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October 28, 2015

European Hornet: The Mysterious Branch Girdler

During the later weeks of summer & early weeks of fall the mysterious removal of bark sections typically found on branches of Birch, Rhododendron, and Lilac can sometimes be observed. These girdled or stripped bark sections are probably being done by European Hornets. These vespids have been reported to potentially have a worse temperament than timber rattle snakes.

River Birch Branch Girdled by European Hornets; Photo by SKRettke of RCE

River Birch branch girdled by European Hornets.
Photo by SK Rettke of RCE

European Hornet actively foraging on bark & sap of Birch branch; SKRettke of RCE

European Hornet actively foraging on bark & sap of Birch branch. Photo by SK Rettke of RCE


[Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf
October 1, 2015

Alert: Disaster Preparedness for Production Agriculture

Governor Chris Christie today declared a state of emergency throughout the state as a result of severe weather conditions expected in the coming days. The National Weather Service is forecasting a dangerous nor’easter weather pattern impacting New Jersey beginning on October 1, 2015, including high winds, very heavy rain, inland river flooding, as well as major coastal flooding with heavy surf and beach erosion. The National Hurricane Center currently has forecasted the track for the impending weather event Joaquin, now a major hurricane, showing it moving northward off the mid-Atlantic coast late on or about October 4, 2015, which may cause significant flooding, dangerous storm surges between eight and ten feet, substantial wind damage, and stream and river flooding threatening homes and other structures, and endangering lives in the State.

Office of the Governor

ReadyAG Can Help Plan and Prepare

ReadyAG Workbook
ReadyAGJust as we’ve finished National Preparedness Month, Governor Christie has declared a state of emergency. In case Hurricane Joaquin takes a turn toward the Jersey Shore this weekend, there are many resources and tools to help get your families and homes prepared. Make sure your farm business is ready too.
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Filed Under: Blueberry, Cranberry, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
September 29, 2015

Update on Ag Worker Protection Standard

A pre-publication version of the Ag Worker Protection Standard Revisions has been posted on the EPA’s website. In addition, a document comparing new protections to existing protections is available. Per Nancy Fitz, US EPA – Office of Pesticide Programs, compliance with most of the new standards will be required in mid-December 2016. Thanks to Pat Hastings, Rutgers NJAES Pesticide Safety Education Program Coordinator, for the heads-up.

Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Revisions (314pp, 880K)

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
September 10, 2015

Better Late Than Never

Today’s rain got me thinking about insect damage in turfgrass. Actually I’ve been thinking about insect damage in turf for a week or so, ever since I saw a flock of birds pecking sod webworms out of the bentgrass plots behind the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory.

Flocks of birds on turfgrass are usually up to no good. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL

Flocks of birds on turfgrass are usually up to no good. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab
July 1, 2015

Too Much of Everything is Just Enough

Right along with stormy skies, the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory is firing up with golf turf samples. We’ve seen it all lately: anthracnose, summer patch, slime molds, take-all, Pythium root diseases, annual bluegrass weevils, black turfgrass ataenius, and lots of wear and tear. Here are a couple of random notes from the last week or two:

Slime mold-just because they are cool. Photo: Howard Szczurek

Slime mold–just because it’s cool. Does this look like dog yak? Photo: Howard Szczurek

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab Tagged With: , , , ,
June 18, 2015

Borer Mania

Cryptomeria samples have been coming into the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory with increasing frequency this spring. Their issues with winter damage, particularly this year, have been chronicled on this blog. We’ve also had a couple of samples diagnosed with Maskell scale in the lab this spring, too. Pretty routine set of samples, just a few more than usual, until last week that is… [Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab Tagged With: