CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 01/02/03

Member of Plant Society for Uninformed?

By Wayne McLaurin
University of Georgia

The "Plant Society for the Uninformed" could become the largest plant society in the world. It encompasses all of us. Well intentioned, we're always growing plants without thinking about their environmental context.

We try to grow plants that look good in the mall, plants that come from all over the world. We don't pay attention to their original environment but are sure we can make them grow in our backyards.

Some of us want to grow only "native" plants. As I hike Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina (yes, there are beautiful places within 40 miles of Clemson), I see all types of native plants growing along the ridges and beside creeks.

They're natives, but can I grow them in my drought-stricken backyard when they grow along streams in the wild? I wish I could. Not a chance! Even though they're natives, their particular growing conditions must be met.

I visit the great Northwest and see all of the wonderful plant types and say to myself, "Maybe it will grow if I give it special attention." But Georgia has neither the rainfall nor the temperature of the Northwest.

Moreover, if I brought it home, there would probably be one of those giant banana slugs attached, a pest that in our milder climate might multiply and start an epidemic. We do not need more pests!

Colleges of agriculture in each state test plants' growth under that state's growing conditions and recommend the plants that grow best. Tests are done on all plants -- vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, cotton, corn, peanuts, soybeans, turf grasses.

It's important to find out which plant will do best in a particular place. If a plant doesn't make the grade, it's tossed off of the recommended list.

If the plant you want to grow isn't on the recommended list, you have alternatives. One of the best sources of information is to ask gardeners in your area. I've found very few growers who weren't overjoyed to share growing experiences and be honest in their recommendations.

The only warning I have is to make sure you have enough time to listen to other stories -- you know, "the giant pumpkin," or, "Remember the time my picture was in the 'Market Bulletin' with the 6-pound sweet potato?"

If you want information on growing plants in Georgia, visit the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' Extension Service Web site at www.ces.uga.edu and click on "Publications." Click on alphabetical or subject listings and follow the instructions.

My own garden stories? Maybe I'll write a book when I retire and have time. No, I'll be too busy working with that New Zealand plant I just know will grow back there by the fence near the compost pile.

Wayne McLaurin is a professor emeritus of horticulture with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Wayne J. McLaurin
John C McKissick
Don Shurley
Nathan B. Smith
A Master Gardener with UGA Extension teaches a class at the GROWL Fulton County Demonstration and Teaching Garden. (Submitted photo) CAES News
Volunteers uplift statewide UGA Extension outreach programs 04/22/24 Sheri Dorn, Keri Gandy Hobbs
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension depends on thousands of volunteers who give generously to extend program impact and reach in support Extension missions. During Volunteer Appreciation Week April 21-28, UGA Extension celebrates the many volunteers who donate their time to facilitate 4-H, Master Gardener and Family and Consumer Sciences programming. Volunteers across Extension contributed over 324,200 hours in 2023, the equivalent of more than 155 full-time employees.
uga commencement CAES News
CAES to celebrate new graduates during May 9 convocation 04/18/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
As another academic year draws to a close, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is gearing up for its Athens campus convocation ceremony, which will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at The Classic Center in Athens. “Each year, it’s an honor to celebrate the success of our CAES graduates,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick T. Place. “It’s amazing what these students accomplish during their time with us, and I’m always excited to commemorate this next step in their lives as they continue on to either further studies or the start of their careers.”
A student harvests red clover at UGArden. CAES News
UGA horticulture class shows students the science behind herbal remedies 04/16/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
The field of medicine is ever-changing, and the use of herbal medicines may play a bigger role in health care as the value of natural remedies gain recognition in the Western world. Students at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are delving into the field of medicinal remedies through the class “Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants.” Offered to undergraduate students through the Department of Horticulture, the class helps students develop a deeper understanding of the connection between nature and health.
Using robotics to help sort onions on Georgia farms CAES News
Using robotics to help sort onions on Georgia farms 04/15/24 David Mitchell
During the pandemic, labor problems became acute on many farms in Georgia and across the country. Farms once staffed by humans to bring produce from the field to stores for purchase were suddenly short-staffed, and the global supply chain was severely impacted. Working with UGA’s Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center and A&M Farms in Lyons, Georgia, a team of researchers led by School of Computing Professor Prashant Doshi is designing collaborative robots to mitigate some of these potential challenges.
2024 honorees are William D. Branch, Georgia Seed Development Professor in Peanut Breeding and Genetics in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, and Elzie Argene Claxton, an agriculture educator and 1980 CAES agricultural education graduate who went on to earn a master’s degree in 1982 and education specialist degree in 1984 from UGA’s College of Education. CAES News
Innovator, educator inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame 04/11/24 Maria M. Lameiras
An innovator in peanut breeding whose research revitalized an industry and an ardent champion of agricultural education were inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame at the 68th University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association Awards in Athens. The 2024 honorees are William D. Branch, Georgia Seed Development Professor in Peanut Breeding and Genetics in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, and Elzie Argene Claxton, an agriculture educator and 1980 CAES agricultural education graduate.
Peach growers are looking forward to a fruitful season as the weather this winter and spring have been near-perfect for the sensitive crop. This year is projected to be a much-needed comeback from the disastrous season they experienced after a late freeze in March 2023 took out more than 90% of the state's crop. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA) CAES News
Growers hopeful 2024 peach season will rebound from disastrous 2023 04/10/24 Emily Cabrera
Last year, the peach industry lost $60 million due to the late freeze that hit much of the Southeast in mid-March 2023, said Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent for Peach and Taylor counties. With no freezing temperatures in the forecast and hope for strong pricing during the upcoming season, peach growers are looking forward to a much-needed rebound year.