By Wayne McLaurin
University of
Georgia

I get to answer questions.

As part of my job, I’m accountable to all of the county agents in
the University of Georgia Extension Service. That’s where most of
my questions come from.

After 30-plus years of answering, I’ve heard most of the
questions that come my way before. But occasionally I’m stumped.
That’s the time to pull out the books, go to the Internet and ask
colleagues.

10 most common questions

Here are the 10 most common questions I’m asked and the Web sites
where you can get the answers and other information.

1. The ends of my tomatoes are brown. What’s the problem?
   “Blossom-End Rot” (www.ces.uga.edu/Agriculture/horticulture/
   blossom-rot.html).




2. How much of an area do I need for a vegetable garden? “Small
   Garden Plan for Georgia” (pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/L178-w.htm).




3. Will mulching help my garden? “Mulching Vegetables” (www.ces.uga.edu/Agriculture/horticulture/
   veg-mulch.html).




4. What can I do in my vegetable garden when a water restriction
   is in force? “Conserving Water in the Vegetable Garden” (www.ces.uga.edu/Agriculture/horticulture/
   conswater-veg.html).




5. How do I go about making compost? “Composting: Feed Your Lawn
   – Not the Landfill” (www.ces.uga.edu/Agriculture/horticulture/
   composting.html) and “Composting and Mulching: A Guide to
   Managing Organic Landscape Refuse” (www.ces.uga.edu/
   pubcd/c816-w.html) or (www.ces.uga.edu/
   pubs/PDF/c816.pdf).




6. What can I put into my compost pile? (Refer to No. 5.)




7. What vegetables can I plant and when? “Home Vegetable
   Gardening” (pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubs/pdf/L171.pdf).




8. Can I grow vegetables organically in Georgia? “Growing
   Vegetables Organically” (www.ces.uga.edu/
   pubcd/b1011-w.html).




9. Can I grow my own transplants? “Home Garden Transplants” (www.ces.uga.edu/
   pubcd/l128-w.html).




10. Which herbs can I grow in my garden? “Herbs in Southern
    Gardens” ($5) (www.ces.uga.edu/
    pubs/ForSale.html).