Cherokee County is in North Georgia, where gardeners can grow a wide variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and vegetables. Success depends less on finding one "best" plant and more on matching the plant to your site's sunlight, soil, drainage, moisture and available space. Native plants are often excellent choices because they are adapted to Georgia conditions and provide food and habitat for native wildlife. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Landscape Plants for Georgia

Georgia clay isn't necessarily bad soil—it can hold water and nutrients very well—but compacted clay can make it difficult for air, water and plant roots to move through the soil. For vegetable and flower beds, adding organic matter such as compost can improve soil structure over time. Avoid automatically adding lime or fertilizer; first have your soil tested so you know its pH and nutrient needs. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Home Gardening

A soil test measures soil fertility and pH and provides recommendations for lime and fertilizer based on what you plan to grow. Cherokee County residents can bring approximately 2 cups of dry soil to the Cherokee County UGA Extension office. The current routine soil-test fee is $10 per sample, and results are emailed to you. Because fees and procedures can change, check the Extension page before visiting. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: Cherokee County UGA Extension — Soil & Water Testing

Cherokee County gardeners can enjoy both cool-season and warm-season gardens. Cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and peas can be planted well before warm-season crops. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash and other frost-sensitive vegetables should be planted after the danger of frost has passed. Many vegetables can also be planted again for a fall harvest. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Vegetable Gardening in Georgia & Planting Chart

Georgia offers many beautiful native choices, including oakleaf hydrangea, serviceberry, eastern redbud, native azaleas, beautyberry, asters and native grasses. Choose natives according to the conditions in your particular yard—sun or shade, wet or dry soil, mature plant size and available space. Native plants can also provide valuable food and habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Native Plants for Georgia: Trees, Shrubs & Woody Vines

There isn't one perfect grass for every Cherokee County lawn. Tall fescue is well adapted to Georgia's Piedmont region and tolerates some shade, while bermudagrass thrives in sunny locations and tolerates heat and drought. Zoysiagrass forms a dense turf, and some cultivars tolerate partial shade. Before replacing your lawn, consider sunlight, soil pH, drainage, mowing, irrigation and disease or insect problems. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Lawns in Georgia: Selection and Species

Yellow leaves, brown spots, wilting or dying branches don't always mean insects or disease. Problems can also result from too much or too little water, poor drainage, incorrect planting, root damage, nutrient problems or weather stress. Correct identification of the plant and its symptoms should come before treatment. Take several clear photographs—including the entire plant and close-ups of the problem—and contact Cherokee County UGA Extension or the Master Gardeners for help. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: Cherokee County UGA Extension — Agriculture & Natural Resources

Start by identifying the problem correctly. Not every insect is a pest, and pesticides aren't always necessary. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) emphasizes prevention, good plant care, monitoring, physical and biological controls, and using pesticides only when appropriate. When a pesticide is needed, choose the least disruptive effective option and always follow the product label. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Home & Garden Georgia Pest Management Handbook

Create a garden with a variety of flower shapes, colors and bloom times from spring through fall. Native plants are particularly valuable because they are well suited to Georgia's native pollinators. Consider plants such as bee balm, native asters, goldenrods, coneflowers, serviceberry, redbud and other flowering natives appropriate to your site. Avoid unnecessary pesticide use, and provide water and areas of natural habitat when possible. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Georgia Pollinator Plants of the Year

No landscape plant is completely "deer-proof." When food is scarce or deer populations are high, deer may browse plants they normally avoid. Choose plants that deer tend to browse less frequently, protect young plants, and consider physical barriers or fencing for valuable plantings and vegetable gardens. Repellents may help, but their effectiveness varies and they may need to be reapplied. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Deer-Tolerant Ornamental Plants

Timing depends on the plant and when it flowers. As a general rule, plants that flower in spring—such as azaleas, forsythia and many hydrangeas—should be pruned after flowering because their flower buds formed the previous season. Many summer-flowering shrubs bloom on new growth and can be pruned before spring growth begins. Avoid routine fall pruning because it can encourage tender new growth that may be damaged by cold. Still have a question? Ask a Cherokee County Master Gardener. Learn more from UGA Extension: UGA Extension — Pruning Ornamental Plants in the Landscape