Augusta has mostly sandy soil so you will need to periodically add mulch or compost or other organic matter. Since you are relatively close to the coast, Augusta will be a few degrees hotter than say Atlanta. With this in mind you will be starting your crops a little bit earlier. You might pay a visit to your local Extension office (look in the blue pages) and talk to the County Agent Sid Mullis or anyone in that office. They will have free literature on most gardening topics. That literature is how I learned grafting. So with the sandy soil you may have to water a bit more and mulch often plus you want your plants, if vegetables, to mature before the intense heat if possible. With global warming you may push the envelope and try a few of the hardier citrus. You can also easily grow figs, blueberries, pomegranate, English walnut, pineapple guava, kiwi, muscadines and things like that.

Welcome to the area! Nurseries Caroliniana in Edgefield and Green Thumb on Davis Road are good places for plants and info. There is an enormous plant sale at McCorkle's in Dearing Sept23rd-it is a wholesaler that is only open to the public one weekend a year.

The walter reeves website is a good one to reference as well.

As you probably already know, camelias, azaleas, crape myrtle are staples in the area. Good luck!

Thank You both very much, I can't thank You enough for tips! It is very hard starting over and learning all over again. I could probably ask you both many questions, but one for right now. How do roses do here?

Try any Miediland, 'knockout' or 'nearly wild'
Lots of roses do well here but I personally only grow a few. I would opt for low-maintenance types because I think it is wrong to have a regular spray schedule just in case ones roses "might" develop a problem. The bees are having a tough enough time without all that.

One of the nicest things about the south is the ability to start plants so early (something that amazed me when I moved down here from Chicago); gardening year 'round.

You plant in the late fall and winter. I've never had much luck with roses because I didn't care to spray them weekly. Hydrangeas do great. The McCorkles sale is twice a year; typically in June and September (September is cooler). This year it will be September 23-24. Good deals.

"Double B Plant Farm" off of Wrightsboro Road is a nice family owned nursery to wander through (as well as the aforementioned Nurseries Caroliniana and Green Thumb).

Think "southern" plants; there's a wide, wide variety to work with.

Gail

Thank You Again Eddie, Gail Thank You as well! Some thing to think about, I never had to spray my rose before. I have been looking for some books on southern plants and planting. I haven't tried the library yet,or the extension office but I will. I can see this is going to take alot of getting used to. How long did it take you to get in the groove of things after you left Chicago?
Well Thank you all Again!

For a good plant book try The Georgia Gardener's Guide. The Southern List of Plants is also good. I've heard a lot of people swear by the Southern Living gardening book. I haven't tried it yet, but that many Georgia gardeners can't be wrong. If you want to go a little native, try the book Passalong Plants - old-fashioned plants for the south.

I guess one of the big differences between here and NJ will be companion plants. I always notice when I'm in the northeast all the flowers that bloom at the same time that bloom in succession - often weeks apart - here. But on the plus side, you can now grow okra and melons and all the other stuff that requires a long, hot growing season. Hope you have fun.

By the way, I was born in Augusta as was my mother who was one of thirteen children and my dad who was one of seven children. As far as I know, their parents were born there too. I spent a lot of time in my youth walking barefoot down dirt roads. There actually is a Tobacco Road there. I could write a book about those days. I can remember the soil being very sandy, black in places, white in others- a lot of beach but no ocean.

Thank You for the Info SugarHill! I will definately check out all of them! I used to spend my winters trapped in the house reading gardening books trying to fight off cabin fever. Now I guess I'll be doing that in july and august. (((( No Problem )))). I really can't wait! I can handle the sand, I lived six miles from the beach. Tons of compost, lots of water!! I can't tell you enough about what a beautiful state this is, and the history here too.. I wish I moved here alot sooner! Hey any time you wanna tell some good stories, I've got an open ear. You can't beat good stories. Hey When do you all start putting you veggies in the ground? Hey eddie Do you know where I can get small engine parts for my tiller? Thanks Again all!