News Stories - Page 15

Do you have a yard full of woody ornamentals? Are you unsure of when or how to prune them? With diverse growth habits and varying pruning requirements, it can be overwhelming to try to figure out when and how to prune each variety. Not pruning correctly, or at the wrong time, can lead to plants to become irregular in shape, more vulnerable to cold damage or pests, or less likely to flower at their full potential.

The seeds of knowledge are planted every day at the University of Georgia. But the UGA Griffin campus sows seeds to store, aiding plant preservation and research at a global scale. UGA-Griffin is home to the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s larger National Plant Germplasm System, spanning 19 sites across the U.S., plus three affiliated collections not held by the USDA.

Most people would say the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been a great couple of years. But for the green industry, like plant nurseries and greenhouses, it’s been a boon. But will the uptick in gardening last once the last coronavirus restrictions are lifted?

If you’ve ever scanned a field looking for a lucky four-leaf clover, then perhaps you’ve wondered why they are so rare. It turns out scientists aren’t exactly sure about the mysteries of four-leaf clovers, either.

Since Robin Buell joined the University of Georgia faculty in fall 2021, there’s been a flurry of activity in her lab. Buell and her researchers have nine projects underway in plant genomics – and Buell has already secured millions of dollars in federal funding.

When Kristen Dunning participated in her first UGA Entrepreneurship Idea Accelerator Program, she was a woman with sensitive skin, a knack for plants and a dream of selling soap to the masses.