Gardener News 16 Mount Bethel Road #123 Warren, NJ 07059
TAKE ONE May, 2015
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Gardener News Serving the Agricultural, Gardening and Landscaping Communities
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GARDENERNEWS.COM
No. 145
Growing Year-Round Produce By Tom Castronovo Executive Editor
Tom Castronovo/Photo
Tom Deckenbach, co-owner of Hamilton Farms in Boonton Township, Morris County, N.J., looks over his hydroponic lettuce crop.
High demand for sustainably produced, local fresh food is slowly convincing greenhouse growers to convert some of their floriculture square footage to growing yearround produce. Tom Deckenbach, co-owner of Hamilton Farms in Boonton Township, Morris County, N.J., is one such grower, who made it official in 2015. “I’m going to start slow and watch it grow,” said Deckenbach. “As demand increases, the amount of dedicated space in my operation will increase.” Some of the floriculture crops that Deckenbach currently grows are bedding plants, potted flowering plants, better known as annuals and perennials and foliage plants. As we all know, this is a very seasonable business. Last year, Deckenbach saw a demand for fresh local year-round produce and to increase his business to a year-round one when several local chefs approached him on the idea of growing vegetables and herbs full time. One local tomato sauce company also approached him and he is now growing fresh basil for (Continued on Page 20)
2 May, 2015
GARDEN CENTER DIRECTORY
Gardener News
Magnificant Flowers in All Colors
Vegetable Garden Headquarters Mother’s Day Flowers
Gardener News
May, 2015 3 Around The Garden By Tom Castronovo Gardener News
Happy May Everyone! As the temperatures begin to warm up, the sounds of backpack blowers and mowers can now be heard in every town. Landscape professionals and lawn service companies are desperately trying to catch up from the late start this year. As a former landscape professional, years like the one contractors are experiencing right now were real tough. It put everything on a faster-than-normal pace. Less time to complete clean ups, edge beds and install mulch before the lawns came out of dormancy. It was a real race against time. So if your contractor is a wee bit behind this year, please cut them a little slack. Thanks! As we continue the season for outdoor projects and maintaining your lawns, there are a few things I’m going to bring to light here. If you are planning on hiring a landscape professional and/or a lawn service company, please consider the following: First and foremost, make sure they have insurance. Specifically Workman’s Compensation and Liability Insurance. Without it, your home and assets could be at risk if someone is injured on your property. Simply ask them for a copy naming you as additionally insured. In New Jersey, every registered contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance in a minimum amount of $500,000.00 per occurrence. New Jersey law also requires that all New Jersey employers, not covered by federal programs, have workers’ compensation coverage or be approved for self-insurance. Even out-of-state employers may need workers’ compensation coverage if a contract of employment is entered into in New Jersey or if work is performed in New Jersey. If the prospective contractor is going to make any type of improvement to your property, such as installing trees, shrubs, flowers, a paver patio, a driveway, sidewalk, swimming pool or a fence and/or a host of any other type of physical improvements, make sure they have a New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor’s Registration Number. The registered contractor must provide you with a contract for a purchase price in excess of $500, and all changes in the terms and conditions thereof shall be in writing. Home improvement contracts must be in writing, and all changes in the terms and conditions thereof shall be signed by all parties thereto, and shall clearly and accurately set forth in legible form and in understandable language all terms and conditions of the contract, including, but not limited to, the following: The legal name and business address of the seller, including the legal name and business address of the sales representative or agent who solicited or negotiated the contract for the seller; The total price or other consideration to be paid by the buyer, including all finance charges. If the contract is one for time and materials, the hourly rate for labor and all other terms and conditions of the contract affecting price shall be clearly stated; The dates or time period on or within which the work is to begin and be completed by the seller; and a statement of any guarantee or warranty with respect to any products, materials, labor or services made by the seller. A New Jersey-registered home improvement contractor shall prominently display: The original registration certificate or a duplicate registration certificate issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs at each place of business; and the contractor’s registration number on all advertisements distributed within this State, on business documents, contracts and correspondence with consumers of home improvement services in this State. All commercial vehicles registered in this State and leased or owned by a registrant and used by the registrant for the purpose of providing home improvements, except for vehicles leased or owned by a registrant to a customer of that registrant, shall be marked on both sides with the following information: The name of the registered home improvement contractor in lettering at least one inch in height; and “HIC reg. #” followed by the registration number of the registrant in lettering at least one inch in height. Any invoice, contract or correspondence given by a registrant to you shall prominently contain the toll-free telephone number provided by the Division pursuant to (b) of N.J.S.A. 56:8-149 and shall be displayed in all caps in at least 10-point boldface type as follows: FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CONTRACTORS AND THE CONTRACTORS’ REGISTRATION ACT, CONTACT THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT 1-888-656-6225. You can easily check to see if your contractor is properly registered with the State of New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs at https://newjersey.mylicense.com/verification/ If your contractor is only going to cut your grass, they need not be registered. If they are going to apply fertilizer or any type of pesticides or herbicides on your property, they must be registered and/or licensed to do so. Ask them for a copy of their current documents. You can also ask them if they will stay on your project before moving on to another customer’s project, if they have a company-wide drug, safety and driver program, or if they have any formal educational training or industry accreditation such as CLT or CNLP. Or if they have a horticulturalist on staff. Most of all, ask them for recommendations. If he or she happily provides some to you, take the time to call them. And by the way, I think weed fabric is a waste of money. 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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4 May, 2015
Gardener News
It is spring in the Garden State and after such a harsh winter, most everyone I know is now thinking about what is green and growing in our midst. The farmers are in full swing working the lands, our greenhouses are full and bursting with product and our nurseries and garden centers are alive with variety and color. With that in mind, it is only natural, too, that New Jerseyans are looking around areas surrounding their homes and neighborhoods to find spaces to begin that wondrous act of planting flowers. Magnificent annuals, biennials and perennials are available to delight the gardener and passersby alike. There are so many choices for us to make for which we have the ultimate goal of creating beautiful spaces. This act of planting a garden plays out universally across the globe and finds no detractors. What could be said negatively of flowers? They have only two missions -- to attract others in nature to take notice of their irresistible beauty and to provide nectar for pollinators. Emerson touted, “Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities of the world.”
install gardens, learn how to get them to thrive year after year and incorporate them into the curriculum and food service. The Department of Agriculture also supports school gardens through our Farm to School Recognition program that highlights schools who pledge to connect children with fresh local produce. School gardens are an integral component of that, helping students to understand where their food comes from and the effort it takes to grow produce. I am looking forward to my flowers growing and visiting beautiful school gardens this year. Happy planting!
NJ Dept. of Agriculture By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture
Stop and Smell the Flowers in NJ This Spring Walt Whitman wrote, “A morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.” At some point in one’s life, I believe everyone has a memory of flowers, plants or trees which had an impact on them. It might have been the flowers a bride carried at her wedding, or perhaps a flowering shrub that blooms each spring over a loved one’s grave. Allow yourself to ponder the notion of a flower that you have always admired and how that came to be. On so many levels, there is value to derive from such an act. For instance, I have always been drawn to the sight and fragrance of the purple lilac, probably because they grew wild behind my family home. When they bloomed, that signaled to me that spring had arrived. Another example in
my life that many have heard me speak of in my travels is a flower garden I planted at 8 years old. I planted from seed zinnias and nasturtiums. It was a profound experience that taught me the value of planning and toiling to work for a desired outcome. Encourage your children to live this same experience, because I can promise it will have a tangible benefit years later. I am starting to see a real resurgence in the interest in gardening in families and schools across New Jersey. There is so much children can learn from garden activity. In fact, many more schools around the state have already planted flower and vegetable gardens, some using these gardens as outdoor classrooms and incorporating them into the curriculum, partnering with school foodservice
Look Who’s Reading the Gardener News!
It’s in the news
Tom Castronovo/Photo
Professional hockey player Patrik Eliáš, a career-long New Jersey Devil and currently the team’s longest-tenured skater and an alternate captain, looks over the April Gardener News at Sports Minded Unlimited in Warren Township, Somerset County, N.J. Eliáš is the franchise’s alltime leader in points, goals and assists, and he holds the franchise record for the most points in a season and the most career game-winning goals. The New Jersey Devils are a professional hockey team based in Newark, N.J., that competes in the National Hockey League (NHL). Eliáš was drafted by the team in 1994.
to serve the harvested produce in school meals and helping those in need in the community. If your school doesn’t yet have a garden, there are many resources out there to help you. A first stop might be your Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardener or Certified Gardener programs, as well as the Family and Community Health Sciences program. The New Jersey Agricultural Society has a wonderful “Learning Through Gardening” program that helps schools grow gardens, provides teacher training and teaches how to use those gardens in the curriculum. School gardens are a component of the Farm to School Program. The New Jersey Farm to School Network provides resources and support to help schools
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
Gardener News
May, 2015 5
Support NJ Agriculture JERSEY GROWN
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When you’re shopping for JERSEY GROWN nursery stock, you know the trees, shrubs, plants and flowers are checked for quality, disease, are pest free, and accustomed to the Garden State’s climate and soil conditions.
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Governor Chris Christie Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher
jerseygrown.nj.gov
6 May, 2015
RUTGERS NJAES/RCE
NJ Compost Operator Certification Course Synopsis: N.J.A.C. 7:26A - 1.4(a)(14)(xiv) states that all operators of composting facilities in New Jersey must “attend a composting course.....approved by the Department.” This course meets the requirements of the regulations and will help you to improve your facility’s operation. Start Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 8:30 AM End Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 3:30 PM Location: Duke Farms Hillsborough, NJ US Web Site: http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/courses/current/ er0303cb.html Contact Name: Carol Broccoli Contact Email: broccoli@njaes.rutgers.edu Contact Phone: (732) 932-9271 ext. 618 Additional Information: Specific topics to be covered include: -NJDEP regulatory requirements -The scientific principles of composting, or “Why Compost Happens” -How to avoid the “Murphy’s Law” of composting and what to do when the law strikes (health and odor issues). A Certificate of Completion will be provided to each fully paid participant who successfully completes the course. If you are a New Jersey Certified Recycling Professional, this class will give you six (6) recertification credits.
Rutgers Bee-ginner’s Beekeeping This two and a half-day program covers the basics of apiculture by providing comprehensive information and handson experience to help students start, maintain and care for a honey bee colony. Day 3 will conclude at 12:00pm. Start Time: Thursday, May 21, 2015 9:00 AM End Time: Saturday, May 23, 2015 4:00 PM Location: Rutgers Eco Complex Bordentown, NJ US Web Site: http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/courses/current/ ae0401cc.html Contact Name: Dalynn Knigge Contact Email: knigge@njaes.rutgers.edu Contact Phone: (732) 932-9271 ext. 622 Additional Information: Whether you have no experience or a few years as an apiarist under your belt, you will gain valuable insights from our seasoned instructors who share the knowledge they have gained through 45+ years of combined experience. Course topics include: -Bee Biology -Hive Management -Queen Bee Purchasing -Honey Extraction -Bees in an Urban Setting The apiculture course includes hands-on training on a number of important topics related to beekeeping, including assembling hives and opening and examining colonies. From disease and mite prevention and hive management to honey production, this class will cover everything you need to know to further your hobby or get your business off the ground.
Lord Nelson, Award-winning Rutgers Horse, Passes Away at the Ripe Old Age of 42 Until his retirement in 2000, Lord Nelson served the university’s Department of Public Safety as a mounted patrol horse as well as helped carry the Scarlet Knight mascot across the field at Rutgers football games. The 42-year old American Quarter horse was purchased in 1978 by the Rutgers Equine Science Center (ESC). Following his retirement, Lord Nelson became the centerpiece of an interactive youth component called “Equine Science 4 Kids” on the ESC’s website. A tribute to his character, earlier this year Lord Nelson won the inaugural “Horse Personality of the Year” award at the Annual Breeders Awards luncheon, hosted by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. A memorial research fund has been set up in his name to further “old horse” research at Rutgers. The Lord Nelson Older Horse Research Fund will further the research that kept him going for 42 years. Questions about how to donate can be emailed to esc@aesop.rutgers.edu or inquiries can be made by phone at 848-932-9419.
Gardener News
From the Director’s Desk
Rutgers Outreach Provided by Larry S. Katz, Ph.D. Sr. Associate Director
VETS Earned their Green and Blue Stripes through Rutgers Military veterans return to civilian life armed with discipline and a set of skills that can serve them well in the workforce. Nationwide, veterans have a slightly lower unemployment rate than the general population. That slight edge, however, has not manifested equally across the country, and some states have higher veteran unemployment rates, with New Jersey among the highest. In a slow economy, unemployed veterans in New Jersey can benefit from job training and knowledge that can help them establish their own businesses, when others aren’t hiring. Through a partnership coordinated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) of Essex County, unemployed New Jersey veterans have been trained through a green job skills program focused on sustainable landscaping, urban agriculture, stormwater management and aquaponics. The Rutgers Veterans Environmental Technology and Solutions Program (Rutgers VETS) encompasses developing these skills within an entrepreneurial framework. The Rutgers VETS program was launched in May 2014, and this March, the inaugural class of 12 veterans graduated in a proud moment at the Willing Heart Community Care Center in Newark. The prospects are bright for this group. Five of the graduates plan to team up, starting their own landscaping business, and others plan to continue their education in landscaping, horticulture and other subjects they learned through the program. They are leaving the program with state licenses in pesticide and fertilizer application, and most importantly, with enough business training to go out on their own. During this inaugural year of the program, and inspired by the remediation of a local environmental problem, an aquaponics venture was incorporated into the training, which has also turned into an employment opportunity. Prompted by a concern about human health risk to those who eat contaminated fish from the Passaic River while a long-term remediation plan is set into place, the Rutgers VETS participants will raise healthy fish to exchange with contaminated fish that some anglers are taking from the river as food. There is also a hydroponics component, in which water from the fish tanks is used to provide nutrients to grow vegetables. The vegetables will be donated to the food pantry of a local church. The training component of the Rutgers VETS program is led by Jan Zientek, senior program coordinator, RCE of Essex County, and Amy Rowe, environmental and resource management agent, RCE Essex and Passaic counties. The aquaponics project is a collaboration among Rutgers, the Metropolitan Baptist Church Development Corporation and the Lower Passaic River Cooperating Parties Group, comprising 60 companies working to improve the condition of the Lower Passaic River. The Group provided an educational stipend to the veterans during their training. The stipend enabled the participants to focus full-time on mastering the knowledge and skills to begin a new career in horticulture or agriculture. The aquaponics project demonstrates how this program benefits the veterans and the community. While the vets were receiving over 900 hours of training, they were also sprucing up New Jersey public spaces. The hands-on fieldwork reinforces the concepts learned in the classroom and gives the vets valuable landscaping experience. They planted dogwoods in Essex County’s Brookdale Park, and pruned, weeded and mulched in Newark’s Branch Brook Park. They created a community garden in Newark that provides fresh vegetables for garden members and supplies a local food bank. The group also installed an irrigation system at the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair, and they spruced up the VA hospital grounds in East Orange. This unique program was modeled after the Rutgers Master Gardener program, in which gardeners are trained by Rutgers horticultural experts and apply their skills while volunteering in their communities. In 2008, veteran Thurston Mangron, a Rutgers Master Gardener from Essex County, approached Jan Zientek about involving veterans, and a partnership with the U.S. Veterans Affairs administration was developed. For the first two years it was an informal gardening class for veterans in rehab at the VA. This effort served as horticultural therapy that led to healing, stress reduction, and innovation—and touched the lives of many veterans. From there, the need and opportunity opened new doors for this program to grow into employment/entrepreneurship training, and with Amy Rowe’s involvement, to expand beyond basic gardening into water conservation and stormwater management. The program has been transformative on an administrative level as well. Having veterans solving environmental problems at the VA facility was not standard practice at the VA. The veterans gardening program helped changed that. The program is now recruiting this year’s new class of veterans. We look forward to seeing what great things the first group of Rutgers VETS graduates will go on to accomplish. To all our veterans, I add a heartfelt THANK YOU! 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/
Gardener News
May, 2015 7
Jersey Grown Planting Season Begins in the Garden State ($67 %5816:,&. 1- ĘŠ 1HZ -HUVH\ 6HQDWH 3UHVLGHQW 6WHYH 6ZHHQH\ MRLQHG E\ 1HZ -HUVH\ 6HFUHWDU\ RI $JULFXOWXUH 'RXJODV )LVKHU DQG New Jersey Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin, visited Ferris Farms of East Brunswick, Middlesex County, N.J., on April 15 to promote the Jersey Grown program and to support New Jersey agriculture for its continued importance to New Jersey’s economy. The visit, just as the planting season began, showcased the value of plants, trees, flowers and shrubs as part of the state’s agriculture sector. “Support for our state’s homegrown products and local businesses means sowing a stronger New Jersey economy,â€? said Senator Sweeney. “Agriculture plays a significant role in our economy, and these products are an important part of our agriculture community. We are the Garden State, we take pride in the quality of Jersey Grown products.â€? Based on the popular and successful Jersey Fresh program, Jersey Grown is New Jersey’s brand for locally grown plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, annual bedding plants and Christmas trees. Jersey Grown uses special labeling to make New Jersey-grown plants more visible to consumers. The label certifies the item was grown in New Jersey, so it is accustomed to the state’s soil and growing conditions, checked for quality and is disease- and pest-free. “I encourage residents to visit their local nursery or garden center and look for the Jersey Grown label on plants and flowers when shopping for their gardens this spring,â€? said Secretary Fisher. “You are not only getting products grown with pride and quality, but also supporting the growth of New Jersey’s local businesses.â€? In order to participate in the Jersey Grown program, growers in New Jersey need to possess a current nursery certificate from the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industry, and all plants must be maintained free of harmful insects and plant diseases. In addition, any nursery stock grown under the program must be propagated or grown in New Jersey for at least six months prior to sale. Plants must also meet or exceed the plant standards developed by the American Nursery and Landscape Association. “The Jersey Grown program provides New Jersey’s public gardens and private homeowners with an attractive and reliable variety of plant materials that are sure to thrive here in the Garden State,â€? said Lesley Parness, President of the Garden State Gardens Consortium. “We are pleased with the outstanding quality and selection of Jersey Grown plants, and encourage others to shop Jersey Grown.â€? “The Jersey Grown label offers businesses and public consumers the assurance that they are getting high quality products,â€? said Jody B. Shilan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association. “We are strong supporters of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and its Jersey Grown program and are pleased that this program is being highlighted today.â€? “Encouraging New Jersey’s citizens to support their local nurseries, farms and garden centers and to buy Jersey Grown plant materials as we enter the spring planting season is important to promote our state and its agriculture sector,â€? said Dominick Mondi, Executive Director of New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association. “We are happy to see a collective commitment to this today.â€? Originally established in East Brunswick in the early 1940s as the Ferris Seed Company and purchased in 1981 with a nursery and greenhousegrowing facility in nearby Somerset, Ferris Farms has evolved to be a full-scale garden center and greenhouse-nursery that has served Central Jersey gardeners, landscapers, businesses and farmers for over 29 years.
Tom Castronovo/Photo
Dan Mikorski, co-owner of Ferris Farms, left; New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, second from left; New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, second from right and Mike Rutkowski, co-owner of Ferris Farms discuss the benefits of promoting and purchasing Jersey Grown plant material.
8 May, 2015
Gardener News
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO CONTROL CRABGRASS AND WEEDS!
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Gardener News
May, 2015 9
Planting For Pollinators By Jeannie Geremia Garden Club of New Jersey If you’re like me, flowers are dancing in and out of your consciousness 24/7. This is especially so after enduring such a long spell of unrelenting cold, desolate weather. Last year, as cold as it was, we had many spring bulbs blooming earlier than this year. The positive, and there’s always a positive to be found, is that everything is blooming at once and it went from barren to a blaze of bloom in a heartbeat. How thrilling to see redbuds in bloom, along with forsythia, tulips, daffodils, blood root, hellebores, and the list goes on. Coinciding with the spring blooming season are the myriad catalogs showcasing all of the abovementioned plants and more for fall planting. Who even wants to think of fall at this point? But now is the time to take inventory, planning for an even more spectacular spring next year, and planting with our pollinators in mind, as we need their help as much as they need ours. The Garden Club of New Jersey’s Butterflies & BeeGAP Project committee ordered 100 blue orchard mason bee cocoons from Crown Bees, Inc., the last week in March, and, unless we had something blooming in our yards, could not put them out in their bee houses until moderated temperatures (50 degrees plus) brought reluctant bulbs into bloom. I was able to put mine out the first of April, as I had just purchased my first flat of pansies of the season from Gardener’s Nook, had some crocuses, snow drops and hellebores blooming, too. The glory in the snow swaths of bloom I had last year at this time with Queen bumblebees hanging from
their flower heads, had yet to make an appearance. Two of my fellow committee members live near me, and put their cocoons in bee houses out in their yards, and the other two members put their cocoons in the refrigerator (one says her husband has no idea that they were in the fridge). It’s not always easy being the spouse of a gardener, as there’s always an adventure afoot. The cocoons came inside a little box and if they have to be refrigerated until Mother Nature cooperates outside with something blooming, you open the box, put the box in a covered plastic container that you’ve punched some holes in and put in a sugar water soaked cotton ball inside the container so adult bees hatching out will have a source of food. This will keep them healthy until they can be released outside. Please go to: www.crownbees. com to learn more. These early spring bees are terrific pollinators and will work with honeybees creating up to 100 percent pollination of fruit trees, spring shrubs, and plants. This month of May is the planting time for so many plants and deciding what to grow is extremely difficult when so many plants are imploring us to choose them. You do have to narrow the field down as it’s better to plant in masses then to have two or three plants of any one thing. I am vowing to garden using as many native plants and herbs as possible with planting for pollinators always on my mind. I am already promised parsnip seeds from David Dickerhut , a fellow gardener in the Raritan Township Community Garden, who stunned me with his fabulous stand of five-foot-tall parsnips last summer. I was immediately drawn to them as they are members of the carrot family
and as such, are a favored host plant for our beautiful black swallowtail butterflies’ caterpillars. At present I have 15 black swallowtail chrysalises that have overwintered in my gazebo and they will be hatching out this month of May. Go easy on clean-up, so as not to destroy overwintering cocoons and chrysalises of our pollinators and beneficial insects. Support our black swallowtail butterfly being designated as New Jersey’s official state butterfly by reaching out to your local assemblymen and assemblywomen and asking them to support Assembly Bill A2913 as a sponsor/ co-sponsor and by voting “yes” when it’s posted for a vote in the Assembly by Assembly Speaker Prieto. The next voting sessions are from mid-May to the end of June, so we have a short window of opportunity. Then it’s on to Governor Christie’s desk for final approval. Come visit The Garden Club of New Jersey’s dedication of the Children’s Statue on May 22, 2015 at 1 p.m. at 112 Ryders Lane (Log Cabin Road), New Brunswick, N.J. in the National Garden Club’s Award Winning Helen Hull Native Plant Collection designed by Director Bruce Crawford. Join a Garden Club! Editor’s Note: Jeannie Geremia is the Community Garden Chair and the Butterflies & BeeGAP Chair for the Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc., and is a National Garden Clubs, Inc., Accredited Flower Show Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie is the GCNJ 2016 Flower Show Chair and can be reached by emailing: jeannieg42@earthlink.net Garden Club of New Jersey website is: www. g a r d e n c l u b o f n e w j e r s e y. com and phone number is: 732-249-0947.
10 May, 2015
Gardener News
Green Grocery Cart Winners at Kings Food Markets In honor of Earth Month, Earthbound Farm, a pioneering organic food company and the nation’s leading grower of organic produce, launched its third annual “Every Cart Counts” campaign. From April 1-30, Earthbound’s Cart Searchers were on the lookout for shoppers across America with earthfriendly products in their grocery carts, and rewarding 1,000 people by paying their entire grocery bill. From April 20-23, Earthbound Farm Cart Searcher Jack Chere was in the great Garden State. He visited Kings Food Markets in Bedminster, Garwood, Gillette, Hillsdale, Livingston, Mendham, Morristown and Whitehouse Station. A lucky shopper in each one of these stores had their entire grocery bill paid for. “We are so pleased to have Earthbound Farm reward our customers for healthy eating habits,” said Paul Kneeland, vice president of floral, meat, produce and seafood for Kings Food Markets. “We absolutely love great food here at Kings, and Earthbound is a great partner.” All Earthbound Farm produce is grown in accordance with the company’s industry-leading food safety and organic integrity programs, packaged in sustainable packaging made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. “Earthbound’s Every Cart Counts campaign is unique in that it focuses on the small choices we make every time we enter a grocery store that have the potential to add up to real, positive change,” said Stacy Baas, Earth Month advocate for Earthbound Farm. “For instance, we calculated that if every person used a reusable shopping bag just once a week, we’d keep 16 billion bags out of landfills each year. It’s not a sacrifice, it doesn’t require getting your hands dirty and it has the potential for a big, tangible impact.” “From our very beginning as a backyard garden 30 years ago, Earthbound’s mission has always been to make the organic choice accessible to as many Tom Castronovo/Photo people as possible,” continued Baas. “Our organic produce is grown without David Alexander, center, shows his paid receipt, courtesy of toxic synthetic chemicals, GMOs and irradiation. In 2015 alone, we will keep Earthbound Farms, for purchasing Earthbound Farms produce 16.1 million pounds of synthetic fertilizers and toxic pesticides out of the at Kings Food Markets in Gillette, Morris County, N.J., Kings environment.” In 1936, the founders of Kings began with the humble purpose of location on April 20, 2015, as Earthbound Farms Cart Searcher finding the freshest produce around. They quickly found the best farmers and Jack Chere, right, happily gives the thumbs up sign. The store’s established relationships that would endure and expand over the years. Today, produce manager Doug Groendyke, left, was also on hand to their passion for food has grown along with their business. They currently have over 25 stores locally focused on the communities they serve. congratulate one of the eight winners that day.
U.S. National Arboretum Now Open Seven-Days a Week (WASHINGTON, D.C.) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) will once again be open to the public seven days a week, its original operating schedule. USNA continued a full research schedule but reduced the public schedule by three days a week in 2013 due to reduced funding, closing to the public Tuesday through Thursday. The Arboretum is operated by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA’s chief intramural scientific research agency. “We are very pleased that the U.S. National Arboretum will return to its normal operating schedule on April 14,” said Chavonda JacobsYoung, ARS Administrator. “In addition to the vital plant research conducted there, the Arboretum is also a source of relaxation and enjoyment for the public and visitors to Washington, D.C. We are thankful for the support of the Friends of the National Arboretum in helping us to restore the Arboretum’s normal operating schedule. It is a great example of well-functioning private/government partnership benefiting the public.” Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) is the principal private, nonprofit partner of USNA. FONA began raising funds following the 2013 schedule reduction to facilitate resuming USNA’s seven-day schedule. The funds raised by FONA will help pay for custodial, security, and public information services for the three days of operations over the next three years. The 446-acre Arboretum is USDA’s research and education facility and a living museum. The Arboretum enhances the economic, environmental, and aesthetic value of ornamental and landscape plants through long-term, multi-disciplinary research, conservation of genetic resources, and interpretative gardens and exhibits. It is dedicated to serving the public and improving our environment by developing and promoting improved floral and landscape plants and new technologies through scientific research, education programs, display gardens, and germplasm conservation. This year, the Arboretum is also home to a nesting pair of bald eagles, the first since 1947. Staff first noticed the nesting pair in early January on the south side of Mount Hamilton, in the Arboretum’s Azalea Collection, watching the pair make trips back and forth to the nest site. The eagles’ behavior changed towards the end of January, when one started sitting on the nest at all times, while the other searched for food to feed its mate. This was an indication that the pair was now caring for eaglets. It is unknown at this time how many eaglets are in the nest. The USNA is taking steps to protect the nesting pair of eagles and minimize disturbances. People, noise, and related distractions in the vicinity of a bald eagle nest can cause the nesting pair to abandon their nest and eaglets. USNA has restricted access to an area within approximately 660 feet around the nesting site during the critical nesting period, ending around mid-June. Each season provides new experiences for visitors. Spring arrives with the appearance of woodland wildflowers. From magnolia blossoms to miniature daffodils to cherry blossoms, fragrance graces the grounds. Summer brings daylilies and crape myrtles, welcoming the heat of summer with showy, resilient blooms. In the fall, tree leaves transition from summer green to a range of rich yellows of tulip poplar and hickory to the bright red of black gum and the purplish red of sweet gum and dogwood. While many think of winter as cold and remote, it also brings calm and quiet. Snow and ice transform the gardens into a jeweled landscape. The ‘Sparkleberry’ hollies (developed by scientists at the USNA) sparkle with brilliant red berries. There are a number of specialized collections at USNA including the Asian Collections, Fern Valley, The Native Plant Collection, and the ever-popular Azalea Collections. The public is encouraged to visit the USNA Web site to learn more about hours of operation, visitor services, collections, and upcoming USNA events and activities.
Gardener News
May, 2015 11
Eat your vegetables! That was a common directive from parents around the country and beyond. It was really straightforward, direct marketing that was not so effective. In fact, forcing people to do things generally does not inspire usage. Yet we have a conundrum when it comes to getting children to eat better. On the one hand, we have nutritious, delicious fruits and vegetables. On the other, inexpensive food that is loaded with sodium and sugar to help preserve it and get the cost down. Fruits and vegetables generally cost more than fast foods and fast-food companies rely heavily on mass marketing to get their products sold. The produce industry has made a push over the past three or four decades to increase consumption among children. The key really is to change or create a food routine that inspires a lifelong change for a healthier life. Initially, programs like “5-a-Day” set the base. It was predicated on eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. The food pyramid was upgraded and “My Plate” was created showing the amount each food group had on a plate.
contestants creating restaurantquality dishes that will blow your mind. These kids are very passionate about food and are so smart. Did I mention cute? Yes that too. Three big-name judges, who, by the way, are very tough in the adult version, are encouraging and positive and get their hearts melted when they have to eliminate a player. Whatever we can do to encourage kids to eat healthy and create a new routine that encourages a healthy eating lifestyle will be game-changing. When they have kids, the routine is passed on and we have won. Of course, the produce industry still needs to compete with large marketing companies. We will not give up.
Passionate About Produce By Paul Kneeland The King of Produce
The New Healthy In the past eight years, United Fresh, a produce industry organization, began the “Salad Bars for Schools” program, in which the produce industry donated over 3,000 salad bars to schools that would take them. The target audience ranges from elementary through high school kids. That effort continues today, with several recipient schools in New Jersey and the Tri-state area. The results thus far have been positive. Children have an increased access to fruits and vegetables, student participation is increased, schools are purchasing more fruits and vegetables than ever, and salad bars are in use almost every day in most schools. In addition, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) created the “Eat Brighter” program, which encourages preschool and children beginning
school to eat more fruits and vegetables through the use of Sesame Street characters. It is a page out of the old sugary cereal companies’ playbook, colorful characters that attract the eye of the young and make them ask their parents for the item that this character happens to be on. That program is in its infancy, and will only build from where it is today. Next up is the tweener adolescents. With a strong bond to social media, video games and music, they are swayed by what their favorite sports player or entertainer wears or drives. A much harder group to crack, but the produce industry, PMA, and the Partnership for a Healthier America, have come up with a social media campaign that began with a video featuring First Lady Michele Obama promoting fruits and vegetables.
It is called “FNV” and is largely social media-based. Sports and entertainment celebrities have been recruited to help the effort. Colin Kaepernick, Victor Cruz, and Cam Newton are a few NFL stars that have signed on to help. Also encouraging, one of the top 2015 menu trends to watch caught my eye recently. It is something known as “mini gourmet.” Mini gourmet is a restaurant trend that takes kid meals to a new level. Instead of having the usual chicken nuggets shaped as dinosaurs or hot dog or macaroni and cheese on the menu for kids, some restaurants are featuring whole grains, vegetables, oven-baked items and entrée salads. Anyone who is a fan of the cooking shows on television must see Fox Television’s “MasterChef Junior.” It is a show that has very young
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
Road Trip: Georgian Court University Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum By Kathleen Salisbury Those April showers brought May flowers, and you may be pondering what native flowers you can add to your landscape. If you are looking to figure out what native plant combinations look good together, what mature natives look like or what will grow well in your area, visit a Public Garden. In addition to flowers, May also brings National Public Gardens Day on May 8. Throughout the state (and country) public gardens are celebrating. To find a garden near you and see what events they have to offer, visit http://www. nationalpublicgardensday. org/. The Garden State Gardens Consortium is a good place to find information about the Public Gardens in the Garden State. If you go to their website http://gardenstategardens.org you will find a chart listing the many amenities the gardens offer.
Twenty-one of the member gardens list “Native Plants” as a feature in their garden, meaning you can find native plants on display throughout the state – north, south, east or west. May also has us thinking about Memorial Day weekend and heading to the beach. This month, consider venturing to Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum of Georgian Court University. Located in Lakewood, N.J., the University is easily accessed from major highways. It is a great stop on your way “down the shore.” The University Arboretum is composed of all the cultivated areas on campus. You will find a Japanese Garden, an Italian Garden, a Sunken Garden, a Formal Garden and the Founder Grove, which consists of trees donated by the founders of the Arboretum. In this grove, you can find examples of Franklinia (Franklinia alatamaha) and Sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum) and in the coming years, some native plants to be added include Persimmon
(Diospyros virginana), Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). The University and its Arboretum campus are located in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum features a variety of NJ Pine Barrens Plants. There is no specific area for these, rather they are scattered throughout the grounds. As you stroll through the grounds you will find mature examples of Chestnut (Quercus prinus) Black (Q. velutina) and White Oaks (Q. alba). In fact, the largest white oak in Ocean County can be found on-campus. That white oak is just one of 16 trees that are the biggest of their species in Ocean County! Another garden to admire native plants on the way to ocean views is Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown, N.J.. http:// www.monmouthcountyparks. com/page.aspx?Id=2518. Deep Cut Gardens is a part of the Monmouth County Park System. According to their website: “Deep Cut Gardens
is designed with the home gardener in mind. 54 acres of gardens and greenhouses feature native and cultivated plant materials to be observed through the seasons.” Here you can visit a woodland meadow and experience groves of chestnut, oak, maple and ash. Venture to the shade garden for a glimpse of spring ephemerals like bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and giant Tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera). If you are venturing to seaside resorts further south, stop in at Linwood Arboretum (find them on Facebook). Dubbed “one feisty public garden” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, 40 percent of this tiny garden’s plants are native. You can find native magnolias and hydrangeas on display, as well as witchhazels and a bog garden featuring natives and exotics alike. Though the founder, a former horticulture instructor at Stockton College and garden columnist for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, doesn’t have good things to say about our
New Jersey-native American Holly (Ilex opaca), he sings high praise of the native deciduous Winterberry Hollies (Ilex verticilllata). Bring your bike, as this garden is right along a bike trail and you will have time to see both. The Arboretum is located at 1410 Wabash Ave., Linwood, N.J. Get out there and visit these and other public gardens. Seek shade in the groves of native trees, find birds in the marshes and fields. Celebrate public gardens by visiting one near you, or not-so-near you, on National Public Gardens Day, May 8, and any other day. 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.
12 May, 2015
Gardener News
Many of our properties have areas which are not used as often as they may have been in the past. Possibly children have grown and these former play areas or open fields have become money pits where we are just maintaining an open lawn area or field for no real purpose. These areas are prime locations for the introduction of a wildflower meadow or, in a smaller application, a wildflower bed. This could also apply for some perennial beds as well, where space is limited. With all the attention given to low-maintenance landscapes, this becomes a perfect fit. These areas can, with minimal maintenance, become a sustainable area where flowers will continue to bloom much of the spring and summer months. The first step in consideration of using wildflowers and even perennials is the exposure. To be successful with the widest variety of plants, the area should get a good 6 hours of sunlight. If not, then a shade mix or shadeloving plants will be needed. However, these typically are
during dry conditions, watering would be required. On large properties, part of your plan may include letting some of your turf go dormant while concentrating on specific areas to introduce a wildflower bed. This would afford you the opportunity to direct applications of water to target areas where your plants may dry out more quickly. Again, a little planning ahead can make a world of difference when the weather becomes more of an issue. For many, managing underused areas of our landscapes can seem like a daunting task, and to others it becomes an enjoyable hobby. Either way, the beauty of naturally growing wildflowers and perennials will enhance the appeal of these areas and will help ecological conservation as well.
For most people outside the landscape industry, the letters H-2B probably don’t mean much, but green industry professionals know that the H-2B Guest Worker Program is a vital part for our industry. Unfortunately, this program has been temporarily suspended and could potentially disappear. Why should this matter to you? I’m going to tell you right now. Whether you want to believe it or not, the landscape industry has a very difficult time finding employees who are willing to do work. Gone are the days when high school kids worked summers for their local landscaping company to earn some cash to pay for gas. There are several reasons for this. The first is that the landscape industry has become very sophisticated, requiring skills that are far beyond most high school kids’ capabilities. Secondly, landscape contracting in New Jersey has a minimum of a 40-week work year. The remaining 12 weeks are dedicated to snow and ice management (snow plowing). In other words, this is no longer a seasonal business, so please stop asking us what we do during the winter. The short answer is that we work, just like everybody else, and possibly even more. Therefore,
The Landscaper By Evan Dickerson Landscape Professional
Working with our Wide Open Spaces not as aggressive growers as their sun-loving partners. The broadest mix of plants will contain Baby’s breath, Bachelor Burtton, Calendula, Catchfly, Coneflower, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Flax, larkspur, Poppy, Shasta Daisy, Sunflower, and Wallflower. A part-shade mix would contain Baby’s breath, Columbine, Collinsia, Coneflower, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Fouro’clock, Foxglove, Nemophila, Phlox, Poppy and Viola, with many more options depending upon your creativity. Once the exposure is determined and the plants or seed mix is decided upon, the site preparation can begin. This ideally should be accomplished before weeds and grasses are actively growing in the spring. This will allow adequate time for germination without heavy
competition from invasive weeds. The whole area should be stripped of vegetative growth and existing seed heads as much as possible. Any organic matter could be incorporated into the soil, which would require tilling. If you are planning your project in the fall, the existing growth could be killed off with a glyphosate vegetation killer. Then you would be able to till the existing organic matter into the soil in late-fall and be in ideal shape for spring planting. It is also possible to drill the seed mix into an area which has been cut low to the ground and raked clean. However, this will be a less successful option, as you will be competing with the existing vegetation. This method can be used in areas where erosion is a concern or where it is not possible to
remove all of the growth. Once the soil is prepared, the seed mix can be planted. With many of the seed mixes, it may be beneficial to mix the seed with a carrier, such as sand to make distribution easier. The mix can then be hand-scattered or spread through a broadcast spreader. A light raking to even the distribution could be followed by light rolling or tamping to ensure the seeds are in direct contact with the soil. The seeds do not want to be buried, as they will germinate with good soil contact only. After planting is completed, light watering will ensure germination. Care should be given to not puddle when watering. Once the plants have established a few inches of growth, the natural rainfall should be sufficient to keep them thriving. Of course,
The NJLCA Today By Jody Shilan, MLA Executive Director
Save the H-2B Guest Worker Program, Now! summer help is of little value to these professional landscape businesses, just as it would be for any other industry. The H-2B guest worker program helps solve this problem. Similar in concept to work visas, residents of other countries, mostly from South America, can have the opportunity to work in the United States for up to a year, but more typically they work 10 months before being required to return to their home country. It’s similar to being laid off except that these guys don’t collect unemployment and they get to live somewhere warm for the winter instead of somewhere cold. Additionally, if the H-2B employee is not a good worker, he can be sent back home before his visa expires. If the H-2B employee works hard, they can be brought back year after year, providing continuity
to the landscape contractor’s business. The value being that they now have a trained and skilled employee who brings value to the business and the homeowner. Unfortunately, the Department of Labor (DOL) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) don’t understand this concept. That’s why they have decided to put their collective noses where they don’t belong and are interfering with a very successful program, which is managed and overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Essentially, what they’ve done is throw a monkey wrench into the H-2B program based on a misguided belief that H-2B workers are taking away American jobs, when in reality, no Americans want these jobs. As a matter of fact,
as I write this column, the H-2B program is somewhat in limbo as the DOL, USCIS, DHS and associations like the NJLCA and FEWA (Federation of Employers and Workers of America) work together to sort this problem out. On April 15, we had a fly-in into Washington, D.C., to meet with our Senators and state representatives to discuss how important this program is to our industry and the customers that we serve. For those of you who are thinking, what’s the big deal? Can’t you guys hire day laborers and just pay them cash? The long and short answers are no and no. The purpose of the H-2B program is to allow companies to hire seasonal guest workers legally, requiring them to be paid on the books so that they pay taxes and have some are protection in case somebody
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 gets injured. To restate what I said at the beginning of my column, the landscape industry has become very sophisticated and is also quite regulated. That is why most NJLCA business owners prefer to play by the rules and manage their companies properly. This means being allowed to hire quality employees through a governmentally sanctioned program, like H-2B, to fill their seasonal HR needs and the needs of their customers. For those of you who want Americans to fill these positions, just tell us where they are and we’ll put them to work. Editors Note: Jody Shilan, MLA provides landscape design services for landscape contractors and homeowners. Jody is also a professional speaker, green industry consultant and host of radio talk show, Landscape Live! He has a BSLA from Cook College, Rutgers University and an MLA from The University of Massachusetts and is currently the Executive Director of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA). He can be reached at 201-783-2844 or jshilan@NJLCA.org
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May, 2015 13
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Companion Planting as a Pest Control Strategy There is a lot of skepticism regarding the effectiveness of companion planting within the gardening community. I for one like to use strategies that have a solid scientific foundation. There are many plants that have been given the title of being pest-repelling plants with little to no science supporting the claim. I have personally experimented with companion planting as a pestcontrol strategy and I have noted some successes and I have noted some failures. Some may attach the label of “myth” to companion planting because of the lack of scientific evidence behind it. My recommendation is to do the science yourself. Experimentation is one of the defining elements to science, so have some fun and conduct your own experiments I personally use raised beds with my own modified version of square foot May I just say that it is now May? Jersey Shore kick-off month! Every shore business scrambling to get ready for the influx of those wishing to escape to our beautiful shore line paradise. People putting boats in the water, surfers waxing their boards, homeowners tweaking their backyards, lifeguard stands rising from a lifeless cold winter, dune grass rising, the sweet smell of salt water, the jingle of the ice cream truck brigade, the chaotic traffic, the smiles and the worshipping of the great sun god. Yep, here we go again. Oh, and last but not least, the boardwalks of New Jersey. Diverse, teeming with happy people and overall just life, pure life. Well, as promised, I am going to get a bit more informative from here on in. I am going to try my best to dial in more specifically on Jersey Fresh. Taking it month by month and providing more information on availability and what to look for from our great Garden State. May
gardening. I have coupled “pest-repelling” plants with vegetables in the past and I would like to discuss some of the plants that are believed to have pest-repelling properties. Remember, there are no guarantees on results. In my opinion, companion planting is a fun way to add some variety to your garden that may or may not help you with your pest-control strategy. Basil is believed to repel a variety of insects, including mosquitoes and flies. I have planted basil in close proximity to crops that have had high levels of whiteflies. I have noticed that whiteflies, which some believe are repelled by basil, seem to show no interest in the varieties of basil I have planted over the years. There may be some immediate repellency to the basil plant itself, but only your experimentation will prove to be beneficial in your garden. Try pairing basil plants with other plants that you have had fly issues with.
Chrysanthemums have long been considered a repellant to many insect pests. Chrysanthemums are used widely in the pesticide industry, as they contain pyrethrins, compounds proven to be a nerve toxin to insects. In high concentrations, pyrethins have lethal effects on insects; in low concentrations, they will repel insects. Consider adding some mums to your vegetable garden this year and you can be the judge. Also consider daisies and marigolds, as they too contain the pyrethin compounds. Even if your pest-control experiment fails, you are left with a variety of flowering plants that can brighten up your garden. I have spoken with gardeners that swear by the pest-repellant effects of onions and garlic. Many use homemade garlic or onion sprays as natural insect deterrents. The goal of co-planting with garlic or onion is to have the Allium plant’s strong odor mask the odor of the pest’s desired host. This strategy can also
be achieved by pairing pestsusceptible plants with other garlic and onion relatives such as leeks, shallots, and chives. Hopefully, this strategy helps in your pestcontrol program. Regardless of the pest-control results, you have added some additional ingredients to your homegrown salad. Another commonly used companion plant is mint. Peppermints and spearmints are believed to repel aphids, squash bugs, moths and ants. Some even believe that the strong odor of mints can deter rodents. Pest repellency from mint comes from a similar mode of action as the Alliums. Strong odor masks the odor of the desired plant. Ironically, last year, my mints suffered more insect damage than any other plant in my garden. It appears that some fourlined plant bugs left all my mint with brown speckles and thinned out leaves. I never actually saw those elusive bugs, but I will have a target on them
From the Deep By Craig Korb Executive Chef
Strawberry Delight! brings lettuce, as well as collard greens and, more importantly, strawberries. Who doesn’t like strawberries? They grow wild in my yard; it’s great. Not only are they delicious, they are extremely nutritious as well. They are high in cancer-fighting antioxidants, they have antiinflammatory properties, are great for the eyes and bones, are high in vitamin C and manganese, good for the brain and also contain a compound that helps with weight management and appetite regulation. So eat ‘em up! Although New Jersey is not a top-ten producer of the berry, we do have our fair share. Another great thing is that once planted, they come back year after year; not bad. May also
brings the chance of some Jersey lettuce coming up. Combining the two of these healthy crops will be the recipe focus of this month. Strawberries are fantastic when paired with a nice balsamic vinegar. So, I thought we would do a fresh strawberry vinaigrette over lettuce with some nice chunks of blue cheese. Flavor country my friends, flavor country. You have a sweet, acidic, salty combination that rocks. It is a relatively easy salad to make and will make you look like a superstar. So have fun, seek out the Jersey Fresh and enjoy. I can’t wait until next month, being that so much more Jersey Fresh will start to pop up, giving us a lot of new recipe options.
Strawberry balsamic vinaigrette salad with crumbled Maytag blue cheese (serves 4) 5 lg. fresh strawberries, rinsed and stem removed 1/2 cup good balsamic vinegar salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste 1 tsp. sugar 1/4 cup olive oil 1 head lettuce, Romaine or red leaf are good choices, rinsed and chopped roughly 1/2 cup of quality crumbled blue cheese, preferably Maytag blue Method-using a blender, combine first 5 ingredients and blend until smooth -in a large mixing bowl, toss lettuce with enough vinaigrette to lightly coat all of the leaves
this year. Another thing to consider when co-planting with mint is that mint has an aggressive rhizome root system and can quickly take over a garden. If you want to experiment with using mints as companions, consider keeping them in a pot. The growing season is upon us. Think about doing some of your own experimentation with companion planting. Don’t be discouraged by those that claim that there is no science behind companion planting. Being a gardener sometimes requires you to be the scientist. Good luck and have fun planting. 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 backyard gardener and hobbyist beekeeper. He can be reached at 973-296-6523 or gcovello@vikingpest.com. -portion into salad bowls and sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over top of the salad. Enjoy!! 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.
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18 May, 2015
Gardener News
While April showers bring May flowers, latespring warm weather also brings accelerated weed growth in your lawn. What should you do? The best defense against weeds is a thick, healthygrowing lawn. However, if you have visible weeds in your lawn, this month they are most likely broadleaf weeds. Crabgrass is not really appearing yet in most lawn at this time of year. If you have a lot of weeds, have you considered the health of the soil you are trying to grow your lawn in? Poor quality soil and a low soil pH value will deter healthy lawn growth and spur the growth of weeds. Apply calcium carbonatebased products to increase your soil pH level to the 6.06.8 range for optimum lawn growth. What about the rest of your soil? Is it darkrich in color, loose, able to hold water and nutrients? Do you have an abundance of earthworms? These are indicators of healthy soil. Perhaps you need to test your soil. What, you have never tested your soil?
directions for best results. Avoid applying lawn weed controls into desirable flower beds and remember to calibrate your spreader and measure your lawn square footage prior to spreading so you apply the correct amount of weed killer. Taking these steps will assure you better control of weeds and also helps you avoid applying too much, which would result in your lawn burning. Do not apply weed controls in hot, dry weather. Remember to wash out your spreader after every use and spray lubricant where the axle and wheels come together. If you choose to hire a professional lawn care company, be sure they have their pesticide and fertilizer applicator licenses. Come on America, don’t let the weeds get to you, get to them first, outsmart them with a sound lawn care plan!
This month is by far the best month of them all. It’s planting time. This is the month to plant any tender plant material that cannot tolerate frigid temperatures. Not only is it time to plant everything under the sun (or shade) it is also the month that has one of the most important holidays of all, Mother’s Day. This year, Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 10. It always falls on the second Sunday in May. Mother’s Day was signed into existence through a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. However, Mother’s Day first came about back in 1905, when Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother and her efforts, along with all mothers throughout the land. She wanted a day to commemorate mothers. Her mother, Ann Jarvis, was a peace activist and nurtured wounded soldiers on both sides of the civil war. I believe that when they picked the second
Turf ‘s Up By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant
Got weeds? Shame on you! Instead of just killing weeds, apply an organic lawn fertilizer at this time that will promote grass growth so weeds cannot take hold. You can control weeds organically by applying corn gluten, a by-product of the corn syrup industry. Apply corn gluten before target weeds germinate and be sure to not apply grass seed for two to three months after application. Another natural way to control weeds is to sow high-quality grass seed to crowd out the possibility of weeds establishing. Raise your mowing height to three-plus inches to shade weed seeds from growing. If you have not applied any crabgrass preventer yet, you still have time if you use Dithiopyr (Dimension).
Crabgrass preventers should only be applied in sunny areas, as crabgrass does not grow in shady areas. Also, if you have a thick, healthy lawn and have not had problems with crabgrass in general, consider skipping any crabgrass preventers this year. Get back to growing a healthy lawn, not trying to kill everything. The king of broadleaf weeds is Dandelion; however there are many others out there. This familiar yellow flower does a good job of ruining a great-looking lawn. Most broadleaf weed controls consist of a combination of three different selective herbicides that kill weeds without injuring the lawn. It is best to control broadleaf weeds when they are
actively growing. If you use a weed-and-feed or granular broadleaf weed control product, be sure to apply them early in the morning when dew is present or to a lightly sprinkled lawn so the granules stick to the weed leaves. Do not mow for two days prior or two days after applying broadleaf weed controls. Do not waterirrigate or expect rainfall for two days after application! If you choose to spot spray with liquid weed controls, be sure to avoid drift of the spray onto desirable plants. Liquid weed controls sometime work better on hard-to-control “vine-type” weeds and clovers. Be sure to control any weeds using a product that is labeled for the particular weed and follow all label
The Professional Grower By Tim Hionis Greenhouse Specialist
May and Moms! Sunday in May to honor mothers, it was not done by coincidence. Think about it, around this time of year, the weather seems to open up and expose its true power, beauty, warmth and amazement. It opens up, like a mother’s hug. As Mother Nature’s warmth blankets the land, we also begin to thank the blanket that mothers provided unconditionally for their children. The warmth, the security, beauty and power of a mother’s hug. Is there any other power greater? This is a good reason why we give flowers to our mothers on this day. It’s to give Mom back a little taste of her powers she provides for us all year long. In the line of work that I do, I see many mothers on this
weekend. The mothers with the biggest smiles on their faces are the ones that explain to me that their family will be in the garden with her, helping to clean and plant it. I can’t help but to call out one such mother in this article. This mother lives with so much courage, strength, bravery, heart and love. This mother raised four very active, wild, outof-control boys, which, when looking back at what they put her through, is amazing she isn’t in a padded room talking to the walls because of some of their actions. How none of her boys were never found in a ditch doing their crazy stunts in their younger years was a miracle in itself.
This mother, barely speaking a second language in a country she is proud to call home, while raising four boys, also built a business her sons continued. With her husband, they built a business through hard work and perseverance. Both speaking broken English with a thick Greek accent, they were able provide food on the table and a roof over their children’s heads. She never allowed any obstacle to stop her in reaching her goals. She never allowed anyone to bully her around. She (and her husband) built a foundation for their four wild boys to continue the business they began way back when. Her four boys she calls tesseda gidoudia, which translates
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 from Greek as her four donkeys (asses). It actually sounds much better in Greek. There is a loss in translation. She uses this term especially when she has had enough. In case, you were wondering, this mother happens to be my own mother. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom, from your four gidoudia. One more shout out for Mother’s Day is to the mother of my three wonderful girls. They wouldn’t be wonderful without the effort and work you put in to it on a daily basis. Here’s to the mother who many times has to go to doctor’s appointments and children’s activities without the help of her husband due to his always being at work. Happy Mother’s Day, honey. 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.
Gardener News
May, 2015 19
Show Organizers Meet Agricultural Officials Townsquare Media, a diversified media, entertainment and digital marketing services company that owns and operates market leading radio, digital and live event properties across the U.S., including the New Jersey Flower and Garden Show and the NJ Plants Show. The New Jersey Flower Show attracts over 25,000 flower and garden enthusiasts annually, highlighting fabulous display gardens, a Standard Flower Show presented by the Garden Club of New Jersey, the Garden Marketplace, topquality seminars and much more. The NJ Plants Show, which is a trade only event, draws landscape professionals, garden center owners, nursery growers, suppliers and commercial groundskeepers. NJ Plants provides unparalleled business-to-business networking and an extensive educations program tailored to the green industry. Michael Josephs, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development for Townsquare Media, left, and Jon Levin, right, Director of Townsquare Expos, met with New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, second from left, and New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray, in the New Jersey Department of Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offices in Trenton, Mercer County, N.J., on April 21 to discuss both the future of these Tom Castronovo/Photo important shows.
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20 May, 2015
Gardener News
Growing Year-Round Produce them all year long. As I walked around his five-acre operation, I spotted fig trees loaded with fruit. That made me think of a Honey-Balsamic Roasted Fig Salad. I also spotted zucchini plants. Deckenbach told me that he grows them for the flowers. And being Italian, I knew immediately what that meant. Lightly breaded, fried and stuffed with ricotta cheese. He said he has standing orders for local restaurants and regular customers as well. In order to increase his seasonable operation to more of a year-round operation, in early-January of this year, Deckenbach added a hydroponic system to his five-acre growing operation. He is now offering freshly harvested romaine, red leaf, green leaf, butterhead and a mixed lettuce variety in his farm stand store. He is also harvesting kallets (which is a cross between kale and Brussel sprouts). Every year, growers across the country grapple with the decision of what they should be planting for the upcoming growing season. I am sure that the decision-making process is different for everyone, but I thought that I would try to provide a little insight into how farmers decide what crops they are going to plant. For many farmers, the decision is not really that difficult. Of course, these are the farmers who are more or less locked into a certain crop or crop mix. For the most part, all of the types of animal agriculture fall into this category. For example, a dairy farmer cannot just wake up one morning and decide to start raising chickens. This is due to the fact that there is a very substantial capital investment in extremely specific equipment and facilities that are needed. Adjustments can be made, however, when it comes to the crops that are raised for the purpose of feeding those cows. And these changes can be made for a variety of reasons that I will get into later. But there are certain sectors of agriculture where
As I toured the greenhouse, I spotted at least 500 white five-gallon soft-sided containers. They were planted with peppers, eggplant and tomatoes. Deckenbach’s newly introduced food operation also grows basil, cilantro, marjoram, parsley, peppermint, rosemary and spearmint. He said, “This crop is in five-inch pots
(Continued from page 1) so the home gardener can benefit as well. This size is also easily available for his restaurant chef cliental as well.” Now that Deckenbach is growing food, the operation has converted to the use of biological control measures to ensure a vigorous and healthy crop and to cut back on harmful and persistent pesticides.
Tom Castronovo/Photo
Tom Deckenbach, co-owner of Hamilton Farms in Boonton Township, Morris County, N.J., looks over the biological control insect pack on one of his tomato plants.
“With biocontrol as my first line of defense in Integrated Pest Management, I now get a better yield and a higher quality product,” he said “And I offer a safer working environment for me and my employees. There is nothing like preserving nature and achieving a residue-free product. With consumers demanding safer food, I thought it was the sustainable way to go. There is nothing better than a healthy environment and a healthy workplace. I am now achieving that by reducing the use of agrochemicals.” At one point, Deckenbach told me that he will be introducing bumble bees into the production greenhouse. He said they are one of the best pollinating insects around. The bumble bees have a more efficient pollen transfer, a higher pollen load and visit more flowers per flight. As he continues to grow, I would bet that this homegrown Boonton Township farmer’s food might end up being plated in a local restaurant near you.
The Town Farmer By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer
What should I Plant? it just does not make good financial sense to switch in and out of different crops on a year-to-year basis. There are other sectors of agriculture however, where it is fairly easy to switch from crop to crop on a fairly shortterm basis. These include, but are certainly not limited to, most types of vegetables, grain crops, and flowers and bedding plants. Many of these crops are grown using very similar cultural practices and equipment, so to switch crops would not be too big of a stretch. For example, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers are all very similar to grow and harvest. Also, many of these crops would be sold through the same marketing channels, so it would not be that large of a burden on that end, either. Field corn and
soybeans would be a good example of two crops that are marketed in similar ways. So why would growers switch from one crop to another? There are plenty of reasons for this. Probably the first and most obvious reason is money. I am sure most farmers can tell you what crops did well financially for them in prior years and which ones did not. It is only natural for growers to try and shift their production to crops that they perceive to be more profitable. But it is important to remember that many other farmers are likely thinking along those same lines. It is not uncommon to see a certain type of vegetable do very well one year and then get overplanted the next year and then bring only marginal returns.
Farmers also switch crops purely for rotational reasons. With many crops, it is not good practice to grow them in the same ground year after year. The practice of rotating them to different parcels allows certain insects and diseases to be held in check, while at the same time providing some benefits in the area of fertility. For example, legume crops such as snap beans, peas and soybeans will add nitrogen to the soil. This additional nitrogen is particularly beneficial to crops which have a high nitrogen requirement. That is why you might see a grain farmer follow a field of soybeans with corn, because he will realize a significant savings in purchased fertilizer. Another reason to rotate crops is the ability to harvest multiple crops in a shorter
Hamilton Farms has been family-owned and operated in the Rockaway Valley part of Morris County, N.J., for over 87 years. Tom and his wife, Doreen, have operated the family homestead and business since 1999. And they are proudly part of Jersey Fresh and Jersey Grown programs. They also bake fresh pies and donuts in their new on-farm bakery. 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. period of time. One rotation that has worked well on our farm has been to plant lettuce early in the spring and then follow it with a second crop of lettuce, which is harvested in August. We then renovate the ground and plant strawberries in September, which overwinter and are then picked in June. We then immediately renovate the field and plant broccoli and cauliflower, which will be ready for harvest in September. This gives us a total of four crops in two years. Good luck to everyone in the 2015 growing season! 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.
Gardener News
May, 2015 21 Unique Plants By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist
Set The Tone In Your Garden
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A natural in the garden since 1929. www.espoma.com
New Jersey, the Garden State, has an eight-decade resource fully capable of providing nutrition for all your “green friends.” The Espoma Company, founded in 1929, is a fourthgeneration family owned and managed business in Millville, N.J., dedicated to the highest quality, most effective, natural and organic products for the lawn and garden industry. Sourcing the finest and purest natural ingredients available and adhering to strict quality control standards, their steadfast journey to continually improve their products has led to generations of happy gardening. For over 80 years, Espoma Tones, organic plant foods, have helped define the naturally beautiful garden. Each Tone has been carefully developed in conjunction with nursery and horticultural professionals to produce outstanding flowers, shrubs and vegetables. No fillers, sludge or inert ingredients are ever used. Their long-lasting natural organics break down slowly, adding organic matter to the soil while being low in salts so they won’t burn your plants. Espoma’s arsenal of organic plant foods covers everything; evergreens, deciduous beauties, vegetables, bulbs, flowers, roses, citrus and even palms. And while their label names take all the guesswork out of the decision-making process, many customers seem unfamiliar with or are intimidated by the proportion of each macronutrient the fertilizer contains. So what about those three numbers on a fertilizer bag…what do they really mean? In order to understand plant nutrition, you should be aware that there are 19 elements essential for plant growth. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are primarily supplied by air and water, leaving a plant’s roots to absorb the remaining 16 elements from the surrounding soil. The primary nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) are the three numbers we read on a fertilizer package to guide our decisions and help target our needs. Plant foods sold in the United States generally have a label with information on the following: Grade, Net Weight, Guaranteed Analysis and Source of Nutrients. Having said this, it really is as easy as UP, DOWN, ALL AROUND! Nitrogen, the first of the three numbers, is responsible for vigorous growth and dark green color above the soil line (Up). Phosphorus helps root development and flowering (Down). Potassium is responsible for the overall hardiness and disease resistance of a plant (All Around). Let’s put this simple idea into play. If you were to buy a starter fertilizer for your lawn you would want to develop the roots first before the green growth. Many starter fertilizers would then have a higher middle number, as is the case with Espoma’s Organic Lawn Starter Fertilizer 3-6-3. This “N-P-K” ratio reflects the available nutrients, by weight, contained in that fertilizer. Important to note that the N-P-K ratio for organics is typically lower than that of synthetics, as it’s an expression of what is immediately available. The debate whether to use organic or synthetic fertilizers is always heavily weighed. Organic and synthetic fertilizers provide nutrients in different ways. Organic fertilizers are made from naturally occurring mineral deposits and organic materials, while synthetic fertilizers are made by chemically processing raw materials. Generally speaking, organic fertilizers are not water-soluble and are released to the plant slowly over a period of months. Organics stimulate beneficial soil microorganisms and improve soil structure. Soil content plays an important role in converting organic fertilizers into nutrients that can be absorbed by your plants. Synthetic fertilizers are water-soluble and can be taken up by the plant almost immediately. This in turn gives a plant a quick boost, however it may do little to improve soil structure. Be mindful not to apply too much of a synthetic, as you can burn the foliage and damage your plant. One advantage synthetics have over organics though is that they make themselves readily available to a plant early in the spring before soil temperatures are warm enough for organics. Both are useful, so you decide for yourself. Espoma is a company with whom you would enjoy doing business. A local company whose ideas still reflective of those of yesteryear. Environmentally and socially responsible, utilizing a vast array of renewable and sustainable ingredients that work with nature. Espoma supports a wide variety of community, education and environmental outreaches, as well as other non-profit organizations working toward a positive change. Pillars that may seem trite, but are in fact their makeup, are quality, service, integrity, education, profitability and responsibility. Attributes that immediately want me to align our company with theirs. And with all this, they still pick up the phone to field questions and concerns without automated machines and call centers. 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.
22 May, 2015
Gardener News
Landscape Contractors Meet in a ‘Jersey Grown’ Greenhouse Members of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) learned that annuals are easy to install, provide great seasonal color and can help their bottom line this year at Kube-Pak Growers in Allentown, Monmouth County, N.J. on Thursday, April 9. Rob Swanekamp, co-owner of Kube-Pak Growers, discussed the newest, brightest and longest lasting annuals for 2015, his top-five solutions to replace impatiens, which are still suffering from downy mildew; the newest introductions that are available right now, including varieties that are deer-tolerant; and how he grows using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. IPM aims to suppress pest populations below the economic injury level measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human health and the environment. IPM emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms. The 50-plus members in attendance were also Tom Castronovo/Photo provided with a personalized tour of Swanekamp’s New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher discusses the Jersey 803,000 square feet (18 acres) of gutter-connected, double-poly greenhouses. In them, he grows plugs, Grown program with members of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors bedding plants, hanging baskets and flowering potted Association. He said a Jersey Grown label certifies the item is grown in plants. Potted plants include annuals and perennials in New Jersey and is disease- and pest-free. He also said that any stock grown the spring, hardy mums and flowering mums in the fall, under the program must be propagated or grown in New Jersey for at least and poinsettias during the holiday season. He also has six six months prior to sale. acres of outside growing area. New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher and New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray were also present at the association’s monthly meeting. The two state officials were on hand to discuss the Jersey Grown program with the attendees and to answer any questions related to agriculture in the Garden State. Kube-Pak is a family owned and operated wholesale grower of fine garden plants. They are not open to the retail public. One of the first innovations at Kube-Pak was the development of the first automatic drum seeder in the world. This technology was developed in 1970, 15 years before drum seeders became commercially available in the United States.
Tom Castronovo/Photo
Rob Swanekamp, left, co-owner of Kube-Pak Growers, shows Tom Canete, President of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association and owner of Canete Landscape Design, Construction and Garden Center, a yellow sticky pad, which is part of the IPM program currently in use in his 18-acre gutter-connected, double-poly greenhouse production facility.
Gardener News
May, 2015 23
Indian Pink â&#x20AC;&#x201C; An Exotic Native Native plants have numerous advantages. Obviously, they do well in New Jersey, since it is their home. They also provide the nectar, or in some cases high protein pollen, that is the food for our native pollinators. The challenge for gardeners is the absence of brightly colored flowers that many of the Tropical and Asian plants display. Fortunately, several colorful options are available, including the Indian Pink, Spigelia marilandica, which remains largely unknown among New Jersey gardeners. Spigelia is a member of the Loganiaceae, a family that consists mostly of tropical genera and may in part explain the tropical appearance of Indian Pinkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flowers. The name of the genus was penned by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, in honor of the Flemish physician and botanical author Adriaan van den Spiegel (1578-1625). In the late 1500s, the concept of drying flowers and
leaves as herbarium specimen was relatively new. Spiegel published a paper in 1606 on the techniques of drying plant specimens, a process that was used extensively by Linnaeus during his career of classifying plants. Hence, his adoration for the Flemish physician. The species epithet literally means â&#x20AC;&#x153;of Maryland,â&#x20AC;? describing the region from which Linnaeus thought it to be native. Although hardy to regions much further north, Maryland is in fact its most northerly natural boundary, with most of the species populating the Southeast region of North America. Prior to its use as an ornamental, the plant had gained some prominence as a medicinal, due to the presence of the alkaloid spigeline. It was used by the Native American Indians to induce visions during ceremonies, supposedly allowing an individual to foresee the future. Alluding to its other medicinal benefit, the plant was also called Worm Grass. Alexander Garden (1728-1791) a medical doctor
and the namesake of the genus Gardenia, learned from the Cherokee Indians that the roots of the plant could be used as a vermifuge to treat and remove intestinal worms. He sent roots back to England in 1752, along with notes extoling its medicinal virtues. Its anthelmintic use in the United States became standard medical practice up until 1926 when the associated risk of convulsions, stupors and death from improper dosages finally outweighed its ability to kill worms. As an ornamental, Spigelia is far more human-friendly. The plants are clump-forming, sending up willowy, four-sided stems that grow 18 to 24 inches in height. The slender stems boast four to seven pairs of oppositely arranged leaves. The leaves range from two to four inches long and upwards of three inches wide, providing a rather course, overall texture to the plant. In lat- May through June, the tips of the stems are host to the most exquisite blooms. The flower buds slowly elongate, ultimately maturing to one-and-a-half inches long,
bright red tubes. At maturity, the tip of the floral tube splits open, presenting five short and sharply pointed bright-yellow lobes. The opening of the tube also reveals the bright yellow center of the flower along, with a very dominant stigma projecting from the center of the tube. A very tropical appearance! Adding to this colorful revelry is the attraction of hummingbirds to the flowers. Bright red, tubular flowers with ample nectar production act as a natural magnet for hummingbirds and Spigelia is a hummingbird seductress. For a rather exotic-looking flowering plant, Spigelia is exceedingly easy to grow. Hardy to zone 5, the plants are native to moist woodlands, nearly serving as a groundcover in regions of Alabama. They are often seen growing on calcareous soils. Fortunately, the plant is highly adaptable to pH and will flourish in most well-drained soils in dappled shade. The key for success is to install the plant prior to July as â&#x20AC;&#x201C; despite its ability to
Independent Garden Center (IGC East) Show Announces Major Expansion %$/7,025( 0' Ę&#x160; 7KH ,QGHSHQGHQW *DUGHQ &HQWHU 6KRZ ,*& 6KRZ DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO +DUGZDUH 6KRZ MRLQWO\ announce they have entered into an agreement that introduces the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taste of National Hardware Showâ&#x20AC;? at IGC East this summer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a dedicated exhibit area showcasing a selection of the broad range of categories represented at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, strategically co-located alongside IGC East, August 4-6, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Jeff Morey, IGC Show Founder and CEO, says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are pleased to bring this representation of the buying opportunities at the National Hardware Show to IGC East. This unique collaboration will allow our audience of independent garden center retailers to explore some of the latest product introductions in hardware and home improvement that could boost their store sales and open new categories for growth.â&#x20AC;? Ed Several, National Hardware Show Senior Vice President, says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have long recognized the IGC Show for its leadership in advancing the independent garden center channel it serves. So when IGC East launched last summer, we saw the opportunity to bring the diversity of products the National Hardware Show is known for to this great independent garden center event. Lawn and garden is highly relevant to our audience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; many operate garden centers alongside their hardware retail businesses so it is a perfect fit.â&#x20AC;? Exhibiting vendor booths at the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taste of National Hardware Showâ&#x20AC;? will occupy a dedicated space located adjacent to the IGC East show floor to facilitate attendee traffic across both product showcases. Independent hardware retailers will have full access to all IGC East offers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; free admission to IGC East; free admission to three keynotes, including lifestyle icon Martha Stewart; and Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free networking party and concert with the Gin Blossoms, performing their hits â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hey Jealousy,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Found Out About You,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Follow You Downâ&#x20AC;? and more live on stage. Independent hardware retailers will also have the opportunity to register for the IGC Retail Conference, featuring 30-plus hours of education focused on customer service, merchandising, advertising, marketing, signage, social media, branding, store design, landscape, inventory, sales in-store and online, POS, family biz plans, buying, ROI and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring their toughest questions for real-world solutions that will make their retail businesses stronger now and in the years to come. Morey calls IGC Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alliance with the National Hardware Show this year a win-win for all involved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Independent hardware stores are so closely aligned to independent garden centers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they are cousins of sorts. Each is positioned to benefit from the otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique experiences and perspectives as independent retailers,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This key alliance further expands the networking opportunities at IGC East, so that garden centers and hardware stores can together celebrate the successes of independent retailing and share strategies to surmount some of its toughest challenges. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Taste of National Hardware Showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at IGC East opens the door to new opportunities for both independent retail sectors.â&#x20AC;? For more about the IGC Shows and to register, visit www.IGCshow.com
endure more northerly winters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it needs time to develop the proper root structure in order for the plant to survive winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrath. Spigelia has proven difficult for northern growers to get through the winter in cool greenhouses. Fortunately, availability has been improving over the past few years and there are now few, if any, excuses why this exotic native should not grace your garden.
Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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
24 May, 2015
Gardener News
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May, 2015 25
A wife of a good friend who is a college professor came up to me at a party and told me that, “It’s scion season once again in Maine!” Of course I responded with, “Yeah, of course it is!” I did not have a clue what “scion season” was and, at 60 years old, you think you know everything. So I secretly whipped out my smart phone, Googled it and found; (i.) a person who was born into a rich, famous, or important family. (ii.) botany : a piece of a plant that is attached to part of another plant. I wondered which definition she was talking about but thought about the hundred or more apple trees on their property and decided it was the latter. I re-approached the friend’s wife and struck up a conversation about her trees. She told me that I should be doing the same thing so the heritage would endure. Wow, this is some pretty heavy apple tree stuff, so I looked further into the matter and found an article about an apple tree scion guru, living right her in our midst.
but either there is something about the soil or there is some genetic variation,’” McIntyre remembered. The texture is a little different, he said, and the flavor better. “In the 19th Century, there would be millions of Maine apples being sold on the streets of London,” McIntyre said. (Well, maybe thousands.) “They keep forever. It is sort of a noble apple.” Bunker agreed to graft some of the apples, via Fedco, and they were dubbed the Harpswell Firehouse. “We thought, what a great idea to spread these around Harpswell,” McIntyre said. Thus, Harpswell Heritage Apples was born. Harpswell is minutes from my home, ergo same climate, soil, etc. This just might work. Hmmm, I got a scion from a 200-year-old heritage apple tree and can’t wait to graft it into my apple tree. Very exciting! Thanks for reading and see ya next month.
The Miscellaneous Gardener By Richard W. Perkins Freelance Writer
“Wow….What the Heck is a Scion?” Right now, Robert McIntyre, and others who care deeply about fruit trees, are starting to pull strange packages of inedible things from their refrigerators. These would be small stems of apple or pear trees, harvested the year before, which have been sitting dormant and chilled while their caretakers wait for spring to stir so that they can graft them onto root stock. McIntyre co-founded Harpswell Heritage Apples about eight years ago, and along with his wife, Dorothy Rosenberg, and their friend Sharon Whitney, runs an allvolunteer effort to propagate old Harpswell fruit trees. I called up the retired economist to talk apples, how a Bowdoin College fraternity inspired his early
tree-planting efforts and what plants you take away in a divorce. FIRST TREE: McIntyre got into the business of trying to save Harpswell’s centuries-old varieties of apples after becoming smitten with one particular tree (and its apples). It grows between the community’s firehouse and Mitchell Field, a popular spot to walk dogs, and McIntyre came upon the battered old tree while running sometime in 2006. “There is almost no trunk to it left,” McIntyre said. “It is a miraculous survival.” BITTERSWEET: The tree was overrun by bittersweet, but the bittersweet hadn’t choked out the apples. “Some of them were very beautiful, with very little in the way
of insect damage,” McIntyre said. And the flavor was “extraordinary.” They stayed on the tree much later than most apples, ripening only around November. “They are like immortal apples,” he said. “They will hang on the tree until they are knocked off.” He was lucky to get any, since for years someone with a firehouse connection had been harvesting them. DETECTIVE WORK: The apples were delicious but not readily identifiable. McIntyre, Rosenberg and Whitney wanted to know more, and like most people in Maine who want to know more about apples, the road eventually brought them to John Bunker, apple expert with the seed and tree company Fedco. “Bunker said, ‘Oh it is a Baldwin,
Editors Note: Check out Richard’s photography at; rwperkinsphotography.com
26 May, 2015
Gardener News RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PHONE DIRECTORY
USDA Announces Record Number of Organic Producers in U.S. :$6+,1*721 ' & Ę&#x160; 7KH 8 6 'HSDUWPHQW RI $JULFXOWXUH 86'$ DQQRXQFHG RQ April 15 that the organic industry continues to show remarkable growth domestically and globally, with 19,474 certified organic operations in the United States and a total of 27,814 certified organic operations around the world. According to data released by the Agricultural Marketing Serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP), the number of domestic certified organic operations increased by more than 5 percent over the last year. Since the count began in 2002, the number of domestic organic operations has increased by over 250 percent. The certified operations list is available at apps.ams.usda.gov/nop. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As demand for organic products continues to soar, more and more producers are entering the organic market,â&#x20AC;? said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. â&#x20AC;&#x153;USDA tools and resources have created opportunities for organic farmers and more options for organic consumers. Growing demand for organic goods can be especially helpful to smaller family operations. The more diverse type of operations and the more growing market sectors we have in American agriculture, the better off our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rural economy will be.â&#x20AC;? USDA is committed to connecting organic farmers and businesses with resources to ensure the continued growth of the organic industry. Along with programs to support conservation, provide access to loans and grants, fund organic research and education, and integrated pest management, USDA administers organic certification cost share programs to offset the costs of organic certification for U.S. producers and handlers nationwide. Now, USDA is using funding from the 2014 Farm Bill to develop the Organic Integrity Database, a modernized certified organic operations database that will provide accurate information about all certified operations that is updated on a regular basis. The modernized system will allow anyone to confirm organic certification status using the online tool, support market research and supply chain connections, allow international verification of operator status to streamline import and export certificates, and establish technology connections with certifiers to provide more accurate and timely data. The initial launch is planned for September 2015. Additional information about USDA resources and support for the organic sector is available on the USDA Organics Resource page at www.usda.gov/organic.
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Gardener News
May, 2015 27
NEW TORO® SPREADER SPRAYER
ANOTHER
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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.
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28 May, 2015
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