Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition
Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
Subscriptions are available via EMAIL and RSS.
Companion Website Links:
Rutgers Turf Blog - Articles on turfgrass diseases and cultural practices for the commercial turfgrass industry. Subscription available via RSS.
Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.
Pesticide Storage Inventory Due May 1st: Download Rutgers Templates
A Primer on Landscape Dormant Oil Applications
Dormant Oil Guidelines:
Dormant oils at 2-4% rates in the late fall & late winter seasons can aid in the control of overwintering insects and insect eggs. Consider treating for such pests as aphids (eggs), southern red mites/eggs, spruce spider mites/eggs, oak spider mites (eggs), eriophyid mites/eggs, spruce gall adelgids, lace bugs (deciduous plants), cankerworms (eggs), leaftiers, psyllids, plant bugs, etc.
Some landscapers have been successful applying both late fall and early spring dormant oil treatments to the same plants on the same properties. This is a reasonable approach since a single dormant oil treatment will not provide 100% control and it gives the field technician another opportunity to monitor the landscape for problems.
Dormant oil sprays require excellent coverage & often repeat applications. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)
Japanese maple scale infested branch will likely require multiple dormant oil treatments to suppress. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)
EPA Warns Farmworkers about Risks of Dacthal – Agency developing next steps to address risks
High Potential for Boxwood Blight in Southern NJ – beginning Tuesday (4/2)
| Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 3/31/2024 | |||||||||
| Region | Location | CODE | 31-Mar | 1-Apr | 2-Apr | 3-Apr | 4-Apr | 5-Apr | |
| Southern | Upper Deerfield | NJ50 | Low | Low | Minor Risk | Minor Risk | Very Low | Very Low | |
| Southern | Bridgeton | D4116 | Low | Low | Minor Risk | High Risk | Very Low | Very Low | |
| Southern | Millville Airport | KMIV | Low | Low | Minor Risk | High Risk | Very Low | Very Low | |
| Southern | Greenwich | NJ05 | Low | Low | Minor Risk | High Risk | Very Low | Very Low | |
| Central | Howell / Freehold | NJ10 | Very Low | Very Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | |
| Northern | High Point | NJ59 | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | |
| Su | M | Tu | W | Th | F | ||||
| Please check YOUR LOCAL risk (click here) | |||||||||
There is a potential for boxwood blight infections this TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY throughout much of SOUTHERN NJ – especially Bridgeton/Upper Deerfield areas. Incoming rains, coupled with consistent temperatures may initiate boxwood blight infections this week.
The rain SHOULD temporarily subside Monday EVENING – with enough time to get a spray on commercial nursery crops.
-
It is time to begin protective fungicide applications in high value areas if you have not already done so.
- If BWB is important to your business – Use the USPEST – PUSH Alerts – (click here) – to setup weekly email alerts. Create an account, watch the tutorial, and then set up your subscriptions. You select which locations (as many as you like), days you want to receive emails (pick Sunday/Monday), and what you would like to receive alerts about (BWB and a variety of other pests and diseases). Rutgers is not directly affiliated, however this is an incredible tool.
How to Prepare a Pesticide Container for Recycling or Reconditioning – What “Empty” Means Legally
Locations for NJ Pesticide Recycling Containers – 2024
Below are the locations and dates for recycling pesticide containers in New Jersey. Individuals dropping off containers (triple rinsed, holes drilled in bottom of container or slit with a knife & sans paper booklet on container) may do so during business hours and can pick up the form with a stamped self-addressed envelope to mail NJDA to confirm participation. Completed form must be returned to NJDA. Individuals with a valid NJ DEP Pesticide Applicators Licenses will receive 1 CORE point PER CALENDAR YEAR when confirming participation in this program.
More information can be found at www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/nrc/processingsteps.html
Salem County
Helena Chemical, 440 N. Main St., Woodstown, NJ
Friday, April 19
Friday, May 17
Friday, June 21
Friday, August 23
Friday, September 20
Friday, October 18
Atlantic County
Helena Chemical, 66 Route 206 (North of the Route 30/206 intersection) Hammonton, NJ
Friday, April 12
Friday, May 10
Friday, June 14
Thursday, July 12
Friday, August 16
Friday, September 13
Friday, October 11
Monmouth County
Rutgers Fruit and Ornamental Research Extension Center
283 Route 539, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514-9634
Friday, April 26
Friday, May 24
Friday, June 28
Friday, July 26
Friday, August 30
Friday, September 27
Friday, October 25
Items that Will Not Be Accepted and Will Be Returned to the Participant:
• Pesticide containers with dried formulation on the container, pour spout or the spout threads
• Pesticide containers with any liquid residue
• Pesticide containers where the insides are caked with dried residue
• Mini-bulk, saddle tanks and nurse tanks, which can be made of fiberglass
• Pesticide containers with lids
• Containers that held any type of petroleum oil product or antifreeze
Non-Waxy Cardboard:
Helena Chemical will also be accepting non-waxy cardboard 1 p.m. to 3 p.m and during the scheduled pesticide container collection times. The clean non-waxy cardboard must be broken down and flattened. Cardboard delivered to the Atlantic County site must be tied.
Clean Non-waxy cardboard will also be accepted year-round at the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex’s Convenience Center.
More information can be found at: www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/nrc/processingsteps.html
