Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition

Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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March 20, 2020

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Working Through COVID-19

To learn the status of your Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) office, please visit the County Office tab at njaes.rutgers.edu. Note that the status of office access listed below is subject to change in this current state of emergency. Personnel in most offices are working remotely or in offices with restricted access, but are still available to assist via mail, phone or email.

From RCE Director Dr. Brian Schilling,

“…Cooperative Extension… continue[s] to operate under the directive that all Rutgers Cooperative Extension events, programs, and noncredit classes involving groups larger than 15 participants are to be cancelled through at least April 3.  Significant progress is being made with the movement of programs and associate resources into online formats.

“Over the past week, RCE county offices have begun altering their operations to promote social distancing and continue programs/service provision, as is feasible.  RCE and county government partners are working to ensure continuity of operations, which in many instances involves remote work arrangements and/or restrictions of the public to county facilities. The [current] operating status of our county offices is as follows:

    • Closed – 9 offices (Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Essex, Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union)
    • Open, Public Access Limited – 10 offices (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Warren)
    • Open, No Restrictions – 1 office (Sussex)
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 17, 2020

Green-up Started

Soil temperatures have been warming and reached the mid-40s °F last week at Rutgers Hort Farm No. 2 in North Brunswick NJ and are creeping into the upper-40s °F early this week. Dr. Clarke recommends that treatment of turf with a history of take-all patch be initiated when soil temperature averages 40 to 60 °F. […]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Turf
March 17, 2020

Status of U.S. Consular Operations in Mexico in Light of COVID-19

In response to the global pandemic COVID-19, and in line with the Mexican government’s call to increase social distancing, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and all U.S. consulates in Mexico will suspend routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services starting March 18, 2020, and until further notice. For farmers this means, H-2A workers and others from Mexico may be prevented from entering the U.S. until further notice. NJ Farm Bureau is researching the subject for more clarification. For now to see more information go to the U.S. Embassy’s website at: Field of plantershttps://mx.usembassy.gov/status-of-u-s-consular-operations-in-mexico-in-light-of-covid-19/

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
March 2, 2020

2020 South Jersey Nursery Meeting Registration Deadline is This Thursday, March 5th

2020 South Jersey Nursery Meeting

What:
2020 South Jersey Nursery Meeting

When:
March 12, 2020 8:30 A.M – 4:00 P.M. (registration deadline is this Thursday, March 5th)

Cost:
$25 per person. Registration fee covers morning coffee/tea, donuts, and lunch.

Where:
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County
291 Morton Ave. Millville, NJ 08332
Phone: 856-451-2800 ext 1
Fax: 856-451-4206

Pesticide Credits: CORE (1); PP2 (5); 1A (5); 9 (1)

This year’s meeting will be an introduction of Tim Waller and Bill Errickson to the nursery industry here in South Jersey. The educational programming will include weed and pest updates, irrigation management, pesticide use /safety, and soil fertility presentations.

The deadline for registration is this Thursday, March 5th. Please register by mailing in the registration form in the attached tri-fold brochure or call Brandi or Katie (ext 1) for assistance. Due to the proximity of the meeting please call and let us know if you will be attending. 

 

Tri-fold brochure (print out registration form): Trifold 2020 Nursery Meeting
Meeting flyer: Flyer 2020 Nursery Meeting

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf
January 25, 2020

NJ Ag Convention & Trade Show, Feb 4, 5, 6 in Atlantic City

It’s not too late to register online or at the door for the 2020 NJ Agriculture Convention & Trade Show. If you haven’t already received a direct mailing from the Vegetable Growers Association of NJ with information about the event, find it on their website at njveggies.org under the convention tab. Membership in the VGA gives you access to 3 days of educational programming, or there is an optional daily pass. The educational program is a collaborative effort of the NJAES/RCE vegetable working group, the blueberry and small fruit working groups, and the new hemp working group. Input and support from NJDA and VGANJ allow us to bring internationally recognized speakers from both our Rutgers faculty and staff, and beyond NJ’s borders to share insights and research on current topics important to NJ agriculture. Thanks to all who have worked to put this program together. We hope to see you in AC.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
October 10, 2019

Gramoxone/paraquat Mandatory Training Required Before Use

Spraying for pests

All pesticide certified applicators must successfully complete an EPA-approved training program before mixing, loading, and/or applying paraquat.

Anyone using Gramoxone, Firestorm, Helmquat, Parazone, and other paraquat products must complete an EPA-mandated training before application.

After November 14, 2019, the EPA requires companies to have newly labeled products on the market.

 

The following are items related to the new label for paraquat products:

  • Only certified applicators, who successfully completed the paraquat-specific training, can mix, load or apply paraquat.
  • No longer allow application “under the direct supervision” of a certified applicator.
  • Restricting the use of all paraquat products to certified applicators only.
  • EPA required Online Training – users must create an account with username and password.
  • A certificate will be delivered by the end of the training after successful completion of the online exam.
  • Applicators must repeat training every three years.

For additional information and FAQs about the paraquat training go to the EPA Paraquat Training website

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Organic Production, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape