As we settle into the winter months here in Georgia, our lawns and gardens begin their transition into the dormant phase. The silver lining? The much-welcomed break from weekly lawn mowing and maintenance. But there is another opportunity homeowners should be taking advantage of during this dormant season — it is the perfect time to harness the power of horticultural oils.

If you're a Georgia native, you know how unpredictable the weather can be – and there's no better example of this than our latest spring temperature trends. You may head out to your vehicle in the morning to go to work feeling a cool, crispness to the air, only to head out in the afternoon to scorching summer-like heat. Not only will most Georgians pick up on this phenomenon, but your lawn will too. 

In January, we went over the range of effects that December's single-digit temperatures may have had on your lawn's health. The impact of these extreme temperatures doesn't stop at your lawn - you must also consider ways that your lawn's bushes and shrubs and your garden's plants have been affected. 

When you think of your lawn's more troublesome weeds, what do you think of? You might think of some wicked weeds that sprout on the sides of your home that have some seriously deep roots. You also might think of an annual grass, such as crabgrass that we discussed last month, but did you know there is another annual grass that can be giving you headaches? 

Here in Georgia, the weather can be, at times, unpredictable to say the least. Just before we rang in the new year, areas of Metro Atlanta and North Georgia were seeing temperatures in the low teens, with wind chill making it feel even colder. 

As we begin to enter the winter months here in Georgia, our lawns and gardens will begin to enter their dormant periods. The dormant period will definitely come with some advantages, the obvious being you can take a good, long break from mowing your lawn regularly. One other great way to take advantage of this dormant season experienced by your lawn and garden is by making use of horticultural oils, sometimes known as "dormant oils." 

Here in Georgia, we are surrounded by trees, which really just means that by mid-autumn, our lawns are covered in a blanket of crunchy brown and orange leaves. Now, as much as we love this scenery, people typically don't want their lawns, driveways, sidewalks, and streets covered in leaves for too long.

If you're a homeowner, you are likely acutely aware of the tendency for weeds to take over your yard quickly and effortlessly, creating a hostile environment for nearby plants. These pesky weeds become especially noticeable as the weather warms up and creates an environment for them to thrive. The more they thrive, the fewer nutrients your plants get, and that's the last thing we want to see! Not only are they unattractive, but they also suffocate your plants and make them more susceptible to pests and diseases. If you're at a loss for how to treat your weeds, we've put together some tips for you.