Floyd County Extension

10/07/2026

Blue Ribbons, Bambi, and the Coosa Valley Fair
by Dr. Gil Watson

There is an excitement that travels through my body like a burst of nitrogen through the stem of a flower. What is it? It is at the announcement of the Coosa Valley Fair. As a child and a teenager, it was the thrill of being slung around on a so called “ride.” The experience required an assortment of friends to enjoy it as well.

I have nothing but fond memories from those now seventy years ago. The funnel cake was better, the cotton candy was higher, the rides were more thrilling, and the candy apples were bigger back then. Or we thought they were anyway.

When l retired here ten years ago and moved into my old farmhouse it is amazing how things were scaled down. Or so it seemed! Everything but TRAFFIC! My joy came from the flower show. I had not won a blue ribbon since first grade. I didn’t know that exuberance existed. When I won a blue ribbon, I was “over the moon.” When I won a Best in Show, I could not contain my excitement. But in my ten years I have watched the Fair and the flower show grow smaller and less attended. What a loss! Kids get their thrill from their cell phones. From riding in a virtual ride. And they could care less about that classic Fair Food. It is a little depressing from us old timer’s viewpoint.

I spent Sunday and Monday working with Master Gardeners, and the various Garden Clubs ready-ing for this year’s show. However, I should have brought a taxidermied deer. Because in the last two weeks thirteen of the little devils made mincemeat of my blooming plants. I had almost nothing to contribute. What a disappointment! I still won four blue ribbons but all from African violets and other house plants. Thank goodness the deer can’t open doors, yet. Sadder though, is the non participation!!

We had fewer flowers in contention because We grow fewer flowers. To ready plants for showing, takes a huge amount of preparation. You first select a plant or bloom. You add a little more fertilizer, give a little more attention, talk to it a little more regularly and feel a little more pride. You can already project that ”Best in Show” ribbon festooning your prize-winning entry. Then you go to your garden as the Show gets closer . Horror strikes your heart! One of my best future entries was eaten by Bambi’s relatives. A whole herd of them! Ministerial thoughts did not race through my brain! Something akin to torture and murder. Not forgiveness!

But Gil! You are a minister and have been one for 59 years. You teach a weekly BIBLE Study. Control yourself and calmly take the time to send them to hell. Ask God for forgiveness later! Amen! Go to the Fair this week! You might be surprised at your memories of Fairs gone by!

For more information on the Coosa Valley Fair please visit: https://coosavalleyfair.com

Dr. G. Gilman ("Gil") Watson is a well-known United Methodist minister, speaker, historian, and horticulturist and resided in Rome, Georgia. He is best known for serving as Senior Pastor of Northside United Methodist Church in Atlanta from 1994 until his retirement in 2017, after nearly five decades in ministry. Dr. Gil is currently the teaching pastor at Rome First United Methodist Church and a Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer for Floyd County.

Experience the 76th Coosa Valley Fair in Rome, GA! Sept 30–Oct 4. Enjoy rides, live shows, exhibits, contests & more. Meet Me on the Midway!

09/30/2026

The Buxus Blues... Not Again!
Man, oh man, our ever-charming, high-maintenance boxwoods seem determined to keep us on our toes. Of all the landscape plants I encounter with problems, boxwoods top the list by a wide margin.

Buxus, the genus that includes boxwoods, has had a rough time lately. While these shrubs can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, they have one major weakness: they absolutely do not like wet feet. Waterlogged, mucky soils are a recipe for trouble, and unfortunately, that is exactly what we experienced in Rome throughout much of the fall, winter, and early spring. To thrive, boxwoods need fertile, well-drained soil with good air circulation around their roots.

The result? A perfect storm for boxwood dieback .As if environmental stress were not enough, another disease has joined the list of boxwood woes. Just this past week, I received a national pest alert regarding Boxwood Dieback, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum theobromicola. Yes, unfortunately, this is yet another disease attacking our beloved boxwoods.

Because Boxwood Dieback is a relatively recent discovery, researchers are still evaluating management strategies and testing fungicides for effectiveness. It is important not to confuse Boxwood Dieback with Boxwood Blight, another serious disease caused by the fungus Calonectria pseudonaviculata. While both diseases can be devastating, they are caused by different pathogens and may require different management approaches.

For more information on these destructive boxwood diseases, visit:
Boxwood Dieback
https://www.ncipmc.org/communications/pest-alerts/boxwood-dieback/
Boxwood Blight Task Force
https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/commercial-horticulture/boxwood-blight.html

The good news is that universities and research institutions across the country are actively working to identify effective treatments and develop disease-resistant boxwood cultivars. The bad news is that progress takes time. Research requires years of field trials, careful evaluation, and adequate funding before reliable solutions become available.

In the meantime, providing proper drainage, avoiding unnecessary stress, and promptly removing diseased plants may help keep your boxwoods in the fight a little longer. For many gardeners, however, the Buxus blues continue to be an all-too-familiar tune.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity, Veteran, Disability Institution

The Virginia Boxwood Blight Task Force provides leadership in safeguarding and protecting the ornamental horticulture industry, historical gardens, and landscape plantings from boxwood blight.

09/24/2026

8:30am Registration and refreshments9:00am Turfgrass Disease Update10:00am Insect Pests in the Landscape11:00am Ornamental Disease Management12:00pm Lunch Provided1:00pm Balancing Trees and Lawns2:00pm Professional Certifications3:00pm CEU Credits

09/23/2026

"Everybody Needs a Farmer"

On National Farmers Day, we want to give gratitude to all the farme...

08/03/2026

Behind Every Bloom Is a Story: Penny McHenry and Her Blue Hydrangeas

The Penny Mac hydrangea is an award-winning reblooming mophead hydrangea that showcases large blue flower clusters from summer through fall. Named after Penny McHenry, founder of the American Hydrangea Society, it is prized for its beauty, vigor, and extended blooming season.

But do you know the rest of the story? The Penny Mac hydrangea is only part of the story. To learn more about the woman behind the plant, look to Dr. Gil Watson, who spent time with Penny McHenry and is uniquely qualified to share her legacy, passion, and influence on the hydrangea world.

I have had a lot of good things happen to me and I have known some of the most interesting people. When I was pastor of the Oak Grove Church in Decatur one of my members was Penny McHenry.

She was renowned in the field of blue hydrangeas. She raised nothing but blue hydrangeas. Here Penny Mac hydrangea up and produced a dwarf version which was developed by Michael Dirr of UGA. It is called “mini Penny”, I have one she gave me.

She was a little eccentric. She talked to her booms when walking through her garden. While strolling with me in her garden, she would pause take an especially large bloom in both hands and say,” you are the most beautiful bloom on this plant. “ She turned to me and whispered I have to be very careful not to show favoritism. They get jealous, you know.

She lived next door to the Shallowford Road Presbyterian Church. With a sense of making the world a better, more beautiful place she started rooting and propagating blue hydrangeas in the Loblolly pine thicket next to the church. It was a space larger than a football field and was dense with lob Lolly pines.

She did that for thirty years. And when they bloomed, they were spectacular. Hundreds and hundreds of them all from knee high to chest high and every bush in full and glorious bloom. I said I sure hope they wanted hydrangeas. She said,” I don’t care. I never asked anybody. But they would sure have to be dumb not to”I loved her.

She got two blooming seasons each year. After they first bloomed, she cut the heads off and fertilized them with 10-10-10 fertilizer. I have never tried that with mine but this year I had no blooms in the Spring. That last freeze nipped every one of them.

I have lime greens and Annabells that were perfectly gorgeous. So, remembering what Penny had told me about fertilizing for a second bloom, I decided to fertilize mine and see what happened. Well, I don't have a proliferation of blooms like she did, but I will at least have a few blooms and that far exceeded my earlier production.

So as my first attempt at writing this column as a Master Gardener's, I had to be sure how my hydrangeas reacted to being fertilized out of season. You might try it on your hydrangeas and have a resurrection, too! Until next time !

For more on the hydrangeas please visit:

https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C973/growing-bigleaf-hydrangea/
https://site.extension.uga.edu/fultonag/2025/05/the-comprehensive-guide-to-pruning-hydrangeas/

Dr. G. Gilman ("Gil") Watson is a well-known United Methodist minister, speaker, historian, and horticulturist and resided in Rome, Georgia. He is best known for serving as Senior Pastor of Northside United Methodist Church in Atlanta from 1994 until his retirement in 2017, after nearly five decades in ministry. Dr. Gil is currently the teaching pastor at Rome First United Methodist Church and a Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer for Floyd County.

This article is part of Garden Buzz, a series from Appen Media and the North Fulton Master Gardeners, where rotating columnists explore horticulture topics like herbs, insects, and wildlife conservation. Find all Garden Buzz articles here.

07/22/2026

06/13/2026

Corrective & Rejuvenation Pruning - The When and How
When: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Where: Rome Federated Garden Club Landscape
Time: 10:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Speakers: John Hendrickson, Keith Mickler, & Terry Paige
Bring your pruners/loppers and personal saftey equipment, this will be a hands on workshop.
An Equal Opportunity Instution

06/04/2026

Protecting Georgia's animal industry remains a top priority.

While New World Screwworm has not been detected in Georgia, I encourage livestock and pet owners to remain vigilant, know the signs, and report any suspected cases immediately.

Learn more: agr.georgia.gov/new-world-screwworm

05/13/2026

Congratulations to Abbie and Carma for the well-deserved recognition they received last week at the Georgia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals conference. As the Extension Coordinator for Floyd County, it is truly an honor and a blessing to work with such an outstanding 4-H team. We are incredibly proud of the work being done right here in Floyd County. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Abbie and Ms. Carma on receiving multiple honors during the conference. One especially meaningful recognition was Abbie’s receipt of the Spirit of Allie Griner Award. I won’t go into detail about why this award holds such significance, if you know, you know. And if not, I encourage you to investigate it, you’ll quickly understand its importance. Once again, congratulations to both Abbie and Carma. Your achievements reflect your dedication and impact, and your awards are truly well deserved.

04/29/2026

Are your shrubs out of control?

Have they swallowed the end of your house or blocked your view when pulling out of the driveway? Maybe it didn’t seem like they’d ever get that big… but now here you are.
If this sounds familiar, this workshop may be the perfect educational opportunity for you!

Rejuvenation Pruning Workshop
Saturday, June 20 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Rome Federated Garden Club

Corner of 100 East 8th Street & Darlington Way SE (If that doesn’t ring a bell, then behind the YMCA)

Warning: Not for the faint of heart!
We’ll be demonstrating major rejuvenation pruning, including possible complete removal of unruly shrubs and trees.
Bring your pruners!

The best way to learn is by doing.

Remember: When in doubt, prune it out.

Join us Saturday, June 20 at 10:00 AM at the Rome Federated Garden Club. We hope to see you there!

ISA continuing education credit hours have been applied for.

University of Georgia is An Equal Opportunity Institution
If you need reasonable accommodations or language access services, contact the Floyd County Extension office at 706-295-6210 or [email protected] at least three weeks prior to the program date.