Gardener News May 2023

Gardener News Gardener News

Discovering the Elegance of Peonies

By Tom Castronovo Executive Editor/Publisher Gardener News

Peonies have been

cultivated for centuries and offer an astounding array of bloom time, flower form, color, height, and degree of fragrance. They are cold hardy perennials that live

for generations, and are the perfect deer-resistant plant to add to your deciduous woodland.

Four major types of peonies are highlighted at Peony’s

Envy in Bernardsville, Somerset County, NJ: woodland, tree, herbaceous, and intersectional. There are over 700 different cultivars, each of which will bloom for

a period of 7-10 days over a six-week bloom period. The bloom sequence opens with the woodland and tree peonies and is followed by the herbaceous (Cont. on Page 12)

Tom Castronovo/File Photo

A Coral Charm Peony Getting Ready to Steal Every Gardener’s Heart at Peony’s Envy in Bernardsville, Somerset County, NJ.

Around The Garden

By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

When you go to the store to buy your favorite fruits and vegetables, or take a trip to your local garden center for potted plants and bedding materials or ornamentals, most people generally rely, at least at first, on their sensory indicators.

What is going on – the sights, the smells, the textures – are mostly sort of surface information being processed, not only by your brain, but also through the help of your five senses.

Will this particular produce item taste good, or is this flower going to make a great impression in an arrangement? Maybe the scent of a certain herb will put me in a meditational frame of mind. Or maybe we want to take advantage of the properties of tea tree oil or lavender to create an improved overall well-being in our homes.

Certainly, this is important and is the foundation of our desire to acquire these gifts that nature allows us to indulge in for our benefit, both nutritionally and esthetically.

I think however, it is so much more meaningful if, each time we imbibe the essence of each connection, we dive into more information about all that we touch, taste, and smell.

If you dig in a bit, there is so

NJ Dept. of Agriculture

By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture

The Provenance of Plants

much to appreciate and enjoy when you learn about the stars of nature that find their way into our homes and gardens.

There is so much more to know.

What is the history of the cultivation of these plants?

Were they once wild and/or native?

Did these fruits, for instance, come from other continents and how did they get here, like our Founding Fathers such as Franklin and Jefferson’s fascination with botany and importing the same for their botanical gardens and farm properties.

What about the classification and naming systems (don’t let all that Latin intimidate you), and so on?

Following are examples of how knowing more about the plants we’re choosing can add to our

enjoyment of them.

Did you know that root vegetables (carrots, horseradish, sweet potatoes) and plants that spread underground via rhizomes (ginger, bamboo, asparagus, turmeric) are estimated to have been cultivated over 8,000 years ago for culinary and medicinal purposes?

Or that in Asian culture, radishes are reported as an aid to digestion and, in ancient folk medicine, they were recommended to help pass kidney stones?

How about those sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) we mentioned? Not really that closely ascribed to a potato, the yam, or even nightshades. Actually, sweet potatoes are a member of the morning glory family. HUH?

Take a look at asparagus, which is popping up now. Most people

think it is one shoot that gets cut each day of harvest and regrows a new crown each night. Not true. Check it out.

Here is another one. Celery was first used for the medicinal value of its leaves and, hundreds of years later, is now primarily used for the stalks, which were previously discarded as a waste product.

Okay. A little more obscure piece of information. Nasturtium flower pizza dough, which I found a recipe for, is kind of intriguing, don’t you think?

There are by some estimates between 250 and 350 plant families, but our main food crops are being developed from about ten. So, think of all the exploring and experiences that are awaiting your discovery.

Allow yourself to open up and stray a bit outside the boundaries

of just what you see in heaped or stacked mass displays. The additional information you learn about plants you choose will come in handy not only as interesting background about your choices, but also in the information you glean about how to care for them. There is so much to learn about plants that can be part of your garden at home, and it will change you over time. You will experience all of it if you allow yourself to wander a bit and open up whole new vistas when it comes to what we eat, how we decorate, and even live our lives.

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

Support NJ Agriculture

JERSEY GROWN Nursery Stock

JERSEY GROWN Sunflower Birdseed

JERSEY GROWN Firewood

JERSEY GROWN Annuals & Perennials

for trees, flowers quality, and Garden soil

shopping for GROWN know the trees, and flowers for quality, pest free, and the Garden climate and soil

When you’re shopping for JERSEY GROWN nursery stock, you know the trees, shrubs, plants and flowers checked for quality, disease, are pest free, and accustomed to the Garden State’s climate and soil conditions.

Made With JERSEY GROWN Wood Birdhouses & Bird Feeders

Governor

Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher

jerseygrown.nj.gov

Governor

Phil Murphy

Secretary of Agriculture

Douglas H. Fisher

jerseygrown.nj.gov

Gardener News provides landscape, nursery, and the entire industry with so much information that is pertinent to both the industry and home gardeners. The importance of industry news lies in its ability to inform businesses and professionals about the latest developments in the industry, while at the same time bringing together professionals and consumers.

By staying up to date with the latest trends and developments, businesses can identify new opportunities and adjust their strategies accordingly. By learning about the newest technologies and what is happening in the industry, home gardeners and consumers become aware of what to look for in a professional, as well as what they can do for themselves to enjoy the outdoors.

As a columnist, writing my monthly article is another way for me to provide education, which the NJLCA feels is so important for our members at large. This is the driver behind so many of our offerings, including trade shows, member meetings, our magazine, workshops, and our e-blasts. An educated contractor and consumer can only create a more beautiful landscape that is properly installed and maintained.

Continuing education is important for several reasons.

Career Advancement: Continuing education allows our contractors to enhance their skills and knowledge, making them more competitive in

The NJLCA Today

By Gail Woolcott Executive Director

I’d Like to Teach the World

the job market. It can lead to career advancement, higher salaries, and better job opportunities.

Personal Growth: I am a huge proponent of this and love to learn at every avenue. Learning new skills and information can be personally fulfilling and rewarding. It can broaden our perspective, improve problem-solving abilities, and enhance creativity.

Keeping up with Changes: We all know that the nursery and outdoor living industry is constantly evolving, and continuing education helps us keep up with the latest developments and changes in our field. This can include advancements in technology, changes in regulations, and new research findings.

Meeting Professional Requirements: In addition, there are many licenses required in this industry. From pesticide and fertilizer licenses to hardscape and landscape certifications, to tree

expert and retaining wall licensing and certification. The outdoor living industry requires those holding licenses to complete continuing education courses to maintain their licenses or certifications. Failure to do so can result in penalties, including the loss of a license or certification.

Networking Opportunities: Another of the association’s main reasons for being is to provide community. Continuing education courses often provide opportunities to meet and network with other professionals in the field, which can lead to new job opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships. We have seen so many people meet at our meetings and go on to create lifelong friendships, as well as partnerships that provide more work for each of the people involved.

This brings me to some very exciting news! You may have seen our ad, but I would like to officially announce that this August, NJLCA

will be administering a landscape and outdoor living industry field day-type event called New Jersey Contractors Showcase and Expo. At this event, industry members will have the opportunity to feel, touch and test drive equipment, as well as attend continuing education classes. This outdoor expo will offer everything from small handheld equipment, heavy equipment, and hardscaping materials to the latest in lawnmowers, plant materials, and technology. It’s a chance for our industry members to really try out the equipment and services they get to only see at other events. The NJ Contractors Showcase and Expo will be held at the County College of Morris in Randolph, NJ from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on August 2nd

I’d like to wish Gardener News a belated Happy Anniversary and thank you for 20 years of informative and educational information about the nursery, landscape, and horticultural

industry happenings, and for helping industry experts to share their knowledge with the State of New Jersey. Here’s to 20 more!

Editor’s Note: Gail Woolcott is the Executive Director for the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association. Gail received the New York State Turf & Landscape Association 2022 “Person of the Year” award on December 1, 2022. Gail also received a proclamation from the Westchester County, New York Board of Legislators proclaiming December 1, 2022 as “Gail Woolcott Day” in Westchester County. Gail has also been presented with a community service award from the Borough of Fairview, New Jersey 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 can be reached at 201-703-3600 or by emailing gwoolcott@ njlca.org.

Growing Gardeners

By Diana Dove Environmental Educator

Looking & Listening to Sights & Sounds of Birds in a Garden

Gardens and open spaces provide important habitat for birds. The sounds of singing birds make a garden feel tranquil. Discovering a new bird, watching birds build a nest or spotting a nest of eggs can create a lasting memory. Growing Gardeners may witness birds, firsthand leading to a keen appreciation of these fine feathered friends.

Birds provide teachable moments. Bird sounds are often all around us, but do you hear them, or do you tune them out? I ask children to stop, listen, and look, then to show each other where the bird is. I’ll ask, “Did you hear that bird call?” Birds are often heard but camouflaged. Many make more than one sound. Can you guess exactly where they are? Are they perched or flying? Did you hear one bird or many? What message could their song be communicating? I’ll say, “Tune in your ears and point to the direction of the bird call.” Some children need to spend more time outdoors to practice developing their observation skills.

One of my favorite listening games for kids is described in the book, Sharing Nature with Children, by Joseph Bharat Cornell. He asks children to stand still outside with their eyes closed. Every time they hear a different songbird, hold up a finger. After about five minutes, everyone is told to open their eyes to see how many fingers each person is holding up. Children may be asked to, “Describe the bird call.”

I walked along the school garden path and heard high-pitched chirps that stopped me in my tracks. Quietly, I gently peeked in between a few branches just enough to see fuzzy wiggling feathers filling the

center of a nest. Baby birds never cease to amaze me or the children. Since different kinds of birds make nests in different places, from ground-level to tree top heights, it is important to design a wildlife habitat garden landscaping plan with a diversity of native plants. In our quarter-acre butterfly garden, we transformed a grassy lawn into a diverse wildlife habitat with annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees that have grown into important habitat for nesting birds.

Birding, or “watching birds in their natural habitat,” involves the senses. Do you have a childhood memory discovering baby birds or eggs in nest? I remember discovering my first robins’ nest when I was five years old. After the robins hatched from the soft blue eggs, I checked them every day until they took flight. Hearing bird calls reveals the bird’s general location. Observing birds with the naked eye, then using binoculars or a camera, helps participants clearly see unique characteristics and detailed markings of different species.

Birds flock to shrubs and trees in and around a garden to hide from predators. A garden of native plants serves as a fine restaurant for birds to dine, with a variety of insects, nectar, and sap from trees, plus fruits, nuts, and many seed varieties. Keep the “bird restaurant” open for the winter by leaving the perennial stems standing until early spring, and “leave the leaves” which provide a safe place for insects in various cycles to survive the winter. The garden becomes an important insect habitat; many insects become prey to feed birds and their young.

There are countless websites with unique bird craft and activity

instructions. Children may make bird feeders from recycled plastic bottles or reusable materials. Bird feeders must be kept clean to prevent bacteria and mold and to prevent transmitting infectious diseases. To avoid attracting black bears who love bird seed, only fill feeders in mid-winter, generally between midDecember through early March when bears are less active. Bird feeders are not recommended in areas with bear sightings.

It’s fun to include bird activities while gardening with children! Take a Garden Bird Walk and Photograph Birds. Create a Bird Photo album and enjoy a showand-tell session. Teach children to use binoculars, magnifiers, and microscopes. Match and identify birds in a field guide while taking the Field Guide Challenge. Play games such as Bird Charades, Bird bingo, or make cardboard Bird Dominoes.

Bird themed art activities could include molding Clay Birds or making Bird Mobiles with feather color themes or birds in flight. Try Bird Leaf Art, Sketching or Painting Birds. Assemble Bird House kits or paint mini bird houses. Make Bird Habitat Dioramas in a shoe box. Pour bird-themed Steppingstones Write a story or poem about a favorite bird. Teaching young gardeners about birds and nature helps them grow with compassion, and patience, as they sharpen observation and classification skills. When bird lessons are part of gardening, Growing Gardeners learn ways to garden to protect birds and bird habitat, becoming responsible environmental stewards. This protects birds and is important for our future.

Editor’s Note: Diana is an Environmental Educator with award-winning programs for all ages who has been teaching since 1975. She can be reached at dianadove13@gmail.com She currently co-teaches, “Wildlife & Litter” programs with her husband Mike that are free to NJ groups when sponsored by Clean Communities. This includes guided nature walks, pond studies, education booths at town festivals, and outdoor programs for youth & adult garden clubs, schools, camps, libraries, and service organizations with a message about not littering. She is a former Sr. Naturalist for Somerset Co. Parks. In October, 1996 Diana founded a schoolyard, wildlife habitat garden at Memorial School in Washington Boro, Warren County, NJ. Please ‘Like” the FB page of the Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden. Diana volunteers as Youth Chair on the Bd of the Garden Club of NJ and is a First Place National Winner of the NGC Youth Leader Award. She has a BS in Forestry & Wildlife Mgt, with a concentration in Biology, plus a BA in Communications from Va Tech.

Rutgers Outreach

Provided by Brian Schilling Director

Gardening Education Series Strengthens RCE’s Home Horticulture Programming

The Rutgers Gardening Education Series, a hybrid evening gardening program delivered to New Jersey residents through a series of synchronous and asynchronous presentations, ends its third annual offering on May 25. Developed and facilitated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), this educational program started its 2023 offering on February 9 with participants drawn from nine New Jersey counties.

Garden State residents have requested sciencebased gardening education that was also more flexible. As part of its land-grant mission, RCE responded to the needs of this constituency by developing the Rutgers Gardening Education Series, which has trained more than 350 residents since its inception in 2021. The series was created to make learning about gardening more accessible to everyone, and especially those who find it difficult to meet during the day and at in-person classes.

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

Belinda Chester, Master Gardener (MG) Program Coordinator and Program Associate in Atlantic County, brought together colleagues from three counties – Atlantic, Cumberland, and Sussex – to create a program that would address those needs. Using the framework of a successful hybrid program first developed in Sussex County by MG Program Coordinator and Program Associate Lisa Chiariello, coordinators in the three counties created the Rutgers Gardening Education Series educational series, vastly expanding the programmatic delivery methods using various educational technology tools and media. This expansion widened the opportunities for participation, including those in underserved populations, by creating a flexible environment where participants had the ability to choose their method and level of engagement.

The Rutgers Gardening Education Series runs for 16 weeks and offers a wide range of topics that include botany, soils, entomology, plant pathology, pruning, lawn care, vegetables, small fruits, tree fruits, ornamental plants, natives, invasives, and composting. Participants are offered online discussions and hands-on assignments that allow them to dig deeper into the topics and share their results with fellow gardeners across the state. Throughout the course, they are given access to hundreds of resources, online manuals, targeted pre-recorded webinars, and live lectures. Each live lecture is recorded and posted exclusively in the class platform to allow for flexible viewing options.

The online offering gave participants broader access to Rutgers agriculture agents throughout the state, ensuring a wider perspective on topics that may otherwise be limited during in-person programming, due to travel and time restrictions.

RCE agriculture agents, in turn, have embraced the

potential advantages of online offerings to create more specialized, plant-specific, and pre-recorded mini lectures aimed at a consumer horticulture audience. In addition to the broad-based online content, each participant was provided with a Rutgers soil test and tasked with evaluating their garden and making amendments based on test results. Individual county coordinators conducted local synchronous discussion sessions where participants could interact directly with each other and ask questions related to their own home horticulture interests or county-specific needs.

Throughout this process, the focus has been on creating a program that is accessible to the widest audience possible and paying close attention to the needs of its online participants. Extra steps have been taken to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to engage with digital and web content, including course materials, that cater to the needs of diverse learners. The self-directed nature of this program has proven to be particularly appealing to adult learners. Participants have responded favorably to the flexibility to participate and learn at their own pace. They have responded positively to the benefit of having a sense of autonomy to further their knowledge in areas that are of particular interest to them. The online programming has enabled outreach to residents that have not had access to programming in the past due to issues related to transportation, time, and disability.

Since its launch, the program has seen participants from 16 counties in New Jersey and one adjoining county in Pennsylvania. It’s successful in extending RCE programming to new audiences, as reflected in the fact that a pre-course survey revealed that 77% of participants had not previously participated in an Extension educational program.

Participants have not only shown interest in attending more programs offered by RCE after attending this course, but have also reported sharing the information they learned with family, friends, and neighbors. Many have encouraged others to attend future course offerings. Unsolicited feedback from one participant underscores the impact of this gardening education series: “…this has been an outstanding class! Engaging, informative, great slides, giving us general knowledge info but with tons of real-world application. Bravo!”

The statewide collaboration that resulted from developing the Gardening Education Series has enhanced the overall effectiveness of RCE’s home horticulture program with recognized Extension experts delivering relevant course material in an efficient manner. In addition, the series provides an opportunity to reach a more diverse audience as well as quantify its impact.

LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITY NEWS

The Soil Testing Laboratory is a part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES)

Located on the G. H. Cook Campus, the Soil Testing Laboratory is a service unit that offers chemical and mechanical analyses of soils for the residents of New Jersey and for Rutgers University researchers. Our mission is to provide accurate and timely soil and water test reports to meet the unique agricultural and environmental needs of our state.

What is a soil test kit? Where do I get a soil test kit?

A soil test kit is comprised of Soil Sampling Instructions, a Soil Test Questionnaire, and a mailer (cotton bag with plastic insert attached to an envelope), and it is available at county offices of Rutgers Cooperative Extension at a cost that covers the soil fertility test fee. Additional test requests can be accommodated with appropriate payment. Sampling Instructions and the Soil Test Questionnaire are provided in the envelope, and the completed questionnaire should be inserted back into the envelope. Obtain a soil sample by following the Sampling Instructions and insert it into the plastic bag and secure into the cotton bag. This package can be mailed as-is; take to your local post office for correct postage. If you are submitting more than one sample, the cost may be less by boxing them together. Drying your soil sample(s) before packaging may also decrease mailing cost.

Benefits of Having Soil Tested

Soil testing is economically prudent. The appropriate application of nutrients and/or lime can save money. Don’t buy nutrients that your soil doesn’t need; instead, invest in those nutrients that will bring about healthy growth and yields.

To apply optimal levels of nutrients or lime to your soil, it is necessary to know the existing pH

and the availability of essential plant nutrients in the soil. Having too much or too little of these nutrients or limestone can be harmful to plant growth. We can help you adjust these levels for best results.

Soil testing is an environmentally responsible practice. Applying fertilizer or other nutrient sources incorrectly can lead to nitrate or phosphorus contamination of our water resources. By applying fertilizer appropriately, you can ensure that you are “feeding” your plants in an environmentally friendly and “green” way.

A soil test kit is comprised of Soil Sampling Instructions, a Soil Test Questionnaire, and a mailer (cotton bag with plastic insert attached to an envelope), and it is available at county offices of Rutgers Cooperative Extension at a cost that covers the soil fertility test fee. Additional test requests can be accommodated with appropriate payment. Sampling Instructions and the Soil Test Questionnaire are provided in the envelope, and the completed questionnaire should be inserted back into the envelope. Obtain a soil sample by following the Sampling Instructions and insert it into the plastic bag and secure into the cotton bag. This package can be mailed as-is; take to your local post office for correct postage. If you are submitting more than one sample, the cost may be less by boxing them together. Drying your soil sample(s) before packaging may also decrease mailing cost.

Turnaround time varies based on many factors, including number and types of analyses requested, number of other samples in line for same tests, staffing, holidays, equipment maintenance. Target turnaround time (TAT) for the basic fertility test is one week or less from

the date the sample is received. Another target TAT is two (2) weeks for a Topsoil Evaluation. These are estimates, not guarantees. Additional test requests may increase TAT further.

For quickest delivery of a soil test report, provide your email address on the Soil Test Questionnaire.

What is included with a standard Fertility test (including pre-paid with soil test kit)?

The Fertility Test includes: Soil pH and Adams-Evans buffer pH (aka Lime Requirement Index), and Nutrients extracted by Mehlich 3: phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), and iron (Fe). Note nitrogen (N) is not included. If plantings/ crops are indicated on page 2 of the Soil Test Questionnaire, recommendations (for limestone and fertilizer) will be provided, including the nitrogen (N) requirement for the crops indicated.

The standard Fertility test cannot be used for organic matter-based media, such as compost or potting soil. The standard Fertility test uses a chemical extractant that is calibrated for use with “natural” mineral soils and is not appropriate for high-organic content soils (for example, more than 20% organic matter by weight). This may apply to raised beds that are composed of compost and/or imported “organic topsoil”.

Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

7 US Highway 1

New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554

Phone: 848-932-9295

Email: soiltest@njaes.rutgers.edu

Hours: Monday - Friday

7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Rutgers Clean Energy Innovation Incubator, the EcoComplex, Celebrates Princeton NuEnergy’s U.S. Department of Energy EERE Grant Achievement

Rutgers EcoComplex “Clean Energy Innovation Center” proudly announces and congratulates Princeton NuEnergy (PNE) on its U.S. Department of Energy EERE grant award achievement.

Princeton NuEnergy (PNE) will team up with grant partners from Argonne National Lab, National Renewable Energy Lab, Oak Ridge National Lab, and UC Irvine to officially launch its $12 million U.S. Department of Energy grant that will advance its proprietary, plasma-assisted, end-to-end direct recycling

and upcycling technology for lithium-ion batteries by developing new environmentally sustainable solutions to significantly lower costs in LIB materials fabrication, increase material performance, reduce chemical waste,and reduce geopolitical risk from the materials supply chain.

“The EcoComplex is proud of the role we’ve played in PNE’s R&D innovation journey. We are happy to provide our services and lend support to PNE’s breakthrough in lithium-ion battery direct recycling that helped earn this significant DOE funding,” said Serpil Guran,

Director of the Rutgers EcoComplex, a business incubator for clean energy and environmental innovation in New Jersey and the US.

PNE is a New Jersey-based innovative clean-tech company focused on recycling, repurposing, and commercializing lithium-ion battery (LIB) materials from EVs, consumer electronics, manufacturing scrap, and energy storage batteries. This grant will enable PNE and its grant partners to help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign materials and enhance domestic advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Discovering the Elegance of Peonies

and intersectional bloom. The largest array of color comes during the herbaceous peony bloom which, weather dependent, often occurs between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. Cool weather will prolong the bloom, hot weather and heavy rain will shorten the bloom.

In early April, I had the opportunity to meet up with Lady Farmer Kathleen Gagan, owner and proprietor of Peony’s Envy Display Garden and Nursery in Bernardsville, Somerset County, NJ. I believe this is the largest display garden and nursery in the northeast.

Peony’s Envy offers one of the most extensive collections of herbaceous, intersectional, tree, and woodland peonies. According to Gagan, her property has the largest collection of tree peonies in the county.

My VIP tour started with viewing thousands of daffodils peppering the hillside under a giant canopy of tulip trees. As we continued to the top of her property, tree peonies were starting to display their awakening as she showed me a plethora of swollen buds.

As we walked, Gagan told me that tree peonies

SHARE

(Continued from page 1)

are woody perennial shrubs. Their woody structure supports gigantic dinnerplate-sized flowers that will eventually reach three to seven feet tall.

They bloom in early spring, after woodland peonies and before herbaceous peonies. She also said, “Tree peonies can take full sun, they thrive in dappled light. After the bloom, tree peonies provide structure to the garden, with deep green foliage in summer that turns bronze and purple in fall. Native to China and cultivated for millennia, these deer-resistant plants thrive in zones 4-9. Some

die-back may occur in zone four during particularly harsh winters. Tree peonies grow slowly, producing one to six inches of new woody growth each year. They also require well-drained soil.”

Our walk continued toward woodland peonies, which are a group of herbaceous peonies. They grow and naturalize in a deciduous woodland where they get early spring sun and summer shade. This section of the property was propagated naturally by seed. I had no idea peonies could self-seed. This walk was getting more educational at every graceful

turn on the path. My outdoor classroom time was worth it. Gagan said to mark the seeds well and wait. She also said it may take two years for a seedling to emerge and many years for the plants to produce flowers.

Next up was learning about herbaceous peonies, the most well-known type of peony, that produce some of the best cut flowers. They require full sun, rich soil, and good drainage. They bloom during the transition from spring into summer, with each individual cultivar blooming for an average of 5-7 days.

THE Gardener News WITH A FRIEND

(Cont. on Page 24)

A few weeks ago, I attend a lecture by Samantha Nestory from Stoneleigh Garden in Villanova on “Native Pollinators of the Mid-Atlantic.” Locally I have been part of a project which is gaining official Monarch Waystation certification through MonarchWatch.org.

This garden will fulfill the expectations of the Waystation and “provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration.” In this garden we will have several species of nectar-producing milkweeds, including the iconic butterfly milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa

While the monarchs and other butterflies such as the black swallowtail and hairstreak butterfly are beautiful pollinators, it is important to recognize the myriad of other pollinators that should be promoted in the garden, landscape, and in natural areas. There are 4,000 native bee species in the United States with 450 native to the MidAtlantic states alone. Depending on the species, they can nest in several different habitats including ground, cavity, and stem nesting. Knowing the species of native bees in your area will help determine the types of habitat to promote to sustain populations.

While European honey bees are often frequently covered in the press, it is important to note that some studies suggest damaging pathogens are transmitted from the

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

By Andrew Bunting Vice President of Horticulture

Native Pollinators and Pollinator Host Plants

honey bee to native bees. There are 17 species of native bumble bees, Bombus, in the Mid-Atlantic, including the common Eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens. The rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis, is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Other native bees include the carpenter bee, sweat bee, leaf cutter bee, and the mason bee. Many species of plants are great for bees. The following native shrubs can also be considered including the pussy willow, Salix discolor; gray dogwood, Cornus racemosa; and the highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum.

When most of us think of wasps, we think of aggressive stinging insects, but there are many important native pollinating wasps including the grass-carrying wasp, threadwaisted wasp, and Scoliid wasp. The mountain mint, Pycananthemum muticum, and any of the goldenrods, Solidago, are great hosts for the native wasps.

Globally, many species of birds pollinate plants. In the Eastern United States, only the ruby-throated hummingbird pollinates plants. They are often attracted to brightlycolored flowers such as those that are orange or red. In the spring, the native red buckeye, Aesculus pavia, and the cross-vine, Bignonia capreolata, welcome back the hummingbirds migrating from their overwintering spots in the south. Hummingbirds are attracted to plants that have tubular flowers including Salvia, Lobelia, and Lonicera

A week ago, I was at the Sustainable Urban Landscapes Symposium at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Zoo employees Jerome Stenger and Samuel Moore spoke on the “Modern Pollinator Garden.” They highlighted some “best of the best” native pollinators and cultivars for the pollinator garden. A study showed that the best Phlox, by far, for attracting butterflies is the garden phlox, Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana ’ Many agastach-

es are excellent including ‘Blue Fortune,’ ‘Black Adder,’ ‘Blue Boa,’ and ‘Purple Haze.’ In general, asters are great, and some of the best include Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, ‘Raydon’s Favorite,’ and ‘October Skies,’ and Symphyotrichum laeve, ‘Bluebird,’ and Eurybia divaricata, ‘Eastern Star.’

Of the many great resources for pollinators and pollinator host plants, one of my favorites is the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. This organization endorses a noted reference, Attracting Native Pollinators Additionally, it publishes regional guides, including Pollinator Plants-Northeast Region, in which plants are arranged by the blooming period throughout the year. For the spring, the Xerces Society recommends one of the best native trees, basswood, Tilia americana, as well as herbaceous perennials, golden Alexander, Zizia aurea, and wild geranium, Geranium maculatum. Two native shrubs effectively sup-

port pollinators during the midseason: ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius, and New Jersey tea, Ceanothus americanus. And for late summer and the early fall, all asters, goldenrod, Solidago, and the buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, are great additions to the garden.

Planting a diverse array of plants and being mindful to create a myriad of habitats while promoting sound cultural practices will ensure that conditions are optimal for attracting pollinators.

Editor’s Note: Andrew Bunting is Vice President of Horticulture for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. He is one of the most recognized horticulturists in the Philadelphia, Pa., region and a highly regarded colleague in the world of professional horticulture. Bunting has amassed a plethora of awards, including the American Public Gardens Association Professional Citation, Chanticleer Scholarship in Professional Development, Delaware Center for Horticulture’s Marion Marsh Award, and the Certificate of Merit from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. In addition, Bunting has lectured extensively throughout North America and Europe, and participated in plant expeditions throughout Asia and Africa. Learn more at https://phsonline.org/team/ andrew-bunting

Renowned Free Public Garden Welcomes Visitors Back With Re-Imagined Garden Spaces

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society welcomed guests back to PHS Meadowbrook Farm on April 15. Admission is free to the public and does not require advance registration. Registration will be done onsite upon arrival. Meadowbrook Farm will be open through October 14.

The entrance walkway has been re-constructed with a new path and design vision for its plantings. The main garden has been completely re-designed with emphasis on the usage of stately concrete planters brimming with pops of color and fragrance. Meanwhile, elegant wall and hanging baskets drip with intriguing foliage plants and bring one’s eyes

skyward to appreciate these hanging works of art. Within the farm grounds layout, there are more than a dozen quaint “garden rooms,” which have been refreshed for guests. The beloved “Herb Garden” has been renovated with new stonework, and new garden beds have been installed in the “Queens Garden” bursting with color.

Visitors will enjoy more seating areas strategically placed throughout the gardens to offer a bit of respite to enjoy these tranquil spaces.

Meadowbrook Farm is a 25-acre garden property that was entrusted to PHS by the late J. Liddon Pennock, Jr. in 2004, and has educated and

entertained visitors with its unique gardens since that date. Located in Abington Township (just 13 miles from Philadelphia), discovery is around every corner at Meadowbrook Farm, connecting all visitors to horticulture and history. Maintained by PHS’s expert horticulturists, Meadowbrook Farm offers free admission for guests and the garden experience changes each year with a new variety of beautiful plants and displays.

Learn more about Meadowbrook Farm at https://phsonline.org/locations/phs-meadowbrookfarm

I couldn’t imagine a Garden in May without Peonies. With their dramatic flowers ranging from singles with one ring of petals to doubles with countless petals, their beauty is only matched by their wonderful fragrance.

The doubles pique the interest of most gardeners, yet their weight following a rainstorm often brings the floral stems to the ground. It took many years for me to appreciate how the single flowered forms were far more weather resistant, and even more years to learn the marvel of the Woodland Peonies, known botanically as Paeonia obovata and Paeonia obovata subspecies japonica

Peonies are a member of their own family or Paeoniaceae. With between 25 and 40 species native to Asia, Europe and even Western North America, Peony roots were used medicinally in China for centuries. The genus was initially penned in 1753 by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). Linnaeus often looked to Greek mythology for inspiration and this genus was no exception. Influenced by the medicinal applications, Linnaeus named the genus after Paieon, the mythical physician to the gods

Morris County Park Commission

By Bruce Crawford Horticultural Manager

Woodland Peonies Provide Must-have Seasonal Drama

who was known for his ability to heal wounds received in battle.

I was first introduced to the Japanese subspecies, with its attractive white flowers and prominent yellow anthers. Native to northern islands of Japan, it was first described in 1898 by the Japanese botanist Tomitaro Makino (1862-1957), who named it Paeonia obovata var. japonica

In 1910, the Japanese botanists Kingo Miyabe (1860-1951) and Hisayoshi Takeda (1883-1972) elevated the plant to species status as Paeonia japonica. In 1997, the Czech botanist Josepf Jakob Halda (1943- ) moved it from species status to subspecies, with the revised name of Paeonia obovata subspecies japonica.

I came to know Paeonia obovata several years later as a deep-pink flowered form. Native to Manchuria, Siberia, China

and Japan, it was first described in 1859 by the Russian botanist Carl Johann Maximovich (18271891) from plants he collected in meadows of the Bureya Mountains north of Vladivostok. The species name refers to the obovate or eggshaped terminal leaflet.

For the garden, the plants provide great ornamental attributes in the spring and fall. In my experience, the white flowered forms still sold as Paeonia japonica are the first to appear in early May. They develop into a rounded plant close to 18” tall. Each stem bears several biternate leaves, which is a leaf that is divided into three leaflets, with each leaflet divided further into three smaller leaflets or segments! Foliage remains free of powdery mildew, with the flower buds appearing above the foliage in early to midMay and opening into goblet-like

blooms measuring upwards of 3” in diameter. Flowers remain effective for 7-10 days and do not collapse even after heavy rains!

By comparison, Paeonia obovata typically blooms in late May or early June and matures to 18-24” tall. The leaves are similar to its cousin although the apical leaf is supposedly more egg-shaped. The goblet shaped flowers typically have pink or pink and white striped floral petals with a ring of golden yellow anthers surrounding the central carpels.

Following bloom, the fertilized carpels of both Woodland Peonies transition into swollen seed pods with a red blush. Riveling the floral display, the seed capsule splits open along an apical suture line in mid-September, revealing a glossy bright red interior with numerous dark purple seeds.

Truly an incredible sight often lasting onto November!

As the name suggests, Woodland Peonies thrive in the partly shaded conditions of woodlands, where soils are rich in humus and not inclined to dry excessively. Plants appreciate soils with a slightly acidic pH of 6.57.0 and are hardy in zones 5-7. The plants are very long lived, deer resistant and do not require division for thirty years or more.

I have to admit, as a young gardener the fallen flowers of my mother’s double peonies were an entertaining target for my lawnmower. Feeling guilty all these years later, it is rewarding to know some peonies do not collapse! In fact, with their beautiful flowers and colorful fruit displays, Woodland Peonies provide that ‘must-have’ seasonal drama your Garden needs!

Editor’s Note: Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth, is the Manager of Horticulture for the Morris County Parks Commission, and a Past President of the Garden State Gardens Consortium. He can be reached at BCrawford@ morrisparks.net

In the Chef’s Corner

By Andy Lagana Chef

Break Out the Barbecue for Lamb Shoulder Chop Steaks

Greetings Gardener News readers. I am excited about the warm weather – which means it is time to break out the barbecue. There are all sorts of possibilities to prepare meats, vegetables, fruits and desserts on the grill.

This month, I would like to share my recipe for Lamb Shoulder Chop Steaks. These steaks are delicious cuts that are rich in meat, fat, and riblets. The lamb shoulders are a particular cut that is full of flavor.

The ingredients needed for this dish are 4-6 lamb shoulder chops (blade or arm, about 8 oz. each and 1 inch thick), 2 tbsps. olive oil or vegetable oil, and salt and pepper to test. For the Chef’s Marinade, set aside one shallot, diced or finely sliced in half circles, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 2 sprigs of rosemary with leaves picked and 2 more for garnish, 1 tsp. coarse salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1/3 cup olive oil (extra virgin preferred), 1 tbsp. lemon zest (or minced preserved lemon rind) and 1 tbsp. lemon juice.

To start, prepare the marinade by mixing all the ingredients together. Pour it in a gallon plastic bag or a glass container with a lid. Then, lightly season the lamb shoulder chops with oil, salt and pepper, and add them to the bag or container with the marinade. Make sure they are completely covered. Seal and let marinate for up to an hour at room temperature on the counter, or up to 12

USDA Researchers Develop Natural, Washable Antimicrobial Cleaning Wipes

hours refrigerated.

Next, fire up the grill to medium/high, scrape clean, and then rub with oil or a pan spray. Scrape off the marinade from the lamb chops and discard. Cook the chops for 3-4 minutes per side so they are mediumrare, and flip only once. Lamb shoulder chops are medium-rare just under or at 135° F. You can use an instant read thermometer if you are not sure. Then, remove the chops from the pan and let them rest on a plate for 3-5 minutes. You can cover them loosely with foil to keep them warm. You will want to serve them right away.

To accompany the lamb, I like to make a Spring Ramp Pesto. You will need one large bunch of ramps, 1/3 cup olive oil, ½ cup walnuts, 2 cloves garlic, ½ cup grated cheese, sea salt, black pepper plus a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Wash and cut off the leaves of the ramps. Then, blanch the leaves in boiling water, as this makes the pesto brighter and more vibrant. Chop the ramps and walnuts a bit and put them in a food processor. Add most of the cheese and a generous dash of salt and pepper.

Pouring the olive oil in slowly, process the contents until they combine and look creamy like a pesto should. If it is still too thick, add more oil. Taste for seasoning and add a good squirt of lemon. Use the pesto to top your lamb steaks, or just as a

dip. It is also great for bread and pasta.

In keeping with the grill theme, I like a grilled asparagus as a side dish. Start by removing the woody ends - line them up and cut all at once. Simply drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and toss the spears with your hands to coat. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then toss again. You can do this step right before putting the asparagus on the grill, or any time before cooking. Asparagus is sturdy so it will not wilt or soften with the addition of the oil or kosher salt.

Preheat the grill to medium heat (between 350°- 400°F) and brush the grill grates clean. Place the asparagus across the grill grates perpendicular to the bars so they do not fall through. Grill with the lid closed until the spears are tender and crisp. Use tongs to roll the spears for even grill marks.

Finally, the best wines to pair with lamb tend to be heavier reds such as a California Cabs, Bordeaux or Syrah, since the higher acidity matches the weight and cuts through the fat of lamb, however, if you opt to go for a white wine, I would recommend a Gewürztraminer, which is known for its unique lychee flavor profile. It will stand up well alongside the herbs and spices and lamb flavor. On that note, I am getting hungry. See you at the table!

Most antimicrobial wipes, which are predominantly made of synthetic fibers like polyester and polypropylene, are discarded after a single use and end up in landfills where they can stay for hundreds of years and become a source of environmental microplastic fiber pollution. But, researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently developed sustainable machine-washable antimicrobial wipes that can be used at least 30 times for cleaning hard and nonporous surfaces.

There has been a remarkable increase in the use of antimicrobial wipes due to the growing awareness of personal health protection. According to the Antimicrobial Wipes Market Outlook report, the worldwide antimicrobial wipes market is estimated to reach $21.6 billion by 2030.

ARS researchers developed antimicrobial wipes by using raw cotton fiber that naturally produced silver nanoparticles inside the fiber in the presence of a silver precursor. These embedded silver nanoparticles can then release silver ions that act as antibacterial agents and kill harmful bacteria.

“Silver nanoparticles are one of the popular antimicrobial agents used for producing odor-inhibiting, anti-infective textile products and other personal health products,” said Sunghyun Nam, research engineer at ARS’s Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research Unit in New Orleans.

According to Nam, people will be able to clean surfaces by wetting the antimicrobial cloths with tap water and then wiping surfaces. In their research, scientists found that the wipes killed 99.9% of harmful bacteria S. aureus and P. aeruginosa on surfaces.

The technology behind this research is advantageous in several aspects. It omits the conventional pretreatments of raw cotton fibers (such as scouring and bleaching), which consume a large number of chemicals and energy. It does not require any chemical agents except for a silver precursor.

It also transforms cotton fibers themselves into antimicrobial agents rather than serving as a carrier of antimicrobial agents, which is what makes them reusable. The antimicrobial wipes are made from natural cotton fibers, rather than conventional petroleum-based synthetic fibers.

To reuse the wipes, people can simply wash them in the laundry.

“We also found that the wipes still successfully killed pathogens — even after being washed 30 times in the laundry,” said Nam. “The wipes regenerate their antimicrobial surface every time they are wet or washed because the embedded nanoparticles act as a reservoir of silver ions.”

Nam said that another important benefit of the embedding technology is to minimize the negative environmental impacts related to the leaching of nanoparticles.

“These wipes are designed to gradually give off low levels of silver ions from the nanoparticles embedded inside the cotton fiber over the full course of the time of use and deplete nanoparticles,” said Nam.

By developing reusable and washable antimicrobial wipes, Nam and her colleagues are aiming to find sustainable alternatives to reduce environmental waste from the disposal of single-use antimicrobial wipes.

More details about the study and the technology behind the antimicrobial wipes are published in the journal Molecules.

Editor’s Note: The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.

Editor’s Note: Andy Lagana is a Chef at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, Sussex County, N.J. For more information on its culinary program, visit www.CSResort.com.

I am sure that everyone is aware of how expensive eggs have gotten over the past few months. Consumers have struggled to find eggs at times, restaurants have had to raise prices, and even our local rescue squad jokingly advertised on their sign that they would trade eggs for new members.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in January of 2022, Grade A Large eggs averaged $1.93 a dozen at the retail level. A year later, they averaged $4.80. This substantial increase in price, which is largely due to a severe outbreak of Avian Influenza, has prompted some elected officials in Washington D.C. to inquire about what has caused this sudden inflation in the price of eggs.

Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Katie Porter penned a letter which demanded answers from the five largest egg producers in the United States. They also question whether the egg producers might be “using fears about Avian Influenza and supply shocks as a cover to pad their own profits at the expense of American families.” But are these two Federal Legislators really interested in helping to solve the problem, or is this just another

The Town Farmer

By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

There’s Never Been an Ill Wind That Hasn’t Blown Somebody Some Good

instance of fear-mongering and grandstanding by a couple of political hacks who would think nothing of skewering innocent egg producers if it meant that they could get some national media attention or a bump in the polls.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that over 40 million egg producing chickens have been lost due to Avian Influenza. And while this seems like, and is, a very large number of chickens, it represents approximately six percent of the United States’ total egg laying population. But, as everyone who lived through the pandemic remembers, small disruptions in production can lead to wild fluctuations in price. Because eggs are such a staple in our society and used so frequently, there are

relatively few substitutes. It’s not like when consumers switch from chicken to beef or from pasta to rice. If eggs are in short supply, their price is bound to increase. The basic laws of supply and demand could not be any more clear than in this instance. What are egg producers supposed to do in this case? While many farmers were no doubt affected by this outbreak, there were probably many who were not. One aspect that did impact all producers was the enhanced phytosanitary measures that everyone had to implement. And these measures were not only expensive, but extremely time consuming as well. So when prices rise in the marketplace, what are growers supposed to do?

Should they turn down an extra dollar per dozen? Should they settle for pre-outbreak margins?

Of course not! It is these types of ebbs and flows that stimulate our economy and foster progress and breed innovation. And while this price increase is more than likely temporary, it is the incentive of higher returns that will spur producers to produce more.

Before the Avian Influenza outbreak, many producers were probably barely on the margin of being profitable. When prices for eggs were below the cost of production, consumers were just going on their merry way. It was business as usual in restaurants, and politicians were focusing on other issues they knew next to nothing about. Meanwhile egg producers

were nervously watching the price of feed, transportation costs, and consumer sentiment. So now that prices rise to unheard of levels, they should be vilified?

Of course, everyone knows what happens next. Production will rise, the supply in the marketplace will increase, and prices will gradually fall back to where they were before. And hopefully these egg producers will take this opportunity to make some modest improvements in their operations, pay down some debt, or just simply put some money away for a rainy day. After all, the next ill wind might not be so favorable to them.

Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is Mayor of Tewksbury Township, Hunterdon County, NJ. He also served as a director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau and is a past president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Peter has also been featured on NJN, News 12 New Jersey and on the Fox Business Network.

Greek Valerian, Polemonium reptans

By Hubert Ling

May is the time when shady, moist areas of your garden should break out with the joyful blue of Greek Valerian, or as it is sometimes commonly called, Jacob’s ladder. This plant is such a prolific bloomer that it may look like a piece of the sky has fallen down and landed right in the midst of your garden.

The numerous blue flowers are bell-shaped and measure about 2/3 of an inch in diameter and have a light, sweet fragrance. There are five tooth-shaped sepals, five short stamens with white anthers, and five petals. There is a single pistil which when mature ends into three elongated spreading stigmas. The flowers are replaced by a three-compartment ¼ inch capsule with just a few seeds.

The common name Jacob’s ladder refers to the eight

inch long delicate compound leaves whose 7-13 leaflets look like rungs on a ladder which lead up to the blue heavens, just like in Jacob’s dream in the Bible. The plants tend to be a bit floppy and are only 12-18 inches high.

The scientific name for this plant is Polemonium reptans. Polemon is the Greek name of several famous kings and philosophers. Reptans refers to the fact that the plant spreads (slowly) by the use of underground creeping rhizomes. As a side note Polemon is also, unfortunately, the genus name used for several rare, poisonous snakes of central Africa.

Polemonium reptans is an uncommon but widespread perennial plant in Canada and almost all of Eastern US. It is more abundant west of the Appalachian Mountains. In NJ, it is a rare plant found in only eight counties along the banks and floodplains of the Delaware River. Even in these

eight counties the plants are very rare; I have never seen it in the wild in NJ.

Greek Valerian prefers light to almost full shade with a slightly acid to neutral rich soil. Although it prefers moist areas, it also grows well under standard garden conditions and sandy soil, but it will go dormant under drought conditions.

Propagation is by separating the rhizome clumps or by seed. The plant self-sows if given the space, but is not very aggressive. For the best results, sow seeds as soon as they ripen. It is easy to maintain this gem in your garden, but generally it just stays right where you put it unless you take the pains to divide it up for your friends. The plant doesn’t have any serious pests or diseases, although two species of moth larvae mine the leaves and one type of aphid is occasionally found sucking the sap. Greek Valerian is resistant to walnut trees and

is moderately tolerant of deer and rabbit browsing. There is one common variegated cultivar, ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ Another native plant, Polemonium van-bruntiae (also called Jacob’s ladder), is very similar to Greek Valerian. However, P. vanbruntiae is a much larger plant which ranges from 1.5 to 3 feet tall. It is also more upright and tends to have longer leaves with up to 61 leaflets on each compound leaf. In addition P. van-bruntiae has long stamens which protrude six mm past the petals. Both plants are similar in habit and both are readily available commercially, although I have found Greek Valerian is much easier to grow.

Numerous flies, butterflies, moths, and skippers utilize the pollen and/or nectar of Greek Valerian. Andrenid bees, bumblebees, carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, halictid bees, honey bees, and mason bees visit the flowers.

The bee species Andrena

polemonii is a specialist on species of Polemonium. In the past, native Americans occasionally used the rhizomes medicinally, but the plant was soon replaced by safer and more efficient modern medications. As usual I strongly discourage experimentation using such a beautiful, and rare plant. If you have a shady spot with dappled sunlight, consider raising Greek Valerian. You will be rewarded with soft patches of light blue every spring for generations to come. The bees and butterflies will also be blessed with this reliable lowmaintenance natural gem. The plant grows well with Jack-inthe pulpit, Virginia bluebells, and cardinal flowers.

Editor’s Note: Hubert Ling is Horticultural Co-Chair of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. He can be reached at milhubling@ verizon.net.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is dedicated to helping farmers and ranchers in New Jersey. We are passionate about helping producers achieve their goals and making sure their operations remain viable. Participating in Acreage Reporting is a simple, free way to add insurances to your operation. Every farmer should participate in Acreage Reporting not only for their personal benefit, but for the benefit of their neighbors and industry.

Each year, FSA collects data relating to crops through acreage reports. To participate in most FSA programs, including crop insurance, safety net, conservation, and disaster assistance programs, you must file timely acreage reports to remain eligible for program benefits. Acreage reporting provides important data to FSA that helps them make decisions on farm programs, like disaster assistance or conservation programs. It also allows farmers to accurately report their acreage for tax purposes. Through FSA acreage reporting, farmers can ensure they receive all the benefits they are entitled to from the government. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses is essential to protect your benefits, including failed acreage or prevented planted acreage. Completing this efficiently can help you safeguard the fruits of your labor.

You can file crop acreage reports by filling out the FSA-578 form.

USDA Farm Service Agency

By Bob Andrzejczak State Executive Director

Acreage Reporting and Why You Need to Participate

Your local USDA service center staff can help by providing you with maps and deadlines to simplify the reporting process. Producers can also use FSA’s self-service portal, Farmers.gov, to securely view or print maps. To enroll in the online service, call your local FSA office or visit the FSA website for more information.

If this is your first year farming, make sure you have a farm number, that your tract information is current, and that you are in FSA’s system. To get a farm number, bring proof of identity, a copy of your deed or leasing documents, and any entity documentation for your business (limited partnership, estate, or trust documents) to your local FSA Service Center. We’re here to help you get started.

To file an acreage report, you need: crop acreage, crop type and variety, intended use of the crop, number of acres of the crop, map with approximate boundaries for

the crop, planting dates, planting pattern when applicable, producer shares, irrigation practices, and acreage prevented from planting when applicable.

Remember, the deadline for reporting varies based on what you grow and the county you live in. Get connected with your local FSA team today to ensure you never miss any important crop deadlines.

FSA Acreage Reporting is a valuable way for farmers to track and manage their acreage, production, and yields. The data from acreage reporting gives farmers more control over their farming operations and helps them make more informed decisions.

FSA Acreage Reporting provides farmers with information on soil type, crop type, planting dates, fertilizer applications, irrigation systems, pest management practices and much more. This data helps farmers better understand their operations so they can make the

necessary adjustments to maximize yields and profits. Additionally, FSA Acreage Reporting helps farmers comply with regulations imposed by the government that are designed to protect the environment and ensure food safety. By using this system, farmers can be sure that they are following all relevant laws while still being able to maximize their yields.

FSA has been proactively responding to an increase in natural disasters by launching emergency ad-hoc initiatives. These programs make use of past acreage reports to determine eligibility for assistance. It is impossible to predict the future, and you never know when/if your operation or your neighbor’s will be negatively impacted, but acreage reporting opens the door to additional safety net programs.

Accurate acreage reports are extremely important for the USDA to decide where to allocate funds and programs for local communities

in America. The more farmers who participate in Acreage Reporting, the more precise and useful the data will be, specifically providing insight into needful resources and funding in New Jersey.

As a farmer, you are the backbone of our nation’s economy. By participating in FSA acreage reporting, you can ensure that your farm is accurately represented. This will help ensure that you receive the assistance and resources you need to succeed.

For assistance, make sure to check out farmers.gov or contact your local FSA office. Our team is more than happy to help you out. The staff at your county office can answer any questions that you may have and provide guidance on completing the reporting process. Your participation is essential for the future of farming in America, so don’t hesitate to reach out today.

Editor’s Note: Bob Andrzejczak is the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New Jersey. He can also be reached at 609587-0104 during regular business hours. For more information, please visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov/ state-offices/New-Jersey/ sed-biography/index

NORTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF STATE

The Northeastern Association of State Departments of Agriculture convenes the following 10 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

New York State Announces Two Grant Opportunities to Help Farmers to Combat Climate Change and Protect Water Quality

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced two grant opportunities totaling $28.5 million for projects that will help New York’s farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate water and soil quality concerns, and increase on-farm resiliency to climate change.

These grant opportunities will go a long way toward helping New York’s farmers continue to transition to best practices and implement smart environmental management planning. An investment in our environment is an investment in our agricultural industry, and this funding will help ensure farms can remain competitive and profitable.

Commissioner Ball said, “Our farmers are at the forefront of meaningful, sustainable efforts to preserve our natural resources and combat the effects of climate change. These grant opportunities will go a long way toward helping New York’s farmers continue to implement best practices and smart environmental management planning. An investment in our environment is an investment in our agricultural industry, and this funding will help ensure farms can remain competitive, profitable, and sustainable.”

Applications Due June 26 and August 7, 2023. Learn more at https://agriculture.ny.gov/funding-opportunities.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Regulatory Update for Honey & Maple Syrup Producers

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announces a regulatory update for honey and maple syrup producers in Connecticut. The new regulations, effective February 10, 2023, are a result of Public Act 19-18, which transferred the responsibility to regulate the production and sale of Honey and Maple Syrup from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. Section 2 of these regulations contains the provisions for registration and requires a $50.00 annual registration fee for producers of honey and maple syrup with annual gross revenues over $25,000 from the sale of a product or products.

Honey and maple syrup are products covered by the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as amended by the Food, Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). and the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Risk Based Preventive Controls for Human Food rules. The FDA rules are published as Title 21, Part 117 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Because honey and maple syrup are considered low risk foods for microbial contamination and other hazards, producers of honey and maple syrup are exempted from certain requirements of Title 21, Part 117 of the Code of Federal Regulations, notably the requirement for a hazard analysis and written food safety plan. Additionally, a vast majority of honey and maple syrup producers in this state either qualify as small businesses with sales of less than 1 million dollars in food or sales of less than $500,000 in food with > 50% of those sales being made to qualified end users, also exempting these producers from the requirement for a hazard analysis and written food safety plan.

Effective February 10, 2023 - NEW Sec. 22-54u-2. Registration for License by Producers, Exempt Producers, Fees.

Who is not required to register?

Each producer that has annual gross revenues of $25,000 or less from the sale of a product or products is exempt from the licensure requirements of this section.

Any such exempt producer may submit a declaration to the department through the E-License Portal. Such declaration shall not be binding on the department for any determination of whether such producer is required to be licensed under this section.

Who must register?

Each honey or maple syrup producer that has annual gross revenues of more than $25,000 from the sale of a product or products shall register annually for a license with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, through the E-License Portal.

• Any producer applying for an initial license or renewal of a license shall pay a non-refundable license fee of $50.00.

• Each license issued pursuant to this section shall expire on December 31st in the year of issuance, and annually thereafter, if renewed. Any license not renewed within 60 days after the expiration date shall be deemed expired and a new application shall be required. A license issued pursuant to this section is not transferrable.

• Each producer who receives a license pursuant to this section shall notify the department of any changes to the information supplied on the application for such license no later than 10 business days after any such change.

“Producer” means any person, firm, entity, partnership, or corporation in this state who keeps bees and harvests honey, or who manufactures maple syrup.

“Product” means honey produced or harvested, or maple syrup manufactured, in Connecticut.

To find out more in regards to the State of Connecticut Regulation of Department of Agriculture Concerning Honey and Maple Syrup, read more here.

For further information or guidance, please contact:

Agricultural Commodities Unit

450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 702

Hartford, CT 06103

Phone: (860) 713-2513

Email: Agr.commodities@ct.gov

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

PennDOT Announces New License Plates to Help Grow and Sustain Plants and Pollinators

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that thanks to recently passed legislation vehicle owners will now be able to purchase a ‘Pollinator’ license plate. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds from the license plate will be deposited into the Pollinator Habitat Program Fund. The Pollinator Habitat Program Fund is dedicated to supporting ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the populations of insects which pollinate plant life.

This Fund will create naturalized gardens and meadows planted

with pollinator-friendly species of flowering plants specifically for bees, butterflies, beetles, and other insects which may have been adversely affected by the loss of their native habitat. With more flowering plants to provide sustenance, these insects will be given a chance to thrive in these reclaimed areas. A further aim of the program is to help reverse the decline of federally listed threatened or endangers species, such as the monarch butterfly.

The Pollinator license plate is now available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross

VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Vermont Manure Spreading Ban Ended April 1

weight of not more than 14,000 pounds. The license plate contains the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white, and gold and depicts an image of a monarch butterfly, honeybee, and green sweat bee visiting a flower. Applicants for the Pollinator license plate must submit a completed Form MV-911, “Application for Special Fund Registration Plate.”

“Pollinators are critical to the environment and to feeding Pennsylvanians,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “One out of every three bites we eat is made

possible because of pollinators and their role in promoting biodiversity and plant health in our food system, and this pollinator license plate is a way for us to help grow and sustain plant and pollinator life.”

More information, including eligibility requirements and images of license plates, is available on the Registration Plates page on PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

More information on PennDOT’s efforts to help revive pollinators is available in PennDOT Pollinator Habitat Plan.

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Vermont’s winter manure spreading ban ended on April 1st, but with another snowy March having brought challenging field conditions to many parts of Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is issuing a spring stewardship reminder to Vermont farmers and Custom Manure Applicators.

The Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) outline that manure cannot be applied to fields that are frozen or snow-covered, nor to fields that are saturated, likely to runoff, or are conducive to any other off-site movement regardless of nutrient management plan recommendations. Trends in Vermont’s weather show increasing precipitation through the spring season, rising temperatures, and more extreme precipitation events. These conditions provide the potential for increased flooding and require farmers and Custom Manure Applicators to remain vigilant through the spring season.

VAAFM has the following additional reminders for farmers this Spring:

• If you still have capacity in your manure pit, wait for the optimal weather and field conditions for spreading.

• Do not spread manure on saturated ground that will runoff to surface water or ditches, or before major rain events.

• After spreading any nutrient (liquid or solid manure, compost, or fertilizer) be sure to keep accurate records of the manure or nutrients applied. Individual field conditions will vary significantly across the State, and farmers need to assess their fields carefully and take action to ensure that they are in compliance with the rules and are protecting Vermont’s waterways.

Vermont’s winter manure spreading ban, which prohibits spreading between December 15 and April 1, began in 1995.

For more information about the RAPs, the winter manure spreading ban, or for recommendations regarding early season spreading practices, please visit: agriculture.vermont.gov/RAP

New Emergency Order Area Announced as Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Continues Spread into Central Maine

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Maine Forest Service (MFS) announced the expansion of its Emergency Order restricting the movement of ash trees, green ash waste, ash firewood, and any other materials that may be a means of emerald ash border (EAB) transportation. The expansion follows the discovery of EAB infestations in Corinna and Newport in Penobscot County and Andover and Woodstock in Oxford County. The infestations are suspected to be the direct result of human movement of EAB.

The expanded Emergency Order covers Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo Counties and parts of Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford, Penobscot Piscataquis, and Somerset Counties. The expansion is in addition to areas described in the existing state quarantine, Maine DACF, Agriculture Rules, Chapter 275, which includes regions of Maine and other states and Canada.

Learn more at https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_ health/invasive_threats/eab/index.shtml

Discovering the Elegance of Peonies

The foliage of shining green leaves remains throughout the summer, dies back to the ground in winter, and reemerges early each spring. Peonies have been cultivated for centuries; thus, a curated collection of distinct herbaceous cultivars can offer both extended bloom time and an astounding array of flower form, color, and degree of fragrance.

Herbaceous peonies can be planted in both spring and fall. Like most long-lived perennials, they take three years to bloom prolifically—they are worth the wait.

I found this next type of peony interesting. Intersectional peonies, also known as Itoh peonies, are hybrids created by crossing a tree peony and an herbaceous peony. These hybrids, like their tree peony parent, produce giant flowers on strong stems and present beautiful, highly dissected compound leaves. However, the growth habit is like their herbaceous peony parent. Stems emerge from the ground each spring and die back to the ground each winter.

Unlike either parent, intersectional peonies bloom in waves over a two to three week period. The plants are relatively short, 2 to 2.5 feet tall, with full leaf coverage from the top of the plant to the ground. Intersectional peonies require no staking and their compact form is well suited to plant at the front border of the garden. Like their herbaceous parent, they prefer full sun, but grow well and produce a suitable number of flowers in dappled sunlight.

A mature intersectional peony will produce 50 or more dinner-plate sized flowers on strong, short stems that do not require staking. They reach peak bloom near the end of the herbaceous peony bloom. Each plant can remain in bloom for three to four weeks, with new buds continually opening over this period. They can be used as cut flowers, and offer a wide array of yellows and golds–colors not commonly available in herbaceous peonies.

Many years ago when I took classes through the Office of Continuing Professional Education at Rutgers, the Land

(Continued from page 12)

Grant University of New Jersey, I learned about the importance of soil testing and pH.

I had to ask how Gagan created this healthy soil environment in the mountains. She told me peonies need fertile, well-drained soil with a mildlyacid to neutral pH of 6.5-7, and to never plant a peony in a soggy area or an area which has standing water for any length of time. Adding organic matter and a good compost mix was the key to success. Both of these loosen the soil and help improve its drainage.

The best way to determine whether your soil has a correct pH for planting peonies is to use a soil test kit purchased from a garden center, or to obtain a soil test kit from your local cooperative extension service in the fall, which allows time to adjust the pH before planting the following spring.

If your soil is too acidic, with a pH below 6, Gagan told me that you can raise its pH by adding ground limestone, working it well into at least the top seven inches of soil. She said if the tests come back too alkaline, with a pH above 7, you can add aluminum sulfate or sulfur to increase its acidity. The amount of either lime or sulfur to add depends largely on the type of soil and its starting pH. The soil test report usually recommends application amounts of either amendment, based on soil type and pH at the time of testing.

I was always told that soil is the blood of the environment. If the soil is healthy, everything living in it will be healthy.

As my VIP tour was coming to a close, Gagan told me that peonies need only average amounts of water. However, if the soil dries out during July and August, they benefit from regular deep watering during these periods.

I’m going to monitor the weather closely so I can revisit this wonderful piece of paradise at 34 Autumn Hill Drive, Bernardsville, to see the gardens in full bloom.

In closing, Gardener News Columnist Bruce Crawford, has a wonderful column this month on woodland peonies on page 17. You can also learn more about soil testing on page 11.

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

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Peony’s Envy Lady Farmer Kathleen Gagan with Hundreds of Peony Bulbs

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO CONTROL CRABGRASS AND WEEDS!

Many years ago, my father called me and said he just went outside and picked 842 dandelion flowers just to pass some time. I told him that’s great, but they are going to all grow back! Sadly, he was in disbelief, but they did. At this time of year, weeds and particularly dandelions are exploding in lawns in many regions. The sun is out, the soil is getting warmer, and weeds love this combination to thrive.

Remember the kids in the neighborhood picking the dandelion grey “puffs” after they flowered in late spring? They had so much fun spreading the seeds all around your yard. If the kids didn’t do it, the neighbor’s dandelion patch would blow into your yard.

Dandelions establish themselves easily each year. Once established, they have a deep tap root to insure their survival. Mowing doesn’t seem to stop them, and many times when we pull them out the root is still there, and the plant grows back. Dandelions fall into the broadleaf weed category, unlike crabgrass which falls into the grassy weed

Turf ‘s Up

By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

Stop Whining about Dandelions!

category. There are many ways to control dandelions, whether by liquid sprays or granular weed and feed products. Most products are a combination of three weed killers in order to control a wide range of broadleaf weeds. Some branded products control 2-3400 weeds! Broadleaf weeds are best controlled when they are actively growing. In early spring when cool temperatures are present, broadleaf weeds are harder to control. The dandelion flower can open and close quickly in hours if cool temperatures arrive.

Liquids are very effective on broadleaf weeds since they can encapsulate the weeds, allowing for good penetration into the plant tissue for better control. When using granular

products, be sure that the area you are treating is somewhat damp from dew or a light watering before application. This helps the granules to stick better to the weeds for better control.

Here are a few more tips for better broadleaf weed control. Mow the area to be treated a few days prior to application, do not mow the day of application. You want the weed leaf tissue to be exposed for best control. Do not water the treated area after application, even when spreading granular weed and feed products. You do not want to wash off the weed control. Do not mow for 2-3 days after application. You want the weeds to be able to absorb the controls completely. And be sure to follow all label

directions.

In this modern age, many of us expect weeds to die in hours or days. Sometimes weeds can take up to 3-4 weeks to completely die. Dandelions, with their long tap root, fall into this category. They tend to start to shrivel up in a few days, but the complete kill of leaf tissue and roots may take weeks. They are there, and then suddenly you realize they are gone.

Remember that certain products control broadleaf weeds which tend to have some sort of flower, and some products control grassy weeds like crabgrass. Be sure to read the label so you get the right product for the job at hand. Spring is a great time to control broadleaf weeds since

their growth cycle thrives in late spring. Avoid trying to control broadleaf weeds if temperatures are over 85 degrees, as you do not want to injure your grass.

Some of you may like the dandelions in your yard, so you can make dandelion wine. I have never tried this and probably wouldn’t like the taste, I think it may be bitter. I’ve never seen dandelion wine offered at a restaurant. So, whether you “whine” about dandelions or you “wine,” rest assured spring is coming!

Congratulations to Tom Castronovo and the Gardener News for 20 years of success! Your dedication to the Green Industry including agriculture, gardening, lawn care and landscaping is well noted. Here’s to wishing you many more years of success!

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

Congratulations Gardener News

REVOLUTION

HANDHELD PRODUCTS

GRANDSTAND®

STAND-ON MOWERS

Z MASTER

7500-G SERIES ZERO-TURN

PRODUCTIVITY TO A NEW LEVEL Impressive 96” wide cutting deck folds to 75” to fit in most trailers. Vented hood keeps the engine cool with direct air induction from the top. Comes standard with Horizon Technology to help choose the right operating mode for mowing conditions.

ALL DAY PERFORMANCE

The fully interchangeable 60V Max* Flex-Force battery system powers the entire line of Revolution commercial grade handheld tools. The backpack, available as a power source for the leaf blower, string and hedge trimmers, and is built for comfort and ready to keep jobs moving all day.

TRACTION & HANDLING

A wide stance and optimal balance enhance hillside stability and control.

CUSHIONED SUSPENSION

36”-72” TURBO FORCE ® CUTTING DECKS 96” TURBO FORCE ® CUTTING DECKS

Flex-Ride operator platform suspension self-compensates for operators of all sizes, resulting in less fatigue and higher productivity throughout the day.

GRANDSTAND®

MULTI FORCE™

WITH MULCH DUMP

ALL-SEASON USE

A variety of attachments and accessories such as Mulch Dump, Pro-Force blower, snow thrower, power broom, tine rake, dethatcher and BOSS snow blade all provide the ultimate in productivity.

PROLINE™

36”-60” CUTTING DECKS

NO-HASSLE SULKY

2-wheel sulky rotates 360º and folds away when not in use; no need to remove for trailering!

Reliable