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

Headwaters MGs Count Pollinators for Annual Census

Several Headwaters Master Gardeners were among the thousands of bee and butterfly enthusiasts from around the region who counted pollinators during the Great Southeast Pollinator Census in August.

They spent 15 minutes observing pollinator activity at a favorite flower and then submitting data through the Pollinator Census website. Georgia is one of five SE states participating in the census — and it’s where the whole project started!

The information 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.

September Gardening Tips: Changing Seasons, Changing Focus

At long last autumn is on our doorstep. We can feel it in the cooler air and see it in the changing colors of the leaves on our deciduous trees and shrubs. But the change of seasons doesn’t mean that gardening chores stop, just that they change focus:

  • Stop pruning and fertilizing.

  • Start cleanup of flower beds, BUT leave seedheads of coneflowers, sunflowers and black-eyed Susans for goldfinches and other seed-eating birds to enjoy.

  • Divide and move perennials.

  • Take cuttings to overwinter indoors or in greenhouses.

  • Collect seeds for next year’s plantings. Label them and store in a cool, dry place.

  • Pick herbs for drying or freezing.

  • Start planting Spring bulbs; wait until soil temps are 60 degrees or lower.

MG Nanette said she loves volunteering for the Pollinator Census because it makes her appreciate the amazing number and variety of bees, butterflies, wasps and flies that visit our flowers. She counted at the Rabun Pollinator Garden in Clayton.

A helpful butterfly wanted to make sure he was counted correctly!