Recent news about glyphosate has many thinking about alternatives. Joe Neal (Professor of Weed Science, Extension Specialist & Department Extension Leader Horticultural Science) and Andrew Senesac (Extension Weed Scientist Cornell Cooperative Extension, Suffolk Co., NY) have published a thorough summary of alternatives and the associated pros and cons through NC State Extension at https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/are-there-alternatives-to-glyphosate-for-weed-control-in-landscapes
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.
May 23, 2019 Rick VanVranken
Does My Business Need A Spotted Lanternfly Permit?
With the closing of the Purdue grain facility in Bordontown, field crops growers are sending trucks to southeastern PA to deliver grain, and produce shippers and others may be working/delivering to warehouses there too. Burlington County Agricultural Agent Bill Bamka shares the following information about shipping into or out of Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) quarantine zones (including some northwestern NJ counties):
Spotted Lanternfly adult with wings spread. Adults are about 1″ long
Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect recognized as a threat to agriculture in New Jersey and the United States. Multiple states in the Mid-Atlantic area have SLF populations and/or quarantines in place. Currently New Jersey has quarantines in Warren, Hunterdon, and Mercer counties. Pennsylvania has a quarantine area of 14 counties across the southeastern portion of the state. [Read more…]
April 22, 2019 Jim Murphy
Green-up Transitioning to Growth: Ready to Mow?
Three weeks ago, many turfgrasses began greening up as surface soil temperatures warmed into the 50s °F during the day. Currently, surface soil temperatures are reaching into the 60s °F during the day, which stimulates vertical leaf growth especially after a rain. Any early spring N fertilization will also encourage vertical leaf growth. Accordingly, mowing equipment […]
April 22, 2019 Jim Murphy
Green-up Transitioning to Growth: Ready to Mow?
Three weeks ago, many turfgrasses began greening up as surface soil temperatures warmed into the 50s °F during the day. Currently, surface soil temperatures are reaching into the 60s °F during the day, which stimulates vertical leaf growth especially after a rain. Any early spring N fertilization will also encourage vertical leaf growth. Accordingly, mowing equipment […]
April 15, 2019 Matthew Elmore
Roughstalk bluegrass
Roughstalk bluegrass (Poa trivialis) is a cool-season perennial grass often considered a weed. Light green in color it is most obvious in the early spring when it grows more rapidly than other turfgrasses. As temperatures rise in the summer its growth will slow and it often goes semi-dormant until cooler temperatures and rainfall return in […]
April 9, 2019 Hemant Gohil
Mechanization of Pruning in NJ Container Nurseries
In the 2017 survey of labor and mechanization of New Jersey’s nursery industry, pruning was ranked, the third most important operation, that needs mechanization the most (41 responses). In spite of obvious benefits such as efficiency, quality, and consistency, lack of practical information about the mechanized pruning is delaying the rapid adoption by container nursery growers. This article summarizes inputs from Chris Ruske of (Cumberland Nursery), Donald Blew (Centerton Nursery) and Ed Overdevest (Overdevest Nurseries) on pruning mechanization, shared during the panel discussion at Clayton in Gloucester County in January 2018. [Read more…]
