Fall can be the best time in the world to garden, say the
experts with the University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences.

Working in the garden or landscape obviously isn’t as hot
in
the fall. Extension
Service scientists say there other benefits, too.

The bugs aren’t as bad, for instance. And the ones that
are,
like fire ants, are easier
to kill in the fall.

Fall doesn’t stress plants, either. In Georgia, the climate
is wonderful for allowing
new plants’ roots to grow through the fall and even most of
the
winter. That leaves them
better able to withstand the summers, when real stresses
strike
in Georgia.

Fall Garden
Packet

To help with your fall gardening needs, a number of UGA
Extension Service scientists
have provided an information-packed fall edition of the CAES
1999 Garden Packet.

The scientists provide timely tips on vegetable gardening,
including growing sweet
onions the Vidalia way. They tell all about soil testing, composting, using pine straw
and getting garden
tools ready for winter.

If the landscape is your main concern, check out the
stories
on pruning, watering trees and
shrubs and planting
for fall foliage. Read about planting
pansies and spring
flowering bulbs, too, and fall chores for
a healthy lawn.

Other stories tell how to zap fire ants,
plant backyard
muscadines and winterize
your trees. One even reminds you of timely home
maintenance chores for the fall. And if you’re the
adventurous sort, read about a fall
phenomenon: foxfire.

Summer’s heat is lingering, but it won’t be around long. So
read up. Get ready. The
fall gardening season’s just getting started.