Menu
Published on 05/02/07

Shade-loving grass stars on 'Gardening in Georgia'

University of Georgia

Shade-tolerant grasses, ornamental sweet potatoes, irises and green manure highlight "Gardening in Georgia," the week of May 10.

"Gardening in Georgia" airs on Georgia Public Broadcasting stations across Georgia each Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Georgia gardening guru and retired University of Georgia Extension agent Walter Reeves is the host. Each show features information specific to Georgia soils, climate and growing conditions.

In this episode, Reeves talks to UGA turf expert Clint Waltz. Waltz shows how to grow grasses in the shade. Waltz reveals results from his shade-tolerant turf trials that may surprise Georgia gardeners.

Find out how knowing which way is up can lead to success in propagating ornamental sweet potatoes. Just look at the knobby potato left behind in the soil when you remove spent vines.

Irises are a mainstay in many Georgia landscapes. Hank Bruno at Callaway Gardens brings a bucketful of beauties and describes how each one grows.

Finally, learn how using cover crops as "green manure" can help replenish your soil with valuable nutrients for spring planting.

"Gardening in Georgia" is a coproduction of GPB and the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The 2007 season is made possible through an underwriting gift from McCorkle Nurseries and support from the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association.

You can find more on "Gardening in Georgia" at www.gardeningingeorgia.com.

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.