In Georgia, particularly south Georgia, we're blessed (or cursed) with the ability to garden year-round. During the winter, when most people think vegetable production stops, Georgia produces some of its most important vegetables." /> In Georgia, particularly south Georgia, we're blessed (or cursed) with the ability to garden year-round. During the winter, when most people think vegetable production stops, Georgia produces some of its most important vegetables." />

CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 02/16/04

How does your garden grow? Year-round in Georgia

Volume XXIX
Number 1
Page 1

By George Boyhan
University of Georgia

In Georgia, particularly south Georgia, we're blessed (or cursed) with the ability to garden year-round. During the winter, when most people think vegetable production stops, Georgia produces some of its most important vegetables.

The most famous of these are Vidalia onions. Others -- greens, collards, broccoli, cauliflower -- are also grown during the cooler parts of the year.

Bare-root transplants of onions and other cool-season vegetables are available in local stores during late fall. You can buy many in flats ready for transplanting, too. Or you can direct-seed them.

The spring and early summer are ideal for many warm-season crops such as peppers, tomatoes, watermelon and squash. Ironically, the hottest part of the summer is when we grow the fewest vegetables commercially.

Like, it's hot!

Part of this has to do with marketing, but a lot has to do with the fact that crops like tomato and pepper actually don't like the hottest part of the summer. When night temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, they'll drop their flowers before they develop fruit. The fruit that does develop can suffer from ripening and sunscald problems.

If you can stand the heat, plenty of crops can grow successfully during the height of summer. Watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, beans, and southern peas are a few.

These crops will thrive in the heat. Of course, water is critical, not just for these crops, but for you. Drink plenty of water, use sunscreen and wear a hat. The best time to garden in the summer is just after sunrise and just before sunset when it's relatively cool.

Rough start

Fall gardens start in the heat of summer, usually in July or August. This can be a particularly hard time to garden.

Insects have had all spring and half the summer to multiply and can reach epidemic proportions at this time of year. Diseases, too, can be a problem. If there is little rain but high humidity, powdery mildew can be a serious problem. Rainy weather during any season can dramatically increase disease pressure.

Each season has its challenge, but your reward can be a year-round harvest.

Of course, if you're getting tired of gardening, plant a cover crop and put the garden to sleep. The garden will thank you with increased organic matter and fertility for subsequent crops.

(George Boyhan is an Extension Service horticulturist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)

George Boyhan is a Cooperative Extension horticulturist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Experts/Sources:
George E. Boyhan
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. CAES News
Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia 10/30/24 Sean Montgomery
Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners.
Kevan Lamm teaching undergraduate students CAES News
CAES researchers prepare students to address complex challenges of the future 10/29/24 Emily Cabrera
Over the next three years, researchers in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication aim to transform undergraduate education in agricultural and environmental sciences by integrating systems thinking — an approach that encourages students to see the bigger picture by understanding how different components within a system interact.
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners 10/25/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer Meissner Corporation were recognized for their achievements in the life science industry at Georgia Bio’s Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta. The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to grow the life science industry and foster strategic partnerships that create a healthier world.