March 31, 2025 and

Register for the NEW – 2025 Ornamental IPM Program PLUS Boxwood Blight, Pest emergence, Updates

Ornamental IPM 2025 v1 flyer

Please consider signing up for the NEW 2025 – Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program.

The focus of this program is to provide timely updates on pest, disease, and weeds impacting commercial ornamental producers. The webinars will focus on the most important pests for a 2 week interval, will be recorded, and will be shared shortly thereafter with Spanish overdub (spoken word). The trap packages are in an effort to find grower led solutions for monitoring economically important pests throughout the multiple regions of New Jersey. Please consider joining this program for its inaugural year.

Registration includes:

  • Site visit to your ornamental nursery/farm from Rutgers agents
  • Delivered printed IPM resources (Guides, factsheets, bulletins)
  • Free pheromone & sticky trap kit + guidance on setup/monitoring
  • Access to live bi-weekly webinars (Zoom)
  • (First session NEXT TUESDAY 4/8 @ 12PM)
  • Every Second and Fourth, Tuesday, April through September
  • Webinars will be recorded – posted later with Spanish overdub

This program is free, however registration is required.

click here to Register

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 3/4/2025
Region Location CODE 31-March 1-April 2-April 3-April 4-April 5-April
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Low Minor Risk Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Minor Risk Very Low  Very Low  Low Minor Risk Very Low 
Northern Wantage NJ79 Low Very Low  Very Low  Low Risk Very Low 
M T W TH F S
 Please check YOUR LOCAL risk (click here)

Please download and print the Rutgers Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide  or  Conifer and Christmas Tree Pest Scouting Guide and refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days (GDD)” for additional information.  (See pest scouting guides for complete list of references) 

Please SHARE what you SEE!! If you see a pest, disease, otherwise interesting or troublesome issue please report it to the Working Group by following the QR Code on the front of the Pest Scouting Guides or by filling out this reporting form.

Keep reading for more resources!

 

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February 6, 2025

Southern NJ Nursery Round Table : Next Monday & Delaware BTM Updates

Nursery Round Tables – I am hosting these free events at the Cumberland RCE (291 Morton Ave, Millville NJ)

Free RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/hJhesNgBxv Or RSVP at: 856-451-2800 ext 1.
February 10th – Hands on Growing Degree-days. We are going to sit down with computers (I have 10+ laptops), our cellphones, and a tablet to see how easy it is to use GDD calculators. We will then compare with the Rutgers Pest Scouting Guides (this is the guide;  https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LONT-PSG-DISTRIB-2023.pdf)
  • Like the idea of using growing degree-days, but are unsure how to use the online calculators or other resources – THIS IS FOR YOU. On Monday 2/10 – we will be using laptop computers (I have 12 on-site), tablets, and smart cellphones to access and explore online growing degree-day calculators. We will then use the Rutgers Pest Scouting Guides to line up when to expect these pests and will discuss treatment opportunities with overlapping pest populations.

    -Each person will use all three technology methods to obtain their local growing degree-days. – By the end of the training you will be able to access and utilize this powerful tool anywhere.
February 24th – 2025 Playbook: We will be discussing emerging threats like Box Tree Moth and numerous plant diseases we need to be prepared for. The session will conclude with a 30-minute CORE credit session. 1 unit – CORE obtained-only.
Note you don’t HAVE to be from southern NJ, however I would appreciate you being with a nursery or other commercial ornamental operation. I just want to facilitate thoughtful communication. Registration greatly appreciated.

____________________________________________________

ALL DELAWARE NOW QUARANTINED (DA-2024-47)(as of 12/4/24)

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.

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

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:

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September 12, 2024

Monmouth County Twilight Meetings

Need credits? Join us next week for two twilight meeting opportunities in Monmouth County.

Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Center Field Tour
September 17, 2024
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
283 Route 539 Cream Ridge, NJ 08514

Join Rutgers Cooperative Extension for this FREE twilight meeting showcasing current field trials and a new row mulcher at the Cream Ridge Extension Center. The tour will be from 6 to 7pm, with refreshments and time for additional discussion from 7 to 7:30pm.

  • Low Input Native and Ornamental Plant Trials
    William Errickson, Agriculture Agent, RCE Monmouth Co
  • High Protein Soybeans and Hemp Field Trials
  • William Bamka, Agriculture Agent, RCE Burlington Co.

NJ Pesticide License Recertification Credits: PP2(2), 1A(1), 3A(1), 10(2)

To register, contact Cathy Van Benschoten at 732-431-7260 or Catherine.vanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

Cream Ridge Field Tour Promo 2024

 

Twilight Meeting at Pleasant Run Nursery
September 20, 2024
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
93 Ellisdale Road Allentown, NJ 08501

Join Carl Hesselein, President of Pleasant Run Nursery, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension for this FREE twilight meeting. We will tour the nursery and discuss best management practices for container production of native and low-input plant species.

This twilight meeting will be geared towards growers, landscape professionals, and agricultural service providers.

NJ Pesticide License Recertification Credits PP2(3); 3A(3); 10(3)

To register, contact Cathy Van Benschoten at 732-431-7260 or Catherine.vanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us

Pleasant Run Tour Promo 2024

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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. 

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February 8, 2024

Southern NJ Commercial Nursery Growers IPM Roundtable (Tu) 2/27/24

SOUTHERN NJ – COMMERCIAL NURSERY GROWERS – ONLY in Cumberland and surrounding counties.
  • Southern NJ Nursery IPM Roundtable – Tuesday 2/27/24 6-8pm.
  • The event is free but please RSVP by calling 856-451-2800 ext. 1 and mention this meeting.
  • In response to many conversations, nursery visits, and phone calls I have had with folks over the last few years, this type of meeting is long overdue, especially since we all face the same pests, diseases, weeds, and seasonal problems.
  • Please consider joining this face-to-face discussion centered around Nursery IPM.
Topics on deck:
  • What pests are important to you – and what questions do we need answered
  • Pest Scouting approaches – RU Pest Scouting Guides – Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory
  • Pesticide Regimes, New Vs ‘Old’ materials – what works, what doesn’t
  • Invasive Pests and New Diseases – what to be looking for
  • Worker safety and leveraging REIs
  • Cultural practices and irrigation system modifications
Please consider joining, and please RSVP to the Cumberland County office at 856-451-2800 ext. 1.
NOTE: If you are outside Southern NJ, we will be planning similar events in the near future, near you, and I ask that you wait until that time as space is limited. 
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September 14, 2023

September Horticulture Plant Health Educational Series – Plant Pathology 101, Entomology 101

September sessions- 

In preparation for 2024 Nursery IPM training we invite ALL growers (nursery, greenhouse, Christmas tree, vegetable, row crops, landscape professionals) to attend the following educational sessions surrounding overall plant health and pest management principals.

NOTE: These free virtual sessions (on Zoom) will count as “in-person”, meaning all attendees will receive offered CEUs if they: have a live video feed (and are visible the entire time), upload a government issued photo ID + NJ Pesticide license prior via a secure Rutgers Connect folder (follow directions below, only the agents will have access to information for verification), and participate in poll questions.

Government issued photo ID and NJ Pesticide License upload:

  • Click here to upload BOTH your government issued Photo ID and Pesticide License prior to the meeting
  • Upload directions: If you click on the photo ID upload link using a smart phone/tablet you will have the option of simply taking a photo of your ID and uploading it directly into the system. Otherwise, you can scan a copy of your photo ID into a computer and follow the directions at the upload link. If you are unable to upload documentation prior to the meeting, please contact Tim Waller for assistance (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu).
  • Please upload files of your photo ID and applicator license to the link above as; “Last name_ First_ Photo ID” AND “Last name_ First_ Pesticide License”

Sessions: (You must register for each session individually, but only need to upload ID material one time for this series)

Date: 9/20/2023 –    (Next Wednesday!) – Plant Pathology 101 – Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE

  • Click here to register for Plant Pathology 101
  • Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm (5:30-6:00pm sign-in)
  • NJ Pesticide CEU’s: 1A (2) – 3A (2) – 3B (2) – 3C (2) – 10 (2) – PP2 (2)
  • Tim Waller will be discussing the basics of plant pathology and disease management as it applies across horticulture. We will discuss how cultural practices and pesticide applications play into the ever present disease triangle.

Date:   9/27/2023 (W) – Entomology 101 – Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE 

  • Click here to register for Entomology 101
  • Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm (5:30-6:00pm sign-in)
  • NJ Pesticide CEU’s: 1A (2) – 3A (2) – 3B (2) – 3C (2) – 10 (2) – PP2 (2)
  • Tim Waller will be discussing the basics of insect biology (entomology) as it relates to horticulture. Developing a baseline understanding of which are troublesome pests and which are beneficial will aid in pesticide management decision making approaches across horticulture.

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