Gardener News April 2015

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Help Save the Beloved Monarch Butterfly The beautiful orange and black Monarch butterfly is one of the best-known threatened butterfly species in North America. According to some of the latest surveys, over 90 percent of the population has disappeared in the last decade, mostly due to loss of habitat. No one understands how this lovely insect can remember over four or five generations where to migrate. Different populations will travel from western Canada to central California or from eastern Canada, through the Midwest, and southern U.S. and ultimately to central Mexico and back again. The life cycle of the Monarch is complex and amazing. First, the female lays its eggs on the underside of the leaves of a milkweed plant. After three to five days, the eggs hatch and the larvae (or baby caterpillars) feed on the leaves. Over the next nine to 15 days, the caterpillars will molt five times, increasing in mass 2,000 times, shedding its skin each time it molts. It then pupates and spends nine to 14 days as a chrysalis. When fully developed, the adult butterflies emerge and feed on the nectar of many different flowers as they continue to fly north during the next two to six weeks. National Garden Bureau/Photo

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2 April, 2015

GARDEN CENTER DIRECTORY

EasterFlowers

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April, 2015 3 Around The Garden By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

Easter Flowers

Big News First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you for reading, writing and supporting the Gardener News. With that being said….April 2015 celebrates 12 years of growing together. Happy Anniversary to all of us and to you! Now let’s get into a real touchy subject. With the exception of hydroponics, soil plays a vital role in nearly all forms of agriculture. New Jersey’s role as a leader in agricultural production nationwide, despite having one of the smallest land masses of all the states, is greatly influenced by the excellent soils in many areas. The question of how much “soil disturbance” should be permitted on preserved farmland in the state became a flashpoint at the 100th New Jersey State Agricultural Convention on February 4-5, 2015. After the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), which administers the Farmland Preservation program, presented a proposal for a rule on “soil disturbance,” many of the agricultural producers representing their industries as delegates to the Convention objected, saying what the SADC was proposing went far beyond its authority. Many who already have preserved their farms said they wouldn’t have done so if they knew the SADC would propose a rule that reaches beyond prohibiting non-agricultural development on their lands and addresses how agricultural development could be pursued as well. Others said they feared the rule would prevent farmers who have considered preserving their lands from doing so because they would not want to be restricted in their agricultural operations. On the flip side, SADC’s representatives who presented an overview of the propose rule to the delegates stressed the need to ensure that New Jersey’s excellent soils are not so disturbed by the building of, for instance, greenhouses, that they can never be farmed again once the farm changes hands and the new owner may decide to take down the greenhouse or other structure. If the land beneath that greenhouse is so disturbed as to prevent farming on it, they said, the value of preserving the farmland would be diminished. Surely, there were strong arguments being presented on all sides of the issue. For those of us who value New Jersey’s leading agricultural sector – the nursery, greenhouse, sod and Christmas tree industry – this issue takes on added importance. If a nurseryman with a preserved farm becomes restricted from expanding his greenhouse operation, that certainly diminishes the future productivity of his farm, and thus his bottom line. This hardly seems fair, given that his intention in selling his development rights to the state were to limit non-agricultural development, such as housing, not the expansion of his agricultural operations. Why would someone preserve a farm, if not to continue farming? And that, at least to my mind, would include expanding the operation to continue being economically viable. The topic generated so much discussion at the State Convention that a new resolution was drafted by the Resolutions Committee, at the direction of the delegates, urging the SADC to step back from pursuing the proposed soil-disturbance rule until a committee could be formed by the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture and the Secretary of Agriculture, Douglas Fisher, to delve into the matter. The resolution said the delegates “do hereby urge the SADC to acknowledge that it purchased only the non-agricultural development rights from the farms that have been preserved, not the agricultural development rights” and also “that we urge the SADC to withdraw the current proposal and recognize the multiple goals of the ARDA and the deed of easement.” The “ARDA” is the Agriculture Retention and Development Act, the 1981 law that established the Farmland Preservation program. Several delegates and State Board of Agriculture members pointed out that the Act was designed to encourage agricultural development, as opposed to farmers selling off their land for residential or non-agricultural commercial development, and that they felt this soil-disturbance proposal would have the opposite effect of restricting agricultural expansion. The committee called for in the Convention resolution has been formed and it held its first meeting on Wednesday, March 18. There is sure to be more than one meeting of that group, and the Gardener News is committed to reporting whatever it learns about those deliberations. As I said, this is a very touchy subject. It certainly raised a lot of eyebrows – and blood-pressure readings – at the Convention, as it goes to the heart of what it means to preserve and further develop agriculture in the Garden State. Here’s hoping the committee put together by Secretary Fisher and the State Board gets it right. As always, I hope you find the information in the Gardener News informative and enjoyable. Until next time…Keep the “garden” in the Garden State. -Tom Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News. Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening and landscaping communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

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Last month, I told you about the wonderful work done by our Division of Plant Industry. This month, I would like to tell you about another of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s five divisions – the Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources. The division covers a lot of ground, from agricultural education, land use planning, soil and water conservation to aquaculture and agricultural recycling. The division, headed by Monique Purcell, provides a critical service to all New Jersey farmers – that of advocate. In many instances, the division provides a voice for agriculture to ensure agriculture is considered in planning, regulations and laws. Because of the Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR), the Department of Agriculture had a seat at the table when the State Plan was developed, implemented and amended. This document sets the future goals for the development and preservation of New Jersey. The division also participated in the formulation of the Highlands Regional Master Plan – making sure that the needs of the industry were recognized and considered. Staff attends the monthly Highlands Council meetings to monitor issues that need agriculture’s attention. They also stay abreast of issues in the Pinelands region that may impact agriculture.

staff at the New Jersey Agricultural Statistics Service office in Trenton. This agency collects and distributes agricultural production data and conducts special surveys and studies for the agriculture industry. The Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources is truly a vital organization for New Jersey’s agriculture industry, working behind the scenes on behalf of our farmers and also assisting farmers in navigating through the many regulatory issues they face to ensure we have a thriving, productive industry. When farmers need help, the division is there. We are extremely proud of Monique and her staff. Please do not hesitate to contact the division if you have any questions or concerns. They can be reached at (609) 292-5532.

NJ Dept. of Agriculture By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources: NJDA’s Voice for Agriculture Monique Purcell and her staff consistently bridge the gap between farmers and regulators, such as the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). They support the implementation of farm conservation plans to protect the natural resources on farms, which look at farming operations holistically and can help streamline the permitting process. The division works with the state’s 15 Soil Conservation Districts, which implement the New Jersey Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act, which governs land disturbance activities related to development. These semi-autonomous bodies play a strong role in the protection of New Jersey’s natural resources. The division also oversees conservation education programs, such as the New Jersey Envirothon, an annual high-school team competition focusing on natural resources and science, and the Conservation Poster Contest, in which students grades 2 through 12 create posters relating to a natural

resources theme. Winners receive cash prizes and can go on to the national contest, with the goal of encouraging future natural resource professionals. Agricultural Education and FFA are a prominent part of the division, overseeing 2,600 students in 37 FFA Chapters participating in agricultural education programs in 42 school districts. The division was the driving force that brought the intense Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)based Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) to New Jersey students. CASE courses include: Food Science and Safety; Introduction to Agriculture Food and Natural Resources; Principles of Agricultural Science – Plant; Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal; Animal and Plant Biotechnology; and Natural Resources and Ecology. College credits for CASE courses are being earned from Rutgers University, Delaware Valley College, SUNY

Look Who’s Reading the Gardener News!

It’s in the news

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Allan M. Armitage, emeritus professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, who is regarded as one of the world’s foremost horticulturists, looks over the March Gardener News at the NJ Plants Professional Landscape & Nursery Trade Show in Edison, Middlesex County, N.J. Armitage now travels widely as a lecturer and consultant and has received numerous awards from nursery trade groups and horticultural organizations, including the Medal of Honor from the Garden Club of America. He was also recognized as one of the best teachers in the nation when he received the distinguished National Educator Award from the American Horticultural Society. Armitage is internationally known for his multifaceted teaching research in new crops for the garden and greenhouse. He has lectured in Canada, the United States, China, Colombia, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. He also has visited research centers and production centers throughout the world and is constantly studying annuals, perennials, cut flowers and greenhouse crops in various climates.

Cobleskill and several county colleges. The division works cooperatively with other state and federal agencies in the development of business-friendly and environmentally sound policies to grow the aquaculture industry. A dedicated aquaculture specialist works with regulatory agencies looking to streamline the permitting process and make it more userfriendly for aquatic farmers. The division’s efforts assisted in oyster farming resuming in the Delaware Bay off the coast of Cape May in a dedicated Aquaculture Development Zone. The division recently took over assisting farmers in regard to farm motor vehicle regulations, farmland assessment, local building codes, sales tax and agricultural plastic recycling, which reduces the waste that ends up in landfills. Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the division supports

Editor’s Note: Douglas H. Fisher is New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture. He is the department’s executive officer, secretary to the State Board of Agriculture and a member of the Governor’s cabinet. Secretary Fisher fulfills executive, management and administrative duties prescribed by law, executive order or gubernatorial direction. He can be reached at 609.292.3976. For more info, please visit: http://www. state.nj.us/agriculture

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6 April, 2015

RUTGERS NJAES/RCE

John and Anne Gerwig Endowment to Support Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Gardener News

From the Director’s Desk

Rutgers Outreach Provided by Larry S. Katz, Ph.D. Sr. Associate Director

Special Announcement from Larry Katz

Assessing Your Site for Growing Wine Grapes in New Jersey

A strong workforce will support a strong community. That was the topic of conversation when John and Anne Gerwig asserted their desire to help all of Rutgers Cooperative Extension by establishing a fund that will provide resources to extension professionals in perpetuity. I am pleased to announce that, in honor of the Smith-Lever Anniversary, John and Anne have jointly established the “John and Anne Gerwig Director’s Endowment for Rutgers Cooperative Extension,” with a gift of $200,000. The goal of this fund is to empower Cooperative Extension professionals so that they can make a bigger impact on our communities. A portion of the fund will be reserved to award through a formal “request for proposal” process set up and managed by the Director’s office. Remaining funds will be used to support emerging issues, internships, awarding additional proposals and other needs that arise. There is no better representation of the embodiment of Cooperative Extension than John and Anne Gerwig. In this, the 100th year of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, we are reminded by Dr. John L. Gerwig of his 75 years of involvement. John holds the title of the longest-serving director of extension at Rutgers, perhaps nationwide, and was a 4-H member from the age of 5. Early in his career he became the extension agronomist before becoming director. Throughout his 30 years as director, during which RCE underwent tremendous changes, John remained perceptive of the state’s needs and the philosophy of Cooperative Extension and the land-grant system. He maintained that agriculture made a positive contribution in an urban state. He also asserted that agents working across county lines and the productive use of computers were the basis for the future design of the N.J. Cooperative Extension programs. His visionary leadership resulted in N.J. becoming a national model for techniques used to reach urban communities in such areas as urban gardening, 4-H for at-risk youth, and family and community nutrition. Anne also broke new ground for Cooperative Extension. She led the university’s Expanded Nutrition Education Program to reach limited resource families and showcased extension’s work with these families to the greater university community. She was also instrumental in obtaining critical employee benefits for paraprofessionals in extension. Both John and Anne have long understood the importance of communicating the significance of extension programs and securing funding. We will be seeking to thank John and Anne Gerwig by encouraging matches to their fund. Please help us share the news. Donations may be directed to Rachel Karl’s attention at the following address: Martin Hall, 88 Lipman Drive, 3rd Floor, New Brunswick NJ 08901. Checks should be made out to the Rutgers University Foundation with “Gerwig” written in the memo field. Rachel can be reached at 848-932-3593 or by email at karl@njaes.rutgers.edu. Please feel free to reach out to the Gerwigs in appreciation should you have a personal relationship with them.

The winemakers’ art relies on the cultivation of select varieties of well-adapted grapes that thrive under sets of conditions unique to every vineyard. The French use the word “terroir” to describe this broad set of interacting factors that includes the soils, their orientation, grape variety, growing practices, climate, local microclimate, wine making culture and technology. New Jersey, with its three designated wine regions, known as “American Viticultural Area’s” (AVA) has the “terroir” for wine grape growing! Chances are you live in an area that is favorable for wine grape growing. New Jersey’s Central Delaware Valley AVA was designated in 1984. It is located in Central New Jersey and shared with Southeastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware River just north of Philadelphia. The Warren Hills AVA was designated in 1988. It is located entirely in Warren County, along New Jersey’s hillier northwestern edge bordering Pennsylvania. The Outer Coastal Plain AVA was designated in 2007 and is located in Southeastern New Jersey and includes all of Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean counties. Considering our vast capacity for great commercial wine grape growing, Rutgers NJAES has established the New Jersey Center for Wine Research and Education in response to the needs of the wine industry of New Jersey. But what about the home gardener that wants to grow wine grapes? Is there much to consider in establishing a home vineyard? A group of gardeners interested in planting small home vineyards attended a workshop at the Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown. They were guided through the Snyder Farm’s demonstration vineyard for hands-on vine pruning and training by Soil and Plant Technician Geoff Slifer. Planting a small home vineyard is costly, so after practicing pruning, Rutgers Professor Jack Rabin advised, “Increase your vineyard site selection success by investing your time before your money.” To avoid site selection failures and frustrations, Rabin and Rutgers colleagues have prepared vineyard site selection checklists. The prospective backyard vineyardist should invest time getting all the answers to these questions, before buying vines and spending hard-earned money. In addition to the success of your crop, you’ll be able to “taste” the result of your site selection. Rabin further explains, “Family vineyards, and the wines they make, are one of the most site specific agricultural products. No other farm product comes close to the relationship fine wines have with a specific field - a specific plot of land - with its own special characteristics.” Here are some of the things to consider in assessing a site for a home vineyard: Weather, Climate, & Microclimate – What is the coldest temperature recorded for the site? What is the length of the growing season? When are the spring and fall frost dates? What is the precipitation for the site? Soil and Physical Site – Access to irrigation, site elevation, slope and direction of slope; soil and subsoil profile and drainage are all considerations for site selection. Problem Wildlife – Birds love grapes, and so do white-tailed deer, groundhogs, rodents and turkeys. What are the deterrent methods for keeping out wildlife? Site History – What was grown on the site previously? Sites used for vegetable crops may result in grapes with lower than desirable acidity. Getting a complete soil analysis: soil test results should include organic matter, pH, nutrient levels and ratios. Learn what the soil requirements are for optimal wine grape growing. Identify problem weeds on the proposed site. How much space is available? – What is your target production and how many vines will you need? Some resources to help with a vineyard site assessment include: A detailed site assessment list is on our website http://sustainable-farming.rutgers.edu/ vineyard-site-assessment-checklist and the factsheet “Planning to Start a Vineyard in New Jersey” can be found at: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1206. Some additional resources include: Rutgers University NJ Wine Grape Resource Center http://njvines.rutgers.edu/ NJ Climate & Weather Network http://climate.rutgers.edu/njwxnet/index.php USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov Editor’s Note: Larry S. Katz, Ph.D. is Director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), Senior Associate Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and a Professor of Animal Science. RCE delivers wide-ranging educational programs in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, urban and community outreach, youth development, food, nutrition and health, and related areas of economic and workforce development across New Jersey. Dr. Katz can be reached at 848-932-3591. Visit: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/

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Gardener News I am sure that most of you have heard of the restaurant chain Chipotle. They specialize in selling Mexican-style burritos and tacos and fit into the fast growing segment of the restaurant industry which some classify as “fast casual.” They are currently one of the darlings of the restaurant industry, with many others in the field trying to emulate their success. Their formula of offering higher quality food items in a timely manner at reasonable prices has proven very popular with consumers and should be enough to propel the chain to higher levels of prosperity in the years to come. But apparently, some at Chipotle don’t think that’s the case. Last year, Chipotle launched a marketing campaign called “Farmed and Dangerous,” which basically attempted to make a mockery of and deride large-scale agriculture here in the United States. While I am not sure of the exact intent of the ad campaign, one would think that its main goal would be to draw attention to the chain with the end result being an increase in sales.

April, 2015 9 The Town Farmer By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

Biting the Hand That Feeds You Whether it was successful or not, I do not know, but that is not the point. The main issue that I have with this chain’s marketing program was that it sought to elevate its own stature not by promoting its own products, but rather by tearing down and mocking a large segment of the agricultural industry. Was there nothing positive they could say to promote their restaurants? I guess there wasn’t. They chose not to rely on the freshness of their own products. They chose not to show whether their offerings were competitively priced. They didn’t even talk about their convenience or whether or not customers enjoyed their food. Instead, they chose to manipulate the public through the utilization of these negative videos. I guess they never heard

of the expression “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I also would have to call into question Chipotle’s decision to go after the agricultural industry. After all, here we are in the United States, where we enjoy the safest and most abundant food supply on the face of the earth. As a whole, our population is living longer than they ever have. Economies of scale and efficiencies have brought the price of food down to the lowest percentage of per capita income that it has ever been. People can walk into a supermarket or a restaurant at any time of the year and find an endless array of food products that would defy the imagination of our ancestors of only 100 years ago. Sure, I guess it is easy to mock such a large target, but let

us not forget who actually makes up American agriculture. I know the internet is rife with reports of “industrial agriculture” and “factory farms,” but by and large, the vast majority of the farms in the United States are family owned and operated. Yes, many farms have gotten bigger in size over the past 50 or 100 years, but that is mainly due to advances in technology that have allowed farmers to become more efficient and thus more productive. And let us not forget that these same technological advances have also spurred increased productivity in just about every other facet of the American economy as well. So why is agriculture made out to be the bad guy here? Maybe it is due to a lack of understanding. I have stated before that for the most

part, what little education American children get about agriculture typically ends in the first grade with the mastery of the “Old MacDonald” nursery rhyme. Perhaps with a better understanding of agriculture, there would be a lot less misinformation out there concerning our nation’s food supply. And if we could all take an educated look at the current state of agriculture here in the U.S., we would see how fortunate we are to have so many options and choices in regards to our food supply. But as for choices, I know there is one restaurant I won’t be choosing. Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is a current member of the Tewksbury Township Committee, and a former Mayor of Tewksbury Township. He also served as a director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau and is a past president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Peter has also been featured on NJN, News 12 New Jersey and on the Fox Business Network.

NJ FFA Annual Horticultural Competition Carolyn Miller of Montgomery Township, Somerset County, takes in some of the magical flower scents in the “Remember When” category at the 38th annual New Jersey FFA Horticultural Exposition March 13-14 at Mercer County Community College – West Windsor Campus in West Windsor. Students enrolled in agricultural education programs at 23 high schools and two middle schools from across New Jersey participated in the exposition’s competition part, held on March 13. FFA students were provided with floral materials to create two floral arrangements and asked to calculate the retail cost of one of the arrangements based on the cost of labor, materials and supplies. More than 800 entries were registered and floral industry experts determined the winners of each class, as well as choosing a Best of Division for each. Arrangements then lined the hallways in the campus’s John P. Hanley Student Center on March 14, and were sold to the public after the competition and judging were complete. This exposition is the largest event of its kind in the state. The New Jersey FFA Association in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has more than 2,600 members statewide, who are preparing for careers and leadership in the agriculture industry. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of the history and heritage of the association that will never change. But FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers. FFA also welcomes members who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more. For this reason, the name of the organization was updated in 1988 after a vote of national convention delegates to reflect the growing Tom Castronovo/Photo diversity and new opportunities in the industry of agriculture.

10 April, 2015

Gardener News

Opening Day Set for Presby Memorial Iris Gardens 833(5 0217&/$,5 1 - ĘŠ &RPH VHH RXU EORRPV DW WKH (VVH[ &RXQW\ 3UHVE\ Memorial Iris Gardens. It is our 88th year of presenting the public with an unforgettable display of bearded iris, known as the “Rainbow on the Hill.â€? Families, couples, artists, photographers and iris lovers marvel at the sight of thousands of iris in bloom each May. The Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens is internationally renowned as the largest public iris garden in the United States, with display beds containing nearly 3,000 iris varieties (around 14,000 plants) that produce over 100,000 blooms. It is a living museum of botanical preservation, with some varieties dating back to the 1500s, and it is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Sites. In addition to the spectacular iris display, this year visitors will be invited to a schedule of special events designed to appeal to people of all ages. Programming begins Friday, May 8, National Public Gardens Day, by offering free lectures featuring authors Nancy Berner and Susan Lowry and the photographs of Gemma Ingalls of Gardens of the Garden State, a glorious photographic tour of the public and private gardens of New Jersey. The Bloom Room gift shop will also be open with an exciting mix of affordable house, garden and iris-related items. Presby’s Iris Plant Sale offers iris from our own gardens. “The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens welcomes spring to Montclair, Essex County and all of New Jersey with a rich roster of activities designed to accompany the landmark display of blooms,â€? says Nancy Skjei-Lawes, Board President of the Citizens Committee of the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. “We are looking forward to the bloom of bearded iris submissions for the 2016 American Iris Convention planted last season. We are also excited that our partnership with the Rutgers Master Gardeners will provide educational programming to the public in vegetable gardening, beekeeping, and pollinator plantings. We have something for everyone to see, learn, and enjoy.â€? “In 2009, Essex County purchased the Gardens as part of a unique partnership between government and community volunteers to preserve and protect the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, which are recognized internationally for their horticultural uniqueness, historical significance and natural beauty. We invite the public to come out and enjoy the dazzling display of colors on the ‘Rainbow on the Hill,’ and support the Citizens Committee’s work to maintain this valuable resource,â€? Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. said. For more information about the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens and 2015 activities, visit www.presbyirisgardens.org.

The beauty of spring ephemerals By Kathleen Salisbury ’Tis the season of spring ephemerals. The time of year when the soil starts to warm, and the ground, shades of browns and grays up until now, becomes studded with spots of bright white, pale pink, sky blue and clear yellow. Some of the early-spring flowers you should look for in your New Jersey forests are Dutchman’s Breeches, Spring Beauty, Trout Lilly, Trillium, Virginia Bluebells, Toothwort, Marsh Marigolds and Rue Anemone. If you want to see these, you have to get out and look now, because in a couple months it will be too late. Many of these flowers are classified as spring ephemerals, emerging, blooming and disappearing completely within a month or so. They are fleeting and not to be missed. Many spring ephemerals can be found along riparian zones and in moist woodlands. Unfortunately, these sensitive

areas are especially at-risk. Development alters water flows, resulting in flooding and drought, to which these plants aren’t accustomed. Invasive plants do well in these types of conditions (the reason why plants are invasive is because they do well in nearly any growing condition.) Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is just one of many invasive species threatening spring ephemeral and other native plant populations. This particular plant’s ability to withstand a tremendous variety of soil and climate conditions – from salty to 115 degrees to droughty to marshy, and its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil – makes this shrub suitable for any landscape situation in the Garden State, but also makes it a frightening threat to native plant communities. This plant has already escaped cultivation in the American West, wreaking havoc in all 11 western states. According to the U.S. Forest Service, more than 50 species of birds have been found to eat

the seeds of this shrub. Despite this fact, according to the National Park Service’s Alien Plant Working Group “although Russian-olive provides a plentiful source of edible fruits for birds, ecologists have found that bird species’ richness is actually higher in riparian areas dominated by native vegetation.� Once the bird deposits the seed, the trouble starts. The seed germinates into the rich riparian soil it and then “outcompetes native vegetation, interferes with natural plant succession and nutrient cycling� (Introduced Species Summary Project, Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) Emily Collins) Often, the biggest problems are the large, impenetrable colonies formed, excluding nearly any other type of vegetation. This shrub has proven such a nuisance that it has been declared a noxious weed in Colorado, New Mexico, California, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming, and has been banned in Connecticut. Just like many other

invasive species threatening our native plant populations, Russian Olive was brought to this country as an ornamental. Used throughout the west as a windbreak, this has just recently come off the U.S. Soil Conservation Service’s list of plants recommended for wildlife and windbreak plantings. Russian Olive’s cousin, Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is certainly, right now, more of a concern in our Eastern plant communities, having managed to escape cultivation into most fields, disturbed sites and “waste places� around the state, spreading the same way Russian Olive does, by birds. Let’s not let the Russian cousin catch up. There are two ways to ensure you get to witness the magic of spring ephemerals. First, get out on the trails in spring, focus your eyes to the left and right of the trails and scan your gaze along the forest floor into the darker depths. Look for the amethyst of hepaticas, the palest possible

pink of spring beauties and the carrion-reminiscent maroon of trilliums. Then, second, after you have witnessed the beauty and essential services these native plants provide, head to the garden center to begin your gardening season. Do your research. Make sure that what you are planting will not cause trouble beyond your own yard, in a place you may never visit, impacting communities you may never see. Do your own research; don’t be swayed into purchasing something just because the nice garden center salesman told you to buy it. Editor’s Note: Kathy Salisbury is a Horticulture Educator and the President of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey (NPSNJ). The NPSNJ is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation, protection and study of NJ’s native flora. To learn more about the Native Plant Society please visit www.npsnj.org or contact Kathy directly at president@npsnj.org.

Gardener News

April, 2015 11

Carpenter Ants – What are Carpenters Doing in My Garden? While tending your garden you notice large black ants. You tell yourself that these ants can’t be Carpenter Ants, because Carpenter Ants eat wood, not my garden. However, you notice these large ants crawling on plants and they seem to be interested in vegetable leaves. What’s going? You have Carpenter Ants. While some people may still be trying to figure out how much wood a woodchuck can chuck, I would like to answer the question “How much wood does a Carpenter Ant eat?” The answer: None. Carpenter Ants are commonly referred to as carpenters due to their ability to chew wood, not their ability to eat it. Carpenter Ants (Camponotus species) will chew through wood to hollow it out in an attempt to create a nesting And so it begins. Grass is getting greener; buds on trees and shrubs are swelling. Crocuses and spring bulbs begin their emergence from the ground, with so much more to follow. Mother Nature’s true powers and beauty begin to take shape. As she tries to shake off the last of the snowy winter, this month is an integral beginning to shape the spring into the right gear we need to be in. Now is when we need the weather to cooperate, because the right beginning will help guarantee success when the stress of the hot summer comes into play. April’s important role in the spring becomes our benefit. This month is the workforce of all the other months. April needs to thaw out the ground with some warm, moderate temperatures. As the weather warms and the ground thaws out, it helps to provide the proper hydration to soak into the ground and hit the root system and tissues of trees, plants and flowers. Rains instead of snow…will help to penetrate and soften tissues

site. The galleries that these ants create in wood appear smooth, as if sanded down with sandpaper by a carpenter. The neat work of the Camponotus ant contributed to its common name, the Carpenter Ant. Now, we know that these large ants don’t eat wood, so what are they eating? Why are they in my garden? Why are they on my plants? Honeydew. I’m not referring to the melon here; I am referring to the secretion. Honeydew is a sweet sticky secretion that is primarily made by aphids. However, it can come from other plant pests such as whiteflies as well. This honeydew supplies the Carpenter Ants with the carbohydrates that they crave and is most likely the reason that you have these ants in your garden. There is another possible reason as to why these ants may be calling your garden their own. Carpenter ants will hollow out lumber, firewood, stumps, trees

and other wood. If you are utilizing railroad ties or other lumber to construct raised beds, you may want to consider a close inspection. As noted earlier, Camponotus chew wood. As they excavate their galleries, the ants carry the chewed wood (often referred to as frass) to an open area. Often this excavated sawdust is dropped into a pile. Piles of unexplained sawdust near your lumber may now have an explanation: You have an active Carpenter Ant situation. An active Carpenter Ant situation in your garden in itself is not necessarily bad. However, it may be an indication of other issues. If you notice what appears to be a large ant (or any ant for that matter) resting on a leaf, you may want to take a closer look. Ants like honeydew. Their craving for honeydew has created a symbiotic relationship with the aphids that produce the honeydew. Therefore, what may appear to be an

ant resting on a leaf may actually be an ant protecting some aphids. Check the underside of the leaves of your plants. You may need a magnifying lens, as aphids are very small. Aphids will damage and potentially destroy your plants, so the presence of Carpenter Ants on your plants may have actually helped you identify a real problem in your garden. After conducting a thorough inspection, treatment should be considered. If the ant infestation is limited to plants only, consider treating the underlying problem: the aphids. If you identified sawdust and damage to wood, you may want to consider treating the areas where the damage was noted with an appropriate pesticide (read the label before choosing or using the product). There are a variety of products on the market to help you achieve your treatment goal. Lowimpact products containing

The Professional Grower By Tim Hionis Greenhouse Specialist

April showers bring May flowers of plants, barks, stems and branches, to allow them to reach their growth cycle and thrive properly. The cooperation of the weather this month allows trees, shrubs and perennials to wake up from dormancy and start growing again. To plant or not to plant? That is the question. The answer is, “It depends on what you are planting.” In April, there are items that can be planted. Trees and shrubs can be planted now. It is a good practice to keep an eye on an extended forecast. If there are lots of low nighttime temps, consider waiting until they get to a proper point. Perennials can be planted now as well, if they have been acclimated to withstand sudden temperature drops. If they

have been sheltered in a warm location like a greenhouse and there is a drastic change in temperature, it may cause damage to the plant and even cause death to the plant. Also, cool-weather flowers may be planted outdoors. Use the same caution with the plant material as mentioned before about being acclimated to be able to handle sudden drops in temperature. Many times, plant materials may be sheltered and nurtured in warmer environments to help push the plant along. By acclimating plants, you are taking them out of a warm and ideal environment that encourages growth and slowly introducing them to the outdoor environment so they can handle the stress of the outdoor environment for this time of year.

Why not wait till the temperature becomes more stable and predictable? Good question, but as you know, New Jersey’s climate can be unpredictable and vary greatly from extreme cold to extreme heat, and from extreme rains to extreme dryness and everything in between. It’s what makes New Jersey so unique and is one of the beauties that we have, but it also can be very challenging, particularly as a grower. Waiting until it gets warmer is an option, but doing so you miss out on stuff that blooms sooner. When it comes to blooming flowers, everything has a specific time. For instance, now is the time to plant pansies, not in July. Why is this? Pansies prefer early-spring’s April climate, not the heat of the

diatomaceous earth may help solve low-level situations. Another simple solution may be removing the infested wood (bedding lumber, firewood, that old wooden shed you have been meaning to demolish, etc.) If nests are located in firewood, you should probably consider burning that wood outdoors (fire pits, chimineas, etc.). Do not bring infested wood indoors as doing so may risk infesting your home. Severe situations such as damaged trees and the presence of Carpenter Ants indoors may require a professional inspection and/or treatment. Editor’s Note: Gregory Covello, ACE is an Associate Certified Entomologist and District Manager for Viking Pest Control based out of Warren, Somerset County. He is a back yard gardener and hobbyist bee keeper. He can be reached at 973-296-6523 or gcovello@vikingpest.com. summer in July. Another example, cherry blossoms, bloom in early-spring; you can’t get them to bloom in July. Why is this? It’s their time to bloom in early-spring. Why not plant zinnias or lantana, or impatiens now? You wouldn’t plant them now because they wouldn’t last the night. These are all warm loving annuals and cannot handle the climate April has to offer. You want to plant them well into the heart of May, around Memorial Day. How about tulips for July? Tulip is a cool-loving plant that, as the temperatures rise, the flower only lasts for a short period of time. So this is why it’s ideal to plant tulips in March and April. To enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature gives, it is important to understand that much of has to do with timing. Editor’s Note: Tim Hionis has been growing plants for over 20 years, and is co-owner of Hionis Greenhouses and Garden Center in Whitehouse Station, NJ. He can be reached by calling (908) 534-7710.

12 April, 2015

Gardener News

Although we offer a tremendous amount of educational opportunities to NJLCA members throughout the year, our busiest time is in the winter, when we kickoff our NJLCA University program. Unlike our membership meetings and trade show presentations, which are an hour long, NJLCA University courses are full-day workshops that provide in-depth education on a variety of topics including professional business practices, required certifications, landscape design and of course, safety. Last month, we offered three NJLCA University workshops at our pre-conference show the day before our trade show, “Landscape New Jersey,” which was held at the Meadowlands Convention Center in Secaucus. The first one was offered by DynaSCAPE, one of the leading and most popular software programs among landscape contractors. The second workshop focused on organic solutions for landscape professionals and was taught by some of the top industry experts. This particular topic is of utmost importance to the green industry as we continue to move further and further away from insecticides and pesticides (such as neonicotinoids) for lawn care and plant health care and more toward organic products that strengthen our lawns and landscapes utilizing safer and natural solutions. Our

“Category 3B Pesticide Training,” which is a required class for anyone who wants to sit for the Pesticide Exam. Category 3B covers all aspects of turf pest control, including schools, residential and commercial properties. Our classroom has seating for 50 and Wi-Fi connections for the instructor and the attendees. With a projection screen, projectors, white board and fuor laptops (available for those that may have forgotten theirs), we are ready for anything, from PowerPoint presentations to hands-on or interactive workshops. We even provide a continental breakfast and lunch at our workshops.

Of course we can’t. This winter season has been one of the coldest in history. If you think you can’t get warm, what about our landscape plants? There will invariably be some damage from the extreme cold and the temperature swings which have occurred. Landscapes need to be surveyed for winter damage and plans need to be made for any restoration. Damaged trees and shrubs can be pruned and cleaned up in anticipation of bud brake and new growth filling in the damaged areas. Most notably, broken branches and cracked limbs will need immediate help as soon as the thaw occurs. If any feeding was missed in the late-fall/early-winter period, those tasks can be performed now. Use of a rich micronutrient fertilizer that will provide essential mineral elements would be recommended. The use of beneficial bacteria will also aid in the recovery of winter-damaged plants as well. There are some plants which have burned leaves or needles, which will recover on their own. For this reason, having your landscapes inspected by a trained professional will give

The NJLCA Today By Jody Shilan, MLA Executive Director NJLCA University third workshop, which was actually a two-day workshop, offered attendees the opportunity to earn their ICPI certification for paver and retaining wall installations. ICPI or the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute developed this program to provide standards and training for landscape and hardscape contractors. Even though the trade show is over, we are continuing to offer NJLCA U courses at NJLCA Headquarters in Elmwood Park. This year, for the first time, we offered the OSHA Excavation Safety and Competent Person Training Course that focused on the general hazards associated with excavation and trenching work. This included safety concerns working near underground utilities, exposure to vehicular traffic and potential atmospheric hazards when excavating. We also offered a multiday short course, “Landscape Design, Graphics and Sales”

workshop series for the landscape professional. I developed this workshop to offer contractors with little to no experience the opportunity to create professional quality designs and drawings to present to their clients. Utilizing simple design and graphic techniques, in both black and white, as well as color, students could quickly and effectively create a professional quality landscape plan suitable for every budget. On the business side of things, our “Budgeting, Estimating and Project Management” series was created for business owners, estimators and production supervisors. Taught by industry icon Marcus vandeVliet, this no-nonsense workshop teaches contractors how to develop an annual budget for their business by reviewing their labor, materials, overhead and profit from previous years. He then teaches them how to utilize this information to develop their estimates working with the

Multiple Overhead Recovery System, or MORS as it is more commonly known. Attendees are given a real-world project to estimate to test their knowledge and compare it to other students. Finally, Marcus shows them how to transfer the design and estimate from the sales team to the production team, which is then responsible for turning the dream into reality, on-time and within budget. As we continue to transition away from pesticides, we still provide two classes, including “Basic Pesticide Training,” which is offered in both English and Spanish. It is required for anyone who wants to become a Certified Pesticide Applicator or Pesticide Operator. Among other things, this intensive course covers hazards associated with using pesticides, protective clothing and safety equipment and interpreting pesticide labels for proper usage. We also offer an advanced class,

The Landscaper By Evan Dickerson Landscape Professional

We Just Can’t Seem To Get Warmed Up property owners and managers a more complete diagnosis. Calling a landscape professional will provide a more clinical approach to formulating a landscape plan. Maintenance should be set up on a calendar for the season. This would include the results of a spring survey. Early pruning and recovery and nutritional help can be scheduled in this calendar. Proper fertilizer and pesticide application must be scheduled and the customer must be given a range of time that these applications will be made and this is a requirement of licensed operators. Weed control is an important part of a landscape plan as well. Certainly, an application of a chemical control is the most common way to provide a weed-free environment. However, there are alternatives which will minimize the

amount of pesticides used on our properties. Good cultural practices can impact the amount of weed growth in the landscape as well. Proper mowing height can help minimize the abundance of weeds. A full healthy lawn cut at 2.5 to 3 inches will not be as susceptible to weed growth. Soil testing will show the calcium-magnesium ratio in the soil. Raising the calcium on lawns with an outof-balance ratio can impact some weed growth as well. We can affect the germination of crabgrass, creeping bentgrass, smart weed, dandelion, redroot pigweed, purslane, lambsquarter, foxtail, barnyard grass and Bermuda grass. These are the most prevalent weeds in your landscape. Your landscape survey will point out areas which need remedial help. Damaged plants

may need replacement. Many times, older or improperly placed plants are more susceptible to winter damage. A plan of action can be created now to implement changes in the landscape, which will prevent the same kind of damage. There have been advances in plant breeding and development, making them slower growing and more resistant to insect and weather problems. The proper placement of plants in the landscape will influence their performance as well. If there have been dramatic changes in the conditions this also will have an impact. Drainage is a very important consideration. No plants can survive wet feet for very long. Soil considerations are also very important. Our native soils are very tight and acidic by nature. A well-drained loam

Editors Note: Jody Shilan is the owner of Jody Shilan Designs in Wyckoff, where he provides landscape design and consulting services for homeowners and landscape contractors. He earned his bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture from Cook College, Rutgers University and his masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Currently, he is Executive Director of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA). He can be reached at 201-783-2844 or jshilan@gmail.com.

is our target when installing a landscape. Many times this requires replacement or at least the tilling in of organic matter to help amend the consistency of the soil. During this process, a soil test will determine the pH, which can be altered from acidic to alkaline with the addition of certain mineral elements. Any time soil is amended, it is important to incorporate these amendments into the native soil. When planting some large specimen or shade trees, a welldrained native soil is sufficient. The key ingredient is drainage. A good management, design or planting plan is of paramount importance in the success of designing, renovating and managing your landscape. Your local landscape professional can help develop your plan of attack to ensure a successful landscape season as we continue to warm up. Editor’s Note: Evan Dickerson is owner of Dickerson Landscape Contractors and NaturesPro of North Plainfield. He has been pioneering the organic approach to plant health since 1972. Evan can be reached at 908-753-1490

Gardener News

April, 2015 13

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The Women Gardeners of Ridgewood

A Special Garden Event with

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Thursday, April 9, 2015 Information & Tickets: www.womengardenersofridgewood.com

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14 April, 2015

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Gardener News

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A 100 Year-Long Love Affair� Professor Anthony Aiello, Director of Horticulture at The Morris Arboretum, presents a fascinating lecture on the history of America’s flowering cherry trees. Light refreshments and a tour of Willowwood’ s splendid cherry collection follows. A facility of the Morris County Park Commission, Willowwood Arboretum is a 120+ acre botanical gem containing gardens of great beauty and rare plant treasures. Henry and Robert Tubbs, lived at Willowwood from 1908 to 1958. Under their careful stewardship the gardens of Willowwood first took form. The Willowwood Arboretum of today was made possible because of their passion for plants and collecting. 7KLV SURJUDP LV SUHVHQWHG LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK WKH :LOORZZRRG )RXQGDWLRQ

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Gardener News

April, 2015 15

16 April, 2015

Gardener News

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Gardener News

April, 2015 17

Help Save the Beloved Monarch Butterfly (Continued from page 1)

Then the process starts all over again. The butterflies mate and the females lay eggs. The Monarchs that emerge as adults at the end of the summer are different from the adults that emerge earlier in the summer. Instead of mating, they spend all their time and energy feeding on nectar, flying south and catching air currents, which enable them to migrate up to 2,800 miles to central California or central Mexico. When they reach their destination, they hibernate through the winter in trees. After several months, when the weather warms up in the spring, they begin to move northward again and females lay eggs for their first summer generation. The migrating generation of Monarchs live seven to nine months. Unfortunately, sprawling urban developments and intensive farming techniques mean fewer uncultivated margins where the milkweed species can thrive and provide habitat for the Monarch during its egg and larvae/caterpillar stages. When the females cannot find suitable habitat

Should April be called the month of “Crabgrass”? Crabgrass, what a harsh sounding name! We even call people “crabby” when they are in a bad mood. I’m not sure where this line of thought comes from, crabgrass in the lawn or nasty crabs nipping at your feet while you try to enjoy the Jersey Shore? Why is crabgrass so feared in our lawns? Because it’s ugly!? Let’s explore some crabgrass history Crabgrass is not native to the U.S.A.; it originated in Africa and was introduced to this country via European settlers in the 1800s. Over time, crabgrass was able to resist long periods of drought and heat from the harsh African climate. Crabgrass is capable of natural, consistent and prolific reseeding. It produces flat, spreading blades that lay close to the ground, allowing it to stay alive under low-mowing heights. Crabgrass seeds were a contaminant in animal feeds brought over on ships with livestock. There are some good uses for crabgrass as forage for grazing animals. Frequently crabgrass is

to lay eggs, the life cycle is interrupted and the overall population decreases. While scientists have been aware for several years of the Monarch butterfly’s life-threatening situation and possible extinction, promoting public, government and industry awareness of the plight of this beautiful insect is probably the only thing that can lead to saving it. It is commonly agreed that one solution is for all aspects of our society to plant more milkweed seed to assure continuous pathways of habitat from Canada to California and Mexico where the Monarch migrates for the winter months. There are over 120 species of milkweeds (Asclepias) and several are readily available. Two species are particularly colorful, Asclepias curassavica (tropical milkweed/ Bloodflower) is bright red, and A. tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) is orange. Some sources express concern when using A. curassavica as outlined here, but the North American Butterfly Association says it can be used

as a carefully managed garden plant as instructed below. A. tuberosa is a perennial that has been widely used in conservation and reclamation plantings. It can take two to three years to form a tuber before blooming. Other native species commercially available include: A. incarnata (prairie or swamp milkweed), A. speciosa (showy milkweed), and A. syriaca (common milkweed). These species have white, pale or deep pink flowers and are the most important food sources for the caterpillars to keep the butterflies healthy, according to Dara Satterfield of the University of Georgia. Her studies indicate the tropical species, Asclepias curassavica may be a source for a higher rate of the butterfly parasite, Ophryocyctis elektroscirrha. Also, if A. curassavica is planted, it should be cut down in the fall to prevent the butterflies from staying too long and interrupting their normal migration schedule. Other species should be included in any tropical milkweed planting. Since showy and common milkweed

are rhizomatous, they should be planted where their fast spreading habit is acceptable. Most milkweed species are easy to start indoors from seed. The seeds are flat, brown and oval (ovate) shaped, onequarter to one-half inch long. Plant the seed indoors (four to six weeks before intended transplanting to the garden) in a tray or pot of a light weight peat/soil/sand potting medium with good drainage and cover with one-eighth inch of the mixture. Keep well moistened in a cool, sunny window or greenhouse; the seed will germinate in 10 to 14 days. Transplant seedlings into three- to four-inch pots until they have a well-established root system. The plants can gradually be hardened off and planted outdoors in the spring or when daytime temperatures are between 60 to 70 degrees. Seeds of perennial species can also be planted directly in the ground in late summer or early spring when the soil can be tilled. Since Asclepias species do not like their roots to be disturbed, transplanting is more successful with well-

Turf ‘s Up By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

Got Crabgrass….? cropped with bluestem, weeping love grass, brome grass, sorghum, millets, cowpeas and soybeans. Enough about crabgrass in agriculture. What about crabgrass in your lawn? Crabgrass is a large, summer annual and a very aggressive species that competes with other desirable lawn grasses. While a sound crabgrass strategy should be considered in April, treating it in May and June perhaps is more important to prevent its appearance this summer. Many of us fear that if we do not apply crabgrass preventer every spring, we will get lots of crabgrass in our lawn. The best control of crabgrass is a healthy, growing lawn mowed at 2½ inches or higher to reduce crabgrass seeds’ ability to establish,

since sunlight is cut off. Also, crabgrass does not establish in shaded areas, so why apply crabgrass preventer all over if your lawn is half shade? Like many decisions in life, timing is important. When should I sell that stock, should I ask her to marry me, do I ask the boss for a raise this week? Crabgrass preventers applied in early-spring are generally a waste of time and money. We tend to have cool, rainy spring weather and that delays crabgrass seeds from germinating. Crabgrass seeds “start to germinate” when soil temperatures, not air temperatures, start to reach 55 degrees. Note that I highlighted “start to germinate,” because crabgrass can germinate over three months based on many environmental conditions.

If we put preventers down too early in spring, they run out of “gas” and give poor control of later-germinating crabgrass. If you are worried about missing the “crabgrass window” of control opportunity, use Dithiopyr (Dimension) crabgrass preventer because it controls crabgrass both before and after it germinates. If you had a lot of crabgrass in the past, consider a second application of Dimension in early-June. You can try a “seeding” strategy. Re-seed bare spots in early-spring and fertilize with a regular lawn fertilizer to “green-up” the grass, to get it growing. Once these newly seeded areas have been mowed three to four times, apply crabgrass preventer in late-spring. You can also try Siduron (Tupersan), a

established plants in pots. It is a good idea to plant a mixture of other nectarproducing plants with or near the milkweed to provide a food source for the emerging butterflies. Any wildflower or garden flower mixture designed to attract butterflies will serve this purpose, as will annuals such as alyssum, marigold and zinnia. The big question is how to get significant amounts of habitat re-established in appropriate parts of the country before it is too late and the Monarch becomes extinct. Everyone, including children, can help by planting more milkweed plants. Editor’s Note: The National Garden Bureau’s purpose is to educate, to inspire and to motivate people to increase their use of plants in homes, gardens and workplaces by being the marketing arm of the gardening industry. The National Garden Bureau recognizes and thanks Applewood Seed as the author of this story. Learn more about the National Garden Bureau at www.ngb.org

crabgrass preventer that you can apply the same day that you apply grass seed. If we kill all the crabgrass, we are left with bare spots that need to be re-seeded again anyway! If crabgrass plants start to show up this summer, pull them out before they get too big or produce seeds. One clump of crabgrass produces 150,000 seeds per year! Or, you can try spraying crabgrass out with products labeled for post-emergent crabgrass control. Follow label directions and avoid applications during hot, dry weather, or turf damage may occur. Think of crabgrass control strategies from earlyspring through summer, not just early-spring when the forsythias bloom. Crabgrass is here to stay in the U.S.A., but it does not need to be in your lawn. You can win the battle; I know you can do it! Editor’s Note: Todd Pretz is Vice President of Jonathan Green, a leading supplier of lawn and garden products in the northeast. For more information, please visit: www.jonathangreen.com

18 April, 2015

Gardener News Unique Plants By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist

Plant Something™, Perhaps Heuchera? During the winter, I have an opportunity to attend trade shows, lectures and horticultural events. This in turn helps with creating and maintaining relationships, staying on top of market trends, learning about new products, ideas and philosophies and, sometimes, it’s just an excuse to meet with old friends. This past February, the New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association (NJNLA), held their annual Retail Round Table discussion in Bordentown, N.J., an exciting event that covered lots of ground. Their annual event brings together many of New Jersey’s best garden retailers and provides an opportunity to share ideas, see valuable presentations and learn more about what the NJNLA is working on for the coming year. The event was kicked off with a great presentation from George Coombs, a research horticulturist at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, Del. Mr. Coombs was invited to speak about the perennial Heuchera, and his talk was exceptional. Before his discussion, I happened to be sitting next to him and asked for his top-three choices for full sun. Appreciative of his candor, he reaffirmed my beliefs that there really aren’t any. Heuchera, he later said, really do appreciate partial sun (less than four hours for most) to shade, despite what horticultural care tags may say. Mr. Coombs recapped the findings of a recently completed three-year evaluation of the perennial Heuchera, Coral Bells. Over 80 accessions were tested for qualities like vigor, habit, uniformity, disease-resistance, floral display and sun tolerance. They even learned which cultivars the public liked best, some of which did not perform the best. His work focuses on evaluating native plants, and their related cultivars, for their horticultural and ecological value. Quick to point out, in his discussion, that these plants were tested in USDA plant hardiness zones 6B/7A with 60-percent shade cloth in a clay-loam soil. Plants were well watered only during their first year in this three-year evaluation. Top performers from the study include: “Apple Crisp,â€? the only petite cultivar to make their top list. At just six inches high and 12 inches wide, “Apple Crisp’sâ€? small leaves are medium green with a faint silver vein. Reminding many of a “cute mound of lettuce,â€? their ruffled edges help to add a textural difference. “Steel Cityâ€? was Mr. Coombs top pick personally. Unique blue-green foliage is not often seen in any other cultivar. This medium-sized cultivar, in early-spring, has a multitude of muted silver leaves with a purple blush. “Frosted Violetâ€? is predominantly purple with silver highlights and “Southern Comfortâ€? has peach-colored leaves that fade to pale orange-yellow. “Citronelle,â€? a large and vigorous cultivar, captured my attention with its electric-yellow leaves that emerge in the spring. A blinding intensity out of the gate, it slowly fades to bright chartreuse for the rest of the growing season. Coombs strongly suggested Heuchera for container gardening and said it is then that they may be able to handle a bit more sun given the lighter, well-drained soil content. Also discussed at the event was a nationally recognized program coming to New Jersey thanks to a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, and the work of the NJNLA. The Plant Something™ program, plant-something.org, helps promote plants to consumers. A program rooted in Arizona, now 15 states have opted into the program. Stressing the importance that plants play, whether it’s economic, environmental, or health and well-being, plants add a “quality of lifeâ€? factor. “Get your hands dirty and plant somethingâ€? is a fun way for children to be introduced to gardening, while reaffirming to adults the value of plants. Pointing out, in a cute yet articulate video, plants not only beautify your yard, they can also lower utility bills, raise your property value, clean the air and water and even lower your heart rate. Statistics to support their locution include; “A well planned landscape can reduce an unshaded home’s air conditioning cost by 15%-50%â€? (Energy.gov.). “Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10% to a property’s valueâ€? (USDA Forest Service). The message is clear and simple‌ Plant Something and your life will be richer for it! Finally, the event offered a wonderful opportunity to network with some of the top garden center owners, horticultural brokers, growers and state representatives all focused on one thing, strengthening the “Green Industry.â€? A group dedicated to the industry’s overall health, suggestions and proven concepts were freely shared for the benefit of everyone. An amazing industry where direct competitors are not threatened by competition, but rather view the industry and those within it as a whole. If I had to do it all over again, I would still pick my industry and my profession! Editor’s Note: Bob LaHoff is co-owner of Hall’s Garden Center and Florist in Union County, a member of the Union County Board of Agriculture, the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, Reeves-Reed Arboretum Buildings and Grounds Committee, a lifetime member of the Conifer Society and past member of the retail council for Monrovia Growers. He can be reached at (908) 665-0331.

New Director of NJDA’s Division of Plant Industry 75(1721 1- ĘŠ 1HZ -HUVH\ 6HFUHWDU\ RI $JULFXOWXUH Douglas H. Fisher announces the appointment of Joseph Zoltowski of Cape May Court House as Director of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industry. Zoltowski worked as a supervising entomologist for the Gypsy Moth, Nursery Inspection and CAPS survey programs and served as Chief for the Bureau of Plant Pest and Disease Control for 12 years. He replaces Carl Schulze who retired after 33 years. “Joe has filled in for Carl many times and has represented the Department at many meetings over the years. Having him in this position is a great opportunity for us,â€? said Secretary Fisher. “His expertise and experience is greatly appreciated and we look forward to his leadership.â€? Zoltowski earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He continued his education and received a Masters of Forestry Degree from Duke University Graduate School of Forestry in Durham, North Carolina. He previously held a position with the Cape May County Municipal waste Utilities Authority as a lab technician and began his career with the Department of Agriculture in 1987. As Division Director, Zoltowski will be supervising multiple functions, including but not limited to: providing disease and pest protection through detection, control, and eradication, inspecting nurseries and plant dealers for plant pests, regulating importation of certain plants into New Jersey, performing tests related to the essential honey bee population, and biological control of plant pest efforts at the Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect-rearing Laboratory. To reach the Division of Plant Industry, please call 609-406-6939.

Gardener News

April, 2015 19

Chaenomeles – Youthful Plants! For gardeners, there is always one plant that triggers fond childhood memories and pulls us back to our youth. Chaenomeles, alias Flowering Quince, is one such plant from my childhood. During my high school years, I worked on an old estate and the owner had an ancient clump of Chaenomeles that always mystified me. Its thorny stems typically kept me at bay, but during spring, the orange display of flowers lit up the garden and my horticultural curiosity. Chaenomeles is a member of the Rosaceae, or Rose Family, and is a cousin to apples and pears. It consists of merely three species, all of which are native to Asia. The plant was first documented by Carl Peter Thunberg (17431828) during his visit to Japan in 1776. He mistakenly thought it to be a pear and in 1784 named the plant Pyrus japonica.

In 1796, Sir Joseph Banks, the Director of Kew, the Royal Botanic Gardens in England, introduced this plant to Europe. Based upon the greater quantity of seeds, Christiaan Hendrik Persoon (1761-1836) renamed the plant as a new species of Cydonia or Quince, naming it Cydonia japonica. It was the English botanist John Lindley (1799-1865) who finally determined it to be a unique and new genus, penning the name Chaenomeles in 1822. The name stems from the Greek Chainen, meaning to split and 0ƝORQ, referring to an apple or fruit. Evidently, Lindley had seen or was told that the fruit splits when ripe – a highly infrequent occurrence! Interestingly, this is not the end of the story. As is true of many plants found in Japan, the plant that Banks brought to Kew was not the true Chaenomeles japonica. The plant was actually Chaenomeles speciosa, a native to China that had been brought to Japan centuries before as an ornamental. The true Chaenomeles japonica grows to a mere four feet tall, while

C. speciosa stretches to eightto12 feet. The third species is Chaenomeles cathayensis. Unlike the previous two species, which sport two- to three-inch diameter orange or red flowers, this species has white flowers blushed with pink and also reaches heights of 12 feet or greater. The species epithet was penned by the Austrian botanist Camillo Karl Schneider (18761951), honoring its homeland. Cathay is the anglicized version of Catai, which during the medieval period referenced Northern China. The stems of all three species are armed with thorns and require attentive caution while pruning. Unlike true Quinces, Chaenomeles is cultivated for the abundance and extended appearance of the flowers, not the fruit. Hence, the common name of Flowering Quince. Interestingly, although most of the selections used in the Garden are from China, Chaenomeles was often known as Japonica during the 19th and early portions of the 20th Centuries. Depending upon the weather

vagaries of a given year, the plants typically begin to bloom in early-April and remain very colorful through early-May. Cultivars of Chaenomeles japonica and C. speciosa, along with the cross between the two, named C. x superba, display attractive single or double flowers that are red, pink, orange or a blushed white. Although Chaenomeles speciosa is typically quite tall, the selection ‘Iwai Nishiki’ is an exception, only reaching two feet tall and a rather portly 10 feet around. It is covered with double red flowers and makes a stunning groundcover. One of the hottest new forms is the Double Take™ Series from Dr. Thomas Ranney at North Carolina State University. The plants present very showy double red, pink or orange flowers on compact growing plants with thornless stems. Although best recognized for flowering, Chaenomeles fruit is also edible. They are highly acidic and unpalatable when raw, but with adequate sugar, they make an ideal jam or jelly. They also contain more

vitamin C than lemons and when fully ripened come autumn, they are often wonderfully aromatic. Chaenomeles are relatively carefree, flowering and fruiting best when grown in full sun in soils of average moisture and fertility. Once the plants mature, removal of the older canes promotes the regeneration of new, perpetuating the plant’s life and the chance for instilling memories in yet another youthful gardener.

Editor’s Note: Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth; is the managing director of the Rutgers Gardens, a 180-acre outdoor teaching classroom, horticultural research facility and arboretum; an adjunct professor in Landscape Architecture at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; regularly participates in the Rutgers – Continuing Education Program; and the immediate pastpresident of the Garden State Gardens Consortium. He can be reached at (732) 932-8451. For more information, please visit www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu

Agricultural and Horticultural Experts Gathered Paul J. Hlubik, State Executive Director of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, left; Pat Donovan, Owner, Classic Landscaping and Risk Prevention Consultants, and New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray, met up at the 5th Annual NJ Professional Landscape & Nursery Trade Show (NJ PLANTS), which was held at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, Middlesex County, N.J., on March 10-11, 2015. The show drew together landscape professionals and designers, agricultural officials and leaders, garden center owners, nursery growers, suppliers, commercial groundskeepers, snow removal specialists, golf course superintendents and public garden leaders. Tom Castronovo/Photo

20 April, 2015

Earth Day Celebration (',621 1- ʊ 7KH (GLVRQ (DUWK 'D\ Celebration will be co-presented by the Township of Edison, Edison Township Environmental Commission (ETEC), Edison Clean Communities Program and the Edison Sustainable Jersey Green Team (ESJGT) on Sunday, April 26, 2015, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The outdoor, day-event will be staged at Papaianni Park, located at 100 Municipal Boulevard, Edison, NJ 08817 (Rain Date: May 3, 2015). An opening address shall be made by a representative of the Honorable Mayor Thomas Lankey, followed by statements from other elected officials and dignitaries. A number of green/sustainable Presenters, Exhibitors, Vendors and Speakers are also planned. Event activities shall include: Volunteer Plantings, Site Cleaning, Organic Debris Consolidation and many other Green/Sustainable Actions; On-Site Air/Soil/Water Environmental Testing; Central Jersey Bicycle Association (CJBA) Bike Ride. Food will be available to purchase on-site. Since 2011 Edison Earth Day Celebrations have drawn approximately 3,100 visitors and participants, in total. This year (4/26/15) 1,200+ visitors and participants are anticipated, including numerous presenters and vendors. Food will be available to purchase on-site. A website for 2015 EEDC has been established at: www.EdisonNJ.org/earthday. Also, a QR Cube has been added to 2015 EEDC fliers with links to event information for iPhone users. As with prior Edison Earth Day Celebrations, the event shall be video-recorded, edited and broadcasted by award-winning Edison TV to 100,000 cable television-viewing households throughout the Edison/Greater Edison area. Edison Clean Communities Program will provide free, re-usable water bottles, as well as sponsor the portable rest facilities at the event. Also, free, re-usable shopping bags shall be presented to event Sponsors, Volunteers, Presenters, Vendors, Speakers and Invited Dignitaries, as well as the first 150 Visitors. Additionally, Volunteers will participate in assisting event Set-Ups, as well as Clearing and Cleaning the Site, before and after the 2015 EEDC. Ample parking will be available for event participants and visitors. For more information as to event attendance, volunteer/vendor/presenter participation and/or sponsorship, please contact Chris Mazauskas, Resource Development Officer, Dept. of Administration at 732-248-7356 (Office Telephone), 732-287-6679 (Office Fax) and/or cmazauskas@ edisonnj.org (E-mail). Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment. Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970, with the participation of over 20 million people. It was created by him in response to widespread environmental degradation. While the first Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes (the original, National Coordinator, during 1970), took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year by more than 500 million people. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues.

Gardener News

Got Milkweed? By Jeannie Geremia Garden Club of New Jersey Garden Centers across New Jersey will be hearing these two words as we head into spring and thoughts turn to creating corridors of milkweed for our monarch butterflies and other pollinators as well. Garden clubs, gardeners and the public understand that we need to take action and help this legendary butterfly survive by planting the only plant genus that monarch caterpillars eat. Who would have thought there’d ever be a problem as common milkweed was just that---common? As pointed out in prior articles, several elements contributed to the decline of milkweed and hence the need to create Monarch Waystations in our yards, gardens, public gardens, community gardens, along roadsides and medians throughout the Garden State and our country. Common milkweed and swamp milkweed have never been sought after plants, hence their absence from most garden centers. Our nursery and garden centers have carried Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly weed, and Asclepias curassavica, tropical milkweed, for many years as they are very showy and a magnet for our pollinators. Butterfly weed is a pretty, orange-flowered milkweed that ranges from 12 to 36 inches tall, and tropical milkweed is spectacular in shades of red and yellow. Several years ago, when I had tropical milkweed (an annual here in the northeast) and common milkweed in my yard, the monarch caterpillars were all over the tropical milkweed as their mother butterfly decided this was tastier than the common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. I had to physically move the caterpillars to the common milkweed about 30 feet away so they wouldn’t starve as they had devoured my six tropical milkweed plants.

Given a choice of the three perennial milkweeds in our area, butterfly weed, common milkweed and swamp milkweed, I find that monarchs favor Asclepias incarnata, swamp milkweed, and it’s an absolute draw to other butterfly species, as well as all kinds of bees. Swamp milkweed really hasn’t made its way to our garden centers yet, but do ask for it, as it is a beautiful addition in the garden with its glorious pink blossoms beckoning monarchs, bees and other butterflies. Those of you who have grown milkweed know very well that you’ll also get lots of little orange aphids at some point on your milkweed plants. Don’t despair, as that just comes with the territory. They usually are just a nuisance as they suck the juices from your milkweed plants. I use the hose and my hands to eliminate them, but you’ll find ladybugs hard at work eating them as well. In other words, they’re annoying to say the least, but won’t destroy your milkweed plants and have their role to play in nature, if just to feed lady bugs. I’d like to offer one further note of caution on growing milkweed. We know that milkweed is toxic to most other animals, and that’s why it has served the monarch so well. Birds, a natural enemy to butterflies, will avoid the monarch as they’ve come to realize that they’ll get sick if they choose to dine on the caterpillar or butterfly. Humans, too, have to use caution with milkweed, and wear gloves when working with the plants. The milky sap contains glycosides, which are toxic when eaten or swallowed. The plants are bitter, so your dog is not going to feast on these plants, nor will your children choose to dine on milkweed either, but it’s best to keep an eye on them when in the garden. Speaking of eyes, that’s where milkweed can become EXTREMELY

dangerous, as you want to avoid getting the milky sap into your eyes. Please be forearmed by reading up on milkweed. You can obtain Swamp milkweed seeds/plants locally from Toadshade Wildflower Farm in Frenchtown, N.J., or go to www.MonarchWatch.org., and order seeds/plants from them. If you’re a non-profit school or organization, you can fill out a grant application and receive 32 milkweed plugs free. Both sources also provide downloadable documents and catalogues on host and nectar/ pollen plants for various butterfly and bee species. Remember, too, to look out for upcoming spring plant sales at Rutgers Gardens, Frelinghuysen, N.J. Audubon, garden clubs and countless other buying opportunities, including at your local garden centers and nurseries throughout our state, and start growing your BUTTERFLY GARDENS, giving vital food to our pollinators. For too long, we’ve neglected our pollinator population, not realizing how critical they are to our very existence. Instead of creating an ongoing desert landscape devoid of flowering plants, think of yourself as a butterfly or bee and get to work providing them with food so they can continue to provide us with yummy fruits, flowers and vegetables. Join a Garden Club! Editor’s Note: Jeannie Geremia is the Community Gardens Chair and the Butterflies & BeeGAP Chair for the Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc., and is a National Garden Clubs, Inc., Accredited Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie can be reached by emailing: jeannieg42@earthlink.net Garden Club of New Jersey’s website is: www.gardenclubofnewjersey.com and phone number is: 732-249-0947.

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Gardener News

April, 2015 21

Astounding Entrance Garden, Living Color and Jersey Grown The dazzling excitement of a Hollywood movie premiere – scented with roses and popcorn — made every guest feel like a star at the 2015 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Philadelphia Flower Show, “Celebrate the Movies,” that debuted February 28 and ran to to March 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, right, and New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray entered the show on a red carpet, which led them through an Art Deco theater facade with a 29-foothigh marquee of flowers and more than 200 lights in blazing neon colors. The Entrance Garden recalled the fantastic interiors of 1920s movie palaces, with towering juniper and palm trees, a centerpiece made of thousands of roses “named” for movie superstars, sweeps of bright green hostas, hundreds of elegant calla lilies and grand chandeliers dripping with blossoms, moss, jewels and fabrics. Internationally renowned floral and garden designers used Disney and 'LVQH\ 3L[DU ILOPV DV LQVSLUDWLRQ IRU JDUGHQV DQG H[KLELWV WKDW KLJKOLJKWHG everyone’s favorite movies, from Cars to Frozen and Maleficent to the new live action film Cinderella. The show also showcased an amazing array of great shopping opportunities. From exceptional plants and garden tools to clothing and Tom Castronovo/Photo collectibles, shopping at the show offered unique horticultural products and services for everyone. While strolling through the Lights, Camera, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, Shop section, Secretary Fisher met up with New Jersey grower and farmer left, met up with New Jersey grower and farmer Kathleen Kathleen Gagan, owner of Peonies Envy, a nursery and display garden in Gagan, owner of Peonies Envy, a nursery and display Bernardsville, Somerset County, N.J. Gagan’s display booth featured and garden in Bernardsville, Somerset County, N.J. offered woodland, tree, herbaceous and intersectional peony plants. About 250,000 visitors enjoyed the show this year, approximately 10 percent more than the previous year. The Flower Show recaptured the excitement and magic for young people as well, more than doubling the number of children and students over last year. The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation’s largest and longest-running flower show. Proceeds from the show benefit the year-round programs of PHS, which is celebrating its 187th year of gardening, greening and learning. PHS is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1827, dedicated to creating beauty and building community through gardening, greening and learning. Next year’s show is scheduled for March 5-13, with the preview day set for Friday, March 4.

Tom Castronovo/Photo

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, right, and New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray get ready to enjoy a “reel to real” experience at the 2015 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Philadelphia Flower Show.

22 April, 2015

Gardener News

More than halfway through this brutal winter that’s left parts of the Northeast buried in snow, a new threat is already starting to weigh on officials’ shoulders. Once the heavy packs of snow that have accumulated begin to melt, Midcoast Maine, located on the Kennebec, Androscoggin, Sheepscot and New Meadows Rivers could see HEAVY flooding. And, with more snow coming on top of the five to six feet on the ground, the risk of flooding could be even greater. But that being said, “It really depends on the thaw,” Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) spokesman Peter Judge said. “It’s something we are going to monitor much more carefully this year, because of the amounts of snow.” Bangor, Maine, where snowfall depth recently surpassed 87 inches, is already dealing with these issues, planning ice breaking events with the Coast Guard. Winter storms Juno and Marcus, which happened nearly two weeks apart, gave Maine their sixth- and seventhheaviest snowstorms of all time, respectively. So far, my City of Bath has received 62 inches. The 143 year old Maine record is 122 inches in 1873-74 and the 143 year average is 68 inches, according to the National Weather Service. But that is not my focus here, my focus here are the 18 turkeys we have in the back yard every single day!

rate so it doesn’t have to expend as much energy in the cold. The bird’s winter survival mechanisms are many. There’s a reason it is the state bird. Now, my big concern - while mammals are shivering through a record cold and snowy winter, the insect world is faring better. Some of the most notorious pests – like ticks, black flies and browntail moth caterpillars – seem to have acclimated well to harsh winters and deep snow, which acts like a thick blanket insulating many of those bugs from the frigid air, experts say. “This really cold weather we’ve had, it would really be nasty to overwintering insects, but unfortunately, most of them are three feet under, fat and happy, sitting inside the well-insulated duff on the ground,” said Jim Dill, pest management specialist with the University of Maine. The duff is the thin layer of leafy, organic material just beneath the surface of the ground, where many insects spend the winter months. Uhh, an explosion of ticks and black flies in the spring is all we need after shoveling snow every other freakin’ day. Thanks for reading and see ya next month.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. With that being said, spring is a time of change, a new beginning or rebirth of sorts. Following with this theme, I have decided to renew this column and change the format around a bit to better suit the gardening and farming community to which this paper’s focus lies. I hope everyone enjoys this new approach, in which I will be keying in more specifically on our great states produce more directly. There will be more of an emphasis on the home gardener as well. No worries, I will still throw in a few of my own side stories as well. Here we go. Happy spring and I hope you enjoy the column! Ahhhh, asparagus, a true sign of spring. This wonderful vegetable, which is a flowering perennial in the lily family, is loaded with good stuff such as folic acid, potassium, fiber, thiamin and vitamins B6, A and C. Another great thing is that it is an antioxidant, which helps defend against diseases such as cancer. So how can you go wrong here? Healthy, delicious and easily prepared. The home gardener must

The Miscellaneous Gardener By Richard W. Perkins Freelance Writer

“A Harsh Winter for… Everyone” Something none of us have ever seen before According to my neighbor, the Game Warden for Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, record-setting cold and massive snow depths are taking a toll on some of Maine’s wildlife. The harsh weather has led to high mortality rates for ruffed grouse and has been perilous for other birds, such as northern saw-whet owls and wild turkeys. Hmmm, and that is why we have bought many 50-pound bags of cracked corn this year, dug out a spot under their roosting tree and keep putting it out on a daily basis with everything else all the neighbors pick up to add. No doubt, deer, raccoons, squirrels, etc. are hitting the turkeys’ stockpile as well. We don’t need to worry about the food running out - the turkeys tell us in a very loud and raucous manner when their food pile is nil. Our bird-feeding stations are getting hit hard as well. Cardinals are in abundance and recently robins have shown up in big numbers.

Everyone in the Northeast needs to help their wildlife this winter. Right? Right. In Portland, where the weather service has kept records since 1941, February, at 13.9, broke the all-time record set in 1979 for the coldest average temperature (15.6 degrees). “I’m very concerned for the wild turkey,” my neighbor said. “This deep snow in particular is hard on them. This winter is different because the snow has been so powdery, they can’t dig down for food. And, the winter has been long.” The black bear and Canada lynx are just two examples of animals well-adapted to a frozen landscape. State black bear biologist Jennifer Vashon said ample snow provides insulation to the bear’s den during hibernation. And Canada lynx, with their big paws, are perfectly adapted to walk on snow, no matter the depth. Moreover, its chief prey – the snowshoe hare – also is adapted to move quickly over deep snow.

“Winter is still a stress on any animal,” Vashon said. “Deer are having a tough time but are very resilient and will bounce back. The moose, the Maine state animal, which are at the southern end of their habitat range in Maine, do well in tough winters because of their long legs and thick coats.” However, state moose biologist Lee Kantar said moose calves could prove another victim of this winter. “Most moose go into winter with certain fat reserves, but calves do not,” Kantar said. “Certainly, there will be some mortality that is above normal. But it’s all yet to be seen. March and April are big, big months.” Meanwhile, the toughest winter travelers here can be among the smallest. The black-capped chickadee has proven a champion of winter and abounds at our feeders. The bird’s feather is designed to have a downy-like layer at the base that, when fluffed up, traps in warm air. It also can drop its metabolic

From the Deep By Craig Korb Executive Chef

Garden State Fresh have a bit of patience when it comes to planting asparagus, as it needs three years from planting to the first harvest. The life span is generally around 15 years and the thickness of the stalks will increase in diameter as the plant gets older. The larger diameter stalks are considered the best for eating. It is primarily harvested from January to June, depending upon the state. I enjoy all types and sizes of asparagus, including the white variety, which can be bitter in taste. The plant is believed to have been brought here by English colonists and thrives well in sandy soil. Production-wise, New Jersey is the fourthlargest producer of asparagus, with California leading the pack, followed by Michigan and Washington, respectively. China, by far, is the largest

producer in the world. This month’s recipe will be none other than cream of asparagus soup. Perfect for a cool day with perhaps a nice grilled cheese sandwich. Forget the classic tomato soup and grilled cheese; it’s asparagus time. Besides, we’ve got a few more months until tomatoes anyway. You can garnish the soup any number of ways, including a nice garlic crouton, a dollop of crème fraiche (or sour cream) or, my personal favorite, a generous sprinkle of bacon bits. This soup is pretty easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. A quick tip for figuring out how far down to cut the asparagus (the lower portion tends to be woody in texture) is to take one of the spears and bend it in half until it snaps. Keep the top portion

and discard the lower. Well, in closing I would like to say that I really enjoyed this “new style” and I’m extremely excited about the future articles, especially due to the fact that New Jersey produce high season is starting up. Good luck and enjoy! Cream of asparagus soup (serves 4-6) 2 bunches of asparagus, lower portion removed, top parts cut crosswise into quarter-inch pieces 1 lg. can (48 oz.) chicken stock/broth 1 lg. Spanish onion, sliced thin 1 pint heavy whipping cream. Salt White pepper 2 Tbsp. butter Method-in a medium-sized soup

Editors Note: Check out Richard’s photography at; rwperkinsphotography.com

or stock pot, melt butter over medium heat until foam disappears -add onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until onion is very soft, at least 15 minutes, lower heat if onion starts to brown -add asparagus and stir frequently for about five minutes -add chicken stock and bring to a boil, turning down to a simmer -simmer until asparagus is tender -carefully, working in small batches, ladle the soup into a blender or food processor until very smooth -place back into pot and whisk in heavy cream -season with salt and white pepper to taste Editor’s Note: Craig Korb is executive chef at The Crab’s Claw Inn, Lavallette, New Jersey. He has an Associates degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelors degree in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. For more information visit www.TheCrabsClaw.com or phone (732) 793-4447.

Gardener News

April, 2015 23

Break out the garden gloves Spring burst into bloom at the 19th Annual Springfest Garden Show, March 12-15, 2015, in the sun-drenched conservatory and greenhouse at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, N.J. Veteran Springfesters and garden enthusiasts alike found sun-filled spaces blooming with garden exhibits, featuring exciting new trends in landscaping. This year’s diverse gardens were created by David Wright Landscape Architect, LLC; Hautau Landscaping, Inc.; Three Seasons, LLC; Garden State Koi and Aquatic Center; Farmside Landscape & Design; Erik Enterprises Landscaping LLC; and Anthony Group Installers and Lakeview Landscaping. Attendees were also able to shop at the more than 75 charming vendors and horticultural services and were able to take in a gardening lecture or two, as they strolled through colorful gardens and pathways. The show attendees were also able to bring their kids to the Kids Plant Your Own Zone, and they were able to relax in a beautifully decorated cafÊ. The 2016 show, which will be the show’s 20th anniversary, will germinate and blossom on March 17-20. Springfest is a fundraiser for a division of the non-profit New Jersey State Fair, a 501c (3) corporation.

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Springfest Committee Members Brian M. Hautau, left, owner of Hautau Landscaping, Inc. in Branchville; Marty Carson, center, owner of Three Seasons, Inc. in Stillwater; and David H. Wright, a Licensed Landscape Architect in Branchville, happily welcome Springfesters and garden enthusiasts to the show.

Tom Castronovo/Photo

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, right, chats with Raj Sinha, center, owner of Liberty Farm in Sandyston and President of the Sussex County Board of Agriculture; and Karen Opilla, the Flower Show Director for the New Jersey State Fair, in the New Jersey State Fair’s Flower Show booth.

USDA to Gauge Farmland Ownership and Farm Economics 75(1721 1- ĘŠ 7KH 8 6 'HSDUWPHQW RI $JULFXOWXUHÂśV 1DWLRQDO $JULFXOWXUDO Statistics Service (NASS) is surveying farmland owners to measure financial impacts and challenges of land ownership. Landowners should watch for the forms for the survey, called Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL). “The recent Census of Agriculture counted almost 269,000 acres of land that were rented or leased in New Jersey, but it has been more than a decade since we spoke to landowners themselves,â€? said Bruce Eklund, New Jersey State Statistician. “I hope all who receive TOTAL surveys will respond to help update landownership information. The data will ensure that all decisions impacting New Jersey farmland is based on accurate information that comes directly from the source.â€? TOTAL is a part of the Census of Agriculture program, which means response to this survey is mandatory. The TOTAL survey program will collect data from both farm operators and landlords who are not farm operators to create a complete picture of farm costs, land ownership, demographics about farm operators and landlords, and improvements made to farmland and buildings, among other characteristics. More than 80,000 farmland owners and producers across the United States will receive TOTAL forms, including 460 in New Jersey. “This survey is lengthy and we realize some producers and landowners may have questions or need clarification,â€? explained Eklund “Interviewers will begin reaching out to those producers and landowners who have not yet responded to answer any questions they may have and help them fill out their questionnaires.â€? In addition to accurate data, NASS is strongly committed to confidentiality. Information provided by respondents is confidential by law. The agency safeguards the confidentiality of all responses, ensuring no individual respondent or operation can be identified. NASS will publish results of the TOTAL survey in its Quick Stats database in August 2015. Quick Stats is available online at www.quickstats.nass.usda.gov. NASS will also publish the economic data gathered in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on August 4, 2015. All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.

NJDA Offers New Online Beekeeper Registration (TRENTON, NJ) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher announced that beekeepers in New Jersey can now register as new beekeepers, update the registration of existing beekeepers, and add or remove over wintering beekeeping locations online through the Department of Agriculture’s New Jersey Forms and Registration Management System (NJFARMS). The Department of Agriculture requires beekeepers to register their hives for inspection to ensure the honey bees are both pest and disease free. This action prevents and controls the potential spread of disease within bee populations. Online registration allows for ease of determining the number and location of bee colonies, and this information can be used for a number of purposes. Online beekeeper registration saves taxpayer dollars by eliminating postage and printing costs, as well as saving time, eases location of data entry errors, and provides better accuracy of information. NJFARMS, which can be accessed at www.njfarms. nj.gov, also includes organic registration for those selling or distributing certified organic products in the state, and the store milk licensing for sellers of milk and milk products to obtain a New Jersey State Milk License online. In the future, more functions will be added to NJFARMS to include other department regulatory programs.

24 April, 2015

Gardener News

Mardi Gras in the Meadowlands The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) held their 38th annual trade show and conference, Landscape New Jersey 2015, on Wednesday, February 25, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, Hudson County, N.J. The show featured over 150 companies displaying the newest products, equipment, materials and services that make the landscape industry flourish in the New Jersey metropolitan area. Well over 1,300 landscape contractors and industry professionals attended. A State agricultural official also visited the show. This year, vendors infused their booths with the spirit of Mardi Gras. There were decorations, giveaways and costumed themed characters throughout. DEP Pesticide Credits were available for New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The show offered more equipment, more classes and the newest products and services available than last year, to help contractors succeed in 2015. Attendees also gained new ideas, learned how to increase profits and reduce costs, met Green Industry leaders and colleagues, and were able to network with their peers. Spanish speaking contractors also enjoyed Bidding and Estimating and Small Engine Maintenance classes in their own language. Tom Castronovo/Photo Attendees also learned how careless digging can damage Gail Woolcott, left, Director of Operations, NJLCA; Tom underground utilities, causing disruption of vital services, property Canete, second from left, President, NJLCA; New Jersey damage and even possible injury, and how they can take the proper steps to avoid damage and prevent expensive repairs, project delays Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray, center; and costly fines. They also learned that everyone must call 811 at Anthony Agudello, Board Member, NJLCA; and Joe OHDVW WKUHH EXVLQHVV GD\V SULRU WR RXWGRRU FRQVWUXFWLRQ RU GLJJLQJ ĘŠ Bolognese, Board Member, NJLCA, at the front entrance to the Mardi Gras-themed show. FRQWUDFWRUV DQG SURSHUW\ RZQHUV ĘŠ ZKRHYHU LV H[FDYDWLQJ The 2016 show is scheduled for March 2. The NJLCA is a group of professional landscape contractors dedicated to advancing the integrity, proficiency and continued growth of the landscape industry. As an NJLCA member, you receive valuable information and benefits indispensable to the ongoing success of your business.

Tom Castronovo/Photo

New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray, center, checks out a Bobcat T450 Compact Track Loader as Vincent Ryan, President, Bobcat of North Jersey, left, and Pat Barckett, Director of Sales and Marketing, Bobcat of North Jersey, explain the machine’s features to him in the center of the Mardi Gras-themed show.

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Greg Stewart, right, Public Relations Administrator, New Jersey One Call, and Alonzo Bess, Customer Service Representative, New Jersey One Call, in their trade show booth. Calling 811 was their theme at the Mardi Gras-infused landscape show.

Gardener News

April, 2015 25

Variety is the spice of life, they say. And when it comes to the food we eat, there is plenty to choose! Some may have a routine and have certain foods on certain days. Others like something different most of the time and certain things on certain days. Most people like to mix it up a bit. You can go around and ask anyone their favorite type of food and their favorite dish. Some will come up with the dish right away and others may take time to decide. There is a discernable difference. Bottom line is this: We need food to sustain all living creatures. So why not try different things? Why not step out of your comfort zone just a little bit and be daring? Growing up, there was one kind of lettuce I knew, and that was iceberg. It was a quick chop and add Italian dressing and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers and you had a salad. There were not even grape tomatoes around at the time, as they were introduced worldwide in the 1990s. Today, iceberg is more popular as a wedge salad, which is generally a quarter head cut and drizzled with blue cheese dressing and topped with bacon.

attributes. Rutgers has developed many varieties over the years, including the most widely used cranberry seed, the famous Ramapo tomato and now the Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce. Scarlet lettuce is a deep burgundy-colored lettuce that has high levels of polyphenols that work against Diabetes, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The lettuce fits snugly in the category between leaf lettuce and butter lettuce because of its size and tenderness. Lettuce lovers are thrilled with the new addition! Rutgers has done it again with a great new product. But lettuce lovers beware, the choices just got bigger.

Passionate About Produce By Paul Kneeland The King of Produce

The Scarlet Lettuce Lettuce was first cultivated by the ancient Egyptians and then brought into the Roman Empire and by Greece. Evidence of its cultivation came as early as 2600 B.C. It is referred to in ancient writings throughout history. It was called lactuca in ancient Rome, referring to its milky substance that appears when harvested that we now call lactose. It stands to reason that Romaine Lettuce originated from Rome! There are literally hundreds of types of lettuce available to the consumer these days. Most we recognize in the grocery stores, such as iceberg, leaf lettuces (including romaine, green and red leaf), butter lettuces, and mixed lettuces (such as spring mixes and the like). They are all nutritious and all delicious, especially when adding in the accoutrements.

In the past decade, we have included herbs and spinaches into the grouping of lettuces. Spinach salad is commonplace. Spring mix salad is becoming more popular with the variety of different baby lettuces, both spicy and savory. It stands to reason when you go to a restaurant; most likely you would get a choice one of the aforementioned salads. Spinach, Iceberg, Caesar (with Romaine), or Mixed Baby Greens (Spring Mix) are generally on the menu. But there is so much more. Micro greens made their introduction in the early 2000s and their popularity has grown among many higher-end chefs and upper-echelon foodies, but they are barely main stream. They really are a step above the more popular alfalfa sprouts and the newly popular pea shoots. If you want different tastes and flavors, this is truly a micro

category to follow. Not just for salads, but they can be exquisite on sandwiches, seafood and protein dishes. One of the “hot� products in the past five years has been arugula. It comes from the mustard family and is related to the radish and watercress. It is most certainly in the herb family and one of the most tasty, delicious salads to date. Arugula in a salad is best when it is drenched in white vinegar and balsamic for a few hours then served with shaved Parmesan. It is also delicious on a sandwich. Given the diversity of the lettuce category, scientists and universities are trying to develop new seed that creates a delicious product that is sustainable, and, of course, is marketable in large quantities. Rutgers University has been a leader in creating hybrid products that hit these

Editor’s Note: Paul Kneeland is the Vice President of Floral, Meat, Produce and Seafood for Kings Food Markets, President of the Eastern Produce Council, and a board member of the Produce Marketing Association. He holds degrees in Business Management from Boston College as well as Northeastern University. He can be reached at pkneeland@kingssm.com

26 April, 2015

Gardener News RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PHONE DIRECTORY Atlantic County Phone: 609-625-0056 Bergen County Phone: 201-336-6780 Burlington County Phone: 609-265-5050 Camden County Phone: 856 216 7130 Cape May County Phone: 609-465-5115 Cumberland County Phone: 856-451-2800 Essex County Phone: 973-228-2210 Gloucester County Phone: 856-307-6450 Hudson County Phone: 201-915-1399 Hunterdon County Phone: 908-788-1339 Mercer County Phone: 609-989-6830

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Proper garden preparation is perhaps the most important activity you can do this spring to ensure a plentiful harvest. An important first step is to determine when to turn the soil. If the soil is still sticky and clumps together, then tilling may cause soil compaction, drainage, and aeration problems later on in the season. If the soil crumbles when you work it around in your hands, then it’s okay to till. And if you didn’t get your soil tested last fall, visit your local Cooperative Extension office to pick up a soil testing kit. Based on the tests results, you can work the appropriate amounts of lime and fertilizer into the soil.

Gardener News

April, 2015 27

NEW TORO® SPREADER SPRAYER

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Feed and treat properties quickly and precisely with Toro’s new stand-on Spreader Sprayer. Steer” technology lets you easily steer with one hand, leaving the other Groundbreaking “Lean Lean to Steer hand free to adjust spreading and spraying settings on the fly. The large larg ge hopper and spray tank also give you high capacity in a compact design so you can finish the job without stopping to refill. Toro’s innovations give you a spreader sprayer that increases your productivity y for more jobs and more profit.

AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL TORO DEALER | TORO.COM/DEALER | TORO.COM/SPREADER © 2015 The Toro Company

28 April, 2015

Gardener News

inspiration strikes

Ribboned Zucchini Almond Salad with Citrus Basil Dressing Visit kingsfoodmarkets.com/uniquerecipes for delicious spring recipes and more

TASTE EVERY BIT OF THE SEASON At Kings, you’ll find the most delicious ingredients to get a little taste of spring in everything you eat, whether it’s a hand-mixed salad full of fresh organic greens or a gourmet chef-prepared dish. Create or cater beautiful meals filled with our fresh and absolutely inspirational ingredients and experience the season in all its beauty. Pick up the most inspirational flavors of spring at your local Kings today.

Follow us for fresh updates | kingsfoodmarkets.com | #SpringWithKings

©2015 Kings Food Markets

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