Fruits and vegetables are Georgia's number-two cash crop, but the popularity of commodities like peaches, tomatoes, blueberries, and fresh greens is not limited to commercial producers.
Interest in home gardening continues to grow as people realize the nutritional and economic benefits of home-grown produce and learn that it's relatively easy to augment your family's food selection right from your own backyard.
UGA Extension provides both home gardeners a variety of information to help have the best output with the least amount of labor possible.
For information about commercial fruit and vegetable production in Georgia, see our Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamentals section.
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Master Composter Become a home composting expert!
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Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program Intensive horticultural training to individuals who then volunteer in their communities by giving lectures, creating gardens, conducting research, and many other projects.
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On-Site and Telephone Consultation Available in many situations for home owners and consumers.
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Organic Agriculture Certificate Program Understand organic agriculture production in the southeastern United States.
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Pesticide Safety Education Program Georgia's Pesticide Safety Education Program promotes the responsible and safe use of pesticides throughout Georgia. We accomplish this by providing the educational resources, training programs, and materials needed to help both private and commercial pesticide applicators achieve certification and subsequently to maintain the knowledge to safely and effectively make use of restricted-use and all other pesticides.
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School Garden Curriculum Garden-based lessons listed by grade level on earth science, life science, and physical science topics.
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Soil and Water Testing Services Increase your yield, test your water quality, and more.
- 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 …
- Home Garden Series: Home Garden Blueberries (C 946) Under good management, the native Georgia rabbiteye blueberry bushes will produce some fruit the second or third year after transplanting. By the sixth year they will yield as much as 2 gallons each a…
- 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…
- 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.
- 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.
Websites
UGA-affiliated
Georgia Master Gardener Gives an overview of the program to train and certify individuals in horticulture and includes extensive links.
Sustainable Agriculture at UGA Brings together information on sustainable agriculture including organic agriculture, pollinators, and other resources.
External sites
Walter Reeves A wealth of gardening resources and tips from this well-known Extension garden specialist and host of "Your Southern Garden."
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Reducing Food Waste
Consumers hold high standards for fresh food, which farmers aim to meet, but hot summer temperatures and long-haul deliveries can degrade quality even before produce makes it into stores and shipment rejection is a familiar reality in the horticultural industry.
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Blueberry Quality
Study seeks to identify possible causes for postharvest quality loss in rabbiteye blueberries.
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Cold Protection Options
Whether you’re a home gardener or a production farmer, Georgia’s mild climate allows for a variety of fruits and vegetables to be grown throughout the year.