January 14, 2026

2026 Central Jersey Turf and Ornamental Institute

Rutgers Cooperative Extension presents

2026 Central Jersey TURF & ORNAMENTAL Institute

Friday, February 27

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Monmouth County Ag Building

4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ

 

Registration: $75 per person (includes Continental Breakfast & Lunch)

Registration Brochure: CJTOI Brochure 2026

 732-431-7260 or email Catherine.VanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

Registration by cash, check, or purchase order only.

 

Agenda:

  • CORE Pesticide Safety for Ornamental IPM – Tim Waller, Ph.D.
  • Boxwood BMPs and Alternative Shrubs – Bill Errickson, Ph.D.
  • Managing Scale in the Landscape – Steve Rettke
  • Integrated Pest Management for Invasive Plant Species in Woodlands, Fields, and Parks – R.J.Curcio and Maggie Coakley
  • Mosquito & Tick Management for Green Industry Professionals – Emily Fontaine
  • Things to Consider Before Applying Fungicides to Control Turfgrass Diseases – Ming-Yi Chou, Ph.D.
  • Integrated Weed Management for Turfgrass – Matthew Elmore Ph.D.
  • Turfgrass Fertility Management for Sports Fields and Grounds – Brad Park

Recertification Credits:

  • Core = 2 credits
  • PP2 = 4 credits
  • 1A = 2 credits
  • 2 = 2 credits
  • 3A = 4 credits
  • 3B = 3 credits
  • 6B = 4 credits
  • 8A = 1 credit
  • 8C = 7 credits
  • 9 = 2 credits
  • 10 = 6 credits
  • 13 = 1 credit
  • ProFACT = 1 credit

 

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , ,
December 9, 2024

UPDATE: APHIS Establishes Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) Quarantines in Delaware and Pennsylvania

FROM APHIS EMAIL:

Subject:           APHIS Establishes Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) Quarantines in Delaware and Pennsylvania

To:                   State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), is adding the entire State of Delaware and Erie County, Pennsylvania to the box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) quarantined area.

APHIS is taking this action in response to the confirmed detections of BTM in a residence in Little Creek, Delaware, on July 11 and in Lakeside Cemetery in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania, on August 29. PDA has established an intrastate quarantine area for BTM that parallels the Federal quarantine. This Federal Order supersedes Federal Order DA-2024-17.

To prevent the spread of BTM, APHIS considers it necessary to regulate the interstate movement of regulated articles of boxwood from quarantined areas. Boxwood plants may only be moved interstate from a quarantined area from an establishment operating under a compliance agreement, and only if accompanied by a certificate issued by a state agricultural authority certifying that the requirements of this Federal Order and the compliance agreement have been met. These requirements will prevent producers and distributors of boxwood from moving infested plants interstate. State agricultural authorities may prescribe additional safeguards and protocols.

APHIS prohibits movement of all other regulated articles of boxwood, including plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, and any portion of the plant, alive or dead, except for decorative purposes.

The attached Federal Order (click here) and additional information about BTM are located on the APHIS box tree moth webpage. For additional information, you may contact:

Matthew Travis
National Policy Manager
580-240-5394
matthew.a.travis@usda.gov

Box Tree Moth poses a serious threat to boxwood production, maintenance, and export.

If you see, or think you see this pest, or its damages in New Jersey please contact:

  • RCE -Cumberland Co. Nursery Agent: Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu
  • Nursery Inspection Program Manager: Sarah Katzenbach –  sarah.katzenbach@ag.nj.gov  (609) 406-6939

Please educate yourself about this in-bound pest here – Resources:

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
July 22, 2024

UPDATE – Box tree moth confirmed at private residence in Kent County DE. BE ON THE LOOKOUT

UPDATE: Box Tree Moth has been positively confirmed in Kent County – DE. PLEASE BE VIGILANT

Click here to see the original link from DE.gov (write-up with more photos)  “The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has confirmed a find of box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) at a private residence in Kent County, Delaware. The box tree moth is a federally regulated pest that primarily feeds on boxwood species (Buxus spp.)”

Box Tree Moth poses a serious threat to boxwood production, maintenance, and export.

If you think you see this on Boxwoods in the landscape, garden, commercial locations, parking lots, anywhere boxwoods are growing – we want to know!!

If you see, or think you see this pest, or its damages in New Jersey please contact:

  • RCE -Cumberland Co. Nursery Agent: Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu
  • or
  • Nursery Inspection Program Manager: Sarah Katzenbach –  sarah.katzenbach@ag.nj.gov  (609) 406-6939

Please educate yourself about this in-bound pest here – Resources:

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
April 10, 2024

Immediate Potential for Boxwood Blight Throughout NJ THIS WEEK

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 4/10/2024
Region Location CODE 10-Apr 11-Apr 12-Apr 13-Apr 14-Apr 15-Apr
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Minor Risk  High Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Low  Low   High Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Very Low   High Risk  VERY High Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
W TH F S Sun M
 Please check YOUR LOCAL risk (click here)

There is a potential for boxwood blight infections this Thursday and Friday  throughout ALL of NJ. Incoming rains, coupled with consistent 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 (pick Sunday/Monday), 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…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
February 2, 2024

2024 Central Jersey Turf and Ornamental Institute

March 6,  8:30am to 4:00 pm

Monmouth County Agricultural Building

4000 Kozloski Rd. Freehold , NJ 07728         

Registration: $75

(includes coffee, light refreshments in the morning and lunch)

 

 

 

 

Available Pesticide Credits:
Core – 2 units
2- 3 units
3A- 5 units
3B- 5 units
3C- 1 unit
6B- 3 units
8C- 6 units
8A- 1 unit
9- 3 units
10- 6 units
PP2- 5 units

ProFACT NJ Certified Fertilizer Applicator
2 Credits Available

 

To register, contact Cathy VanBenschoten at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County Office

732-431-7260  or email at Catherine.VanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

Click the link below for the full registration form:

CJTOI Brochure 2024

 

There is no online registration. This event is cash, check or purchase order only.

Make checks payable to: Rutgers, the State University of NJ

Mail to: Cathy VanBenschoten

4000 Kozloski Road

Freehold, NJ  07728

 

This annual event is brought to you by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, Burlington, Ocean & Somerset Counties. Seminar topics will benefit those who work in grounds maintenance including school board members, maintenance supervisors, employees of highways, parks, cemeteries, industrial grounds, lawn & home ground services, garden center  operators and nurserymen.

Agenda

8:30 – 9:00 AM             Registration/Sign-in

9:00 – 9:30 AM             Scouting and Diagnosing Common Disease Problems in Turf and Ornamentals – William Errickson – Monmouth County Agricultural Agent

9:30 – 10:00 AM          Innovations in Weed Management – Matthew Elmore Ph.D.  – Extension Specialist in Weed Science

10:00 – 11:00 AM         Pesticide Safety Regulations and Updates – George Hamilton Ph.D. – Extension Specialist in Pest Management

11:00 – 11:15 AM          Break

11:15 – 12:15 PM           Managing Invasive Plants – Michele Bakacs – Middlesex County Natural Resources Agent

12:15 – 1:00 PM            LUNCH

 1:00 – 1:30 PM             Mosquito and Tick Problems in New Jersey:  Identification, Management, and Protection for Green Industry Professionals – Emily Fontaine and Dina Fonseca Ph.D. – Program Associate and Professor, Chair Dept. of Entomology

1:30- 2:30 pm                Sustainable Turfgrass Fertility Management – Bradley Park- Researcher in Turfgrass Management

2:30 – 3:00 PM            Invasive Insects & Ecological Balance – Steve Rettke – IPM Program Associate

3:00 PM                         Course Evaluation, Pesticide Credits

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
April 4, 2023

HIGH potential for Boxwood Blight this Thursday 4/6

There is a potential for boxwood blight infections this WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY throughout much of NJ – especially central regions. Thursday’s high temperatures coupled with prolonged periods of leaf wetness overnight will contribute to the spread of boxwood blight infections.

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 (pick Sunday/Monday), 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. 

  • It is time to begin protective fungicide applications in high value areas if you have not already done so! 

  • Protective fungicide applications should remain in effect or be initiated immediately for Boxwood Blight in “Infection risk or High Risk areas”. 
  • If your area is not listed (throughout all of NJ please visit the USPEST.ORG Boxwood Blight Risk Model – CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL PREDICTIONS

Boxwood Blight risk-model information, considerations, and links:

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 4/4/2022
Region Location CODE 3-Apr 4-Apr 5-Apr 6-Apr 7-Apr 8-Apr
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Low  Minor Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Very Low  Low  Minor Risk Very High Very Low  Very Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Very Low  Very Low  Low  High Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
 Please check YOUR LOCAL risk (click here)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,