News Stories - Page 303

Here is a picutre of Phytophthora fruit rot damage on a watermelon in Turner County. CAES News
Phytophthora devastating disease for watermelons across state
An abundance of summer rainfall soaked farmlands across Georgia and brought devastating disease to the state’s watermelon crop.
Tift County's 4-H poultry judging team won its third national championship in four years last week. Pictured are, from left, Tift County Extension Coordinator Brian Tankersley, Ben Branch, Dr. Joe Mauldin, Carolina Carter, Dr. Claudia Dunkley, Michaela Lubbers, Dr. Casey Ritz, Miles McDonald and Tift County 4-H agent Ashley Davis. CAES News
Tift County 4-H poultry judging team wins national championship
The names are different, but the results are the same for Tift County’s 4-H poultry judging team — another national championship.
Rosemary plants are popping up in nurseries during the holidays among the mini-Christmas tree alternatives. CAES News
Rosemary shrubs make their debut as tiny Christmas trees
Rosemary plants are gaining popularity as a holiday gift and miniature, living Christmas tree. After the holidays, you can use it as an indoor houseplant. With a little care, holiday rosemary plants can be added to the landscape in the spring.
CAES News
Don't let foodborne illness take the happy out of your holiday gatherings
Preparing a great holiday meal for your friends and family is a great way to share the spirit of the season and make new memories. Unfortunately, far too often during this time of year, many families end up sharing a foodborne illness in addition to that turkey and dressing. UGA Extension food safety experts offer these tips on food safety along with those provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Freshly cut Christmas trees lined up for purchase at the Lowe's Home Improvement store in Griffin, Ga. CAES News
A healthy Christmas tree is the first step to decking the halls
As temperatures drop and Christmas carols begin playing on the radio, the time to search for the right tree is here. People have been buying and decorating trees to celebrate Christmas for more than 500 years. Almost 30 million live Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year. UGA Extension experts share these tips for choosing the right tree.
CAES News
UGA Extension challenges Georgians to help keep holiday pounds off
Holidays can be a time of continuous feasts for some, leading to excess pounds when it’s all over. To ward off the unwanted weight, University of Georgia Extension offers the “Zero Weight Gain Holiday Challenge,” a free program that helps Georgians avoid the overeating usually so common to the season.
Variegated poinsettia CAES News
Poinsettias and Christmas cacti shine even after the tinsel and lights come down
There’s no better holiday décor than classic holiday house plants like poinsettia, cyclamen and Christmas cacti. Not only do they bring a touch of tropical cheer during dreary Georgia winters, they can last for years with a little extra care.
What may look like an ordinary live Christmas tree to many people can turn into a sneezing fest for allergy sufferers. And with their dust and mold, fake trees can be just as bad. CAES News
Georgia Christmas tree acreage is down, but prices are up
Georgia Christmas tree growers are producing fewer trees but earning more for them.
Glen Harris, a soils and fertility agronomist with the University of Georgia, examines corn on the UGA Tifton Campus. CAES News
Nitrogen essential to cotton, corn production
Corn and cotton share an essential attribute: They need just the right amount of nitrogen to generate high yields.