University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

News Stories - Page 402

Frank Henning shows how a rain barrel can be used for irrigation. From small sizes like this one to larger harvesting systems, using rain water can save homeowners money and help the environment. CAES News
Harvest rainwater, and keep the change 02/24/11 Lori Pindar
Georgia residents have faced a series of droughts and water restrictions in recent years, making water a precious commodity and leaving citizens with the burden of finding alternatives to reducing and conserving their water use. Harvesting rainwater, however, is an alternative for homeowners that not only provides a water source in times of drought and water bans, but also can help the environment.
A yellow squash matures on the vine of a squash plant growing in Butts County, Georgia. CAES News
Squash borers cause squash-growing gardeners grief 02/24/11 Amanda Tedrow
Squash vine borers are a common problem in vegetable gardens. These insects overwinter in cocoons in the soil, usually in the area of the garden where squash or zucchini plants were located the previous season. Once the adults emerge from the soil, they lay eggs on the stems of susceptible plants.
Stick insects are over 5 inches in length, almost half of which is their long antennae. CAES News
Stick insects can be good pets. If you can find one. 02/24/11 Nancy C. Hinkle
Many insects are hardly ever seen because they are so well camouflaged. But if you look close enough in your garden or nearby woods, you might see a stick insect, which can become a good pet.
The eastern tent caterpillar is one of the first insects to become active in the spring. It weaves its nests, which look like tents, in trees throughout Georgia. CAES News
Eastern tent caterpillars pitch springtime tents 02/24/11 Whitney Boozer
As days get warmer and flowers begin to bloom, the eastern tent caterpillar busies itself weaving strange tent-like forts in the trees. This caterpillar feeds on foliage of various trees, but the trees usually recover.
CAES News
UGA offers free resources for planting environmentally-friendly landscapes 02/24/11 Amanda Swennes
This spring, gardeners will spend hours picking out the perfect flowers and plants, planting them in just the right places and getting them off to a great growing start.
Spring is right around the corner, and so are spring flowers, summer vegetables and all the gardening these seasons bring. CAES News
2011 edition of the Spring Garden Packet 02/24/11 Stephanie Schupska
Summertime is right around the corner, and with it comes colorful flowers, tasty vegetables and leaf-chopping insects. We’re got articles and information to help you with your garden needs in the 36th edition of the Spring Garden Packet, produced by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
J. Scott Angle, dean and director of the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. CAES News
Proposed federal budget cuts threaten U.S. food supply 02/18/11 J. Scott Angle
Earlier this week, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee released proposed cuts to agriculture that, if passed, will endanger the U.S. food system.
UGA horticulture professor Marc van Iersel shows one version of a soil moisture sensor he tested. CAES News
UGA, Georgia nurserymen pinpoint plants' water needs 02/17/11 Stephanie Schupska
How or when to water plants in a greenhouse or at a nursery is largely based on experience – a finger poke in the soil or simply a watering tradition passed from one worker to the next – or, it’s just plain guesswork. No one’s ever thought to ask the plants how much water they really need.
CAES News
Georgia Organics Conference March 11 in Savannah 02/17/11 April Reese Sorrow
The Georgia Organics Conference will be March 11 and 12 in Savannah, Ga., and will include workshops as well as farm and food tours.