Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition

Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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March 23, 2020

Rutgers NJAES Plant Diagnostic and Soil Testing Services Still Processing Samples

The Rutgers Plant Diagnostic and Soil Testing Laboratories are currently closed to the public.

However, lab employees will be processing samples during limited hours and without extra support from student workers.

Instructions for submitting plant samples and questions to the Diagnostic Lab are:

  • Samples may be shipped via UPS or FedEx (not via US Postal Service) directly to:  Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, Ralph Geiger Turfgrass Ed. Ctr., 20 Indyk-Engel Way, North Brunswick, NJ 08902. Please email us at rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu to inform us when to expect your sample (please provide tracking information if available).
  • Hand deliveries of samples may be left in the hallway at our front door. Please email us at rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu to inform us that you have dropped off a sample.
  • For questions, the best way to reach the lab staff is via email to rutgerspdl@njaes.rutgers.edu as we may have limited access to voicemail.

To for submit soil samples and questions to the Soils Testing Lab:

  • Soil samples may be mailed via the US Postal Service or shipped UPS or FedEx to: Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 57 US Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554.
  • In-person visits for dropping off samples are not permitted.
  • Soil testing kits can be mailed, or for clients without soil testing kits, sampling instructions and the soil test questionnaires are available on the NJAES/soil-testing-lab webpage: How to Have Your Soil Tested. It is important to select the correct kit/questionnaire for the type of soil you are testing and the analysis required.
  • For questions, the best way to reach the lab staff is via email to: soiltest@njaes.rutgers.edu as we may have limited coverage of phones.

With limited hours and no student workers to assist, please anticipate slower turnaround times. We thank you for your patience.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 21, 2020

COVID-19 Info for the Agricultural Industry

In an effort to keep the agricultural industry informed with relevant COVID-19 information The Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety website will be updated as resources become available.  Check back periodically as materials are being updated and developed.

Please reach out to us via email if you have questions, we will do our best to answer them.  We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.

Wesley Kline wkline@njaes.rutgers.edu

Meredith Melendez melendez@njaes.rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
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