In this Issue:
- Plant Containers for Limited Space
- Turf and Landscape Diagnostics
- Monthly Garden and Landscape Tips
- Ask a Master Gardner
- Extension News
- Upcoming Classes and Events
- Farmers Markets
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Greetings!
Spring is here and we welcome you to the UGA Extension Gwinnett quarterly newsletter.
Articles are written by our extension agents to heighten awareness of warm weather activities in Gwinnett.
We hope that you enjoy reading this e-publication. Please help spread the word about everything we have to offer here at
UGA Extension Gwinnett.
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Planting, Turf and Garden Tips
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Plant Containers for Limited Space
Containers offer many possibilities for gardeners with limited space, even on the smallest patio or porch. They vary from hanging baskets to larger planters and may be made from wood, plastic and cement. For strawberries, consider using a terra-cotta planter with special holes to cultivate the fruit. When using wooden troughs or baskets, make sure the wood is high quality and resistant to rot. Avoid using existing garden soil; instead, use soilless potting mixes, such as potting soil, which retains water, nutrients, and oxygen needed for plant growth. Use an all-purpose fertilizer labeled as 10-10-10. Shelter the containers from intense summer heat to help retain moisture. Containers should have adequate drainage since excess water increases the plants’ susceptibility to root rot. Containers are great for cacti, ferns and houseplants, as well as tomatoes, peppers, beans, greens, radishes, and most herbs. With a little creativity and care, container gardening can be an enjoyable way to grow plants. Timothy Daly is an Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Agent with UGA Extension Gwinnett. He may be contacted at 678.377.4011 or
[email protected]
.
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Turf and Landscape Diagnostics
Weeds can be major pests of home lawns. In addition to detracting from the natural beauty of turfgrasses, weeds compete for sunlight, soil moisture, nutrients, and space. You have to know a lot about the weed in question just to get started. For assistance with your weed problems, contact Tim Daly, Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, at 678.377.4011, or
[email protected]
. If you wish, send Tim a picture to help him identify your weeds.
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Monthly Garden & Landscape Tips
Each month Gardeners and Homeowners have duties to take care of their garden and landscape. Follow each month for tips
here
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Do you have questions about your lawn or garden? Our Master Gardener Extension volunteers are happy to assist with questions about ornamental plants, lawns, vegetables, pruning, trees or just gardening in general. The answers they provide are UGA Extension-approved and come from scientifically based research produced by the University of Georgia or other land grant universities across the United States.
Please feel free to send our master gardener volunteers an
email
with your questions at the Master Gardener Desk or call 678.377.4010 and they will be happy to answer your question.If you have a plant identification or disease question, please attach photos with your inquiry.
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Cloverleaf 4-H’ers Compete in Newton
Gwinnett County took the county plaque for highest percentage of winners at the 2019 Cloverleaf District Project Achievement on February 9. Seventeen of 20 Gwinnett 4-H'ers placed in competitions across multiple topics.The most popular categories were: omputer information technology, environmental science, general recreation, general science, health, historic places and events, historic people, international, sports individual, sports team, and wildlife. Hosted by Newton County, 315 4-H’ers competed from 11 counties.
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Pam Bloch Extension Academy Graduate
Congratulations to Pam Bloch, Gwinnett County's 4-H Agent, on graduating from the 2018-19 UGA Extension Academy for Professional Excellence — an internal program aimed at developing the next generation of leaders. Pam completed the leadership institute, which includes intensive three-day personal and professional development trainings, over a 12 month period, facilitated by the CAES Office of Learning and Organizational Development.
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North Atlanta Home Show
UGA Extension Gwinnett assisted many homeowners at the recent North Atlanta Home Show at the Infinite Energy Center from February 8-10. Timothy Daly, UGA Extension's Agricultural and Natural Resources agent, Program Assistants Kim Fritz and Lisa Klein, and several Master Gardener Extension Volunteers answered homeowners’ lawn and gardening questions throughout the event.
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L to R, Master Gardener Bob Wilgus, Tim Daly, County Extension agent, Master Gardeners Linda Bolton and Carole Teja offered advice to homeowners at the North Atlanta Home Show.
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Tim Daly, County Extension agent, explains agency programs and services to homeowners.
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Bob Wilgus, master gardener, answers a homeowner's questions.
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Upcoming Classes and Events
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In partnership between the Gwinnett Daily Post, Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation and Live Healthy Gwinnett, these
Health
Fairs
are for everyone! Come and celebrate:
- Older Americans Month
- Immunization Awareness & School Supply Drive
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Diabetes Awareness
ALL AGES ARE WELCOME
FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS
INFORMATIVE SPEAKERS
FREE WELCOME BAG (FULL OF RESOURCES)
FUN ACTIVITIES
PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS
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Lawn Alternatives
Wednesday, April 24
from 6:30 pm to 7:30pm
Free! Homeowners often have areas of their landscape where shade makes it hard to grow grass. Find out about several alternatives to lawns, including groundcover plants, shrubs, and perennials.
Click here to register
. Class code OSC14504. OneStop Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville.
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Totally Tomatoes
Wednesday, May 8
from noon to 1:00 pm
Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable plant. With the proper care, you can have a bumper crop.
Click here to register.
Class code ANX34500.
Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry Street,
second floor conference room, L
awrenceville.
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Free Health and Wellness Fair
Saturday, May 11
from 10:00am to 2:00 pm
Come see us at the UGA Extension Gwinnett booth and pick up nutrition and chronic disease prevention health tips. For more information contact Natalie Robles at 678.377.4034. George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway Northeast, Suwanee.
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Annual/Perennial Flowers
Thursday, May 23
from noon to 1:00 pm
Annual flowers last for only one growing season while perennials last for multiple seasons. Learn about the many types that do well in our area.
Click here to register.
Class code ANX34501.
Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry Street,
second floor conference room
Lawrencevile.
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Butterflies and Pollinators
Wednesday, June 5
from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
One of the most important benefits of insects is the pollination of plants to ensure fruit and seed production. Some plants are favored by butterflies and other pollinating insects, and can provide color and beauty to the home garden.
Click here to register.
Class code EXT34502.
OneStop Center in Centerville located at 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville..
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Talking About Turfgrass
Monday, June 10
from noon to 1:00pm
Lawns can add beauty to the home landscape as well as increase property values.
Discover the advantages and disadvantages of various types of turfgrasses that can be used for lawns in our area.
Click here to register.
Class code ANX34502
. Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry Street,
second floor conference room,
Lawrenceville.
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Rain Gardens
Wednesday, June 19
from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
When we have rainstorms, excess water runs into storm drains which can cause flooding and pollution. As a homeowner, you can divert some of the water to a rain garden that, along with a variety of plants, will help absorb the water and add beauty to your property.
Click here to register.
Class code EXT34503.
OneStop Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville.
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Unusual Fruits/Vegetables
Thursday, June 27
from noon to 1:00pm
Many unusual or little-known fruits and vegetables thrive in our area, such as kiwifruit, Jerusalem artichokes, goji berries, and more. Learn about growing produce not typically grown in Gwinnett.
Click here to register.
Class code ANX34503.
Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry Street,
second floor conference room,
Lawrenceville.
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Shade Gardening
Thursday, July 25
from noon to 1:00pm
Got shade? Shady sites can be a challenge for homeowners, especially with lawn grasses. However, many ornamental plants thrive in areas that receive minimal sunlight. Learn how you can have an attractive, vibrant home landscape in shaded areas.
Click here to register.
Class code ANX34504. T
he Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry Street, Lawrenceville.
.
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Health and Wellness Fair
Saturday, July 27
from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Come see us at the UGA Extension Gwinnett booth and pick up nutrition and chronic disease prevention health tips. For more information contact Natalie Robles at 678.377.4034..George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway Northeast, Suwanee.
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Come to the UGA Extension Gwinnett "Ask a Master Gardener" booth this summer. Contact us at: 678.377.4010 for details.
Grayson Farmers Market
Grayson Community Park
Tuesdays from 3:30pm to 7:00pm
Lilburn Farmers Market
Good Shephard Presbyterian Church
1400 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn
Fridays from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Norcross Farmers Market
Lillian Webb Park, 5 College Street, Norcross
Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm
Snellville Farmers Market
Snellville Town Green
Saturdays from 8:30am to 12:30pm
Suwanee Farmers Market
Suwanee Town Square
Saturdays from 8:00am to noon
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UGA Extension Gwinnett offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, sex or disability. An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse workforce.
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