Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame inducts leader in horticultural science
The Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame recently inducted a distinguished leader whose career profoundly shaped agriculture, education and industry in Georgia and beyond: longtime University of Georgia researcher, professor, and plant breeder Michael A. Dirr. The 2026 inductees, who were honored at the 2026 UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Alumni Association Awards…
Read MoreNew 2026 Georgia Ag Impact Report Is an Essential Resource for Agriculture Stakeholders
Produced by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the interactive 2026 Georgia Ag Impact Report provides research-backed insights into the value and reach of Georgia agriculture and serves as a practical resource for producers, educators, policymakers and media across the state. At CAES, faculty and Extension professionals work every day…
Read MoreRight tree, right place: Are we learning from our mistakes?
I recently attended and passed a Prescription Pruning Qualification course in Fort Myers, Florida. This class is conducted by the Florida Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and was created by Dr. Ed Gilman. When I returned home, this training caused me to slow down and really look at trees a little deeper…
Read MoreUncovering Homeowner Priorities for Successful Installs
Your job is tough. As a landscape professional, you’re expected to understand the homeowner’s vision, the yard’s limitations and the turfgrass’s needs—long before installation begins. But most homeowners don’t see that. To them, choosing a lawn feels simple: pick a grass, lay it down and it should look great. That’s why many problems start before…
Read MoreConsider coneflowers for attractive, colorful landscape designs
As we head into spring and summer, it’s time to get serious with your clients who love their gardens and ask, “Have you chosen your color palette yet?” I’m not talking about a Pantone Analysis of their home, but a healthy supply of some of the finest coneflowers in the marketplace. Praised for their cheerful…
Read MoreAre you PRE-pared for PRE-emergent Summer Annual Weed Control? Crabgrass is here!
Forsythias are in bloom in Griffin, GA (Figure 1), and that means crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) control season is here, and other summer annual weeds such as goosegrass (Eleusine indica) and prostrate spurge (Euphorbia maculata) are not far behind. Summer annual weeds like crabgrass, goosegrass, and prostrate spurge don’t sneak in overnight; they build all spring…
Read MorePreventing Slips, Trips and Falls
Provided by WS Pharr & Company, Risk Control Department While vacationing last year in Miami, Florida, a city under near constant construction, there hung large sign on the fence of a construction site. It said, in bold letters: “YOUR FAMILY WANTS YOU HOME TONIGHT. Practice safety on the job site.” Phew! There is a…
Read MoreExecutive Director Message
Georgia’s start to 2026 was anything but typical. Between the mid-month (super-hyped) polar vortex storm and another winter storm at the end of the month, our industry was on alert. As always, UAC members rose to the occasion, providing essential snow and ice removal for both commercial and residential clients. In response to this demand,…
Read MoreLandscape, Ag professionals to gather in Perry for education event March 6
Central Georgia is home to some of the state’s busiest sod farms, plant nurseries, and landscape companies. From bermuda sod in Perry to woody ornamentals in Lizella, this part of the state is buzzing with agricultural commerce – that is, folks who grow plants and the landscape companies who install and care for them. Offering…
Read MoreFrom Frost to Spring: Managing Cold Injury in Ornamentals
Cold damage to ornamental plants is a recurring challenge for Georgia landscapers each winter. While injury from low temperatures is often first noticed as aesthetic damage, cold stress can have lasting effects on plant health, establishment, and long-term performance in the landscape. Understanding how plants acclimate to cold, the types of cold injury that occur,…
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