Gardener News December 2015

TAKE ONE

Gardener News Serving the Agricultural, Gardening and Landscaping Communities

December, 2015

GARDENERNEWS.COM

TAKE ONE No. 152

From New York State to NYC

Tom Castronovo/Photos

By Tom Castronovo Executive Editor This year’s worldfamous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was harvested from the property of Albert Asendorf and Nancy Puchalski in Gardiner, Ulster County, N.Y. It was put on a custommade truck and flatbed trailer for the 80-mile trip to midtown Manhattan.

In 1958, when Albert was 4 years old, his family moved into a house with a six-foot Norway spruce in the front yard. Over the years, both the Asendorf family and the tree have grown.

Albert’s father, a nature lover and outdoorsman, looked after and pruned the spruce over the decades, helping give it the perfect

Christmas tree shape. But more recently, its size had begun to overwhelm the yard. Last year, a family decision was made to submit the approximately 80-year old spruce online to Rockefeller Center. A few months later, Rockefeller Center’s Head Gardener Erik Pauze showed up to see the tree in person.

The 78-foot tall, 74-foot in diameter, 10-ton tree began its journey on Wednesday, November 4. It made its official arrival on Friday morning, November 6, in Rockefeller Center.

Nancy Puchalski, Albert’s partner of 22 years says, “Christmas is always a big holiday for us. Knowing our tree is being used as a holiday symbol for so many people will make this year’s festivities even more memorable for our family.”

Albert’s father passed away a few years ago and there is a picture of a spruce tree and a bird on his tombstone. Albert said that his dad loved the tree and thought he would have really gotten a kick out of seeing the tree in New York City. “There are decades of family memories with this tree,” said Albert. “I have a feeling seeing the tree lit in Rockefeller Center will be the highlight – and I am sure my father will be watching.”

The beautifully shaped spruce will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, December 2, in the Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

It will be decorated with more than 45,000 multicolored, energy-efficient

LED lights strung over five miles of wire. Hundreds of solar panels help power the lights.

The tree will be topped with a crystal star from Swarovski. The 9.5-feet in diameter and 1.5-feet deep star is adorned with 25,000 crystals and one million facets.

The tree will stay lit on the plaza until Jan. 7. It will then be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity.

In 1931, construction workers building Rockefeller Center put up the first-ever Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Rockefeller Center officially began the Tree Lighting Ceremony in 1933.

Christmas trees in Rockefeller Center have ranged from 50-foot pines to 100-foot Norway spruces and have been viewed by

approximately 2,500,000 spectators annually. The decorations and lighting effects have covered a variety of colors and schemes, including one year when the tree was painted silver.

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

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December, 2015 3

Around The Garden

By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

Happy Holidays

December 12

Two very special things happen on December 12.

The first is National Poinsettia Day. The poinsettia, also known as the Christmas plant, is very popular in homes, offices and stores this time of year. With the introduction of long-lasting cultivars, the popularity of the poinsettia has increased significantly.

Poinsettias were introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett, an American physician and diplomat. He was the first U.S. Agent in South America, a member of the South Carolina Legislature and the United States House of Representatives, the first United States Minister to Mexico (the United States did not appoint ambassadors until 1896), a U.S. Secretary of War under Martin Van Buren, and a co-founder of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science and the Useful Arts (a predecessor of the Smithsonian Institution). Poinsett obtained plants from the wilds of southern Mexico and sent them to his home in Charleston, S.C. The common name for the exotic plant, poinsettia, came from his last name. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima.

December 12 marks the death of Poinsett (March 2, 1779 - December 12, 1851).

If you are planning on purchasing a poinsettia this holiday season, here are a few tips to keep it healthy and blooming.

After you have made your poinsettia selection at your favorite retailer, make sure it is wrapped properly because exposure to low temperatures, even for a few minutes, can damage the bracts and leaves. Once home or back at work, unwrap your poinsettia carefully and place it in indirect light. Six hours of light daily is ideal. A window that faces south, east or west is better than one facing north. Keep the plant from touching cold windows.

Examine the soil daily, and when the surface is dry to the touch, water the soil until it runs freely out of the drainage hole in the container. If a saucer is used, discard the water that collects in it. Do not leave the plant standing in water. Overly wet soil lacks sufficient air, which results in root injury. If it is wrapped in foil, make sure you poke holes in the foil to allow proper drainage.

A wilted plant may drop its leaves prematurely, so check the soil frequently. Plants exposed to high light and low humidity require more frequent watering.

To keep the plant in bloom, maintain it at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees F during the daylight hours and, if possible, move it to a cooler place at night. Because root rot disease is more prevalent at temperatures below 60 degrees F, do not put the poinsettia in a room colder than this.

Avoid exposing the plant to hot or cold drafts, which may also cause premature leaf drop.

The second significance of Dec. 12 is National Wreaths Across America Day This is an educational and emotional journey to transport fresh balsam fir remembrance wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery. The event takes place on the second Saturday in December each year. And Congress has issued a proclamation officially recognizing national “Wreaths Across America Day” each December.

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

The foundation has made the annual pilgrimage to Arlington since 1992, when the Worcester Wreath Co. in Columbia Falls, Maine, found itself with surplus wreaths from the Christmas season. Owner Morrill Worcester, who became interested in honoring veterans during a trip to the cemetery as a boy, decided it was time to return to Virginia.

The weeklong convoy from Maine to Virginia is billed as the “world’s longest veterans parade,” according to the organization.

In 2012, the foundation presented its one-millionth wreath to the mother of an Army captain killed in Afghanistan.

The Wreaths Across America convoy will depart from Harrington, Maine, on Sunday, December 6, 2015 and make many stops along the way at schools, memorial sites and veterans homes to remember our fallen, honor those who serve and teach younger generations the value of freedom.

The theme for 2015 is: “Cemeteries are for the living. Every Stone Tells a Story.”

Tens of thousands of volunteers will work tirelessly throughout the nation to be sure wreaths are laid on the headstones of our fallen in Arlington, and at over 1,000 other participating locations domestically and overseas. At noon EST, a moment of silence will be observed at all locations.

Next year’s date is scheduled for Saturday, December 17.

Fresh evergreens have been used for centuries as a symbol to recognize honor, and Wreaths Across America sees the annual tradition as a living memorial to veterans and their families.

For more information on Wreaths Across America, please visit their website at www.

WreathsAcrossAmerica.org On December 12, I hope you will join me in purchasing poinsettias and honoring fallen veterans with a wreath.

As always, I hope you find the information in the Gardener News informative and enjoyable.

Until next time…Keep the “garden” in the Garden State.

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

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4 December, 2015 As the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder, most of New Jersey’s community farmers markets have closed for the season, our pick-your-own farms have just about finished harvesting, and most roadside markets have turned from selling produce and moved toward Christmas trees. We are now in New Jersey agriculture’s “fourth season” and there are still so many Garden State agricultural products to enjoy and fun times to be had out on a farm.

New Jersey has more than 9,000 farms and 715,000 acres of farmland. Agriculture is an important part of the state’s economy. The industry provides fresh produce and other agricultural products to our state’s residents who are demanding access to local foods. They also enjoy the many activities offered on farms and want their children to have Garden State experiences.

One of the premier events at this time of year is visiting a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm. It is truly something to be enjoyed by all. There is nothing that embodies the holiday season more than families walking through a snow-

GardenerNews.com NJ Dept. of Agriculture

By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture

New Jersey Agriculture’s Fourth Season covered field searching for the perfect Christmas trees. Of our 809 Christmas tree farms, many also sell wreaths, grave blankets or holiday craft items. Some even offer refreshments, like hot, mulled cider. Tree growers always tell me that they’ve seen children grow up and bring their own kids and even grandkids to their farms. These farms are where so many happy memories are made.

Another symbol of the holiday season is the poinsettia.

New Jersey growers sell more than 1.5 million units of potted poinsettias every year, at a total value of $7.3 million. We have visited greenhouses where there is a virtual sea of poinsettias of every color – traditional red, white, variegated. The beauty is something to behold.

Our state’s florists use poinsettias and many other

New Jersey greenhouse-grown flowers and plants in holiday flower arrangements. There are quite a few New Jersey FFA chapters throughout the state that not only grow the plants but also create arrangements that they sell during the holiday season as fundraisers.

A tradition for some families is buying a fresh turkey from a New Jersey farm for their holiday dinners. At this time of year, though, it is best to preorder turkeys to ensure you get the size you want.

Pies are in big demand at farm markets during this time, too. Farms use the produce they’ve harvested this fall to make their pies, such as pumpkin, apple and sweet potato. And don’t forget to grab everyone’s favorite, cider donuts.

To accompany your meal, try one a bottle or two of wine

Look Who’s Reading the Gardener News!

It’s in the news

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Mikey Teutul, left, and Paul Teutul, also known as Paul Sr., from Orange County Choppers, a world-famous motorcycle manufacturer and lifestyle brand company based in the Town of Newburgh, Orange County, N.Y., look over the November Gardener News during a recent visit to the Garden State. The company was featured on American Chopper, a reality television series that debuted in September 2002 on the Discovery Channel. Mikey Teutul has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Paul Sr. has appeared on numerous television shows including the Celebrity Apprentice, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Late Show with David Letterman, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live and countless other nationally televised talk shows.

from New Jersey’s 50-plus wineries, who make their wine out of the grapes and other fruit they grow. In addition, there is a growing craft brewery industry, with more than 33 limited breweries offering beers that suit every taste.

There is still an abundance of New Jersey produce available after the harvest. You will find farmers have apples, butternut and acorn squash, greens, all types of potatoes, broccoli, beets, Brussels sprouts and other Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables that have been harvested and put in cold storage. These are great items to include on your holiday table.

Check out our Jersey Fresh website for recipes using lateharvest produce.

There is still time to do home preserving using fresh produce harvested during the

growing season to make things such as fruit preserves, apple sauce, pickles, chow-chow, relish, spaghetti sauce and tomato gravy to enjoy through the winter.

New Jersey agriculture’s fourth season is full of activity and flavor. Visit our Jersey Fresh website to find farms to visit, locate farm stores and find choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms. There is a farm near you that will suit your needs and help you create family memories.

Happy holidays from the entire New Jersey Department of Agriculture family to your family.

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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December, 2015 5

6 December, 2015

RUTGERS NJAES/RCE

Rutgers Dedicates New Food, Nutrition and Health Institute to Help Solve Serious, Preventable Health Problems Rutgers University dedicated the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health (IFNH) on October 28, a universitywide hub for interdisciplinary research whose mission is to make New Jersey the “Healthy State” and a model for the nation.

The nearly 80,000-square-foot facility on the George H. Cook campus, Rutgers-New Brunswick, is supported by a $10 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, $10 million from an anonymous donor and $35 million from the state’s Building Our Future Bond Act of 2012.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno; Rutgers President Robert Barchi; Chancellor Richard L. Edwards; Executive Dean Robert Goodman, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; institute Director Peter Gillies; and Robin Mockenhaupt, chief of staff, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, participated in the ceremony.

The institute offers nearly 40,000 square feet of research space and approximately 30,000 square feet of community space to facilitate communication and cooperation among scholars who pursue interdisciplinary research; policymakers who apply research to real-world problems associated with food and health; and parents, their children and students whose lives can benefit from wellness programs and health and education activities.

The IFNH is the home of several specialized centers, including the Center for Lipid Research, the Center for Childhood Nutrition Education and Research, and the Center for Health and Human Performance.

The institute also houses the Cook/Douglass Student Health Clinic, which includes a telepharmacy, professional nutrition counseling services and clinical research space. There is a 145-seat seminar room available for use by both the university and the community, and a healthy eating courtyard.

The building features a modular, shared-space laboratory that can accommodate six to eight research groups and includes technical support for the Center for Digestive Health. In addition, there are open offices and designer workstations for 100 faculty, staff and students; a boardroom; and a high-tech, 45-seat video conferencing facility.

Established in 1766, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is America’s eighth oldest institution of higher learning and one of the nation’s premier public research universities, educating more than 67,000 students and serving people throughout New Jersey. Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick is the only public institution in New Jersey represented in the prestigious Association of American Universities. Rutgers is also a member of the Big Ten Conference and its academic counterpart, the Committee on Institutional Cooperation – a consortium of 15 world-class research universities.

NJAES Researchers Receive Grant for Consumer Study to Enable Growers to Capitalize on Organic Market While small farms represent the dominant form of production agriculture in the world, typical agricultural knowledge and technology development models have often failed to improve small farm productivity, enhance resource conservation, reduce rural poverty, or improve regional food security.

A new research study in organic farming–a unique value-added form of agriculture–has been undertaken to help address inadequacies in the current knowledge of the organic market as well as provide innovative new options for struggling small farmers. Rutgers, in partnership with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, was awarded a $99,803 grant for the study of consumer perceptions and behaviors in the Mid-Atlantic region in order to enable growers to capitalize on the organic market. The grant was awarded through the USDA’s Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program, which provides matching funds to state departments of Agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations, and other state agencies to assist in exploring new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products, and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the marketing system.

Rutgers faculty participating in the project are Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics members, Professor Ramu Govindasamy (Principal Investigator), Instructor Isaac Vellangany, and Postdoctoral Associate Surendran Arumugam; Extension Specialist in Soil Science Joseph Heckman, Department of Plant Biology and Pathology; and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents Rick Vanvranken, Atlantic County; Meredith Melendez, Mercer County; Wes Kline, Cumberland County; and Jenny Carleo, Cape May County.

The goal of this research is to enhance both the net profits and the sustainability of small farms choosing to service the organic niche market.

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From the Director’s Desk

Rutgers Outreach Provided by Larry S. Katz, Ph.D. Sr. Associate Director

Home Energy Conservation Part I: Quick Fixing and Easy Solutions to Save Energy and Money The season is changing and homeowners start seeing increases in their energy bills as the chilly autumn transitions to cold winter days.

What can you do to save energy, money and the environment at the same time? There are ways to save energy, reduce air pollution, mitigate climate change and save money while maintaining comfortable and healthy conditions in our homes.

Home energy conservation can be categorized as quick and easy solutions and weatherization upgrades to reduce heat loss from cold weather, or medium to large improvements for existing homes, including old and historic homes.

Sometimes, fixing one major problem will make a large impact on utility bills right away. In addition, small improvements and personal energy savings habits can add further savings and improve homeowners’ comfort and health. Whether a quick and easy solution or large home energy improvement project, a homeowner should really assess the home as a whole system.

“Quick Fixing and Easy Solutions to Save Energy and Money” can be achieved in two ways: 1) Quick and easy energy- and money-saving home fixes and 2) Developing habits and being a role-model for family members.

Quick and Easy Energy and Money Saving Fixes According to the U.S. Department of Energy, space heating is the largest energy expense in the average U.S. home, accounting for approximately 45 percent of energy bills. Here are some quick solutions for energy savings: Detect Air Leaks and Seal: Homeowners should first identify the major routes of conditioned (heated or cooled) air loss before spending money to save energy. Significantly reducing air infiltration though gaps or cracks in a building’s exterior foundation, walls, roof, doors, windows, and especially “holes” in the attic floor can contribute to energy costs by allowing conditioned air to leak outside.

A visual inspection should be performed both outside and inside buildings, with attention to corners, outdoor water faucets and connections of two different building materials such as the foundation and the bottom of the exterior siding connections and chimney and siding connections.

Homeowners should also thoroughly inspect inside the house, paying attention to electrical outlets, door and window frames, baseboards, window-mounted air conditioners, cable TV and phone lines, dryer vents and attic hatches. Also, check stains on ceilings and carpets which can result from air leaks.

Sealing the air leaks by caulking, sealing, or weather stripping all seams, cracks and openings to the outside provides quick energy and money savings. Caulk is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary house components such as around door and window frames, and weather stripping is used to seal components that move, such as doors and operable windows.

Insulating the attic and basement is an efficient way to save energy and money. Adding extra insulation can either be performed by the homeowners or contractors. If your home still feels drafty after adding extra insulation, adding insulation to the walls can help saving energy.

Maintain Heating Systems and Control Temperature: Properly maintained HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems perform well and save energy. Conduct heating system maintenance before winter to find out if the system works properly. In addition to furnaces and boilers, heating options include wood and pellet heaters, active solar heating, and heat pumps, which are used for both heating and cooling. Homeowners should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for their specific heating system.

Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter, with the coolest settings when you sleeping and away from home. Remember that heat loss decreases with lower winter indoor air temperatures.

Replacing and cleaning furnace filters as recommended helps furnaces work properly.

Insulate your electric, natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank without covering the top, bottom, thermostat or burner. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120oF to avoid overheating the water unnecessarily.

Insulate the first six feet of hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

Lower Year-Around and Holiday Lighting Costs: With winter solstice and the holidays upon us, increased use of lighting can add to energy consumption.

Use CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) and LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs. You can save with these ENERGY STAR bulbs since CFL and LED bulbs deliver the same amount of light using 75 percent and 25 percent less electricity, respectively. Local rebate options can lower costs of the bulbs.

Light-emitting diode “LED” holiday light strings reduce home decorating costs for the winter holidays. Look for ENERGY STAR®-qualified decorative light strings.

For more information: http://energy.gov/energysaver/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp?gclid=CKf_5a23x8gCFcsYHwodjhcNJQ https://www.progress-energy.com/carolinas/home/save-energy-money/energy-saving-tipscalculators/100-tips.page? http://www.bpihomeowner.org/home-performance Editor’s Note: Part II will appear in the January issue and will cover energy efficiency for appliances and fireplaces, and the second method of achieving energy savings - developing energy saving habits and being a role-model for family members. This month’s column is written

by Dr. Serpil Guran, Director of the Rutgers EcoComplex Clean Energy Innovation Center, located in Bordentown, N.J.

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RUTGERS NJAES/RCE

December, 2015 7

Harvest Your Own Pepper Event Grows into Annual Tradition The 2015 Harvest Your Own Pepper (HYOP) event took place on October 26 at Rutgers Horticultural Research Farm III on Cook Campus in New Brunswick where the Rutgers community is invited to pick their own hot peppers left over from research variety trials. Over sixty faculty, staff and alumni visited the research plots to pick many types of peppers, ranging from heat-free/sweet mini bells to >250,000 Scoville heat unit-habaneros. The pepper spectrum covers African birdeye/Thai hot, African poblano (“Tatashe�), baccatum, cayenne and jalapenos.

This is a continuation of the exotic pepper research project at Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Albert Ayeni, ethnic crop specialist, Tom Orton, extension specialist in vegetable breeding and colleagues, are conducting the hot pepper trials for selecting varieties that grow well in New Jersey. In addition, they are investigating the peppers’ potential use as ornamental plants and medicinal foods. From the selections of peppers in the research trials, several will eventually be released to New Jersey growers to expand the state’s ethnic food basket.

The additions to the 2015 HYOP event included access of guest pickers to the African eggplant (garden eggs) plot adjacent to the pepper plots and evaluation of habanero selections based on appearance.

The positive feedback from the guest pickers has enabled HYOP to become a growing annual event since it started in 2012. A HYOP guest who participated for the first time commented, “This was my first time participating in HYOP. What a nice tradition!�

Ayeni stated, “We are encouraged by the interest of our community in HYOP (33 participated in 2013, 45 in 2014 and 62 in 2015). We plan to continue the “tradition� of adding some spice to life throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons that follow the harvest. “A soul that eats no hot pepper, is a weak soul� —- an African adage! We look forward to 2016 HYOP and hope you can join us!�

PLANT & PEST ADVISORY Why Do White Spruce Trees Show Interior Needle Discoloration?

By Steven K. Rettke Occasionally, observations of White Spruce (Picea glauca) within landscapes, nurseries, & Christmas tree farms will show current needle growth having a blue or blue-green color, but with older inner needles having lost the desirable color and turning pale or even yellow. Although sometimes seen on Norway Spruce, these symptoms are most common on the White Spruce species. Sometimes symptoms can become dramatic and initiate both aesthetic and plant health concerns. Although the reasons for such symptoms can be from a complex number of conditions, a compromised root system is typically the underlying cause.

The yellowing or off-color of older, interior spruce needles are most likely symptoms of trees having root system problems. However, first eliminate other causes such as spruce spider mite stippling symptoms or dormant oil applications that may have removed the waxy glaucous bloom growth on needles. Unless they are correct, some cynical clients may even make claims that their tree care company sprayed dormant oils on their Colorado blue spruce and caused the loss of the blue color on the older needles. Also, over time, the blue or blue-green waxy bloom on the older needles can be partially removed by natural weathering.

Compromised root systems result in nutrient deficiencies within the spruce and sometimes, more specifically, the inability of roots to uptake Potassium (K). Also a Magnesium (Mg) deficiency may be involved as well. Furthermore, highly acidic soil pH can be a factor. Although excessively dry soils have also been implicated as a potential cause, most commonly, spruce trees growing in excessively wet soil conditions will be the reason for the symptoms.

Nevertheless, in order to compensate, the tree creates a self-induced deficiency of potassium from older needles by translocation to the newest growth needles.

Hence, the two-tone coloration of blue/green new growth needles vs. pale to yellowish old growth is created. Stated in other words, when the roots cannot uptake additional K from the soil, then the new growth receives priority. The limited K is now taken from what is available in the older needles and donated to the new growth.

Similar to K, nitrogen (N) is also a mobile element and can readily translocate from older to new plant tissues. Immobile elements such as calcium (Ca) do not readily translocate and hence, deficiency symptoms will be observed initially in the upper, new plant tissues.

Most likely, fertilization with potassium (K) will not solve the problem because the cause is from root stress and not a shortage of potassium in the soil. It is important to note that studies have shown excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization within soils that are in fact potassium (K) deficient can even further limit the uptake of this nutrient. The stress of roots growing in anaerobic conditions produced by wet or saturated soils will cause of the symptoms since the movement of soil minerals into and across plant cell membranes requires oxygen. Therefore, a solution to the above concern is probably not more fertilization, but to improve the drainage. This may not easily be solved in lower areas with soils having a high clay percentage. The same symptoms at some locations may occur periodically during very wet seasons that trigger occasional flooding.

The pale or yellowed older needles often never fully return back to their previous coloration even after soil conditions are corrected or become more optimal.

Generally, the flow or transport of potassium (K) is primarily to the new growth. It may take 2 or 3 consecutive years of healthy growth and nutrient transfer from roots to new needle growth to achieve the sought after appearance of uniform coloration of both new and older foliage.

Rutgers Plant Breeder Joseph Goffreda Named “Inventor of the Year� for Patented Peach Joseph Goffreda, associate professor of plant biology and pathology and director of the Rutgers Fruit and Ornamental Research Extension Center in Cream Ridge, NJ, was one of seven individuals recently honored with the “Inventor of the Year Award� by the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame.

Goffreda was honored for breeding a hybrid peach (NJF16) marketed under the name TangOsŽ, which has a combination of attributes attractive to commercial producers and consumers, yet is resistant to major diseases, particularly bacterial spot. “I feel honored to receive this award on behalf of all the past breeders that have contributed to the tree fruit breeding program since its inception in 1907,� said Goffreda. “Tree fruit breeding is a long and arduous endeavor that is tremendously rewarding when everything comes together.

Goffreda and Anna Voordeckers, who retired in August as a lab technician with the Rutgers tree fruit breeding program for over 50 years, set out to develop a unique peach with excellent flavor. “Voordeckers, my co-inventor of NJF16, and I decided to combine the genes for a flat peach shape, heirloom cling-peach flavor, and the complete lack of any red over-color, so that the fruit would be visually striking and readily identified by the consumer,� explained Goffreda.

After Goffreda and Voordeckers chose the “parentsâ€? and made the cross in the field, they planted the seeds from the cross and waited for four years for the trees to bear fruit. Their patience paid off. Âł,WÂśV GLIILFXOW IRU PH WR GHVFULEH RXU OHYHO RI H[FLWHPHQW ZKHQ ZH FDPH XSRQ WKH IUXLWLQJ VHHGOLQJV IURP WKDW FURVV DQG VDZ Âľ1-) Ć? ZLWK WKH H[DFW FRPELQDWLRQ RI characters that we desired,â€? he added.

The process of growing and breeding peaches is lengthy and complicated, and involves quite sophisticated technology, explains Brad Hillman, director of research at NJAES and professor in the Department of Plant Biology and Pathology. “It can take from 12 to 20 years to develop a sound, science-based program that includes breeding plants for evaluation, conducting plant trials in different locales, and going through the arduous testing for disease resistance, pest resistance, environmental extremes, productivity and yield,� said Hillman.

Goffreda has developed 11 other patented peaches and his cultivars have proved to be highly suitable for production in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. The commercial success of peach varieties such as TangOsÂŽ contributes to New Jersey being ranked among the leading U.S. states in peach production, per data from the USDA National Ag Statistics Service and USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.

TangOsÂŽ is licensed to Adams County Nursery, a long established commercial grower in Pennsylvania that partners with Rutgers on testing and propagation of this and several other peach cultivars.

Rutgers has received over $100,000 in royalties from this single peach variety, attesting to its attractiveness to both growers and consumers, added Hillman.

The tree fruit breeding program at Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station began in 1907, introducing varieties that have become standards in the fruit industry and bred for their excellent eating quality, winter-hardiness and disease resistance. Goffreda, who also has 12 patents for apples, apricots and nectarines, has led the Rutgers tree fruit breeding program since 1989.

8 December, 2015

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December, 2015 9

A Huntress for the Holidays If retail stores had any say in the matter, holiday shopping would be a 12-month ordeal.

This year I was astounded to see the extent of holiday shopping promotions the day after Halloween!

Unfortunately, for the plant world, the number of plants promoted for the season is surprisingly narrow, with poinsettias always being the plant of prominence. There are a number of other plants that provide seasonally appropriate color and last for years – not weeks – as a house plant or can even double as an outdoor ornamental during the summer.

For a number of years, I was drawn to Variegated Blue Flax Lily, Dianella tasmanica “Variegata,� as an interesting container plant for shade. It was not until years later that I discovered that Dianella could also serve as a wonderful houseplant appropriate for the holidays.

One thing that I learned early in my career is that most people don’t really understand or appreciate good design.

You can drive around any neighborhood in New Jersey and see plenty of examples of bad landscaping. Sadly, it is very hard to find examples of good work, which is most unfortunate because so much hard-earned money is wasted on below-average landscaping.

There are many reasons for this. First of all, anybody can call themselves a landscape designer, regardless of whether they’ve been in the industry for 25 years or 25 days. Landscape designers also come in many shapes and sizes with varying degrees of education, experience and taste.

Depending on their credentials, design professionals include; Registered Landscape Architects, Certified Landscape Designers and Master Gardeners, as well as your garden variety of Landscape Designers and Garden Designers.

Secondly, the general public, overall, has no idea what constitutes good design or bad design (sorry but it’s true). Therefore they rely on “landscape professionals� to help them develop a plan

Dianella was recently placed in the all too difficult to pronounce family of Xanthorrhoeaceae. Fortunately, it also resides in the more easily recognized subfamily of Hemerocallidaceae, or Daylily Family. Currently, 42 species are described within the genus and they span the regions from Southern Africa and Madagascar to Southeast Asia and south to Australia and New Zealand.

The genus name was first authored in 1786 by the French naturalist Jean Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829) within his massive eight-volume EncyclopÊdie Methodique Botanique. Despite the size of Lamarck’s work, he failed to adequately describe the plant, and in 1789, the French botanist Antoine Laurent de Jussieu (1748-1836) properly described it. Dianella honors Diana, the mythical Roman goddess of hunting, who preferred to hunt in the woods.

The suffix “ella� means small in stature. Although the connection may initially seem obtuse, when the plant was first introduced to France, it was found to flourish in woodland conditions and

King’s Gardeners nicknamed it “Little Diana of the Woods.�

Dianella is a caespitose, or tufted perennial plant, in its native regions. It slowly spreads by underground rhizomes (horizontal stems) and produces long, sword-shaped leaves.

The foliage can vary in height from one foot to nearly seven feet. The quarter- to halfinch diameter white or light blue flowers appear in clusters atop long, slender stems. With imagination, the flowers appear like small arrows, drawing a comparison once again with the huntress Diana.

Supposedly, the flowers yield small and very ornamental blue fruits, but I have yet to witness any fruits in New Jersey gardens. Plants typically prefer moist, shady locations; I have also grown them in drier, full sun conditions with equally acceptable results.

Dianella tasmanica “Variegata� is the selection that is most readily available for New Jersey gardeners. The species was first described in 1858 by the English botanist and plant explorer Joseph

Dalton Hooker (1817-1911).

It is native to Australia and, as the species epithet indicates, Tasmania. Outdoors, the plants prefer a lightly shaded location with moisture, although they are also tolerant of periods of drought. The form “Variegata� has very attractive two-footlong leaves that have bold white stripes predominantly on the leaf margins. It is winter hardy to zone 8 and has endured New Jersey frosts down to 24°F before being brought inside without any ill results. It’s tolerance of shade and dry air makes it an ideal house plant, as I first witnessed several years back at a fellow gardener’s home. She had simply brought the container that it had grown in throughout the summer into a room that received filtered afternoon sun and it was thriving – not a brown edged or dead leaf to be seen. After several years, the plant had filled out a 20-inch container and made a spectacular specimen. There is also a golden variegated form called “Yellow Stripe� that is equally attractive. Typical of houseplant culture, let the plant

The NJLCA Today

By Jody Shilan, MLA Executive Director

Let’s Put Design Back Into Design/Build and guide them through the process. Unfortunately, most landscape design professionals, both experienced and inexperienced, lack the fundamental skills required to create a well thought out plan.

Lastly, with the continuous development of landscape design and visualization software, it is quite easy to create a colorful, eye-catching drawing or image that looks great digitally but may not be a quality design. The bigger problem is that a sub-par design will not be recognized until the project has been built.

Now, I know that I am painting a pretty grim picture for anyone who is thinking about hiring a landscape professional for an upcoming fall or spring project. However, this is not my goal and I assure you that help is on the way.

So please keep reading. The reason I am discussing this

issue is to raise awareness to it. Like everything else in this world, landscaping can be very expensive. And while all of us would like to get more for less, most of us would be satisfied getting what we paid for. As far as I’m concerned, this is a very low expectation.

This where a good design comes into play.

Believe it or not, a well designed landscaping project can actually cost less than a poorly designed landscape. It can help you achieve your goals and objectives in cost effective and creative ways that you, yourself, may have never considered. The reason for this is that a good designer will ask lots of questions, challenging your ideas so that they can develop a plan that is appropriate for your family and your property. A skilled designer should offer you a variety of solutions, pique

your interest and excite you about all of the possibilities for your property and your budget.

Compare this to the designer who makes a list of all of the things that you want, provides you with no input or alternate solutions and just hands you a drawing of what you asked for, regardless of whether your ideas made sense or not.

As promised, here are some things that you should do prior to hiring a landscape professional to design and build your landscape: ‡ *R RQOLQH DQG ORRN DW samples of both their design work and their built landscapes to see if you like their style or not. ‡ ,I WKHUHœV D ILW VHW XS DQ appointment. ‡ :KHQ \RX PHHW DVN them about their process and how they will help you achieve your goals.

dry slightly between watering throughout the winter and begin to fertilize again come March, as the sun becomes brighter and growth resumes.

During this holiday season, consider bringing Dianella inside to add that touch of white or gold to the household decorations. A very attractive and long-lived plant that also invokes the “Hunt� for holiday dinners – it is just what the dollar-conscious gardener deserves.

Editor’s Note: Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth; is the managing director of the Rutgers Gardens, a 180-acre outdoor teaching classroom, horticultural research facility and arboretum; an adjunct professor in Landscape Architecture at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; regularly participates in the Rutgers – Continuing Education Program; and the immediate pastpresident of the Garden State Gardens Consortium. He can be reached at (732) 932-8451. For more information, please visit www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu ‡ 7DNH D ZDON DURXQG WKH property to discuss your vision and see how they respond. ‡ ,I \RXœUH QRW LPSUHVVHG or excited, move on. Interview several companies to get a feel for who and what is out there so that you can compare and contrast them.

When you do find someone that you feel comfortable with and who understands your needs, hire them to develop a plan. Don’t waste your time with free plans or companies that offer them. Your ultimate goal is to have a well designed landscape that you love, not some poorly created, discounted design.

Editors Note: Jody Shilan, MLA provides landscape design services for landscape contractors and homeowners. Jody is also a professional speaker, green industry consultant and host of radio talk show, Landscape Live! He has a BSLA from Cook College, Rutgers University and an MLA from The University of Massachusetts and is currently the Executive Director of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA). He can be reached at 201-7832844 or jshilan@NJLCA.org

10 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

35 million apples a year: NYC schools and stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apple industry release educational video for students, families ),6+(56 1 < Ę&#x160; +RZ DERXW WKHVH DSSOHV 1HZ <RUN &LW\ VFKRROV QRZ GLVWULEXWH D ZKRSSLQJ PLOOLRQ 1HZ <RUN VWDWH DSSOHV WR VFKRROFKLOGUHQ each year. That makes New York City schools the single-largest customer of the entire New York state apple industry!

To celebrate this mutually healthy relationship, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apple association has produced an educational video that the New York City Department of Education is now sharing with students and their families citywide.

The 3-minute video was produced by New York Apple Association (NYAA), and was recorded in picturesque orchards across New York state â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including the lower Hudson Valley, where most of the apples shipped to New York City schools are grown. The video is packed with kid-friendly information about how apples are grown, their health benefits and the New York state industry.

Spokesgrower and narrator Bruce shares interesting details about modern apple growing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for example, he notes that todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growers use high-tech dwarf trees and tree trellis systems, while still relying on decidedly low-tech honeybees to pollinate their crops. An infographic covers the New York City skyline in apple pies. NYAA nutrition spokesperson Linda Quinn reports on recent research about the benefits to children of eating apples. The video also encourages family-friendly outings to local a pick-your-own orchards.

In the finale, a group of schoolchildren joins Bruce in the orchard to enthusiastically announce that New York City schools now serve more than 35 million New York state apples per year.

NYCDOE, Cuomo administration credited for â&#x20AC;&#x153;buy localâ&#x20AC;? focus NYAA President Jim Allen commended New York City Department of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office of School Support Services for its strong â&#x20AC;&#x153;buy localâ&#x20AC;? focus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the group that buys food for and runs the foodservice program at New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1,800 schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are proud to serve New York City school children locally sourced, healthy produce, including over 35 million apples a year grown in New York State. This not only adds to our healthy menu options, it helps us teach kids about the benefits of farm-to-table eating and supports our local food producers,â&#x20AC;? said the serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Executive Officer Eric Goldstein.

NYAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Allen also gave nods to state Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Both of these very influential officials have been vocal, passionate and tireless advocates for New York state agriculture, we wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have gotten here today without them,â&#x20AC;? said Allen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The singular purpose of the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Taste NYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; program is to create customers for local foods and beverages.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Ball has vowed to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;make New York New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and revitalized his departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pride of New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; buy local program.â&#x20AC;?

For example, on Sept. 28, the Cuomo administration announced $350,000 in new funding to help school districts across the state to connect with local growers and producers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;New York state has been working hard to strengthen the connection between our farmers and our schools statewide. We not only want to make sure that our schoolchildren have access to fresh, healthy foods, but also that they know where their food comes from,â&#x20AC;? said Commissioner Ball. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This new video is a fantastic way to help us continue to connect the dots, spotlight the apple industry and educate our children about New York agriculture.â&#x20AC;?

How to watch the video The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education department will circulate the video online to schools, students and their families, including via the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school menu website(http://www.schoolfoodnyc.org/OurPrograms/nythursdays.htm). The video â&#x20AC;&#x201C; titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;From Blossom to Awesomeâ&#x20AC;?, a recurring theme in NYAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consumer communications â&#x20AC;&#x201C; can also be viewed on NYAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/newyorkapples1).

Weather Extremes: The Influence on Arthropods, Insects, Mites and Other Insect Relatives

By William A. Kolbe B.C.E. As we prepare for the change of seasons, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keep in mind that weather often affects arthropod pests (insects, mites, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, and other arthropod populations) in such a manner that it becomes very difficult to determine when insects, and other arthropods will be pests of our trees, shrubs, turf, vegetables and structures.

Weather may affect pests directly by increasing or decreasing their development time (mainly through temperature), killing individuals when temperature or rainfall extremes are exceeded (freezing or overheating. drying or drowning) or through physical damage (hard rain). Weather may also indirectly influence plant feeding of insects and miles by causing stress in the host plant (and making them more susceptible to pest attack) or causing the host plant to put on excessive growth (making the plant

more suitable as a host for a longer period of time).

Some weather conditions may also encourage development of insect and mite diseases, which can wipe out populations for the season.

Ants that rely on â&#x20AC;&#x153;honeydewâ&#x20AC;? from aphids simply will not be able to feed on their preferred food in the summer months if there is excessive rain, excessive drought or even excessive wind. During wet spring and summer, trees and shrubs look great and the trees will keep their leaf canopy into the end of October, even November. Trees in New Jersey again were healthy because the excessive moisture from rain just kept the leaf feeding insects (aphids, leafhoppers, plant hoppers, moths, etc.) to a minimum.

WEATHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AFFECT ON DEVELOPMENT (DEGREE-DAYS) Plants and animals which do not regulate internal temperatures (often called â&#x20AC;&#x153;cold bloodedâ&#x20AC;?) vary in their physiological development or metabolic rate according to what temperatures they

are subjected to. Arthropods fall into this category. These organisms develop rapidly at warm temperatures and slowly at cool temperatures.

If we can measure this rate of development or activity related to temperature (through heat units), then we should be able to predict the development of arthropods by keeping track of the temperature.

Degree-days (DD) are merely a method of accounting for heat units. During warm weather, we accumulate these heat units faster than during cool weather. Another concept used in calculating degree-days is threshold temperatures. Most arthropods can only develop within a specific range of temperatures.

If the animal drops below a certain temperature, called the lower threshold, no development occurs. Above this lower threshold, the rate of development increases with the temperature in an almost straight-line fashion. Most plants and animals also have an upper threshold temperature at which development begins to deteriorate because of

heat shock. If the animal heats up too far above the upper threshold, it will die.

In nature, most insects and mites find habitats which have temperatures above the lower threshold for a sufficient time to complete a generation of development, but rarely exceed the upper threshold temperature.

Though most soil-dwelling insects seem to have a lower threshold between 40 degrees F (5C) and 45 degrees F (7C), most above ground insects and mites can be associated with a lower threshold of 50 degrees F (10C). Putting this into what happened this year; temperatures in April and May of 2015 in New Jersey were probably the coldest in recorded temperature history (Note: Not validated yet in N.J.) The cold temperatures, and just as devastating to arthropods, the up and downs of temperature extremes, had a significant adverse effect on insect development in these two critical months.

Flying insects and other arthropods, especially large ones like carpenter and

bumble bees, need significant nourishment to overcome their winter diapause (resting period like hibernation in warm-blooded animals) as well as nourishment to mate and start laying eggs. Flying insects need plant nectar, proteins from other insects and other food sources to feed the energy requirements of the flight muscles. They canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do this when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cold, windy and raining. They just wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fly, and if they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fly, they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feed and reproduce.

Next month, we will discuss freezing weather and its effect on arthropods and their relatives.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: William A. Kolbe, BCE is a Board Certified Entomologist for Viking Pest Control based out of Warren, NJ. He has a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in Entomology with a minor in Ecology from the University of Delaware.

He is a member of The Denville NJ Community Gardens.

He can be reached at 800-618-2847 or visit www.vikingpest.com

GardenerNews.com Due to the recent steep decline in the price of natural gas, many energy companies have been scrambling to find more ways to utilize this relatively cheap source of fuel.

And because the bulk of the natural gas that is used here in the United States is produced here as well, by and large, the American consumer has come to view natural gas in a much more favorable light than other, dirtier fuels, such as coal and oil.

One issue with trying to increase the use of natural gas has been transporting it to where it is needed most. And that is here, in the populated northeastern portion of the United States. Because most of the natural gas is produced in the interior regions of the U.S., it must be safely and economically transported to where its customers are.

While rail, ship and truck transport lend themselves very well to other types of fuels, by its very nature, natural gas is best delivered via a network of underground pipelines.

But problems can arise when this pipeline infrastructure needs to be upgraded and improved. This

December, 2015 11 The Town Farmer

By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

A pipeline’s impact on agricultural land debated is currently going on here in New Jersey. As most of you are probably aware, the proposed Penn East pipeline, which would traverse a portion of the western part of New Jersey, has garnered quite a bit of publicity over the past few months. The proposed pipeline would cut across a rural area of the state and would significantly impact quite a few farms in the process. While these land owners would be compensated by the pipeline company for the loss of their property, many feel that this compensation would not be enough and would prefer that the pipeline choose a different route or just cease to exist in its entirety.

I can sympathize with these land owners. I can just imagine how I would feel if one of our farms was placed in

a similar situation. The courts have, by and large, decided that the way to settle these cases is through monetary consideration, but after years and years of hard work, a check for your troubles might be seen as more of a slap in the face than just compensation.

One aspect of these cases that is somewhat disturbing is the way in which people will grasp at other issues to bolster their own arguments.

For example, the gas company might try and make the argument that there are poor families who are burning their own furniture in order to keep warm and this pipeline will solve all of their problems for them. On the other hand, there are potentially impacted land owners who have suddenly become staunch environmentalists who are

now gravely concerned about the potential loss of bobcat habitat or some other equally farfetched environmental claim. These are people who a year ago would not have swerved for a squirrel, and are now experts in the nesting habits of small song birds.

Of course, there are lobbying and interest groups who are paying attention to this as well. Groups on both sides of the issue see this as a way for themselves to bolster their respective memberships by trying to incite mass hysteria concerning the pipeline. What better way is there for an environmental group to recruit new members than by hosting “informational meetings” where videos of exploding pipelines and burn victims are shown to the unsuspecting public?

Then there are the politicians. They wait in the wings and quietly keep tabs on the issue while they judge public sentiment. When they are forced to take a position, they do so in a manner which usually keeps their options open so that they can quickly maneuver to the other side of the issue should public sentiment or campaign contributions give them a reason to do so.

We will see how this issue plays out in the coming months. My hope is that both sides can stick to the facts at hand and spare us all from the irrelevant arguments.

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

Taking the Temperature of WaterThirsty Plants

By Dennis O'Brien Public Affairs Specialist A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) engineer in Fort Collins, Colorado, is making it easier for growers to determine if their crops are water-stressed.

Agricultural engineer Kendall DeJonge is trying to conserve irrigation water by using infrared radiometric thermometers (IRT)—sensors that can determine crop canopy temperatures and subsequently detect crop water stress.

Scientists interpret IRT data by using one of several indices, including the commonly used Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI). Developed in the early 1980s, the CWSI requires knowing the air temperatures and humidity levels and involves a fairly technical process.

DeJonge and his colleagues compared the CWSI with five other indices, or formulas, for interpreting IRT data to see how well they could detect crop water stress over 2 years in a corn-sunflower rotation. Two of the indices developed for the study, the Degrees Above Non-Stressed (DANS) index and the Degrees Above Critical Temperature (DACT) index, were simpler than CWSI. DANS is calculated by comparing a stressed plant’s temperature to the temperature of a non-stressed plant in the same

environment. DACT is based on an established crop temperature threshold, and plant water stress is determined by how many degrees the plant temperature reaches above that threshold.

In the study, crop canopy temperatures were taken each day around the clock but focused on 2 p.m., when water stress levels were usually the highest. The researchers also monitored soil water levels and crop water use, and fully irrigated part of the field, while intentionally stressing other areas.

The findings showed that the DANS and DACT indices were just as effective as CWSI at determining water stress even though they require much simpler measurements—a oncea-day reading of only crop canopy temperatures.

DeJonge plans to develop “crop water coefficients” that establish water needs of specific crops under different scenarios. With that data, IRTs could soon be more widely used by farmers.

DeJonge foresees farmers using handheld IRTs in the near future—and eventually using IRTs with drones to calculate water needs over extensive areas.

Editor’s Note: Dennis O’Brien works for the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

He can be reached at (301) 504-1624 or by emailing dennis.obrien@ars.usda.gov

12 December, 2015 Winter is here and so are the holidays. By now everyone is getting over the turkey hangover and the rush of the holidays is upon us.

It’s also the time of year to protect your landscape. Looking at the last two winters, they have been extremely brutal on landscaping plants. The question becomes, is this year going to be as brutal as the previous two, or will we get lucky and have a mild one?

It sure would be nice to have a mild winter.

Not only did we have two extremely cold winters with heavy snowfall, they were also long, extended winters. With snow on the ground from the end of December through April and temperatures repeatedly in the single digits, will this year break that spell?

The last two winters brought disastrous damage on landscaping plants. And the fact that both years didn’t break until the end of April, it delayed plants’ breaking dormancy and in fact the flowering cycle

GardenerNews.com The Professional Grower

By Tim Hionis Greenhouse Specialist

Winter is on our doorstep was pushed back by many weeks. Plants and trees that normally bloomed in April or early-May didn’t get a chance to bloom till mid- to late-May. It took longer for the ground to reach optimal temperatures for new growth on plant material.

In a way, it was helpful to protect the new growth of plant material from a lateseason unexpected frost night. Sometimes we can get this surprise frost night and it can damage newly formed flower buds and/or new growth on trees and plants.

What can be done?

Make sure root systems of plants and shrubs have proper insulation. Mulch helps to provide insulation of root systems. Newly planted material you may

want to consider wrapping to provide protection. If you have plants that are on the border of our hardiness zone, it is a very good idea to wrap them for protection.

Live in an area with a heavy deer population? Be sure to wrap the bark of small trees with a small caliper.

This is the time of year that the male deer will rub their antlers on the soft bark of young trees to sharpen their antlers. Rubbing of their antlers can cause enough damage to destroy the tree and kill it. There are many products on the market that can help to prevent this.

Also remember to get out there and use your animal repellant as well. As we begin to get deeper into the winter and the food source of many animals become

scarce, they may linger on your landscape and begin to feed on your plant material.

This is where the label “Deer Proof” that some desperate plant suppliers tend to use to lure in customers start to fail. The proper terminology should be “Deer Resistant,” not “Deer Proof.” A proper plant supplier should not make a promise in which they can’t possible control the outcome.

“Deer Resistant” implies that it is plant material that deer will go after only as a last resort. For instance, my favorite food is a juicy cheeseburger and I absolutely do not like the taste of escargot. If I were to go to a restaurant and see both on the menu, I’m going to go after the cheeseburger.

Now, if I haven’t eaten in

a few days and I walk up to a restaurant and all they have left to eat is escargot, I bet you can guess what I am going to eat. It goes the same in the animal kingdom.

My recommendation is to try and steer wildlife away from your landscape long before they become hungry enough to eat what you have installed in your garden.

Installing deer netting to keep them far enough away from wandering near your landscape long before they can get hungry and look for food is a good idea. There are also many reputable companies that offer deer and animal deterring services for your landscape as well.

In conclusion, this winter keep in mind that protecting your landscape is as important as tending to it any other time of year.

Editor’s Note: Tim Hionis has been growing plants for over 20 years, and is co-owner of Hionis Greenhouses and Garden Center in Whitehouse Station, NJ. He can be reached by calling (908) 534-7710.

Eastern White Pine, Part 2

By Hubert Ling An unexpected characteristic of White Pine is that you can eat it. The name “Adirondack” is an Iroquois word which means tree-eater and referred to their Algonquians neighbors who collected bark during times of winter starvation.

When pounded, the soft inner bark (cambial layer) can be used as flour or added to stretch other starchy products. Linnaeus noted in the 1700s that cattle and pigs fed pine bark bread grew well, but he personally did not like the taste. The young staminate cones were stewed by the Ojibwa with meat and were said to be sweet and not pitchy. In addition, the seeds are sweet and nutritious.

Several species of songbird e.g. black-capped chickadee, pine grosbeak and white-breasted nuthatch, rely on the seeds. In addition, mammals such as beaver,

cottontail, deer, snowshoe hare, mice, porcupine, red and gray squirrels consume the bark and foliage of White Pine.

Pine resin has been used to waterproof baskets, pails and boats. Fresh pine sap contains a number of efficient antimicrobials, which is not unexpected, since its function is to seal wounds to the tree and protect against infection. A wet pulp from the inner bark can be applied to wounds, or pine tar can be mixed with beeswax or butter and used topically to prevent infection. The Chippewa even used resin to successfully treat gangrenous wounds. Pine tar mixed with beer can be used to remove tapeworms or nematodes, and pine tar mixed with sulfur has been used to treat dandruff. Pine tar is produced by slowly burning pine roots and branches, to release and thicken the resin.

In the early 20th Century, a very serious fungal disease, White Pine Blister Rust, first

appeared in North America.

Mortality in mature pine groves was often 50 to 80 percent. The fungus must spend part of its life cycle on alternate hosts: gooseberry or wild currant. Foresters reasoned correctly that the rust would be eliminated if all the alternate host plants were removed.

A very determined campaign was mounted and all land owners in commercial pine growing regions were encouraged to uproot all wild gooseberry and wild currants.

Today, wild currants are relatively rare plants in New England, and planting wild currants or wild gooseberries is strongly discouraged or may even be illegal, depending upon the area. As an alternate, new strains of commercial currants have been developed which are highly resistant to White Pine Blister. Planting these strains is a good compromise and will keep you in good standing with your neighbors and the local authorities.

Today, mortality from the rust is only about 3 percent, but alas, wild currant and gooseberry pies are items only memorialized in books.

White Pines are generally disease-free, although they can also suffer damage to terminal shoots from the White Pine Weevil.

Although Douglas Fir, Spruce and Ponderosa Pine have largely replaced White Pine lumber, White Pine is widely used as a landscaping tree. It makes a graceful, longlived, stand-alone specimen tree and young pine trees are often seen spaced 15 feet apart in two or three rows to provide a privacy screen.

One can only imagine what these screens will look like if they are allowed to mature.

White Pine finds modern use as an agent to stabilize strip-mine spoils.

In Pennsylvania and West Virginia, White Pines grew better than Scotch Pine and Red Pine after 10 years trials. Generally, White Pine required a moderate or low

acid soil for best growth (pH 5-6.5).

In addition, White Pines make a reasonable Christmas tree, especially if they have been pruned two or three times. Live White Pines can be purchased for little more than a good quality cut tree and live trees can be planted outside after the holiday season.

However, watch your back: a three-foot root ball is not easily handled by amateurs.

If you are not afraid to be different, I challenge you to have an unpruned, forest grown, scrawny, “Charlie Brown” White Pine Christmas tree. It makes a great conversation piece and you can always say you felt sorry for the tree. In addition, you can tie extra branches on the tree in strategic positions where needed.

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

GardenerNews.com

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14 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

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December, 2015 15

16 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

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125 Acres - A "FARM FOREVER" - Our 86th Year

“Down on the Farm”

* Home Baked Pies * Open Daily 8am - 6pm Rt. 202 - 5 Miles South of Morristown

973-425-9819 Special Holiday Hours: Open till 9 Mon. thru Fri., Dec. 4th thru Dec. 18th www.wightmansfarms.com “2006 Fruit Grower of the Year” This fall, I was walking in my back yard and found a number of raised tunnels. Can you believe it? It brought back fond memories of watching “Caddyshack” with Bill Murray playing Karl Spackler, the famous golf superintendent trying so hard to get rid of Mr. Gopher. What a hoot!

That movie was funny, but moles or voles in your yard are not. They are major pests and people have tried all kinds of ways to get rid of them.

What’s the difference between a mole and a vole? Moles eat insects, while voles eat plant roots.

Moles are just plain ugly and voles look much like mice, but have shorter tails. Moles like to eat earthworms best, and grubs and other soil insects act as appetizers if earthworms are not present.

Moles tend to come and go with the weather and are very sensitive to light even though they do not have eyes. Voles are more of a winter problem. I have seen voles burrowing beneath a

Turf ‘s Up

By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

Got moles or voles? few feet of snow cover, yuck!

Moles are capable of tunneling up to 100 feet per day and also may eat up to 100-percent of their body weight. Can you imagine that? If you are able to address your mole population in the spring, it lessons their activity throughout the year. Sometimes mole tunnels are more prevalent after a rain in the spring and fall, since they tend to burrow deeper into the ground during summer and winter months. Voles tend to burrow along the surface of your yard during spring and fall, avoiding hot, summer days.

They are several ways to control these varmints, and a combination of home

remedies may be required to keep tricking them into going to your neighbor’s yard. Determine if your lawn has had grubs in the past or other soils insects that may attract moles. An appropriate insect control for grubs in late-spring will help to reduce the moles’ food source.

There are many home remedies outlined in blogs on the Internet to control moles and voles, including moth balls, red pepper, human hair, cats, dogs, hawks, shovels, used kitty litter, chewing gum, hoses, and hose flooding of tunnels. I am not going to say one is better than the other, but if one doesn’t work, try something else!

Other methods include repellents which contain

castor oil. They usually are available in a granular form that you spread over the tunnel areas in an attempt to move them over to your neighbor’s yard. There are also gassing bombs, be very careful to follow the directions and keep children and pets away from the area. Different types of traps can be also effective. Decide if you want to trap the critters and move them to another area 10 miles down the road or use a trap that will be set to kill them. You may also be able to find vibration or noise devices to move them off of your property. Baits can be used that look like earthworms so moles are attracted to them, eat them and die. Be sure to use them properly

away from children access, because they look like “chewy gummies.”

We like earthworms in the yard, so moles reducing the earthworm population is certainly a negative and a reason to get rid of moles.

However, having some moles and voles in your yard is not all bad, there are some natural benefits.

Burrows and tunnels offer some aeration. Moles help to reduce grub populations so the lawn can survive better. Moles and voles will tend to move to new territories to find food sources and hopefully will not be around your yard for long.

If you are tired of trying to get rid of these varmints, get a copy of “Caddyshack” and have a laugh. At least you do not have gophers to get rid of (I hope!). Happy Holidays!

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

GardenerNews.com

December, 2015 17

Mercer County, NJ Farmer to Receive Award at 2016 State Agricultural Convention (HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J.) – Jessica Niederer, a Hopewell Township organic produce and flower farmer, has been chosen as New Jersey’s 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer by the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Niederer will be presented with her award at the February 2016 New Jersey State Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City.

“Jess Niederer is a hard-working, creative farmer who always is willing to help others interested in learning about farming,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. “She is carrying on her family’s proud agricultural tradition and setting the example for both those new to farming and those with farming backgrounds to help keep New Jersey agriculture alive into the future.”

Niederer grew up on her parents’ farm, where her father produced soybeans, wheat and straw, and her mother ran an eight-stall horse-boarding operation. She graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Natural Resources. During her time as a student, she traveled throughout the United States and Latin America for her studies. After graduation, she spent two years on a 60-acre organic vegetable farm, first as a greenhouse manager and later as assistant field manager. Finally, Jess came home to become the 13th generation of Niederer farmers.

“My parents never pointed me in the direction of farming; it was more common to hear them suggest becoming a lawyer or doctor,” said Niederer. “After graduating from Cornell, I realized my heart was in farming. I was 25 when I began my own agricultural operation, Chickadee Creek Farm.”

After coming back to Hopewell Township in 2010, Niederer leased five acres of land from the family farm for Chickadee Creek Farm, on which she started growing produce on two of the acres. Since then, she has increased production to 17 acres, sells through Community Supported Agriculture, attends five farmers markets and has become a certified organic grower.

As well as being a dedicated farmer, Niederer enjoys giving back to the community. In 2014 she was voted the “Local Hero” by Edible Jersey readers in the Farm/ Farmer category. To add to her community accomplishments, Niederer also is an active member of the Mercer County Board of Agriculture, teaches classes on organic farming through the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey and volunteers as an EMT during the slower months.

New Jersey annually recognizes the outstanding achievements of a young farmer who is an upstanding leader, respected agriculturalist and is active in community or faith organizations. The Department of Agriculture is accepting applications now through January 15, 2016, for the 2017 Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) Award.

Nominees must be farm operators, deriving a minimum of two-thirds of their income from farming and must be between the ages of 21-40, not becoming 41 prior to January 1, 2016. Candidates who have a financial interest in the farm operation (a sole proprietor, partner, or a corporation) will receive higher ranking in the OYF judging process.

However, nominees may also include salaried farm managers and employees who are actively involved in policy and management decisions. Submission of a financial statement is not required for the state competition.

A panel of five judges reviews each nominee’s application based on the following criteria: progress in their agricultural career (50 percent of the total score); soil and water conservation practices (25 percent of the total score); and contribution to his/her community, state and nation (25 percent of the total score).

Any individual or organization can nominate deserving young farmers’ names. Persons who have been nominated in the past or previous state winners who did not make it to the National competition can be re-nominated. However, these candidates must still meet the eligibility criteria.

Since the first award was presented, eight New Jersey farmers have been named National Outstanding Young Farmer: Abbott Lee (1985), James B. Giamarese (1989), Robert Von Thun, Jr. (2001), Jeffrey VanderGroef (2005), H. William Sytsema (2009), Richard Norz (2010), John Melick (2011) and Paul “Duce” Tallamy II (2012).

The OYF program is the oldest farmer recognition program in the United States, with the first group of national winners selected in 1955. The goals of the OYF program are to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of farmers’ challenges, as well as the appreciation of their contributions and achievements; to bring about a greater interest in farmers/ranchers; and to help build an urban awareness of the farmers’ importance and impact on America’s economy.

The OYF program encourages a greater interest in agriculture through the appreciation of the farmers’ contributions and achievements and recognizes local citizens’ contributions and encourages better urban-rural relations. The National OYF program is sponsored by Deere & Company, supported by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA), and is administered by the Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA) Fraternity.

For more information on the state’s Outstanding Young Farmer program, visit: www.nj.gov/agriculture/about/sba/cover.html or call Joe Atchison, OYF Program Manager, at (609) 984-2223 or email joe.atchison@ag.state.nj.us.

Learning What “Wood” a Termite Prefers

By Kim Kaplan USDA Public Affairs Specialist U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists recently tested 10 commercial lumber species to learn which woods a termite favors and spurns.

Termites cause nearly $40 billion in damage globally each year and destroy parts of more than 600,000 homes annually in the United States alone. How much wood a single colony destroys principally depends on the type of termite, the type and condition of wood, and what has been done to treat the wood.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research entomologists Mary L. Cornelius and Weste L. Osbrink knew the heartwood of some trees contains allelochemicals, which can act as repellents and toxicants to insects including termites. The question was whether boards of lumber contain enough of these chemicals to have a real impact against termites Cornelius is now with the Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, and Osbrink is with the Tick and Biting Fly Research Unit in Kerrville, Texas. This research was part of the ARS Formosan termite research project in New Orleans, which has now been completed.

The researchers fed Formosan termites a diet of commercial lumber from one of 10 species of wood: redwood, birch, spruce, southern yellow pine, red oak, Brazilian jatoba, Peruvian walnut, Honduran

mahogany, teak and Alaskan yellow cedar.

After six weeks, six woods—redwood, Brazilian jatoba, Peruvian walnut, Honduran mahogany, Alaska yellow cedar, and teak— showed some level of natural resistance and caused an average of better than 75 percent termite mortality. Termites found southern pine and spruce the most palatable and teak the least palatable.

Termites had significantly lower survival on a diet of teak compared to a group not fed at all, proving there is something in teak actively killing the termites.

The study also provided the first evidence that termites will eat, damage and survive to some extent on Peruvian walnut.

Average termite survival on Peruvian walnut was only 16.4 percent, but the amount of Peruvian walnut destroyed was similar to that of birch and red oak, both termitesusceptible woods. So Peruvian walnut caused high mortality but also a high rate of feeding damage, unlike the rest of the woods where low survivability went hand in hand with low consumption rates.

The ranking in this study could be a guideline when it comes to a choice of lumber in major termite-ridden areas, Cornelius explained. And if the specific compounds in the resistant woods are identified, these chemicals could eventually offer the possibility of a natural treatment for wood to protect against termites.

Editor’s Note: Kim Kaplan works for the USDA Agricultural Research Service. She can be reached at (301) 504-1637 or by emailing Kim.Kaplan@ars.usda.gov

18 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

National FFA honors New Jersey Residents Four New Jersey residents were honored at the National FFA Convention, held October 28-31 in Louisville, KY, for their support and commitment to FFA. Jason Helder, Salem County Technical School Principal; Paul Hlubik, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency New Jersey State Director; and John Neyhart, Monmouth County Career Center Agriculture teacher were presented with Honorary American FFA Degrees. The award is given to individuals who have provided exceptional service to agriculture, agricultural education, or FFA. Neyhart received the Honorary American FFA Degree – Teacher, which honors teachers who have created high-quality agricultural education programs which inspire and motivate their students to strive for success. In order to qualify, teachers must have at least 85 percent of their students in FFA in the last year and have been an agriculture teacher for at least 10 years. In addition, Sharice NJDA/Photo Richardson, Assistant Dean for Left to right: Nancy Trivette, NJ Department of Agriculture State FFA Advisor; Alyssa Ferraro (State FFA Parliamentarian); Academic Programs at Rutgers’ Morgan Rutar (State Secretary); Paul Hlubik, US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency NJ State Director; Jason Helder School of Environmental and (Principal, Salem County Technical School); John Neyhart (Agriculture Teacher, Monmouth County Career Center); Hope Cahill Biological Sciences, will receive her honorary degree at a later time.

(State President); Tyler Kohlhaas (State Sentinel); Hannah Mann (State Vice President); Myranda Bond (State Treasurer).

New Jersey Farmer Earn River-Friendly Farm Certification New Jersey’s 22nd River-Friendly Farm Certification has been awarded to Peter Leitner of Mount Salem Vineyards in Hunterdon County. This is the very first River-Friendly Certified Vineyard in the state of New Jersey.

The River-Friendly Farm Certification Program™, directed by North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), is a voluntary program designed to recognize farms that protect our shared natural resources through responsible land management. Producers seeking certification are evaluated on their management of soil loss, pests, nutrients, irrigation water, and conservation buffers along waterways.

Mount Salem Vineyards is a 20-acre farm located in Pittstown, N.J. Currently, seven varieties of grapes are grown and processed into wine onsite. The winery hosts weekly tastings and frequent events.

Leitner and his team take great consideration for conservation on the vineyard. A small stream runs through the property and is left heavily shaded by a wide forested buffer, virtually untouched by this farming operation. Impeccable records are kept in order to ensure their inputs do not exceed their crops’ needs and no irrigation is used on-farm. Instead of spraying or cutting all the weeds on the property, grass and vegetation is allowed to grow underneath the grape vines, preventing soil from eroding down the sloping field.

Representatives of North Jersey RC&D presented the River Friendly Certified Farm™ sign at the Clinton Apple ’n Pumpkin Harvest Festival on October 11.

Free technical assistance is provided through the River-Friendly Farm certification process for producers to implement best management practices that protect water quality and enhance efficiencies on-farm. Farms that become certified receive a plaque and a River-Friendly Certified Farm™ sign. Certified farms are recognized in local newspapers and events as excellent stewards of the land and protectors of our rivers and streams.

North Jersey RC&D is seeking more River-Friendly Farm applicants and is available to speak with any interested group or individual about the program. Farms do not need to have a river or stream on their property to be eligible. Please contact North Jersey RC&D at (908) 441-9191 ext. 3 or rffarm@ northjerseyrcd.org. Applications and further information can be found on the River-Friendly Farm website: www.njriverfriendlyfarm.org.

The North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council is a regional nonprofit organization serving Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties in New Jersey. Through partnerships with municipal, state and federal agencies, as well as many private entities, the North Jersey RC&D Council develops and manages programs and projects which promote the conservation and improvement of the region’s resources and protect the area’s quality of life. For more information, visit www.northjerseyrcd.org.

GardenerNews.com What if I were to tell you a way to make cauliflower utterly delicious? Even in the eyes of a child?

Well, I’m going to.

Going to make you a believer in the deliciousness of this “superfood,” often categorized and liked about as much as broccoli or cabbage.

Especially among the young.

Cauliflower, actually, has quite the resume as of late. High in cancer-fighting antioxidants, heart and brain boosting properties, a noted anti-inflammatory, loaded with vitamins and minerals including vitamins C, K, and B6, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium and, last but not least, manganese.

Wow! Yep, superfood title-worthy it seems. Lest we forget its digestive benefits (fiber-rich), as well as having detoxification properties.

Truth be told, often things that usually sound really healthy aren’t usually that tasty, so to speak. Whereas, something like a warm double chocolate brownie with salted caramel and fresh whipped cream And, for me, that means shoveling, snow blowing, warm clothes, studded snow tires and a substantial heating oil bill.

But this article is not about me. My friend in Phippsburg is building a barn. I asked him one day, is the barn going to be heated? He said no, that would only increase the animals’ ability to catch pneumonia and die.

Hmmm, I said to myself, so I spoke to my Fish & Game Warden neighbor and researched the topic. I know I would not want to stay in a barn all winter without heat, so why would a goat?

I read this great article, “Eating for Heating,” where Meghan Leonard does a wonderful job of explaining how roughage is fermented in the rumen, creating heat for the goat from the inside out.

So, long-stem fibrous material, i.e. hay, silage, fodder, etc., is essential to keeping a goat warm in the winter. Goats can actually freeze to death if fed a diet of all grain and no hay because their rumen has no roughage to break down. OK, what the heck is a rumen? I asked

December, 2015 19 From the Deep

By Craig Korb Executive Chef

Calling all cauliflower sounds amazing, yet is really not so good for us. Maybe occasionally. Anyhow, you get the point. So, we are going to transfer this somewhat bland cruciferous veggie into something quite tasty.

Although produced by some farmers in the great Garden State, we contribute little to the nation’s production of cauliflower overall. California produces about 90 percent, in addition to Arizona, New York, Washington and Texas.

Cauliflower is in the same family as cabbage, broccoli, kale, bok choy and Brussels sprouts. Cauliflower is an annual and dates back as far as the 6th Century B.C. There are four major groups, including Italian, Northern European (most common to us), Northwestern European

and Asian. Colors include white, orange, purple and green.

Enough about all the cauliflower facts, and now for the cooking part. This recipe is interchangeable, it can be a sauce, side dish or easily turned into a soup, voila! The recipe is a basic cauliflower puree made with about four ingredients, yes four. Cauliflower, milk, salt and white pepper is all it takes. And maybe a good blender or food processor, too. Change this into a soup by simply adding chicken broth or more milk. Slice a few scallions or chives for a garnish and you’ll have a silky smooth soup sure to impress the haters. Hope you enjoy this warm, healthy soup and have a safe and happy holiday season! Looking

forward to next year!

Cauliflower puree.

Serves 4-6 -1 head cauliflower, core and leaves removed, cut into similar medium-sized pieces -enough whole milk to cover cauliflower in a medium pot -salt and WHITE pepper to taste -dash or two of Tabasco *OPTIONAL* method-bring cauliflower and milk to a slow simmer until cauliflower is very soft but not falling apart -strain, RESERVING MILK. -in a blender (preferably) or food processor, puree in small amounts with enough of the milk from cooking until very smooth and almost fluffy

The Miscellaneous Gardener

By Richard W. Perkins Freelance Writer

Cold Months Are Coming myself. Sheep, cattle, goats, deer, giraffes and llamas are ruminant animals. This means that they have a fourchambered stomach: the reticulum, rumen, omasum and abomasum. The rumen serves as a large fermentation vat in which bacteria and other microorganisms reside that break down their feed.

This process produces a number of by-products which can be used by the animal, such as volatile fatty acids, which are absorbed and used as energy substrates. Wow, now that is interesting! Insulation is important. Everyone who lives where it gets cold in the winter understands the value of insulation. And, the barn will be insulated as well. Insulation for the barn is a large investment, but it

will pay you back when your animals are warm and comfy.

Ventilation – Warm air rises and cold air sinks.

This layer of cold air on the barn floor can accumulate toxic gases like ammonia from animal waste. Proper ventilation helps to move the cold, smelly air out and push the warm air from the barn ceiling down to the animals’ level. Ventilation is good, drafts are bad and yes, that system has been engineered into the barn.

Support good fur growth – Most breeds of goats have a two layer fur system with long guard hairs on top and fluffy cashmere underneath. The cashmere works as insulation and the guard hairs help to keep water and dirt off of the goat’s skin and undercoat.

Certain mineral deficiencies

can lead to poor fur growth.

You can support your goat’s fur growth by supplementing them with the minerals they need. Don’t coat your goats.

Using coats over long periods of time can hinder good fur growth and make them colder in the long run. Also, their fur can get rubbed off by the coat and the goat will come to rely on a covering in order to maintain body temperature.

Hydration – The easiest way to do this is to have types of water-heating devices in the barn. Don’t forget to keep your water troughs clean in the winter. It will keep your goats healthier and happier.

Exercise – Even with snow on the pastures, your goats will enjoy being able to get outside for a few hours every day. Exercise helps to create heat, alleviates

-after all the cauliflower is pureed, adjust seasonings and consistency with the salt and white pepper and the remaining milk -serve as a side dish or use as a sauce by gently spreading on a plate and presenting your Protein (such as chicken or fish) on top of the puree.

Enjoy!!!

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

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from the

Gardener News boredom, and provides social enrichment when they can play together. Providing plenty of toys and climbing blocks will encourage your goats to exercise and play while spending their time outside. Having multiple feeding stations in the pasture will also encourage your goats to move around. Inside, keep them off the ground – an easy-to-clean resting platform is ideal because it keeps the goat off of the soiled bedding, which will limit parasite populations.

Platforms should be four to eight inches off the ground in order to create a dead air space underneath to insulate the goat from the cold ground.

Fresh, deep bedding on the platform will also help keep a goat warm. Lying directly on a dirt or concrete floor will pull heat from the goat’s body.

I don’t know about you, but I now feel better about the goats, who are awfully cute.

Thanks for reading and see ya next month.

Editors Note: Check out Richard’s photography at; rwperkinsphotography.com

20 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

NJLCA Awards Scholarships at Rutgers University (/0:22' 3$5. 1 - Ę&#x160; ([HFXWLYH 'LUHFWRU -RG\ 6KLODQ and Director of Operations Gail Woolcott of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) awarded three scholarships on Thursday, November 5, at the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Studies. Recipients of the three $500 scholarships are: Patrick Burgess, Hui â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ericâ&#x20AC;? Chen and James Hempfling, all students of the Center for Turfgrass Science.

The Center for Turfgrass Science Scholarship Dinner was held in Nielson Hall on the New Brunswick Campus, and provided a venue for all scholarship recipients to meet their donors and enjoy a dinner and awards ceremony to celebrate their educational achievements.

Additional scholarships were previously awarded to students of other higher learning institutions who are related to NJLCA members.

These five $500 scholarships were awarded to Anthony Agudelo, Jr., Landmark College; Amanda Carpenter, Saint Michaels College; Connor DiTomaso, Marist College; Zachary Jomides, University of Tampa; and Sydney Shilan, Tulane University. The final scholarship was awarded to Stacy-Ann Webb, a student from County College of Morrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Horticulture Program.

The scholarship program is funded by the NJLCA, along with a portion of the proceeds of the NJLCA/IANJ Annual Golf Challenge each year. The scholarship fund was established by the NJLCA to: 1) aid outstanding students who would not otherwise have an opportunity to continue a professional degree program due to unmet financial need; 2) increase the interest and participation of economically disadvantaged and under-represented populations in the study of landscape programs; and 3) enrich the profession of landscape through a more diverse population.

Consideration for a scholarship is given to any active member of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, as well as their immediate relatives, who are enrolled as full-time students at a college or institution of higher learning (five - $500 scholarships); any student enrolled at Bergen Community College, Paramus, N.J., in a course of study related to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Green Industryâ&#x20AC;? (one - $500 scholarship); any student enrolled at County College of Morris in a course of study related to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Green Industryâ&#x20AC;? (one - $500 scholarship); or students enrolled at Rutgers University in a course of study related to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Green Industryâ&#x20AC;? (three - $500 scholarships).

Unique Plants

By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist

Peju: Fine wine and unforgettable gardens There are moments in life, as they come along, that you know you will hold close to you for the rest of your days.

Our annual trip to Napa and Sonoma counties with dear friends is a trip focused as much around great food and wine as it is purposely designed to feed another part of our soulsâ&#x20AC;Śgreat gardens. This October, we traveled again to the West Coast and had one of those unforgettable experiences.

Peju Province Winery is located on St. Helena Highway in the famed Rutherford Appellation.

A true Napa Valley experience, Peju offers fine wine and an unforgettable garden component. In the initial approach into Peju, you cannot help but notice the prodigious, fastigiate Sycamore trees lining the length of the driveway. Standing nearly 40 feet tall, these trees made me feel as though I were in Alice in Wonderland. Sycamore trees are known for their towering heights, with equal spreads punctuated by gorgeous flaking bark. The mottled bark of an imposing Sycamore is enough to captivate the attention of even the novice gardener.

During our wine tasting at Peju, I struggled to concentrate on the wine, as there were constant reminders of those Sycamores everywhere. Photographs and artistic renditions were on the walls and I had to ask: Who was responsible for such bold and creative design? A chance encounter later had me face-to-face with â&#x20AC;&#x153;the gardener,â&#x20AC;? as I was introduced to him.

Our dear friend, Brenda Levron traveling with us, has a unique ability to talk with nearly anyone; anywhere, and her infectious personality can disarm and break down any wall quickly. In short, her warm, genuine and sincere personality transcends all barriers. This was the case as we met â&#x20AC;&#x153;the gardener,â&#x20AC;? Tony. Tonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poise immediately struck me and I quickly learned of his generosity. We talked plant material for a few moments and I asked if he would oblige a quick picture with him in front of his prized Sycamores.

As the trees are an effort more than three decades in the making, he was eager to accommodate the request. Together we walked up Pejuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long driveway to where he thought we would have the perfect opportunity.

As we walked up the driveway, I asked if he had other responsibilities at Peju besides being â&#x20AC;&#x153;the gardener.â&#x20AC;? I later found that Tony was in fact Tony Peju, the patriarch of Peju Province Winery.

He told me that horticulture was his initial passion and he combined that love with his love for wine over time. Tony has his roots on the Caspian Sea; he traveled around France, England and eventually landed in Los Angeles. In 1982, Tony and his wife, Herta, purchased 30 acres of land in the Napa Valley, and so Peju Winery was born. Anyone who knows anything about wine knows that Pejuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s astute judgment to purchase property there proved wise beyond his years. Routinely, some of the finest wines in the world come from this â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fertile Crescentâ&#x20AC;? and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rutherford Dustâ&#x20AC;? is legendary.

Standing at the foot of his driveway, marveling at his meticulous work is an image I will hold with me for the rest of my life. Beautiful windswept Sycamores, enhanced by the prevailing winds at the southern edge of the property, are a sexy sight for a plant guy like me. These towering totem poles arch over the driveway and with enough time, who knows, they may even reach the other side and form a tunnel?

Pruning these Sycamore trees has been taken to an extreme. And it is this extreme that had all visiting guests, the day we were there, commenting on their beauty and uniqueness. Appearing as giant walking sticks, for the likes of the Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk, these slender and gnarled stilts are engrained in my mind forever.

Our time at Peju was memorable on so many levels. Jeanne Friskel, CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine), our wine educator at Peju, led us through our PrivĂŠ tasting and in so doing helped us appreciate what we were imbibing. Jeanne found the words to describe the libations we were afforded and that made the experience even more brilliant.

Additionally, Tony Peju himself just put the experience over the top! A gentleman who graciously and earnestly gave his time to share his initial discipline, horticulture, and in so doing gave this writer a deeper appreciation for not only his fine garden design, but also his other body of work, fine wines.

Oh, by the way, Tonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts continue to hold our attention as our shipment of his Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc Reserve had just arrived.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: Bob LaHoff is co-owner of Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

GardenerNews.com

December, 2015 21

This Winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest & Most Comprehensive Green Industry Show in the Tri-State Region February 24-25, 2016 NJ Convention Center Edison, NJ

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For more info contact: Jim Yarish 203.900.5594 | jim.yarish@townsquaremedia.com

New Agricultural Leadership Class

Tom Castronovo/Photo

75(1721 1 - Ę&#x160; 1HZ -HUVH\ 6HFUHWDU\ RI $JULFXOWXUH 'RXJODV + )LVKHU KHOSHG NLFN RII WKH WHQWK 1HZ -HUVH\ $JULFXOWXUDO /HDGHUVKLS 'HYHORSPHQW 3URJUDP class when he spoke at the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seminar on Monday, November 16 at the Westin Forrestal Hotel in Princeton.

The program is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has had more than 190 graduates since its inception. Participants are provided with educational programming geared toward individuals involved in farming and agribusiness to help them become informed, articulate leaders. A focus is placed on the following skills: writing, public speaking, marketing, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and negotiation, business management, and decision making.

During the two-year cycle, class members establish an extensive agricultural network throughout the state and gain a better understanding of the New Jersey agricultural infrastructure, state and federal government, agricultural economics and the effects of globalization on agriculture and the U.S. economy.

The New Jersey Agricultural Leadership Development Program is operated by the New Jersey Agricultural Society. The program will consist of 10 seminars, a domestic agriculture study tour, Washington DC legislative tour and networking and outreach events with New Jerseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agricultural industry. The programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director is Jennifer Matthews, a first-generation farmer and former coordinator of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Gardener program. Morris County farmer Kurt Alstede is the agriculture liaison.

22 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

Farmers gather New Jersey Farm Bureau’s 97th annual convention took place on November 16-17 at the Westin Forrestal Hotel in Princeton, Mercer County. During the twoday event, New Jersey Farm Bureau President Ryck Suydam, left, took time to visit with member Brick Wenzel, center, from Ocean County, and Raj Sinha, a member from Sussex County.

The mission of the New Jersey Farm Bureau is to represent the agricultural producers and enterprises of New Jersey at all levels of government – local, county, state, federal and international.

This representation includes the influence on regulations and laws, the creation of positive public relations, and the seeking out of initiatives, activities and ventures to help the profitability of the producer members.

Tom Castronovo/Photo

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Garden Center to Donate 5,000 Trees and Decorations to New Jersey Kids and Families (BASKING RIDGE, N.J.) — Back to Nature Home and Garden is giving new meaning to the traditional Holiday Giving Tree. In the garden center’s spirit of giving, the tree itself is the gift—both to children and the environment—and Back to Nature is inviting children and their families to participate this holiday season.

During its Holiday Tree Giveaway event, November 27 - December 24, Back to Nature is donating 5,000 free evergreens to local communities in central New Jersey and inviting children to experience the joy of decorating them in their Santa’s Workshop located at their 3055 Valley Road garden center in Basking Ridge.

In exchange, Back to Nature is asking them to commit to planting the live Spruces in their yards next spring as a lesson in sustainability and the importance of giving back to the Earth.

“This is the perfect season to give back to our local communities while educating children on the importance of giving back to the environment,” said Anthony Sblendorio, owner of Back to Nature, a garden center and ecologically-minded landscape design/build firm. “Our area tree population is still recovering from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, and with the new threat of the Emerald Ash Borer, we need to continue to support our environment.”

The Emerald Ash Borer has killed more than 25 million trees in the United States. The destructive pest was first found in New Jersey in Somerset County in 2014 and has since spread to six counties.

The stakes are higher for the second annual Holiday Tree Giveaway, as Back to Nature has introduced a challenge to local municipalities: the town whose residents claim and pledge to plant the most trees will win another 100 shade trees for a public restoration or beautification project.

“The challenge is a fun way to involve the towns and their residents,” said Sblendorio. “Everyone is very excited about it and some of the towns have already identified projects that would benefit from the free trees.”

“Living trees are gifts that keep on giving,” continued Sblendorio. “Kids love the whole experience of decorating holiday trees and they will have so much fun planting them in the spring.”

Everyone is invited to participate in the Holiday Tree Giveaway by stopping by Back to Nature during their regular business hours. The Home and Garden Center is transformed for the Holiday Season into a festive Santa’s workshop and winter wonderland holiday shopping boutique. Visitors are invited to enjoy s’mores, refreshments and browse for environmentally-friendly, artisan-crafted housewares, gifts and more.

For more information about Back to Nature and the Holiday Tree Giveaway, call 908-350-7506 or visit: www.backtonature.net .

GardenerNews.com USDA to Collect Final 2015 Crop Production and Crop Stocks Data As the 2015 growing season comes to an end, producers nationwide will be contacted to gather final year-end crop production numbers and the amount of grain and oilseed they store on their farms. At the same time, survey grain facility operators will be surveyed to determine year-end off-farm grain and oilseed stocks.

These surveys are the largest and most important year-end surveys we conduct. They are the basis for the official USDA estimates of production and harvested acres of all major agricultural commodities in the United States and year-end grain and oilseed supplies. Data from the survey will benefit farmers and processors by providing timely and accurate information to help them make crucial year-end business decisions and begin planning for the next growing and marketing season.

The information will be compiled, analyzed and then published in a series of reports, including the Crop Production Annual Summary and quarterly Grain Stocks report to be released January 12.

Responses to the survey will be included in the County Agricultural Production Survey and used in calculating county yields. USDA uses county yield information from the survey to evaluate and administer vital farm disaster mitigation programs such as Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC). Farmers who receive this survey are not included in the County Agricultural Production Survey; therefore this is their only opportunity to be included in the calculation of Northeastern Region county yields.

December, 2015 23

One Down, One to Go!

By Jeannie Geremia Garden Club of New Jersey Whew! One flower show down and one to go, and I’m still standing.

What a great team effort it takes to stage a flower show!

I can’t think of a better way to have garden club members and the public come together in a labor of love that touches so many areas of gardening, art and design.

The overall goal of a flower show is to educate fellow garden club members and the public in the many facets that gardening offers, including being environmentally aware.

We want to actively engage our citizens in doing their part to ensure a healthy bioecology of flora and fauna to be handed down to future generations.

In November’s issue of Gardener News, I wrote about my Neshanic Garden Club’s flower show, “Ghosts of the Sourlands,” as having just happened by the time you were reading the article. Of course, it hadn’t happened yet when I wrote the article laying out some of the knowns regarding the show. Well, now that it’s over, I can illustrate just how it all went down.

There’s no doubt about it being a big undertaking with a lot of planning and preparation.

Neshanic Garden Club started out 13 months beforehand by having a “Flower Arranging Enrichment Segment” at the beginning of each of our monthly meetings. At each meeting, one of our garden club members taught the others about a design element and principle. The reason we focused on design was the fact that a flower show is composed of two mandatory Divisions –“Horticulture” and “Design.”

We adhere to our parent, National Garden Clubs, Inc.’s, Handbook for Flower Shows, which provides us with all the information we

need to stage a flower show.

We also can include a third Division, “Special Exhibits,” which includes Educational, Invitational, Artistic Crafts, Photography and Youth (a mini-version of all three Divisions) if so desired.

We in the Neshanic Garden Club consider ourselves to be a “dirt garden club,” so we really don’t need as much instruction on gardening as we do in putting flower designs together in an artistic fashion.

The result of all this preparation, which was a continual source of enrichment, not to say amazement over the design “chops” of our own members, led to an outstanding flower show. We also had two workshops prior to the show, making entries for our Neshanic Garden Club dish garden challenge, which were displayed in our Horticulture Division, and the succulent topped pumpkins which were displayed in our Special Exhibits, Artistic Crafts Section. There were many succulent topped pumpkins on Thanksgiving Day tables, for sure. The great thing we found out about the succulents, are that you can pop them right off a “rotted” pumpkin and put them on a fresh pumpkin or plant them in a container and they’re “good to go.”

Sure, we had tired bodies as it is such a team effort when it comes to the actual staging of the show. It requires a lot of physical work, with everyone doing their part. But it is so rewarding to see it all come together and the friendships and good will it generates are incalculable Our 15 judges (five judging panels) were so excited to be a part of this show with two of our student judges winning their much-needed blue ribbons and Joan Lippi nailing the Holiday Excellence Award.

I have to say that the two gigantic pumpkins we had displayed, surrounded by harvest-themed components

were a home run. We had a separate panel of professional photographers judging the Photography section and they were so enthusiastic about the show that all three retrieved their cameras from their cars to take photos of the entire flower show.

Now that they had a taste of judging a garden club show, they’re eager to return as judges in our upcoming Garden Club of New Jersey’s Standard Flower Show, entitled “Celebrate—A Party for the Senses,” as part of the New Jersey Flower and Garden Show sponsored by Townsquare Expos at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, N.J., February 11-14, 2016.

This is of course, the “one to go,” and we’re pulling out all stops to make this show the best ever! Take a look at the flower show schedule at our website: www. gardenclubofnewjersey.com, and take part as an exhibitor (the public is welcome to participate) as we’re happy to report that the Parker at Stonegate Assisted Living Home residents will take part again in an Invitational.

P.S. My hanging pumpkin won the top NGC award, the Award of Horticultural Excellence.

Still can’t believe it.

Editor’s Note: Jeannie Geremia is the Community Gardens Chair, the Butterflies & BeeGAP Chair and the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Chair for the Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc., and is a National Garden Clubs, Inc., Accredited Flower Show Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie is the GCNJ 2016 Flower Show Chair and can be reached by emailing: jeannieg42@earthlink. net Garden Club of New Jersey website is: www. gardenclubofnewjersey.com and phone number is: 732-249-0947.

24 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

GardenerNews.com

December, 2015 25

New Interactive Website Offers Practical Advice on Designing of Jersey-Friendly Yards The website, www.jerseyyards.org, provides tips on how to beautify your yard using native and non-native vegetation that requires less fertilizing and watering, as well as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Interactive Yardâ&#x20AC;? tool that helps users landscape their properties in an environmentally friendly way that will not only reduce stormwater runoff, but will provide tips on how to capture and re-use rainwater in a beneficial manner.

The website also provides information about the water quality degradations caused by stormwater runoff and fertilizers.

Program Demonstrates the Power of Horticultural Therapy 75(1721 1 - Ę&#x160; 1HZ -HUVH\ 6HFUHWDU\ RI $JULFXOWXUH 'RXJODV + )LVKHU RQ 1RYHPEHU MRLQHG 'HSDUWPHQW RI +XPDQ 6HUYLFHV $FWLQJ Commissioner Elizabeth Connolly for a tour of the horticulture program at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital in Trenton.

Between eight and 26 patients participate in the horticultural vocational program, The New Leaf Gardeners, on a daily basis. Secretary Fisher and Acting Commissioner Connolly visited a plant design class, toured the greenhouses and potting shed and viewed retail items available for purchase, including houseplants, seasonal floral arrangements and birdhouses. In addition, they toured the hospital grounds to view areas that have benefitted from landscape design, installation and hardscaping projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Growing and working in a garden provides many benefits to people, such as physical activity, concentration and a sense of accomplishment,â&#x20AC;? said Secretary Fisher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a result of this program, there could be employment options for the participants in the nursery and greenhouse field.â&#x20AC;?

New Leaf Gardener workers receive three hours of education and three hours of paid work each week. They assist with greenhouse operations and production, which might include preparing soils, watering plants, repotting plants, weeding and cultivating plants, maintaining the greenhouses and managing various outside gardens on the hospital grounds. There is a floral design class and special projects that include interior plantscaping, hardscaping, landscape design and installation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The TPH horticulture program educates students and teaches practical skills used in the landscape and horticulture industry,â&#x20AC;? said Acting Commissioner Connolly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The main goal is to prepare students with job readiness skills and competencies to obtain entry level employment in the green industry. The program encourages students to develop teamwork and critical thinking skills that are applicable to the horticulture industry and life.â&#x20AC;?

New Leaf Gardener vocational students propagate plants from seed and cuttings and plant them in flower beds, containers and pots. These plants, floral arrangements, fresh produce and retail items are sold at the hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main greenhouse on Sullivan Way in Trenton. Seasonal floral arrangements can be purchased during the holidays or requests can be made by calling the greenhouse at (609) 633-1898 or emailing craig.dupee@dhs.state.nj.us According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, horticulture assists participants in learning new skills or regaining those that are lost.

It can improve memory, cognitive abilities, task initiation, language skills and socialization. People in the program can learn to work independently, problem-solve and follow directions.

Trenton Psychiatric Hospital is a 400-bed psychiatric hospital serving a designated New Jersey population. The facility is a Joint Commissionaccredited healthcare facility, one of four psychiatric hospitals governed by the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

26 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

IGC Show Moves to Valley Forge Casino Resort 3+,/$'(/3+,$ 3$ Ę&#x160; ,*& 6KRZ RUJDQL]HUV MXVW DQQRXQFHG (,*& 7KH (DVWHUQ Show for IGCs event will be held at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, located just outside Philadelphia in King of Prussia, PA. Valley Forge Casino Resort combines the amenities of a top-notch gaming resort with exhibit space, plus ballrooms and classrooms for EIGCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three keynotes and 30 hours of educational sessions.

EIGC maintains its previously announced scheduling of August 2-4, 2016, as well as its fresh niche focus on the special interests of Eastern IGC retailers - the only change is the venue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had an amazing opportunity to move from a run-of-the-mill expo center to the Valley Forge Casino Resort, and we jumped on it,â&#x20AC;? says IGC Show Coâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;founder Jeff Morey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect to win big with a full house of attendees and exhibitors, who will enjoy everything EIGC offers in one central hot spot - order-writing at the trade show, regionally relevant retail education conference sessions and an all-star concert Tuesday evening.â&#x20AC;?

In addition to offering slots and table games for gaming enthusiasts, the Valley Forge Casino Resort offers seven diverse on-site dining options, including celebrity chef Luke Palladinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LP Steak, a newly renovated spa and fitness center, easy access from all major roads and free valet parking daily - all in an area that draws visitors with a range of options in evening dining and entertainment.

Master Nursery Garden Centers will hold its Eastern Regional Member Meeting at EIGC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Eastern Show for IGCs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were extremely happy at IGC East this past summer. We had the highest turnout in years - way up from the other venues of past years,â&#x20AC;? says Jeff Lafferty, Master Nurseryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CEO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our booth was jammed, and we wrote a lot of orders from members. Now, we are excited about next summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EIGC show at Valley Forge Casino Resort.â&#x20AC;?

IGC Chicago vendors who exhibit at EIGC will enjoy a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lucky 13% Discountâ&#x20AC;? on their EIGC booth space, in honor of the IGC Showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10-year anniversary this year in Chicago and 3 years in the East. IGC Chicago brings its time-tested â&#x20AC;&#x153;100% Independentâ&#x20AC;? formula for retail success back to Chicagoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Navy Pier for next summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very special 10th Anniversary Celebration, August 16-18, 2016.

Watch for more details about the special offerings and excitement at both IGC Shows next summer, coming soon. For more information, visit www.IGCshow.com

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

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

HELP WANTED

The Premier Gardening Monthly Newspaper Number 152 Published Monthly Contact Information Phone: 908.604.4444 Website: www.GardenerNews.com E-Mail: Mail@GardenerNews.com Staff Executive Editor/ Publisher . . . .

Art Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tom Castronovo Justin Kukuc Tom Castronovo

December Columnists Tom Castronovo Tim Hionis Douglas H. Fisher Larry Katz Craig Korb

Todd Pretz Jody Shilan Bob LaHoff Peter Melick Richard Perkins

Contributing Writers Bruce Crawford Hubert Ling Dennis Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Kim Kaplan

Jeannie Geremia Dr. Serpil Guran William A. Kolbe B.C.E.

Gardener News is published monthly by

Gardener News, Inc. 16 Mount Bethel Road #123 Warren, NJ 07059 The Gardener News invites correspondences on gardening subjects of interest. Gardener News, Inc, and its Publisher reserve the right to accept, refuse, or discontinue any editorial or copy, and shall not be liable to anyone for printing errors, misinformation or omissions in editorial or copy. The information contained in articles herein represents the opinions of the authors and, although believed to be accurate and complete, is not represented or warranted by Gardener News, Inc. to be accurate or complete.

All advertising is subject to the Gardener News advertisement rates, and must be PAID IN FULL at time of submission. Publisher reserves the right at its absolute discretion, and at any time, to cancel any advertising order or reject any advertising copy whether or not the same has already been acknowledged and/or previously published. In the event of errors or omissions of any advertisement(s), the newspapers liability shall not exceed a refund of amounts paid for the advertisement.

NOTE: All editorial, advertising layouts and designs and portions of the same that are produced and published by Gardener News, Inc., are the sole property of Gardener News, Inc. and may not be reproduced in any form unless written authorization is obtained from the publisher. POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: Gardener News, 16 Mount Bethel Rd - #123, Warren, NJ 07059. (c) 2015 Gardener News, Inc.

Kube-Pak is one of the largest wholesale greenhouse growers in the Northeast, producing both plugs & rooted cuttings for the greenhouse trade and finished plants for garden center and landscaper customers. We are seeking a sales representative to lead our plug and rooted cutting sales program. Responsibilities include: Service existing accounts, obtain orders, and establish new accounts; serve as primary point of contact for broker representatives for Kube-Pakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plug and rooted cutting program, facilitating sales through the broker network; advise customers on crop planning and scheduling; represent Kube-Pak at key industry trade shows; travel required for make customer visits during booking season (primarily in the Northeast region); and support Kube-Pakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finished product sales programs.

Our sales representative will be expected to learn and understand Kube-Pakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing practices to be able to answer customer questions. Must be willing to work Saturdays and extended hours during seasonal rush. Good driving record/valid driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license is required. Job location is in Allentown, NJ. Extensive plant knowledge and a personality for selling is required.

To apply please send a resume and cover letter to Rob Swanekamp at rswanekamp@kubepak.com.

TO RESERVE AD SPACE IN GARDENER NEWS CALL: 908.604.4444 STANLEY OSUR

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TIP OF THE MONTH

There is no telling for sure how much snow and ice this winter will bring, and it will certainly vary from region to region. By preparing ahead of time and obtaining de-icing products, you will be ready for whatever winter throws at us this year. Before purchasing de-icing material, you need to consider how much room you have to store it. De-icing material is often hydroscopic, meaning it absorbs water. That being the case, it needs to be stored in a dry place. The amount of available dry space you have may determine how much you should buy. Better to be safe than sorry!

GardenerNews.com

December, 2015 27

28 December, 2015

GardenerNews.com

inspiration strikes

Spiced Apple Cranberry Pie Find your inspiration with the season’s best recipes at kingsfoodmarkets.com/holiday

Sweet surprises. Family traditions. Joyful gatherings. We love to celebrate the holidays with handmade desserts and all of our favorite dishes. This year, stop by Kings to get inspired and make those meals the best ones yet. You’ll discover rare and unique ingredients that will put a new twist on a classic family feast, and get a helping hand with the amazing selection of chef-inspired dishes crafted by our catering team.

For a delicious and inspiring holiday, count on Kings.

Follow us for fresh updates #kingsfoodmarkets

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