Gardener News February 2014 by Gardener News

Gardener News 16 Mount Bethel Road #123 Warren, NJ 07059

TAKE ONE

FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID HILLSBOROUGH, NJ PERMIT NO. 4444

Gardener News Serving the Agricultural, Gardening and Landscaping Communities

February, 2014

GARDENERNEWS.COM

TAKE ONE No. 130

Flower Power Protects Organic Lettuce Fields

Stephen Ausmus, USDA/Photo

Organic romaine lettuce produced during a field trial in which alyssum (white flowers) is planted among the lettuce for aphid control. By Ann Perry USDA ARS Informational Staff

In the language of flowers, sweet alyssum means “worth beyond beauty.” Now findings by Agricultural Research Service horticulturist Eric Brennan are highlighting some cost-effective measures

to help the tiny white blossoms live up to their reputation. “Organic lettuce growers like to use alyssum in their production because it is such an effective way to control aphids,” Brennan says. “If you drive by a field in central California that has a lot of alyssum, it’s almost

guaranteed to be an organic lettuce field.” Lettuce growers in California’s central coast plant alyssum to attract adult hoverflies that feed on the flower’s pollen and nectar. After eggs laid by the well-fed females hatch, the voracious larvae prey on currant-lettuce

aphids—important primary insect pests of lettuce in the region. The aphids are particularly difficult to control because they colonize the interior leaves of the lettuce plant. Alyssum is so effective at helping to control aphid populations that it can be

planted on up to 10 percent of the land used to grow organic lettuce. But agricultural rent in central California can be costly, so growers need to devote as much land as possible to cash crop production. Brennan, who works at the ARS (Cont. on page 10)

2 February, 2014

GARDEN CENTER DIRECTORY

Gardener News

Got Rock Salt? We Do… & Calcium, Snow Shovels, Firewood & Propane. Hall’s Garden Center & Florist 700 Springﬁeld Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 908.665.0331 | www.hallsgarden.com

Plan your Spring Garden with us See you in March! The Biondi Family

Serving Central NJ For Over 50 Years

601 Union Ave. Middlesex, NJ

Gardener News

February, 2014 3 Around The Garden By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

Jambalaia

This month I’m going to share a few things that might be of interest to you. Living Thermometers Growing up, my father always knew how cold it was outside by simply looking out the window at the rhododendrons. As it got colder, the more they drooped and rolled. When it was around zero, they looked like green beans hanging from the branches. As it warmed up, the leaves would unroll and stand up. After the temperatures dropped in January to the zero mark, it brought back some childhood memories. So, on one of the frigid mornings, I grabbed my camera, making sure that the battery had a full charge on it, hopped into my car and headed over to my folks’ house to check out the rhododendrons. As I drove up the driveway, the green beans were staring me right in the face. I did not need the electronic thermometer on my dashboard to tell me it was zero degrees outside. So, the next time you encounter a rhododendron, see if you can estimate the temperature by evaluating the curl of its leaves. By the way, severe droughts can also cause rhododendron leaves to droop and curl. You may surprise yourself with the plant’s accuracy. Agricultural Celebration This year Jersey Fresh celebrates its 30th advertising campaign anniversary. Jersey Fresh is an advertising, promotional and quality grading program launched in 1984 to help farmers inform consumers about the availability and variety of fruits and vegetables grown in New Jersey. Through the many years of the program, consumers’ awareness has increased, and it has become the benchmark for other states to initiate their own state-grown agricultural marketing programs. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has continually worked to bring Jersey Fresh to all who want it, by working with restaurants, schools, colleges, big box stores, local communities, hotels, hospitals and more. Land Grant Centennial This year we celebrate the 100-year signing anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, which officially created the national Cooperative Extension system. Established in 1914, Cooperative Extension was designed as a partnership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the land-grant universities, which were authorized by the Federal Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890. This Act provides for, among other things, the teaching of improved agricultural practices to farmers. New Jersey This year marks a notable milestone for New Jersey: its 350th birthday. New Jersey began in 1664 as a royal gift. Charles II of England granted a sizeable parcel of land on the East Coast of North America to his brother James, Duke of York. James in turn gave a piece of this valuable real estate to two loyal noblemen, Sir George Carteret and John Lord Berkeley. A document in the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton, proclaims that “said Tract of Land is hereafter to be called by the name or names of New Cesarea or New Jersey.” And so, New Jersey was born. In my opinion, New Jerseyans have a tremendous opportunity to celebrate, and learn from our native plants. 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.

We Proudly Offer

t 5PNBUPFT t #BTJM t #MVFCFSSJFT t 4USBXCFSSJFT t 1MVNT t 4RVBTI t $VDVNCFST t #FBOT t -FUUVDF t %JòFSFOU )POFZT t )PNF #BLFE 1JFT 'SFTI #BLFE #SFBET t *OUFSOBUJPOBM $IFFTFT t 'SFTI 7FHFUBCMFT "MM :FBS

Gladly Accepting SNAP EBT Cards

2013 NJ Flower and Garden Show Award Winning Water Display Garden

4 February, 2014

Gardener News

New Jersey agriculture is so vitally important to the Garden State and accounts for billions of dollars in economic impact. To promote this industry, the Department of Agriculture was hard at work in 2013 highlighting the state’s agriculture sectors. As we wound down the season, the Department showcased the New Jersey grape harvest with Governor Christie proclaiming September 20-29 New Jersey Wine Week. There are 48 licensed wineries in the state, producing both nationally and internationally acclaimed wines. The Department celebrated the third annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week the last week in September, highlighting successful farm to school programs in Salem City, Mountainside and Vernon. In October, we visited Etsch Farms in Monroe Township to take a stroll through their corn maze to promote agritourism. We also paid a visit to the Toms River Farmers Market to remind consumers that Jersey Fresh produce is available well into the fall. The Department provided a $100,000 gleaning grant to Farmers Against Hunger in November, helping to glean

several compelling speakers on a variety of topics. One of the most requested topics has been crisis management, and for that listening session, Ray Gilmer, Vice President, Issues Management and Communication for United Fresh Produce Association, will speak. Ray, who has a news business background and who worked for a public relations firm specializing in crisis management, will speak about past crisis examples and what a farm can do to prepare for crisis management. This year’s convention is sure to enrich the lives of the attendees and also ensure that the agriculture industry continues stronger than ever far into the future.

NJ Dept. of Agriculture By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture

Looking to a Strong 2014 for NJ Agriculture donated Brussels sprouts at Eastmont Orchards in Colts Neck. We ended the year with our annual tree-cutting ceremony at the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association tree contest winner’s farm. This year, it was Wyckoff’s Christmas Tree Farm in White Township, also the winner of the National Christmas Tree Association’s tree contest. Once again, we look forward to the year ahead with the annual New Jersey State Agricultural Convention, slated for February 4-6 at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. It is our third year joining with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, as they hold their trade show in the exhibit hall and educational classes throughout the week. Our other partners for the convention include the New Jersey Blueberry Association, Garden State

Winegrowers Association and Rutgers University’s New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station. The 2014 convention will appeal to New Jersey’s diverse agricultural industry by promoting participation and interaction among a wide crosssection of industry members from all sectors. During the course of the convention, delegates will learn more about the major issues impacting agriculture and make decisions that will move the industry forward. Held since 1914, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture conducts a legally mandated annual convention of the state’s entire agricultural industry. As specified under New Jersey statutes, each year delegates representing all sectors of the industry must gather to elect two members to the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture, elect farmer-members to the

Look Who’s Reading the Gardener News!

It’s in the news

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Kent McCord, best known for his role as Officer Jim Reed on the television series “Adam-12,” looks over the Gardener News while visiting the great Garden State. The show was based on real-life happenings of Los Angeles police officers. “Adam-12” aired from 1968-1975, a span of 174 episodes. After “Adam-12,” McCord starred with Barry Van Dyke in the ABC series “Galactica 1980” and in the 1989 NBC series “UNSUB.” He has recently appeared in recurring roles in the NBC series “Seaquest DSV” and the USA Network’s “Renegade,” “Silk Stalkings” and “Pacific Blue,” as well as the SCI-FI Channel’s “Farscape” and the hit CBS series “Jag.”

Fish and Game Council, and set agricultural policy for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture through a series of formal resolutions voted on by the delegates. The State Agriculture Convention will open with its regular business session on Wednesday, February 5. The meeting will include listening sessions addressing crisis communication, locally grown and microenterprise. A GMO panel discussion also is planned. A number of resolutions will be considered by the delegates, including the issue of food safety – something the agricultural community has been watching closely. The Food and Drug Administration is currently working on rules required under the Food Safety Modernization Act that would impact New Jersey farmers. Over the course of the convention, there will be

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 Gard rde dener er Ne News New wss

Febru February, Fe ruary ryy, ry, y, 2014 2014 5

COME SEE

SPRINGTIME IN FEBRUARY DON’T MISS NJ’S MOST EXCITING FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW OF THE YEAR!

2014 EME

W TH

SHO

NJ CONVENTION CENTER SHOW HOURS Thurs 1pm - 8pm | Fri 10am - 8pm Sat 10am - 8pm | Sun 10am - 6pm

BEAUTIFUL GARDEN DISPLAYS Designed around the AMERICA BLOOMS Show Theme GARDEN CLUB OF NJ Standard Flower Show & Youth Standard Flower Show SHOPPING, SHOPPING, SHOPPING Extensive GARDEN MARKETPLACE- Loaded with Everything for your Garden, Unique Gifts, and more.. GARDENING SEMINARS Valuable & Informative Education & How-To Classes GROWING UP GREEN - Fun for Kids

For More Info : 732.449.4004

OFF

1 ADULT ADMISSION

@ THE DOOR WITH THIS COUPON OR WHEN YOU PURCHASE ONLINE

LY PRODUCED B OUD

www.NJFlowerShow.com

$4.00

www.NJFlowerShow.com Use Code: DAISY

6 February, 2014

Gardener News

Desktop Globes— It has been proven that plants in the office increase productivity and morale and this small globe will do just that! It only measures four inches so will not take up space and is filled with air plants that require minimal care. Available at Barlow’s

Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do - or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so. ~Stanley Crawford

Garden Shopping By Leslie Barlow Garden Educator Snack Shack—New squirrel resistant feeder with three weight-adjustable perch settings and a securely locking roof. Made in USA. Woodlink Audubon Valentine Garden Flag— Spread a little love and add some fun to your flower beds with this whimiscal flag. Garden flags are a simple and inexpensive way to welcome the holidays and seasons. Available at Barlow’s.

MBrace– An innovative new way to create raised garden beds. No tools required. The boards simply slide into the corner braces to create a raised bed. Portable, recyclable and Made in USA. www.artofthegarden.net This month is the florist and floral designer’s busiest holiday time. On February 14, St. Valentine’s Day arrives. On this day, millions and millions of roses are presented to loved ones and love prospects-to-be. What is the meaning of St. Valentine’s Day, also known as Valentine’s Day, and why is the rose associated with this holiday? St. Valentine was a priest near Rome around 270 A.D. He was persecuted by the Roman Empire and imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry. Roman Emperor Claudius II did not allow soldiers to marry because he believed that made them weaker soldiers. It was said that St. Valentine would cut out heartshaped parchments and give them to the married couple as a symbol, thus the first introduction of the heart as a Valentine symbol. St. Valentine was also caught ministering to Christians. At that time, the Roman Empire and their Emperor believed in Paganism. It was said that while imprisoned he healed Julia, who was blind, the daughter

HAPPY VALENTINE’S Bring the Outdoors DAY !!!!! In— Designer Shane Powers presents twenty simple As of February 1, only 48 projects that will inspire days until Spring! you to enliven your home with a touch of nature. This Til next time, Leslie beautiful guide will inspire garden lovers, home décor enthusiasts and crafters to Editor’s Note: Leslie Barlow utilize organic materials for is co-owner of Barlow unique home accents. Shane Flower Farm in Sea Girt, NJ, one of the largest retail Powers. growers in NJ since 1983. She has appeared on News 12 NJ and has been a guest speaker at local garden clubs. She is a Certified Staging Professional™ with a specialty in Curb Appeal. She has been gardening for many years and is always at trade shows hunting for useful accessories for the home garden. For product information she can be reached at 732449-9189 or lbarlow@ barlowflowerfarm.com.

The Professional Grower By Tim Hionis Greenhouse Specialist

Roses and Valentine’s of his jailor, Asterius, fell in love with her in the process and wrote her a love letter, just before he was executed, that finished with “from your Valentine.” In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared Valentine’s Day on February 14th. The Pope was trying to counteract the existing Pagan holiday of Lupercalia, which took place between February 13-15, which was an Ancient Roman Festival they thought would help with fertility. In the festival, Roman men would run through the streets of Rome naked and would slap their women with goat-skin thongs to help increase fertility. Then in the 14th Century, there was a poem in which it was written that fowls would find their mate on February 14 on St. Valentine’s Day. It

became more recognized in 18th Century England, when the culture of lovers courting became popular. During these times, it was encouraged to provide gifts of flowers, candy, and greeting cards. Why are roses given on this day? Roses are considered the gift of lovers. Roses are one of the most elegant and intricate flowers in the gardening world. In ancient Greek and ancient Roman, the rose was sacred to the goddess of Aphrodite and Venus. Roses, with their fragrance, bring the feeling of freshness and clean air quality. Roses are a symbol of love and beauty. What of the color of the roses presented and their meanings? The red rose means everlasting love. Red and white roses together

symbolize unity, loyalty, and kinship. The red with white rose has the same meaning. Purple and lilac symbolize love at first sight and also mean enchantment or desire. Yellow symbolizes warmth, joy, caring, friendship and affection. The white rose symbolizes purity and innocence. This is why white is used in for bridal bouquets. The pink rose symbolizes elegance and refinement. Certain shades can also mean more. A dark pink symbolizes appreciation and gratitude, while a lighter shade or pale pink means grace, gentleness, and happiness. Orange roses symbolize desire and enthusiasm. Also, the number of roses given has a symbol. One red rose means a love at first sight. The single rose should

be given on a first date. It also can be given deep into a relationship to mean that you are still loved and desired, like being on the first date. A dozen roses symbolizes “Be Mine” straight and simple, whereas sending two dozen roses symbolizes “I’m yours.” Did you mess up recently or do something wrong? Giving 15 roses symbolizes “I’m sorry.” Giving nine roses symbolizes that you will be together forever, while 13 roses means you have a secret admirer. Now that you know all the facts about this holiday and the association of the roses that come with it, this may help enjoy the fullest the day of love that comes around every year. You have a better base of the meaning of the color and the amount of roses needed to express your feelings for your love one. 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

Let’s be honest with ourselves. We throw away a lot of food in our own homes. Sometimes it’s food we buy and don’t use. Sometimes its leftovers we save and never get to. Either way, it contributes to the food we waste in this country, which is estimated around 40 percent. Over 50 percent of waste is seafood and fresh fruits and vegetables and over 20 percent is attributed to meat and milk products, according to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC). In addition, about 10 percent of our energy usage is used to get food to our tables and around 80 percent of water is used for crops. If we are throwing away 50 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables, that is also a ton of wasted water. Reducing food waste has always been a hot topic in the food industry. In the retail industry, we budget waste, which is known as shrink, between 3 and 15 percent annually. If we compare those numbers to the actual waste in the United States, more responsibility rests on

February, 2014 7

Passionate About Produce By Paul Kneeland The King of Produce

Reducing Food Waste the consumers than it does on the retailers for waste. That is not to say we all don’t have responsibility. Offering larger varieties of product and creating an impulse sale could lead to waste, sure. We have all heard the warnings about going to the grocery store hungry. It usually ends up with us buying more than we want or need. To combat some of the food waste that is caused by expired food, former Trader Joe’s president Doug Rauch has opened a store in Dorchester, Mass., called the Daily Table. The store sells food that is past its sell by date, yet still wholesome, at affordable prices. The food is sold with the intent of consumers eating it quickly to avoid waste. Some of the food is prepared in store and

sold at prices similar to that of fast food places in the area. This neighborhood can be considered a “food desert” – a term used for neighborhoods without grocery stores or supermarkets where fresh, nutritious foods are available. These are generally lowincome areas. Judging from the waste we have and the amount of food available, can we assume that all people are well fed and have plenty of food? Not so much. Food insecurity has affected about 15 to 20 percent of households in the United States. Households with children represent the higher percentage. Many children go to school to eat breakfast and to get lunch because they do not get it at home. This can be a major problem

in the summer and on weekends. Many retail outlets donate tons of food to food banks every day. The need is great. However, expired food items are discarded in the sorting process at the food banks. Of course this is designed to protect their clients but it does add to the food wasted. Could there be a way to take what Mr. Rauch is doing in Massachusetts and apply it to the food banks? Could there be a new outlet in food deserts in our country? Should schools open their kitchens to food that is about to expire and would never be purchased at grocery stores? We waste 50 percent of our food each year, yet our food banks still struggle to feed families in our own communities. We also have

an obesity problem in the U.S., with over 27 percent of Americans overweight, according to Gallup. Those over age 45 have the largest percent of people classified as obese – over 32 percent. There is a disconnect somewhere. Sooner than you think, we will be struggling to feed the world population. According to the World Bank, there will be 2 billion more people in the world in 2050. We need to make significant investment in agriculture globally. In addition, we need to find a balance in the food we produce and offer and the food that is wasted, starting now. 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

8 February, Fe ruary Febru ryy, 2014 ry, 2014

Gardener Gard rde dener er Ne News New wss

Proud Suppliers of:

BE SURE TO VISIT OUR BOOTH FEBRUARY 13-16 NEW JERSEY CONVENTION CENTER EDISON, NJ

& Garden Center

Buy Direct From One Of New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Growers Of Plants & Flowers! Six Acres Under Glass/Full Service Garden Center

Dear Valued Retail Client, Our full service garden center is closed for the winter. Please revisit us at the end of march when spring is in the air & the bulbs are blooming!

Stay Warm - T he Hionis Family Oldwick

202

Lamington

206

78 Rd.

Pluckemin

Hunterdon

Somerset

ing

Old

wic k

287 Bridgew North Branch

gto din

Solberg Airport

nR d.

206

Rea

Whitehouse Station

202

din

gto

We will be open for wholesale business only. Please call for an appointment. 908.534.7710

So Raritan

202 Old

k Yor

Rd.

4 Coddington Rd. Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 www.HionisGreenhouses.com

Gardener News

February, 2014 9

Dept. of Ag reaches out

Tom Castronovo/Photo

New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray, center, was the keynote speaker at the Brookside Garden Club in Mendham, Morris County, New Jersey, on January 14. Assistant Secretary Murray spoke to the group about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and how it has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. He stated that there is an important concept woven into the CSA model that takes the arrangement beyond the usual commercial transaction. That is the notion of shared risk: in most CSAs, members pay up front for the whole season and the farmers do their best to provide an abundant box of produce each week. If things are slim, members are not typically reimbursed. The result is a feeling of “we’re in this together.” He also introduced the new Jersey Grown marketing material. Jersey Grown is New Jersey’s brand for locally grown plants, trees, shrubs and flowers, which 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. New Jersey growers who are certified by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to sell or distribute nursery stock, plant material, annuals and perennials, turf grass, cut Christmas trees, firewood and sunflower seeds (for feed) are permitted to apply for the use of the Jersey Grown logo in marketing their materials. On the same day, Assistant Secretary Murray also visited with members of the Garden State Gardens Consortium, and with Chris Nicholson, president of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association.

Green with Winter Envy Green is a finicky color for New Jersey gardeners! Throughout the warmer seasons, green is traditionally relegated to a supportive role in the garden. However, throughout the winter months, green suddenly becomes the star performer. As a novice gardener, I looked to foliage for winter interest, coveting pines and other evergreen plants. However, as my plant pallet expanded, I discovered additional mediums for weaving green into the winter garden. For example, when I first stumbled onto the shrub Kerria japonica, the Yellow Japanese Rose, I was unaware of the impact that the lightgreen stems would have on the winter garden. Kerria is a member of the rosaceae or rose family and is monophyletic, with only one species within this genus. Although thought to be native to Japan, as the species epithet

infers, it is actually native to China, where it forms thickets on mountainous hillsides. The genus name honors William Kerr, a Scottish gardener who explored portions of China from 1804-1810 and sent back numerous new genera to Europe, including Pieris japonica, Nandina domestica and Begonia grandis. However, he was not the first to introduce this plant. The Swedish naturalist Carl Thunberg (17431828) was the first European to discover this gem, naming it Corchorus japonica. In 1771, Carl Linaeus (1707-1778) was the first to actually describe the plant and he reclassified it as Rubus japonica, while it was another Swiss botanist, Augustine Dyramus de Candolle, who recognized this plant did not belong within the genus Rubus and reclassified it once again, honoring William Kerr. Aside from offering green stems in the winter, Kerria has numerous additional benefits. It is an attractive arching shrub, growing to heights of two to eight feet, depending upon

the cultivar. It is revered for its yellow, five-petaled floral display in May into June. The flowers are typically 1½ inches in diameter, although the cultivars “Golden Guinea” and “Shanon” display flowers to 2½ inches. The form that William Kerr introduced to Europe was a double flowered form called “Pleniflora,” with pom-pom flowers to two inches in diameter. Interestingly, “Pleniflora” was already an ornamental in Chinese gardens in 1804! Most of the selections grow to heights of four feet, while “Pleniflora” is more upright in form, easily reaching six to eight feet tall. The foliage is 1½” long and spatulate, with serrated edges and bright-green in color. “Picta” is from the Latin for painted, and aptly describes the variegated cultivar of Kerria, whose gray-green leaves are “painted” with tracings of white along the margins. It is far more diminutive than the other cultivars, reaching two feet tall and wide and often throws green-foliaged reversions that require prompt removal.

Kerria is easy to grow, as it transplants readily and is tolerant of full sun or shade, moist soils or dry. Although it will grow fuller in sites of adequate moisture and light, it provides solutions for difficult sites. Years back I grew the form “Gold Guinea” in heavy shade beneath a mature Magnolia x soulangiana or Saucer Magnolia. It did not grow very dense, but it grew and each May proffered attractive yellow flowers while still providing green stems for the winter. The plants slowly spread and sucker to form dense thickets and if planted on four-foot centers, it will eventually create a tall groundcover, much like it does in its native provenance. Plants do not require shaping, but after four to six years, the stems die, detracting from its winter appearance. If the dead is removed annually, it is an easy chore, but if the plant has not been pruned in years, it is best to simply sacrifice the bloom for that year and to cut the entire plant to the ground in winter. Kerria is hardy to zone

3 and – did I mention – it is deer resistant! As we know, winter is a wonderful time of the year to experience a garden and it is nice to rely on more than simply foliage. Stem color is a wonderful method of introducing winter interest into the garden, and a plant that offers spring flowers with easy culture should not remain an obscure plant for New Jersey gardens! Editor’s Note: Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth; is the managing director of the Rutgers Gardens, a 180-acre outdoor teaching classroom, horticultural research facility and arboretum; an adjunct professor in Landscape Architecture at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; regularly participates in the Rutgers – Continuing Education Program; and the immediate pastpresident of the Garden State Gardens Consortium. He can be reached at (732) 932-8451. For more information, please visit www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu

10 February, 2014

Gardener News

Now that the holidays are behind us and we are in the depths of winter, it is time to start looking forward to our plans for the coming year. I am sure that some of us have some sort of template laid out or we might have some goals in place about certain things that we might try to accomplish throughout the remainder of 2014. Here on the farm, these goals might be to increase sales, or to increase acreage, or to try new crops, or perhaps undertake some new marketing strategies. And I am sure that those of us not on the farm might be setting similar goals for themselves as well. Maybe some of us have set some family goals. It might be to take a long-thought-about family vacation or to finally get a family reunion together. Or, for someone who is contemplating retirement, it might be to actually do less this year. These are all worthy and noble goals, and all of the people who set them and then even attempt to carry them out should be commended for their

some help of your own someday, and this is your chance to “pay it forward.” So, as we move through the remainder of 2014, please set aside some time and give back to your community. Whether it is through a volunteer emergency services organization, helping the disadvantaged and those less fortunate, or working with any of the multitude of deserving groups that so desperately need some assistance, we all will be better off because of your efforts.

The Town Farmer By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

Community Service efforts. It is my opinion that far too many people go through life without much of a plan at all and then wake up 20 or 30 years later wondering how in the heck they ever got themselves into their situation. It has always seemed to me that the more successful people had a knack for always keeping one eye on the big picture and did not allow themselves to get bogged down in the minutia of the day-to-day grind. With that being said, it is a good idea to take stock from time to time; to see where we are, and more importantly, where we want to be. One area that I personally would like to see more people focus more attention on is the area of community service. Sure, I know that

we all have extensive commitments with our families and our careers. It seems as if people today are working longer hours than ever before. And this increase in work hours puts that much more pressure on the need to spend more time with the family. But if everyone could find some spare time to devote to some type of community or public service, society as a whole would benefit by leaps and bounds. First of all, the obvious benefit of community service is that the community will benefit. That is a no-brainer. But there are other benefits as well. While it can be hard to describe, helping others, especially in a time of need, can be some of the most satisfying and rewarding

time that you can spend. This service will give you a whole new perspective and outlook and really make you appreciate some aspects of your life that you otherwise may have taken for granted. Sure, I know, it sounds great, but who has the time for all of this? Trust me when I say this, but you should make some time. You will be a better person for it. And the people you help be better for it as well. And, especially if you have children, the example that you will set by showing them how to help others will pay dividends for years to come. Another benefit of community service is the network you will develop among other like-minded people. Also, you never know when you might need

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.

Flower Power Protects Organic Lettuce Fields (Continued from Page 1) U.S. Agricultural Research Station in Salinas, California, wanted to figure out the most cost-effective alyssum planting patterns in lettuce fields to help organic producers maximize their profits. At a working research farm in Salinas that is certified for commercial organic production, he established experimental beds with several different planting combinations of alyssum and romaine lettuce. Blossoms With Benefits In five of these combinations, 2 percent to 8 percent of the lettuce plants were replaced by alyssum plants. These were called “replacement” treatments, and each replacement plot was planted at a rate equivalent to 26,440 lettuce plants per acre. In two of the other combinations, alyssum was planted in addition to the full complement of lettuce. One of these beds was planted at a rate equivalent to 27,087 lettuce plants per acre and the other at a rate equivalent to 28,598 lettuce plants per

acre. These two treatments were called “additive” treatments. Brennan also varied the distribution of the flowers in the fields by either planting the alyssum in strips or interspersing it with the lettuce plants. For two growing seasons, Brennan evaluated how alyssum biomass and flower production varied with alyssum planting density and how competition between lettuce and alyssum affected the biomass of both plants.

The scientist observed that alyssum in the additive beds produced more blossoms per gram of alyssum dry matter, possibly because the alyssum plants and lettuce plants were competing more directly for nutrients needed to support biomass production. This combination increased alyssum’s value as an insectary plant—a flowering plant cultivated in crop fields because it attracts insect predators to feed on pests.

Stephen Ausmus, USDA/Photo

An adult hoverfly on an alyssum flowerhead. Hoverflies are a natural enemy of aphids that can infest lettuce, and the flies are attracted to fields by alyssum interplanted with the lettuce.

Brennan also noticed that in the additive treatments, alyssum and lettuce canopies began to overlap around 22 days after they had been transplanted to the field, while in the replacement beds, the canopies did not start to overlap until 32 days after transplanting. This observation provided additional evidence that competition between alyssum and lettuce in the additive treatments began earlier in the season and was more intense than competition in the replacement treatments. Brennan thinks these findings will be useful in determining the best way to intercrop alyssum in lettuce production systems to effectively control aphids; maximize lettuce yield and profitability; and minimize the costs and complications that come with transplanting, weed management, harvesting, marketing, and postharvest tillage. His field research indicates that additive treatments may be the most efficient

intercropping approach for producing romaine lettuce hearts, where smaller lettuce plants are desired. This is because the number of lettuce plants was not reduced in additive treatments, and alyssum transplants in the additive treatments were able to produce 78 percent as many open alyssum flowers as the replacement treatments. Although lettuce from replacement beds produced more biomass, Brennan believes that this increase might not be relevant at a commercial scale once the lettuce is harvested, trimmed, and packed for market. A Scattered Approach Brennan has also concluded that an alternative to intercropping lettuce with strips of alyssum in specific rows would be to randomly intersperse alyssum plants throughout all lettuce rows, an approach that is already being used by some lettuce producers. Dispersing the alyssum throughout the field could minimize (Cont. on pg. 20)

Gardener News

February, 2014 11 Unique Plants By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist

Wet Feet Clients of ours, who have quite an extensive piece of land in Far Hills, N.J., have a few tricky sites on their property with regards to landscaping. Having an appreciation for plants and sound design, the owners have employed us for over a decade, to date, to develop and maintain their gardens. And during this time we have had a few challenges trying to meet their expectations, satisfy their tastes for plants and all the while trying to be horticulturally correct. Enthusiasts of conifers, together we have broached, on more than one occasion, the idea of forcing plants into areas that simply won’t perform well. Struggling with shade and “wet feet” (areas where roots will be soggy) are two problems that many conifers simply don’t enjoy. I have said time and again that gardening is not an exact science. You have to kill many plants before you can be considered a good gardener. Meaning, like anything else, you have to learn from your mistakes. Atlantic Whitecedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides is one tough conifer. In the wild, this tree grows as an overstory and is dominant in peaty swamps. Proving itself as a survivor in wet areas, along stream beds, Atlantic Whitecedar is more than useful in low-lying wet areas. And while this plant is seldom found in residential landscapes and even more infrequently in nurseries, it can be had by better independent garden centers. A needled evergreen, its usefulness for screening in wet and somewhat shady areas has solidified the value of this tree. There are several cultivars to seek out here, too. “Shiva,” our choice for our clients’ grounds, has gorgeous feathery, blue-green markings. Achieving a narrow spire or slight pyramid form with time, the “Shiva” we tagged for our client, at the nursery, was approaching 20 feet. “Top Point” has interesting texture and a narrow habit. Possessing both needle-like and scale-like foliage, this narrow beauty has a muted green color in warmer months and rich, purple markings in colder months. I have seen this plant used thoughtfully in containers and as a small entrance piece to an Italian-style courtyard. “Aurea,” as you might expect, is a bright-yellow cultivar that grows in a pyramid some 10 to 15 feet. “Emily” has rich, green scale-like foliage that is soft-textured. “Heatherbun” seems to be making a push in our industry. There are several larger plant growers in the country that have embraced this one. A compact, mounding, globe-type, it too has blue-green markings in the summer and a great plum color in the winter months. Slated to grow some five to 10 feet tall and four to five feet wide, time will tell if “Heatherbun” will achieve the status so many have placed their trust in. “Purple Heather” shows the frustration I have, at times, with the industry. Often I feel that there are so many cultivars coming at us too fast that there is almost a redundancy of plants already named. This I hold to be true with “Heatherbun” and “Purple Heather.” “Glauca Pendula” has graceful, nodding branches. An upright grower with great blue foliage, you can expect this beauty to get over 20 feet with time. “Ericoides” is another popular one that has been thrust into the mainstream and is seen with some regularity now. Sharing similar color markings that many others do, “Ericoides” is compact, making a small, conical shrub. More are seen closer to five feet tall than the reported 30 feet that they are said to obtain with years. The list goes on and on. While Atlantic Whitecedar can reach some 40 to 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide with age, the national champion is over 90 feet in Maryland. Native to the Eastern United States in swamps, Chamaecyparis thyoides is often a “go-to” plant for wetland reclamation projects. I have been told that one of the strongest sites you could see of this plant is the White Cedar Swamp in the Cape Cod National Seashore. While I have not personally seen this, I have “Googled” images and concur. A noteworthy footnote is that many cultivars of Atlantic Whitecedar have reportedly struggled over the years because of drought stress. Perhaps it is for this reason that Whitecedar has done remarkably well in its native environment, as most other trees simply can’t compete. Either way, today there are lots of gorgeous cultivars to choose from in a species that will not only hold its own in a boggy area, but will excel there. 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, the American Boxwood Society, the European Boxwood Society, a members of the Reeves-Reed Arboretum Buildings and Grounds Committee, a lifetime member of the Conifer Society, a member of the NJ Plants Trade Show Advisory Board, and past member of the retail council for Monrovia Growers. He can be reached at (908) 665-0331.

12 February, 2014 With the inevitable cold temperatures we are experiencing, gardeners should be diligent in helping landscape plants withstand them. More important than just a cold spell are the fluctuations in temperature which are common to our area. As the temperatures drop below freezing, the water in plant cells begins to freeze. This causes ice crystals to form, pushing dissolved material out of the cells. Water is then diffused from inside the cells. If the temperature rises and falls slowly, the damage will be minimized as the water will be returned to the cells slowly. If the temperature changes are more immediate, then the cells will lose enough water to cause dehydration. This may also cause ice particles to form in the cells, causing them to rupture and die. Factors which influence the severity of cold damage are the cold tolerance of individual plants, the low temperature fluctuation and quickness of it and the exposure of the area where planted. Care should be taken when planting to consider what the winter exposure will be. Tender plants

Gardener News The Landscaper By Evan Dickerson Landscape Professional

We Freeze, Thaw and Do it Again in warm winter locations will experience warming of the leaf tissue cells, and a sudden drop in temperature at sundown can cause a quick desiccation. This is an example of planting in an unsuitable location. Choosing small-leaf or needled evergreens will afford more chance for survival. Keep in mind that cold air is heavier than warm air and will sink to the lowest part of the landscape. If we avoid planting intolerant plants in these locations, we will have more success. It is important to monitor the hydration of plants during the winter. Dry weather in the fall months can be detrimental and cause faster plant desiccation. Since we had just enough natural rainfall going into winter, our plants went into the fall adequately hydrated so that the moisture will buffer

soil temperatures through the winter. One of the best insulations is a blanket of snow. Unfortunately, we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t plan for snowfall, but we can add supplemental water. Evergreens are particularly susceptible to water loss in winter, since they never go completely dormant and continue to lose water through their leaves and needles, especially on windy days. When the moisture taken up by the roots is insufficient to replace what is lost through the leaves, burning or scorching will occur. This is seen as the leaves and needles turning brown and black over parts of their surface. Plants installed in the fall will need particular attention and winter watering may be needed as well. During time of warmer weather, be sure to water these evergreens, ensuring adequate soil moisture.

Antidessicants and antitranpirants are two terms which are interchangeable. Desiccation is the drying or dehydration of plant cells and transpiration means to pass through the pores or membranes. Either way, the cells are damaged and plants will have cosmetic damage at best and complete death at worst. Antidessicants are products which form a thin, waxy covering over leaf surfaces, reducing water loss in the cells. Foliar applications can be made through the winter on warm days. Highly susceptible plants will need multiple applications, since most antidessicant products will not last through the winter. There are also root zone-applied antidessicants, which condition plants to produce additional amounts of abscisic acid (ABA) thus closing the stomata (leaf

pores) and reducing its own transpiration rate naturally. These products can be an invaluable help in minimizing dessication in landscape plants. Some young or tender tree trunks can be influenced by the ill conditions of winter. Damage is most likely to occur on trees with light-colored barks. Maple and ash are examples. On young trees, a tree wrap will be sufficient to protect from the fluctuations in temperature which can cause cracking or splitting of the bark. As we continue to have our usual diverse weather swings, it is important to brush heavy snows off our plants as soon as possible, since letting these freeze and thaw could increase ice problems for our landscapes. Welcome to winter in New Jersey, as we continue to protect our plants. Your local landscape contractor or garden center can guide you through this season. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

Food Service Professionals Preview Prepared Food for School Meals at NJDA Food Show 75(1721 1- Ę&#x160; 7KH 1HZ -HUVH\ 'HSDUWPHQW RI $JULFXOWXUH SUHVHQWHG WKH 6HFRQG $QQXDO 86'$ )RRGV &RQIHUHQFH RQ -DQXDU\ DW WKH (DVW %UXQVZLFN +LOWRQ in East Brunswick, showcasing the newest healthy school lunch offerings that could appear in school cafeterias around the state next school year. More than 300 school food service professionals and business administrators attended presentations and a vendor show of the latest trends in prepared school menu items made from U.S. Department of Agriculture donated bulk foods. The manufacturers and distributors presented foods geared to meet the nutritional requirements of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act school lunch regulations, enacted last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The USDA Foods Distribution program provides a cost savings to school districts at the same time providing nutritious foods that appeal to childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tastes,â&#x20AC;? said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This program is part of the Christie Administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall efforts to assist food districts and provide healthy options in school cafeterias.â&#x20AC;? The USDA Foods Distribution program allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to utilize USDA foods and distribute them to processors who make nutritious reduced fat products at a reduced cost to school districts. This year, there were many creative options including, whole wheat crust pizza using black or red beans in place of sauce, whole wheat flat bread that can be used to wrap turkey hot dogs or on sandwiches, and many Asian-style and Middle Eastern foods. The conference gave school food service professionals the opportunity to sample the foods and speak directly with manufacturers to meet their districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific needs, helping them to determine which foods to order for the 2014-2015 school year. Cliffside Park Schools Food Service Director Erik Korman said the show provided him with a broad range of options and will save him time in finding healthy choices that meet USDA nutrition standards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The show brings out better, fresh ideas and products for the school to use,â&#x20AC;? said Korman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It lets us know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out there for our kids.â&#x20AC;? The vendor selected by show attendees as the best booth was Service First Food Sales and Distribution. Heather R. Drumbore, President, said it was very helpful to her business, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary, to attend the Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s USDA foods show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a well-attended event; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no way you could see so many potential customers in a day without the show,â&#x20AC;? said Drumbore. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have high quality and honest people. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to sell a product if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually like it.â&#x20AC;? There were several presentations prior to the start of the foods show. Tanya Steel, former editor of food lifestyle website Epicurious, urged attendees to spread the word about the Healthy Lunch Time Challenge, a contest for 8 to 12-year olds to develop, healthy, delicious recipes that adhere to USDA guidelines. The winners were invited to attend a Kids State Dinner at the White House. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think what you guys do on the front lines is absolutely critical,â&#x20AC;? said Steel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have tremendous admiration and respect for what you guys do. As Napoleon said; the army marches on its stomach and so do the kids.â&#x20AC;? Each show vendor was asked to prepare one of the winning recipes from the Challenge and offer it for tasting along with their product samples. Jennie O prepared the New Jersey winner Goldie Siegelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recipe of Hawaiian Turkey Sliders with Mango-Pineapple Salsa. Other speakers were Adele LaTourette, Director of the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition, and Peter Grote of the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. LaTourette stressed the importance of providing a school breakfast program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;How many of you know hungry children in your schools?â&#x20AC;? she asked the crowd. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People are in need everywhere, there is no community that is exempt from this problem.â&#x20AC;? Grote asked the school officials to support the Students Change Hunger program, in which schools compete to collect the most food items or funds to donate to food banks. He said the 2013 program gathered 60,000 pounds of food and $15,000 in donations and he is hoping it will grow even bigger this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new status and organization of the competition will now challenge students from all over the state to take part in the process of providing food banks with food for the holiday season.â&#x20AC;? In addition, Department staff gave a program update and reviewed new online features to assist school districts in the process.

February, 2014 13

Gardener News

WE’VE GOT WOOD! 6WRYH :RRG &KLPLQHD :RRG )LUHSODFH :RRG 6PRNLQJ :RRG

Emergency Service

Residential Ground Grading Solutions Light Excavating Member of:

Design and installations new and older renovations 3HUHQQLDO URFN JDUGHQV %DFNKRH ZRUN :DWHU 'UDLQDJH SUREOHPV VROYHG 6WRQH ZRUN

732-668-2012 NJHIC# 13VH03659100

Serving Central New Jersey

ATTENTION GARDEN CENTER & NURSERY OWNERS: Want to sell

FLORIST

Lawn & Garden Products?

700 Springfield Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 Phone: (908) 665-0331 Fax: (908) 665-9804 email: hallsgarden@earthlink.net www.hallsgarden.com

In North Jersey Contact:

In South Jersey Contact:

Rich Imlay 908-216-8933

Steve Leyland 908-217-0682

Energex Premium Grade HARDWOOD PELLET FUEL

Visit Our Showroom & Display Area

311 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough (908) 252-1550 LandscapeMaterialsInc.com

Brick Pavers Decorative Gravel Retaining Wall Block Limestone & Bluestone Fieldstone Mulches Top Soil Lawn & Garden Tools Grass Seed Landscape Lighting Fertilizer Decorative Mail Boxes Masonry Supplies ...& MUCH MORE Drainage Products

OPEN

Ice Control Bulk Salt Salt/Sand Mix By The Bag/By The Pallet #50 Halite #80 Halite #50 Calcium Cloride #50 Urea

Monday thru Friday Ice Control 24 Hours 908-252-1550 Scan Here

Now accepting leaves, tree branches, limbs, trunks, brush and wood chips.

14 February, 2014

Gardener News

IF OTHER HOMEOWNERS CAN GET RESULTS LIKE THIS,

WHY CAN’T YOU? Use genetically superior grass seed mixtures

Create a biologically active soil

New for 2014!

Get your lawn off to a great start!

COME VISIT US AT THE

NJ FLOWER SHOW Available at garden centers and hardware stores in your area.

Feb. 13th - 16th BOOTH #426

NJ LAW PROHIBITS THE APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER PRIOR TO MARCH 1ST.

Ask for a FREE copy of The New American Lawn Guide, or visit NewAmericanLawn.com

2/14

Gardener News

February, 2014 15

16 February, 2014

Gardener News

Gardener News It is hard to believe that I got my horticulture degree 30 years ago. There is always something new to try in the garden. These are two of my favorite recommendations for 2014. Nothing makes fresh berries more appealing than â&#x20AC;&#x153;crĂ¨me fraiche.â&#x20AC;? Yum! Now you can add some â&#x20AC;&#x153;crĂ¨me fraicheâ&#x20AC;? to your garden, too. There is an exciting new introduction called Deutzia â&#x20AC;&#x153;CrĂ¨me Fraicheâ&#x20AC;?â&#x201E;˘. To give you an idea how wonderful this plant is, first let me tell you about a close relative from which I believe â&#x20AC;&#x153;CrĂ¨me Fraicheâ&#x20AC;? came. Almost two decades ago, I stumbled upon a plant growing in the parking lot at Longwood Gardens. The plant was the Slender Deutzi, Deutzia gracilis â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nikko.â&#x20AC;? The plant had nice green foliage, and bright, pure-white flowers. I was unfamiliar with this particular plant, and was very excited to see something new and exciting. Nikko was a selection for its horticultural merit and it originated from Watanabe Nursery, Gotemba City, Japan in 1976. It was introduced in the late-1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

February, 2014 17 The Great Plant Escape By David Williams Plant Enthusiast

Must have plants for 2014 here in the United States. Even though it is a fantastic plant, it is still relatively unknown. There has never been much marketing to promote it, but it does seem to gain in popularity every year. It has a compact, low-growing habit. In 10 years, it will only grow to about two feet tall, and one plant can spread to about five feet wide. It has gentle, arching branches. It does lose its leaves in the fall, but before it does, it gets a spectacular burgundy fall color. It is an ideal groundcover for rock gardens or perennial border and well suited to the small garden. The flowers bloom late-April to early-May in profuse panicles of small white flowers. The only disappointment that I have with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nikkoâ&#x20AC;? is that the flower time is so short. â&#x20AC;&#x153;CrĂ¨me Fraicheâ&#x20AC;?

gives you quite a bit more seasonal interest in that it has all of the benefits of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nikkoâ&#x20AC;? and its leaves are edged with a rich crĂ¨me variegation. This plant looks spectacular planted with yellow flowers. For best flowering, I recommend planting it in full sun. It will tolerate some light shade if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a sunny location. Several years ago I got a test plant of Calycanthus â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aphroditeâ&#x20AC;? to plant in my garden. I now understand why it was named after the Goddess of Love. I love this plant, and it will be making its way to many garden centers in 2014. Calycanthus is commonly known as Carolina Allspice or Spicebush. I had tried the native Calycanthus in my garden before, but I was disappointed in how it performed. Aphrodite changed my opinion on having

Calycanthus in my garden. Aphrodite is a cross between Calycanthus floridus, C. chinensis, and C. occidentalis. It was bred by Tom Ranney of North Carolina State University. It blooms on and off through spring and summer. The flowers are almost four inches across and are a wine-colored red. At first glance at the flowers, you may think it is a Magnolia, since it is very similar in shape and look. The leaves are large and heart-shaped, and they have a glossy sheen to them. It is an extremely vigorous grower that makes it perfect for the back of a border or as a deciduous hedge. It is a multi-stem bush and can get six to 10 feet tall, depending on if you trim it or not. Its best characteristic is the unique wonderful fragrance of the

flowers. It belongs near an entrance, deck, or patio, so everyone can enjoy the flowers when in bloom. The fragrance is almost indescribable, and if you Google the plant, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find that many people smell different things in the fragrance. I think it smells like a fine wine, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found others describing the fragrance like strawberries, or applesauce, or sweet fruit. Calycanthus are tolerant of wet sites, and will do great in a site that is permanently damp. It should be planted in full sun to part shade. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: David is a fourth generation partner at Williams Nursery in Westfield. He is a member of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Union County Board of Agriculture. He has served as a board member for the Friends of Mindowaskin Park, the International Garden Center Association, and the Rutgers Board of Managers. He recently finished a two year term as President of Garden Centers of America (GCA). He can be reached at (908) 232-4076.

Toro Unveils Enhanced 21â&#x20AC;? Commercial Heavy-Duty Mower Line %/220,1*721 0,11 Ę&#x160; 'HVLJQHG ZLWK SURIHVVLRQDO ODQGVFDSH FRQWUDFWRUVÂś QHHGV LQ PLQG WKH QHZ 7RURÂ&#x160; Â´ &RPPHUFLDO Heavy-Duty mowers build on a track record of proven performance with a host of new features to do even more. All five models are HTXLSSHG ZLWK WKH ODWHVW FRPPHUFLDO JUDGH FRPSRQHQWV DV ZHOO DV WKH 5HF\FOHUÂ&#x160; FXWWLQJ V\VWHP DQG D ZLGH HDV\ HPSW\ EDJ WR HQVXUH optimal performance. These models also feature premium engines and maintenance-free transmissions to help operators stay productive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For landscape professionals who need a lightweight commercial walk-behind mower, our new 21-inch lineup offers an outstanding combination of quality of cut, durability and ease of use,â&#x20AC;? explains Ryan Moorlag, marketing manager for The Toro Company. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We listened to our customers and designed these mowers with the features theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve asked for. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not only easy to use and maintain, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also extremely durable to stand up to tough commercial conditions.â&#x20AC;? The new 21â&#x20AC;? Commercial Heavy-Duty mower line-up features a robust 4-point height-of-cut system for maximum life and durability. 0RGHOV DUH HTXLSSHG ZLWK HLWKHU D +RQGDÂ&#x160; RU .DZDVDNLÂ&#x160; HQJLQH DQG VHOHFW PRGHOV IHDWXUH D QHZ VSHHG LQWHUQDO GLIIHUHQWLDO PDLQWHQDQFH free transmission. These mowers travel up to 4.2 mph and offer 1- to 4.5-in cutting heights to mow in a variety of conditions. Plus, all five mowers in the new line come equipped with a self-propelled Zone Start or Blade Stop System. The Blade Brake Clutch system enables operators to disengage the blades without shutting down the engine. Other features include the patented Recycler cutting system, which directs grass clippings deep into the turf to provide a â&#x20AC;&#x153;just baggedâ&#x20AC;? appearance without the hassle of clipping collection and disposal. The new design has two kickers for optimum recycling and bagging performance. In addition to Recycler mulching, operators also have the option to collect clippings in the fast-emptying 2.1 bushel bag. The wide mower tunnel and large-capacity bag help maximize bag fill, and make quick work of grass clipping disposal. The operating handle can be adjusted to three different height positions and features a solid, integrated handle mount. In addition, the large 9-in commercial-grade wheels utilize sealed ball bearings and steel pivot arms for long life, while providing a light footprint thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy on turf. Select models also have a one-gallon gas tank for fewer refills. For maximum durability, the decks are constructed from corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, and the engine guard is a more durable tubular design, rather than wire form. Models are also equipped with replaceable steel wear plates to protect the deck against damage from impacts. For more information on Toro 21â&#x20AC;? Commercial Heavy-Duty mowers, contact your Toro Landscape Contractor Equipment dealer, call Toro at 1-800-348-2424, visit www.toro.com/professional, or send an e-mail to LCEproducts@toro.com. About The Toro Company The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of innovative turf, landscape, rental and construction equipment, and irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions. With sales of more than $1.9 billion in fiscal 2012, Toroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global presence extends to more than 90 countries through strong relationships built on integrity and trust, constant innovation, and a commitment to helping customers enrich the beauty, productivity and sustainability of the land. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands to help customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, and agricultural fields. More information is available at www.toro.com.

18 February, 2014

Gardener News

Ahhh....mid-winter has arrived. No more football, holidays long gone and now the dreariest stretch we New Jerseyans must face. Fear not, my friends, for this is cooking season. A time for me in which I love to play around with new ideas, as well as refining others. Citrus, for example, is at its peak right now, and is great for making all different types of vinaigrettes and marinades. Certain citrus fruits such as the amazing blood orange and the super sweet Meyer lemon are commonly seen at most supermarkets right now. If you have never tried these, I highly suggest it. The Meyer lemon, which is a bit larger, with a smoother skin than the common lemon, is to me able to be eaten like a an orange, although still having some lemon tartness. The zest of this fruit lends itself well to a variety of recipes, including vinaigrettes, salsa verdes, butter sauces, salads, or marinades, to name a few. The juice can be used or substituted for anything requiring your standard lemon juice. Even a wedge served with grilled or broiled fish will enhance its flavor. The other citrus fruit, blood orange, or moro orange, is a bit smaller than the average orange and has origins from Italy. The

Method: -in a large, heavy bottomed pot, heat on medium for several minutes. -sear the meat, mixing occasionally until browned -add the vegetables, a little salt and pepper, and a little more oil if necessary -cook a few minutes and add a good handful of flour, enough to coat most of the meat and vegetables -stir another minute and add the beef stock, should be enough to cover the meat and veg. -add the seasoning and bay leaves, adjust the salt and pepper to taste -cover and reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally until thick and beef is very tender -you may add more beef stock if desired for a thinner stew. ENJOY!

From the Deep By Craig Korb Executive Chef

Greetings from the Jersey shore! skin is a bit rougher and often has a reddish hue on parts of the fruit. It makes a great juice and a killer margarita. It also works well in applications calling for orange juice or orange zest and can be used interchangeably. I like eating them whole. The juice has this intense deep red color, thus the name. If you’ve never tried one, ask your local produce person if they have them or if they can get them. They can usually be purchased by the piece, which makes it easy and inexpensive to try out. These two are just a few of the amazing varieties of citrus fruits that are at their peak right now. So take advantage and drink some juice, folks. Onto the recipe du jour. Beef stew. Sounds plain, tastes delicious, makes house smell good, enough said. I remember as a child my father would make beef stew in a crock pot. I remember it as follows, one

container of some sort of stew starter all in one stew mix, beef and water. I remember it being good, but for some reason I think the vegetables were dehydrated and a part of the “stew kit.” Anyhow, my other favorite back then was a nice can of Dinty Moore stew, also introduced to me by my father. Sorry to say, the latter does not taste as exquisite as I remember it. This is in no way a dis to my father, who always made a mean barbecued meatloaf, chicken piccata and great marinated broccoli salad. Beef stew is simple to make and requires little time and but a few ingredients. It can be served alone or over some noodles or rice, or sorry quinoa for all you neo-healthy cool people. Kidding. I feel as if rustic is the way to go here. We do not need to overdue or over-analyze beef stew. I’m sure some fancy restaurant is

making organic, free-range, naturally raised, antibiotic free, blah blah blah, deconstructed “stew du beouf.” We are not. What you will need is available at any food store, feeds plenty of people and is a hearty, onepot dish, which is even better the next day. Just beef stew (serves four-ish) 2 lbs. cubed beef for stew 2 or 3 potatoes (washed, skins on, large cubes) handful of flour or so salt and pepper to taste 3 lg. carrots (peeled, cut into large half-moons) 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil 4 stalks of celery (sliced thick) 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon herbes de provence (dried, avail. in spice section) or a teaspoon of dried thyme 1 lg. can of beef broth, more if needed

Editor’s Note: Craig Korb is executive chef at The Crab’s Claw Inn, Lavallette, New Jersey. He has an Associates degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelors degree in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. For more information visit www.TheCrabsClaw.com or phone (732) 793-4447.

Gardener News Rutgers Cooperative Extension Presents Diversity and County Faculty of the Year Awards for 2013 1(: %5816:,&. 1- Ę&#x160; 5XWJHUV &RRSHUDWLYH ([WHQVLRQ (RCE) recently held its annual awards program at the 2013 Annual Joint Department Meeting to recognize outstanding performances of students, faculty and staff. Among the awards given was the â&#x20AC;&#x153;RCE Diversity Award,â&#x20AC;? presented to Kenneth Karamichael, associate director of youth development at Office of Continuing Professional Education, and the RCE â&#x20AC;&#x153;County Faculty Person of the Yearâ&#x20AC;? award, presented Patricia Rector, environmental and resource management agent. The RCE Diversity Award recognizes outstanding efforts and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity in Extension organizations, programs and audiences. For over 15 years, Karamichael has consistently grown and strengthened urban youth initiatives across the state of New Jersey. As the director of Rutgers T.E.E.M. Gateway, he has been able to take what started primarily as a single summer youth program and cultivated it into New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier at-risk youth, education and employment training program. Annual, Karamichael has been able to successfully obtain major grants and partnerships to further support positive youth development across the state. In 2013, Karamichael has been able to attract a number of critical diverse partnerships to expand social services to serve three growing at-risk youth populations in Newark, NJ: LGBTQ youth; youth with disabilities; and young mothers returning to school. Karamichael has tirelessly sought out programs and partners who can assist in meeting the many diverse needs of the youth he serves. His collaborations exemplify his commitment and success in supporting the importance of diversity in positive youth development. The RCE County Faculty Person of the Year award goes to a county faculty employee who has provided accomplishments, activities, programs, publications and services in the advancement of outreach in their county. Within the first six to 12 months of starting as an environmental and resource management agent, Patricia Rector identified local partners and established a network of stakeholders with which to collaborate on environmental projects and educational programs in Morris and Somerset counties. Municipalities, whether through the township committees, planning boards, environmental commissions or Sustainable Jersey Green Teams, have been seeking assistance from Rector. Additionally, non-governmental organizations such as watershed associations, faith-based groups, and community organizations have partnered with Rector to conduct environmental educational programs and to implement environmental projects. The unbiased aspects of Rutgers Cooperative Extension with science-based educational programs, coupled with the trust that Rector has gained among her stakeholders, has allowed her programs to be extremely successful in a relatively short period of time, earning her the RCE County Faculty Person of the Year award.

State Conservation Poster Contest (TRENTON, NJ) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soil Conservation Districts are now accepting entries in a poster contest designed to raise awareness of natural resources and related issues among young people. The theme for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poster is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dig Deeperâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mysteries in the Soil.â&#x20AC;? Students may compete in the following categories: Grade 2-3; Grade 4-6; Grade 6-8; and Grade 9-12. First place winners in each category will receive $200 savings bonds; second-place $100 bonds; and third-place $50 bonds. All first-place winners will be entered in the National Association of Conservation Districts poster contest. The competition is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Committee, New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts and the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 15 Soil Conservation Districts, which work to conserve and manage soil and water resources in the state. To find your local Soil Conservation District, go to www. nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/nrc/conservdistricts.html. All entries must be submitted through the local districts. For more information and the entry form, visit www.nj.gov/ agriculture/divisions/anr/pdf/conservationpostercontest.pdf.

February, 2014 19

CASE FILES

From the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County Garden Help Line By Madeline Flahive DiNardo, Union County Agricultural Agent and Master Gardeners, MC Schwartz and James Keane Q. When is the best time to prune my flowering shrubs? Confused in Cranford A. It depends! There is no one â&#x20AC;&#x153;rule that fits allâ&#x20AC;? for pruning flowering shrubs. It really depends on the type of shrub. In general, shrubs that bloom in the early-spring form their flower buds on last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth, so some gardeners prefer to wait until after they bloom to prune them. Plants that bloom on the current seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth are usually pruned while they are dormant; during the winter months would be an appropriate time to prune. Pruning has many benefits to plants, including influencing flower and fruit production. A newly planted shrub may be pruned to purposely remove flower buds, so that there is strong vegetative growth during the first year of establishment. For some plants such as Butterfly bush (Buddleia) and Lilac, pruning is used to stimulate flowering. As some plants mature, they produce more flowers and fruits, but they are small. Pruning to rejuvenate these shrubs removes branches, redirecting the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy to producing fewer, but larger, flowers and fruits. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at some examples and exceptions to this general rule. Pruning during the dormant season, before flower and leaf buds begin to break, allows you to get a good look at the structure of the plant. It is the preferred time to prune most shrubs that bloom on the current seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth, such as Glossy Abelia, Clethra and Spirea. During the dormant season, it is easier to see crossing and broken branches, diseased or insect-infested branches and suckers to remove them. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good idea to clean your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol between cuts to prevent disease spread. Take out older wood that no longer produces flower buds. Removing about one-third of the old growth is sufficient. Some of the newer growth can be taken down to one-third their height to encourage side branching. Make the cut just above an outward facing bud to encourage branches or flowers to grow outward. An inward facing bud will direct its branch towards the center of the shrub, which could cross or tangle with other branches. Some of our flowering friends, such as the Buddleia, should be cut all the way back to 12 to 18 inches from the ground every year in the late-winter, just before bud break. If it is not pruned back annually, this vigorous grower tends to get unwieldy, tangling dead and live branches and flowering meagerly. When making the pruning cuts, leave at least two or three healthy buds on the stem. Make the cut just above an outward facing bud. Shrubs that are considered â&#x20AC;&#x153;spring bloomersâ&#x20AC;? bloom before mid-June, such as azalea, forsythia, rhododendron, lilac and viburnum. The advantage to waiting until after these shrubs bloom is that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t risk removing the flower buds. To prune these spring bloomers, remove any suckers, stems that grow straight up from the base of the shrub or on branches. Take out any crossing or broken branches. Remove all the spent flowers on the shrub by making the cut just above the buds forming for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth. Some old shrubs can be rejuvenated by pruning them severely back, but again it depends on the type of shrub. Lilacs and forsythia can withstand a severe pruning. The stems or trunks can be cut back to ground level late in the dormant season. New shoots will begin to grow in the early-spring. Thin out the smallest and weakest stems, allowing the strong, vigorous branches to thrive. It may take a year or two to get good flower production back, depending on the plant. Another option for rejuvenating an old shrub is gradually cutting it back over a three- to five-year period. The first year, cut one-fifth to one-third of the old stems all the way back to the ground. Each year, remove another one-fifth to one-third of the old growth, until the new growth completely replaces the old branches. Each year, do a maintenance pruning to keep the new growth looking good! There are a few times of year that pruning should be avoided. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a good idea to prune woody shrubs in the early-spring when the flower and leaf buds are opening, as carbohydrates and growth hormones are moving toward these growing points. Late-summer, when the new growth is mature and shrubs are showing signs of early-fall color, is usually not a good time for pruning either, as the new growth stimulated by pruning will not be hardy enough to withstand the first autumn hard frost. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: The Union County Master Gardenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HELP LINE fields hundreds of citizen inquiries a year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; offering assistance with their indoor as well as outdoor gardening and pest-control questions. Responses to resident phone calls and on-site visits comply with current Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station recommendations. Union County residents can call (908) 654-9852 or email mastergardeners@ucnj.org for assistance. A complete listing of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) offices where you can contact a Master Gardener in your area can be found on page 26 of the Gardener News. Free RCE fact sheets are available at www.njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs

20 February, 2014

Gardener News

Swing Into Spring with 35 Workshops at Rutgers Home Gardeners School on March 22

From Sea to Shining Sea

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — Over 25 of the state’s top home horticulture experts will present 35 different interactive gardening and landscaping workshops at the 38th Annual Rutgers Home Gardeners School on Saturday, March 22, 2014. The program will be held from 9:00am-4:00pm on the Cook/Douglass campus at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. The registration fee is $60 until March 10; $75 after. Topics will range from building a water garden to creating a terrarium to composting and canning. This year’s program also includes 21 brand new workshops on topics like azaleas, gardening with stone and eco-beneficial and sustainable gardening methods. The expert speakers represent both commercial horticulture and landscape design firms along with Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) and School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) faculty and staff to provide homeowners with the opportunity to learn from the best in the business. Attendees can create their own schedules by selecting the workshops that are most relevant to their gardening interests for a truly exciting day of hands-on learning. Pre-registration is recommended; some workshops have limited seats. For more information, workshop descriptions or to register, call the Office of Continuing Professional Education at 732-932-9271 or visit www.cpe.rutgers.edu/hgs.

By Jeannie Geremia Garden Club of New Jersey

Flower Power Protects Organic Lettuce Fields (Continued from Page 10) competition between lettuce and alyssum. It may also encourage adult hoverflies to forage for pollen and nectar more evenly throughout the field.

difficult to incorporate into the soil, especially when it is concentrated in strips. “This was a fun and colorful trial,” concludes Brennan, who published results from his

Stephen Ausmus, USDA/Photo

Various patterns of intercropping alyssum with organic romaine lettuce for aphid control. This alternative would also eliminate concentrated strips of alyssum that are difficult to hand weed—an important consideration in organic cropping because hand weeding is expensive and weeds that survive can produce seed that infest future crops. Scattering alyssum throughout a field could also minimize postharvest tillage requirements, because alyssum shoot residue can be

work in Biological Control. “I’m getting international requests for the paper, and now I’m working with a largescale organic lettuce producer on different ways of planting alyssum and lettuce.”

Editor’s Note: Ann Perry works for the Agricultural Research Service, USDA. She can be reached at (301) 504-1628 or by emailing ann.perry@ars.usda.gov

Brrrr! We certainly have endured more than our normal share of frigid winter that began way too early. If Hellebores are any sign of what was to come last November and December, I have to put this in my memory bank as they haven’t bloomed yet. I’m talking about the HGC Josef Lemper Hellebore that in years past has bloomed as early as late-October, and here it is after the New Year and I see, before it’s buried in a blanket of snow, that the buds are still tight and reluctant to open up. It’s obvious that my Hellebores are my new winter weather indicator. Thankfully, the snow will be an insulating cover as the temperature is poised to drop precipitously into single digits. February’s New Jersey Flower and Garden Show couldn’t come at a better time as we need that “spring fix” to dispel the winter blahs. This show, my gardening friends, is our valentine to you, and we can all delight in the beauty and splendor of garden displays, the Garden Club of New Jersey’s Standard Flower Show, the Garden Marketplace, fascinating seminars, the everpopular Container Challenge and the Dueling Designers with a variety of kids’ programs to make this a family affair for all ages. It’ll be fun to see what our garden centers, landscapers and garden clubs come up with, as the theme of the show is “America Blooms.” Kevin McLaughlin of Mac Events gave me a “heads-up” that Stephanie Cohen, the Perennial Diva, who has also been called “the Vertically Challenged Gardener” and “Dr. Root of Perennials” is to be one of the major speakers. Stephanie will share some of her vast knowledge with us on the following topics: “Perennials from Spring to Fall” and “Lower Maintenance

Gardens” that combine flowering shrubs, perennials, and vegetables, adding interest while lessening garden toil. Stephanie shared this quote with me: “Gardening is better than seeing a psychiatrist, because you always feel better and you get tomatoes and flowers.” I can’t wait to see and hear this award-winning author and lecturer “dishing” her love of gardening with a touch of humor for added spice. The GCNJ’s Standard Flower Show, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” promises to pull out all stops as we dazzle you with water features and an abundance of blooms in all three flower show divisions. Diana Kazazis has taken on the chairmanship of our biggest show of the year, and with Carol English as Vice Chair and an outstanding flower show committee, we aim to make this the best show yet! Our GCNJ Board members will be welcoming you as we showcase the many projects of our 120 garden clubs. This year’s Community Gardens will feature a butterfly- and bee-friendly habitat of native plants, trees and shrubs that provide nesting sites and food sources for our pollinators. Bruce Crawford, Director of Rutgers Gardens, and his students are set to outdo themselves with a garden that you can easily replicate at home. The Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc. invites you to take part, as always, in our flower show, not only to view it, but to be an exhibitor in any or all three divisions. You can see our flower show schedule, which gives all the particulars of the show, on the GCNJ website, www.gardenclubofnewjersey. com or the Mac Events website at www.NJFLOWERSHOW. com. Division I , Design, is entitled “America’s Waterways,” featuring six sections, with 14 classes

including “Catching A Wave at Malibu Beach,” “Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.,” “Following The Colorado River,” “Romance at the Jersey Shore” (bringing back memories galore to us all), “Honeymoon at Niagara Falls,” “Mississippi Riverboat Dinner Cruise”---did I say there will be water features or what?! Division II, Horticulture, “Songs of the Sea,” features eight sections: “Sea of Love,” “Old Man River,” “Up on Cripple Creek,” “Under the Sea,” “Sea Cruise,” and “Beyond the Sea,” with a total of 28 classes. I’m just swooning over the thought of viewing all this amazing horticulture. Division III, Special Exhibits number seven Sections: Invitational Exhibits including “Stronger than the Storm,” displaying restoration projects and other activities by the eight Districts of GCNJ, Educational exhibits and the Youth “Playing with Water,” a flower show within a flower show. We’re looking forward to seeing you all and getting a big taste of spring! A special thanks to NJ Plants Trade Show and the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association for providing trees, shrubs and plants for several of the GCNJ’s grant recipients by helping to replenish flora and fauna lost in our public gardens. 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 Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie is also Program Chair for Neshanic Garden Club and can be reached by emailing jeannieg42@earthlink. net Garden Club of New Jersey website is: www. gardenclubofnewjersey. com and phone number is: 732-249-0947.

Recycle the

Gardener News show it to a friend!

February, 2014 21

Gardener News

Springfest Garden Show www.springfestgardenshow.org

March 13 - 16, 2014 Sussex County Fairgrounds &20( 6(( Designer Sheds:â&#x20AC;&#x153;Living InYour Gardenâ&#x20AC;? &20( /,67(1 72 Renowned authors, Ken Druse, Colleen Plimpton, Kerry Ann Mendez and many more free lectures with paid admission 10-5pm Daily $12 Adults, $9 Senior (65+), Kids Under 12 Free Senior Day - Thursday $8

Go to the website for a $1.00 off coupon

22 February, 2014

Gardener News

Battery/Electric Products For Outdoor Power Equipment $/(;$1'5,$ 9D Ę&#x160; 7KH 2XWGRRU 3RZHU (TXLSPHQW ,QVWLWXWH 23(, DQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO trade association representing 100 small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers, announced that it is ramping up its regulatory, standards and market reporting and statistics efforts to meet the unique needs of the corded electric and battery product segments. In recent months, OPEI has welcomed several new battery/electric companies to its membership, including iRobot, Positec, Stanley Black & Decker and Sunrise Global Marketing, and John Cunningham, president of the Consumer Products Group at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. recently joined the 2013-2014 OPEI Board of Directors. To help the industry have a voice in regulatory and standards development, OPEI also formed an Electric Products Committee, currently led by representatives from Stanley Black & Decker and Techtronic Industries, N.A. The OPEI Electric Products Committee is tasked with coordinating with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on standards for battery/electric products for international markets, as well as regional adoptions for the North American market. The committee members are given an opportunity to participate, review and give input in the development of product standards. The first order of business has been the development of the first ever OPEI/ANSI standard for an electric robotic mower. Fourteen member company representatives are currently reviewing IEC standards for electric robotic mowers and identifying modifications for the North American market. Projects are underway to develop standards for battery/electric chain saws, lawn hedge trimmers and lawn trimmers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The formation of our Electric Products Committee not only addresses the unique needs of battery/electric products, but it also allows us to harmonize requirements between fuel powered, corded and battery products on a global basis,â&#x20AC;? said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. As sales and demand for battery/electric driven outdoor power equipment increases, OPEI is expanding its market statistics collection to capture and track the growth of this product segment. Current reports for OPEI members include monthly shipment data for battery/electric blowers and walk-behind rotary mowers. Future reporting is planned to include battery/electric snow throwers, chain saws, string trimmers, and hedge trimmers. About OPEI The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing 100 small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers of consumer and commercial outdoor power equipment. The OPEI Education Foundation is the creative force behind TurfMutt.com. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the development of safety and performance standards.

I am a Nikon guy, and when my 2010 Coolpix S4000, which I have taken thousands of photos with, started going downhill, I went shopping. I looked at the newer version Coolpix, and then the L610 caught my eye with the 14X Zoom as opposed to a 5X Zoom, so I purchased it. I was sitting in my truck in the parking lot and discovered, to my chagrin, that it used two AA batteries instead of the rechargeable Li-Ion that the old Coolpix used. And, in the box were two AA alkaline batteries. The Userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manual said they would last for approximately 150 photos. What the Manual did not tell you was that in the cold the alkaline batteries lasted about five minutes. Plus, I am not big on polluting the environment with throw-away batteries, so the next day I went back to the store and looked for rechargeable Li-Ion AA batteries. Guess what? Energizer and Duracell do not make

The Miscellaneous Gardener By Richard W. Perkins Freelance Writer

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My New Digital Camera andâ&#x20AC;Ś AA Batteries?â&#x20AC;? them and Nikon does not offer them, either. But, what Nikon does offer are rechargeable NiMH

batteries, and so do Energizer is made by one of these two and Duracell, at less than anyway, is my guess. half the cost of the Nikon Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a known fact that brand name which no doubt alkaline batteries are not designed to meet the highpower demands of most electronic devices, so I was surprised to see Nikon cheap out with the L610. Alkaline batteries have a high rated capacity, but they can only deliver their full capacity if the power is used slowly. Digital cameras place a high power drain on batteries, so it is much smarter to use rechargeables. Even though alkaline batteries are rated at 1.5 volts, they only deliver 1.5 volts when they are fully charged. As they begin to Richard W. Perkins/Photo discharge, the voltage of the

alkaline battery will continue to decrease. Over the course of their discharge, alkaline batteries average 1.2 volts, which is very close to the 1.2 volts of a NiMH battery. The main difference is that an alkaline battery starts at 1.5 volts and quickly drops to less than 1.0 volts. NiMH batteries stay at 1.2 volts for most of their discharge cycle. Lithium ion rechargeable camera batteries, which are in all my Nikons, work best in high-drain applications, but are much more expensive and in this case not available. So, I purchased a charging kit and discovered that it takes eight to 14 hours to charge a NiMH battery, but well worth it. I have already gone on two photo shoots with the L610 in the cold and still have plenty of charge left plus four back-ups ready to go. Thanks for reading and see ya next month. Editors Note: Check out Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photography at; rwperkinsphotography.com

Gardener News The best way to get ready for another year of your lawn care program is to come up with an overall plan. This strategy should be based on the last few years of what you liked and what you did not like about how your lawn looked. Education is never lost and if you are not sure what to do or what is going wrong with you lawn, start your research. One of the best ways to accomplish your plan of attack is to attend some spring homeand-garden shows. Not sure what that pesky weed is in your lawn that you can never get rid of? Have you ever heard of Google? I know, silly question, some folks may not have access to a computer, but your local library or municipal building may be able to get you wired for access. The Internet hosts a great deal of information and pictures available to help you identify various weeds, insects or fungus in your lawn. A weed can be defined as a plant that is growing out of place; somewhere you do

February, 2014 23 Turf â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Up By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

Get ready for spring! not want it to grow, such as a rose bush in your driveway, or dandelions in your lawn. You need to know which ones are grassy weeds and which ones are broadleaf weeds for effective control. Grassy weeds have a â&#x20AC;&#x153;grasslikeâ&#x20AC;? look to them. They can have broad blades like crabgrass or be fine bladed like annual bluegrass (Poa annua), or fuzzy like moss. Which ones do you have? Proper application timing is critical to control weeds and also the correct control products must be used on certain weeds in your yard. Grassy weeds usually are best controlled in early- to late-spring months. Broadleaf weeds tend to have some sort of flowering in their life cycle, and they are usually best

controlled in late-spring through early-fall months. Most control products do not control both grassy and broadleaf weeds, so do your research and read the label! As the weather warms up in late-spring, insects tend to be emerging. Be sure to determine what insects you are trying to control and their life cycle for proper timing of product applications. Do not just apply a yard-wide application of insect control because you had insects last year. Do your research. When are the target insects emerging, am I using the proper control, is my timing all wrong? Do not apply grub control each year because you are in fear of losing your whole lawn to grubs. If you had grubs last

year, determine why you had grubs and monitor your lawn to see if they start to appear in late-spring and then take a plan of action. A healthy growing stand of grass can tolerate five to eight grubs per square foot and survive. Have you had a hard time combating fungus each year? Change your yard environment to reduce fungus pressures on your lawn. Try trimming some trees to let more light and air circulation into certain lawn areas of your property. What about aerating your lawn to relieve compaction or thatching your lawn to create a better soil profile to grow better grass? Have you been applying fertilizer at the wrong time of year? What about incorporating

EPA awards almost half a million in funding to reduce pesticide risk, including risks to bees :$6+,1*721 ' & Ę&#x160; 2Q -DQXDU\ WKH 8 6 (QYLURQPHQWDO 3URWHFWLRQ $JHQF\ (3$ DQQRXQFHG DJULFXOWXUDO grants for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to reduce the use of potentially harmful pesticides and to lower risk to bees, all while controlling pests and saving money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These collaborative projects can provide innovative solutions to reduce pesticide risks to pollinators and crops,â&#x20AC;? said James Jones, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Initiatives such as these will encourage others to adopt promising technologies and practices across the nation to reduce pesticide risks while maximizing crop production and protecting public health.â&#x20AC;? IPM relies on easy-to-implement, environmentally-sensitive practices that prevent pests from becoming a threat. These practices involve monitoring and identifying pests and taking preventive action before pesticides are used. If pesticides are needed, methods such as targeted spraying may be used. These grants will expand public-private stewardship efforts and reduce pesticide risk in agriculture. The Agricultural IPM Grants are awarded to: The Louisiana State University project to minimize impacts to bees from insecticides used in mosquito control. Mosquito control is critical for public health; however, insecticides can be hazardous to bees. Bees are essential for crop production and ensuring a healthy food supply. Practices and guidelines resulting from the project will be distributed to mosquito control districts and beekeepers throughout the U.S. The University of Vermont project to reduce pesticide use and improve pest control while increasing crop yields on 75 acres of hops in the Northeast. The awardees will also develop and distribute outreach materials to help farmers adopt these practices. The projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is to reduce herbicide and fungicide applications by 50 percent while decreasing downy mildew, a plant disease. The Pennsylvania State University project to protect bees and crops by reducing reliance on neonicotinoid pesticide seed treatments and exploring the benefits of growing crops without them. IPM in no-till grain fields will be used to control slugs and other pests that damage corn and soybeans. Researchers will share their findings with mid-Atlantic growers and agricultural professionals. Protection of bee populations is among EPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top priorities. Some of the factors that contribute to the decline in pollinators include: loss of habitat, parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure. EPA is engaged in national and international efforts to address these concerns. The agency is working with beekeepers, growers, pesticide manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and states to apply technologies to reduce pesticide exposure to bees. These efforts will advance best management practices, enhance enforcement and ensure that real-world pollinator risks are accounted for in our pesticide regulatory decisions. IPM grants will supplement these efforts as well as providing solutions to maximize crop production while minimizing the unintended impacts from pesticides. For more information on the EPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RegionalAgricultural IPM Grants: http://www.epa.gov/pestwise/grants/regionalaggrants.html

some organic fertilizers into your lawn to help reduce stresses, which may cause fungus? Be sure to not confuse and assume brown spots on your lawn are from insects or fungus if the spots are really from heat and drought stress. Lawns can be big and cumbersome, but we want our lawn to be nice and green for our children and pets to play on and have summer picnics. Take the time to research the new approach you want to take this year so you love you lawn, not hate it each year. Visit the New Jersey Flower Show on February 13-16 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, N.J. Jonathan Green will be at booth #426 to offer lawn care advice and we also will be presenting a talk about lawn care with a questionand-answer period. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

24 February, Febru Fe ruary ryy, ry, y, 2014 2014

Gardener Gard rde dener New News Ne wss

37th Annual Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Meadowlands Exposition Center 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094 Íť Íť Íť Íť Íť Íť Íť

Important Dates: 2/19/14 Early Bird Deadline

EÄ&#x17E; E Ä&#x17E;Ç &ĹŻĹ˝ ĹŻĹ˝Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; Ĺ˝ WĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; W W Ć&#x152; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x161;Ĺ?Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x161; ^Ä&#x17E;Ć? Ä&#x17E; Ć?Ĺ? Ć?Ĺ?Ĺ˝ Ĺ˝Ĺś Ç&#x2020;Ä?Ä?Ĺ? Ç&#x2020; Ä?Ĺ?Ć&#x;Ĺś Ć&#x;ĹśĹ?Ĺ? Ćľ ĆľĆ?Ĺ? ĆľĆ?Ĺ? Ć?Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E; ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć? ĹśÄ&#x17E; Ć?Ć? ^Ä&#x17E;Ĺľ Ć?Ć? ĹľĹ?ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152; Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ć? Ĺ?Ĺś Ć? KÇ&#x20AC;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152; ĎŻĎŹ K ĎŹĎŹ ĎŹ Ç&#x2020;Ĺ&#x161; Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ĺ?Ä? Ä?Ĺ?Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x161; Ĺ˝Ĺ˝ Ĺ˝Ĺ˝Ć&#x161;Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; Ĺ&#x161;Ć?Ć? dĆ&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161; dĆ&#x152; Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x17E; ^^Ĺ&#x161; Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Ç Ĺ˝Ç Ĺ?Ć? Ĺ?Ć?Ä?Ĺ˝ Ć?Ä?Ä?Ĺ˝ Ĺ˝ĆľĹś ĆľĹśĆ&#x161;Ć? Ć&#x161;Ć?Ć? EÄ&#x17E;Ç WĆ&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Í˛Ć? EÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x17E;Í˛Ć?Ć?Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Ç t Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Ç tĹ˝ Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŹĹŹĆ?Ĺ&#x161; Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Ć&#x2030; Ć&#x2030;Ć? Ć? Ĺ˝Ĺś &Ä&#x17E;Ä? Ä?Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ćľ ĆľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Ç&#x2021; ĎŽĎą ĎŽĎą ĎąĆ&#x161;Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; Ĺ&#x161; dĆ&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161; Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ^Ĺ&#x161; ^Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Ç Ç Ĺ˝Ĺś &Ä&#x17E; &Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x152; Ä?Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ćľ ĆľÄ&#x201A;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021;Ç&#x2021; ĎŽĎ˛Ć&#x161; Ď˛Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;

2/25/14 Pre-Show Workshops

To register online now or for more information visit www.NJLCA.org or call (201) 703-3600

COUPON: Save $5 on on atten nda dan anc nce aatt Lan a ds dsccaape dsca pe New ew Jer e se ey wi with t thi hiss cco oup upon pon on. on.

2/26/14 Trade Show

Co C oup upo pon on musst be b prre ese sen ntted d wit ith h ma maiill-in -iin rre eg giissttrraati t on on for orm, rm, m use e co ou upo pon n co ode de: 14NJLCA for onllin ine e re reg giissttraati tion at www.NJLCA.org or pre pre pr esse en n ntt at at ticcke kett bo boot oth th. h. No ph p hottoc ocop pies ie es w wiillll be ac acce epted ptted e . Expires 2/26/14.. To To rec ece eiiive v a reg ve gistr isstr trat atio i n fo f rm m or fo or m re mo e info, nffo, o ple eas ase e cco on nttacct N NJJLC LCA A aatt (201) 703-3600 or visit www.njlca.org..

Central Open H Jerseyy March 7,o u se 2 0 14 Nurseries XXX DKO DPN t 9:00

am-4 :30p m

s from ation tor, t n e s Pre iance Ga , All ho-Bloc , Tec oncepts n rC o B rdeathan Gree n & Jo

A Hard ny w Itemare 20% O FF!

HAMPTONS ESTATE

ÂŽ

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gourmet food for your gardenâ&#x20AC;?

& ! % ! "!%& ) & %& ' %! "$! ' &% ( +) $

Complete Planting Mix The Gardenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice for planting annuals, perennials, vegetables, trees and shrubs

Full Premium Line

Door Prizes, Tee-Shirts , Food & Beverages Raffle of Toro Timemaster Mower, Husqvarna Chainsaw, 3FENBY &C[ #BDLQBDL #MPXFS 4IPX 4QFDJBMT 0O 0JM -JOF &EHF (MBTTFT "OE .PSF

, $! %% ! !&& * , & #' ' , $ ' , $ ' , $ ! , ! "!%& , $ ' ! "!%& , $ ' ! "!%& '$ , $ ' !"%!

(view all specials on our web site - www.cjn1970.com)

'JOBODJOH "WBJMBCMF 0VUTJEF 7FOEPS %FNP "SFB 4IPX 0OMZ 4QFDJBM 3FENBY &C[

18 Ham 1 Hamilton Rd. Hillsborough NJ J 08844

Mark Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Angelo, Sales Representative Cell: (516) 315-6888 Email: mdangelo@licompost.com

Long Island Compost Corp. 100 Urban Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 Phone: (516) 334-6600 Fax: (516) 338-4773

www.LICompost.com

Gardener News One question that every landscape contractor hears this time of year is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;So what do you guys do during the winter?â&#x20AC;? The assumption being that all of us close up shop, head somewhere warm and sit back and relax, collecting unemployment until spring rolls around when we can start working again. Well I hate to dispel your stereotypes about landscape contractors, but nothing could be further from the truth. Now, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t speak for every landscape contractor in New Jersey, but I can tell you that NJLCA contractors work 12 months a year in their chosen profession. There are many reasons for this. First and foremost, landscape contracting is no longer a seasonal business and hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been for quite some time. The real â&#x20AC;&#x153;green industryâ&#x20AC;? has grown from long-haired, careerless, sun-seeking high school graduates who only wanted to work outside during the summers into a multibillion-dollar industry. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right! A multi-billion-dollar industry. Secondly, landscape contracting (design/build, maintenance, lawn care and management) has now become an exciting profession with unlimited growth potential.

February, 2014 25 The NJLCA Today By Jody Shilan, MLA Executive Director

So What Do You Do During The Winter? No longer is this a job for young men and women to work in until they can decide on a real profession or career. It is actually an exciting industry for anyone who is interested in design, science, business, construction, agriculture, horticulture, computer technology, golf course management, sustainability, etc., etc., etc. As a matter of fact, I just gave a presentation at to a group of high school seniors in Teaneck about all of the opportunities available in the green industry regardless of their specific area of interest. No matter what they wanted to do, there was a college path and career path available to them in landscape. Not many other industries can make that claim. Contrary to popular belief, just because the ground freezes, trees and shrubs go dormant and grass stops growing in the winter, this does not mean that

landscape professionals take a holiday until March 21st. The reality is just the opposite. Winter has actually become one of the busiest seasons for our members. If they are not out working, providing snowand ice-management services (a.k.a. snow plowing) for residential and commercial customers, they are educating themselves by attending NJLCA member meetings, taking short courses at Rutgers University or attending trade shows so that they can stay up to date on the latest and greatest in energy-efficient outdoor equipment, diseaseresistant plant material and safety training and business training. In addition to this they are re-evaluating their policies and procedures while developing new and better BMPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, or best management practices, for their companies. In 2014, once again,

they are dealing with managed health care, H2B employment issues and rising gas prices. This is in addition to the laundry list of ever-growing state and local regulations that they must abide by while constantly being challenged by lower-priced competitors who neither have the proper licenses, insurance requirements or credentials to properly, safely and legally perform landscape services. Fortunately the NJLCA has an affordable health benefits program available to all of its members, has helped support and win the fight against the Department of Laborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illegal wage increase for H2B workers, and is currently working on preferred gas pricing for all of its members. So the next time you talk to a friend or meet somebody who is a green industry professional, instead of asking them what they do during the winter or say

something silly like, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hey I used to do landscaping in high school too,â&#x20AC;? take a minute and think. Although the person you are talking to works in an industry whose business is outdoors, providing maintenance and construction services, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good chance that he is highly educated, runs a multi-milliondollar operation and is not only a mixture of artist, scientist and businessman, but can run a backhoe, skid steer and bucketloader as easily as he can drive a car. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not impressive enough, ask him to speak a little Spanish or Latin. Editors Note: Jody Shilan is the owner of Jody Shilan Designs in Wyckoff, where he provides landscape design and consulting services for homeowners and landscape contractors. He earned his bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture from Cook College, Rutgers University and his masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Currently, he is Executive Director of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA). He can be reached at 201-783-2844 or jshilan@gmail.com.

2014 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Explores the Fusion of Art and Horticulture 3+,/$'(/3+,$ 1- Ę&#x160; %HDXWLIXO IORZHUV JDUGHQV DQG ODQGVFDSHV KDYH DOZD\V EHHQ DQ LQVSLUDWLRQ IRU DUWLVWV ZKLOH JUHDW KRUWLFXOWXUDO GHVLJQ KDV become a form of living art. The fusion of art and horticulture will be celebrated in â&#x20AC;&#x153;ARTiculture,â&#x20AC;? an extraordinary presentation of the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show on March 1 to 9, 2014, when guests will be inspired to let their inner-artist bloom in their own gardens. An unprecedented collaboration of Flower Show designers and the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great art museums will turn the exhibition space of the Pennsylvania Convention Center into a 10-acre living canvas of exquisite landscapes, gardens and floral arrangements. The entrance exhibit of â&#x20AC;&#x153;ARTicultureâ&#x20AC;? will be inspired by the paintings and dynamic sculptures of Alexander â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sandyâ&#x20AC;? Calder, a member of the historic family of artists whose works are found throughout Philadelphia, and will feature a remarkable vertical dance troupe who will perform above and within the multi-dimensional display. Proceeds from the Flower Show benefit the year-round programs of PHS, which is celebrating its 186th year of gardening, greening and learning. PHS initiatives include the PHS City Harvest program, which creates green jobs and supports a network of community gardens that raise fresh produce for more than 1,200 families in need each week during the growing season. ABOUT THE FLOWER SHOW The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest flower show, which blooms every March at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The show features the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier landscape designers and florists, who turn 10 acres of the Convention Center into a floral fantasy of beautiful plants and cutting-edge designs.

Largest Orchid Exhibit in Tri-State Area +2/0'(/ 1- Ę&#x160; 7KRXVDQGV RI VSHFWDFXODUO\ FRORUIXO IORZHUV ZLOO EULJKWHQ FROG ZLQWHU GD\V DW WKH WK $QQXDO 'HHS &XW 2UFKLG 6RFLHW\ÂśV Orchid Show. The largest orchid show in the tri-state area is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014 at the Dearborn Market, Route 35, Holmdel, New Jersey. Exhibit hours are Thursday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday orchid experts will present free lectures on How To Grow Orchids and information on popular species. Lectures will be at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. and 2 and 3 p.m. on Sunday. There will be exhibits from orchid clubs in the Mid-Atlantic area and vendors from across the United States. Certified American Society of Orchids judges will award prizes to the best exhibit and flowers. Deep Cut is a non-profit organization devoted to educating people about orchids. Admission and parking are free. Lunch is available in the Dearborn Market, and visitors can eat in the 11,000 SF garden facility, where the orchids will be exhibited. A limited number of special group tours with a knowledgeable orchid expert as a guide can be arranged. There is no cost, but arrangements MUST be made ahead of time by calling Carol Abaya at 732-536-6215. For more information about the show itself call Arnett at 732-786-8583. Deep Cut meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Monmouth Reform Temple on Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. Every meeting has a guest speaker, a show table and refreshments. Meetings are open to the public at no cost.

26 February, 2014

Gardener News

Commercial Walk-Behind Mowers Recalled Due To Injury Hazard :$6+,1*721 ' & Ę&#x160; ([PDUN 5HFDOOV &RPPHUFLDO :DON %HKLQG 0RZHUV 'XH WR ,QMXU\ Hazard. The mowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blade can break and injure the user and others nearby. This recall involves 2013 Exmark Commercial 30â&#x20AC;? Walk-Behind Mowers, model ECKA30 and serial numbers ranging from 313605897 to 313660824. The phrases â&#x20AC;&#x153;Commercial 30â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Exmarkâ&#x20AC;? are printed on the front of the black and red mower. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Exmarkâ&#x20AC;? is also printed on the side of the mower. The model and serial numbers are located on a decal affixed to the engine base above the left rear tire. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mowers and contact Exmark for a free repair at (800) 667-5296 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Paid Floriculture Intern Scholarships The deadline for online applications for the American Floral Endowment Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and the Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program is March 1. Â&#x2021; 6WXGHQW PXVW EH D 8 6 FLWL]HQ HQUROOHG LQ D IORULFXOWXUH HQYLURQPHQWDO KRUWLFXOWXUH SURJUDP DW a two-year or four-year college or university in the U.S. Â&#x2021; 6WXGHQW PXVW EH PDLQWDLQLQJ D & RU EHWWHU JUDGH SRLQW DYHUDJH Â&#x2021; 6WXGHQW PXVW FRPSOHWH LQWHUQVKLS SULRU WR JUDGXDWLRQ Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program http://endowment.org/floriculture-scholarshipsinternships/vic-and-margaret-ball-internapplication.html Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program http://endowment.org/floriculture-scholarshipsinternships/mosmiller-internship-application.html For more information contact the American Floral Endowment at 703.838.5211

HELP WANTED

Gardener News is looking for an Advertising Representative to work from home. Position will focus on selling a combination of print and online advertising. If you are self-motivated and possess a winning attitude along with a competitive drive to succeed, please email your resume to mail@GardenerNews.com. This position is commission based.

HELP WANTED

Part Time Interior Office Plant Maintenance Technician for commercial buildings in Princeton area. Experience preferred. E-mail: bhoffbauer@juliusroehrs.com

Gardener News The Premier Gardening Monthly Newspaper Number 130 Published Monthly Contact Information Phone: 908.604.4444 Fax: 908.647.5459 Website: www.GardenerNews.com E-Mail: Mail@GardenerNews.com Staff Executive Editor/ Publisher . . . . Art Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tom Castronovo Justin Kukuc Tom Castronovo

February Columnists Tom Castronovo Tim Hionis Evan Dickerson Richard Perkins Peter Melick David Williams Douglas H. Fisher

Todd Pretz Jody Shilan Bob LaHoff Paul Kneeland Craig Korb Leslie Barlow

Contributing Writers Bruce Crawford Jeannie Geremia

Union Co. Master Gardeners Ann Perry

Gardener News is published monthly by

Gardener News, Inc. 16 Mount Bethel Road #123 Warren, NJ 07059 Subscription Information Subscription: One year by mail $24.99 The Gardener News invites correspondences on gardening subjects of interest. Gardener News, Inc, and its Publisher reserve the right to accept, refuse, or discontinue any editorial or copy, and shall not be liable to anyone for printing errors, misinformation or omissions in editorial or copy. The information contained in articles herein represents the opinions of the authors and, although believed to be accurate and complete, is not represented or warranted by Gardener News, Inc. to be accurate or complete. All advertising is subject to the Gardener News advertisement rates, and must be PAID IN FULL at time of submission. Publisher reserves the right at its absolute discretion, and at any time, to cancel any advertising order or reject any advertising copy whether or not the same has already been acknowledged and/or previously published. In the event of errors or omissions of any advertisement(s), the newspapers liability shall not exceed a refund of amounts paid for the advertisement. NOTE: All editorial, advertising layouts and designs and portions of the same that are produced and published by Gardener News, Inc., are the sole property of Gardener News, Inc. and may not be reproduced in any form unless written authorization is obtained from the publisher. POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: Gardener News, 16 Mount Bethel Rd - #123, Warren, NJ 07059. (c) 2014 Gardener News, Inc.

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

Middlesex County Phone: 732-398-5260 Monmouth County Phone: 732-431-7260 Morris County Phone: 973-285-8300 Ocean County Phone:732-349-1246 Passaic County Phone: 973-305-5740 Salem County Phone: 856-769-0090 Somerset County Phone: 908-526-6293 Sussex County Phone: 973-948-3040 Union County Phone: 908-654-9854 Warren County Phone: 908-475-6505

STANLEY OSUR CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let Us Help You Growâ&#x20AC;? 973-423-4949

TO RESERVE AD SPACE IN GARDENER NEWS CALL: 908.604.4444 Computer C Co omputer omputer t r Consulting Cons Services

Cust Solutions Custom for SSmall Business

FOR SALE

Compl Care IT Packages Complete Helpdesk Helpde Solutions Remote Remot Desktop Support Office to Internet Setup 908.756.480 908 908.756.4800 756 4800 Network Design & Installation Netwo N t sales@TeamCCS.net sa ales@TeamCCS les@TeamCCS.ne neet Remote RRemott Site & Home to Office Setup www.TeamCCS.net HIPAA Privacy Implementation

3 - 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Specimen American Boxwoods

Serving New York, New Jersey & Pennsylvania

973-865-6362

Computer Consulting Services of NJ, Inc.

Hidden Pond Farms Please ask for Chris

5($' 7+,6 3$3(5 21/,1( Â&#x2021; ::: *$5'(1(51(:6 &20 Full Moon, February 14, 2014

TIP OF THE MONTH

Flower and foliage stems that have been left out of water, even for a short period of time, seal up and inhibit the absorption of water. Cut all flowers and foliage about one inch from the bottom of a main stem. Make the slice at an angle of about 45 degrees. Cutting at an angle provides a larger exposed area for the uptake of water. It also enables the stem to stand on a point, allowing water to be in contact with the cut surface. Remove all the lower foliage that would be submerged in water. This will retard bacterial growth, which shortens the vase life of flowers and makes the water smell foul.

Gardener Gard rde dener New News Ne wss

February, Febru Fe ruary ryy, 2014 ry, 014 2277

#FTU 1JDL 6Q $PWFSBHF JO "NFSJDB

We Guarantee Quality

/&8 $)&7:

4*-7&3"%0

Named North AmericanTruck of the Year**

2 year Scheduled Maintenance Coverage Included* *Chevrolet 2-year Scheduled Maintenance Coverage is included with the purchase or lease of a new 2014 Chevy Silverado. This fully transferrable program is in addition to the Silverado standard warranty

Ĺ&#x2022; ZFBS NJMF 1PXFSUSBJO -JNJUFE 8BSSBOUZ Ĺ&#x2022; ZFBS NJMF 3PBETJEF "TTJTUBODF 1SPHSBN Ĺ&#x2022; ZFBS NJMF $PVSUFTZ 5SBOTQPSUBUJPO 1SPHSBN Ĺ&#x2022; ZFBS NJMF #VNQFS UP #VNQFS 8BSSBOUZ On-Premise Auto Body Shop with 24 hr Towing Service

off

*Good toward the p purchase of a new vehicle at Gearhart Chevy. y Must present this ad to receive discount by 2/28/14

Tilton Family Owned and Selling Cars the RIGHT WAY Since 1929

800-269-0788 281 Route 46 East, Denville, NJ leads@gearhartchevy.com Scan to see our inventory

*See dealer for complete details of all offers. Not responsible for typographical errors. **2014 Chevy Silverado was named North American Truck of the Year by the North American International Auto Show.

OVER 200 NEW AND PRE-OWNED CARS TO CHOOSE FROM

28 February, 2014

Gardener News

A Simply Perfect Valentine’s Day Make this Valentine’s Day a day of indulgence and decadence. You will ﬁnd the ﬁnest, most wonderful gourmet chocolates and the freshest selection of colorful roses at Kings.

Connect with us. www.kingsfoodmarkets.com

Bedminster, Bernardsville, Boonton, Chatham, Cresskill, Florham Park, Garwood, Gillette, Hillsdale, Hoboken (2), Livingston, Maplewood, Mendham, Midland Park, Morristown, Ridgewood, Short Hills, Summit, Upper Montclair,Verona, Warren, Whitehouse Station, Garden City; NY, Old Greenwich; CT