Winter 2019

January is National Radon Action Month

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that the Surgeon General lists as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States for non-smokers. The naturally occurring, radioactive element moves through the ground to the surface, and can easily enter homes and buildings

There is no way to detect the amount of radon present without using a radon testing kit.

Kits can be purchased for $10 (includes test instructions, analysis, and results) at the Gwinnett County Extension Office, 750 South Perry Street in Lawrenceville, or online from the University of Georgia’s radon program’s website at  www.UGAradon.org for $13.

UGA Extension Gwinnett

2019 Annual Plant Sale

Now is the time to place your order for the 2019 Annual UGA Extension Plant Sale.

We are offering a multitude of plants at affordable prices. Several varieties of blueberries are available. They are easy to grow, require minimal care and have few pests. However, you need to purchase two varieties of blueberries to get cross-pollination for the fruit to form. Figs are also easy to grow and only one variety is needed to produce fruit.

Though the Asian azaleas are the most familiar to most, many native azaleas thrive in our area. Through our plant sale, we are offering the varieties ‘Admiral Semmes’, which has bright yellow flowers, and ‘Tallulah Sunrise’, with orange to yellow blossoms. Ferns thrive in shady areas and are resistant to deer browsing. If you like ferns, we have an autumn fern, which has coppery-red color in spring, turning green in the summer and golden brown in the fall.

The ‘Frost proof’ gardenia has evergreen foliage, fragrant white flowers, and tolerates extreme cold. The ‘"Yuletide" sasanqua camellia blooms in the fall and has crimson blossoms. The tea olive is a large-growing shrub and has evergreen foliage with small white fragrant flowers that attract butterflies. If you are interested in low-growing perennials, heucheras or coral bells do well in the shade. UGA Extension Gwinnett is offering the variety "Amber Lady," which has brightly colored leaves and white flowers that appear in mid-spring.

Order forms with information on the Plant Sale may be obtained by visiting : www.ugaextension.org/gwinnett or by calling 678.377.4010 to request a form be mailed to you.  

Please see the "Events and Classes" section of this newsletter for class information on how to grow and care for the plants sold at our plant sale. 

Diabetes Alert Day and

National Nutrition Month

align for public health

With Diabetes Alert Day set for March 26 ^th, and the month of March dedicated as National Nutrition Month, it makes good sense for both nutrition awareness campaigns to be highlighted at the same time.

One in three Americans is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and amputations. Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle, such as eating healthy, losing weight, and becoming physically active.

National Diabetes Alert Day is designed to encourage people to take a test to determine their risk for Type 2 diabetes and start your journey to a healthier lifestyle. For more information about reducing risk of diabetes through diet, visit the click on the National Nutrition Month web page by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

How to protect landscaping from hard freezes

Many hardy landscape plants can still be harmed by abnormally frigid temperatures that sometimes occur.

One of the best strategies is to select plants adapted to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b. Most outdoor plants sold from local garden centers and nurseries are able to withstand the cold weather spells in our zone.

During severe freezes, cover tender plants with old quilts, blankets, or sheets to reduce the likelihood of damage. This technique may not be practical for all plants. It may be necessary to use sticks or poles to prop up blankets, quilts or other heavy covering to prevent branches or limbs from breaking. Plastic can be used as a nighttime cover, too, but be sure to take it off when the sun comes out to prevent heat damage to your plants.

Plants that are not tolerant of freezing temperatures, such as tomatoes, peppers, and many herbaceous flowering plants, should be planted only after the average frost free date, which is April 15 in Zone 7b.

Visit: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ to find the plant hardiness zone where you live.

North Atlanta Home Show

February 8 – 10 at the Infinite Energy Center

Come out and visit us at the North Atlanta Home Show.

UGA Extension Gwinnett will have a booth with staff and Master Gardener Extension Volunteers eager to answer your lawn and gardening questions.

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.