Member Recommendations

Recommendations come from our members. Although these service providers have proved excellent in the past, that is no guarantee of future performance. We assume no liability in connection with the use of these providers.

Arborist:  Chris Hastings of Arbormedics. (770)715-1713.  Several members recommend.                                                                Arborguard,  (404) 299-5555.  Rosie Davidson recommends.

Books:  Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs. http://www.amazon.com/Dirrs-Encyclopedia-Trees-Shrubs-Michael/dp/0881929018  Lane Murrah recommends.       

Step-By-Step Guide to Pruning (spiral-bound) by Christopher D. Brickell. (Simon and Schuster, September 1979, isbn 0671248316). Martiele recommends.

Blow and Go:  Bello Landscaping.  Works for Melissa, Margaret and several neighbors on Habersham Way.  Contact Jesus at (404) 992-8935.

Fertilization and Weed Control Application: Prestige Shrub and Tree. (770) 476-7781.  http://www.prestigestt.com. Pat Mawhinney, owner. Patrick holds a B.S. in Botany and a Master of Agriculture in Plant Pathology from Auburn University.  He is also an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist (#SO-2347A), a Georgia Certified Plant Professional and a Georgia Lifetime Master Gardener. Melissa recommends.                                                                                                            

Garden blogs: A Way to Garden, Carolyn’s Shade Garden, and Dave’s Garden.  Deborah recommends.  

Louis The Plant Geek at www.louistheplantgeek.com (Deborah and Philancy recommend).

Garden tours:  Joy Garden Tour of Cashiers, NC.  Held every other year in mid-July. Tickets are hard to get if you’re not on their list at www.villagegreencashiersnc.com/events/jgt-mailing-list.php. Lane Murrah recommends.           

Hydrangeas:  Wilkerson Mills Gardens in Palmetto. www.hydrangea.com. Martiele recommends.

Ivy removal and ground cover clearing:  Get Your Goat Rentals (http://www.getyourgoatrentals.com). Michael Swanson (404.981.8585) quoted the following: $200/day for a herd of 20+ goats. They stay on the property 24/7. Each goat can eat up to 10 lbs of green per day. There is also a one-time set up / take down fee of $250 for fencing, site work and transportation.

Outdoor lighting:  Chris Wakefield, president of Outdoor Lights Inc. Content info at http://www.theoutdoorlights.com/contact_us.asp .  Judy Gray recommends.

Pinestraw:  Pinestraw Depot. (404) 794-4404. Speak with Merideth. $25 fee plus cost of pinestraw. They use longleaf pine needles. Martiele recommends.

Pruning advice: Terry May. Formerly with the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Provides training for those who want to learn how to properly prune.  He will train maintenance crews, homeowners, gardeners and landscape professionals. hortinc@mindspring.com or (404) 794-5451. Text at (678) 595-9589.  Martiele recommends.

Nurseries and garden centers:                                                                                 

Gardenhood. 353 Boulevard SE, Atlanta GA 30312.

Goodness Grows.  332Elberton Rd, Lexington GA 30648.

Piccadilly Farms. 1971 Whippoorwill Rd, Bishop GA 30621.

Maple Ridge Nursery.  5907 Covington Hwy, Decatur GA 30035.

Saul’s Nursery. 1115 Curry Drive, Atlanta GA 30319. Wholesale    only. Contact Martiele (404) 405-3869 (c); (404) 237-0004(h) if    you want to go, as she has a wholesale account and can get in.

Scottsdale Farms. 15639 Birmingham Hwy, Alpharetta GA 30004

Wilkerson Mill. 9595 Wilkerson Mill Rd, Chattahoochee Hills GA 30268. Specializes in hydrangeas.      

Rose care:  Ryan Tiley - “the rose guy” c 770-377-8837, w 770-517-9011, Wtilley598@aolcom.  Deborah Hunter recommends.

Soil: Martiele uses Saul’s worm castings as a soil amendment, and recommends their slate pieces to put under hostas, as well as their Complete Landscaping and Woodland Soil Mixes. She also says that if you plant in red clay, mix it in a container with equal amounts of Nature’s Helper, and replacing clay with the mix.

Deborah’s rose guy recommends NutriMulch, available at Green Brothers.

Soil testing:  Testing requires a mixture of 1.5 cups of soil samples plus a money order or cashier’s check for $8 made out to Fulton County 4H.   How to take soil samples: (http://aesl.ces.uga.edu/soiltest123/Georgia.htm). 

UGA Extension – Fulton County, North Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Rd. NE, Room 248, Atlanta, GA 30350, Phone:  404-613-7670

Hours of operation:                                                                            

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday.  Monday - Thursday  - Closed for lunch from 12:00PM -1PM      

Fridays - Closed from 11:15AM - 1:30PM

Tree trimmers:  Davey Tree, Gunnison Trees,  ArborMedics.

Window cleaning service:  Karsten Licht (404) 735-0228. Mennonite man who comes to Atlanta twice a year. Judy Gray recommends.

Yard work help:  Sefik Berbic (pronounced Chef ‘-ic). A bosnian man whom Martiele has used for years, Sefik will do planting, transplanting and general gardening tasks.  He charges $25 per hour. His number is (678) 699-9170. Call Martiele for an introduction at (404) 405-3869 (cell) or (404) 237-0004 (home).