UGA Cooperative Extension

Rockdale County Extension Office:
Agriculture & Natural Resources

Testing Services

Soil Sample

Cost: $8.00

Basic Water Sample

Basic Test costs $17.00
Lead Test costs $32.00
Expanded water test costs $54.00

Gardening Tips

Trees

Check guy wires around newly planted trees to be sure hose sections still cover the supporting wires or ropes so they will not damage the trunks in windy weather.

Bulbs

Tulips and Dutch Iris need to be planted in cold soil so they do not send up shoots before roots are established. They need at least ten weeks of cold weather to bloom.

Perennials

After several killing frosts have occurred in the fall, cut back dormant perennials to about three inches above ground. Place mulch around plants to ensure a successful show of plant foliage and color next season. Avoid piling mulch against or over crowns. During cold snaps, invert large flowerpots over semi-hardy perennials for protection.

Soils

If you're planning to lay newspapers as mulch in the spring, glue them end-to-end this winter and store them as rolls. When needed, the paper mulch unrolls easily and won't be lifted by the wind before it can be anchored. Soil test in the fall/winter for spring plantings. If a soil test indicates the need to raise pH, apply dolomitic lime in the fall/winter so fall and winter rain can move it into the soil.

Houseplants

Keep an eye out for spider mites on your houseplants; they thrive in dry air. At the first sign of any insect infestation, isolate the plant. Several thorough washings with plain water may bring the pest problem under control. If not, apply an appropriate insecticide - follow instruction on the label! Houseplant foods are beneficial, but remember that a little fertilizer can go a long way. Many gift plants may not need to be fertilized until spring. If your amaryllis has been grown in a warm room, the long flower stalk may require staking. Take care not to damage the bulb when inserting the stake into the pot. As Christmas cactus plants come into bloom, reduce watering to prolong the blooming period. Keep in full sun at 70º F.

Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Master Gardener Program

There are over 65 Master Gardener (MG) volunteers who assist the Rockdale County Extension Office.

Volunteers are committed to gardening and improving the community through programs, plant clinics and horticulture projects. This program is sponsored by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service.

Certification involves 24 classes, which begin in January of each year. After successfully completing the course, participants must donate 50 hours of volunteer time to the Extension Office to become certified. Applications are accepted in September. Call the Extension Service to register or for more information.

Master Gardeners are available to speak to civic groups on a variety of subjects from dirt to butterfly gardening. To schedule a speaker, call the Extension Service at 770-785-5952.

Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden

MGs assist in the maintenance of the Botanical Gardens in Olde Town, Conyers. They helped develop a maintenance calendar and work hard for all to enjoy this beautiful garden.

Junior Master Gardener Garden Club

This group meets monthly. Youth who have completed the Junior Master Gardener program learn even more about gardening, from making scarecrows to forcing daffodil bulbs.

Watering Tips

Turfgrass Water Needs

Give turfgrass 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week; apply enough water to soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
Use rain gauges or other containers to measure the amount of water that your irrigation system is applying.
Do not irrigate until run-off occurs. Allow water to soak in soil while you irrigate another area; then water the area again.
Drought resistance among grasses are as follows: Bermuda grass (most resistant), St. Augustine, Centipede, Zoysia and Tall Fescue (least drought resistant).
Nitrogen fertilizers cause grass to use more water.

When to Water

Don't water unless your grass tells you it needs it. Water lawn when grass starts to show a grayish color or if you walk across the lawn and the blades of grass don't spring back up right away.
Water after 10:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m.
Don't water daily. This will produce a shallow root system which makes the grass less drought resistant.

For information regarding Georgia drought, go to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division website at http://www.gaepd.org/ or call (404) 651-7970.