Gardener News February 2020

TAKE ONE

Gardener News

February 2020

Proudly Serving the Agricultural, Gardening, Landscaping & Nursery Communities GARDENERNEWS.COM

TAKE ONE No. 202

Flower Show is a Top Destination and a Must-Experience Horticultural Event

GMR Design LLC/Image

This year’s entrance garden at the 2020 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show “Riviera Holiday,” created by award-winning designer Gary Radin of GMR Design LLC, is shaping up to be one of the most beautiful and stunning gardens ever presented at the Flower Show.

Guests will be transported to the Mediterranean as they immerse themselves in the fragrance and beauty of a spectacular garden filled with lemon trees and lavender, as well as many other blooming plants. of lavender, and an intoxicating variety of scented geraniums and roses – but much closer to home.

Explore the intimacy of a Mediterranean garden Fall in love with gardening all over again at as we celebrate the beauty and newness of spring.

The Show will bring designers and visitors the 2020 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show! PHS’s to the Mediterranean Riviera from February 29 ”Riviera Holiday” will have you walking through through March 8, 2020, at the Pennsylvania promenades of bright citrus trees, fragrant waves Convention Center. The world’s leading floral

By Tom Castronovo Executive Editor

and garden designers will immerse visitors in the sights, scents, and tastes of the region. The Show will include acres of lush garden landscapes with five new designers, including James and Helen Basson of Scape Design, and Laurélie de la Salle of Laurélie Paysages, both from Nice, France, and will feature an enormous variety of Mediterranean (Cont. on Page 8) plants.

2 February 2020

G a r d e n C e n t e r D i r e c t o r y GardenerNews.com

Thank you for a wonderful 2019 season.

See you in March!

The Biondi Family

Celebrating Our 74th Anniversary

601 Union Ave. Middlesex, NJ

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February 2020 3

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show’s 50th Anniversary Attracts Highest Attendance Numbers in Over a Decade

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Members of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association’s (NJLCA) executive team traveled to Baltimore, Maryland on January 9 to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS).

The association’s executive team Nelson Lee, left, president of the NJLCA; Richard Goldstein, second from right, vice president of the NJLCA; and Gail Woolcott, right, the executive director of the NJLCA walked the massive show floor inside the Baltimore Convention Center and stopped by the Cambridge Pavingstones booth. Much to their surprise, they ran into the company’s founder and CEO Charles Gamarekian, second from left. Gamarekian whole-heartedly supports the association and their trade show, “Landscape New Jersey” that will be held in the Meadowlands Convention Center on February 26.

Cambridge Pavingstones is a premier manufacturer of paving stones, wallstones, and outdoor living rooms. Cambridge Pavingstones is an American, family-owned company committed to developing the very best products and has been doing so since 1994.

This milestone year at MANTS was marked with fun giveaways, a raffle that distributed 80 prizes and record attendance numbers, the highest in the past 12 years.

MANTS was excited to welcome over 12,000 total registrants (including exhibitors) through the doors. Attendees from 44 states and 15 countries (including the U.S.) had the opportunity to visit 968 exhibiting companies, spread out over 1,550 booths, to do business, network and learn about the latest green industry trends they will see in 2020.

“It was an incredible experience to see MANTS turn 50,” said Vanessa

Finney, Executive Vice President of MANTS. “One person can’t do it alone and I am so thankful to the team that helps us put on the best show possible year after year. I know the show’s founders would be proud of where we are today, and we look forward to the next 50 years.”

In 1970, the Mid-Atlantic Nurserymen’s Trade Show, Inc. was established by the Maryland and Virginia Nurserymen’s Associations. Two years later, the West Virginia Nurserymen’s Association joined as the third and equal sponsor of the show. The first trade show was held in Williamsburg, Va., in January 1971 with 64 exhibitors and the second in 1972 at the Hunt Valley Inn in Cockeysville, Md., with 79 exhibitors. During the ensuing years, the show continued to grow and move between venues in Maryland and Virginia before finding its home in the Baltimore Convention Center in January 1981, where it has stayed for 40 years.

In addition to the increased registration in 2020, business was thriving at the premier green industry marketplace once again this year. More than 88 percent of MANTS attendees were designated as the representatives in their companies that make or influence final purchasing decisions. 3,830 non-exhibiting/buying companies were represented on the show floor, and commerce reigned supreme for both exhibitors and attendees.

MANTS will return to the Baltimore Convention Center in 2021, the event is scheduled for January 6-8.

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, the largest association of its kind in the Garden State, represents the entire green industry in New Jersey, including landscape contractors, landscape architects, sod growers, nurseries, greenhouse growers, garden centers, horticulturists, floriculturists and the industries that supply them.

4 February 2020 As I travel the state in my role supporting the work that our farmers perform day in and day out, I always try to stop and take notice of buildings, particularly barns, that are such an important and fascinating part of these farming operations.

I think it’s just natural curiosity that we all have about these cavernous spaces, which provide shelter for so many functions taking place. When I arrive, I invariably hear that whomever I am calling on is “in the barn” (or shed) attending to any number of matters at hand.

“A barn will build a house,” author Susan Hauser wrote in her book, “Barns.” It is an expression packed with an extraordinary range of meanings, as it refers not only to the scope of what happens in these structures, but what ultimately is the reason for their existence. Farms are rather unique creations, in that they often serve as both the business and the home of their occupants.

With barns, farm animals benefit from protection against the elements. Grain, hay, straw, and other crops are stored. And serious hard work takes place to keep equipment and packing lines humming.

GardenerNews.com NJ Dept. of Agriculture

By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture

A Barn Will Build a House

The history of barns is a fascinating reflection of the people who came to America and brought the influences of the cultures from which they emigrated. Certainly, in our state, one of the founding colonies, we have some of the best examples of these amazing architectural monuments to the past and important elements of the present.

Of course, farming, like any other business, needs enclosures to house enterprises. But there are only a few that could rival these time-tested, weatherbeaten edifices of the past. These structures were built to last for centuries, and that is exactly what has happened.

Times change, though, and much of the designs that were so purposeful and well thought-out do not match the ways of modern

farming. So, in many cases, these monuments to the skill and craft stand up to all that the harsh environment can sling at them.

They are just that substantial.

There are so many design influences that combine with our nation’s bounty of natural resources. The English used the large trees found here to hew humongous planks and shingled them with split-wood shingles and a transom above the end doors for light. Cupulas were mounted on gabled roofs to aid in air circulation.

Sometimes, you will observe huge mounds of dirt ramped up or just broad cuts into a hill to the second level. These are called “bank barns” or “raised barns.”

The Germans often included something referred to as a “forebay,” which caused the barns

John Deere Announces Comprehensive Warranty Upgrade John Deere is offering an upgrade to its comprehensive warranty coverage on all new forestry equipment products purchased from Nov. 1, 2019 to Feb. 29, 2020.

“Understanding today’s challenging business climate, we’re aiming to help customers maximize their profitability by offering solutions that go beyond providing highly productive machines,” said Graham Hinch, director of sales & marketing, John Deere Forestry. “We’re confident in the quality and durability of our equipment and this warranty upgrade shows customers we stand by our machines. We believe this upgrade will provide support and reassurance in the event of any unexpected repairs.”

When combined with a John Deere dealer preventative maintenance program, the warranty upgrade program will give customers the opportunity to reduce their cost variability to a single, low-risk payment.

The warranty will work in tandem with the strong John Deere dealer network that delivers trained technicians for fast diagnosis, repairs, and unmatched parts availability.

This offer is valid until February 29, 2020, in the United States and Canada, and applies only to extended warranties purchased on new John Deere Forestry machines at participating John Deere dealers.

To learn more about the new John Deere Forestry warranty upgrade, visit www.JohnDeere.com or see your local dealer for flexible finance rates and more details.

About Deere & Company Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world’s dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure.

Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at www.JohnDeere.com.

to be labeled as such. They’re also known as a “Pennsylvania barn.”

These behemoths most likely were not painted, if constructed before 1800, but after that, the northern states started painting them with basic ingredients of skim milk, lime and iron oxide, which is red. Thus, the exteriors became that familiar color. The exceptions were dairy barns, which were mostly painted a white hue to symbolize purity.

If you search a bit, I’m sure you will find some amazing folk stories of the significance of old barns. These buildings are historical references and point to our agricultural roots. Absent these endeavors to the scale we have seen evolve, we as a nation would not have grown to be the powerhouse of the world. Agriculture, which drives food, feed, fiber and fuel, is

the backbone of America.

There are always buildings, but the magnificence and grandeur of these unsurpassed marvels must be preserved. They are historic and really cannot be duplicated at any reasonable cost through modern means. We need to develop plans so that we don’t lose them.

Historic preservation is important. There is a public longing for activities, viewsheds, and nods to the past. Barns provide an important element to our landscape.

Looking at strip malls just isn’t the same.

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

morris county park commission

The FrelinghuysenArboretum Blackburn Scholarship Lecture

Rob Cardillo: The Art of Garden Photography*

Rob Cardillo’s photos have illustrated more than 25 garden books by authors such as David Culp, Jack Staub, and R. W. Thomas. His work is also seen in Gardens Illustrated and The New York Times. He’ll demonstrate how to craft sweeping landscapes and compelling plant close-ups, even if you only use an iPhone.

This program eligible for 2.0 Rutgers Master Gardener CEU’s

Saturday, February 1, 1 pm • $50

Great Speaker Series: Margaret Roach

Nonstop Plants: A Garden for 365 Days*

Margaret has worked for more than 25 years to make her garden a visual treat every day of the year. Hear about her plants and philosophy. Her fully updated book, “A Way to Garden,” will be available for signing.

This program eligible for 1.5 Rutgers Master Gardener CEU’s

Saturday, February 15, 2 pm • $40

Women in Landscape Architecture*

Join us for a day-long symposium celebrating women in landscape architecture, past and present, including local legend Martha Brookes Hutcheson. The 2nd female architect in the U.S. was ahead of her time and created many gardens throughout the Northeast, including her home at Bamboo Brook in Chester, part of the Morris County Park System.

This program eligible for 4.0 Rutgers Master Gardener CEU’s

Sunday, March 1, 10 am • $55

353 East Hanover Avenue • Morris Township, New Jersey • 07960 *Pre-register to guarantee a seat

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February 2020 5

Phil Murphy

6 February 2020

R U T G ER S N J AE S / R C E

Copper Resistance in Bacterial Leaf Spot Found in New Jersey

By Dr. Andy Wyenandt, RCE, Plant and Pest Advisory

Copper resistance has been detected in bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas euvesicatoria) on tomato and pepper and in Pseudomonas chicorii, the causal agent of bacterial leaf spot in basil as well as multitude of other hosts in New Jersey. While not surprising, copper resistance has been known to develop for decades now; however, this is the first time it has been confirmed in vegetable crops in New Jersey. Copper applications for the control of bacterial diseases in many crops has been a mainstay for decades now and is often applied in weekly protectant fungicide programs. In 2019, with help from Dr. Nrupali Patel and Dr. Don Kobayashi, bacteriologists in the Department of Plant Biology located on the New Brunswick campus, a survey was begun to determine which species of bacterial leaf spot are most prevalent in New Jersey vegetable crops. Bacterial leaf spot can be caused by four species of Xanthomonas: X. euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. perforans, and X. gardneri. Currently, there are four races of BLS found in tomato (T1-4) and eleven races found in pepper (0-10). Differential tests in southern New Jersey using various bell pepper lines over the past 15 years has suggested that the number of races of BLS in pepper has increased over time; with all races present in the State to date. Early lab testing results from samples collected on a small number of NJ vegetable farms last summer has shown the presence of X. euvesicatoria, which can infect both pepper and tomato crops, with some of the samples testing positive for copper resistance.

How do you know what species of bacteria are present on your farm?

The only way to determine which species of bacteria are present in tomato or pepper crops on your farm are to have them identified through laboratory methods.

How do you know what races of the pathogen are present on your farm?

That’s a difficult question to answer. Up to now, the only way to know is through differential testing. That means planting a number of different bell peppers with varying BLS resistance packages and monitoring which cultivars develop symptoms. For example, if you detect BLS development in Aristotle X3R (which has resistance to races 1,2, & 3); then you possible have races 4-10 present on your farm. If you were to plant Turnpike in that same field and you have BLS development in it, then you possibly have race 6 or 10 present, because Turnpike has resistance to BLS races 0-5 and 7,8,9. It’s extremely important to know what races of BLS are present so you can chose the proper cultivars to grow. Choosing the proper cultivar will do two things: significantly reduce the chances of BLS development and significantly reduce the number of copper applications on your bell pepper crop. As a note, there are a few non-bell peppers available with BLS resistance packages (see 2020/2021 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide).

How do you know if copper resistance is present on your farm?

Growers who have used copper applications for controlling bacterial leaf spot in crops such tomato or pepper for many years should always monitor for efficacy. If you notice or have noticed a loss in copper efficacy over time, then there is a good chance copper resistance is present. Once copper resistance is detected, further applications will be unwarranted and ineffective. The only method to truly determine if copper resistance is present is through laboratory testing, however growers who pay close attention to efficacy should have a good idea if copper is still effective.

What can you do to mitigate bacterial leaf spot development on your farm?

In crops such as bell pepper, it comes down to growing cultivars with resistance to BLS and knowing what races are present on your farm.

Many of the recommend commercial cultivars have varying resistance packages to the different races of the pathogen. Some cultivars, such as Paladin which has Phytophthora resistance has no resistance to BLS. Other “older” cultivars such as Aristotle X3R has resistance to races 1-3; newer cultivars such as Turnpike has resistance to races 0-5,7-9; while cultivars such as Playmaker and 9325 have resistance to 0-10 (also known as X10R cultivars). Unfortunately, BLS resistance in commercial tomato varieties are lacking, but efforts from around the world are making progress.

Moving forward in 2020.

More sampling and surveying are planned for the 2020 production season in New Jersey. Growers who are interested having tomato or pepper samples collected from their farm for species determination and copper resistance testing are encouraged to contact their county agent this coming summer so arrangements can be made. For those interested in learning more about BLS, Dr. Wesley Kline will be giving an update in Atlantic City in February on the X10R bell pepper variety trial done at RAREC and at an on-farm site in Vineland this past summer.

GardenerNews.com

From the Director’s Desk

Rutgers Outreach Provided by Brian Schilling Director

Lifelong Learning Thrives at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station

The Office of Continuing Professional Education (OCPE) provides educational opportunities for adults and adolescents through short courses, workplace training, and youth services. Established in 1906 by Dr. E.B. Voorhees, OCPE has grown from serving 22 farmers in New Jersey to over 18,000 students, attending more than 350 programs annually.

OCPE offers practical, high-value programs that enrich our students with new skills, new careers and new opportunities, providing the highest quality opportunities for lifelong learning by building bridges between the needs of society and these resources of Rutgers University: the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) and the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences.

OCPE has become a state and nationwide leader in providing quality outreach and public service programs. By working closely with university faculty and staff, private industry and local, regional, and nationwide organizations, we have attracted a team of dedicated instructors who consistently exceed our customers’ expectations. Here are a few examples of the diversity of programs available. A full list can be located at ocpe.rutgers.edu.

The Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School is a world-class learning center that has trained thousands of successful greenskeepers in the art and science of golf course management.

To strengthen their skills and enhance their industry relationships, our #RUTurf team of instructors facilitate classroom lectures, hands-on field training, and real-world experiences. Many students enter the program with nothing more than a high school diploma and a desire to work outdoors. They leave with confidence in their skills and a respected credential, not to mention an international network of fellow alumni who lead the industry, working at top golf courses and sport stadiums in New Jersey and around the world.

In 2016, OCPE launched a much needed program for New Jersey families: weekend courses for their au pairs who are required to earn education credits under the United States’ J-1 Visa program. More than 500 participants who care for New Jersey children have been trained and represent countries like Australia, Brazil, China, England, France, Germany, Mexico, Russia and South Africa – strengthening their skills, and opening their eyes to all that New Jersey, RCE and Rutgers have to offer.

One of OCPE’s newest programs–Rutgers Pet Care School–is designed for pet owners, veterinary technicians, rescuers, fosters and animal lovers of all kinds. Modeled on a format similar to our longrunning Home Gardeners School, Pet Care School gives attendees the latest information on nutrition, health, training and more. Participants can build their unique day of learning by selecting four workshops. Topics include weight management, dog training techniques, caring for older pets, dealing with aggression, and much more. This April, our most popular topic, Pet CPR/First Aid, has been expanded into a double session that will enable participants to earn their state animal CPR certification.

In addition to these unique offerings, OCPE offers hundreds of short courses in environmental and public health topics that impact the health and lives of every New Jersey citizen. Toxic and polluted sites are assessed, cleaned and brought back to life by the environmental professionals who attend our forensics, brownfields, and site remediation courses. The packaged foods we all eat are safer because the critical planning and analysis skills learned in our food microbiology and HACCP planning courses are applied in food manufacturing facilities around the state, ensuring that products are free from life-threatening contaminants.

Wells and septic systems, pools and campgrounds, restaurants and tattoo parlors... they are all cleaner and safer because they are routinely inspected by the Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS) who work for New Jersey’s municipal, regional, county and state public health departments. Most of these REHS’s began their careers attending Environment & Public Health, a three-month classroom and hands-on training program we offer every summer.

Radon, an invisible, odorless gas, is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and kills 21,000 people per year. It is measured and, if levels are dangerously high, it is removed from homes, schools, and other buildings by professionals who learn these skills in the classroom and online trainings we offer. Operators of New Jersey’s wastewater and drinking water treatment plants not only provide the clean water we all need to live, they maintain their professional licenses by taking the more than 40 classes we offer annually in topics ranging from water and wastewater chemistry and effective emergency communications to microbiology of activated sludge and operation & maintenance of pumps.

We can all heave a collective sigh of relief knowing that we don’t have to worry about preventable illnesses, injuries, and environmental threats (or activated sludge!) because the professionals OCPE trains are constantly developing the skills and growing the knowledge they need to help keep us all safe.

Editor’s Note: Kenneth M. Karamichael, Ed.M., is the Director of the Office of Continuing Professional Education within Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

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R U T G ER S N J AE S / R C E

February 2020 7

Arum italicum: One Hot Flower!

With the chilly temperatures of winter well entrenched in our gardens, evergreen foliage clearly plays an important role in providing interest at this time of the year. Conifers serve to provide the bones for the garden, but there is still a need for detail plantings as we walk about our garden.

One plant I have enjoyed over the past 30 years for winter foliage and form, as well as for its “hot” spring flowers is the Italian Arum, Arum italicum.

Italian Arum is a member of the Araceae, or Arum family, and is native to Southern Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. The genus name was crafted in 1753 by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) from the Greek word Aron meaning poisonous. Plants within this genus contain calcium oxalates, which when ingested result in the swelling of the throat, tongue and eventually impact breathing.

The species epithet was

penned by the English botanist Philip Miller (1691-1771), meaning “of Italy,” giving homage to its native homeland.

Italian Arum grows from a tuber, with the arrow-shaped foliage beginning to emerge in late-September and typically remains attractive through the following June. During severe winters, the foliage can scorch, but is refreshed by new foliage appearing in spring. The glossy, deep green foliage is typically laced with white venation and grows upwards of 16 inches tall and eight inches wide.

The flowers appear in May. They consist of a central clublike spadix, appearing in front of and slightly surrounded by a creamy white bract or modified leaf called a spathe. The spathe grows to eight to 10 inches tall while the spadix is a more demure four to five inches long. The urn-shaped base of the spathe, called a spathe tube, wraps around the lower portion of the spadix. It encloses the fertile portions of the flower, with the female flowers located at the base of the spadix, and

the pollen releasing staminate flowers perched above.

Atop the staminate flowers is a ring of infertile male flowers that produce slightly downward stretching filaments.

To further aid in pollination, the male flowers are thermogenic, whereby they actually go through periods of releasing heat. The flowers are pollinated by flies and the heat helps to release volatile chemicals that smell like rotting meat.

Fortunately, the odors are not noticeable to the passing gardener. Attracted by the odor, small flies push past the filaments of the staminode flowers in search of the odor’s source but, due to their slightly downward orientation, the flies are unable to escape. The incarcerated flies have roughly one day to deposit pollen from neighboring flowers onto the stigmas.

After one day, the female flowers are no longer receptive to pollen while the staminate flowers begin to shed pollen and the staminode filaments become limp, allowing the pollinators to collect pollen as they move

upward and out of the spathe tube. Incredible!

After the foliage goes dormant, the fruit continues to develop on a six- to 12-inchtall stem. Come late July, the papery tunic splits open to reveal an oblong cluster of red fruit that remains ornamental well into August. In the southeastern and northwestern regions of North America, along with Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the dispersal of seeds by birds has caused this plant to become invasive and outcompeting native plants.

I have always kept a watchful eye on this plant in gardens and although I have seen seedlings near the mother plant, it has not proven to be worrisome in New Jersey.

Hardy from zones 5-8, the plants prefer to be located in humus-rich, shaded locations where the soil remains moist throughout the growing season.

They can even be located in wet soils, as I witnessed at the Cornell Botanic Gardens, where they are planted along a stream.

The tubers produce offsets

that allow an individual plant to gradually increase into a substantial clump.

Difficult to find in the trade, Italian Arum is an amazing plant for the garden. It provides nearly year-round interest with a flower that literally becomes hot to the touch during pollination. Truly one plant that needs to grace more winter gardens.

Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth; is the managing director of Rutgers Gardens, a 180-acre outdoor teaching classroom, horticultural research facility and arboretum; a part time lecturer in Landscape Architecture at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; regularly participates in the Rutgers Continuing Education Program; and past-president of the Garden State Gardens Consortium.

He can be reached at bcrawf@sebs.rutgers.edu.

For more information, please visit www.rutgersgardens. rutgers.edu.

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: 856-224-8040 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

8 February 2020

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Flower Show is a Top Destination and a Must-Experience Horticultural Event “The Riviera is one of the most renowned areas for horticulture. And, it has tremendous aesthetic appeal. Anyone familiar with the region can close their eyes and see the magnificent plant life and smell the fragrances of the Mediterranean,” said Sam Lemheney, PHS Chief of Shows & Events.

“We want people to experience the Mediterranean region at the Flower Show, but we also want them to stay and learn about the importance of horticulture and sustainability within their communities.”

The Show will provide visitors with allnew interactive experiences. Everyone from experienced gardeners to the plant curious will be able to connect and share their passion for plants at the new “PHS Grow It! Center.” This inviting part of the show will feature garden trends, chats with experts, and hands-on learning sessions for gardeners to become even greener.

The fun and engaging display in the Grow It Center will help visitors learn how they can make a bigger difference in their communities through horticulture. Mobile “Pop Up” moments throughout the show will illustrate how some of the Show’s fascinating displays are brought to life including how to make jewelry from materials found in nature and how to grow your own showworthy plants. The Bloomin’ Brunch is also a new event held daily for foodies and horticulture lovers. The “Taste of Saint Tropez”-themed brunch will treat guests to an exclusive dining menu in a beautiful setting.

Throughout the Show, guests will become immersed in the PHS mission that emphasizes the importance of connecting with one another through horticulture to create beautiful, healthy, and sustainable communities. Annual evening celebrations will feature the festive Preview Party, PHS’s elegant fundraiser featuring dancing and dining among the gardens on Friday, February 28, the evening before the show opens to the public.

Everyone is invited to dance among the gardens at Flowers After Hours on Saturday, February 29 after the Show closes to the public, The Show’s opening night dance party will be themed “Let’s Dance,” a nod to the ’80s.

Guests are encouraged to enhance their Flower Show visit each day with other popular experiences, including Flower Show Guided Tours in the early morning and now also in the evening, Butterflies Live, and Make & Take DIY. The Flower Show features an exciting competition that brings together thousands of plant lovers who compete in hundreds of categories.

Their contributions to the Show, together with hundreds of artistic design entrants and the volunteers who help create such beauty during the winter, are a large part of what make the Philadelphia Flower Show the top event in North America, according to the International Festival and Events Association.

The Embassy of Monaco in Washington, D.C., will pay tribute to Her Serene Highness Princess Grace (Kelly), her Philadelphia roots, and her passion for flowers by sponsoring the Princess Grace Rose Garden at the Show. The exhibit, designed by Renee Tucci, who was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2016, will pay homage to Princess Grace with Grimaldi family and garden rose arrangements surrounding a stunning replica of Princess Grace’s

(Continued from page 1)

GMR Design LLC/Image

iconic wedding dress, on loan from Nicholas and Elizabeth Barranca, as the centerpiece.

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced that, for the 19th consecutive year, it will serve as the exclusive sponsor of the Show.

On “Fido Friday,” the evening of March 6, the orange carpet will be rolled out for both four-legged and two-legged friends to experience the Show together. As part of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, this event will feature on-site pet adoptions, photo opportunities, pet-friendly activities and much more.

For each Flower Show, it takes about 2,000 volunteers to help exhibitors enter their plants and install their exhibits, manage the judging process, and also greet, assist, and engage visitors in various ways. Volunteers help guests experience the power of horticulture and how it can bring communities together. Specific questions can be addressed by calling PHS at 215-988-8800, or by sending an email to volunteer@pennhort.org.

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event and features stunning displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. Started in 1829, the Show introduces diverse plant varieties and sustainable garden and design concepts.

In addition to the major garden displays, the Flower Show hosts world-renowned competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations, special events, and the citywide Bloom Philly preShow celebration. For more information about the Show and to purchase tickets, visit theflowershow.

com, and follow the Show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, plays an essential role in the vitality of the Philadelphia region by creating healthier living environments, increasing access to fresh food, growing economic opportunity, and building deeper social connections between people.

PHS delivers this impact through comprehensive greening and engagement initiatives in more than 250 neighborhoods; an expansive network of public gardens and landscapes; year-round learning experiences; and the nation’s signature gardening event, the Philadelphia Flower Show.

PHS provides everyone with opportunities to garden for the greater good as a participant, member, donor, or volunteer. For information and to support this work, please visit PHSonline.org.

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, landscaping and nursery communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

GardenerNews.com

February 2020 9

Around The Garden

By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

Need a Website? or Graphic Design Work?

Cultivating Parents and Kids as New Plant Lovers

This month I am proud to share with you highlights from the recently released Garden Media Groups guide, which explores how to nurture nature and encourage parents to grow an appreciation for plants alongside their families.

Some of the highlights from this guide I find fascinating.

THE INDOOR GENERATION Today’s families spend time indoors. 90 percent of people worldwide spend nearly 22 hours a day inside without enough daylight or fresh air.

Americans spend approximately 93 percent of their time enclosed either indoors or in vehicles. And children spend on average less than 1 hour per day outside, 50 percent less than their parents did as children.

SCREEN AGE Instead of basking in nature, people are basking in the glow of a screen, putting families out of sync with natural rhythms. Mobile time for 0- to 8-yearolds tripled since 2013, to 48 minutes a day, says Common Sense Media. Tweens log about four and a half hours a day, while teens spend almost seven hours, estimates the American Academy of Pediatrics. Adults spend 11 hours a day looking at screens and check their phones every 10 minutes.

And daily, 2- to 17-year-olds are exposed to about 15 unhealthy food commercials.

MILLENNIAL PARENTS Born 1982-1996, there are 83.1 million millennials. 45 percent of millennials are nonwhite. They have higher levels of student loan debt, poverty and unemployment, coupled with lower levels of wealth than the past two generations.

Men are taking an equal role in domestic duties.

42 percent of women are the sole or primary earner for households with children under age 18 and 37 percent earn more than their partners. And the stayat-home dad has doubled in the past decade, with more than one-third of dads, who have working wives, regularly caring for kids.

GEN Z TEENS AND TWEENS 54 million Americans make up Generation Z. Poised to become the largest generation of consumers – up to $143 billion of direct spending.

Most racially diverse group of Americans today.

Interested in connecting with people of different shapes, sizes and abilities. And most of the money teens and tweens in this generation have is spent on entertainment, food and clothing, with food being teens’ number-one spending category in 2018.

WHY KIDS AND PARENTS BOTH NEED TO LEARN ABOUT PLANTS Gardening teaches responsibility and encourages healthy choices. Gardening teaches nurturing, patience and delayed gratification. Gardening teaches trust and confidence. Gardening teaches good stewardship and how to care for Mother

Earth. And gardening teaches parents and kids to disconnect from their screens.

GROW NATURE LOVERS Highlight colorful fruits and vegetables for seed starting. Host a container garden workshop with kid-friendly plants – rainbow or butterfly gardens.

Encourage event attendees to snap photos and post to social media. Promote plants for tiny hands, like compact blueberry, and thorn-less raspberry and blackberry shrubs from Bushel and Berry.

Celebrate Earth Day, Pollinator Week, etc. And educate on the use of organic products.

GROW NATURE LOVERS INDOORS Stores are selling out of millennials’ favorite houseplants. This category is seeing greater percentage growth than shrubs, trees and perennials.

U.S. houseplant sales have surged almost 50 percent, to $1.7 billion, according to the National Gardening Association. Pinterest searches for indoor plants are up 90 percent, with terrariums, cactus plants and tropical plants leading the way. And increasing popularity of green design moves the outside in.

STEAM EXERCISE: FUNGI Mushrooms can potentially solve some of our most pressing world problems. Discovered in 2012

by Yale students, (Pestalotiopsis microspore) is a mushroom from the Amazon that loves to eat plastic. Mushrooms are useful in preventing and treating 200-plus conditions and have 100-plus different beneficial effects on the body. You can find mushroom-based products, from teas to powders.

And inoculated logs are easy to grow and popular.

Now I’d like to thank Katie Dubow for these marvelous insights and statistics. She is the creative director at Garden Media Group, a women-owned and run public relations firm specializing in the home and garden industry and celebrating its 30th year in business. Author of the annual Garden Trends Report, Dubow travels the world scouting and presenting garden trends to audiences from Italy to Chicago.

Dubow is a guest host on QVC for Cottage Farms, judge at the Philadelphia Flower Show, the inaugural recipient of the Emergent Communicator Award from the Association of Garden Writers, vice-chair of the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, and an awarded member of the 2018 Forty Under 40 from Greenhouse Product News.

She lives and gardens in West Chester, Pa., with her husband, two daughters, one dog, and six chickens. Find her in the garden with her children, practicing yoga or dancing to Zumba. Her goal is to convince people that brown thumbs can, in fact, be turned green.

It’s really quite amazing how these statistics relate to the agricultural, gardening, landscaping and nursery communities.

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, landscaping and nursery communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

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10 February 2020

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GardenerNews.com In the time since I first joined the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, I’ve learned that agriculture involves far more than just farming. New Jersey’s industry extends far beyond that - from greenhouses to gardens, nurseries, and woodlands. Though many don’t realize it, it also reaches into our rivers, our coasts, and our seas.

Fish and shellfish, after all, have to come from somewhere.

Aquaculture - the farming of the sea - is a key component of agriculture up and down America’s coasts. Like the farming industry on land, the produce that comes from fisheries isn’t bound to a single state or county. Aquaculture is an interstate and sometimes international field. To paraphrase the founding charter of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), fish don’t adhere to political boundaries.

The industries of commercial and recreational fishing are no small minnows. Generating $9.5 billion and 245,000 local jobs annually, these fields are key to other New Jersey industries, including tourism, recreation, processing, and grocery markets.

But if fish don’t obey political state borders, it’s up to someone else to make sure our Atlantic Recently, I was invited to attend a meeting hosted by Rutgers University. In attendance, were members of industry, members of Rutgers School of Engineering, various academia and some of the brightest IT minds in the area.

The purpose of the meeting was to kick off the “Precision Autonomous Agricultural Initiative.” In layman’s terms, this meeting took a futuristic look at the automation of the agricultural industry via robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital applications. Currently, Cornell University and the University of California, Davis are the only other universities actively exploring this field. While this subject might not receive widespread attention, there are currently millions of dollars in federal research grants designed for these purposes.

To say I was slightly intimidated to have a seat at a table with such an august body would be an understatement. Technology and I have a complicated relationship.

Attending this meeting, I felt like I was in an episode of “The Big Bang Theory.” If I said I understood at least 15 percent of what was presented, I’d be lying.

Yet, having spent an entire career in marketing, my imagination

February 2020 11 Agriculture and Natural Resources

By Eric Houghtaling New Jersey Assemblyman

Helping Farmers of the Sea

fisheries remain whole, healthy, and unplundered. That’s where the ASMFC comes in.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is a commission of U.S. states that was formed to coordinate and manage fishery resources along the Atlantic coast of the United States.

Today, it oversees the sustainable conservation and management of all near-shore fishery resources held by its 15 member states, from the coastal waters of Maine to the tropical seas of Florida.

This December, I was proud to accept a nomination as one of New Jersey’s representatives to the ASMFC. I believe that this new role is a prime opportunity to lend my voice to commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, and aquaculture farms all across our Jersey Shore, and I’m excited to hit the ground running.

What makes the ASMFC

important? The key to understanding its role lies in its name - “States,” plural. As an interstate entity, the Commission gives New Jersey real partners in addressing issues that affect our fisheries, whether it’s regulating catches to prevent overfishing or researching new ways to keep our fishing industries sustainable and successful.

Right now, New Jersey places fifth in United States commercial fishing production - belying our size, but accurately reflecting the Garden State’s real potential to be an agricultural powerhouse.

That’s in no small part due to our six major commercial fishing ports - Atlantic City, Barnegat Light, Belford, Cape May, Point Pleasant, and Port Norris - whose contributions helped generate $6.2 billion of value in commercial saltwater fishing in 2018. To quote Nicholas Polanin of the

Rutgers Cooperative Extension: “That’s a lot of fish, and a lot more than fish.”

While research institutions like the Rutgers Cooperative Extension are essential in helping Garden State aquaculture and agriculture innovate, the ASMFC is itself a major sponsor of research. Just last month, the Commission, in collaboration with the NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture, took applications for more than half a million dollars in grants to fund marine aquaculture pilot projects about sustainable aquatic farming and expanding the production of United States domestic seafood.

This is critical research that will help drive resource protection and entrepreneurship across our coasts for years to come.

These types of innovation have already become essential to New Jersey fish farms. With new oyster beds cropping up in

NJ Agricultural Society

By Al Murray Executive Director

Not Your Granddaddy’s Farm

went into overdrive.

Most of us remember the cartoon “The Jetsons.” The show ran from 1962–1963 and highlighted the adventures of the Jetson family as they lived in futuristic year 2063. Using that as a reference, my mind wandered to the year 2120 and my vision of agriculture in New Jersey.

It is morning, and Farmer Paul climbs out of bed to greet the day.

After a leisurely breakfast, Farmer Paul strolls into his home office and glances at an array of screens.

As he settles into his leather recliner, the field sensors show that his corn and squash fields require irrigation, and the automated sprinklers are doing their job.

Another sensor alerts Farmer Paul about a problem in his tomato field. A button is pushed, and a drone is dispatched to the field.

An image and data streaming

back indicates an insect problem affecting part of his tomato crop.

Farmer Paul presses another button, and a second drone arrives rendering the proper treatment.

On another screen, Farmer Paul monitors the progress of the pepper harvest. An automated machine glides down the rows and picks only the ripe peppers.

They are automatically loaded on a conveyor belt where they are color sorted and packed into the appropriate packages. Once picked, the machine will bring them back to the cooler for storage.

As the computers hum along, and farm activity is in full swing, Farmer Paul thinks back to when his grandfather ran the farm, and how much things have changed.

Gone is the need for farm labor and all the aggravation that came with it. With automation, this farm no longer has to suffer from the

federal government’s inability to implement a viable farm-worker program. Farmer Paul also thought about the long defunct New Jersey Department of Labor and the horror stories his grandfather would tell about the confusing and often conflicting rules that inevitably ended in some illogical and arbitrary fine.

Farmer Paul’s thoughts are interrupted as a horn honks out in his driveway. His driverless vehicle has arrived to take Farmer Paul to the monthly county board of agriculture luncheon meeting.

Since the farm is fully automated, farmers no longer must meet at night after a long day in their fields.

Farmer Paul makes a mental note to be home by 3 p.m. so that he can coach his daughter’s soccer team, and then later take his wife to dinner and a play.

The meeting contains the usual

estuaries from Barnegat to the Delaware River and the Raritan Bay, business is booming - which is why the Rutgers Aquaculture Innovation Center is working to create new ways of producing fast-growing, disease-resistant seed oysters to create new, healthy beds. Scientific progress keeps marching forward, and by collaborating with our neighbors in federal government and across state boundaries, we can accelerate that progress even further.

As a member of this commission, I plan to be a strong advocate for New Jersey fisheries and our state’s greatest natural resource: the Atlantic Ocean. I look forward to expanding my knowledge about Atlantic aquaculture and invite you to reach out at any time with your thoughts about how we can better support these critical industries.

Editor’s Note: Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling is Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in the New Jersey State Assembly. He can be reached at 732-6953371 or AsmHoughtaling@ njleg.org, or by mail at 802 W Park Ave, Ste 221, Ocean Township 07712. agenda, complaints about the weather, low commodity prices, high taxes, government overregulation, high costs of seed, and fertilizer (some things never change despite how far into the future). The county board meeting runs smoothly until one old-timer begins reminiscing about how much better it was in the good old days. “OK Millennial,” Farmer Paul mutters under his breath.

Back to reality, I think, “could this vision be far-fetched?” After digesting all that was presented at the Rutgers meeting, the future might be a lot closer than we think.

Editor’s Note: Al Murray is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Society. Established in 1781, the Society is New Jersey's oldest organization whose purpose is to advocate, educate and promote on behalf of New Jersey's agricultural industry. Mr. Murray previously spent his entire career at the NJ Department of Agriculture, serving as the Assistant Secretary. He can be reached at njagriculturalsociety@ gmail.com

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16 February 2020 Picking up on where I left off last month, the spring equinox is now 48 days and counting from the time this publication “hits the shelves.” And that means more plants to get excited about!

February 2020 has 29 days, a leap year day or “intercalary day,” a day added to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year. So, let’s “leap” right into some new plants and start planning your gardens.

First Editions® has a remarkable little willow to get excited about. Iceberg Alley™ Sageleaf Willow, Salix candida “Jefberg,” is a native plant discovered by the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Botanical Garden.

Silver, powdery foliage helps make up this neat, little willow, only growing three to six feet.

Always driven more by texture and contrast than flowers, Iceberg Alley™certainly doesn’t disappoint. That being said, this Sageleaf Willow blooms in the spring, complete with silver catkins and red stamens. A problem solver for wet soil types, this silver mound appreciates full sun and tolerates heavy pruning. Consider cutting the stems late-winter or early-spring for its decorative catkins (flowering spikes of trees such as willow and poplars).

Indian Pink, Spigelia marilandica “Little Redhead,” is an underused perennial despite its versatility. Known for its adaptability in either sun or

GardenerNews.com Unique Plants

By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist

48 Days & Counting

shade, Spigelia frequently appears in the wild in woodland areas and along streambanks. Popular among wildflower enthusiasts and commonly found throughout the Eastern United States, there is now a superior selection of the species.

“Little Redhead,” vegetatively propagated for uniformity, has dark red tubular flowers with yellow interiors, suspended above clumps of dark green, wedgeshaped leaves.

Hardy in zones 5B-9 and enjoying full sun to part shade, this tidy plant grows about two feet tall and wide. A plant, well situated, for patio containers, cottage gardens, woodland shade and for attracting hummingbirds, Spigelia m. “Little Redhead” is long-blooming from late-spring through midsummer.

Einstein Summersweet, Clethra alnifolia Einstein™ (“Novacleein”) PP27, 590, is a plant for everyone, not just geniuses. Johannes Kepler, Rosalind Franklin, Bernhard Riemann, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Young, Marie Curie and particularly Albert Einstein

perchance would have appreciated this plant’s attributes?

Nearly foot-long strands of densely packed fragrant flowers twist in all directions, mimicking “Einstein’s unique look” or a Medusa hairstyle. The flower racemes are nearly twice as long as the species and more prolific blooming. Another native, this cultivar offers white summer blooms, is a wonderful pollinator attraction and should prove itself time and again in partial sun.

Clethra alnifoliatypes seem to thrive just about anywhere.

Sun, shade, pest free, fragrant, wet site tolerant, appreciable fall color, this plant offers so much, yet it is seldom asked for at our garden center. Perhaps Einstein™ (“Novacleein”) will change all that with its “wild and crazy” flowers?

Finally, one of the cutest names in recent memory is a Winterberry type, “Berry Poppins®.” Ilex verticillata “Berry Poppins®” is a dwarf variety that can be used just about anywhere you want dynamic winter interest. A deciduous holly,

this is surely forgotten when its heavy berry display gets going.

Requiring a male pollinator, “Berry Poppins®” is another outstanding native plant that thrives in wet areas. Growing only three to four feet tall and wide and “hardy” in USDA Plant Zone 3, this is one tough plant.

Imagine taking cuttings of red fruit in the early-winter, and adding these sprigs to your holiday wreath…simple elegance. One male plant should pollinate up to five female plants within 50 feet, and for such a job perhaps we should call upon “Mr. Poppins®” for that?

Important to note, very little pruning is required to maintain the form of both Mr. & Mrs. Poppins.

In fact, it is discouraged to do regular pruning, other than your sprigs for holiday decorating, as it will impact the number of flowers and fruit that is set.

Last, but not least, a friendly reminder that the Humane Society of America lists holly berries as toxic to pets, generally identifying them as having the capability for

producing a toxic reaction. So, keep your decorated wreaths out of reach from your four-legged friends.

Native plants offer beauty, healthy spaces for you and your family, help the climate, conserve water and provide vital habits for wildlife. This month, it seems, I am all about native plants. And while I do love native plants, the truth is, I love most plants. The world has so many exciting plants, many that will live quite well in New Jersey.

Often, I make comparisons between plants and food. For me, having a garden solely devoted to native plants would be like eating hotdogs, cheeseburgers and macaroni and cheese every day.

While I love all those foods, I also like Burrata, Chicken Tikka Masala with Naan and Sushi & Sashimi.

After all, isn’t “Variety the Spice of Life?”

Editor’s Note: Bob LaHoff is co-owner of Hall’s Garden Center and Florist in Union County, a member of the Union County Board of Agriculture, the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, Reeves-Reed Arboretum Buildings and Grounds Committee, a lifetime member of the Conifer Society and past member of the retail council for Monrovia Growers.

He can be reached at (908) 665-0331.

Give it a Grow! Learn from the Experts at Rutgers Home Gardeners School

Horticulture experts to offer a variety of learning opportunities for gardeners of all skill levels, including 40 workshops [25 new!] and hands-on demonstrations for a personalized day of learning Registration is open for the 44th annual Rutgers Home Gardeners provide attendees with the opportunity to create and take home their own School, which will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. potted plant arrangement. Other new workshops include “The Wonderful - 4:00 p.m., at the Rutgers University Cook/Douglass campus in New World of Bulbs,” “Growing Organic NJ Tomatoes and Peppers,” “Trellises Brunswick, N.J. in the Edible Garden,” “Fertilizer and Pesticide Calibration,” “Deer The Home Gardeners School is made up of 40 individual workshop Control Methods,” “The Cook’s Herb Garden” and so much more! sessions that cover a wide array of horticulture topics. This format The registration fee for this event is $95.00, but a special early allows attendees to select the workshops that are most relevant to their registration discounted price of $80.00 is being offered through February gardening interests and create their own personalized schedule for a 29, 2020. An additional discounted fee of $70.00 is available for Master fun day of learning. Expert speakers from commercial horticulture Gardeners (certificate required) through February 29. Participants can and landscape design firms, as well as faculty and staff from Rutgers purchase a convenient $14 box lunch when registering or bring their own Cooperative Extension (RCE), provide attendees with the opportunity to bag lunch. Pre-registration is strongly recommended as many workshops learn from highly-respected professionals with a wealth of experience. do sell out in advance.

These instructors will cover a whole host of practical topics designed to Reflecting a commitment to giving back, the Home Gardeners School prepare participants and their gardens for the spring and beyond, including organizers invite attendees to bring food donations to the event. These landscape design, common problems and solutions, annuals, perennials, items will be distributed to New Jersey families in need through Rutgers vegetables, herbs, beekeeping, hardscaping, best management practices, Against Hunger (RAH), a universitywide initiative working to address the deer control methods and much more! issues of hunger across New Jersey.

With 25 new and three revised workshops, there are great options for Participants are also invited to bring donations for Scarlet Paws Rescue, both new and returning participants. The “Jam’in Basics” workshop will a 501(c)(3) non-profit collaboration of Rutgers staff, faculty, students and cover the fundamentals of making jam, jelly, and other spreads for shelf community volunteers that rescues stray animals on the Rutgers campus. storage or the freezer, while the “Walkways, Pathways, and Stairways” For more information or to register for Home Gardeners School, session will cover entryways into the home and garden, including proper visit www.cpe.rutgers.edu/hgs or call the Rutgers Office of Continuing construction. A new hands-on session, “Potted Plant Creations,” will Professional Education at 848-932-9271.

GardenerNews.com American Floral Endowment James & Helen Phillip Floral Design Grant

The James and Helen Phillip Scholarship Fund was established to honor James and Helen Phillip by providing scholarship assistance to people in need who are interested in careers in the retail sector of the floral industry. The Fund was established by a $500,000 donation by their daughter, Lee Phillip Bell, in 2008.

This AFE scholarship provides grants to institutions to distribute to students primarily in the Great Lakes region, however they also will be available to worthy applicants from elsewhere in the country. The gift is designed to achieve several goals. “This will go a long way toward helping people in need while creating a pool of trained workers to fill positions in retail flower shops,” said Bell’s nephew, Jim Phillip. “Because the principal will never be touched, this Fund will leave a perpetual legacy to honor Jim and Helen Phillip — giving back to an industry which they dearly loved.”

To be considered to receive a grant, please complete the Application Form at this link (https://endowment.org/jameshelen-phillip-floral-design-grant-grant/) and return it to AFE no later than March 1 of each year. Applications will be reviewed and institutions will be notified in June/July if they have been selected.

About the honorees and founding donor: James A. (Jim) Phillip began working in the floral industry at a very young age having only completed eighth grade when he had to start working to help his parents support six younger siblings. What started out as a necessity for the family’s livelihood evolved into a passion that would last throughout his life.

In 1923 shortly after marrying Helen they started their own flower shop, Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts in Cicero, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Jim and Helen had two sons, J.R. and Russ, and a daughter Lee. All three children grew up working in the shop and the business prospered, making it possible for the three children to attend and graduate from Northwestern University.

J.R. and Russ eventually became the owners and operators of the business and, in turn, passed it on to the next generation.

Today, in 2008, the small family business has grown to comprise ten locations including a 30,000-square-foot design center, a 20,000 square foot interiorscape and display division, and over 250 employees.

While working full time in the family flower shop, Lee Phillip Bell accompanied her brother J.R. to the Chicago CBS affiliate television station where they were invited to demonstrate flower arranging. Within a short time, she was offered other positions at the station which eventually led to The Lee Phillip Show.

This daily talk show was a huge success, running for 34 years (1952 to 1986). Ms. Bell was a popular host, receiving 16 local Emmy awards over the years.

Mrs. Bell was married to William J. Bell for over 50 years and theirs was a true partnership in many ways. During the early days of their marriage, Mr. Bell produced scripts for daytime television dramas such as Guiding Light, As the World Turns and Another World.

Eventually, in collaboration with her husband, Mrs. Bell co-created the popular CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless in 1973 and its sister show The Bold and the Beautiful in 1987. In 1977, Mrs. Bell was the first woman to receive the Governor’s Award from the Chicago chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and eventually she earned nine Daytime Emmy Awards. She and her late husband are the only husband and wife couple to be recognized with Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Awards for their individual work.

Mrs. Bell chose to honor her parents by establishing The James and Helen Phillip Endowed Scholarship Fund through AFE as a lasting tribute to them and the important values they instilled in their children. These values, along with loving memories of her parents, have sustained Mrs. Bell throughout her life.

February 2020 17

Plant America with Trees: Each One Plant One

By Jeannie Geremia Contributing Writer

National Garden Clubs, Inc., The Garden Club of New Jersey’s parent organization, has tasked each member to plant a tree during NGC President Gay Austin’s administration (2019-2021).

The directive was sent out to all State Garden Club Presidents in November 2019 and stated that “All it takes is for “Each ONE” (member) to “Plant ONE” (native tree). NGC’s goal is to plant at least 165,000 trees in each year so that, my gardening friends, means reaching out to members of our communities as well as our own membership in order to achieve our goal for 2020 and 2021.

Why trees, and why now, and how do we even begin to choose what tree to plant, and oh, the decisions to be made.

First, I have to blow the GCNJ’s horn a bit as we were in fact ahead of this project as the new GCNJ Environmental Chair, Beverly Kazickas, had asked me at the beginning of my GCNJ President’s term (6/2019-6/2021) if she could focus on TREES for the first year August 2019 – May 2020.

Beverly proceeded to produce an outstanding outline as follows: four articles for the GCNJ News Leaf beginning with Fall 2019—Intro to Trees—Value of Trees & Why Trees Matter Poster of Fun Facts; Winter, 2019—Dreaming of Warm Weather / Planning Your Garden—Selection of Some Native Trees, List of Host Plants for Wildlife; Spring 2020—Avoid these problems when planting…—Threats to Trees-List of Problems, Solutions to Preserve and Protect; Summer 2020— Look for these now…Get professional help—List of Disease and Pests (w/Photos).

To date, Beverly has written

two outstanding articles with the third hovering in the wings as we’re soon going to press with the Spring 2020 News Leaf, GCNJ’s quarterly newsletter.

“Why Trees Matter,” Beverly’s initial article, stated that the first Arbor Day was celebrated in 1872 in recognition of the importance of trees. Science subsequently “has proven that trees matter and are crucial to our very existence.” She goes on to list best host trees for planting using the “list provided by Douglas Tallamy, (noted entomologist, professor and speaker) for the value they provide as ‘host’ plants to insects and larvae which in turn are sustenance for our native birds, butterflies and small mammals.”

Just envision a whole community ensconced in an 80-foot oak tree, a hickory tree, chestnut tree, willow, cherry, birch, maple, beech, hawthorn, spruce -- I shiver with delight just thinking about it. There again, I envision world-renowned author and “icon of nature conservation” Gerald Durrell, describing in his books how he’d thrust his arm in a hole in tree after tree to see what form of wildlife was living in that home, sometimes coming up empty-handed, but other times coming up with all kinds of interesting wildlife inhabitants with fascinating results, including a baby owl, that became his inseparable companion.

I don’t recommend this, as I find it extremely foolhardy and scary, and we do live in a different world where we no longer can rescue and keep wild animals as pets. It is remarkable, though, as to how many different species one could find in just one tree, and it is actually mindboggling.

Beverly goes on to say: “Trees improve our quality of life. They offer privacy,

reduce noise, and lower cooling and heating costs.”

In my own half-acre reside 11, 80-foot oak trees, two hickory trees, and numerous red bud trees.

Though I get aggravated with too much shade, and am disappointed at my limited flowering plant selection this affords me, I must say that I love my trees, the relief from the summer heat they provide, the natural fencing they provide from the roadways, the shelter and nesting sites they offer to any number of critters, and just their sheer beauty and magnificence.

TREES, my gardening friends, are the big happening in 2020, so I implore each and everyone of you to Plant A Tree! Start doing your research as there’s always room for one more tree somewhere on your own property, your community’s property or your school.

I shudder when I pass our local middle school as it’s completely devoid of trees, sits in full sun and it has to cost us taxpayers an extra ton of money in heating and air conditioning fees as a result.

Our local officials need to know there are wonderful resources out there and I have to make it a point to reach out to them so they can get onboard with The NGC initiative, Plant America with Trees, while we Plant America.

Let’s make it happen, Each One Plant One. Join a Garden Club!

Editor’s note: Jeannie Geremia is The Garden Club of New Jersey President, and a National Garden Clubs, Inc. Master Flower Show Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie is a member of Neshanic Garden Club, and The Raritan Township Historic Committee.

Jeannie’s email address is: jgeremia42@gmail.com.

Recycle the Gardener

News!

18 February 2020

GardenerNews.com

New Blackberry Achieves Pinnacle of Flavor

Ponca, a new blackberry variety from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, offers the pinnacle of flavor from one of the world’s leading public blackberry breeding programs.

Ponca is the 20th blackberry from the fruit breeding program of the division’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, said John R. Clark, fruit breeder and Distinguished Professor of horticulture for the Division of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

“This is about as exciting as anything I’ve ever had my hands on,” Clark said. “When I noticed how good Ponca tasted, I thought that if Ponca was someone’s first blackberry, it would change their entire perception of what a blackberry is.

“It’s our highest achievement for a sweet, enjoyable berry,” he said.

Taming the Wild Berry When the fruit breeding program was established

by Dr. James N. Moore in 1964, Clark said, work on blackberries was aimed at taming a wild fruit. Moore wanted blackberries without thorns, and he began that effort by selecting and breeding for large berry size, plant growth traits, consistent berry production, disease resistance and other desirable agronomic traits.

By the time Moore retired and Clark took over the breeding program, Arkansas blackberries had developed from a wild berry that grew in tangled vines on the ground to cultivated crop plant with erect canes, increasingly reliable fruit production with large berries and improved resistance to common Arkansas plant diseases.

Moore’s and Clark’s collaboration also led to the first erect-caned thornless blackberry plants and the first steps toward something new — primocanefruiting blackberries that flowered and fruited on first-year canes, extending the fruiting season to as late as frost.

With a solid foundation of domesticated and productive blackberry varieties and breeding lines established, Clark turned his attention toward improving flavor.

Native blackberries tended to be tart because of high acidity, Clark said, and the early varieties from the breeding program also tended to be tart. It was the flavor most Arkansans were accustomed to and Moore preferred the tart flavor.

Finding the Sweet Spot But Clark wanted a sweeter berry and began breeding for reduced acidity, to reduce tartness, and increased sugars to improve sweetness. He also began to seek flavor traits that are a little more ephemeral — aromatics.

“Sweetness or tartness is the first thing you notice when you bite into a blackberry,” Clark said. “But, as you chew, other fruity flavors begin to emerge. Those

are the aromatic qualities.”

Aromatics are a quality of fruit chemistry, Clark said, and they are harder to pin down because they are a product not only of genetics, but also of environment. He has found that Arkansas blackberries grown in other states and other countries often have flavor qualities he doesn’t find at home.

And considering that Division of Agriculture blackberries are grown on every continent but Antarctica, Clark said, that’s a broad range of flavor potentials.

Osage and Caddo blackberries were the first varieties to reflect that greater emphasis on sweetness, Clark said, and Ponca has raised the flavor bar to a new level.

Clark’s opinion of Ponca’s superb flavor is born out by both anecdotal and scientific evidence.

Berry growers, breeders and enthusiasts from across the United States and around the world regularly trek to the Division of Agriculture’s Fruit Research Station north of Clarksville to see what Clark is up to. He relishes leading visitors through the rows of blackberry plants standing on the lush, rolling hills of the station, orating on the heredities, traits and characters of established blackberry varieties and advanced breeding lines.

And tasting. Visitors pluck the plump berries and get a mouthful of the results coming out of the Arkansas breeding program, and learn the names if they have them, or the number designations that identify advanced breeding lines that may be headed toward commercial release.

“I’ve had more people remember A-2538T (Ponca’s breeding line designation) than any other to come out of the program,” Clark said. “They remember that flavor.”

Renee Threlfall, division research scientist in the department of food science, conducted a consumer sensory analysis of Ponca, Caddo, Natchez, Osage, Ouachita and Prime-Ark® Traveler, all blackberries from the Division of Agriculture breeding program.

The berries were evaluated by a panel of 81 consumers for shape, size, overall appearance and taste.

Every blackberry in the test ranked high for sweetness, overall flavor and overall impression, Threlfall said, and Ponca ranked highest overall.

The Particulars Ponca is floricane-fruiting, producing flowers and fruit on second-year canes, Clark said. It is thornless with erect canes. Berries average 6.8 grams, slightly larger than Osage and nearly the same as Ouachita.

The berries’ firmness is rated higher than Caddo and Osage and maintains firmness in rainy conditions.

First harvest, Clark said, is in early June at the Fruit Research Station, same as Natchez, two to four days before Caddo and Osage and seven days before Ouachita.

Clark said Ponca can produce a secondary bud

crop that begins ripening 14 to 20 days after the first harvest of the primary crop, providing some recovery if cold injury occurs during spring freezes.

Postharvest storage potential has been comparable to Caddo, Ouachita and Osage, Clark said. Red drupelet reversion is low, similar to Osage and less than Natchez. Leakage from the berries was noted to be higher than other cultivars in some years, particularly when the berries are stored more than seven days. But its excellent sweet flavor is retained in storage, he said.

“Ponca plants have exhibited very good health with consistently healthy floricane leaves,” Clark said. “This contributes to its sweet flavor. It has shown to be disease-free, showing no orange rust or anthracnose and very limited cane or leaf rust in all our research trials.”

Clark said winter hardiness has been comparable to Ouachita and has shown very little injury to a low of 1 degree Fahrenheit.

Ponca has an interesting growth habit that offers plant management advantages, Clark said. The primocanes of most blackberry varieties tend to grow taller than the floricanes, he said, and require “tipping” prior to or during harvest. The primocanes require tipping to control growth and create the hedgerow of canes.

The primocanes on Ponca have shortened internodes — the length of stem between the nodes where the leaves grow out. As a result, Clark said, the primocanes tend to not grow taller than the floricanes until after harvest. It allows growers to delay tipping the canes until after harvest is completed.

Availability Ponca is available to licensed propagators now, Clark said. Non-exclusive licenses are available in the United States. For information, contact Cheryl Nimmo at 479-575-3953, or by email at cnimmo@ uark.edu.

To learn more about the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture fruit breeding and research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and Instagram at ArkAgResearch.

About the Division of Agriculture The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

Star® Roses and Plants Introduces The Petite Knock Out®, the First Ever Miniature Knock Out® Rose

Twenty years since the introduction of the original Knock Out® Rose, Star® Roses and Plants is thrilled to announce the launch of the first ever, miniature Knock Out® Rose, The Petite Knock Out®.

A miniature version of the original Knock Out® Rose, The Petite Knock Out® delivers a whole new level of versatility to the rose market.

It has the same flowering ability, bright color and easy maintenance as The Knock Out® Rose, now in a revolutionary, petite size.

“The Petite Knock Out® is perfect for the landscape, garden and containers,” says Layci Gragnani, Rose Brand Manager at Star® Roses and Plants. “Its versatility, ultra-compact form and staying power makes it perfect for growers,

retailers, landscapers and home gardeners.”

The Petite Knock Out® has non-fading, bright red flowers on top of unique, dark and shiny green foliage. Breakthrough breeding also makes this rose extremely black spot resistant. The mature plants are 18” tall and hardy to zone 5.

To learn more about The Petite Knock Out®, visit www.knockoutroses.com/petite.

GardenerNews.com You would think that if the national economy was good, then the national agricultural economy would be doing well also. It seems like it would make sense, right? But that is not always the case. And depending on what segment of agriculture you are talking about, it seems as if that is definitely not the case now.

Of course, back in the day when the United States was in its infancy, and a very large percentage of our country’s Gross National Product was derived from the growing and selling of agricultural commodities, then of course the two economies were much better aligned.

But as the United States economy matured into an industrial based economy, and then further matured into more of a service- based economy, agriculture had less and less to do with the United States’ overall economic well-being. According to the USDA, in 1800, 90 percent of the United States population lived on farms. In 1900, that figure had dropped to just under 40 percent. Today, that figure is now somewhere under 1 percent.

So, with all of that having been said, it is easy to see that even if the agricultural sector was

February 2020 19 The Town Farmer

By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

The Farm Economy

in lockstep together (it’s clearly not, by the way), the agricultural economy is the veritable pimple on the elephant’s backside when it comes to the overall economic well being of the United States as a whole.

Currently, commodity-based agriculture is having a rough time economically. And by commodities, I mean field corn, soybeans, wheat, milk and the like. Prices received by growers have been well under the cost of production for a couple years now. Growers are producing more of these products than the market is willing to purchase.

Because of good prices that were being received for these products ten years ago, growers scaled up and modernized their operations to the point that there are now too many sellers and not enough buyers.

Sure, there are certain operations that might have some sort of localized pricing power, or have cultivated some niche markets within their respective commodity groups, but by and large, growers of these agricultural commodities are really suffering. If this was 1800, or even 1900, this issue would be dominating our national news headlines. Today, however, this issue is barely news in agricultural areas of the country, let alone with the national media.

Of course, certain agricultural products have not behaved in the same manner as these commodities. Take Christmas trees, for example. For the past couple years, supplies of available trees have been tightening and prices have been rising. That is quite a different economic environment than the

one facing corn and soybean growers.

But what is the cause of this disparity? Christmas trees have roughly a 10- to 12-year life cycle. If you plant a seedling this spring, and everything goes well, in 10 to 12 years, you should have a marketable Christmas tree. If you look back 10 to 12 years however, you would see a country in the midst of an economic crisis. The general population was suffering through job losses, a real estate crisis, as well as a severe haircut in the value of most economic investments. And as someone who was selling Christmas trees at that time, I can remember sales being negatively affected.

Hence, it was only natural for growers to not plant as many trees in those years. With all of that, plus some consolidation

Syrup At Over $100 A Quart

By Hubert Ling What forest product sells at $112 a quart? Our latest syrup was first commercialized in 2019 from the native beech tree, Fagus grandifolia.

The reason for the high cost is that beech trees don’t gush sap like maple or even like black birch. Special vacuum equipment must be used. According to the producers, beech syrup has flavor hints of raisin and pear.

For limited budgets, a twoounce sample is only $7. An even cheaper way to sample this material is to suck on a beech twig in spring; a few drops of sweetish sap may be obtained.

If bleeding a tree isn’t your thing, you might consider the beech nut. No not the baby food or the chewing gum!

Beech nuts are probably our least recognized and utilized native nut. However, the Iroquois, Potawatomi, Huron, and Ojibwa made widespread

use of raw or roasted nuts, crushed and boiled them for a drink, and added crushed nuts to beans and cornmeal to make bread.

The nuts are nutritious, with about 50-percent oil and 20-percent protein. Raw nuts, however, contain saponin, a toxic glycoside, but roasting removes this compound and gives the nuts a wonderful aroma.

Beech nuts generally have not been commercialized because of their small size and the difficulty removing thin but tough shells. In addition, nut production by mature beech trees is sporadic and insect pests frequently beat you to them. However, a high-quality oil has been produced commercially in France from the crushed nuts of the closely related European beech and a coffee substitute has occasionally been made from the roasted nuts.

Native Americans made use of the beech bark tea for lung ailments and used leaf

tea for treating poison ivy and burns. The young leaves have been used as a vegetable and the inner bark has been used in Europe to stretch flour for bread-making in times of famine. In addition, Early American colonists used the fluffy dried beech leaves to stuff mattresses and the leaves and bark are used to dye fabric.

Western European interest in the medicinal properties of beech started in earnest in 1833, when Reichenbach suggested using beech wood tar (creosote) as a treatment for TB. He also suggested that it be used for cholera, epilepsy, neuralgia, diabetes, and chronic glanders.

Experiments with beech wood tars for TB continued until 1910, when it was replaced by radiation treatments.

The two most common ingredients in beech and other wood distillates are Cresol 35-percent and Guaiacol 25-percent.

Smoking is a popular method of curing meat and cheese;

Guaiacol is responsible for the smoke flavor and other wood distillates, Cresol etc., are antimicrobial and retard spoilage. The commercial product “liquid smoke” is produced from wood tar.

Canadian scientist Eldon M. Boyd tested guaiacol and a newly synthesized chemical analog guaifenesin in the 1940s and discovered that they act as efficient expectorants and ease chest congestion. Currently guaifenesin is still produced from beech wood and is found in a number of the most popular cold and flu medications such as DayQuil and Robitussin. Beechwood tar is still found in Creomulsin a popular cough medicine, which also contains the cough suppressant dexotromethorphan.

Beech, pine, maple, and oak wood tar are also used in Seirogan, a popular antidiarrheal drug first used in Japan in 1904. Our Native Americans appear to have been on to something with

that happened in the industry with larger big box chain stores controlling a larger share of the market, 10 years later, the prices for Christmas trees are on the rise.

But just as farmers have done since people first started farming, they will eventually grow themselves back into a period of lower prices. But this will not be a quick and easy process. Most sectors of agriculture are unable to turn around very quickly and it will take some time for the market to work itself out, but it always does.

Think spring!

Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is Mayor of Tewksbury Township, Hunterdon County, NJ. 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.

their beech bark tea.

Wood tar creosote has also been used to preserve wood in contact with water or soil. It was commonly used for Roman ships and later for European ships in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Subsequently it was found that wood tar creosote worked more effectively if combined with coal tar creosote, which is much stronger and more toxic.

Wood tar creosote’s biggest health hazard are the deaths caused by chimney fires. Several years ago I was 200 feet away from a chimney fire, which sounded like a jet airplane taking off in my front yard; truly a very frightening experience; so keep your chimneys clean.

Next month I will really write on beech tree biology.

Editor’s Note: Hubert Ling is the Horticulture Chairman for the Native Plant Society of New Jersey.

He can be reached at milhubling@verizon.net

20 February 2020 Toro Introduces ProLine® H800 Direct Collect Rotary Mowers Mowing and collecting clippings and leaves in a snap just got easier with the new ProLine® H800 direct collect rotary mowers. In January, the new ProLine series will be available to turf and grounds managers across North America through Toro’s trusted distribution network. The new mowers will include professionalgrade features engineered into every machine to deliver maximum durability and productivity.

The ProLine H800 mower allows grounds crews to quickly mow and collect in a single pass thanks to the PLH 800’s innovative 50” cutting deck and Smart AirFlow system that transfers debris directly into the hopper. When the hopper is full, the cutting deck automatically shuts off to prevent overfilling. Dumping clippings is also a simple task thanks to the ProLine’s 77-inch high lift dump-from-the-seat system, making it possible to dump clippings directly into the bed of a truck or dumpster.

Operators are ensured a full day of efficient, highperformance operation thanks to a powerful 24.7 hp Yanmar diesel engine, a large 10.8-gallon fuel tank, top speed of 9.3 mph and a 1 cubic yard high-volume collection hopper, offering the largest capacity in its class. In addition, the Toro ProLine 800 features heavyduty caster forks, a tough welded steel bullnose bumper and long-lasting skid protection, all contributing to outstanding overall durability.

“With maximum productivity and reliability top of mind, we knew we wanted to offer turf professionals a mower that is engineered with the best and latest technology to help get jobs done quickly, with exceptional results and unmatched efficiency,” said Chris Cooper, Toro senior marketing manager. “The ProLine H800 provides exceptional mowing and collection performance, unrivaled productivity, and superior durability.”

Engineered for maximum maneuverability in a variety of applications, the ProLine H800 has a 4-wheel-drive transmission with a locking differential and hydrostatic drive for optimum traction. It also offers a short turning radius and comes equipped with a foldable roll-overprotection-system to avoid branches and other overhead obstacles. Possessing a narrow width of 57” and no exterior fans or tubing, the machine is built to move easily in confined areas and features a high ground clearance of 5.9 inches to prevent getting hung-up on curbs and uneven terrain.

The ProLine H800 mower also comes with other smart maintenance features such as a Smart Cool® system to keep the engine ventilated, automatic deck cleaning wipers to help prevent clogging, tool-free swing out radiator and fuel tank for easy service maintenance access, and a tilting deck for easy cleanup.

For more information on the new Toro ProLine H800 mower, please visit Toro’s website (https://www.toro. com). Please follow this link (https://comm.toro.com/ lookup) to find a local Toro distributor.

About Toro With roots dating back to 1914, Toro is a leading worldwide provider of innovative solutions for the outdoor environment including turf and landscape maintenance, snow management, rental and construction equipment, and irrigation solutions. Through a strong network of distributors, dealers, retailers and rental stores in more than 125 countries, Toro helps customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, construction sites and agricultural operations.

GardenerNews.com The NJLCA Today

By Gail Woolcott Executive Director

Landscape New Jersey is a One-Stop SuperShow!

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association is hosting the landscape industry’s largest equipment, service and accessories show in the New Jersey metropolitan area on February 26. Landscape New Jersey Trade Show and Conference is a one-day supershow stocked with hundreds of pieces of equipment, dozens of growers, nurseries and garden centers and all of the companies that service them.

The show features trenchers and excavators for those who dig into the earth, along with tires and tracks, hoses and fluids to keep them in top shape. Looking for a new plow? See all of the major manufacturers’ plows, including one of the largest blades seen at any show in the area.

Does your company focus on maintenance?

See every brand of mower readily used in the industry all in one place – from riding mowers, zero turn mowers, push mowers, standing mowers, gas powered, propane powered, and battery powered, oh my!

How about handheld power equipment including the perfect hedge trimmers, weed eaters, chainsaws and accessories? Our vendors also have pruning shears, clippers, gloves and personal protective equipment for all your needs.

Looking to track your equipment to prevent theft? Hoping to track your employees to reduce windshield and downtime? Check into one of several companies that offer GPS fleet tracking and/or equipment tracking. Looking to find better banking deals, insurance pricing and coverage, legal representation? Search no more, save money with the vendors here at Landscape New Jersey.

We also have numerous growers, nurseries and garden centers at the show, offering the latest varieties in plants, shrubs, trees and specimens.

From deer resistant to year-round color, new and exciting to minimal maintenance, all these varieties will be on display with the state’s top producers and suppliers. Speaking of deer, we have solutions for those as well, including fencing, barriers and deterrents.

Are you an irrigation contractor? We’ve got you covered, too! From irrigation heads to pipe and drainage, visit our various sources of irrigation supplies. Many of them, plus several other vendors, also exhibit landscape lighting, including all of the most popular brands, as well as some new to the industry.

Where would landscape be these days without landscape pavers and retaining walls?

Outdoor kitchens and living areas are one of the hottest trends in this past and current decade. See the variety of options available in

materials and construction from all the major paver manufacturers.

Time for a new truck to add to your fleet or need to upgrade your trailer? We have truck vendors from all the well-known brands, as well as trailers, ready to be fitted to your needs.

Do you provide lawn care for your customers?

Look no further than Landscape New Jersey to provide you with insight to all of the latest and innovative lawn food, organic treatments, insecticides, herbicides, growth regulators and more. Plus, establish or reestablish turf with dozens of seed and sod options available…all able to be seen at Landscape New Jersey!

Plus, learn from some of our vendors about educational opportunities, industry regulations and best practices from schools like Rutgers, Bergen Community College, County College of Morris, as well as OSHA, Partnership for a Drug Free NJ and the New Jersey State Police.

And as if all the equipment, supplies and services were not enough, Landscape New Jersey will provide some of the best education available. Pre-Con education on February 25 will include training and certification for the NJ Fertilizer Certification, in both English and Spanish. Well-known industry speaker Phil Harwood of Grow the Bench will offer a workshop on developing great crew leaders and Ramblin’ Jackson (Jack Jostes) will do a sales training workshop.

On show day, Ramblin’ Jackson will offer an interactive keynote on Going Digital! A New Era in the New Jersey Green Industry.

Following will be classes covering every aspect of the industry, from regenerative agriculture, a pesticide jeopardy game show, tree and woody plant management, poison ivy ID and management, a pesticide regulatory and safety update, a pesticide recertification session in Spanish and modern management to working with new generations, snow plow risk management, negotiating with HOA’s, drainage training, proving yourself as a landscape professional, mastering the art of negotiating and understanding grass seed labels.

Anyone in the landscape, horticulture and hardscape industries simply cannot miss out on this one-day show where everything is possible.

And if all that is not enough, we have a very special guest attending this year’s Hollywoodthemed show. See our ad on page 21 for more details.

For more information and to register for Landscape New Jersey, visit www. njlandscapeshow.com.

Editor’s note: Gail Woolcott is the Executive Director for the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association. She was presented with a community service award from the Borough of Fairview for her assistance in leading the 9-11 Memorial Park project and the Legislative Champion of the Year award from the Federation of Employers and Workers of America. She is currently the State Licensee Chair on the National Association of Landscape Professionals International Certification Council.

GardenerNews.com

February 2020 21

February 26, 2020

8:00 am - 3:30 pm Meadowlands Exposition Center 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094

Announcing Keynote Speaker: Jack “Ramblin Jackson” Jostes!

Plus hundreds of exhibitor booths including:

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Hundreds of Booths...Multiple Educational Classes

Register Early!

Save $10 per person - Register before Feb. 1, 2020

www.NJLandscapeShow.com 201-703-3600

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12/16/2019 4:24:50 PM

22 February 2020

GardenerNews.com

NORTHEAST DEPARTMENT DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Governor Carney Declares Delaware Agriculture Week January 13 through January 17, 2020

Governor John Carney and the Delaware Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced Delaware farmers’ markets hit an all-time high sales record of $3.28 million in 2019. The announcement comes during the 15th Annual Delaware Agriculture Week held at the State Fairgrounds in Harrington, a week-long conference that covers agricultural operations in Delaware and provides critical updates, research, and training for members of the industry. Governor Carney issued a proclamation declaring the week of January 13 to January 17, 2020 as “Delaware Agriculture Week.”

“Delaware has a rich farming history, and agriculture remains our number one industry. It’s no surprise Delaware’s farmers markets continue to gain popularity with Delawareans and visitors to the state who want to purchase local, Delaware grown foods and farm-fresh products from family farms,” said Governor Carney. “Agriculture contributes $8 billion to Delaware’s economy, and we’ve permanently preserved 25 percent of Delaware’s farmland so that agriculture will continue to be the backbone of our economy.”

Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse said in a time when ordering groceries using an app and picking up curbside is popular, these figures are indicative of how much people value the connection with the farmers growing their food.

“Looking at 2019, the weather was cooperative, and our farmers had a lot of great produce to sell at our local farmers’ markets,” said Scuse. “Delaware produce is seasonal and changes from month to month, week to week. The variety of Delaware grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and other items provides a lot of options for consumers who want to eat healthy.”

Sales from all 19 Delaware community-run farmers’ markets this year totaled $3,277,788, up more than $394,086 from 2018 – an increase of 13.7 percent. Sales have increased more than elevenfold since the Department of Agriculture began tracking them in 2007.

Fresh produce made up 57 percent of total sales, with the remainder coming from products such as meats, cheeses, jellies, breads, salsa, eggs, or honey.

In 2019, there were 14 markets that participated in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the Women, Infants, and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. Both programs had their highest participation since Delaware began offering these benefits. There were 9 markets that participated in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). These programs help expand access for lowincome residents to be able to purchase fresh local produce at Delaware farmers’ markets.

Delaware farmers’ markets are all run at the local level, by municipalities, business groups, farmers or market associations, with the Department of Agriculture providing support and marketing assistance.

The 2020 market season will begin in April; most markets start their operations in May, June, and July. A list of the 2019 markets is online at Delaware Grown, and will be updated in late March for 2020.

VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agency Announces $200K Grant Funds to Support Vermont Specialty Crop Industries The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces the availability of grant funds for the purpose of strengthening Vermont’s specialty crop industries and improving the performance of Vermont specialty crops within local, domestic, and international markets. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, and maple syrup), and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture). Interested applicants must submit a pre-application by February 26, 2020.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awards Specialty Crop Block Grants to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. In Vermont, the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) administers these funds to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont specialty crops.

These funds are awarded through a competitive review process guided by industry, nonprofit and government stakeholders. VAAFM plans to award approximately $200,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds in 2020.

Any business, organization, or individual can apply to the Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

However, projects must benefit multiple specialty crop businesses, organizations or individuals to be eligible for funding.

To apply, download the Request For Applications at http://agriculture.vermont.gov/grants/specialtycrop.

Applicants to the Vermont SCBGP must submit a preapplication by February 26, 2020. A review committee will invite the top-ranking projects to submit full applications.

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Introduces Refreshed Agricultural Marketing Program

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced on January 14, 2020 a refresh of its core agricultural marketing program logo. DACF unveiled a modernized logo that aligns with the Department’s updated strategic vision for the branding program. The logo unveiling and announcement come as thousands of agricultural producers, suppliers, and educators gather for DACFs 79th Maine Agricultural Trades Show.

The new Real Maine logo is the foundation of an increased marketing and advertising initiative led by DACF to generate broader awareness and interest in Maine agricultural products. The unveiling includes a Real Maine logo that broadly represents all aspects of Maine agriculture. Real Maine will help promote Maine-grown and produced products and the farmers

and value-added processors who grow and make them.

“We are hearing it more than ever that people are demanding more Maine-grown and made products.

The word Maine is synonymous with high-quality and integrity,” said Amanda Beal, Commissioner at DACF. “The goal for Real Maine is to provide a fresh logo and a smart marketing and communications campaign that opens more doors for Maine agriculture. We believe this will help galvanize more local, regional, and national demand for our agricultural products.”

Since 2001, DACFs prior get real. get Maine! branding program helped Maine-based agricultural businesses market their products directly to consumers.

After extensive research into the needs of large and small producers, the DACF team is implementing its

new and scalable Real Maine campaign with the goal of increasing consumer awareness and purchases, both within and outside the state, of Maine agricultural products.

Director of the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Nancy McBrady said, Our agricultural community voiced the need for an updated promotional campaign, and we listened. We are excited about the momentum the refreshed look will create.

DACF’s Real Maine logo will be recognizable in farmers markets and grocery stores, at agricultural events and trade shows, throughout Maine, New England, and nationally. In addition, an updated Real Maine website will be introduced during spring 2020, along with a comprehensive promotional strategy.

GardenerNews.com

February 2020 23

OF AGRICULTURE NEWS NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Burlington County Teen Named 2020 N.J. Agricultural Fair Ambassador

Abbey Goodenough, of Columbus in Burlington County, has been chosen as the 2020 New Jersey Agricultural Fair Ambassador. The 17-year-old Northern Burlington High School senior was selected from among five contestants by the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey during the group’s fall dinner earlier this month in Eastampton.

As ambassador, Goodenough is charged with visiting the state’s agricultural fairs in 2020, promoting agriculture to the public, and bringing people together to support the state’s farmers.

She has been active in several roles on her family’s 280-acre farm.

“Abbey’s first-hand experience and her love for agriculture will make her a wonderful spokesperson as she attends our state’s agricultural fairs next summer,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. “Abbey’s ability to relate to other youths involved in agriculture will allow her an opportunity to encourage others to pursue their goals, become involved in agricultural youth organizations and explore agriculture-related careers.”

Goodenough is currently the president of the

Northern Burlington High School FFA Chapter.

She works on her family’s farm, where they produce hay, straw, corn and soybeans. They also have a small herd of beef cattle, as well as other animals. Goodenough is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in Relay for Life.

“This is really exciting,” said Goodenough on her selection. “I’m going to take this opportunity to share my agricultural experiences with others and be an advocate for the agricultural industry.”

While Goodenough isn’t sure where she will go for college, she is sure that she wants a career involving agriculture, specifically in the beef cattle industry.

“I love our cows,” she said. “One of my first memories of working on the farm was going on one of our hay deliveries and it was to a customer who had cows. I can remember petting those cows. I know I want to raise beef cattle, so maybe I can do something with health inspections with them.”

Goodenough says being part of a farm operation her entire life has helped lay a solid foundation for wherever her career leads.

“It has definitely taught me that you need to work to get what you want out of life,” she said.

“Working on a farm is one of the best ways to develop a good work ethic.”

She also can’t wait for the fair season to begin next year.

“I’m excited to see the different agriculture from county to county,” said Goodenough, who was the 2019 Burlington County Farm Fair Queen. “That will be a great experience.”

This is the 17th year the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey has named an ambassador. In choosing an ambassador, the Association seeks a good representation of young people active in agriculture in the Garden State and their county fair.

There were 20 agricultural fairs in the state this past summer, including the New Jersey State Fair at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. The earliest fair is held in June, with the final fair of the season in early October.

For more information on New Jersey’s agricultural fairs, visit www.njagfairs.com.

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Nearly $14 Million Awarded for Projects Supporting New York State Growers Since 2006

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today announced up to $600,000 is now available to enhance New York State’s specialty crop industry. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking proposals for research and grower education projects that aim to increase the competitiveness of New York’s specialty crop producers and strengthen New York’s agricultural industry. The funding is provided through the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Since the USDA began the program in 2006, New York State has awarded nearly $14 million for 139 specialty crop projects across the State.

Commissioner Ball said, “New York’s specialty crops are incredibly valuable to our State’s economy, environment, and way of life.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant program is a vital tool that will help our farmers continue to make progress in key areas such as pest management and operational efficiency, and to further develop innovative production strategies.

It is programs like these that help to ensure the continued strength of New York’s agricultural industry for years to come.”

New York State is a leading producer of a diverse array of specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, honey, herbs and

spices, and nursery products. These crops are important to both New York’s farm economy and consumers.

Not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments are all eligible to submit research and grower education proposals that will strengthen the viability and competitiveness of specialty crop producers throughout the State. Proposals up to $100,000 will be accepted.

The Request for Proposals identifies several priority areas, including: Research and/or education addressing a key conventional or organic production problem or need specific to New York State; Developing and increasing the use of Integrated Pest Management strategies and programs; Prioritizing and addressing native and exotic pests and disease threats through development of pest risk assessments; Supporting plant breeding for the development of specialty crops resistant to exotic and native pests; Applied research and development to extend the growing season of New York specialty crops through new technologies, improved management practices, or other innovative production strategies; and Developing new seed varieties and specialty crops with optimal performance under New York State conditions.

Proposals must have statewide significance to

the specialty crop industry; work that only benefit a single organization, institution, individual, or commercial product will not be considered.

Applicants must submit their proposals by midnight Sunday, February 9, 2020. View the application, or find more information on the Specialty Crop Block Grant program at https:// agriculture.ny.gov/farming/specialty-cropblock-grant-program Peter Ferrante of Wallkill View Farms and New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) Vice Chair said, “The work done with Specialty Crop funding is truly impressive. Over the last five years alone, New York researchers have advanced agricultural knowledge and practices in apples, beets, corn, cucumbers, hops, grapes, kale, mushrooms, oysters, onions, and even Christmas trees. This type of agricultural research and education is critical for the longterm success of New York farmers.”

The Specialty Crop Block Grant program is administered through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Upon the recommendation of the New York State Specialty Crop Block Grant Advisory Committee, NYFVI assembles review panels to evaluate proposals and submits its recommendations to the Department.

24 February 2020

GardenerNews.com

FEED YOUR LAWN

…AND YOUR SOIL!

EARLY SPRING

LATE SPRING Apply Green-Up Weed & Feed to feed the lawn and kill over 250 broadleaf weeds like dandelions, chickweed, clover, and oxalis.

Apply Green-Up Crabgrass Preventer to feed the lawn and provide season-long crabgrass prevention.

FALL

Available at garden centers and hardware stores in your area.

SUMMER

Apply Winter Survival Fall Lawn Food to feed the lawn and help prepare it against the long, harsh winter ahead. Early fall seeding works best, apply Winter Survival Fall Lawn Food the same day before applying grass seed.

Apply

NEW Mag-I-Cal Plus

to adjust soil pH, loosen hard soil and activate the soil microbial life.

Ask for a free copy of our guide.

2/20

AT T E N T I O N L A N D S C A P E R S !

REPAIR AND RENOVATE YOUR CUSTOMERS’ LAWNS WITH THE BEST!!!

Visit the Turf-Pro Distributor near you for top-notch, professional landscape lawn care products: NEW JERSEY Celtic Concepts 91 Broad St, Eatontown

732-496-2113

Central Jersey Nurseries 18 Hamilton Rd, Hillsborough

908-359-4652

Donaldson’s Greenhouses & Nursery 178 Airport Rd, Hackettstown

908-852-7314

Empire Supplies 1232 North Ave, Plainfield

908-668-0244

Roorks Farm Supply Inc. 163 Route 77, Elmer

856-358-3100

Ryser’s Landscape Supply 145 White Rd, Little Silver

732-741-8338

Smeltzer & Sons 1139 Rt. 9 South, Cape May Court House

609-465-4500

Stone Brook Garden Center 451 Market St. Saddlebrook

973-778-4883

Empire Supplies 324 Washington St, Orange

Sweet Valley Farms 1034 Rt. 202, Ringoes

973-673-0025

908-892-9701

Hammetts Landscape and Garden Center 425 South Main St, Forked River

Tidbury Creek Farms & Nursery 313 Spotswood Gravel Hill Rd, Monroe Twp

609-971-0453

Jefferson Recycling 710 Rt. 15 North, Lake Hopatcong

973-361-7755

John Guire 187 Brighton Ave, Long Branch

732-374-9383

732-521-5691

NEW YORK Fanelli Landscape Supply 2059 Richmond Ave, Staten Island

718-761-5693

Mike’s Country Market 200 Riva Ave, Milltown

Priority Landscape Design 1861 McDonald Ave, Brooklyn

732-821-7144

718-376-3344

Pride Landscape Supply 350 Ernston Road, Parlin

Sweetbrook Nursery 2371 Forest Ave, Staten Island

732-721-0554

718-448-5661

2/20

GardenerNews.com I can’t wait until spring arrives! The fresh air, the warm sunshine and everything turning a rich-green color. It feeds my soul.

Oops, I forgot, it’s only February, brrrrr. As I write this article around New Year’s, the weather so far does reflect a milder winter. Who knows what weather Mother Nature sent in January and what February will bring? It’s not too late to anticipate!

Be prepared, if we do have milder-than-usual winter weather, how will it affect your lawn?

If we do not get a cold snap for any length of time, it could mean larger insect and weed populations this spring. Cold weather tends to reduce insect and weed life cycles somewhat.

Weeds will start to appear in early-spring before we see any sign of increased insect activity later in spring. We know we get plenty of rain in early-spring, and weed growth can be abundant.

A lot of weeds that show up in early-spring are generally ignored because we do not want to get out on the lawn and treat them.

Why not? Because we haven’t even raked the yard for the initial

February 2020 25 Turf ‘s Up

By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

I’m dreaming of a green spring, just like the ones I used to know….

spring clean-up of leaves and debris left from winter.

Many homeowners are still in hibernation mode since they really don’t look forward to another spring clean-up and all the yard and house work needed.

Perhaps this is why we all end up in townhouses or condos. We love to be maintenance-free, no need to mow the grass, rake the leaves, clean the gutters, shovel the snow; sounds tempting.

Once you start mowing the grass, many early-spring weeds like onion grass or bitter cress standing white, tall and proud, seem to disappear when the grass starts to grow. If you wish to control these broadleaf weeds in early-spring before you start to mow, I would suggest spot

spraying them. Remember, the colder the weather, the more difficult it is to control broadleaf weeds. Weeds are easier to control when weather is warmer and they are young and actively growing.

February is too early to consider applying crabgrass preemergent. Crabgrass does not “start” to germinate until the “soil” temperatures reach about 55 degrees. Notice that I put quotes around “start” and “soil”?

Crabgrass can germinate over many months, even until July under certain circumstances.

Monitoring soil temperatures inyourareaforthestartofcrabgrass germination is best to calculate pre-emergent application timing, not air temperatures. Today we

have dithiopyr; the tradename Dimension herbicide, which can control crabgrass before AND after it germinates up to the threeleaf stage of growth.

This three-leaf stage for crabgrass may not happen until late-spring, so don’t apply controls too early. Another reminder, in New Jersey you cannot apply nitrogen or phosphorous lawn fertilizers before March 1.

Nitrogen and phosphate are the first two numbers on all fertilizer bags. You can apply soil amendments such as calcium, iron, sulfur and potassium (the third number on all fertilizer bags) all year round. Other soil amendments could be considered after you perform a complete soil test, which may show certain

nutrient deficiencies.

If you did not get your mower “tuned” up last fall when you put it in the shed, now is a good time before the spring rush.

Contact your local mower repair shop if you are not experienced with this task. Is your spreader clean, lubricated and ready to go? Remember, you need to get a new rake; yours broke last fall with the final leaf clean-up. Take inventory and make a shopping list of other lawn and garden needs while you still have time to sit on the couch by the fire for a few more weeks.

I’m sorry that we will miss many of our Gardener News readers that we saw many years at the New Jersey Flower Show, as you know this show does not exist anymore. It is also sad that our good friend Rich Imlay recently passed away. Rich was a great asset to the Green Industry.

Editor’s Note: Todd Pretz is Vice President of Jonathan Green, a leading supplier of lawn and garden products in the northeast. For more information, please visit: www.jonathangreen.com

New Jersey Agricultural Convention & Trade Show and the 2020 Annual State Agricultural Convention Coordinated by the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, New Jersey Blueberry Growers Association, Garden State Wine Growers Association and the New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station, Rutgers University

February 4-6, 2020 Harrah’s Resort & Waterfront Conference Center, Atlantic City, NJ

This partnership offers more opportunities for delegates and guests to learn about issues and the latest technologies, agricultural practices and opportunities throughout the industry. If you are attending the 2020 State Agricultural Convention, please feel free to come on Tuesday and attend both the trade show and the educational sessions. If you are attending the New Jersey Agricultural Convention & Trade Show, please feel free to attend the State Convention sessions as well. The trade show and VGA educational sessions will open on Tuesday, February 4,at the Harrah’s Resort & Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show will feature exhibits and displays from many of the industry’s suppliers and business associates. In addition, a wide variety of educational sessions on topics ranging from growing crops to food safety, from the latest ideas in agricultural practices to direct marketing/ agritourism and much more will be offered. Please make it a point to visit

each of the trade show exhibitors. The 2020State Agricultural Convention will open with its regular business session on Wednesday, February 5and continue on Thursday ,February 6, 2020. The meeting will focus on developing and setting a policy agenda for the industry over the coming year through the resolutions process. The listening sessions, as well as presentations, are also an important part of the convention. This year’s sessions will highlight updates on the Hemp program, fire inspections and wastewater; Carbon Trading and a Beer, Wine, Spirits & Farmers –Chef/ Restaurant Panel discussion. In addition, we will hold a joint session with the Vegetable Growers Association featuring an Aggregator Panel for sourcing New Jersey Produce.

For additional convention information including registration and event schedule, please visit www.nj.gov/agricultureor www.njveggies.org.

26 February 2020

GardenerNews.com

Call us for Lawn Sign Advertising!

The Premier Gardening Monthly Newspaper Number 202 Published Monthly Reserve Ad Space Phone: 908.604.4444 Website: www.GardenerNews.com E-Mail: Mail@GardenerNews.com

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www.ChathamPrint.com Empire Supplies Joins SiteOne Landscape Supply SiteOne® Landscape Supply, Inc. (NYSE: SITE) announced on January 15, 2020 that Empire Supplies, Inc. has joined SiteOne. Empire Supplies serves the greater Newark-Union, NJ metro with three locations focused on the distribution of hardscapes and landscape supplies to landscape professionals.

“Empire Supplies is a great fit with SiteOne as they strengthen our hardscapes and landscape supply presence in an attractive market. This addition aligns with our mission to be the best full-line distributor to landscape professionals, providing the highest quality products and services designed to help our customers be more successful,” said Doug Black, Chairman and CEO of SiteOne Landscape Supply.

“Empire Supplies has an outstanding culture built around customer service. They have a talented team that shares SiteOne’s passion for providing quality products, exceptional service and superior value to our customers,” said Black. “This marks our second acquisition in 2020 as we continue to expand the number of markets in the U.S. and Canada where we provide a full range of product lines to our customers.”

About SiteOne Landscape Supply: SiteOne Landscape Supply (NYSE: SITE), is the largest and only national wholesale distributor of landscape supplies in the United States and has a growing presence in Canada. Its customers are primarily residential and commercial landscape professionals who specialize in the design, installation and maintenance of lawns, gardens, golf courses and other outdoor spaces. https://www.siteone.com/

Staff

Executive Editor/Publisher . . . . Tom Castronovo Art Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan F. Kessel Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Castronovo Tom Castronovo Todd Pretz Gail Woolcott

February 2020 Columnists Brian Schilling Al Murray Peter Melick

Bob LaHoff Douglas H. Fisher Eric J. Houghtaling

February 2020 Contributing Writers

Bruce Crawford

Jeannie Geremia

Hubert Ling

Gardener News is published monthly by

Gardener News, Inc.

16 Mount Bethel Road #123 Warren, NJ 07059 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) 2020 Gardener News, Inc.

Full Moon February 9, 2020 Eastern Daylight

Gardener News

Read the Online www.GardenerNews.com

TIP OF THE MONTH

Most house plants tolerate normal temperature fluctuations. In general, indoor foliage plants grow best between 70 and 80 degrees F during the day and from 60 to 68 degrees F at night. Most flowering indoor plants prefer the same daytime range but grow best at nighttime temperatures from 55 to 60 degrees F. Overwatering and underwatering account for a large percentage of tropical plant losses. Plant roots are usually in the bottom two-thirds of the pot. You can’t tell this by looking at the plant. For a six-inch pot, stick your index finger about two inches into the planting media. If it feels damp, don’t water. If it’s dry and your finger doesn’t easily penetrate the media, water the pot until the water runs out of the bottom drainage holes.

This serves two purposes. First, it washes out all the excess salts. Second, it guarantees that the bottom two-thirds of the pot, which contains most of the roots, are hydrated.

GardenerNews.com

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28 February 2020

GardenerNews.com