Growing something good in our NE Georgia neighborhood

Upcoming Program: Protecting Our Native Seed Bank

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 2:00-3:00 PM

Rabun County Library, Clayton

Learn about an important effort to collect, store and preserve seeds from native plants found in our area – along with practical tips for ethical seed collection and propagation. 

The talk is set for Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 2:00-3:00 PM at the Rabun County Library. It is free to attend but seating is limited and you must register (see button below).

The featured speaker is Carrie Radcliffe, Director of Conservation Partnerships for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Southeastern Center for Conservation. Carrie will discuss ongoing native seed collection in collaboration with federal, state and community organizations. 

This program is a partnership of the Rabun Public Library, Rabun County Extension and the Rabun Seed Library, a project of the Headwaters Master Gardeners Association. 

Some native wildflower seeds are available at the Seed Library (located inside the Rabun County Library) and we are seeking donations of more.

MIGRATION MADNESS: Hummingbirds are on the Move

Photo by Headwaters Master Gardener Nanette O’Hara

Hummingbirds that have spent the summer in our gardens are now beginning to head south to Mexico and Central America on their Fall migration, joined by their cousins who ventured as far north as the Canadian Maritimes. Gardeners everywhere love seeing these amazing aerial acrobats flying about their yards!

Hopefully your garden includes nectar plants with tubular flowers such as the scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma) pictured here. Natural food is always best. But, as the days get shorter and flowers fade and go to seed, you may want to add feeders to provide artificial nectar for hummers passing through.

The best solution consists of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water (this mirrors the sugar concentration of the nectar found in flowers). Boil the water for 2–3 minutes before adding sugar. Cool and store the mixture in a refrigerator until you are ready to use it. There is no need to add red dye and it could in fact be harmful to the birds. Make sure to change the sugar water regularly (every few days in warm weather) and clean the feeder to prevent mold.

Although 11 hummingbird species have been documented in Georgia, the ruby-throated hummingbird is the most commonly seen.

A combination of nectar plants and feeders is a good strategy for maximizing hummer visits to your garden.

Hummingbird-Friendly Plants:

  • Zinnia

  • Penstemon

  • Salvias

  • Coral Honeysuckle

  • Blazing Star

  • Cleome

  • Cardinal Flower

  • Buckeye

  • Coral Bells

  • Crocosmia

  • Jewelweed

  • Crabapple

  • Tulip Poplar

  • Redbud

…and many more. Click here for list and additional info compiled by Georgia DNR.

Habersham County Extension is offering a free series of Tree ID classes on these upcoming Tuesdays:

August 26

September 2

September 9

September 16

September 23

All sessions are from 1:00-3:00 PM at the Habersham Extension Office in Clarkesville.

Attending one or more of these classes is a great way to learn about the incredible variety of native trees that flourish in our area. No sign-up is necessary.

Learn to ID Native Trees with Free Class Series in Habersham County

Be a Citizen-Scientist for a Day (or at least 15 minutes)

On Friday, Aug. 22 and Saturday, Aug. 23, join pollinator enthusiasts in Georgia and four other states to document the number and type of pollinaors visiting a favorite flower in your garden.

The information you submit through the Great Southeast Pollinator Census helps researchers spot trends in pollinator populations and ranges. It also boosts awareness of the diversity and importance of pollinators like bees, butterflies, wasps and flies.

The count is open to everyone who care about the health of our pollinators. Insect identification guides, short training videos and everything else you need to be successful are at https://gsepc.org/. This website is also where you’ll upload your data.

August Gardening Tips: Stay Cool and Carry On!

It’s late summer, our flowers are fading and everything is sizzling! Here are a few things to take care of in the cooler morning hours:

  •  Gather herbs and flowers for drying or preserving in mid-morning, after the dew has dried. Herbs are often at their peak when they begin to flower.

  • Collect cuttings and start new plants. Focus on stem cuttings for greatest success. Make clean cuts of stems, dip into rooting hormone (if desired) and place stems into good potting mix.

  • Prepare garden beds for fall plantings by cutting back overgrown plants and cleaning out weeds.