Gardener News March 2019

TAKE ONE March 2019

Gardener News

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GARDENERNEWS.COM

No. 191

USDA Certified Organic Trees

By Tom Castronovo Executive Editor

Tom Castronovo/Photo Steve Black, founder and owner of Raemelton Farm in Adamstown, Frederick County, Md., stands proudly next to an organic “Okame” Cherry tree (Prunus x incam “Okame”) at the MANTS Show in Baltimore.

Raemelton Farm is a wholesale organic B&B tree nursery in Adamstown, Frederick County, Md. The farm’s founder and owner, Steve Black, started Raemelton Farm in 2004 with the hope that he could grow stunning trees using the most efficient and sustainable farming practices.

On October 1, 2015, Raemelton Farm received Organic Certification from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The Maryland Organic Certification program is designed to provide assurance to consumers who purchase organic products that the products were grown according to the national organic standards. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is accredited by the USDA for compliance with the National Organic Program.

In January 2016, his farm became the first farm in the country to offer USDA Certified Organic trees.

Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods.

The organic standards describe the specific requirements that must be verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before products can be labeled USDA organic.

Overall, organic operations must demonstrate that they are protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances.

There are five basic steps to organic certification: The farm or business adopts organic practices, selects a USDA-accredited certifying agent, and submits an application and fees to the certifying agent; the certifying agent reviews the application to verify

that practices comply with USDA organic regulations; an inspector conducts an on-site inspection of the applicant’s operation; the certifying agent reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant complies with the USDA organic regulations; and the certifying agent issues an organic certificate.

To maintain organic certification, a certified organic farm or business will go through an annual review and inspection process.

As far as Black can tell, his trees are the first and only USDA Organic, landscapeready B&B trees available in the United States.

Currently, there are 100 acres in nursery production on Black’s farm, with another 85 acres for future expansion. Three acres are reserved for storage and research facilities.

There are more than 300 varieties of trees grown on the property―from your more traditional landscape trees to specimens that are often hard to find.

Cover crops, integrated pest management, and compost are all used throughout the farm.

In organic vineyards and orchards, farmers often use tillage to help combat weeds, but that’s not an option in a B&B tree farm.

Black uses a succession of cover crops, such as daikon radish, crimson clover and forage radish, which prevent most winter weeds to germinate, allowing the farm to go into the spring without weed pressure.

Irrigation in the organic field is managed by a cutting-edge, sensor-driven autonomous system. Buried soil moisture sensors are used to trigger irrigation events. The irrigation system automatically adjusts for any extra water needs caused by the crimson clover cover crop.

Efficient and uniform water delivery is just part of the farm’s water conservation effort, said Black, adding, (Cont. on Page 8)

2 March 2019

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4 March 2019 Recently, I attended the Total Pro Professional Landscape, Nursery & Hardscape Expo & Conference, which is produced in cooperation with the New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association, at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, N.J. Each year, numerous growers, dealers and contractors come from as far away as Oregon – or as nearby as Hionis Greenhouses in Whitehouse Station and or Kube Pak in Allentown – to spotlight the new plant varieties, landscaping methods and hardscape features available for contractors to offer to the public.

Our own New Jersey Department of Agriculture also had several displays. They highlighted our programs for dealing with invasive pests, weeds and plant diseases that can wreak havoc on home gardens and landscape projects, just as they can destroy agricultural crops.

We also conducted outreach about our Jersey Grown program.

Like our groundbreaking Jersey Fresh program for produce, Jersey Grown promotes the landscaping plants that are grown in the Garden State. These plants, because they are acclimated to the conditions in New Jersey, give gardeners and

GardenerNews.com NJ Dept. of Agriculture

By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture

Total Pro Expo Offers Look Into All Things Landscaping professional landscapers alike the best chance of successful planting in our state.

On the landscaping plants side, there were vendors for every conceivable part of what goes into making a home or business’ landscape attractive. Everything from turf equipment and supplies to trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. From soils, mulches and bulk materials to seeds, sods and fertilizers.

It reminded me how much New Jersey seems to incorporate nursery and landscaping into the world of agriculture more than many other states do.

As I travel to national meetings where agriculture secretaries, commissioners and directors from all over the country gather, many of those state leaders seem surprised when I talk about the extent to which nursery, greenhouse, sod

and Christmas trees are integrated into our wide view of agriculture in New Jersey.

It’s just natural for us, though.

The Nursery/Greenhouse sector is New Jersey’s largest, in terms of dollars of products sold, right ahead of the Fruit & Vegetable sector. The Nursery sector accounts for nearly $400 million in sales in the overall $1 billion of farmgate income throughout New Jersey agriculture.

It only stands to reason that the nursery sector would be that big when you consider how built-up things are in this, the most densely populated state in the nation.

With the exception of some of the most remote, rural corners of our state, there certainly is no shortage of housing developments, office parks and shopping centers in every county that are interested in beautifying their grounds. All

Food Council Elects Officers and Board at Annual Membership Meeting The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) kicked off the New Year with its Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey. This meeting served as start of the 2019 Schedule of Events and the kick-off of the NJFC Scholarship Program.

During the Annual Membership Meeting, NJFC elected its slate of Officers and Board of Directors. The Board Officers who were re-elected and will continue to serve are Chair Richard Saker of Saker ShopRites; Vice Chair Mike Murphy of QuickChek Corporation; Treasurer Mike Rothwell of Pennington Quality Market; Secretary Joe Sofia of Wegmans Food Markets; Associate Vice Chair Mike Biase of Mission Foods; and NJFC President Linda M. Doherty.

Also, the Board of Directors for 2019 was formally elected during the program.

“The Annual Meeting serves as a great launching point for NJFC members to learn of the organizations’ priorities for the year ahead, major events, and various committees in which they can participate. This event is also an opportunity for new members to gain insight into what the Food Council has to offer and to share government affairs initiatives that will take place in the upcoming new year,” stated Linda Doherty, NJFC President.

This year’s Annual Meeting was particularly special because it is the first event of the year in which the Food Council will celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

NJFC Board Chair Richard Saker said, “During the last half-century, NJFC has proven to be one of the premier trade associations in NJ. This is because our members have remained unified in times of accomplishment and times of challenge” The event featured Keynote Speaker Jeanette Hoffman, a NJ political commentator, who spoke on the 2019 political landscape in New Jersey and Washington, DC. Ms. Hoffman discussed what the members can expect in the new year with national politics influencing what takes place in Trenton and the media’s role in the political division seen across the country.

Additionally, attendees heard the NJFC Chair Report to the membership and networked with the state’s leading food industry executives and professionals.

that pretty plant life has to come from somewhere, and obtaining it close to home makes perfect sense.

One of the things I learned at the Expo was the emphasis on the word “sanctuary” in landscaping these days. When you think about it, who wouldn’t want to create a “sanctuary” on their property?

The word itself conjures images of a safe haven, a place where one can escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern world and commune with the latest fashion in flora. In the context of a property’s landscaping, this translates to a place where you can spend time around living things that are as soothing to the soul as they are beautiful to gaze upon.

Of course, there are other elements to landscaping beyond plant life arranged in perfect symmetry. The big star in back yards these days seems to be

fire pits. All sizes, all shapes, all abilities to serve either as locations where food can be prepared or where you can just stare into a fire as the nighttime temperatures drop, fire pits are THE go-to hardscaping feature taking America’s back yards by storm.

So, don’t be surprised if, when you start planning your gardens and landscape for the coming spring, you see all kinds of new plants, new landscape ideas and new hardscape features at your local garden centers and nurseries.

You’ll be astonished. As will your neighbors when they see what you’ve done.

Editor’s Note: Douglas H. Fisher is New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture.

He is the department’s executive officer, secretary to the State Board of Agriculture and a member of the Governor’s cabinet.

Secretary Fisher fulfills executive, management and administrative duties prescribed by law, executive order or gubernatorial direction. He can be reached at 609.292.3976. For more info, please visit: http://www. state.nj.us/agriculture

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The FrelinghuysenArboretum Great Speaker Series: Dan Hinkley Take Two: Making Windcliff

Plant explorer, teacher, writer, lecturer, nurseryman, naturalist, gardener—Dan Hinkley is recognized in all of these roles as a leader in the horticultural world.

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GardenerNews.com

March 2019 5

Support NJ Agriculture JERSEY GROWN

Nursery Stock JERSEY GROWN

Sunflower Birdseed JERSEY GROWN

Firewood

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Annuals & Perennials Made With

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Wood Birdhouses & Bird Feeders

Governor Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher

jerseygrown.nj.gov

6 March 2019

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

Rutgers Researchers Contribute to Visual Guide to Identify Invasive Self-Cloning Tick Rutgers researchers and other scientists have created a visual guide to help identify and control the Asian longhorned tick, which transmits a fatal human disease in its native countries and threatens livestock in the United States.

The pest has been found across much of the eastern United States thanks to discoveries in which Rutgers University researchers played a key role. Scientists are now scrambling to determine how widespread these invasive ticks have become in North America. But it’s a complicated job, especially since Asian longhorned ticks are nearly identical to two native species – the rabbit tick and the bird tick, which are mostly harmless to humans.

Now, a collaborative research team including members of the Rutgers’ Center for Vector Biology has created a guide that makes it easy for anyone with a powerful enough microscope to tell the Asian longhorned tick apart from those North American cousins as well as a Central American species.

The guide, published in ZooKeys, identifies tiny details – such as two triangular, hornlike spurs on the adult Asian longhorned tick’s mouthparts – that set the ticks apart from each other. These details are visible on scanning electron microscopy images taken by the research team’s collaborators.

“To begin to understand the threat posed by Asian longhorned ticks in the United States, we need to know the full extent of its distribution,” said lead author Andrea Egizi, a visiting professor at Rutgers’ Center for Vector Biology and a research scientist with the Monmouth County Tick-borne Disease Program. “We made this key so that researchers across the country have an easier way to identify them.”

The collaboration between Rutgers and Monmouth County led to the identification of the Asian longhorned tick in 2017, after a Hunterdon county resident discovered an infestation of ticks on a pet sheep, with later confirmation by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

In April 2018, the group determined that the ticks had survived the winter in New Jersey. Asian longhorned ticks have since been found in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

“We now know that the Asian longhorned tick has been present in New Jersey since at least 2013, but that first discovery, found on a dog in Union County, was initially mistaken for a rabbit tick,” said contributing author Dina Fonseca, director of Rutgers Center for Vector Biology.

“We are hoping this visual guide will help us identify and control the expansion of this tick.”

Asian longhorned ticks are native to eastern Asia, where they transmit potentially fatal diseases to humans.

They are an invasive and serious livestock pest in Australia and New Zealand. They reproduce asexually, meaning a single unfertilized female can produce many offspring without mating, allowing these ticks to spread rapidly.

The study was coauthored by James Occi, a Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers Center for Vector Biology, and by researchers at the Smithsonian Institution, Georgia Southern University and the National Agricultural Technology Institute in Santa Fe, Argentina.

This article originally appeared in Rutgers Today.

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From the Director’s Desk

Rutgers Outreach Provided by Brian Schilling Director

New Jersey Turf Fertilizer Law for Professionals

Note: The New Jersey Turf Fertilizer Law has different restrictions on lawn fertilizer applications for professionals versus the general public. Homeowners can learn more about their responsibilities under the law at http://go.rutgers.edu/8py5hehn.

Proper management of soil fertility improves soil health and subsequently the vigor and persistence of turfgrasses, other landscape plants, and soil-inhabiting organisms.

The ability of plants to withstand pests, heat, and drought is greatly reduced if the underlying soil is too acidic or lacking essential nutrients and organic matter. Don’t guess – a soil test identifies the need for fertilizer nutrients, lime, or organic matter. For information on soil testing, contact your county Extension office or visit the Rutgers Soil Testing Lab website (https://njaes. rutgers.edu/soil-testing-lab/how-to.php).

Many are aware that the New Jersey Turf Fertilizer Law – enacted in January 2011 – was conceived to protect New Jersey surface and ground waters by minimizing the nitrogen and phosphorus loading derived from fertilizer. Both nutrients are essential for plant growth and health and are used by professionals as part of an overall program to manage soil fertility for turf across a variety of landscapes, but they become pollutants in water.

The law requires that anyone hired to apply nitrogen or phosphate fertilizer to turf – including any employee of a government entity who applies fertilizer within the scope of employment – must be certified through the Professional Fertilizer Applicator Training and Certification (ProFACT) program administered by the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES).

The ProFACT program offers online (https://profact.rutgers.edu) training and examination for certification and re-certification as well as seminar-style programs. Most professionals use the online program to certify and re-certify. However, the online version is not optimized for smartphone and tablet. Therefore, an app version of ProFACT is being developed to enhance the ability of professionals to manage their ProFACT certification via handheld devices. Concurrent with developing the app version, the website program will also be enhanced.

The law also requires Rutgers NJAES to provide a public listing of all professionals enrolled in the program. Lists of certified fertilizer applicators and trained fertilizer applicators are annually updated and posted online, providing a ready means of verifying certification.

ProFACT training materials are available in both English and Spanish for professionals interested in either the certified fertilizer applicator (CFA) or trained fertilizer applicator (TFA) status in the program.

For those professionals training to take the exam to become a CFA, the manual and presentation slides can be viewed and downloaded from the website. Professionals enrolled as a TFA in the ProFACT program must be trained and work under the supervision of a CFA. The training material for a TFA is available in three forms – presentation slideshow (pps), printable (pdf) version of the slideshow, and printable (pdf) manual; all training material can be viewed and downloaded from the website. All details of the ProFACT program are available on the website.

All professional fertilizer applicators are expected to follow best management practices and the statewide standards established by the law for fertilizer containing nitrogen and/or phosphate including: Prohibits applications after December 1 and before March 1; Prohibits applications during or just before heavy rainfall (flash flooding), onto an impervious surface, or onto frozen or saturated ground; Prohibits applications to turf within 25 feet of any water body. This buffer may be reduced to 10 feet when using a drop spreader, rotary spreader with a deflector shield, or targeted spray liquid. Individual applications are limited to 0.7 pound of water-soluble-nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, and a total of one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Slowly available nitrogen must be used for the amount above 0.7 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. The annual total for nitrogen cannot exceed 4.25 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Phosphate can only be applied when: a soil test (within past three years) indicates a need; establishing turf for the first time; repairing or re-establishing turf; applying liquid or granular fertilizer under the soil surface, directly to roots; or phosphate in fertilizer consists of biosolid, manipulated animal manure, or vegetable manure – other categories of natural organics are restricted – and no more than 0.25 pound of phosphate per 1,000 square feet should be applied when used according to instructions on the container; this strongly restricts the use of these fertilizers for nitrogen.

Golf courses are exempted from the fertilizer standards listed above, except that no person, other than a professional, certified fertilizer applicator (CFA) or a person trained (TFA) and supervised by the CFA, may apply fertilizer to a golf course. Fines for noncompliance by professional applicators are $500 for the first offense and up to $1000 for any subsequent offense.

Editor’s note: This month’s column is written by Dr. James A. Murphy, Extension Specialist in Turfgrass Management in the Department of Plant Biology.

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

March 2019 7

Puschkinia – A Star for the Late Winter Garden March is a great month to celebrate geophytes.

A geophyte is a perennial plant with an underground carbohydrate or food-storage organ, such as a bulb, tuber, corm, or rhizome. To me, they are a fascinating group of plants that we see perched unassumingly on garden center shelves in autumn.

Their dried and leafless appearance in autumn belies their beauty in the latewinter garden, significantly reducing their sales potential.

This has proven to be the fate of Puschkinia scilloides, commonly known as Striped Squill.

Puschkinia is a bulb and a member of the Asparagaceae or Asparagus Family. The most commonly grown form is Puschkinia scilloides, which is native to regions of Western Asia and the Caucasus.

It was penned in 1805 by the Russian botanist Johann Friedrich Adam (1780-1838)

and honors the Russian chemist and botanist Apollos MussinPushkin (1760-1805). MussinPushkin led a plant-finding expedition throughout the Caucasus in 1802. Adam was a member of this expedition, during which he discovered this wonderful bulb. The species epithet describes the resemblance of the plant to the genus Scilla. Indeed, Striped Squill bears a remarkable resemblance to Scilla mischtschenkoana, a native of the Southern Caucasus and Iran.

Puschkinia scilloides typically produces two narrow leaves that reach three to six inches in length and initially appear more or less prostrate beneath the upright flower stems. The flowers are displayed in a loose raceme with four to 20 flowers appearing along the two- to eight-inch-long flower stems, although four to 10 flowers is the norm.

The flowers are nearly one inch in diameter when fully open and, as is true of many other bulbs, consist of an inner ring of three petals and an outer

ring of three sepals. Since they appear virtually identical, they are called tepals. The tepals are usually pale blue in color with a dark blue stripe down the middle that is clearly pronounced on both the front and back of the tepal.

The tepals are fused at their base, giving the flower a bell or funnel shaped appearance when viewed from the side. The center of the flower features a small cone-like structure called a cupular corona. It consists of six broad and flattened filaments that are fused, leaving a small opening at the tip through which the yellow anthers are visible.

A filament is the “stem” that supports the anther. Having the anthers arranged inside the corona not only protects them from the elements, but also forces the insect to brush up against the anthers and collect pollen as it moves in and out through the orifice. Ingenious!

Puschkinia flowers appear between mid-March and early-April, depending upon the vengeance of winter. The foliage persists well into May,

Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County Applications to become a Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County are now being accepted. Classes will be held at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) of Somerset County Office, located at 310 Milltown Rd. in Bridgewater once a week on Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 1:00pm from mid-September through March. The program is open to all Somerset County residents.

Course work includes plant propagation, soils and fertilizers, botany, plant identification, native plants, diagnosing plant problems, pest management, pruning, lawn care, annuals and perennials, tree and shrub care, fruits and berries, vegetable gardens and much more. The program also requires community service in such areas as the Garden Helpline, Children’s Programs, Public Outreach Events, Extension activities and events throughout the year.

The Master Gardeners receive in-depth training in horticulture from Rutgers University faculty and professional staff. “I originally was drawn to the program to learn about plants to help me in my own garden,” said Veronica Guarraia (Class of ‘99). “Although I did come away with more plant knowledge, the added benefits were meeting many friends and having a better appreciation of nature and our place in it.”

The registration deadline is May 31, 2019. There is a $250 program fee, which covers a Master Gardener Handbook, soil test kit and 60+ hours of training. Those interested in joining the program can call 908-5266293, option 4. For more information or to download the application, visit http://somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/garden.

when the seeds finally ripen and the plants enter into summer dormancy.

To the glee of gardeners, the plants will naturalize very nicely through the assistance of ants. Each seed has a lipid and carbohydrate-rich appendage called an elaiosome attached to the seed coat. It was actually designed to attract the ants, who attempt to bring this food source back to their colonies to feed the larva. Unfortunately for the larva, the ants occasionally eat the elaiosome while the seed is in transport. Since the seed is no longer a benefit, the ants’ interest in the seed vanishes and it is discarded at this new location.

As is true of most geophytes, Puschkinia enjoys well-drained soils and full sun while it is actively growing.

The bulbs measure about a halfinch in diameter and should be planted in groups of three to five, roughly 1½ inches deep.

The foliage should be allowed to turn totally brown before it is removed, and it is best planted in a naturalized area where its tendency to

self-seed will not become problematic.

As the bulb catalogues begin to appear later this year, look towards the back of the catalogue, which is where many of these underutilized geophytes are located. Striped Squill provides a carpet of starry blue flowers that promises to brighten the late-winter garden for years to come.

Hopefully, this late-winter star will begin appearing in your garden!

Editor’s Note: Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth; is the managing director of the Rutgers Gardens, a 180-acre outdoor teaching classroom, horticultural research facility and arboretum; an adjunct professor in Landscape Architecture at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; regularly participates in the Rutgers – Continuing Education Program; and past-president of the Garden State Gardens Consortium. He can be reached at (732) 932-8451. 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 March 2019

GardenerNews.com

USDA Certified Organic Trees (Continued from p. 1)

“Knowing when to supply water and how much is just as important.”

In 2008, Black began teaming with scientists from the University of Maryland to develop an irrigation system based on actual plant water demand. At last count, the farm has more than 42 miles of drip tube snaked down the tree rows. By using pressure-compensating emitters at 24-inch spacing, Black can ensure that all of the supplied water goes to the trees with no run-off.

Controlling weeds organically is challenging.

Black has designed his farm using earth-friendly methods in between the rows of his trees to prevent weeds from moving in.

If the weeds get out of hand, there are some herbicides on the market approved for organic production with ingredients that include vinegar, an oil that’s derived from citrus peels and some long-chain fatty acids. “Sodium chloride can be used as a spot spray on dandelion, if necessary,” said Black.

“Because it’s a weed control application and because I’m using it in a commercial-ag setting, I have to buy a special bag of herbicidal sodium chloride, and it’s much more expensive than a bag of salt crystals,” he explained.

“I have never used glyphosate on my farm,” said Black.

Healthier soil, cleaner water, more beneficial insects all make for continuous improvement in tree production and plant health. “Great soil produces great plants and that is the name of the game,” said Black.

Prior to planting a new row of trees, he grows a green manure crop for a year or more. Plants like sudex, crimson clover, forage soybean, and millet provide huge bio-mass production, protect the soil, reduce erosion, and crowd out weeds. The use of cover crops provides a mellow soil for planting.

Black also uses extensive plantings of grass in the tree production rows.

In fact, about 50 percent of the farm is covered by grass. The grass aisles reduce erosion, reduce the thermal load on young trees, improve water

infiltration, crowd out weeds, add organic matter to the soil, and reduce compaction. “Grass buffers around and between the production fields also provide stable equipment travel-ways,” said Black.

Additional fertility and organic matter is provided by compost. Black produces his own compost in-house using locally supplied horse manure.

He uses the compost both as an amendment to new ground and as a top dressing for already planted rows.

According to the USDA, organic certification allows a farm or processing facility to sell, label, and represent their products as organic. The organic brand provides consumers with more choices in the marketplace. The USDA protects consumer options by protecting the organic seal.

Black said: “You must wait three years before the ground is certified

USDA Organic Seal organic. The forms, record keeping, and paperwork will make your eyes water. And you must visit organic production ground (Cont. on Page 20)

GardenerNews.com

March 2019 9

Around The Garden

By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

Spotted Lanternfly Update

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) permits are required for Businesses and Organizations if you are moving within or from the quarantine zone in the course of your work in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. New Jersey currently has three quarantine zones and Pennsylvania has 13.

The quarantine is in place to stop the movement of Spotted Lanternfly to new areas within or out of the current quarantine zone and to slow its spread within the quarantine. The quarantine affects a variety of vehicles and other conveyances, plant, wood, and stone products.

Spotted Lanternfly are pretty looking bugs and have been known to feed on over 70 different varieties of trees and shrubs, as well as fruit trees and grape vines. The adults are quite colorful, with a black head, grayish black spotted forewings, and reddish, black-spotted hind wings.

Adults are approximately one inch in length and a half-inch in width and are present from mid-July through the fall. Feeding occurs on the trunk and limbs of plants, not on the fruit or leaf tissues. During feeding, spotted lanternfly excretes significant amounts of honey dew (or sugar water). Honey dew deposits provide a food source for a sooty mold fungus that can grow on plant surfaces and fruit, leading to reduced photosynthesis and plant vigor.

Both nymphs and adults of spotted lanternfly cause damage when they feed, sucking sap from stems and leaves, reducing photosynthesis, weakening the plant and eventually contributing to the plant’s death.

Below is what my permit looks like.

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According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Spotted Lanternfly egg masses are typically an inch long by three-quarters of an inch wide. The overall length of an egg mass is about one inch. The eggs are laid in columns, side by side. There can be as many as 30 to 50 eggs per clump.

The mass of eggs are covered in a grey putty-like covering. The individual eggs have morphological distinctive features. The overall appearance is a small ovoid seed with a rounded side and flattened front. The flattened front is made up of an elongated oval disc. At one tip is a stem-like structure that extends out from the egg. The sides of the egg, when viewed from the front, are also sunken in. This gives the eggs a pinched look. There is one generation per year.

Officials recommend scraping masses from outdoor surfaces. Be sure to remove all seed-like black/brown eggs from under the wax coating. Double bag and trash, burn, or submerge the eggs in alcohol or hand sanitizer.

Below is what a scape card looks like. This card was created by the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association.

Please visit the top right-hand corner of

www.GardenerNews.com Since germinating in 2003,

Both nymphs and adults of spotted lanternfly cause damage when they feed, sucking sap from stems and leaves, reducing photosynthesis, weakening the plant and eventually contributing to the plant’s death.

Please help stop this invasive pest today or our landscape will be changed forever.

For the training and to take the exam, please visit this website. https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/ Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/quarantine/Pages/default.aspx Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News. Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening and landscaping communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

Gardener News

has become the New Jersey metropolitan area’s most influential monthly agricultural, gardening, landscaping and nursery newspaper, both online and in print.

10 March 2019

GardenerNews.com

Which Tree Is the Most Important In NJ?

By Hubert Ling The candidate I would like to put forward is pitch pine, Pinus rigida.

Pitch pine is found naturally growing from Canada to Georgia and west to Minnesota; in New Jersey, pitch pine is found in almost all counties. It is found in low-lying wet areas along with red maple, and in the dry, high-elevation reaches of High Point State Park.

As the predominant tree in the Pine Barrens, it is commonly found growing in dry, acidic, sandy areas along with black oak, blackjack oak, and post oak.

The New Jersey Pine Barrens is the largest undeveloped area from Boston to Washington, D.C. In 1978, 1,700 square miles was set aside as the Pinelands National Reserve and later the UN designated the area as an International Biosphere Our last article highlighted the Wardian Case and how its use contributed to advances in medicine, agriculture and horticulture by keeping plants alive on long sea voyages and overland journeys.

Queen Victoria’s reign (18371901) was also known as the “Golden Age of Plant Exploration.”

At that time, new plants arriving in fall or winter were transported in their Wardian cases to one of the new glass houses, so many of which were constructed during the Victorian era.

Call them glass houses, green houses or conservatories, shelters for plants from other climates or grown out of season, evolved over several hundred years. The word conservatory is derived from the Italian “conservato” (stored or preserved) and Latin “ory” (a place for) and was originally used to describe a non–glazed structure used for storing food.

Early greenhouses were simple structures with south-facing windows and small stoves. Dried reeds or buckwheat hulls often served as wall insulation. In Italy, they were known as limonia or arancia; in France, citronieres; in Holland, the orangestove.

As you can tell by their names, these were used to grow a variety of citrus for the nobility or landed gentry.

The first conservatory in Britain was constructed at the Oxford Botanic Garden, another was built soon after at the Chelsea Physic Garden.

By the Victorian age,

Reserve.

About 850 species of vascular plants make their home in the Pinelands, of which 92 are considered rare or endangered. In addition, over 300 species of birds, 91 fish, 59 reptiles and amphibians, and 39 mammals live there; of these, 43 animals are rare.

Pitch pine is a small- to medium-sized tree which lives for about a maximum of 300 years. The hard wood is saturated with pitch, which gives the tree its common name. The needles are in bundles of three, generally 2.5 to 4.5 inches long, and thick and rigid, thus the scientific name Pinus rigida.

Pitch pine grows rapidly at about one foot per year for 50 to 60 years and then much slower the next 30 years. After that, growth in height almost stops. In more protected areas, it can grow to 80 feet, with a maximum of 100 feet.

The tree has remarkable

powers of regeneration and is especially designed to recover after fire; numerous sprouts will emerge from stumps if the main trunk is damaged by storm or fire.

In fact, if fire is suppressed, pitch pines are gradually replaced by deciduous trees such as oaks.

Pitch pines have two types of cones: serotinous and nonserotinous. The nonserotinous cones open as soon as they are mature (in two years). However, serotinous cones open only after a fire. Many pitch pine trees have only one type of cone or the other, but some trees bear cones which open as soon as they are ripe and others which gradually open over the years.

Trees which grow in areas with frequent fires (every six to 12 years) mostly have serotinous cones, while trees in areas with infrequent fires (75 years or more) may have mostly nonserotinous cones.

Areas where fire is

frequent are home to the amazing dwarf (pigmy) forest of pitch pine and shrub oaks seven to 10 feet tall. If you haven’t done it before, it is fun to climb up a small mound of sand and look down on miles of forest which is scarcely taller than you.

Dwarf trees transplanted to richer soil in fire-protected areas grow to standard heights of 50 to 80 feet, so it’s the environment, not genetics, which is in control of maintaining the pigmy forest.

Besides providing a home for numerous animals and plants, pitch pines are useful in a number of ways.

Deer nibble on young pine seedlings and numerous birds and mammals consume the seeds. Since the tree is small, generally twisted or curved, and slow growing when older, pitch pines have never been a major lumber tree.

However, they are prized for bonsai trees and can naturally

The Garden Historian

By Lesley Parness Garden Educator

Beyond the Potted Palm: Victorians and their House Plants, Part III – Glass Houses”

technological innovations in building materials enabled botanists and gardeners to fulfill their dreams of collecting and protecting plants.

The introduction of concrete for foundations, wrought iron, cast iron, and sheet glass culminated in an astonishing architectural triumph a plan to build the world’s largest greenhouse.

The Crystal Palace was built in London’s Hyde Park in 1851 to house the Great Exhibition, the first of many World’s Fairs presented across the world in the 19th century. Queen Victoria held a design competition, and the job was awarded to Joseph Paxton, a brilliant horticulturist who had experimented with glass construction before.

His winning design for the Crystal Palace was inspired by the ribs of the underside of the leaves of the Amazonian Lily, a water plant.

Simply put, 10 million feet of precut and pre-glazed glass panes were held in place by cast iron girders in this 19-acre “pre-fabricated” glass building, which was three times the

size of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Its modular design allowed Paxton to erect the largest building in the world in eight months. It contained lush, exotic plants watered by two massive water towers and a gravity-fed water supply that ushered in modern greenhouse irrigation systems.

Over 6 million visitors flocked to see plants from around the world exhibited at the Crystal Palace. This masterpiece of Victorian engineering also held 100,000 objects from 15,000 exhibitors in the fields of Materials, Machinery, Manufacturing and the Fine Arts.

Guests might swoon at the sight of Rule Brittania’s plant booty such as orchids, bromeliads and heliconia whilst being entertained by circus acts, a hot air balloon, the Koh-I-Noor diamond, spectacular inventions in the textile and printing industries and the first pay public toilets and voting machines.

When the Exhibition closed, the Crystal Palace was moved to a new site in Sydenham but was sadly

destroyed in a fire in 1936.

During the mid-19th century, green houses were increasingly popular in America as well. The Lord & Burnham Company was started in 1849 in Buffalo, N.Y. Their first commission was to create a 12,000 square foot conservatory similar to that in Kew Gardens, England. The firm went on to become the premier source for custom conservatories at botanic gardens and large American estates.

There are just a handful of extant Lord & Burnham conservatories left in America. These include structures at the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, N.Y., the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, and the conservatory at Willowwood Arboretum in nearby Far Hills, N.J. Part of the Morris County Park Commission, Willowwood’s greenhouse may hold the title of the smallest Lord & Burnham

grow in a mat as low as one foot high on mountain tops.

Pitch pine was an important source of turpentine and has found some use for ship building, mine timbers, and railroad ties since it is resistant to decay; currently it is used for pulp, and crates.

Native Americans used it for decorative carvings, to seal seams in birch bark canoes, and as an antiseptic for burns, cuts, boils, and abscesses. It was also used to as a laxative and to treat rheumatism.

Pine pitch has also been used to attach arrowheads to shafts after being hardened by ash from a fire.

Two cultivars of pitch pine are available “Little Giant” and “Beach Sand.”

Both are low growing and tolerate poor soil.

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 Conservatory at a public garden in America. Just 12 feet by 25 feet in size, Willowwood’s greenhouse nevertheless holds an impressive variety of beautifully tended plants, both tender and tropical.

Its interior finishes feature handpainted tiles from the Moravian Tileworks in Doylestown, Penna., and a small, lovely fountain. A potted Meyer’s Lemon quietly and fragrantly blooms and bears fruit, as they have done since Roman times.

This March, while the skies and climes are still uncertain, visit a greenhouse. Take off your coat and scarf to enjoy the warmth, the smell of earth, the lush growth. Then, thank Queen Victoria and the Victorians.

Interested in garden history?

Visit lesleyparness.com to find out where she is speaking, or to reserve a talk.

Editor’s Note: Lesley Parness offers a variety of presentations and workshops for garden clubs, plant societies, and horticultural gatherings. Recently retired from her position as Superintendent of Horticultural Education at the Morris County Park Commission, and with four decades of teaching environmental science and garden education, her focus now is garden history. A complete listing of her talks can be seen at lesleyparness. com and she can be reached at parness@verizon.net. This column will appear in the paper every other month.

GardenerNews.com New Licensing Requirements for New Jersey Pool & Spa Service Contractors and Pool & Spa Builders/Installers The following requirements for licensing of New Jersey Pool & Spa Service Contractors and Pool & Spa Builders/Installers will become effective on July 30, 2019.

As of that date, Pool & Spa Builders/Installers will be required to have: APSP – Certified Builder Professional (CBP) or other certification acceptable to the board/committee (non- approved at this time); One Licensed Contractor per Company.

Pool & Spa Service Contractors will be required to have: APSP-Certified Service Technician (CST) or APSP Certified Service Professional (CSP) or APSP – Certified Builder Professional (CBP) or APSP – Certified Hot Tub Technician (CHTT) – (limited to spa service only); or other certifications acceptable to the Board/Committee (to be determined); One Licensed Individual per Company.

Employees in the field not under the direct supervision of a licensee will be required to have: Three years of practical experience and be an APSP – Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS).

Exemptions include those simply using cleaning pool equipment and components, pool vacuuming, sanitation of water, and backwash filtration. Training for these services can be done by the licensee to the employee.

There is a Grandfathering Period through July 30, 2021. For 24 months after the effective date of the law, there will be a “grandfathering” period where it is not necessary to achieve the certifications if the following can be met: References from at least one trade-related business and one financial institution to verify business existence; Certificate of good standing less than 30 days old from the Secretary of State of New Jersey or state where the company is incorporated; Three current references from APSP members attesting to knowledge, and skills as a service contractor OR builder/installer.

Once grandfathering is over, certifications will be required.

The license must be renewed every three years; continuing education requirements to be determined by the licensing board.

For more information on Licensing Requirements & How to Get Certified, contact NESPA at: (609) 689-9111.

March 2019 11

Weather & Monarchs!

This article is being written as much of our nation is being gripped in a polar vortex of record-shattering frigid temperatures, with our neighbors to the north identified by comedians and wags as being complicit in not somehow blocking the trajectory.

Of course, we know that global warming is behind our devastating weather variables that have intensified due to melting glaciers and walls of ice that had heretofore contained frigid air masses but are rapidly dissolving allowing arctic air to escape and raising sea levels at the same time.

The harsh reality is that life is precious and fragile as we survey the continuing damage done worldwide and try to take corrective action before it’s too late. The impact in our own region is an ongoing challenge and, as always, we gardeners are optimistic.

Part of this ongoing climate disruption is the movement of species with territories being expanded for some and in a downturn for others.

Monarch alarms have gone out lately as articles appeared declaring they were headed for extinction, as their numbers went from over a million to 30,000. My husband, alerting me to these numbers, gave me pause as I knew they didn’t reflect the numbers of Monarchs making the yearly journey to Mexico.

Sure enough, these numbers were coming from California, as their Monarchs are not part of the yearly Eastern and Midwestern migration to central Mexico. How devastating for California and our nation that climate change has caused such horrific losses from fire, drought, mudslides. It is just an ongoing calamity for people and wildlife alike.

By comparison, the number of Monarchs making the journey to central Mexico and overwintering in the fall of 2018/2019, and returning to the states in spring of 2019 are at the highest numbers counted since 2006, according to initial reports.

Unfortunately, this can change at any given time due to weather emergencies, loss of habitat and a diminished food supply of both host and nectar plants. It’s like taking two steps forward and one step back as we join forces to stem the decline of our precious Monarchs, along with other butterflies, bees and birds.

I, along with countless others, remain optimistic about steps we’ve taken and continue to take as we combine forces. My Gardener News article “Milkweed for Monarchs Helpline” that appeared in the January issue, generated more emails from all over the state and beyond than any previous article I’ve written.

One of the most surprising responses was from Rockland Country Club Golf Course superintendent Matt Ceplo, CGCS. Matt wrote about how the golf course he oversees “devotes large areas to natives” in an ongoing effort to provide suitable breeding habitat, including growing milkweed for Monarchs along with fennel for Black Swallowtails, and native grasses for skippers (Matt’s particularly fond of these butterflies) thus providing the necessary host plants and nectar plants for caterpillars, butterflies, birds and bees.

Matt told me he is a member of the North American Butterfly Association, and the Rockland Country Club Golf Course is a Monarch Way Station and participates in butterfly counts as well as tagging Monarchs in the late-summer and early-fall.

Matt said his golf course may be a great resource for our Milkweed for Monarchs Helpline. This golf course is working with other organizations including the Environmental Defense Fund and Audubon International, who are partnering in a program they launched entitled Monarchs in the Rough.

Monarchs in the Rough is a national program to assist golf course superintendents and staff in planning, planting, tracking, counting and publicizing the installation of habitat in out-of-play areas of golf courses.

The program provides information and technical support to incorporate monarch habitat into a layout specifically designed for each participating golf course.

Marcus Gray, Monarchs in the Rough Program Manager, said they are looking to work with more New Jersey golf courses in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mr. Gray stated that Audubon International developed this program with the realization that 70 percent of golf course land is unused and could provide the much needed habitat for pollinators.

My concern that I communicated to Marcus Gray was golf course greens are treated with chemicals that may harm our pollinators by the proximity of host and nectar plants to the greens. He reassured me that the ongoing training programs golf course managers undergo are designed to alleviate this problem by teaching careful application and less pesticide use than some homeowners use “willy nilly.”

You can read more by going to Audubon International’s website and/or contacting Marcus Gray at (518)767-9051 ext. 115 or email at marcus@auduboninternational.org.

More to come as Butterflies Rock!

By Jeannie Geremia Contributing Writer

Editor’s note: Jeannie Geremia is The Garden Club of New Jersey President Elect, GCNJ Wildlife Habitat Chair, and is a National Garden Clubs, Inc. Master Flower Show Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie is a member of Neshanic Garden Club, The Raritan Township Historic Committee and the Raritan Township Board of Health. Jeannie’s email address is: jgeremia42@gmail.com

12 March 2019

GardenerNews.com

Friends of Agriculture Gathered for Annual Convention The 2019 New Jersey State Agricultural Convention opened with its regular business session on Wednesday, February 6, and continued on Thursday, February 7, 2019. The meetings focused 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, were also an important part of the convention.

This year’s sessions highlighted On-Farm Fire Safety Inspections from the Division of Fire Safety, addresses from NJDEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe and NJDOL Commissioner Robert AsaroAngelo about their Departments’ interactions with and views of agriculture, and a report on climate change and its impact on agriculture by the State Climatologist’s Office. The New Jersey Farm Bureau President also addressed the delegates.

New Jersey State Senator Bob Andrzejczak, New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney and New Jersey State Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling also attended the convention and addressed the delegates.

The 104th New Jersey State Agricultural Convention was held Feb. 5-7 at the Harrah’s Resort & Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City. For the eighth year, the annual convention was co-located with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey.

Tom Castronovo/Photo Brian Schilling, Director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, delivers a report from the Rutgers School of Environmental & Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station to the 2019 N.J. State Agricultural Convention Delegates in Atlantic City on February 7, 2019.

Tom Castronovo/Photo Gardener News writers gathered at the 2019 New Jersey Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City on February 6, 2019. From left to right are: Peter Melick, Lori Jenssen, Al Murray, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, and Brian Schilling.

GardenerNews.com

March 2019 13

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Visit www.espoma.com/video to see our inspirational videos.

14 March 2019

GardenerNews.com

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GardenerNews.com

March 2019 15

16 March 2019

GardenerNews.com

New Professional Landscape, Nursery & Hardscape

Tom Castronovo/Photo New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher, center, joins representatives of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association in their booth at the Total Pro Expo in Edison, N.J., on Tuesday, January 29. From left to right are: Board Member Mike Pasquarello, Jack Otterbein, President of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association; Lori Jenssen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association; New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher; Tom Beaver, Director of Marketing for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture; Bob Heitzman, Past President of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association; Board Member Frank Fernicola; and David DeFrange, Treasurer of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association.

MAC Expos, LLC, led by Kevin McLaughlin, produces business-to-business trade shows throughout the United States. On January 29-30, 2019, McLaughlin launched the Total Pro Professional Landscape, Nursery & Hardscape Expo & Conference in Edison, N.J. Total Pro was billed as the Tri-State’s most complete industry-wide Expo & Conference focused on today’s Landscape, Hardscape & Horticultural Professional.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, January 29-30, 2019, over 2,000 green industry professionals gathered at the New Jersey Convention Center for the all-encompassing event, which covered the industry from top to bottom. There were six educational tracts that were presented by top notch industry experts. There were also extensive networking opportunities that connected the attendees with industry pros. Continuing pesticide credits from several states, as well as educational credits from PLANET, APLD, and CNLP, were available.

This is the first time that a Landscape, Hardscape & Horticultural event had two members from the New Jersey Senate attend. Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman and Senator Bob Smith. Senator Smith is Chairman of the

New Jersey Senate Environment Committee and Senator Bateman is a member of the New Jersey Senate Environment Committee. New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher also visited the event.

Several statewide and federal agencies were represented at the event. Attendees were able to have one-on-one contact with representatives from New Jersey One Call, Rutgers NJAES, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and OSHA officials.

Mercer and Morris county colleges also were represented.

Several of the largest industry suppliers were represented as well. They included Bobcat of North Jersey, Condurso’s Garden Center, Empire Supplies, Jonathan Green, Toro, Northeast Stihl, New Jersey Deer Control, and Hionis Greenhouses. Copies of the Gardener News were distributed throughout the event as well.

The inaugural Total Pro event was produced this year in cooperation with the New Jersey Nursery & Landscape Association (NJNLA).

Next year the Total Pro event is scheduled for January 28-29.

GardenerNews.com

March 2019 17

Expo & Conference Launches in the Garden State

Tom Castronovo/Photo New Jersey Senator Bob Smith, right, chats with Jack Otterbein, President of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association at the Total Pro event in Edison, N.J.

Tom Castronovo/Photo New Jersey Senator Christopher “Kip� Bateman, left, congratulates Dave DeFrange, a Board Member of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, and a recently nominated candidate to become a member of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture, in the Toro booth at the Total Pro event in Edison, N.J.

18 March 2019

GardenerNews.com Unique Plants

By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist

In The Not Too Distant Future…

Recently I returned from the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) in Baltimore, one of the nation’s largest trade shows for the Independent Garden Center.

More than 11,600 registered attendees came from 48 states and 16 countries to visit 956 exhibiting companies, all there to do business, network and learn about the latest “green industry” trends for 2019.

Reportedly MANTS had its best attendance in over a decade, now in its 49th year.

The Masterpiece of Trade Shows™, this was my 26th year attending. MANTS is one of the largest private trade shows serving the Horticultural Industry.

Nursery stock, landscape and garden items, equipment, tools, furniture, consultants and so much more are available in the Inner Harbor’s massive convention center. My primary focus for attending this show has always been education and networking. Walking aisle after aisle, I am always keeping my eyes out for the next greatest plant or plants. Well, ladies and gentlemen, here are a few that will be available to us all in the not too distant future.

The first of three popular plant types I will be talking about is a true harbinger of spring… Redbud. Wildly popular, this genus seems to have catapulted to one of the most popular small- to mediumsized flowering trees, running neck and neck with Dogwood.

A tree known for its bright flowers borne directly on the bark, it looks like ribbon streamers ripping up and down the trees branching in March and April. A tree complete with “heart-shaped” leaves and true pods (legumes) in the fall, this is truly a tree for all seasons.

There are so many exciting cultivars available today; “Forest Pansy,” “Appalachian Red,” “Floating Clouds,” “Little Woody,” “The Rising Sun” and “Carolina Sweetheart,” to name just a few.

The latest and greatest,

I think, coming through the pipeline is Cercis canadensis “Flame Thrower™” “NC20162” PPAF. A breakthrough variety that has such unique foliage markings, with four or five different colors on a single branch. New growth is burgundy/red maturing to bright yellow with hints of lime and eventually green.

This cultivar has minimal leaf scorch, a big bonus, and low maintenance, which is great news for any gardener.

All this on a form that is semipendulous. Typical flowering and foliage attributes apply here and the expected height for this small wonder is 15 feet tall and wide.

The second “Big Gun” I found coming along is another popular and certainly marketable tree, dogwood.

And while kousa types seem to outsell today because of their resistance to anthracnose, here’s a new native type to get really excited about. Cornus florida “Ragin’ Red™” “JN13” PPAF, hopefully will live up to the hype.

Native dogwoods are generally known for their prolific, yet subtle colors, however “Ragin’ Red” is a real “Barn Burner.” Deep-red bracts or flowers to some, reminiscent of a fine Cabernet or Barolo, I only saw pictures of this cultivar, however I am optimistic.

“Ragin’ Red” is touted for its resilience, fast growth, long life and for maintaining its color throughout the entire season.

A wildlife haven, cardinals and robins will ravage the tree’s fruit in the fall, adding even more color and interest to your landscape. Anticipated to grow 20 to 30 feet tall and wide, dogwoods appreciate full to partial sun, protected from late, hot afternoon sun. Finally, just like the aforementioned Redbud, both trees are expected to thrive in zones 5-9 (10).

The last of three new plants to talk about is boxwood. There is no denying that Boxwood Blight, a fungus caused by Calonectria pseudonaviculata

(buxicola) resulting in the defoliation and decline of susceptible types, has been a game changer for garden center sales.

Homeowners not aware of this problem should know that it is here and real in New Jersey.

However, Saunders Brothers, Inc., a grower/nursery in Piney River, Va., has been leading the charge to combat this problem and has almost always been associated with “all things boxwood.”

Hard pressed to find better stewards in our industry, Saunders Brothers will be introducing NewGen™ Boxwood. A new standard for modern boxwood with consistent and improved qualities for today’s landscape, these types are reportedly said to have better tolerance of Boxwood Blight and leafminer, another common problem for the genus.

Efforts in evaluation and trialing over the last 70-plus years has solidified Saunders Brothers position as an industry leader. Bio-secure test methods, superior introductions and a regional network of premier licensed propagators and growers is on the horizon and hopefully landing in your garden, in large numbers, in 2020?

Walking the MANTS show is certainly something I look forward to every year. Networking, ordering, attending seminars and finding the next great plant or product is something that excites me.

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.

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March 2019 19

With the worst of the winter (hopefully) behind us, farmers throughout New Jersey and the rest of our nation are beginning to gear up for the next growing season.

Greenhouses throughout our state are bursting with early-spring vegetable seedlings that will soon be transplanted into farm fields. Just like a baseball team currently at spring training, New Jersey’s agricultural community is full of expectation, hope, and promise for a winning season.

It’s no coincidence that National Agriculture Week is held annually in March; during this time of anticipation. As we celebrate the beginning of a new season, our nation takes a moment to recognize the men and women who work so hard to feed and clothe our country and the world.

National Agriculture Week will be held March 10 – 16, 2019. Now in its 46th year, National Agriculture Week was founded in 1973 and is organized by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA).

The week is about recognizing and celebrating – the contribution of agriculture in our everyday lives. The program encourages every American to understand how food and fiber products are produced, appreciate the vital role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy, and recognize our farmers who provide to us safe, abundant and affordable products.

roadside market and commercially sold to local farm markets and stores throughout the Tri-state area. The Pastore operation is quintessential of the small, countless “truck farms” that gave New Jersey her nickname, “The Garden State.”

The Brodheckers and the Pastores are just a small representation of the many dedicated farm families who have helped make our agricultural industry so vibrant and strong. As the nation prepares to observe National Agriculture Week, the New Jersey Agricultural Society also pauses to thank the hardworking men and women who comprise this honorable profession.

For more information regarding the March 23 New Jersey Agriculture Society’s Annual Gala, please visit the society’s link on the Gardener News webpage.

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone came up to me and said something like “You should start growing legalized recreational marijuana now that it is becoming legal, you will make a fortune!”

While many of these people might be somewhat familiar with marijuana, at least from the consumer’s point of view, it quickly becomes clear that, they have little realworld business experience with any type of agricultural or pharmaceutical endeavor.

Sure, there might be an opportunity to build a profitable business growing and dispensing marijuana in a legal and regulated manner, but in my humble opinion, at least in our situation, the risks far and away outnumber the rewards.

If all we would have to do was grow and sell the product, it would be fairly easy. Plant some seeds, water it, harvest it when ready, go to a farmers’ market and sell it. If that was all that we had to do, it would be simple.

My guess however, is that whenever our State lawmakers get around to passing some

NJ Agricultural Society

By Al Murray Executive Director

Celebrating New Jersey Agriculture According to recent statistics, there are just over 2 million farms in the United States. Farmers account for just over 1 percent of our population. (One-percenters who truly do something for all of us!) This translates into one farmer responsible for feeding 165 people in the US – not to mention the countless others outside our borders.

Here at home, the New Jersey Agricultural Society also uses the month of March to recognize the contributions individual farmers have made to our state’s agricultural industry. On Saturday, March 23, 2019, New Jersey’s agricultural industry will gather at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake to honor the contributions of some deserving farm families.

This year, Tom and Jane Brodhecker, Brodhecker Farm, Newton, N.J., will be receiving agriculture’s highest honor – The Gold Medallion. This award is given to people or organizations who

have dedicated their life’s efforts towards the advancement of New Jersey’s agricultural industry. The Brodheckers, originally from Indiana, moved to New Jersey and entered agriculture in 1969. They currently farm 700 acres of corn, hay, oats and wheat. The Brodheckers also breed livestock, which include beef cows, calves, sheep and pigs.

As if this was not enough to keep them occupied, Jane and Tom raised six children and have volunteered countless hours (many in leadership positions) on numerous committees and boards to help improve New Jersey Agriculture.

Together, their activities include: 4 H, Rutgers Experiment Station Board of Managers, Sussex County Board of Agriculture, NJ Farm Bureau, NJ State Board of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency Committee, Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, State Agriculture Development Committee, and so many other entities that space constraints prohibit listing them all.

The Brodheckers continue to serve the industry in a variety of capacities, and like so many farm families, their children have entered the family business and have inherited their parent’s commitment to service.

Another award that will be presented at the gala will be the Century Farm Award. This award is presented to a farm that has been in the same family and has remained operational for over 100 years.

This year, the award will be presented to Pastore Orchards, Hammonton, N.J. Started in 1906

by Frank and Michelina Pastore, the farm is now operated by Neil Pastore III - representing the fourth generation of Pastores. Pastore Orchards began as a peach farm, but today they grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, with the majority of the 300 acres of farmland dedicated to blueberries, sweet potatoes, sweet corn and other vegetable crops.

Pastore’s produce is grown and picked fresh every day for their

The Town Farmer

By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

Marijuana: Get Rich or Go Broke?

type of new legislation to regulate this industry, it will require permit after permit after permit, followed by paperwork and then more paperwork, followed by inspections, audits and compliance reviews, followed up with even more paperwork and then of course the mandatory paying of fees and taxes to the various government entities that will all have their hands out.

I am a grower because I enjoy growing things. If I wanted to do all of that other stuff, I would have become an accountant.

Then there is the public perception issue with legalized marijuana. While the prospective consumers might be enthusiastic about a new dispensary in the neighborhood, I can almost guarantee that there would be

a vocal and outspoken group that would be very much against any type of new facility dedicated to the growing and selling of marijuana in the community.

In fact, there might even be new local regulations that would expressly prohibit it. Also, how could we effectively market and promote our traditional agricultural products while selling recreational marijuana at the same time? Enjoy a nice fall day in the country picking apples with your family, and then buying some pot for the ride home? I am sure that the sales of our snack foods would increase dramatically, but I don’t think that is the type of message that we want to send to our customers.

We currently employ many teens and young adults on both

a seasonal and temporary basis.

How comfortable do you think that these kids’ parents would be sending their children to work at a marijuana farm?

The security and transportation issues might be enough of a hurdle on their own to make this idea not practical. Would we need razor wire instead of barbed wire? Maybe armed guards?

Then there is the Federal legality issue. Just because marijuana might become legal in New Jersey does not mean that it is legal in the United States. Growers and dispensers of marijuana in other states where it was made legal are still precluded from using the Federal banking system, which establishes a whole other set of problems which must be dealt with.

Medical marijuana, when

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 it is regulated by doctors, can be very beneficial to patients who need it. But I think that it is best for all parties involved to keep this new segment of agriculture somewhat separate from the more mainstream areas of agriculture.

While there is a need for some type of changes to be made, there is always a fine line between having guidelines to follow, and being regulated out of existence. I think that New Jersey would do well to look at the experiences of other states before we go much further down the legalization path.

Here’s to a good growing season in 2019!

Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is currently a Tewksbury Township Committee Member. 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.

20 March 2019

GardenerNews.com

USDA Certified Organic Trees

Tree Assistance Program (TAP) Sign-up

(Continued from p. 8)

frequently. Insect problems or a new escaped weed must be seen, identified and attended to immediately. Organic is unforgiving in its demands and the finished trees reflect that level of attention.”

Any organic operation violating the USDA organic regulations faces enforcement actions, which can include financial penalties or suspension/ revocation of the organic certificate.

Also according to the USDA, people who sell or label a product “organic” when they know it does not meet USDA standards can be fined up to $17,952 for each violation.

Black is also growing a selection of bearing fruit trees for those that want an “instant” organic home orchard. He can grow you an organic tree… keeping it that way is up to you.

Raemelton Farm is a wholesale producer of landscape-ready 2-by-4inch B&B shade, flowering, and evergreen trees and large shrubs for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern landscape industry. The farm’s diverse product line features plants of multi-season appeal and those shown to have increased levels of sustainability and pest resistance. Situated on 188 acres of prime farmland in central Maryland, Raemelton Farm is continuing the region’s proud agricultural tradition with its strict quality control and attention to detail in every step of the production process.

Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News. Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening and landscaping communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

I love working on my garden and landscaping.

Planting flowers and tending to them are cathartic.

For years, I worked on trying to get my lawn weedfree to no avail, regardless of the products I used and didn’t use. I simply could not get my yard to look anything like I see in projects entered into our achievement awards program.

One of our members stopped by one day. He took one look at my lawn and said, “You’re the head of the landscape association, we can’t have your lawn looking like this!” It was that day I learned that sometimes it is best to call in a professional. Below I have put together the times when even the best DIY’ers need to reach out to the experts.

Tree Care – I’m sure many of you have done the occasional trimming of branches on your trees and mulched. But when you start to see cracked and peeling bark, your leaves are appearing later than normal, or the top of a tree appears brown, it’s time to find someone more knowledgeable.

A licensed tree expert or arborist can diagnose diseases or pests and treat them

Orchardists and nursery tree growers who experienced losses from natural disasters during calendar year 2019 must submit a TAP application either 90 calendar days after the disaster event or the date when the loss is apparent.

TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters.

Eligible tree types include trees, bushes or vines that produce an annual crop for commercial purposes. Nursery trees include ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees that are produced for commercial sale.

Trees used for pulp or timber are ineligible.

To qualify for TAP, orchardists must suffer a qualifying tree, bush or vine loss in excess of 15 percent mortality from an eligible natural disaster, plus an adjustment for normal mortality. The eligible trees, bushes or vines must have been owned when the natural disaster occurred; however, eligible growers are not required to own the land on which the eligible trees, bushes and vines were planted.

If the TAP application is approved, the eligible trees, bushes and vines must be replaced within 12 months from the date the application is approved. The cumulative total quantity of acres planted to trees, bushes or vines, for which a producer can receive TAP payments, cannot exceed 500 acres annually.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 made several changes to TAP, including removing the per person and legal entity program year payment limitation ceiling of $125,000. It also increased the acreage cap, and growers are eligible to be partly reimbursed for losses on up to 1,000 acres per program year, double the previous acreage.

For more information visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov.

The NJLCA Today

By Gail Woolcott Director of Operations

Who You Gonna Call? Time to Call in the Experts!

appropriately. Sometimes it will require a spray application, other times it might require injections into the tree. Finally, sometimes a portion of, or even the whole tree, might not be savable and need to come down. The second you see large limb that’s in need of removal, or anything involving climbing, you must call in a professional, for your safety and to avoid damage to your or a neighbor’s property.

Landscape Lighting – It goes without saying (although I’ll say it anyway), that I’m not talking about the little solar pathway lights from the big box stores. But any lighting that involves wiring should be done by a professional. Not only do you need to avoid wiring for your safety now, but if the wiring is not done correctly, it can lead to fires and

malfunction later.

Lighting and landscape professionals are educated in correct wiring practices to avoid “voltage drop,” where the last fixture on the line is not getting enough voltage to be as bright as the rest, and other common issues. Furthermore, an electrician is likely required to install the outdoor electric service needed for these projects.

Drainage – There is a place in Franklin Lakes, N.J., just off Route 208, that is dubbed “Gravity Hill.” Many have tried to claim that ghosts push objects, such as a car in neutral, uphill. It has been confirmed that the landscape makes the road appear to be going uphill, when in actuality the cars are rolling downhill. (By the way, don’t go there to try it out, police will ticket you!)

In this same way, unless you are a professional at grading and drainage, don’t assume that you know what to do to prevent that puddle from forming at the base of your driveway or the water from coming into your basement. Landscape professionals have equipment for, and are experienced in, creating proper drainage, and irrigation pros can direct water to and from the proper locations on your property.

Hardscapes – In the same light, don’t install hardscapes without the proper grading and drainage for them. Not only will an uneven surface create a terrible looking patio or fire pit, but it is dangerous and can cause flooding issues as well. Trust me when I say, even if something looks like it is flat and even, unless you know what you are doing (which

most of us don’t) and have the proper tools, it is not even! I’ve seen several wonky fire pits and patios to attest to this.

Turf Care – As I clearly demonstrated in my opening story, I needed a professional to come in and help me solve the problem of weeds in my yard. I am happy to say that I have spent two years weed free (maybe one or two here and there, but not the carpet of weeds I had before my landscape professional stepped in).

Editor’s note: Gail Woolcott is the Director of Operations 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

March 2019 21

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22 March 2019

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News from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture NJDA Honors Dr. Daniel Keenan As New Jersey Horseperson Of The Year Others Also Awarded At 62nd Annual Luncheon The 2018 Governor’s Award for Horseperson of the Year was awarded to Dr. Daniel Keenan, who has been an equine veterinarian in New Jersey for more than 30 years. Dr. Keenan, whose practice is in Chesterfield Township in Burlington County, accepted the award at the 62nd Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Luncheon on Sunday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hamilton.

“Dr. Keenan’s vast experience and knowledge and great care for horses has made him a highly respected professional in the New Jersey equine industry,” NJDA Secretary Douglas H. Fisher said. “He is very deserving of the Governor’s Award for Horseperson of the Year.”

Dr. Keenan is a practice partner at Foundation Equine Wellness and Performance.

He has served on many committees and boards concerning the equine industry in New Jersey and nationally, including his current memberships on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and the Leadership Development Committee of that organization.

In the past he has also served on the Professional Conduct and Ethics Committee and the Educational Programs Committee of the AAEP; as a past President and Treasurer of the New Jersey Association of Equine Practitioners; as Vice President of the NJ Horse Council; as a member of the New Jersey Board of Veterinary Examiners; as a member of the Executive Board of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association; as a representative to the New Jersey Agricultural Convention and on various other committees involving the equine industry in New Jersey.

Dr. Keenan earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Villanova University in 1980 and his Doctoral Degree from The New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in 1984. Upon graduating from Veterinary School, he moved to central New Jersey and began working at The Walnridge Equine Clinic where he remained until 1988. He then started his own practice centered in the Bordentown area where he has remained.

In 2006 Dr. Keenan and Dr. Ron McAlister merged their practices to form Keenan McAlister Equine. Upon Dr. McAlister’s retirement in 2013, Dr. Lynsey Makkreel purchased Dr. McAlister’s portion of Keenan McAlister Equine. Dr. Keenan and Dr. Makkreel became ownership partners of what is now Foundation Equine Wellness and Performance.

Other awards presented were: Secretary of Agriculture Award for New Jersey Thoroughbred Horse of the Year: Sunny Ridge – Bred in New Jersey by Dennis Drazin, Sunny Ridge has been a consistent runner who competed against top older horses in training. The gray or roan 5-year-old finished third in the Salvatore Mile at Monmouth Park and had a breakthrough performance by winning the $100,000 State Dinner Stakes at Belmont Park by 3¼ lengths. The son of Holy Bull finished 2018 with $241,500 in earnings and has won six of 21 career starts. Sunny Ridge has career earnings of $1,178,902, the sixth most for a New Jersey-bred runner.

Secretary of Agriculture Award for New Jersey Standardbred Horse of the Year: Hurrikane Emperor – In nine career starts, Hurrikane Emperor has seven wins and has earned $226,900. The 2-year-old had a dominating performance in the New Jersey Sire Stakes at the Meadowlands and then had a 1:49.3 mile in the $250,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes Final at the Red Mile in Lexington, Ky., to become the first known dual sire stakes champion. In his final start of the year, Hurrikane Emperor

won the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey sponsored Homegrown Pace at Freehold Raceway. Hurrikane Emperor has career earnings of $219,092.

Secretary of Agriculture Award for New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Horse of The Year: Take A Wish – Take A Wish was the only horse to score double finals wins with victories in the finals of the Sires Stakes’ Premier Division at the Meadowlands and the Standardbred Development Fund at Freehold Raceway. Take A Wish won $87,395 in 2018 and the 3-year-old filly trotter was on the board in five of the six Sire Stakes races she entered. Take A Wish is owned by Dawn Anderson and Mark Schullstrom of Colts Neck, N.J., and was bred by Rivers Stable in Flemington, N.J. Breeder of the Year: White Birch Farm – White Birch Farm in Allentown is a 600acre Standardbred breeding farm founded by Joe and Marie Parisi. Their son Michael ran the farm in the years following Joe’s passing. Michael passed away in 2015 and long-serving farm manager Steve Williams also passed this year. White Birch Farm also won this honor in 2004, 2011 and 2014 and was the United States Harness Writers Association Breeder of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

Horse Park of NJ Volunteer of the Year: Kim Wojcik-Sheridan – She has been a volunteer for several years at the Horse Park. She has performed a wide range of duties during her time there, including course preparation, gate keeping and being a jump judge as well as many other jobs at the park.

Superior Achievement Award – Standardbred Pleasure: Crossing the Delaware – He is a versatile standardbred winning in Dressage, Rookie Horse, Games Division, Driving and Team Challenge. Crossing the Delaware is a 5-year-old and is owned by Kelly Conn and has successfully participated in NJ Standardbred events.

Superior Achievement Award – Paint: Say No Way Jose – He is a 12-year-old American Paint Horse. Say No Way Jose has American Paint Horse Association Lifetime points in Amateur, Open and Youth Divisions as well as Register of Merits and Honor Roll Awards. He is owned by Patricia Burns, of Vineland.

New Jersey Equestrian of the Year: Riley Chenoweth-Hafner, Manahawkin – A 17-year-old Southern Regional High School junior, she started riding lessons at age 8 and has been the Ocean County Equestrian of the Year for each of the last four years.

New Jersey Agricultural Achievement Award: Toni Baker, Elmer – $500 Scholarship. An 18-year-old Salem County Vo-Tech senior, Toni has been active in 4-H and agriculture for her entire life. She has competed and won many awards in 4-H. She has helped raise and care for horses, swine, goats, cattle and other farm animals as well. Contestants must be a New Jersey resident and a high school senior who is planning on pursuing a career in the agriculture field and/or sciences.

Bell Scholarship: Geoffrey Leonberg, Moorestown – The $1,000 scholarship is presented by the Equine Advisory Board and named for Ernest C. Bell, a horse breeder and one of the founders of the Equine Advisory Board. Geoffrey who is from Burlington County and a senior at Rutgers University, started a cooperative program between Rutgers and Delaware Valley University that will allow him to be a farrier.

Federal Funding Available for Promotion of Garden State Agricultural Products

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for 2019 United States Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grants.

“We welcome the opportunity to provide this federal funding for the research and promotion of specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, trees, plants and flowers,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “Organizations may apply now by proposing their projects to creatively support our specialty crop industry.”

Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture, nursery crops and floriculture. Most of New Jersey agriculture falls into

the specialty crop category.

To be eligible for a grant, projects must “enhance the competitiveness” of specialty crops and might include, but are not limited to: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, “buy local” programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development and developing cooperatives.

Download the application at www.nj.gov/agriculture/grants/ specialtycropblockgrants.html. The deadline for submitting applications is March 29, 2019.

GardenerNews.com

March 2019 23

Spring will officially arrive this month, but will the weather be spring-like?

There is so much hope anticipating the arrival of spring, green budding leaves and the sweet sounds of birds returning from the south in the early morning. Children want to play outside again and, of course, your lawn is waking up from its long winter’s nap.

Now that the football season is over, I’m sure you can’t wait to get back to your outdoor spring chores, like working on your lawn again, trying to achieve the best lawn in town. Why does your neighbor’s lawn always look better than yours?

Last year, these sweet dreams did not happen. If you recall, cold, wet, weather was with us for most of March and, really, much of the spring. Your lawn is probably a light yellow-green color unless you fertilized it in latefall.

Now is a great time to get your lawn growing again, but, before you start to fertilize, clean up all debris. Rake up

Or, you can use a crabgrass preventer that allows you to apply grass seed safely on the same day, one that contains Tupersan (siduron).

Besides feeding your lawn, now is a great time to adjust your soil pH. In this region, soil pH levels tend to be somewhat low for growing healthy grass. Ideal soil pH levels are between 6.2 and 7.0. What’s your pH? Most of you might respond that you have never tested your soil pH. Again, now is the time to get a pH tester at your local store. It will pay dividends year after year, and you can use it in your garden, too.

So, my Eagles did not win the Super Bowl, but congratulations to the winner.

Let’s hope this year you win the best lawn in town contest in your neighborhood!

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

Turf ‘s Up

By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

Spring is Just Around the Corner!

any leaf piles and give your lawn a mowing if it needs it. Most likely you will find some thin and bare spots on your lawn. Perhaps this was a result of excessive ice melters or the snow plow digging up good grass. Scratch up and re-seed these areas so weeds do not invade these spaces later. Remember, the grass seed will not germinate until the soil temperatures reach around 55 degrees, so be patient with spring seeding.

When spring arrives, how you do decide what is the first application to put on the lawn? Obviously as we go into the growing season, your lawn likes to be fed in order to green up and grow tillers to form a thick carpet. What

do you mean; your lawn has never been a thick carpet-like showplace? That’s why you are seeding the bare spots we mentioned above.

If you are thinking you need to apply a fertilizer plus crabgrass pre-emergent, think back. Did you have a bad crabgrass problem over the years, perhaps only in certain areas of the lawn? Crabgrass will occur in sunny areas because crabgrass does not thrive in shaded areas of the lawn.

Do not put your preemergent controls down too early because if we have extended cool, wet weather this spring, your crabgrass control will peter out too soon.

Apply pre-emergence controls

when soil temperatures reach 50 to 55 degrees.

We have talked a lot about soil temperatures over the years and if you do not have a soil thermometer, it’s time to get one at your local store. Pick up a pH test kit while you are there, too. Be careful applying pre-emergent controls in areas you are planning on seeding. Most crabgrass controls will not allow the seed to germinate.

You can apply grass seed in spots that need seeding, cover them with a blanket, cardboard or trash can lid, apply your pre-emergent controls and then gently peel back the cover so the crabgrass control does not land on the seeded areas.

Open Space is Good for New Jersey The arguments for preserving open space go beyond the health and diversity of plants and animal communities.

Just as farmland assessment has been shown to reduce the tax burden of a community, preserving open space has the same indirect benefit. Open space can take on many forms, such as the breathtaking view from a Sussex County forest, the urban park in Newark, the bike paths leading up to the Ken Lockwood Gorge, or the vast and far-reaching farmland of Hunterdon County.

Beyond the satisfying sights, open space preservation ensures the most denselypopulated state will continue to have undeveloped land that will provide many advantages to its residents and visitors.

With open space, we protect the soil and purify the air. Open space can prevent increased flooding caused by additional impervious land cover. It provides space for

inland migration of coastal wetlands as they are inundated by rising sea levels.

Natural systems such as wetlands and floodplains provide water purification and help prevent floods. Surface and ground water quality and quantity is protected, as is the vital agricultural industry in New Jersey, with farms growing everything from blueberries to Christmas trees that account for over $1 billion in sales (National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA).

Our open space is a haven for thriving outdoor tourism activities where residents and guests can fish, swim, boat, hunt, bike and hike. Tourism in New Jersey generates over $42 billion in revenue annually.

More than 15 million people visit New Jersey’s state parks and natural areas each year, with an estimated economic impact of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Visitors to open space often spend money locally for supplies, fuel and food. This local economic stimulation can help maintain commercial property values and may help

attract additional businesses.

Quality of life benefits from forests, parks and open space may be difficult to monetize, but have economic value to communities. Health conditions such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes have high costs both to individuals and society, and physical inactivity is a known contributor to these diseases. The availability of safe, convenient public space in which to walk, jog or ride a bike makes it more likely that a person will exercise regularly (remember those New Year’s resolutions?)

There is a heavy reliance on property taxes to fund important services such as our schools. The preservation of open space can outweigh both the cost of an open space purchase and the loss of a “ratable” property that generates tax income.

Studies have shown that residential development costs municipalities more in educational and public services than it generates in additional income (ANJEC, 2014). In the long term, investing in open space, forestland or farmland

results in a cost-savings for municipalities than allowing development.

Property values can increase when accompanied by areas with parks, forests and preserved open space.

The quality of life benefits of having desirable recreational amenities makes a municipality more appealing. Higher property values result in higher tax revenue for towns.

Open space can provide an economic value by avoiding projects that create new environmental problems like flooding. Natural resource functions such as filtering surface water runoff will prevent towns from having to spend additional money on sewer treatment, water supply and flood control projects, which are very costly.

To learn about the many methods of conserving open space such as outright purchases, donations, conservation easements, zoning, greenway or trail plans and farmland preservation programs, reach out to your town leaders.

Funding for open space

can include resources from New Jersey’s Green Acres/ Blue Acres grants, county and local open space trust funds, which are funded through property tax assessments, the state’s Farmland Preservation Program and local bonding.

The Green Acres Program was created in 1961 to meet New Jersey’s growing recreation and conservation needs. Together with public and private partners, Green Acres has protected over half a million acres of open space and provided hundreds of outdoor recreational facilities in communities around the state.

We look forward to seeing you in one of the many forests that have benefitted from open space initiatives!

Editor’s Note: Lori Jenssen has been the Executive Director of the New Jersey Forestry Association since 2005 and holds a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Administration from Rutgers University. She can be reached at njfalorij@aol.com or by calling 908-832-2400.

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March 2019 25

New Jersey Legislative Update Bateman/Smith/Greenstein Bill to Establish Permanent Funding for Open Space & Farmland Preservation Passes Committee Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Kip Bateman, Bob Smith, and Linda Greenstein, to establish funding for constitutionally dedicated Corporate Business Tax (CBT) revenues for the State’s open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 and thereafter, has passed the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

“Open space preservation needs a constant source of funding. A onetime payment is simply not enough to protect New Jersey’s parks and farmland from pollution or overdevelopment,” said Senator Bateman (R-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset). “When it comes to safeguarding environmental resources in the most densely populated state in the nation, we have to think ahead.

This legislation is a fiscally-responsible way to keep the Garden State clean and green for years to come.”

“The creation of this bill has been a very long time coming. The legislature, environmental groups and activists have worked longer than anyone can imagine on making sure this bill covers everything it is supposed to,” said Senator Smith (D-Middlesex/Somerset). “New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country, so the preservation of open space and farmland is extremely important if we are going to prevent overdevelopment.”

“The idea of open space and farmland preservation has always been important to me.

Undeveloped land can provide major benefits around population centers, for example, swamps protect water supplies and can prevent disastrous flooding during severe storms,” said Senator

Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). “Now we can be more effective and have a broader reach in how much land we can preserve from over-development.”

Starting in FY2020, the constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for open space would be allocated as follows: 62% would go towards the acquisition and development of lands for public recreation and conservation purposes, 31% for farmland preservation purposes and 7% for historic preservation purposes.

Under Green Acres, local governments would be able to apply for grants to be used for open space acquisition and recreational development. However, the majority of the funds would go towards State open space acquisition and development projects.

The bill would allocate funding for farmland preservation, and would provide grants to local governments to assist in the acquisition of farmland. It would also provide grants to the State government to pay for the majority of the cost of the acquisition of farmland.

The bill would also provide funding for the preservation of historic sites, where the funds would be placed annually into the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund. Capital preservation grants would fund the restoration, preservation, repair and rehabilitation of historic properties listed, or eligible for listing, in the State or National Register of Historic Places.

The bill, S-2920, was released from committee by a vote of 5-0, and next heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Bill Package Promoting Awareness of Food Waste and Hunger Clears Committee A bill package sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, Senator Troy Singleton, Senator Richard Codey, Senator James Beach, Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Senator Vin Gopal, Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Senator Joseph Cryan, and Senator Linda Greenstein, which would promote awareness of food waste and hunger, cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

“People need to be made aware of just how much food we waste every single year,” said Senator Smith (D-Middlesex/Somerset).

“The United States throws away about 30-40 percent of all food, which ends up accounting for over 20 percent of all waste in our landfills. We could donate extra food to food pantries or homeless shelters and compost the food which expires. There is no conceivable reason we should ever be wasting food.”

“Alittle over 10 percent of New Jerseyans, or roughly 900,000, are food insecure. Sadly, nearly one-third are children,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “They go to sleep feeling hungry only to wake-up wondering when they will eat their next meal. Yet, in homes across our state, people don’t think twice about tossing uneaten foods into the trash, filling the landfill instead of stomachs.

It is high time to change our ways and create better awareness to reduce, and hopefully, eliminate food waste.”

“Hunger is an unfortunate reality experienced by many in our state,” said Senator Codey (D-Essex/Morris). “A concerted effort is needed to appropriately address food waste and increase food donations. We must do better and this task force will detail how we can do better for those who are hungry in New Jersey.”

“New Jersey has countless resources for individuals and families who are struggling with food insecurity, but it can be challenging to find the right program in your area,” said Senator Beach (D-Burlington/Camden).

“Having a full list of all programs available will allow more people to take advantage of the services available and get the help they need.”

“Providing oversight to ensure a routinely updated catalogue of emergency food service areas is available online is an incredibly valuable asset in the fight against

hunger for New Jersey,” said Senator CruzPerez (D-Camden/Gloucester). “This will increase awareness of the services available so those suffering from food insecurities do not have to go without.”

“Throwing food away while people go hungry should be an unacceptable action and yet we do it every day. Hopefully, with this package of bills, we can help reduce the gap between excess food in our communities and the people who need it,” said Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth).

“People living in urban spaces around the state often do not have access to affordable fresh produce, making it harder for them to make healthy choices,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “Piloting a program with schools or organizations to have weekly produce markets will allow us to determine a viable long-term solution for food deserts.

“Many college students around the state struggle to find where their next meal is coming from,” said Senator Cunningham (D-Hudson). “Students cannot get the most out of their education if they are going hungry. Addressing food insecurity at state universities will help to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students.”

“The food thrown away by retailers in the United States is such an unnecessary waste of resources. So many other countries have already taken action to make sure food isn’t wasted. Even though we cannot do anything to change what goes on in New York, Pennsylvania, or Delaware, we can at least start to take action against food waste here in New Jersey,” said Senator Cryan (D-Union).

“We need to take the steps necessary to combat food waste here in New Jersey, and to do that, we must urge food retailers to change their ways,” Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “To produce real change, we need to promote changing the habit of mindless food waste and why it is important in the effort to fight hunger.”

The first bill, S-3231 sponsored

by Senator Smith and Senator Singleton, would direct the Department of Agriculture to establish a public awareness campaign for food waste. The department would be required to encourage the reduction of food waste through donating or composting

leftover food. They would also encourage the development and distribution of appropriate informational materials regarding food waste, through media outlets such as social media, television, radio, or print media. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The second bill, S-3232 sponsored by Senator Smith and Senator Codey, would establish the New Jersey Food Waste Task Force in the Department of Human Services.

The task force would be responsible for examining and making recommendations for legislative or executive action with regard to reducing food waste in the state. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The third bill, S-3234 sponsored by Senator Beach and Senator Cruz-Perez, would require the Chief Technology Officer of the Office of Information Technology, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Agriculture, to establish an “Anti-Hunger Link” on the official website of every State executive department. The link would direct the user to a dedicated page listing all of the emergency food programs in New Jersey.

These include food pantries, soup kitchens, and child and senior feeding programs. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The fourth bill, S-3235 sponsored by Senator Gopal, would require the Secretary of Agriculture to designate a current employee of the department as “Farm Liaison.” The liaison would encourage farmer participation in State agriculture programs, including food donations, and anti-hunger initiatives. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The fifth bill, S-3237 sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Cunningham, would require the Department of Agriculture to establish a two-year food desert produce pilot program to provide food desert communities with access to fresh and affordable produce.

In establishing the program, the department would select one or more partnering providers to establish weekly markets that may be operated in partnership with local public schools or community organizations.

The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The sixth bill, S-3239 sponsored by

Senator Cunningham and Senator Ruiz, would require the Secretary of Higher Education to establish a Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program to address the issue of food insecurity among students enrolled in public institutions of higher education.

Under the bill, grants would be provided to institutions that have one or more campuses that are designated by the secretary as hungerfree campuses. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The seventh bill, SCR-151 sponsored

by Senator Cunningham and Senator Ruiz, would urge the New Jersey Supreme Court to consider promoting a public awareness campaign to notify the public, farmers, crop producers, and agricultural organizations of the sheriff labor assistance programs and enforced community service programs. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The eighth bill, SJR-107 sponsored by Senator Cryan and Senator Greenstein, would urge large food retailers and consumers in New Jersey to take certain steps to reduce their own food waste. Specifically, large food retailers would be urged to upgrade inventory systems with the latest technology, reduce excess inventory and handling, and reduce the amount of perishables that ultimately go to waste. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The ninth bill, SJR-108 sponsored by Senator Gopal, would designate the Thursday of the third week of September of each year as “Food Waste Prevention Day,” in New Jersey. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The tenth bill, SJR-109 sponsored by Senator Ruiz and Senator Cunningham, would designate November of each year as “Food Pantry Donation Month,” in New Jersey. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

The last bill, SJR-110 sponsored by Senator Singleton, would urge the Chief Innovation Officer of New Jersey to prioritize the enhancement of the NJOneApp to include all State anti-hunger programs so residents can be more effectively screened and can apply for these anti-hunger programs. The bill was released from committee by a vote of 9-0.

26 March 2019

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USDA Designates Five New Jersey Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/ Border States Also Available U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated five New Jersey counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses caused by Hurricane Florence and other recent disaster events may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.

These natural disaster area designations allow FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts.

Excessive Rain and Moisture Producers who suffered losses caused by excessive rain and moisture that occurred between July 20 through Sept. 27, 2018, in Hunterdon and Somerset counties are eligible to apply for emergency loans.

Producers in the contiguous New Jersey counties of Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Union and Warren, along with Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.

Excessive Rain, Moisture, Storm-Force Winds from Hurricane Florence Producers who suffered losses caused by the combined effects of excessive rain, moisture and storm-force winds from Hurricane Florence that occurred between July 20 through Sept. 27, 2018, in Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties are eligible to apply for emergency loans.

Producers in the contiguous New Jersey counties of Essex, Hunterdon, Passaic, Somerset and Union, along with Orange County, New York, and Bucks, Monroe, Northampton and Pike counties in Pennsylvania, are also eligible to apply for emergency loans.

The deadline to apply for these emergency loans is Oct. 4, 2019.

FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

FSA has a variety of additional programs to help farmers recover from the impacts of this disaster. FSA programs that do not require a disaster declaration include: Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program; Emergency Conservation Program; Livestock Forage Disaster Program; Livestock Indemnity Program; Operating and Farm Ownership Loans; and the Tree Assistance Program.

Farmers may contact their local USDA service center for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs.

Additional information is also available online at https://www.farmers.gov/recover.

Full Moon, March 20, 2019 Eastern Daylight

TIP OF THE MONTH

Carefully remove winter mulches from planting beds as snow melts and temperatures warm, but leave it nearby so that tender plants may be recovered if there is a frost. Check landscape plants for winter damage and prune if necessary after all freezing temperatures have passed for the season and new growth begins. Horticultural oil applications at dormant rates are usually applied from late-March through early-May, depending upon plants to be treated and weather conditions. Remove and destroy infested foliage on arborvitae, boxwood, and juniper to control leafminer. Look for browned foliage that is hollowed out to detect the problem. And you can stop spotted lanternfly before they hatch by destroying their egg masses.

Spotted lanternfly lay their eggs in the fall, and the first instar nymphs hatch starting in May. Therefore, the best time to find and destroy viable egg masses is winter through early-spring.

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