotypes of annual bluegrass may be found in turf. This publication describes methods of control for annual bluegrass in residential turfgrass lawns.