Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition

Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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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.

Approaching 2025 Boxwood Blight Season

March weather is always unpredictable, however, if we have sustained periods of increased temperatures and spring rains, boxwood blight (BWB) will become an issue quickly.

New – [pictorial tri-fold] Common Boxwood Pests and Diseases (click-here). This includes Box Tree Moth images. Print the PDF out double-sided, then fold. We are working to have a better resolution print of this material very soon.

If you suspect Boxwood Blight and would like to have this verified – please contact the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (click here) for sample submission instructions

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 3/4/2025
Region Location CODE 3-March 4-March 5-March 6-March 7-March 8-March
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Very Low  Low Minor Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Very Low  Very Low  Low Minor Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Minor Risk Very Low  Very Low 
M T W TH F S
 Please check YOUR LOCAL risk (click here)

There is a minor potential for boxwood blight infections this Wednesday & Thursday, throughout ALL of NJ. Incoming rains, coupled with warmer temperatures may initiate boxwood blight infections this week.

  • It is time to begin protective fungicide applications in boxwoods throughout the state 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, 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. 

[Read more…]

SAVE THE DATE: Farm Viability Extension Specialist Candidate Seminar

Manlin Cui, candidate for Extension Specialist in Farm Viability, will deliver her stakeholder seminar “Bridging Research and Practice: Enterprise Budgets, Sustainable Innovations, and Consumer Insights” on Monday, March 10, 2025 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. 

The seminar will take place at the Middlesex County E.A.R.T.H. Center located at 42 Riva Ave, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902. We welcome you to attend in person, but a Zoom option is available. Email kbrown@njaes.rutgers.edu for Zoom attendance troubleshooting. [Read more…]

Stop the Bleed Training in Burlington County: Registration Open

Rutgers Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, will host a Stop the Bleed training on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The training will be held from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Rutgers EcoComplex located at 1200 Florence Columbus Rd, Fieldsboro, NJ 08505.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the life-saving skills of pressure application, wound packing, and use of tourniquets. Attendees of this free training will also receive a complementary bleeding control kit.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please complete our pre-registration form by Monday, April 1.

Questions? Email Kate Brown, RCE-Somerset County Ag Agent, at kbrown@njaes.rutgers.edu or call 908-526-6293.

Farmer Resource Fair in Somerset County

All New Jersey farmers are invited to attend this Farmer Resource Fair which will feature an array of agricultural service providers. In-between a light breakfast and a hearty lunch, there will be engaging presentations and opportunities to visit with service providers at their table displays. The program schedule, as well as a preliminary list of service providers who’ve confirmed their attendance, is included below.

The event will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Ted Blum 4-H Center located at 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

Click here to register for this free event (registration is required). Please register by April 1, 2025.

This collaborative event is being organized by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County, Somerset County Agriculture Development Board, and the State Agriculture Development Committee Next Gen Program. We hope you will join us! [Read more…]

TONIGHT: Farm Viability Extension Specialist Candidate Seminar

Kelvin Amon, candidate for Extension Specialist in Farm Viability, will deliver his stakeholder seminar “Willingness to pay for pest management information: Evidence from specialty crop growers” on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. 

The seminar will take place at the Middlesex County E.A.R.T.H. Center located at 42 Riva Ave, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902. We welcome you to attend in person, but a Zoom option is available. Email kbrown@njaes.rutgers.edu for Zoom attendance troubleshooting.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 – Kelvin Amon

Flyer for seminar

Stop the Bleed Training in Hunterdon County: Registration Open

Rutgers Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, will host a Stop the Bleed training on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The training will be held from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Amwell Valley Fire Company, located at 22 County Road #579, Ringoes, NJ 08551.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the life-saving skills of pressure application, wound packing, and use of tourniquets. Attendees of this free training will also receive a complementary bleeding control kit.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please complete our pre-registration form by Friday, March 14.

Questions? Email Kate Brown, RCE-Somerset County Ag Agent, at kbrown@njaes.rutgers.edu or call 908-526-6293.