Level-One Drought declared for DeKalb County

Per the September Drought Indicators Report (link below), it's dry and expected to stay that way...

The AJC reports that we are on a level-one drought response holding pattern due to low rain levels. We should limit outdoor watering to the hours of 4pm - 10am. According to the AJC, "One inch of rain or water every 7 to 10 days is all your plants need."

See the GA Environmental Protection Division announcement here.

The September Drought Indicators Report for September 2016 is available here.

DeKalb Co. library now checking out... seeds!

"The DeKalb County Public Library has launched what it says is metro Atlanta’s first-of-its-kind seed library.” Read all about it at the AJC: http://www.ajc.com/news/lifestyles/check-out-decatur-library-you-never-have-return-it/nsQgh/

To go directly to the library's "DeKalb Invests in Growing Gardens (DIGGS) Seed Library", visit http://dekalblibrary.org/services/digg-seed-library

Protecting Georgia's pollinators

With some humor, the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has released "a state plan for promoting a large, healthy and diverse pollinator workforce (link to pdf)." 

Why focus on pollinators? The plan states that "A 2014 economic impact study by the University of Georgia determined that the annual value of pollination to Georgia is over $360 million." 

Becky Griffin at UGA also offers the following recommendations:

"- If possible leave areas of your property permanently undisturbed for soil-nesting bees. 
- Dedicate pollinator habitat spaces in your garden.
- Know the beekeepers in your area. 
- Educate your gardeners about insect behavior.
- Consider increasing bee nesting sites by providing bee homes.
 - Follow all pesticide label directions and precautionary statements."  
-  If there's a need to apply insecticide for turf pests, mow the grass to remove weed flowers that may attract bees, THEN apply the insecticide. This makes it less likely that beneficial pollinators will be hurt by the insecticide.

For much more info on honeybees, see http://ent.uga.edu/bees/

Hello spring! March and April plant sales

Beth Nathan is always out there fighting to make DeKalb better via the Civic Association Network, and apparently she's also making it greener! Thanks for this wonderful list, Beth!!

Below are some Plant Sales that local gardening enthusiasts might be interested in.Note:  3/28 is also CAN's Embrace Our Greenspace Race (fundraiser for local parks, 9:30-noon, Oak Grove UMC). Beth Nathan, (North Briarcliff past president; parks activist)

MARCH 28, 8-3.  FERNBANK PLANT SALE.  http://www.fernbank.edu/plantsale.htmFernbank Science Center (not museum), 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta, GA 30307.
A wide variety of trees, shrubs, and flowering perennials.  Many of the plants are native species that are often difficult to find elsewhere.  Sample plant list.

APRIL 11,  8-4 (or until plants are gone).  AMERICAN RHODODENDRON SOCIETY (Azalea Chapter) Annual Plant Sale.http://www.azaleachapter.com/Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur
Regionally grown native azaleas, evergreen azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, mt laurel, companion plants not typically found in local garden centers.
Rain or Shine – Cash/Checks/Credit Cards.  New Joining Members Receive 25% Discount

APRIL 18, 8-1.  TREES ATLANTA's 3rd

Annual Native Wildflower and Vine Sale  
http://treesatlanta.org/event/3rd-annual-native-wildflower-and-vine-sale/
Freedom Farmers’ Market at The Carter Center; 453 Freedom Parkway NE, Atlanta 30307
More than 1,800 plants of native wildflowers and vines available for sale, as well as much more available parking.
All major credit cards, as well as checks, and cash will be accepted.   Plant List

APRIL 18, 10-1.  DEKALB MASTER GARDENERs' Spring Plant Sale.      
http://www.dmga.org/
Oak Grove UMC parking lot: Corner of Oak Grove & Fairoaks, 1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur, Georgia  30033

APRIL 18, 10-2.  GEORGIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY Annual Spring Plant Sale. 
http://gnps.org/shortterm/Plant_Sale_Announcement.php
McFarlane Nature Park, 280 Farm Road SE, Marietta.  For GPS use: Atlanta Country Club Drive, Marietta 30067
Thousands of sun and shade loving native plants: trees, shrubs, perennials and ferns for all growing conditions and to help attract wildlife.  Over 600 native azaleas.
Cash, Credit Card or Check.  Bring Wagons or Carts.  Not Handicapped-Accessible

GA PERIMETER COLLEGE NATIVE PLANT BOTANICAL GARDEN.  Spring Plant Sales.  http://gpcnativegarden.org/salesonly15spring.html
3251 Panthersville Rd, Decatur, 678-891-2668.   ( Map & Directions)
Fridays:   March 27,  April 3, 10, 17, 24,  May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Saturdays:     March 28,  April 11, 25,  May 2, 16, 30
Sale Hours:    10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
We accept only cash or a check. 

Plant a row for the hungry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Angie Clawson

Angela.clawson@acfb.org

Office: 678.553.6010

Cell: 404.569.4945

ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK KICKS OFF THE 19^TH YEAR OF PLANT A ROW FOR THE HUNGRY

ATLANTA- Spring is a time of renewal and new life. What better way to chase the chills of winter away than to bring warmth and enrichment to the lives of others?  If you are a gardener, garden club member, or farmer planning for your spring planting, you can help get healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables to those struggling with hunger.  Lend a helping hand and a green thumb to the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) as it kicks off this year’s “Plant a Row for the Hungry” campaign.

To participate in Plant a Row,  simply plant an extra row in your garden for donations, or just bag up any of your extra harvest. It’s easy to locate a designated drop-off site at www.acfb.org/about/our-programs/community-gardens.

Plant a Row for the Hungry was launched in 1995 as a national, public service campaign of the Garden Writers Association (GWA) and the GWA Foundation. ACFB executed the first local campaign in 1996, yielding nearly 160 pounds of fresh-from-the-garden foods to benefit local hunger-relief organizations.

Since that first year, approximately 613,084 pounds of produce have been donated locally through Plant a Row. This would not be possible without our local gardeners and farmers who provide the fresh produce that is distributed to those in need. We would like to make this year our biggest year yet. We only grow if you GROW!

To learn more about participating in Plant a Row, visit www.acfb.org/about/our-programs/community-gardens or call 404-892-FEED (3333) x1216.

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About the Atlanta Community Food Bank

The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) began operating in 1979 from a small space at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. ACFB now distributes more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery products each year from a 129,600 square-foot facility in N.W. Atlanta. The product is accessed by 600 partner nonprofits that provide food assistance to families and individuals in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. ACFB leads seven distinct projects that reinforce its mission to fight hunger by engaging, educating and empowering our community: Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, Atlanta’s Table, Community Gardens, Hunger 101, Hunger Walk/Run, Kids In Need and Product Rescue Center.

ACFB is a member of Feeding America, the national network of more than 200 food banks. For more information on the Food Bank, visit www.acfb.org, and for more information on Feeding America visit www.feedingamerica.org.

About Garden Writers Association and Plant a Row for the Hungry

Launched in 1995, Plant A Row is a public service program of the Garden Writers Association and the GWA Foundation. Garden writers are asked to encourage their readers/listeners to plant an extra row of produce each year and donate their surplus to local food banks, soup kitchens and service organizations to help feed America’s hungry.

There are over 84 million households with a yard or garden in the U.S. If every gardener plants one extra row of vegetables and donates their surplus to local food agencies and soup kitchens, a significant impact can be made on reducing hunger. For more information on Plant a Row, visit www.gardenwriters.org

DeKalb County's Homeowner Gardening Series and Plant Sale

via DeKalb's Extension Office

Plant sale includes blueberries,
blackberries, figs, raspberries, ferns,
viburnums,  butterfly bushes,
hydrangeas, azaleas and gardenias. 

DeKalb Cooperative Extension Announces 2015 Homeowner Gardening Series and its 3rd Annual Plant Sale for DeKalb County Residents


DECATUR – DeKalb Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce its 2015 Homeowner Gardening Series [pdf] and its third annual Plant Sale [pdf]. The office will accept orders for the plant sale between January 12, 2015 and March 9, 2015.  The one-day pick up is Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension office.  We have several varieties to choose from including azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, gardenias and many more.  In addition, DeKalb County Extension will provide a seminar on “Fruit Trees” on Thursday, January 29, 2015. For everyone who purchases a fruit plant, the fee for the class will be waived. Class will be held at the DeKalb Extension Training Center at 6:45 p.m. Registration is required.

 “Although this is just our third year, we are excited to see this annual sale grow.  We are committed to helping citizens realize and understand the role they play in the beautification and
sustainability of their own neighborhoods, said Jessica E. Hill, Director of the Cooperative Extension office in DeKalb.

Classes include lawn care, alternative
lawns, gardening with native
plants, year-round veg and herb
gardening, landscaping and pruning
basics and much more!

For more information about ordering plants or to learn more about other programs and services, please contact the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension office at 404-298-4080 or visit us at www.ugaextension.com/dekalb.



Lynwood L. Blackmon II
DeKalb County Horticulture Agent
DeKalb County Cooperative Extension
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 200
Decatur, GA 30032
404-298-4087
404-298-3084 Fax
blackmonl@dekalbcountyga.gov