A panel discussion on the topic of ‘Mechanization of Nursery Operations’ was held on 16 Jan, 2018, at Clayton in Gloucester County. The panel comprised of progressive nursery growers of NJ, who shared their experiences, observations and perspectives on mechanization of potting, pruning and spacing operations. This article focuses on potting. [Read more…]
November 15, 2018 Jim Murphy
Soil Health
For those interested in soil health – we all should be – the Soil Health Institute has release a 60-minute documentary featuring innovative farmers and soil health experts from throughout the U.S. You can view the film at https://livingsoilfilm.com/
August 23, 2018 Matthew Elmore
Insane Rain
The summer of 2018 isn’t going away quietly for many in New Jersey. August 2018 will be remembered for a steady dose of torrential rain that has made turfgrass management extremely difficult, especially in the northern half of the state. In the last 30 days, over 12 inches of rain have fallen across several counties […]
August 12, 2018 Jim Murphy
Dog Days and Cool-Season Grass
According to Merriam-Webster, dog days is the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere; a period of stagnation or inactivity. The dog is actually the Dog Star – also called Sirius – which rises simultaneously with the sun during the hottest […]
July 23, 2018 Jim Murphy
Summer Patch on Hard Fescue
Hot weather in early July brought on some severe summer patch (root disease) symptoms in hard fescue. This disease on fine fescues hasn’t been as thoroughly studied as it has been on other grasses. So recommendations are based on knowledge learned in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and annual bluegrass (Poa annua) turfs. We are establishing plots […]
June 13, 2018 Jim Murphy
Managing Thatch
Recently received a couple of questions about managing thatch. One question was concerning the recent trend in the industry to not core putting greens and only use solid tines. Non-coring programs rely on topdressing to dilute the organic matter (thatch) that accumulates, thus forming a mat layer as opposed to a thatch layer. Turgeon defines […]
