Consumer Q’s

Submitted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture

Q: I love the oleanders I see growing in gardens at the beach. I hear oleanders are not hardy in Atlanta, however. Is there a way I can grow one in north Georgia?

A: Oleanders, in general, are not considered hardy in north Georgia although you can see some in a few Atlanta gardens.

Here are tips for growing oleanders in colder areas outside its ideal range:

Select varieties listed as cold hardy. Some of these are ‘Calypso,’ ‘East End Pink,’ ‘Franklin D. Roosevelt,’ ‘General Pershing,’ ‘Hardy Pink,’ ‘Hardy Red,’ ‘Jannoch,’ ‘Little Red,’ ‘Magnolia Willis Sealy’ and ‘Mathilde Ferrier.’

Plant your oleander in an area that is protected from winter winds. Planting near a sunny brick or stone wall may help in that it can collect heat and radiate it back into the surrounding area after the sun goes down and temperatures drop. These protected “microclimate” areas may help the oleander survive the few hours of extreme cold that can kill or damage ones planted in exposed locations.

Mulch well to help protect the trunk of the plant. If the upper part of the shrub is killed, it may re-sprout from the base.

Fertilize modestly, if at all, and do not fertilize late in the summer or fall as it may lead to a flush of vegetative growth that is more susceptible to cold damage than older growth.

In even colder areas or when dealing with the more tender varieties of oleander, people grow them in tubs or large containers and bring them into a greenhouse or sunroom in the winter. Some gardeners are successful overwintering them in unheated basements or cellars and watering them only enough to keep them from completely drying out.

Q: I have a lot of tree seedlings on my property. Is there a way I can donate them to help reforest the burnt areas of Colorado?

A: Trying to dig and ship your seedlings out West is not practical. The success rate would be low, you may send a disease or insect pest not found in Colorado (and cause them even more problems) and the trees growing on your property in Georgia are not the ones native to or needed in Colorado. Look for other ways to help the people and forests of the Centennial State.

Q: As children we were told not to eat watermelon and ice cream together because it would make us sick. Is there a reason for that or any truth to it?

A: We know of no scientific reason for what you were told. In fact, there are numerous recipes that use Georgia watermelons to make some delicious ice creams. Your elders may have told you that to help prevent overindulging.

Q: Does the juice of the aloe plant actually help burns, including sunburns?

A: The transparent juice from the succulent leaves of Aloe vera has been used topically for thousands of years to treat burns (including sunburn) and numerous other skin conditions. Numerous studies have provided evidence that tends to support that it is an effective treatment for minor burns. While it is only anecdotal evidence, we know of numerous people who got relief using it after burns in the kitchen and at the beach.

Aloe vera is an easy-to-grow houseplant that is readily available at Georgia nurseries and garden centers.

Q: When is the Georgia Department of Agriculture holding its next auction for rehabilitated horses?

A: The next auction will be Saturday, August 11, 2012, at the Mansfield Impound Barn at 2834 Marben Farm Rd., Mansfield, Georgia 30055. The horses may be inspected at the facility beginning at 10:00 a.m. The sale will start at 11:00 a.m. Contact the Equine Health Office with any questions at 404-656-3713. Proceeds from the sale go to help fund the Department’s impound and rehabilitation program.

If you have questions about services or products regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, visit our website at www.agr.georgia.gov, write us at 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Room 218, Atlanta, GA 30334 or email us at arty.schronce@agr.georgia.gov. To learn more about agricultural issues, get garden tips and find sources for flowers, livestock and other products, consider a subscription to The Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin. Subscriptions for Georgia residents are $10 per year. To start or renew a subscription, send a check or money order payable to Market Bulletin at the address above or subscribe online at our website.

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