For the past several months, I’ve had customers calling the nursery asking for all sorts of unusual plants—many I’ve never even heard of, and certainly not ones that are available or well-suited to our area. After 35+ years in the
Sweet or Sour ~ Understanding Soil pH
I’ve heard old-time gardeners describe soil as sweet or sour. Sweet soil was used to describe alkaline soil, and sour soil was used to describe acid soils. All of these terms refer to the pH of the soil. Simply put,
Pruning Perennials in June
Summer is upon us, and the perennials are growing beautifully. But recently I noticed some of mine were getting a little leggy, especially my Black-Eyed Susans. One of the most common questions gardeners ask this time of year is: “Should
The Unexpected Nature of Growing Plants From Seed
Why Seeds Will Not Produce the Same Plant When a plant produces a seed, it is the result of sexual reproduction. Pollen from one flower fertilizes another, and the genetic material from two plants combines to form the seed. Because
Benefits of Planting In The Fall In The South
Fall is a fantastic time to get your hands dirty in the garden, especially if you’re in the southern United States. While many gardeners associate spring with planting, autumn offers unique advantages for adding plants to your landscape. Perennials, Shrubs,
Goldenrod vs Ragweed – The Truth Behind The Sniffles
In the early fall here in the South, you’ll see golden plumes lining the roadsides, swaying in the warm breeze — and hear folks start blaming them for their sniffles. Bless their hearts, goldenrod has been catching the blame for
Fire Ant Control – Weighing Baits, Insecticides, and Natural Remedies
Few pests are as frustrating to deal with in the southern landscape as fire ants. Their painful stings, aggressive mounds, and ability to spread quickly make them more than just a backyard nuisance—they can also disrupt gardening, threaten wildlife, and
Creating Compost Tea For Your Plants
Compost tea is a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer that boosts plant growth and improves soil health. Making it at home is simple with just a few ingredients and the right setup. Ingredients Compost Use high-quality, organic compost as the base. Homemade
6 Must-Have Perennials for Your Southern Garden
If you’re gardening in the South, you know the heat, humidity, and sometimes unpredictable weather can be tough on plants. That’s why perennials—plants that return year after year—are the backbone of a reliable and beautiful garden. Once established, they thrive
Growing In Containers – How to create a Thriving Potted Garden
Container Gardening: A Quick Guide to Success Container gardening is one of the most flexible and rewarding ways to grow plants. Whether you have a sunny balcony, a shaded porch, or a large backyard, containers allow you to create beautiful
Georgia Invasive Species – Knowing, Managing, Protecting
As a Georgia Grower… As a Georgia grower, I have to be mindful of harmful things to people, plants, pets, and the environment. That’s my job. I see a lot of talk through online communities about invasive plants and insects,
5 Things To Consider When Adding Camellias To Your Landscape
Camellias make an attractive plant for almost any garden. They adorn the garden and our tables throughout Camellia season with beautiful flowers. Here are a few things you may want to consider when adding Camellias to your garden. Choose the
Creepy Creatures – Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Every spring, just as sure as the sun will rise and set, the Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers will be back. I loathe this large mutant pest with every fiber of my being and what they do to my Garlic and Spider
Pruning Fruit Trees and Other Edibles
As a Georgia Grower, I’m frequently asked about the best time to prune fruit trees. I always answer that it depends on several factors. One of the major considerations is the crop that we are pruning. It’s challenging to give
Planting Tips for Success
Planting Tips For Success Nothing gives us more satisfaction than growing our own plants. Whether it’s for beauty, food, shade, or other functional purposes, growing plants can be rewarding and cost-saving. Your plant’s success is directly linked to its planting.
Fertilizing Tips For Spring
The weather warms, you’re itching to get outside and so something. So you go to the shed and see all of last year’s or maybe longer fertilizer bags sitting there taking up space. Before you grab a spreader, here are
How To Prepare Plants For Cold Weather
Although it may not feel like it in the south, winter always comes. It may be for a day, a week, or three months, you just never know. You should be prepared for when mother nature rears her cold winds
Native Plants vs. Non-Native Plants – Exploring the Benefits of Each
When it comes to gardening and landscaping, the choice between native plants and non-native plants is a topic of much debate among horticulturists and environmental enthusiasts. Both categories of plants offer unique benefits and considerations that can impact the aesthetics,
Rocks Vs Natural Mulch
Choosing the right mulch for your garden can make a significant impact on its overall health and aesthetics. While organic mulches like wood chips and compost are commonly used, another option gaining popularity is rocks or stones. Rock mulch offers
5 Mistakes Gardeners Make ~ and how to avoid them
Gardening should be a rewarding experience and many times we will get discouraged because things didn’t work out in reality like they worked out in our visions. Many times our dissatisfaction can be avoided by following a few simple guidelines
The Benefits of Wasps in the Garden and How to Divert Them
Wasps are often misunderstood creatures that are notorious for their painful stings. However, these buzzing insects play a crucial role in the ecosystem, especially in the garden. Understanding the benefits of wasps can help us appreciate their presence and learn
Fall Planting Calendar Southeast Georgia
In Southeast Georgia, July marks the beginning of fall garden preparations, offering a great opportunity to sow heat-tolerant vegetables that will mature as the weather cools. Throughout July and early August, you can direct sow okra, southern peas (like cowpeas
Protecting Our Pollinators
Think About This: Pollinators provide 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat More than 1,000 of all pollinators are vertebrates such as birds, bats, and small mammals. Most (more than 200,000 species) are beneficial insects such as
Nature’s Pharmacy: Exploring the Benefits of Medicinal Plants
Before the invention of modern medicine, humans used plants as natural remedies for common ailments. Archaeological finds and ancient texts suggest the medicinal use of plants by humans nearly 60,000 years ago. Evidence supports the use of medicinal plants by
Healthy Soil – Happy Plants : Why You Should Not Use Landscape Fabric Under Plants
Over the years in our industry, we have seen many things used to prevent weeds. Heavy landscape fabric used under plants is one. We have seen the harm that it can do over time to your soil and to the
Growing Your Own Apothecary Garden
Starting an apothecary garden is like unlocking a treasure trove of natural health benefits, where you can use plants to brew up teas, concoct soothing salves, and whip up potent tinctures. It’s like having your own personal pharmacy in your
Reviving Rosemary – Tips For Improving Health of Older Plants
Reviving old rosemary plants can be a rewarding process that can breathe new life into your herb garden. Here are some tips on how to revive old rosemary plants: Assess the plant Start by assessing the overall health of the
Deficiency Chart of Micronutrients
They say every picture tells a story….it’s true with leaves. The leaves of plants are the best indicator of a problem. If the leaves are not healthy, the plant is suffering. Most often the cause of plant leaf issues can
The Dangers Of Mis-diagnosing Plant Problems
When it comes to caring for plants, it is a top priority for any gardener to ensure that their plants are healthy. However, many times plant problems are misdiagnosed which leads to the improper use of chemicals or other methods
Creating A Pollinator Garden
Pollinators are animals or insects that move pollen from one flower to another, and they are essential to plant reproduction. In fact, 80% of our food crops are pollinated by insects or animals. Without pollinators, humans and all of Earth’s
Tips for Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden
Plant a Variety of Bee-Friendly Flowers: Bees are attracted to a diverse range of flowers, especially those that are rich in nectar and pollen. There are both native and non-native plants that can provide an appropriate pollen source for bees.
Tips On Protecting Your Plants For Early Spring Frosts
Each year when the first signs of spring emerge, we all hold our breath that a late-season frost won’t harm our new leaves and flowers. When Mother Nature sends out one more bout of cool weather before she goes away
Winter Damage To Plants – When To Prune
Cold damage is inevitable if you live anywhere that cold weather can creep in. Here in South Georgia, we love our perennials, but the first freeze can turn them into balls of straw. The first inclination is to go and
Creating an Earth-Friendly Garden
Gardening is more than just a hobby – it’s an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment. By adopting eco-friendly practices in your garden, you can contribute to the conservation of natural resources, support local biodiversity, and promote
Feeding The Bees – Camellia Pollinators
Bees & Camellias Fall brings an abundance of bees to the garden with all of the Camellia sasanqua and Camellia Sinensis in full swing. They are one of the last plants of the season to help our bees with enough
Planting Perennials in the Fall
Fall is a fantastic time to get your hands dirty in the garden, especially if you’re in the southern United States. While many gardeners associate spring with planting, autumn offers unique advantages for adding perennials to your landscape. The milder
Planting A Living Fence With Camellia Sasanqua
Your home is a sanctuary. It’s the place where you can relax, put your feet up, and just enjoy the privacy of your own space. Your garden should be no different. Privacy in the garden is just as important as
Bee’s Tea – Nature’s Helper
Camellia sinensis, also known as the Tea Plant is one of our favorite plants that we grow at Blackcreek Nursery & Garden. We love to make our own tea from our Tea Plants at Blackcreek Tea Farm, but even more rewarding than harvesting our own tea is feeding the bees!
Fall Planting In The South
After 30+ years in the nursery industry growing plants, it still surprises us how many gardeners feel that Spring is the only time of year to plant. In the spring Garden centers are overrun with customers trying to get stuff
Insect Spotlight – Japanese Beetles
Japanese Beetles: Understanding and Managing One of Summer’s Most Destructive Garden Pests After years of growing ornamentals, herbs, fruiting plants, and vegetables, I’ve learned that Japanese beetles are as stubborn as they are shiny. They seem to arrive right when
What the Garden Has Taught Me About Life
The garden has taught me a lot about life over the years. Working with plants every day, I’ve noticed that the lessons in the soil aren’t much different from the ones we face ourselves. First, the garden teaches patience. Seeds
Why Plants Don’t Always Love the Spot We Choose
It’s a common story: someone buys a beautiful plant, tucks it into the ground, gives it a drink of water, and waits for it to flourish. Weeks later, disappointment sets in when the plant struggles or dies. The truth is
