News Stories - Page 70

Springlike weather throughout the state cause ornamental shrubs and trees to bloom early. These azaleas blossomed the week before Christmas in Hart County. CAES News
Early blooms call for patience, not pruning
With December’s temperatures mimicking spring in most parts of Georgia, it’s no wonder that so many landscape plants are confused. Last month, gardeners in all corners of the state saw their azaleas blooming and their spring flowering trees forming buds. Since then, winter weather has returned and damaged some of these early signs of life. But there’s still hope for those way-too-early bloomers. The key is to be patient and wait to see what happens.
Recycle your Christmas tree this year into something useful like a bottle tree or mulch for your garden. Bartow County residents are shown transforming Christmas trees into fish habitats. CAES News
Christmas trees can be recycled into fish habitats, mulch and more
You took time to select and decorate the perfect live Christmas tree for the holiday. Now put a little forethought and time into recycling it. University of Georgia Extension offers suggestions on how to creatively recycle this year’s Christmas tree.
Christmas plants, like these Christmas cacti and Norfolk Island pine, can make the perfect gift for the green thumbs on your holiday list. CAES News
Live Christmas trees can be enjoyed indoors now, planted outdoors later
Container-grown or balled-and-burlapped Christmas trees can be planted as landscape trees after the holidays. This way of enjoying a Christmas tree is practical in Georgia, where the mild December or early January weather is ideal for tree planting. With care and planning, your Christmas tree will serve as a living memory for many years.
Red poinsettias with white poinsettias in the background. CAES News
Poinsettias, once used for dyes and medicine, are now America's best-selling houseplant
Because of their popularity as holiday decorations, poinsettias are the best-selling potted plants in the United States. Here are some facts and history about America’s favorite houseplant.
A variety of poinsettias. CAES News
Poinsettias can thrive for years if properly cared for
Despite their limited, two-month run on retailers' shelves each year, poinsettias are the best- selling potted plant in the United States. Growers sold more than 34.6 million plants in 2014 alone. But that popularity doesn’t always translate into longevity. Come February or March, many of these cherished decorations are droopy, yellowed or worse — in the trash. Here are the top tips on poinsettia care from UGA horticulture expert.
CAES News
Supporting small farmers is the key to boosting world food supply, says World Food Prize winner
The key to feeding the world’s growing population this century will be to empower the 2.5 billion people, worldwide, who depend on small farms for their food and livelihood. That answer comes from Sanjaya Rajaram, winner of the 2014 World Food Prize, who spoke to University of Georgia community members gathered at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' annual D.W. Brooks Lecture on Nov. 10.