Publications By Bob Westerfield

Attracting Birds to Your Backyard (C 976) To attract and maintain a bird population, a habitat should provide (1) food, (2) shelter/nesting areas and (3) water. This publication describes several ways to attract birds to your backyard.

Basic Principles of Pruning Woody Plants (B 949) Pruning is one of the most important cultural practices for maintaining woody plants, including ornamental trees and shrubs, fruits and nuts. Proper pruning requires a basic understanding of how plant…

Best Management Practices in the Landscape (C 873) Research has shown that if you properly select, install and maintain ornamental plant, you greatly increase their survival and performance in the landscape. Following BMPs (Best Management Practices) …

Blossom-End Rot and Calcium Nutrition of Pepper and Tomato (C 938) The purpose of this publication is to introduce the problem of blossom-end rot and provide a guide to effectively diagnose and treat this problem.

Citrus Fruit for Southern and Coastal Georgia (B 804) Citrus plants are very versatile around the home and may be used as individual specimens, hedges or container plants. Their natural beauty and ripe fruits make them attractive additions to the South G…

Community and School Gardens Series: Extending the Crop Season: Unheated Spaces (C 1027-14) This publication describes common myths about cold protection and provides options for protecting plants from the cold in community and school gardens, including cold frames, row covers and hoop house…

Community and School Gardens Series: Garden Fencing (C 1027-9) This publication describes options for fencing a community or school garden, including fence types and materials.

Community and School Gardens Series: Garden Sheds (C 1027-7) This publication provides information about storage sheds for community and school gardens, including local building codes, siting a shed, and alternatives to traditional sheds.

Community and School Gardens Series: Growing Fruits (C 1027-10) Community gardens designed to provide locally grown food for families can be used to grow fruits in addition to the more commonly grown vegetables. There are many common and lesser-known fruits that a…

Community and School Gardens Series: Irrigation (C 1027-12) This publication describes irrigation methods suitable for community or school gardens, including overhead sprinklers, hand watering and drip irrigation.

Community and School Gardens Series: Less Expensive Sources of Plant Material, Amendments and Tools (C 1027-6) This publication offers advice on finding less expensive sources of plant material, amendments and tools for community and school gardens.

Community and School Gardens Series: Planning an Edible Garden (C 1027-1) This publication describes three steps for planning a school garden: garden location, soil and terrain, and choosing crops.

Community and School Gardens Series: Raised Bed Materials (C 1027-5) This publication describes the advantages and disadvantages of various materials used for building raised beds, including types of wood, composite materials, recycled materials, and kits.

Community and School Gardens Series: Raised Beds vs. In-Ground Gardens (C 1027-3) This publication describes the advantages and disadvantages of raised bed and in-ground gardens and may be used as a guide when planning a community or school garden project.

Community and School Gardens Series: Raised Garden Bed Dimensions (C 1027-4) This publication helps determine the ideal dimensions of raised beds for community and school gardens by focusing on three things: materials, slope and accessibility.

Community and School Gardens Series: Siting a Garden (C 1027-2) This publication provides recommendations for properly siting a school or community garden, taking into account sunlight exposure, water availability, slope, garden access, tool storage, compost bins …

Community and School Gardens Series: Sources of Water for the Garden (C 1027-11) This publication discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various sources of water for a community or school garden, including municipal water, rivers or creeks, ponds, wells and rainwater.

Community and School Gardens Series: Stocking the Toolshed: Hand Tools (C 1027-8) This publication describes the types and quantities of hand tools that work best for community and school gardens, including shovels, rakes, trowels, hand pruners, gloves, children's tools, and carts …

Community and School Gardens Series: Weed Control (C 1027-13) This publication describes weed control methods that are appropriate for community and school gardens.

Conserving Water in the Vegetable Garden (C 964) All vegetables, especially tomatoes, like an even supply of water throughout the growing season, and will often develop problems if their water supply fluctuates. If watering restrictions or bans are …

Considerations for the Small Market Vegetable Producer (C 1090) Growing vegetables as either a part-time or full-time enterprise can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Not only can you produce fresh food for your own table, you can provide supplemental inco…

Controlling Insects on Summer Squash in the Home Garden (C 1177) Summer squash is one of the most popular warm season vegetables grown in home gardens. Unfortunately, the levels of insect attacks on summer squash have risen dramatically over the last 10 years. Safe…

Drip Irrigation in the Home Vegetable Garden (C 1095) This publication is designed to give small market growers, homeowners, and Master Gardener audiences a quick guide to selecting and installing drip irrigation in the vegetable garden.

Environmental Enhancement with Ornamental Plants: Butterfly Gardening (C 975) Butterfly populations can be greatly enhanced by devoting a portion of the landscape to butterfly habitat. In addition to their natural beauty, butterflies serve as valuable plant pollinators.

Environmentally Friendly Landscape Practices (C 967) With proper planning, planting and maintenance, a healthier landscape can be created with less expense, less work and less damage to the world around us.

Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting for the Landscape and Garden (C 1247) This publication covers routine maintenance and troubleshooting for common motorized equipment (small engine) that is used by small farmers and gardeners. Gardening and landscape equipment can be an e…

Fall Gardening: A Collection of Information and Resources (AP 105) This publication is an annually-updated guide to fall gardening information and resources for Georgia. Topics include planting tall fescue lawns, soil bag flower beds, planting pansies like the pros, …

Fall Vegetable Gardening (C 1258) This publication covers fall vegetable production including planting dates, spacing, general culture of cool-season vegetables planted in Georgia in the fall. Many people consider the end of summer to…

Fertilizing the Home Garden (C 1179) This publication covers the basics of how to correctly fertilize the home vegetable garden. It discusses the differences between organic and synthetic fertilizers and the advantages and disadvantages …

Great Plants Under 20 Feet for Small Spaces (C 999) Well-chosen small trees and shrubs can provide privacy from your neighbors, separation from a road with heavy traffic or a screen to hide unattractive areas. By selecting plants that mature to a heigh…

Growing Hostas (C 955) Hostas are quickly becoming one of the most popular perennial plants grown in our landscapes. Sometimes referred to as plantain lilies, hostas are reliable plants for both shade and partial sun situat…

Growing Sunflowers in the Home Garden (C 1121) Sunflowers can be an important addition to the home garden due to their ability to attract beneficial insects as well as serve as a trap crop. Sunflowers also provide a nutritional, edible crop high i…

Growing Vegetables Organically (B 1011) This publication is a comprehensive guide to growing vegetables organically, including location, planning, irrigation, soil preparation, composting, fertilizers, successive planting and crop rotation,…

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 Ric…

Home Fruit Orchard Pruning Techniques (C 1087) This circular is a compilation of pruning techniques for apple, pear, peach, blackberry, blueberry, grapes, and pomegranate. Included are tools for pruning, definitions and descriptions of terms used …

Home Garden Series: Garlic Production for the Gardener (C 854) This publication gives gardeners tips to successfully produce garlic.

Home Garden Series: Georgia Homegrown Tomatoes (B 1271) This publication discusses the basics of growing tomatoes successfully, as well as avoiding common problems encountered by the home gardener.

Home Garden Series: 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.

Home Garden Series: Growing Home Garden Sweet Corn (C 905) Sweet corn is not difficult to grow and, by following the cultural guidelines provided in this publication, you too can enjoy this sweet delicacy.

Home Garden Series: Growing Rutabagas in the Home Garden (C 942) Rutabagas are a cool-season root crop that can be produced in the spring or fall.

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Apples (C 740) Apples are adapted to most areas of Georgia. Although the northern half of the state is best suited for the more "conventional" apple varieties, you can have success in the southern half of Georgia wi…

Home Garden Series: 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 …

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Broccoli (C 1022) Broccoli is a cool-weather vegetable that can easily be grown in the garden in early spring or fall. Broccoli belongs to the Brassica family. Research shows that plants from this family are extremely …

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Brussels Sprouts (C 1069) Brussels sprouts belong to the cole crop family, which includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and several leafy greens. The name Brussels comes from the city Brussels, Belgium, where the vegetable f…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Cauliflower (C 1023) Cauliflower is a cool season vegetable that belongs to the Brassicaceae family, and is sometimes considered one of the more difficult vegetables to grow in the home garden. For those gardeners who hav…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Eggplant (C 1028) Eggplant (Solanum melongena) was introduced into the United States by Thomas Jefferson, who brought this heat-loving member of the Solanaceus family from Europe. While the original eggplants actually …

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Figs (C 945) Most people are fond of figs. They are tasty and can be eaten fresh, preserved, or used for baking and making desserts. Figs will do well in most parts of Georgia except the mountainous areas.

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Green Beans (C 1006) Green beans are one of the most popular vegetables for the home garden. Fortunately, they are easy to grow as well. This short publication provides basic information on growing green beans in the home…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Lettuce (C 1018) Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a cool-season vegetable that can be planted in early fall or early spring in Georgia. This publication discusses growing lettuce in the home garden.

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Muscadines (C 949) Muscadines are truly a fruit for the south. Although muscadines can be grown successfully in most parts of the state, they are best adapted to the Piedmont and Coastal Plain areas.

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Okra (C 941) Okra is a Southern staple in the home garden and at the dinner table and can be grown throughout the state of Georgia. This vegetable is both easy and fun to grow and can be used in many different cul…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Pears (C 742) Pears are adapted to nearly all of Georgia. It is not uncommon to find trees as much as 50 years old that are still producing fruit.

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Peppers (C 1005) The rich, full flavor and freshness of a home-grown pepper just picked from the bush are the gardener's reward for growing their own peppers. Fortunately, the most popular pepper varieties are easy to…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Persimmons (C 784) Many of the numerous species of persimmon can be grown in Georgia. Our native persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, is found from Florida north to Connecticut, west to Iowa and south to Texas. This publica…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Potatoes (C 1011) This publication discusses selecting the right types of potatoes, proper planting, maintenance and troubleshooting problems.

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Raspberries and Blackberries (C 766) Blackberries and raspberries are one of the most popular fruits to grow and they are among the easiest for the home gardener to successfully produce. Blackberries and raspberries come as erect types (…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Strawberries (C 883) Strawberry beds need a small area that receives full sun most or all day to get started. Strawberries will grow well in many types of soil, but the most desirable soil is fertile, medium-light in text…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Sweet Potatoes (C 1014) Georgia is the perfect place to grow sweet potatoes (Ipomea atatas). Sweet potatoes are considered a long season crop and Georgia's long, hot summers allow them to grow and mature well here. You might…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Swiss Chard (C 1039) This publication briefly explains how to grow Swiss chard in the home garden, including soil preparation, planting, culture and fertilization, harvesting, storing and using, problems and a list of sug…

Home Garden Series: Home Garden Watermelon (C 1035) This publication discusses growing watermelon in the home garden, including transplanting, starting seeds, soil preparation, culture and fertilization, harvesting, storage and use, and problems. It al…

Home Garden Series: Home Gardening (B 577) This publication explains everything you need to know about growing a successful home vegetable or herb garden, including location and planning, soil preparation, choosing what to plant and how to ten…

Home Garden Series: Homegrown Summer and Winter Squash (C 993) Squash are very nutritious, have high fiber content and are high in vitamins A and C. Squash are not difficult to grow. This publication gives information on type selection, planting, harvesting and s…

Home Garden Series: Using Cover Crops in the Home Garden (C 1057) Cover crops can be an important component to any home garden. They are used for various reasons, including building the soil, controlling soil erosion, and limiting the initiation and spread of certai…

Home Garden Series: 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 …

Homegrown Cabbage (C 1218) Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitate) is a cool-season vegetable that is a member of the cole crop family. There are several types of cabbages available to grow, and they can all be eaten raw or c…

Homegrown Carrots (C 1232) Homegrown carrots have a unique freshness and juiciness to them and are much more flavorful than their store-purchased counterparts. This publication covers the basics of how to select and grow carrot…

Homegrown Pumpkins (C 1206) While pumpkins are edible and grown for both their flesh and seeds, they are more commonly used as fall decorations. This member of the cucurbit family can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes, and …

How to Generate Income on 20 Acres or Less (B 1551) The idea of producing your own food in a clean, controlled environment is very appealing. While dreams may be big, careful research and planning should be done prior to jumping into any farm venture. …

How to Start a Community Garden: Getting People Involved (B 1399) Community gardening involves cultivating people and relationships, as well as the soil. There are many ways to start a community garden. The four steps included in this publication provide guidance an…

Junipers (C 956) Junipers are among one of the toughest plants for the landscape. Their hardy nature and drought tolerance make them ideal choices for many of our southern landscapes. It is impossible to generalize ab…

Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia (B 992) Many types of fruits and nuts can be grown in Georgia due to our mild climate. This publication provides an outline of the culture and management of the exotic and uncommon fruits and nuts that can be…

Mulching Vegetables (C 984) Mulch should be easily obtained, inexpensive and simple to apply, although availability and cost vary from region to region. You can usually find mulching materials in your own yard, at garden centers…

Nutritional Deficiencies in Vegetables (B 1569) This brief guide covers nutrient deficiencies and their symptoms in common vegetables. Makenzie English, Horticulture Program Assistant, is co-author on this publication.

Poisonous Plants in the Landscape (C 957) While most of us are familiar with common poisonous plants that cause dermatitis (skin irritations) such as poison ivy or poison oak, we fail to recognize common ornamental plants in the landscape tha…

Pollination of Vegetable Crops (C 934) Plants develop seeds through a process called pollination. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the stamen (male flower part) to the pistil (female flower part).

Pomegranate Production (C 997) Pomegranates have been grown as a common backyard crop for decades in the South. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the commercial production of the fruit in Georgia and surround…

Propagating Deciduous Fruit Plants Common to Georgia (B 818) Deciduous fruit plants common to Georgia must be propagated asexually because they do not come true to seed. This makes it necessary to reproduce the desired fruit plants by methods such as cuttings, …

Pruning Muscadine Grapes (C 1268) Many gardeners don’t realize how vigorously muscadines and grapes must be pruned each season in order to ensure good production. Quality equipment and care also is essential to maintain healthy plants…

Roses in Georgia: Selecting and Growing Techniques (C 1001) Roses are one of the most popular plants among Georgia gardeners even though growing roses in the southern climate can be challenging. Knowing which rose varieties to choose is the key to success. Thi…

Selecting a Tiller for the Home Garden (C 1182) Most gardeners realize that they must manipulate the soil in their garden to successfully grow vegetables. Whether by hand, with a shovel, or a mechanical piece of equipment, tilling is an important p…

Small Market Fruit and Vegetable Farming (C 1251) This publication covers some of the basic information about what you may need and key considerations when developing a small fruit and vegetable farm.

Spanish Series: Calendario para Siembra de Vegetales (C 963-SP) Esta es la versión en español del Cuadro de plantación de hortalizas de la Circular 963, Horticultura en Georgia. Traducido por Rolando Orellana. [This is the Spanish-language version of the Vegetable…

Spanish Series: Construyendo Huertos Caseros (B 577-SP) Un huerto bien administrado y productivo es una delicia. Este puede proveerle a su familia y a usted con una variedad de vegetales nutritivos y saludables que pueden ser disfrutados frescos o en conse…

Spanish Series: Resolución de Problemas de Prácticas Culturales en Tomate (C 1089-SP) El tomate es una de las hortalizas más populares que se cultivan en el huerto familiar. Si bien las plantas de tomate pueden producir una gran cantidad de frutas saludables y deliciosas, su cultivo pu…

Staking and Pruning Tomatoes in the Home Garden (C 1150) This publication gives both consumers and small vegetable farm growers options for providing support to their tomatoes in the vegetable garden. The circular covers the basics of how to successfully us…

Trap Cropping for Small-Market Vegetable Growers (C 1118) Trap crops are sacrificial plants that can draw damaging insects away from valuable crops. Small-market growers, as well as homeowners, are experiencing greater pressure to produce quality vegetables …

Troubleshooting Cultural Problems in Tomatoes (C 1089) This publication is intended for general use audiences, including homeowners, civic groups, and master gardeners. It covers the basic troubleshooting procedures for solving common problems while growi…

Troubleshooting Vegetable Production Problems in the Southeast (C 1054) This publication is designed for small market growers, homeowners, and Master Gardeners in order to be a quick reference guide for diagnosing common problems in vegetables.

Vegetable Gardening in Georgia (C 963) When space is limited, a plentiful supply of crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and okra can be grown with a few properly cared-for plants.

Weed Control Options for the Home Vegetable Gardener (C 1144) This publication covers the basics of different weed control options including mechanical, chemical, and environmentally friendly practices. The material provides both consumers and small vegetable fa…

Weights and Processed Yields of Fruits and Vegetables (C 780) Marketing fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, roadside markets, and pick-your-own farms is an important and growing method of marketing. However, many of the containers used are not practi…

When to Harvest Vegetables (C 935) This circular gives suggestions for determining the proper stage of maturity for harvesting many vegetables.

Winter Protection of Ornamental Plants (C 872) Cold damage to ornamental plants can be a problem during the winter in the Georgia landscape. Regardless of where you live, recommended practices can maximize the chances that your prized landscape pl…