October 3, 2022

Nutrient Management for Christmas Trees

Joseph Heckman, Extension Soil Fertility

Whatever the crop, soil testing and record keeping are guides to sustainable soil fertility and nutrient management.  When soil tests levels are low, Christmas tree growers should attempt to build soil fertility levels into the optimum range.  And once that goal has been achieved, growers should focus on maintaining soil test levels in the optimum range.

This practice requires information on balancing fertilizer amendments with crop nutrient removal.  In the case Christmas Trees, this means nutrients associated with harvest of cut trees.  Rutgers NJAES has this type of data already built into an extension fact sheet: Soil Fertility Recommendations for Christmas Trees   https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1187/

For nutrient management purposes it is useful to know what a harvested or cut Christmas Tree removes from the soil.  On average, a harvest of 100 cut Christmas Trees contains 29 lb. Nitrogen, 3 lb. Phosphorus, 8 lb. Potassium, 12 lb. Calcium, 2 lb. Magnesium, and 1 lb. Sulfur.

An average fresh cut Christmas Tree that is 92 inches tall may be expected to have a fresh weight of about 48.5 lb.  Water typically makes up about 54% of a fresh cut tree weight.  Thus, on a dry basis a cut tree would have a weight of about 22.4 lb.

Tree recycling and mulch making are now common in many communities.  If the trees are shredded the nutrient content data above can be used to estimate the nutrient density of the resulting wood chips.

Reference:

Zinati, G., J.R. Heckman, and M. Vodak. 2016. Nutrient Removal by Christmas Tree Harvest. Journal Plant Nutrition. 39: 1506-1512.

Filed Under: Christmas Trees Tagged With: , ,
September 6, 2022

Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Station Field Tour

Join Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Monmouth County Board of Agriculture for a FREE twilight walking tour of some of the current research projects that are happening at the Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge.

Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Station Field Tour

September 20, 2022

5:30 – 7:00 pm

FREE

Location: 283 Route 539, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514

Pesticide License Recertification Credits Available

  • 1 credit CORE (BASIC SAFETY & HANDLING)
  • 2 credits PP2 (PRIVATE APPLICATOR CATEGORY)
  • 2 credits 10 (DEMONSTRATION & RESEARCH)
  • 2 credits 1A (AGRICULTURAL PLANT)

To register or for more information, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County at 732-431-7260 or email Catherine.vanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

 

Agenda

5:30 to 6:00 pm: Welcome, Sign-in, and Refreshments

6:00 to 6:15 pm: “Integrated Pest Management for Beginning and Experienced Farmers”

  • Brendon Pearsall – Beginner Farmer Program Coordinator, Rutgers, NJAES, RCE

6:15 to 6:30 pm: “Low Input Native and Ornamental Plant Trials”

  • Bill Errickson – Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent III – Monmouth County Rutgers, NJAES, RCE

6:30 to 6:45 pm: “Growing Ginger and Turmeric in in Moveable High Tunnels”

  • Bill Errickson – Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent III – Monmouth County Rutgers, NJAES, RCE

6:45 to 7:00 pm: “Honey Bee, What’s in Your Pollen? Residuals and Pollen Diversity in Relation to Colony Health”

  • Chelsea Abegg – NJAES – ANR Soils and Plant Technician

7:00 to 7:30 pm: Sign-out for Credits, Course Evaluations

7:30 pm: Monmouth County Board of Agriculture Meeting

 

Flower in pot Flowers in field Plants in field

Descriptions of Presentations

6:00 to 6:15 pm

“Integrated Pest Management for Beginning and Experienced Farmers”

Brendon Pearsall – Beginner Farmer Program Coordinator, Rutgers, NJAES, RCE

RU Ready to Farm: Getting Rooted in the Garden State – The Rutgers NJAES Beginner Farmer Training Program has just concluded its first year of hands-on training at the Specialty Crop Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge. The program team will discuss the process of leading 12 first-time farmers through the planning and production of a 46-share CSA program. This year featured many challenges, and the students got to put their IPM training to good use as they were confronted with various pest and disease issues. We will highlight some of the techniques used to minimize the need to spray, including mechanical controls, attracting beneficial insects, and frequent scouting.

 

6:15 to 6:30 pm

“Low Input Native and Ornamental Plant Trials”

William Errickson, M.S. – Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent III – Monmouth County Rutgers, NJAES, RCE

Selecting native and ornamental plants that are well-adapted to the growing conditions in our region can greatly reduce pest and disease issues in the landscape, leading to a reduction in pesticide use, while enhancing the ecosystem services that are provided. This presentation will showcase heat and drought tolerance evaluations of field-grown native ornamental grasses, sun and shade tolerance of container-grown native azaleas, and recent introductions to the All America Selections ornamental plant program.  Specific pest and disease challenges will be discussed in addition to managing abiotic summer stress while limiting the amount pesticides, fertilizers, and water required in the landscape.

 

6:30 to 6:45 pm

“Growing Ginger and Turmeric in in Moveable High Tunnels”

William Errickson, M.S. – Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent III – Monmouth County Rutgers, NJAES, RCE

Fresh baby ginger and turmeric are high-value specialty crops that can be produced in high tunnels in NJ. While ginger is generally a reliable low-input crop, it can be susceptible to soil-borne pathogens if specific cultural practices and crop rotations are not followed. This project evaluates ginger and turmeric production in moveable high tunnels in comparison to field grown ginger. Specific disease problems, controls, and cultural practices will be discussed.

 

6:45 to 7:00 pm

“Honey Bee, What’s in Your Pollen? Residuals and Pollen Diversity in Relation to Colony Health”

Chelsea Abegg – NJAES – ANR Soils and Plant Technician

Something is happening to the honey bees that New Jersey blueberry and cranberry crops depend on and now beekeepers are raising their service fees or refusing to bring their bees to New Jersey crops. With colony health declines during and shortly after NJ pollination services, we will discuss what factors could be influencing these colony declines and how Rutgers is working to the solve the problem.

Filed Under: Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , ,
August 1, 2022

Green Industry Native Plant Survey

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth, Cumberland, and Middlesex County have developed a brief needs assessment survey to gain a better understanding of the educational materials and technical resources that are needed in the nursery and landscape industries to help promote the production and marketability of native plants.

If you operate a nursery, greenhouse, or landscape business in NJ and grow native plants (or have an interest in starting to grow native plants), please fill out this 5-minute online survey to help Rutgers Cooperative Extension develop resources and programs to support our green industries.

Survey Link: https://go.rutgers.edu/ojkdrelv

Or scan the QR code below to access the survey:

For more information contact Bill Errickson, Agriculture Agent RCE of Monmouth County: william.errickson@njaes.rutgers.edu  732-431-7260

Printable Flyer: RCE Native Plant Survey Flyer

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf Tagged With: , , , ,
April 21, 2022

Scouting for Broad Mites in the Greenhouse

Broad mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) are an extremely small species of mites that affect many ornamental crops. At this point in the season they may be active in the greenhouse and should be included in all greenhouse IPM scouting programs. Broad mites are only 0.2 mm long, which is about half the size of a two-spotted spider mite. This makes them nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye during regular routine scouting and challenging to locate, even with the use of a hand lens. They have a translucent yellow-green appearance and a short but rapid life cycle ranging from 5 to 13 days.

Broad mites under microscope  Broad mites under microscope Broad mites under microscope

Broad mites feed on new growth and emit saliva that is toxic to the plants. This results in leaf curl, stunting, and deformity that may be mistaken for herbicide damage, physiological disorders, or a fungal pathogen. Broad mites tend to favor New Guinea impatiens, Sunpatiens, and dahlia in the greenhouse this time of year, though they may also cause damage to gerbera, ivy, lantana, standard impatiens, snapdragon, verbena, begonia, and zinnia. They can spread via plant-to-plant contact and may even hitchhike on whiteflies or aphids to reach a new destination.

Broad mite damage on Sunpatiens

Broad mite damage on Sunpatiens. Notice the stunted growth and leaf curling. Photo: W. Errickson

Control can be achieved using miticides that are labeled specifically for broad mites, as some materials that are effective against two-spotted spider mites and spruce spider mites may not work as well on broad mites. Effective materials include Akari, Avid, Dormant Oil, Judo, Magus, Pylon, SanMite, Sirocco, Summer Oil, and Triact. Always follow the instructions on the label and take note of any sensitivities for use on specific plant species. Rotating chemical classes is also very important when treating broad mites because their rapid life cycle has the potential to lead to the development of resistance in a short period of time. Biological controls involving the release of predatory mites that feed on broad mites have also demonstrated success. Predatory mite species that are effective against broad mites include Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus cucumeris, and N. californicus. Broad mites can be effectively managed in the greenhouse if they are detected early and correctly identified as part of a regular IPM program.

Additional Resources

Broad Mites Fact Sheet, University of Tennessee

https://go.rutgers.edu/zg9kdzod

Broad Mites in Ornamental Crops, Michigan State University

https://go.rutgers.edu/56gic7up

Broad mites infesting plantsDealing with Broad Mite, Greenhouse Product News

https://go.rutgers.edu/6doflkwc

Broad Mite is Becoming an Increasing Problem, Greenhouse Management

https://go.rutgers.edu/1pftyvss

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf Tagged With: , , , , ,
February 18, 2022

Central Jersey Turf and Ornamental Institute: March 15

Rutgers Cooperative Extension presents

2022 Central Jersey TURF & ORNAMENTAL Institute

Virtual Program $25

Tuesday, March 15

10:00 am – 2:30 pm

This annual event is brought to you by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Burlington, Ocean, Cumberland, & Somerset Counties. Seminar topics will benefit those who work in grounds maintenance including school board members, maintenance supervisors, employees of highways, parks, cemeteries, industrial grounds, lawn & home ground services, garden center operators and nurserymen.

Pesticide Recertification Credits Available

  • Core (2)
  • 2 (2)
  • 3A (4)
  • 3B (3)
  • 8C (5)
  • 9 (1)
  • PP2 (5)

Fertilizer Credits

  • ProFact (2)

To register visit: https://go.rutgers.edu/7y9w43do

 

For more information contact

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

Phone: 732-431-7260

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf
February 18, 2022

Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting March 11, 2022

Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting 2022

  • March 11, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm (Virtual)
  • Registration: $25

This annual event is brought to you by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, Burlington, Ocean & Somerset Counties. Seminar topics will benefit those who are involved in commercial production of vegetables and specialty crops.

Pesticide Credits Available

  • Core: 2 credits
  • 1A: 6 credits
  • 10: 6 credits
  • PP2: 6 credits

To register visit:

https://go.rutgers.edu/hwn5lp8t

 

2022 Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting

For more information contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County

Phone: 732-431-7260 x-7280

Catherine.VanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

 

 

 

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops