Menu
Published on 08/06/09

Southern plants, pests on ‘Gardening In Georgia'

Kudzu is common throughout the South and seems unstoppable. But it has an Achilles heel: The soft crown where it emerges from the ground. On the Aug. 19 episode of “Gardening in Georgia with Walter Reeves,” Reeves shows guest Katie Leslie how easy it is to find and destroy the crown.

"Gardening in Georgia” airs on Georgia Public Broadcasting stations across the state each Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., and repeats Wednesdays at 7 p.m. However, it will not be shown at its regular time on Aug. 15. So don’t miss the Wednesday, Aug. 19 only showing of this episode.

They’re unlike any other creature you find in a garden. The bright yellow larvae of the Mexican bean beetle eat the leaves of beans and squash. Reeves will demonstrate how to control this ravenous pest.

As summer thunderstorms hit, they can leave death and destruction in your landscape. Hank Bruno of Callaway Gardens will teach Reeves how to protect two white oak trees after they were hit by lightening.

The pure white blooms are gorgeous in summer evenings and the scent is irresistible. Moon vine has been a Reeves’ favorite for a long time. Find out more about this Southern favorite.

And, carnivorous plants have a certain macabre attraction. Erin Alvarez shows Reeves how to repot these interesting plants.

“Gardening in Georgia” is produced by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Learn more about the show and download useful publications at the Web site www.gardeningingeorgia.com.

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.