TAKE ONE July 2022
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No. 231
New Rutgers D’Light Strawberry
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station/Photo
The Christmas bulb shape makes the Rutgers D’Light a perfect dipping strawberry. It’s been over 15 years in the making, but the team that launched the Rutgers Scarlet strawberry in 2015, has just released their second strawberry cultivar, Rutgers D’Light. Derived from plant biology professor emeritus Gojko Jelenkovic’s 30 years of testing hundreds of varieties to develop a better tasting strawberry, the Rutgers D’Light is coming to market after many years of field trials conducted by agriculture and natural resource agents Pete Nitzsche and Bill Hlubik on New Jersey research
and commercial farms, and in collaboration with other universities. This new strawberry variety developed at Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) is now available to gardeners and farmers. Rutgers D’Light strawberry was selected for its flavorful, sweet fruit and has a unique holiday lightbulb shape. Noting the favorable responses during the field trials, Nitzsche commented, “Our farm workers and volunteers always wanted to take
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station/Photo
Professor Jelenkovic cross-breeding in Rutgers’ NJAES research greenhouse. the Rutgers D’Light strawberry fruit home instead of the other varieties we were comparing it to.” “Rutgers D’Light has a unique balance of sugars, acids and aromatic compounds that will awaken the senses of true strawberry lovers,” added Hlubik. “Its characteristic large Christmas light shape is similar to some of the European strawberry varieties and makes it an ideal strawberry for dipping in chocolate. After many years of testing varieties, I believe our Rutgers D’light and
Rutgers Scarlet are the two best tasting strawberries on the market.” Rutgers D’Light produces abundant runners in the field, making it ideal for gardeners wanting to expand their strawberry garden. “The plant’s characteristic upright architecture allows for adequate air flow and ample sunlight penetration producing delicious deep red berries,” noted Hlubik. Rutgers D’Light is a plant patented variety licensed to Indiana (Cont. on Page 7) Berry & Plant Co.
2 July 2022
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July 2022 3 Around The Garden By Tom Castronovo Gardener News
Attention Outdoor Living Contractors and Weekend Warriors – Part II
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In my June 2022 column I wrote about the importance of covering your load when transporting stones, mulch and landscape debris. This month I’m writing about the importance of protecting your load when transporting shrubs and trees, and proper handling and shipping of them. Shrubs and trees are in a period of high risk from the time they leave the protected environment of a garden center or nursery to when they are outplanted. During handling, shipping and delivery from the garden center and nursery to your property, great care is taken to protect shrubs and trees from being exposed to many damaging stresses, including extreme temperatures, desiccation, and mechanical injuries. As a true plant person, I know that shrubs and trees are alive and perishable and should be treated with utmost care at all times. Unfortunately, most people who handle shrubs and trees on their own after they leave the garden center or nursery often don’t appreciate this fact. I can’t tell you how many times I have witnessed shrubs being wind-whipped and trees being defoliated by the extreme wind in the back of a pickup truck or on an open trailer. Stressful injuries are often not evident until several weeks or even years after planting. Symptoms include browning, chlorosis, and decreased growth. These are commonly known as transplant shock. It can be extremely difficult to pinpoint the exact stress that leads to these symptoms.
As for the leaves on the tops of shrubs and trees, they should not be exposed to wind as you drive home. If you put a tree in the back of your pickup truck or an open trailer, be sure to protect the leaves with a mesh tarp or a lite fabric. Wrap it like a hair net. Wind will shred the leaves and/or dry them out. Even if you drive carefully and slowly with your flashers on, wrap it. This is also true with all evergreen shrubs susceptible to drying winds Smaller plant material can be cooked in a car or an SUV, even with the air conditioner running. Sunshine through the vehicle window can act like a magnifying glass. Provide shade from direct sun with a cover. Car trunks are not the solution either. Let’s talk about root balls. Root balls are fragile and should be handled carefully. Those in hard plastic containers are most resistant to abusive handling; those in soft, fabric containers and balled-in-burlap are most sensitive. Shrubs and trees should be secured during transport. Rolling or other movement can crack the root ball and break roots. Purchasing shrubs and trees that have been handled properly during production, transport and storage; protecting the environment into which they will be placed; and providing necessary protection after installation will give them the best chance of thriving. And for heaven’s sake, please remember to always lift shrubs and trees by the container or the root ball, not the trunk or stem.
Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News. Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening, landscaping and nursery communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.
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July 2022 Columnists Brian Schilling Peter Melick Diana Dove Bob LaHoff
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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) 2022 Gardener News, Inc.
4 July 2022 Toiling in the garden as we head into July, it’s starting to look like all the planning and plodding and sweating were worth the effort as things now start to pop. Flowers are standing tall in the summer sun. Fruits and vegetables burst on the scene. And while there have been, most likely, some disappointments, we should take a moment and dwell on what went right. For many people, being a gardener was not something they thought they would be doing in their daily lives before COVID hit our shores. Remember just a little while ago, when we were sequestered in our homes, venturing out only when it was absolutely necessary to get supplies to bring back to the security of home? Masked up to enter stores, hand sanitizer at the ready? We all hope we will not have to revert to that status in any of our, or our children’s, lives ever again. But we’ve also become aware of how little control we have over that. We’ve been shown that these “disasters” or “health emergencies” happen on their own schedule, with little regard to how they impact our lives. Like everything in life, there A few months ago, I wrote a column about the extreme bottleneck that was occurring in the beef packing industry. To refresh, basically what was happening, and still is for that matter, is that there are four major beef packers that dominate the United States beef packing industry. With this type of domination in the marketplace, both beef producers and consumers alike feel that they are not getting a fair shake and that there should be more competition. This fact was made that much more relevant when one company’s computer system went down for a couple of days. This temporary outage caused shortages for consumers while beef producers were left with no place to get their cattle processed. Recently, I was reading about a group of beef producers in the Western part of the United States who, unhappy with the current state of affairs in the beef industry, were trying to band together and form their own beef packing company. This company, if it were successful, would provide these producers a competitive alternative to the other four giants who are currently dominating the industry. They would all be owners of the company, so theoretically, they
GardenerNews.com NJ Dept. of Agriculture By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture
The New Joys of Gardening
is always a lesson or skill to be learned that transforms us on just about anything, if we let it percolate in our mind and seep into our soul. Talents you may not have ever thought you had, or never knew would spark your intellectual and spiritual curiosity, suddenly become something you’re newly proud of and invested in fully. It may not be so obvious to you, and it might take some doing to really dig in and discover for yourself, what transformations could be occurring without the realization that something may be profoundly different now. Different about the world. Different about you and your relationship to the world. It comes at a time when all everyone seems to want is to get back to NORMAL!, whatever
that was before the pandemic. Did we really have a normal? Is it really something we want to have back exactly as it was before COVID? Then, of course, there is the New Normal. In many areas, there have been profound shifts. The workplace seems to be most prominent. Did most of us really think remote work would come to the forefront so swiftly and become so ingrained as it now appears to be? How about shopping? What about the vast amount of goods coming to our homes within hours just by hitting a few keystrokes? Virtual dating? Virtual religious services? Virtual life celebrations with far-flung family members? Will a paper birthday card to Grandma as she moves another year closer to 100 ever seem
sufficient again? Of course, time marches on and the effects of all this will be analyzed and studied, papers and books will be written, and society will continue on its hectic path, regardless of what most of us think individually. This takes me back to where I started. What about the garden you planted, maybe your first ever? How does it make you feel that you did something for yourself? What enjoyment did it bring? Were you able to make home recipes based on what you grew? How many new dishes have you tried simply because something you grew with your own hands could be used in them? How about your children or grandchildren and the times you shared with them tending and
The Town Farmer By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer
Cooperation?
would all share in the profits. On paper, this sounds like a good idea. Producers would be controlling another step in the process of raising, packaging, and marketing beef, and as long as the production was done in an efficient and costeffective manner, the producers should be able to reap some of those benefits. Plus, having an alternative would help to break up the domination of the meat packing industry that currently exists. Throw in some good will from consumers about a new “farmer owned” beef start up, and the idea seems to have a great deal of potential. I am sure everyone has heard the saying, “If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.” Well, that could not be more true in this situation. Those four companies
that dominate the beef packing industry in the United States did not come into existence accidentally. It took decades of technological innovation, streamlining logistics, maximization of efficiencies, and overall attention to details for these companies to end up where they are today. There is a reason there are only four major players, it is difficult for others to be competitive with them. Now, is there room in the industry for new and improved technology, better utilization of resources, and/or niche and creative marketing? The answer to that is absolutely, one hundred percent, yes! That is what keeps any economy vibrant and growing. And, is it possible for once large, efficient, dominant companies to become top heavy and bloated
and unable to remain competitive? The answer to that question is obviously yes as well. But perhaps the biggest hurdle for this group will be for them to put aside their own self interests for the good of the betterment of their new venture. What too often happens with cooperatives such as these is that people often act to further their own self interests instead of looking out for the good of the business. And it is easy to see how this can occur. If producers are faced with rising production costs, they may put pressure on their cooperative to pay themselves higher returns than can be currently justified by market conditions. Plus, not every producer member is always in sync in areas such health, age, financial strength, and quality, and all of
picking nature’s bounty? We can easily fall back and forget. Just like the ground beneath our feet, things fill in, and if something doesn’t scream for attention, our sights go elsewhere. In July, as you are out and about in the garden, breathe in the essence, savor the silence, gaze upon the beauty, taste it all, and allow this experience to make permanent changes in your life. We may not want to go back to the height of the COVID days, but we can certainly appreciate the new things that particular time brought into our lives. Editor’s Note: Douglas H. Fisher is New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture. He is the department’s executive officer, secretary to the State Board of Agriculture and a member of the Governor’s cabinet. Secretary Fisher fulfills executive, management and administrative duties prescribed by law, executive order or gubernatorial direction. He can be reached at 609.292.3976. For more info, please visit: http:// www.state.nj.us/agriculture these issues must be navigated successfully if the cooperative is to succeed. I have seen other agricultural cooperatives started with the best of intentions only to see them fail due to unrealized expectations of their grower members. That is not to say that this endeavor is doomed to failure, however. One does not have to look far to see some very successful cooperatives, with names like Ocean Spray, Blue Diamond and Land O’Lakes to name a few. Let’s hope that these producers can stick it out. Because as the old saying goes, “If you can’t hang together, you will hang separately!” Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is Mayor of Tewksbury Township, Hunterdon County, NJ. He also served as a director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau and is a past president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Peter has also been featured on NJN, News 12 New Jersey and on the Fox Business Network.
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July 2022 5
6 July 2022
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Rutgers Cooperative Extension Phone Directory Atlantic County Phone: 609-625-0056 Bergen County Phone: 201-336-6780 Burlington County Phone: 609-265-5050 Camden County Phone: 856 216 7130 Cape May County Phone: 609-465-5115 Cumberland County Phone: 856-451-2800 Essex County Phone: 973-228-2210 Gloucester County Phone: 856-224-8040 Hudson County Phone: 201-915-1399 Hunterdon County Phone: 908-788-1339 Mercer County Phone: 609-989-6830
Office of Continuing Professional Education
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
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From the Director’s Desk
Rutgers Outreach Provided by Brian Schilling Director
You are Invited! More County Fairs Return for 2022 What comes to mind when you think of summer? For some it might be juicy peaches or fresh corn on the cob, for others it might be celebratory fireworks or lazy days on the beach. For many 4-H and FFA members, the summer evokes thoughts of long days at the county fair, caring for their animals and forging new and old friendships along the way. The last few years have looked different in nearly all aspects of our lives, county fairs included! All the fairgrounds throughout the state were dark in 2020 as we avoided gathering in effort to keep our communities safe. While we couldn’t get together in the traditional sense, nearly 500 NJ 4-H members shared the knowledge they gained and were evaluated in a new way, through the NJ 4-H Virtual Fair. The youth submitted videos and photos of their projects and were judged by experts who provided feedback online. Much of what we all love about county fairs cannot be recreated in a virtual environment, but given the situation, the virtual fair gave young people the opportunity to showcase their hard work. Last summer, a little more than half of the county fairs across the state were able to hold a fair of some kind. The Governor’s Executive Order allowing fairs and similar large events for the summer of 2021 came too late for some of the volunteer-powered fairs to make a go of it. In most cases, counties without fairs last summer offered alternative ways, like smaller gatherings, to celebrate young people’s 4-H project work. This summer is poised to be one to remember, as fairs around the state make plans for a full array of shows, exhibitions, food offerings, and more. Will the fairs of 2022 look the same as the fairs of our pre-Covid memories? For the most part, yes, of course with some additional safety protocols in place. But you should expect some other changes too. A year or two break from our annual experiences has allowed for some aspects of fairs to be reimagined or reconfigured. It’s easy to think of fairs as social and entertainment events, but upon closer inspection, you can see the fair is a very robust educational opportunity. As a former 4-Her and now as a 4-H parent, I equate county fairs to life skills laboratories…a place where young people can practice important skills in a safe and supportive environment. Here are just
a few of the things 4-H members learn through their fair experience: Winning & losing - Learning to win and learning to lose is part of every exhibitor’s experience. Winning grand champion or placing last, the fair gives young people the chance to practice handling different outcomes. This is important because life is always handing out ribbons and they certainly aren’t always blue ribbons! Patience - Working with animals teaches young people patience. Animals don’t always cooperate. Training an animal for show takes months of regular practice. Responsibility – Caring for another living being is a weighty responsibility and one that involves significant work. Teamwork – Fairs, big or small, take big teams of people committed to the event. Fairs are often multigenerational projects, with youth working alongside adults representing a wide variety of organizations to create the event. Value of hard work - There is a lot of sweat and quite possibly some tears behind most 4-H animal projects. These young people have worked hard caring for their project animal over the year. The fair is an opportunity to showcase that work and be recognized for it. But the education doesn’t stop with 4-H and FFA youth. On the contrary, fairs are an amazing opportunity to educate the broader community on agricultural practices. I will be the first one to say, we don’t capitalize on these educational opportunities often enough. It’s hard for 4-H members to put themselves in the shoes of fairgoers who have never touched a goat or sheep. But learning to educate the general public about their projects is another important skill that not only enhances the public’s understanding, but also is an important transferable skill for young people. Effective communication is a critical skill for success in school and the workplace. I personally invite you to attend your local fair this summer. You can find a full list of fairs at https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/fairs. While you are taking in the fair experience, I encourage you to stop and talk to some 4-H and FFA youth. Learn about what they have been working on and what they plan to do next. I bet you’ll be impressed and maybe even a little bit inspired. New Jersey 4-H is a program of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension.
Editor’s Note: This month’s contribution was written by Rachel Lyons, Chair of the Department of 4-H Youth Development, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
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New Rutgers D’Light Strawberry (Continued from page 1)
Gardeners and farmers interested in Rutgers D’Light plants can order them now: Bare Root Strawberry Plants | Blueberry Plants for Sale | Indiana Berry – Plymouth, IN. Will Rutgers D’light be showing up at a farm near you? Chances are good: “Local growers who got to trial Rutgers D’Light on their farms have been eager to get a hold of more plants,” said Hlubik. While this first year of release offers availability of strawberry plants for home gardeners and commercial growers alike, berry lovers will have to wait until next year to experience the “D’lights” of the fruit, i.e., this year’s plants will bear fruit next year. For residents looking to purchase fruit from local farms, they can find Jersey strawberries in season mid-May through mid-June. Asking your local grower about Rutgers D’light plantings this year will ensure obtaining them next year. Find farm markets and pick-your-own strawberries at https:// findjerseyfresh.com/explore/ Source: Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
RECYCLE THE
July 2022 7
N.J. Farmers Can Sell Firewood Without Penalty Under Space, Wirths Bill Advanced by Assembly Agriculture Committee The Assembly Agriculture Committee on Monday, June 14, 2022 released a bill that protects farmers’ rights to sell firewood obtained from another property. The bill (A111) is sponsored by LD 24 Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths. “Farming has evolved through the years, and farmers have had to adapt to those changes by expanding their sources of income,” Space (R-Sussex) said. “Penalizing farmers for selling firewood regardless of whether they grew the trees themselves is ludicrous. Now that enforcement officials are imposing lumberyard regulations on these family farms, we need to clarify that law.” The bill amends the Right to Farm Act, which would exempt farmers from municipal land use laws regarding selling firewood obtained from another property. An incident involving a Morris County farmer prompted the bill. A Mount Olive zoning officer cited a local farmer for selling firewood hewed on another property. The officer claimed selling the wood made the farm a logging operation and lumberyard, even though the multigenerational farm had done so without incident for years. “Farmers need to diversify their income streams just to stay afloat, and because the trees were grown somewhere else, the government is going to penalize them,” Wirths (R-Sussex) said. “As I’ve said before, we should not be doing anything to make an already challenging job more difficult.” The bill now goes to the speaker for further consideration.
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USDA Names Appointees to the New Jersey Farm Service Agency State Committee
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced appointees who will serve on the New Jersey USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders, keeping producers informed about FSA programs and operating in a manner consistent with USDA equal opportunity and civil rights policies. Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee for New Jersey are: • Committee Chair Alfred Murray – Audubon • Erick Doyle - Flemington • Rajesh Sinha - Sandyston • Anna Trapani - Clarksburg “The FSA state committee members play an integral role in the continuity of operations, equitable and inclusive program administration and ensure the overall integrity of services to the nation’s agricultural producers,” said Marcus Graham, FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations. “These individuals have proven themselves to be leaders, early adopters
and key influencers in the agriculture industry in their respective states – qualities that will serve them well in these key Biden-Harris Administration leadership positions. The Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural partners through the effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of federal agricultural programs. The Agency offers producers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. Additionally, through conservation programs, FSA continues to preserve and protect natural resources and provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including targeted loan funds for beginning, underserved, women and military veterans involved in production agriculture. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.
8 July 2022
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GardenerNews.com The summer is in full swing, but that does not mean we are on a break here at the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association. In fact, these have been some of the busiest months we have had during any summer I can recall! As discussed in my last column, we are busy planning our upcoming outdoor living industry show to be held at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds at the end of September. We visited the site and figured out new layouts and exciting mini-educational sessions throughout the days at a variety of booths. We also started signing up a great variety of exhibitors. As of this writing, the latest include Aquarius Supply, Bobcat of North Jersey, Cambridge Pavers, Earth and Turf, Mercer Community College, Romeo Enterprises (Amsoil), Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education, Spear Head Spade, Tech Terra, Tick and Skeeter Deleter, USDA – NASS. Plus, we are getting our food trucks lined up, which include Jersey Curbside Eats, Latin Bites and Pita Bowl. We are so excited to see what this year’s event brings! Further, I attended several State Board of Agriculture monthly meetings (which are open to the public if you are ever interested
To adjust a phrase from Mr. Rodney Dangerfield’s comedic repertoire: “Some plants get no respect!” To compound the issue further, many of these plants are easily grown under challenging conditions and are native! Part of the problem lies in the timing of the floral display, since plants blooming outside of the spring rush to visit local garden centers usually do not garner their duly deserved attention. Such is the problem that plagues our native Buttonbush, botanically known as Cephalanthus occidentalis. Cephalanthus is a member of the Rubiaceae or Madder Family, the fourth largest plant family and probably best known for the genus Coffea or coffee! The genus Cephalanthus contains a total of six species that are found in North and South America, Africa, and Asia. This species in particular has an enormous native range, stretching from New Brunswick, Canada, west to Wisconsin and south to Florida, and into central Mexico with isolated populations in Cuba, California and eastern Asia! The genus was named in 1753 by the Swedish Botanist Carl Linnaeus. The name was inspired by the rather unique,
July 2022 9 The NJLCA Today By Gail Woolcott Executive Director
Here, There and Everywhere
in attending one). A big topic of discussion has been special events on farms and their limitations, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu, how plastic bag bans affect farm markets, and decreases in garden center sales because of the increase in prices (partially due to the high cost of fuel). Additionally, NASS reported that the 2021 value of NJ floriculture sales are the fourth highest in the US. Go NJ! We had discussions and worked with several groups regarding equipment bans and proposed bans in NJ. Legislature has released an increasing amount of legislation that either bans leaf blowers and/ or bans all gas-powered equipment in NJ. Assemblywoman Swain has a bill that takes a different approach by providing rebates to those who purchase new batterypowered equipment. Our hope is that whatever we come to an
agreement on, it will preempt municipal ordinances. This would make it easier for contractors (and homeowners) to know what they can and cannot do, and not have to keep track of every town they work in. Earlier in the summer, NJLCA was honored to receive the Environmental Education Advocacy Award from the Commerce and Industry Association of NJ for a service project we did with The Grammon Schools in Fairfield, NJ. We are always proud of the service projects we do throughout the state, but it was genuinely nice to be recognized for the hard work put into creating a usable and educational space for students at the school. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. We discussed the need for more workers in the industry and working towards employing more women in the outdoor living
sectors. We also discussed the current legislation and working towards more professionalism in our industry. We are also excitedly planning our Golf Outing at Crystal Springs this October. Our golf outing each year supports the NJLCA Education Fund, providing scholarships to member families and those seeking education in the landscape, hardscape, nursery and horticultural industries. Finally, we held several excellent membership meetings. First, we looked at the “Dirty Dirt” law and how it will affect contractors, nurseries and garden centers alike. There was active discussion among the speaker and the members of what we can do to help ourselves comply without disruption of vital business. Next, we held a meeting discussing Employee Retention Credits. Many employers were not even aware that
Morris County Park Commission By Bruce Crawford Horticultural Manager
Buttonbush – A Plant in Need of Respect
globe shape of the flowers and is a combination of the Greek Kephale for head and Anthos meaning flower. The species epithet is from the Latin for west, and for those living in Europe, eastern North America is indeed to the west! The common name is derived from the resemblance of the flowers to the globeshaped dress buttons common during the 1700s. With so much of the plant’s name focused on the flower, one can only assume the flower is the plant’s main ornamental feature – and so it is! Come July and August, the fragrant white flower clusters appear at the end of branches, with each 1-1½” diameter globe composed of roughly 200 individual florets. Each floret consists of four white petals with rounded tips that peel backward,
exposing the four light brown anthers secured to the inside of each petal. The dramatic and attention-grabbing portion of the flower is the female style and terminal stigma. Protruding a full ¼” beyond the flower, the style and stigma give the flower a very spikey effect. Each floral globe only lasts for 3-4 days, but the numerous flower buds ensure several weeks of bloom. The flowers are highly attractive to various pollinators including Hummingbirds, and the plant was described as early as 1735 as a noteworthy plant for beekeepers. Come late August and into the fall, the seed clusters assume hues of red and reddish brown, once again adding an interesting ornamental touch. The flowers appear on rounded to upright shaped
shrubs, usually growing 6-8’ tall and wide. In the wild, the plants form thickets in moist locations and along the edges of ponds, often with the plant partially submerged in water! Hardy from zone 4-11, the elliptically shaped, glossy green leaves are arranged oppositely or occasionally in whorls of three, and vary from 2-6” long by roughly ½ as wide. Fall color varies from an unremarkable tan to bright yellow to stunning oranges, reds and maroons. Of the selections currently on the market, the selection known under the trademarked name of Sputnik™ undoubtedly has one of the most descriptive names. The plant has light pink flowers which vaguely resemble the first satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. Growing to 10-12’ tall and wide, the foliage
they can still claim these credits for employing or re-employing workers during the COVID-19 crisis. We feel our member meetings are one of the best benefits of membership, as not only are we educating our members on current topics, but the networking provides just as much education to those who have been through similar scenarios. It has truly been an active, busy and exciting summer and there is still much more to come. I hope everyone is getting some time to relax, play in your own gardens, and enjoy the beautiful Garden State of NJ!
Editor’s Note: Gail Woolcott is the Executive Director for the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association. She was presented with a community service award from the Borough of Fairview for her assistance in leading the 9-11 Memorial Park project and the Legislative Champion of the Year award from the Federation of Employers and Workers of America. She is currently the State Licensee Chair on the National Association of Landscape Professionals International Certification Council. turns an attractive coppery bronze come fall. Another great selection is Sugar Shack®. Growing to a more diminutive 4-5’ tall and wide, it produces the typical white flowers over glossy, orange blushed foliage. Come fall, the spherical fruit clusters turn an attractive red followed by fall colors ranging from pink to red and burgundy. Button Bush is undoubtedly a plant few gardeners are able to highlight in their gardens and it certainly comes as no surprise. Shrubs blooming in July and August gain little respect among shoppers yearning to fill their gardens with colorful May bloomers. I remain ever hopeful gardeners will discover and appreciate the beauty of this mid-summer bloomer and give it the respect it deserves! Editor’s Note: Bruce Crawford is a lover of plants since birth, is the Manager of Horticulture for the Morris County Parks Commission, and a Past President of the Garden State Gardens Consortium. He can be reached at BCrawford@ morrisparks.net
10 July 2022 How big is your lawn? This is the first question you need answered before you can begin to create your perfect lawn. The formula is basic: Length (in feet) x width (in feet) = area in square feet. Seems simple right! Yet, I too struggle with calculating and remembering the square footage of my home. Yet if you want to have successful results in creating your perfect lawn, you must first determine the square footage of your lawn because all lawn care products are sold by square footage. Start with this simple calculation before going out and buying any lawn products,
because too much of anything is never good. The same goes for too little. Let me explain. If you buy and apply too much grass seed, your sowed seed will just end up competing with itself. Also, too much seed tends to not germinate as well and oftentimes dies as it tries to grow, due to lack of good seed-to-soil contact. As for fertilizer, it is another example of too much is not a good thing. Applying more fertilizer than the square footage of your lawn requires can potentially lead to burning of your lawn or creating environmental water quality concerns. Then on the opposite side, applying not enough fertilizer can leave the grass plants weak and spindly, subjecting them to stress problems such as heat, drought, disease and insects. I like to say that using too little fertilizer is equivalent to not taking your vitamins and leaving your immune system
GardenerNews.com Turf ‘s Up By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant
How big is your lawn? compromised. All plants, especially our lawns, need nutrients to grow and thrive. I think it was in 4th or th 5 grade we all learned in geometry how to determine the square footage of an area. If you are lucky and your property is a square or a
Of course, your property has some non-lawn areas too. These areas include the house foundation, landscape beds, driveway, sidewalks, deck, pool, woods, etc. All these non-lawn square footage areas need to have the approximate square footage
determine you need to seed about 1,600 square feet with grass seed. The packages on the shelf show 3 lb. covering up to 1,200 square feet when overseeding, so let’s buy the 7 lb. size because you need twice the amount of seed in a bare dirt area.
rectangle, measuring it should be fairly simple. Fortunately, many of our properties fall into this category. If this is the case, you can easily walk and count the footsteps of your property while keeping your pacing consistent. How many steps from beginning to end on one side did you take, times say 2-1/2 feet per step? You might even have a large measuring tape to measure your lawn. Even better, some might have a measuring wheel, although this is usually an item that is owned by surveyors or landscape professionals. Of course, digging out the survey of your home could also be of great help in figuring your square footage. At this time please refer to the diagram included in this article. Let’s say the area I measured is 50 feet x 100 feet, which would total 5,000 square feet.
calculated and deducted from your 5,000 square foot property. In the diagram example, notice the black areas. These areas represent the non-lawn areas on your property. This calculation takes some practice if you have an odd-shaped property and non-lawn areas. You can always go online for how to calculate triangle or pieshaped areas. Perhaps your kids or grandchildren can help you with this. Let’s say this house has a total of 3,300 square feet of lawn area. Hopefully we calculated our lawn area’s square footage successfully. Now we can go shopping. What’s on your shopping list? Grass seed is first, and since you want to seed a lot of bare spots, it is kind of hard to calculate exactly how many pounds you need. You can measure the larger patches you are seeding, say 10 feet x 5 feet and 1 foot x 4 feet, etc. So, you
Next is lawn fertilizer. Most brands come in 5,000 and 15,000 square foot sizes. In this example we calculated approximately 3,300 square feet of lawn area. We need to buy a 5,000 square foot bag, then follow directions and spreader settings to carefully spread the proper amount of product over this area, NOT the whole bag! Remember, too much fertilizer could violate state lawn fertilizer laws and will also spur greater top growth so you’ll need to mow more than once a week. Some lawn fertilizers say, “Covers up to 5,000 square feet.” There may be one to three varying coverage rates on the bag based on different scenarios such as seeding rate, fertilizing rate, time of the year rate, or regional rates by state or geographic location. For example, a bag of fertilizer plus crabgrass pre-emergent may cover up to 5,000 square feet. The northern rate may
be 5,000 square feet but south of the Mason Dixon line weed pressure is greater, and the same bag needs to be applied more heavily and covers only 3,300 square feet. Whether you are spreading or spraying lawn pest controls, the area you are treating needs to be understood. If you are spot spraying weeds, coverage does not really come into play. If you want to spread granular grub control over the whole lawn, you need to follow directions for the proper amount to be used. Many people refer to this as the “pounds per 1,000 square feet” rate. The grub control bag says apply at 2 lbs. per 1,000 square feet and you
bought a 12 lb. bag, so a 12 lb. bag divided by 2 lb. per 1,000 square feet rate means this bag covers 6,000 square feet. Many larger lawn sizes are referred to as acres. How big is an acre of land? There are 43,560 square feet in one acre, a half-acre is 21,780 square feet, a third of an acre is 14,250 square feet, and a quarter-acre is 10,890 square feet, etc. The moral of this story is to know the area you are treating, then buy and apply the proper amounts of product needed. Enjoy the summer months.
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
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Supporting America’s Heroes Through Toro’s non-profit purchase program, Shawn Lipani, center, co-owner of Central Jersey Nurseries in Hillsborough, a Toro Power Equipment Dealer, wrote and presented a $10,000 check back to Chris Hunt, left, executive director of the New Jersey Golf Foundation, to cover the purchase price of the Toro 4000 Z-Master with a 60 inch Turbo Force Deck, through his dealership, as part of the Toro non-profit program. The machine normally retails for $14,403. Bob Kaufman, right, the Marketing Development Manager for the Storr Tractor Company, the local Toro distributor, was on-hand to support the Toro program and his local dealership. The New Jersey Golf Foundation is located at the Inspiration Golf Range and Activity Center on the Lyons Campus of the Veterans Administration New Jersey Health Care System in Bernards Township, Somerset County, NJ. The Center promotes golf as a lifetime activity for all people. It also offers a venue for youth, military veterans and individuals with special needs. The programming is highlighted by PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), a rehabilitative golf program for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, among other challenges. Established in May of 1970, Central Jersey Nurseries is a familyowned and operated business located in Hillsborough, Somerset County, NJ. The Toro Company is a leading worldwide provider of innovative solutions for the outdoor environment including turf and landscape maintenance, snow and ice management, underground utility construction, rental and specialty construction, and irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions.
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July 2022 15
In the Chef’s Corner By Aishling Stevens Executive Chef
Wild Nettle Soup Hello Gardener News readers. This month, I would like to share a soup recipe that incorporates two locally foraged ingredients – ramps and wild nettle. The good news is that this Wild Nettle Soup is such a simple recipe. The bad news is that you will have to wait until next year to procure the necessary ingredients. Nettles, for reasons to be explained, are best harvested in the spring. Ramps are one of the first growths to sprout in the woods shortly after the ground thaws, but are quick to disappear a few weeks later once the leaves on the forest’s trees bloom and block the sun. Ramps (Allium tricoccum), also known as wild leeks, are native to the Northeastern U.S. and Canada. Ramps look a bit like scallions but have a broader leaf and a piquant onion and garlic flavor with a woodsy aroma. Let’s talk about this recipe’s namesake. Commonly referred to as stinging nettle, burn hazel, wild nettle or wild spinach, Urtica dioica (derived from the Latin word Uro, which means “I burn”) was originally native to Europe but can now be found in every state in our country other than Hawaii. Seeing the stinging needles on its stalk and the underside of its leaves, one might think not to eat such a plant, but when prepared properly, it is delicious with an earthy flavor similar to spinach – but with a little more punch. In addition, nettle is full of nutrients. Growing up, I have
memories of walking through the countryside in Ireland on our family farm and my mother pointing out nettles and cautioning us about the sting. My grandmother used to mix them in with egg to feed the turkeys. Irish folklore says that if you consume three meals containing “Neantóg” (which is Gaelic for nettles) in the month of May, you will not get sick for the rest of the year. This superfood is particularly high in vitamin A, which scientists believe is necessary for eye health and lowering the risk of certain cancers, and vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system and slows the progression of macular degeneration. Nettles also contain iron, potassium, manganese, calcium and tannins, and are often used for their antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antihistamine values. Nettles are easy to find in the wild throughout all parts of New Jersey and thrive in damp, nitrogen-rich soil. Look for it in bottomland along rivers and streams, around old farmsteads, and in other full sun to partially shaded areas with wellfertilized soil. Do wear gloves when harvesting to avoid their painful sting. The plant’s leaves sting as they are covered in tiny hollow filaments, with silica tips that break off when touched to expose sharp points that instantly inject a shot of formic acid into your hand. Washing and blanching the leaves take away the sting, but not the earthy
flavor or nutrition. Nettle leaves can also be dried for tea or to make flour. I am currently drinking nettle tea daily, as it helps with inflammation of muscles and joints. This Wild Nettle Soup recipe will not disappoint, and you can follow it with ease and really make it your own by adding other ingredients or elements. The ingredients are 100g butter, two diced onions, one chopped leek, a few sprigs of thyme and rosemary, 200g diced potato, one liter of vegetable stock, 200g washed wild stinging nettles with leaves picked off, 100g washed spinach, 25g wild ramps tops for which you can pickle the bottom to create a garnish or a different application, 100ml heavy cream, and sea salt. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. When it starts to foam, add the diced onions and chopped leek. Season with a little sea salt. Add the thyme and rosemary, and then cook for about 5-7 minutes until translucent. Add the chopped potato and fry for another minute, then add the stock. Bring to a boil then simmer for about 15 minutes until the potato is soft. Next, add the nettles, spinach and wild ramp. Simmer for one minute, and then blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Pass through a fine sieve, add the cream and return to the heat until warm. Season to taste. This is a simple base soup recipe and can be bulked up either by adding bacon or a grain of your choice.
Editor’s Note: Aishling Stevens is the Executive Chef at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, Sussex County, N.J. For more information on its culinary program, visit www. CSResort.com.
New Jersey Floriculture Sales at $356 Million, Fourth Highest in U.S. The 2021 value of New Jersey floriculture sales were $356 million, fourth highest in the US, according to Bruce Eklund, state statistician of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New Jersey Field Office For production in the open, New Jersey was third at 4,396 acres. New Jersey producers sold over $194 million in bedding sales, also third Nationally, and 3rd in propagative material sales at $53.7 million. NASS conducted the survey among operations that annually produce and sell at least $10,000 of fresh cut flowers, potted flowering plants, foliage plants, annual bedding and garden plants, potted herbaceous perennials, cut cultivated florist greens, and propagative (unfinished) floriculture material. Annual sales include retail and wholesale sales of items surveyed.
Record High Maple Syrup Production in Vermont The 2022 Vermont maple syrup production totaled a record high 2.55 million gallons, up 46% from the previous year, according to Pam Hird, state statistician of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New England Field Office. Vermont remains the top producing state in the Nation. Vermont maple syrup producers put out 6.65 million taps in 2022, an increase of 2% from the 2021 total. Yield per tap is estimated to be 0.383 gallon, up from 0.269 gallon from the previous season. Location played a significant part in individual production. The earliest sap flow reported was January 1 in New York and Vermont. On average, Vermont’s season lasted 40 days, compared with 28 days in 2021. Vermont’s 2021 value of production totaled $56.0 million, up 6% from the previous season. The average retail price per gallon was up 19% at $32.00 per gallon. Vermont has led the U.S. in the number of maple taps every year since 1916 and was only out produced in 1926 and 1918. In 2003 Vermont had 2.12 million taps and has been steadily increasing to 6.65 million in 2022. Annual production prior to 1935 was typically between 1 million and 1.4 million gallons. This dropped to around 200,000 to 300,000 gallons in the 1970’s. Since 2003 Vermont’s maple syrup production has increased from around 500,000 gallons to 2.55 million gallons in 2022.
Full Moon July 13, 2022
Eastern Daylight
16 July 2022
New Rules Prohibiting Glyphosate Use on NY State Properties New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced a proposed regulation to prohibit the use of glyphosate on State property to protect public health and environmental resources from exposure to this pesticide. In addition, as part of the proposed regulation, DEC will collect new data to help determine where and how much glyphosate products are used on State property, as well as the potential impacts these pesticides may have. “Advancing this proposal to prohibit the use of glyphosate on New York State properties would bolster DEC’s ongoing efforts to protect communities by requiring the safe and correct use of certain pesticides,” Commissioner Seggos said. “I commend our staff for developing this important proposal and crafting a strategy that provides for the targeted use of these compounds under specific and limited circumstances to further protect water quality and the environment.” The proposed regulation, required by a recent amendment to New York’s Environmental Conservation Law, would prohibit State departments and agencies, public benefit corporations, and their contractors and subcontractors, from applying glyphosate on State properties under most circumstances. Critical use exemptions in the law include maintenance of critical infrastructure, management of roadside vegetation to ensure public safety, habitat management for the control of invasive species and pests of significant public health importance, noxious weeds injurious to ecosystem health, protection of critical native plant species, and research of glyphosate alternatives. The use of glyphosate under the appropriate circumstances and conditions is highly effective in meeting these control needs. However, under the proposed regulation, glyphosate can only be used on these State properties when there is no actual or significant threat of direct human exposure. The proposal outlines the documentation required to meet these prerequisites. In addition, the proposed regulation establishes reporting and recordkeeping procedures to assist DEC in its responsibilities to report glyphosate use by State departments and agencies, public benefit corporations, and their contractors or subcontractors on State property. The comment period on the draft regulation ends on Aug. 22, 2022. DEC will also hold a virtual public hearing at 1 P.M. on Aug. 17. Information on how to participate in the hearing can be found at DEC’s website. The public is encouraged to submit comments in writing to NYSDEC, Pesticide Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Section, Bureau of Pesticides Management, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-7254, or by email to: glyphosateregs@dec.ny.gov. This announcement follows DEC actions earlier this year to protect public health and the environment by restricting the use of products containing the neonicotinoid (“neonic”) insecticides imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid to help prevent potentially harmful exposure to honeybees and other beneficial insects. DEC is reclassifying certain products containing these neonic insecticides as “restricted use” to ensure applications are limited to trained pesticide applicators in specific situations. For more information about DEC’s pesticides program, go to DEC’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/ chemical/298.html
GardenerNews.com Growing Gardeners By Diana Dove Environmental Educator
Take a Child to a Farmers’ Market
Where can a Growing Gardener discover fragrant flowers; see varieties of vegetables and fruit; learn about making jam and baking bread; gain experience with reading, budgeting, and counting change; rock to some music; and meet a farmer face-to-face? Go to a Farmers’ Market with a child. This is one way children can begin to understand the process of food from farm to market to table. Participation of different kinds of farms make Farmers’ Markets unique. A child might discover eggs from free range chickens, new fruits and vegetables, colorful cut flowers, potted herbs, local honey, different cuts of meat, organic juices, specialty cheeses, baked items, many varieties of pickles, canned goods, jelly, and spices. Beyond food, hand crafted items could be offered too. One market featured a woman spinning wool, educating those who looked on. There might be hand sewn aprons, scented soaps, jewelry, pottery, framed photography, candles, leather goods, wood crafts, bird houses... it’s limitless. A Kids’ Zone could be set up with youth activities led by youth community service groups or educators. Some farms or arboretums offer special kids’ presentations and could offer a sampling to promote their programs. A 4-H group could set up a pen with live farm animals. Youth groups could provide crafts or promote youth fundraisers. The FFA (Future Farmers of America) might sell hanging flower baskets. Kids love games. Try a scavenger hunt while walking through the market. Play... Name that fruit. Name that vegetable. What favorite vegetable do you see? Find a bread recipe. Look for a picture of a bee
or a hummingbird. Find an herb. Name an annual plant. Play the alphabet game, naming something starting with letter, “A” and so on. Pick a category: “Seeds, stems, leaves, flowers, & root vegetables how many items does one vendor have in one category? Play, “I Spy with My Little Eye.” Name something that is a certain color, shape, or texture. What must be peeled? What must be stored in the refrigerator? Name the sounds you hear: birds, bees, music? Can you smell anything cooking? Make up your own games. Playing games at a Farmers’ Market makes learning fun! Here are a few tips for families... Bring reusable bags including a cold bag with cold packs for meat, cheese, and dairy products. Bring your own drinking water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Remind children to look and not touch. Learn to be weather wise. Check the hourly weather to plan the best time to shop outdoors, and dress properly for the weather. Seek cover immediately if a sudden windy weather front approaches or if there is lightning. Vendors appreciate when you pay with exact change and small bills. Not all vendors accept credit cards. My husband, Mike, and I took our children to the local Farmers’ Market while they were growing up in Washington Borough, in Warren County, NJ. We wanted them to learn what they could from this experience and to see our family supporting local businesses and farmers. I asked two people involved in coordinating the Washington Borough Farmers’ Market to comment about ways that children benefit by visiting their local Farmers’ Market. Melanie Thiel, the
Executive Director of Washington BID (Business Improvement District) had this to say, “It’s fun for parents to bring children to a Farmers’ Market as a family. It shows them there are other options besides the grocery store or fast food restaurants. They learn about the different growing seasons and speak to the farmers who grew the food. Children learn where their fresh food comes from as they pick what they want to buy and then use it in a recipe later in the day. If they make it a weekly event, healthy shopping and eating becomes a good habit.” The Coordinator for the Washington Borough Farmers’ Market is Josephine Noone, a Washington Borough Councilwoman. She explained “It provides children and their families with locally-grown, freshpicked produce. The children get to know the farmers and ask them questions about the food they grow. Our market has educational programming to teach children and all who visit, about New Jersey’s native plants and animals and why it is important to take care of the environment and not litter. From our honey vendors, the children learn about bees and how they make honey. Finally, the children and their families enjoy the weekly musical entertainment, while spending family time together outdoors; they meet neighbors here and make new friends.” Growing Gardeners learn from what they see and experience. Find out where your nearest Farmers’ Markets are. Support them by shopping there regularly. Ask a child to take you to a Farmers’ Market and have some fun as you shop and learn together!
Editor’s Note: Diana is an Environmental Educator with award-winning programs for all ages who has been teaching since 1975. She can be reached at dianadove13@gmail. com She currently co-teaches “Wildlife & Litter” programs with her husband Mike that are free to NJ groups when sponsored by Clean Communities. This includes guided nature walks, pond studies, education booths at town festivals, and outdoor programs for youth & adult garden clubs, schools, camps, libraries, and service organizations with a message about not littering. She is a former Sr. Naturalist for Somerset Co. Parks. In October, 1996 Diana founded a schoolyard, wildlife habitat garden at Memorial School in Washington Boro, Warren County, NJ. Please ‘Like” the FB page of the Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden. Diana volunteers as Youth Chair on the Bd of the Garden Club of NJ and is a First Place National Winner of the NGC Youth Leader Award. She has a BS in Forestry & Wildlife Mgt, with a concentration in Biology, plus a BA in Communications from Va Tech.
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July 2022 17
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In a recent presentation with Dr. Doug Tallamy, professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware and renowned author of Bringing Nature Home and more recently Nature’s Best Hope, I was reminded of the profound ecological benefits of oak trees. His work has documented that native oaks support an amazing web of species. Native oaks of the Mid-Atlantic support 557 species, including hundreds of species of caterpillars, and I know in May when the warblers are migrating from the South to the North that any oak will be a feeding spot for the over two dozen warblers that can occur in this area. Venture into any of the local woodlands and the number of native oak species abound. Tallamy states that if you are going to plant any plant to increase ecological function on your property, then plant a white oak, Quercus alba. There are amazing specimens, probably over 300 years old, of this venerable species in the area, including a magnificent specimen at the London Grove Meeting House and in Swarthmore on the corner of Walnut Lane and Hillborn Avenue where this specimen is estimated to be nearly 400 years old.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society By Andrew Bunting Vice President of Public Gardens and Landscapes
The Mighty Oak
In addition to white oak in our native woods, you will find the northern red oak, Quercus rubra, which reaches over 100 feet tall at maturity and is aptly named due to the red fall color. In Swarthmore, there are some disjunct or “island” populations of the Southern red oak, Quercus falcata. As the name would imply, this is more of a southern species. In general, southern species or those acorns collected from southern populations will most likely have some level of heat tolerance embedded in their genetic makeup and, in theory, make them more resilient to increasing temperatures. Also with brilliant red fall color is the scarlet oak, Quercus coccinea. While most oaks prefer ravines and wooded slopes, the pin oak, Quercus palustris can grow in lowland or wet areas. “Palustris” is Latin for “of the swamps”. Decades
ago, pin oaks were planted as a popular street tree, but today they are not resilient to urban conditions and are susceptible to bacterial leaf scorch. Quercus bicolor, swamp white oak, which has yellowish-brown fall color, has proven to be one of the best oaks for urban conditions because it tolerates both dry conditions as well as poorly drained soil. Yesterday I was driving just over the Delaware River in New Jersey, and even though it is a short distance from Philadelphia, the oak species can change drastically. The New Jersey Pine Barrens and the coastal plain of New Jersey host many species. Both the blackjack oak, Quercus marilandica, and the bear oak, Quercus ilicifolia, are often found in the scrubby thickets of the Pine Barrens. Along the road I saw one of my favorite oaks, the post oak, Querus stellata. The leaves are cross-like and
the overall form of the tree is very picturesque, reaching 80 feet tall at maturity. A popular southern oak species for street trees is the willow oak, Querus phellos. This fast growing oak has narrow, willow-like leaves which give it a fine texture. Willow oaks are easy to cultivate and are tolerant to a number of urban conditions. The fall color can be goldenyellow. One of the most majestic oaks of the Midwest is the bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa, which boats large acorns which are a food source for many native species. The bur oak has an amazing spreading canopy that can become very picturesque over time. Its thick bark has allowed it to withstand quick-spreading prairie fires, and therefore it is one of the very few tree or shrubs species found in these ecosystems. There is amazing oak diversity throughout the
United States. California has many species only found there. In the South there are dozens of species, some of which are quite rare such as Quercus acerifolia, found only on certain bluffs in Arkansas and Quercus boyntonii, which is found only in a few populations in and around Birmingham, Alabama. Editor’s Note: Andrew Bunting is Vice President of Public Gardens and Landscapes for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. He is one of the most recognized horticulturists in the Philadelphia, Pa., region and a highly regarded colleague in the world of professional horticulture. Bunting has amassed a plethora of awards, including the American Public Gardens Association Professional Citation, Chanticleer Scholarship in Professional Development, Delaware Center for Horticulture’s Marion Marsh Award, and the Certificate of Merit from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. In addition, Bunting has lectured extensively throughout North America and Europe, and participated in plant expeditions throughout Asia and Africa. Learn more at https://phsonline.org/team/ andrew-bunting
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July 2022 19 Unique Plants By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist
Plants That Had Wings This past spring there were a handful of perennials that were, pardon the idiom, “flying off the shelves.” These plants seemed to have wings attached to them, for as soon as they arrived, they were gone. Perennials that our garden center continually had to add to our “call back” list once they arrived again. It is a list as diverse as the multitude of characteristics they possess. And despite the increased numbers we brought in, the demand was simply too great. A Cimicifuga hybrid (Black Snakeroot/Bugbane), Actaea ‘Chocoholic’, is an herbaceous perennial that blooms from August to September. Gorgeous mauve-pink blooms suspended over bronze-purple foliage was apparently enough to have shade gardeners “giddy”. Resistant to deer and rabbits, and attracting bees and butterflies, this native to North America appreciates being planted and then left alone. No surprise that Allium ‘Millenium’ topped our list of most sold, largely because of its deer resistance. An ornamental onion type, ‘Millenium’ blooms in July and August with large globes of rose-pink/purple flowers held above shiny deepgreen grassy foliage. The Perennial Plant Association 2018 Plant of the Year, “‘Millenium’ is a true bulb on a stout rhizome, it forms a clump which can be lifted and divided in either spring or fall.” With over 700 species of bulbous or rhizomatous plants in the genus Allium, ‘Millenium’ appears at the top of the list as an ornamental type. Another brightly colored shade plant with lots of character and texture is Brunnera. Quickly becoming a perennial favorite amongst gardeners, Heartleaf Brunnera or Siberian Bugloss, Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack of Diamonds’, has been embraced
by serious gardeners and novices alike. A giant version of ‘Jack Frost’, ‘Jack of Diamonds’ has huge 10-inch leaves that overlap. Its heart-shaped leaves have a heavy silver and dark green veining pattern and a sort of “scratchiness” texture, again not favored by deer. From mid to late spring, baby blue, forget-menot type flowers are high above the foliage. Brunnera make a great groundcover, in time, and the variegated types brighten up dark spaces in the garden. A vine that I’m sure American guitarist, singer and songwriter Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead would have admired is Clematis ‘Tie Dye’. Discovered outside Rochester, NY as a sport of the popular “tried and true” Clematis ‘Jackmanii’, ‘Tie Dye’ has large violet-blue flowers marbled with white. A vigorous vine that flowers heavily, ‘Tie Dye’ will work wonders climbing your lamppost or obelisk in your planters. Remember, Clematis appreciate their tops being in full sun and their roots shaded and protected by companion plants. A perennial that one of our larger landscape accounts loves to use is Geranium ‘Dragon Heart’. Convinced of its deer resistance and ability to attract butterflies, Dominick also loves how long this plant will bloom. Perennial geraniums have a wonderful mounding habit with unique foliage. The flower of ‘Dragon Heart’ is described as “near black centers extending symmetrical dark rays of each petal of these long blooming, 2” magenta flowers.” Its largerleafed foliage forms wide clumps and looks stunning in rock gardens or enhancing stone features. Beneficial for pollinators, remember to prune back spent flowers and many Cranesbill will thank you by
reblooming. Part of the American Beauties Native Plant Program is Iris versicolor ‘Purple Flame’. An outstanding selection from Mt. Cuba Center, this perennial always holds my attention as it emerges out of the ground every spring. Blade-like foliage “aflame in shocking purple.” A native showstopper, dark blue flowers in the spring is a strong secondary attribute to its earlier purple foliage in my opinion. An aquatic perennial, its markings are strongest when planted in moist areas, making it a great addition to stream and pond edges. Finally, Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis ‘Black Truffle’, rounds out the perennials that flew off our shelves this past spring. Deep purple-black foliage and bold red flowers on this native is a combination not often seen in gardens. Flower stalks that rise above and through “glossy black rosettes of foliage, late season and warmer temps bring iridescent maroon foliage.” Suitable for rain gardens, this showy perennial type prefers full sun-part shade and reminds some of the annual Coleus. Tolerant of very moist soil, this dark chocolatey-purple selection was introduced by Peter Heus and brought to market by Plants Nouveau. Perennials are defined as a plant that lives more than three years with little or no woody growth. They typically bloom one season, although many can rebloom. “While not a true perennial, Lobelia cardinalis propagates itself by offsets from axils at the basal foliage which form their own roots”, able to self-sow from seed. But hey, close enough and the hummingbirds and butterflies certainly have no complaints.
Editor’s Note: Bob LaHoff is co-owner of Hall’s Garden Center and Florist in Union County, a member of the Union County Board of Agriculture, the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, past member of 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.
Toro Launches New Robotic Mower, Delivering on Technological Innovation Toro is bringing new innovation to the residential yard care category with the launch of a robotic mower that offers cutting-edge, easy to deploy technology and never-before-seen features. With more than a century of delivering innovative solutions for the outdoor environment, Toro’s new robotic, battery-powered mower represents the latest in smart, connected technology for homeowners and their yards. The new robotic mower, available to consumers in spring 2023, is a culmination of years of research and development and features industry-leading capabilities. With the industry’s first vision-based localization system and wire-free navigation, the setup is easy and tailored to each yard without a pricey and failureprone underground boundary wire installation. This proprietary vision system uses multiple cameras to map and localize in the yard, enabling the mower to navigate tight spaces and move around structures such as trees and landscaping. It is also capable of crossing surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks, to maintain all areas of the property. Another exciting feature is the dedicated smartphone app that allows users to customize their mowing schedule — whether it’s around work, sleep, or travel. The app can also recommend an ideal mowing schedule based on weather forecasts and patterns. In addition, the mower has third-party safety certification, theft-proof features, slope-friendly cutting abilities, and quiet functionality. To give homeowners a lawn care system that works as effectively as possible, the robotic mower offers unmatched efficiency through its patented Smart ZonesTM mowing system that can be controlled through custom settings in the app. Through this system, the mower will automatically keep the lawn at a consistent, owner-selected height by cutting the smallest amount of grass each day for optimal lawn health. This robotic mower category is becoming more popular in the United States. With robotic mowers primarily used for mid-size, residential lawns, the category is expected to grow significantly in the next 10 years as the technology develops to deliver accuracy and efficiency at an affordable price. This new mower will join Toro’s many other powerful and energy-efficient yard care tools, including its 60V Flex-Force Power System®, a full lineup of cordless products with one interchangeable battery, as well as its new Revolution Series of battery-powered commercial lawn care equipment. Toro’s autonomous technology is expanding to other outdoor environments, such as golf courses, where field testing of the GeoLink Solutions Autonomous Fairway Mower is underway. The new autonomous mower, available in red or charcoal gray, will be available for purchase in spring 2023 with pre-orders beginning fall of 2022. Learn more at www.smartyard.toro.com.
20 July 2022
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NORTHEAST DEPARTMENT NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE State Agriculture Commissioner Lifts Ban on Poultry Shows, Exhibitions, Auctions, Sales, Meets, and Swaps in New York State
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced on June 3 the end of the bans on live poultry shows, exhibitions, auctions, sales, meets, and swaps in New York State. The Department had previously issued the bans on March 25 and April 14 as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) spread across the United States, including detections in New York State. The decision to lift the bans comes as cases decrease nationwide, including in New York State, which has not had a detection of HPAI in
nearly two months. Additionally, as the state enters agricultural fair season, phylogenetic studies have shown that the majority of flocks affected in the current outbreak were infected by introductions from wild birds, rather than by farm-to-farm transmission, lending additional confidence to the decision to allow comingling of poultry again. Commissioner Ball said, “New York has taken an aggressive approach to slowing the spread of avian influenza and it has paid off. With cases decreasing in our state and throughout the country,
as well as new data showing very low rates of farm-to-farm transmission of HPAI during the current outbreak, I am confident that it is time to lift the bans on live poultry shows and sales. I thank all of our farmers, suppliers, distributors, and live bird markets for employing excellent biosecurity practices as we continue to monitor the HPAI situation closely, and I commend the Department’s Division of Animal Industry staff, who have worked so hard to keep the cases here in New York State under control.”
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE New Jersey Horseperson of the Year and Equine Awards
The 2022 Governor’s Award for Horseperson of the Year was awarded to Dr. Carey Williams, who has served the industry with Rutgers University since 2003. Williams accepted the award at the 65th Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Celebration at the Horse Park of New Jersey to kick of the Month of the Horse in the state. “Dr. Williams is a champion for the New Jersey equine industry and her love for horses and the people involved has been evident throughout her career,” NJDA Secretary Douglas H. Fisher said. “She is truly deserving of this honor for all of her years of dedication and service.” Williams began at Rutgers University as an Equine Extension Specialist with the broad goal to establish a strong program in the field of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, while building relationships with the equine industry. She is a leader in antioxidant supplementation and oxidative stress in horses and her research has positively impacted the field of equine nutrition. The results of her antioxidant work have been recognized nationally and internationally in the nutrition and veterinary fields. Dr. Williams expanded her research into the area of forages, pastures and helping horse farm owners create an environmentally friendly farm. She was the team leader for a large project that created a state-of-the-art equine Best Management Practice (BMP) showcase at the Equine Science Center’s facility at Rutgers University. Dr. Williams’ extension program has focused on improving equine nutrition, pasture management and horse husbandry. These programs have drawn professionals from many areas of the equine industry including veterinarians, feed and seed dealers, farm managers, horse trainers, massage therapists, 4-H leaders, volunteers, and youth. She maintains her involvement in the equine nutrition industry as an active member of various scientific societies, including as a member on the Board of Directors for the Equine Science Society, the organization in which she has been a member
for 23 years. Due to her work in equine nutrition, she was recently appointed to the Coordinating Committee for the National Research Support Project (NRSP-9) of the National Animal Nutrition Program. Dr. Williams is involved with several riding and showing organizations including the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association, and the Horse Park of New Jersey, where she has been engaged as a key volunteer. Other Awards Presented Secretary of Agriculture Awards for New Jersey Standardbred Horse of the Year, New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Horse of the Year, and Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey Horse of the Year: Venerable – Venerable is a 3-year-old Walner trotting mare owned by David McDuffee, Melvin Hartman, Paul Bordogna, and Steven Arnold. At 2, Venerable, out of Jolene Jolene, was driven by David Miller and trained by Nifty Norman and had nine wins in 11 starts earning $1,039,966. She was the winner of The Matron, The Mohawk Million, The Peaceful Way Final, The Jim Doherty Final, and the 2-year-old filly New Jersey Sire Stakes Final. Secretary of Agriculture Award for New Jersey Thoroughbred Horse of the Year: Horologist – The multiple graded stakes winning mare has won this honor for the second consecutive year. The 5-year-old mare won her first start of the 2021 campaign in the $100,000 Top Flight Invitational Stakes at Aqueduct and was also victorious in the $120,000 Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga. Horologist finished her career with nine wins in 27 career starts and $962,939 in earnings. She was bred in New Jersey by Holly Crest Farm. Breeder of the Year: Steve Stewart – He has been a breeder for New Jersey horses for several years, with the latest success being New Jersey Sire Stakes Horse of the Year Venerable. Stewart, and his wife Cindy, own the 900-acre Hunterton Horse
Farm in Paris, Ky., but leased a farm in New Jersey previously and included breeding top performers in 2014 Hambletonian winner Trixton, and Tactical Landing, who now stands at Southwind Farms in Pennington, N.J. Horse Park of NJ Volunteer of the Year: Dr. Amy Butewicz – She is a lifelong New Jersey resident and equestrian who has immersed herself in many aspects of the equine industry. From an early age, she participated in the 4-H horse program on the local, state, and national levels garnering many accomplishments. She has been a tireless volunteer for the park giving hundreds of hours to events and park activities. In her spare time, Amy enjoys her equestrian pursuits through her riding endeavors as well as her connection to the harness racing industry as a licensed harness horse owner. New Jersey Youth Horseperson of the Year, Agriculture Achievement Award Winner: Jacqueline Tanzi – A senior at Howell High School, she competes on the 4-H circuit and at open dressage shows. Jacqueline was sponsored in the Youth Horseperson of the Year competition by the New Jersey Horse Council. She is involved in training and exercising horses and has volunteered at Riding High Farm’s therapeutic riding program. Bell Scholarship: Katie Eick – The $1,000 scholarship is presented by the Equine Advisory Board and named for Ernest C. Bell, a horse breeder and one of the founders of the Equine Advisory Board. Eick, from Farmingdale, N.J., is a recent graduate of Rutgers University with an Animal Science degree with a concentration on Equine Science. Superior Achievement Awards: MNMs Sweet Blessed Dream and Entirely Sumthin Else – MNMs Sweet Blessed Dream is a 5-year-old pinto and received two Register of Merits this year, one in Halter and the other in Hand Trail. Entirely Sumthin Else is a 10-year-old paint and received a Register of Merit in Novice Western Pleasure, Novice Horsemanship, and accumulated 58.5 APHA points this year.
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July 2022 21
OF AGRICULTURE NEWS VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Tebbetts Op-Ed: New Farm and Food Legislation Advances Vermont Agriculture
This year Vermont legislators made record investments in our rural communities, agriculture, and the environment. Based upon Governor Phil Scott’s proposals, legislators allocated dollars to farmers, producers and those making their living off the land. The Governor’s Future of Agriculture Commission offered new policy and program recommendations, and legislators listened. This winter the Commission proposed investing in food related businesses so they could grow and feed people in Vermont and beyond. A $40 million dollar Community Recovery and Revitalization program led by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development will issue grants to businesses to invest in new infrastructure, such as storage, distribution, waste management and meat processing for Vermont companies. Farming and support for agriculture was well represented under the Golden Dome this year. Those who grow fruits and vegetables will get support; $100,000 is dedicated to continuing Produce Safety Improvement grants for the industry. Grants will help finance equipment and infrastructure needed to safely produce and process more local food. The Working Lands Program also will help farmers, producers and those who work in the forest. More than $3 million dollars will be invested in this program over this next year, making it more affordable and viable to farm or produce food in Vermont. It’s a proven program that grows Vermont’s rural economy while producing high-quality food and forest products. The Commission also proposed to invest in technology to help dairy farmers manage their complex and evolving businesses. This could mean upgrades to help with manure management, milking equipment or infrastructure. The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is committed to this priority and will dedicate dollars to this recommendation in the coming months. With a tight labor market, this initiative could make it more affordable for the region’s dairy farmers. This year’s state budget also includes support for organic dairy farmers who were faced with losing their Vermont markets. The $200,000 appropriation will help farmers find and work with new buyers for their milk. The successful session also focused on attracting and supporting the next generation of farmers. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development will collaborate with the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) to manage a $19 million dollar business assistance program. This forgivable loan program is aimed at helping those businesses that are still recovering from the pandemic. The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center will also offer a mentorship program for dairy farmers. There is tremendous energy and need for new and beginning farmers. While navigating the pandemic, farmers are also coping with climate change. Vermont farmers are stewards of the land. They stand ready to help improve the environment by implementing Climate Smart Farming, including agronomic practices that mitigate climate change. The Agency’s budget includes spending nearly $5 million dollars to plant more cover crops and improve soil health. The state’s budget also includes dollars for the Payment for Ecosystem Services Working Group and Program. This $1 million dollar program, now a pilot, could reward farmers for best practices that improve the environment and the climate. Feeding Vermont and the region is also a priority for the Agency of Agriculture and its partners. Vermonters Feeding Vermonters, a program of the Vermont Foodbank, will receive $2 million dollars to help feed those less fortunate while buying local food from Vermont Farmers. This legislative session also resulted in significant investments in food security programs, farm-to-school and early educator grants, and child nutrition investments in our schools. These investments mean all Vermonters – including our most vulnerable – can benefit from healthy, nutritious food and a robust local food system. These significant financial commitments to Vermont agriculture underscore its importance in our communities and our everyday lives. We are grateful for the support of Vermonters and policy makers in Montpelier and Washington. There is much work to do but short- and long-term approaches create opportunities for farmers and producers while making sure we can feed the region and at the same time keep our valuable agricultural land in production. Anson B. Tebbetts Secretary, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
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PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agriculture Secretary Announces Funding Available for Agricultural Plastic Recycling Pilot Program
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced funding is available for interested parties to develop a sustainable agricultural plastics recycling program. The Agricultural Plastics Recycling Project (APRP) is designed to assist Pennsylvania farmers to better manage their used agricultural plastics. “Agricultural plastics are often single-use items that serve a specific, initial purpose, but eventually become a waste product,” said Secretary Redding. “Landfilling plastics is both an expense and an environmental hazard. Recycling agricultural plastics through programs like APRP is both an environmental and economic choice. It allows resources to be reused without cost, making it a win for farmers and the environment.” APRP is a statewide pilot program with a focus in Adams, Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Perry counties. The program is designed to develop and strengthen agricultural plastic recycling systems by facilitating local initiatives within the agriculture and recycling communities; integrating existing materials management infrastructure; and seeking markets for recovered agricultural plastic. Examples of agricultural plastics include, but is not limited to, silage bags, bunker silo covers, bale wraps and twines, hoop house covers, planting trays and containers, row covers, and mulch films. APRP is made possible through monies secured from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The grants do not require matching funds. Payment of grant funds will occur on a reimbursement basis. An advance payment option may be available with written submission of justification and subsequent approval of the Department. Proposals must be submitted online using the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Electronic Single Application. Proposals must now be submitted by Friday, July 8, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Applicants who have questions may contact Jessica Lenker at 717-7725212 or jeslenker@pa.gov.
News online at GardenerNews.com
22 July 2022 The expression “a hill of beans” means something of little importance or significance. But a hill of green beans could be a great addition to your vegetable garden. Among the most nutrient-dense vegetables, green beans are a good source of vitamins A, C, K, calcium, folic acid, antioxidants, and fiber. Delicious and adaptable, they are found in the cooking of many ethnicities. Green beans, aka string beans or snap beans, can be either pole or bush varieties. Bush beans are short, bushy plants, while pole beans (aka runner beans) are climbing vines requiring a trellis or staking. The tough, fibrous strings running the length of the pod and giving them their name, have been bred out of modern cultivars. These cultivars are either green beans; haricot vert (French or filet beans); long beans (asparagus or yard-long beans); Romano (Italian or flat beans); or wax (butter beans). Much bean breeding means that there are often the same cultivar in both growing types, and purple and yellow beans in almost every category. The first decision is: pole or bush? Crunched for space? Bush takes less room generally. Want to harvest smaller amounts for longer periods? That’s bush. Need to harvest lots at one time? That’s usually pole. For green beans, I like all these bush varieties: ‘Provider’ starts out
By Hubert Ling The short answer is, “We don’t know.” A longer answer is that he appears to be a colonial American doctor from the early 1700s who promoted the use of a plant, now known as Culver’s root, Veronicastrum virginicum, as a laxative. There are no known first-hand accounts as to who Dr. Culver was and where he worked, but having a noteworthy plant named after you is a fitting, long lasting tribute. Culver’s root was first reported as a favored garden plant by John Bannister of the Virginia Colony in the late 1600s. The plant’s first recorded medicinal use was in 1716 when Cotton Mather (a Puritan minister, plant geneticist, and doctor) used this plant to treat his daughter’s tuberculosis; unfortunately very few drugs, including Culver’s root, are effective against TB.
GardenerNews.com The Garden Historian By Lesley Parness Garden Educator
A Hill of Beans
the season early, germinating well in cool soil; ‘Jade’ is a great midsummer crop; and ‘Affirmed’ comes in all at one time at summer’s end. ‘Bartram,” a new dwarf bush, does well in hot summers and has a full disease resistance package. Haricots verts tend to be smaller and more tender. They take well to quick cooking methods such as blanching or sauteing. I am growing ‘Rolande,” a bush filet bean. It can be picked continuously when the circumference of a pencil. Also in my garden this year is ‘Velour,’ the first purple filet bean with short, 4–5” long, straight, bright purple pods. Long beans are native to China and reach around 18” in length. Pole beans, they need room to roam. These can become waterlogged if boiled, so it’s best to sauté or stir-fry them. I grow ‘Red Noodle,’ a vigorous, late summer high yielder whose harvest is borne in clusters. Their large lilac
flowers and dangling contorted magenta pods are decorative in an otherworldly way. Romano beans are flat, meaty, and buttery. Crunchy raw, Romanos can stand up to longer cooking methods like stewing and braising. ‘Helda,’ and the Italian heirloom ‘Super Marconi,’ are tasty 8” long cultivars and the Chinese-bred ‘Qing Bain’ is a remarkable foot long at 50 days. Wax beans are the same as green string beans, except they’re yellow because they’ve been bred to not contain chlorophyll. Their name comes from their beeswax like color, not because they have a waxy taste. As crisp as their green counterparts, they can be used in the same ways. ‘Monte Gusto’ and ‘Marvel of Venice’ are two great pole wax beans. The first offers smooth bright yellow pods that mature at 8”, while the second is an Italian heirloom with a wider pod and earlier harvest. Pole
wax beans have better flavor than bush wax beans IMHO. Here are my bean growing tips: full sun, well-drained soil, 6.0 ph. Fix some nitrogen in advance. Water from below to avoid wetting leaves and powdery mildew. Bean terminology: look for “HR,” “BCMV,” and “BCTV” in their disease resistance. “High bean placement” means the pods won’t get soggy on the ground. “No lodging” means the plants won’t fall over because of weak stems or roots. The Appalachian preservation technique known as “leather breeches” uses greasy beans, a family of heirloom green beans with smooth, shiny pods. String them with a needle and thread, hang them to dry on a porch, then seal them in jars until ready to rehydrate and cook months later. The drying process deepens their flavor and adds meatiness. If you find greasy beans, or any other sturdy green
Who is Dr. Culver?
There is no doubt that the dried Culver’s root is an effective emetic (induces vomiting) and laxative; the plant was listed in the US National Formulary #4. However, the fresh root is a violent cathartic (purges the gut) and is dangerous to use as it may produce bloody stool. The dried root is much milder, but its use has been replaced by safer alternatives with known potency. The Cherokee, Iroquois, Chippewa and Menominee Indians used Veronicastrum virginicum for a multitude of medical problems. It was used as an analgesic, cathartic, emetic, treatment for coughs, fevers, rheumatism, and to assist with childbirth. The Cherokee used it as a tea for backaches, fever, typhus, and other ailments, while the Seneca used it as a laxative, and the Menominee used it to purge the body of evil spirits. The Chippewa name for Culver’s root is wi’sûgidji’bĭ, which means “bitter root.” Of
course in this current day, you should never self-medicate with Culver’s root or with any other unregulated drugs. The plant is found in Southern Canada and south to East Texas and Florida. It is uncommon in NJ but has been recently reported in the wild from several counties in North Jersey. I have only seen it once in the wild but that was only a few blocks from my home garden so it may have spread from my yard. Genus name Veronicastrum comes from the Veronica or speedwell which is a reasonably well known garden plant. The suffix astrum means to look like. The species name followed by an “L” indicated that Linnaeus named this plant from a specimen sent to him in Sweden, in the 1700s, from Virginia. Culver’s root does resemble a large Veronica. However, Culver’s root has lance-shaped leaves in an unusual arrangement of 3-7 leaves in a whorl at each
node of the stem. Each leaf is sessile, or has a short stem, and small teeth all along the edges. The mature plant is generally 4-6 feet tall and will produce a bushy plant 2-3 feet wide. It has a deep taproot and can spread from rhizomes. In July expect Culver’s root to form slim, graceful spikes of small white or pink flowers arranged in a graceful candelabra shape; flowering occurs for about a month. This plant is now placed in the Plantain family (Plantaginaceae). Culver’s root is a long lasting, easy to grow perennial which is resistant to moderate insect and deer browse, sand, clay, partial shade, and moderate drought. It grows best in slightly acid, rich, moist soil in full light. Propagation is generally done by easy-to-grow seeds. A moist, chilling period over winter is necessary for seed germination. Propagation can also be done by cuttings and root divisions. Two
beans without fuzzy pods, at the farmers’ market in late summer, preserve some for winter. Google this slow food dish for recipes vegan and otherwise. The Tennessee-based seedbank, heirlooms.org, offers more than a dozen greasy bean cultivars including the marvelous ‘Lazy Wife.’ Henry David Thoreau grew beans at Walden Pond and wrote of them “What shall I learn of beans or beans of me? I cherish them, I hoe them, early and late I have an eye to them.” – good advice, and not just a hill of beans.
Editor’s Note: Lesley Parness offers a variety of presentations and workshops for garden clubs, plant societies, and horticultural gatherings. Recently retired from her position as Superintendent of Horticultural Education at the Morris County Park Commission, and with four decades of teaching environmental science and garden education, her focus now is garden history. A complete listing of her talks can be seen at lesleyparness. com and she can be reached at parness@verizon.net. This column will appear in the paper every other month.
cultivars, white ‘Album’ and lilac ‘Lavendeltrum,’ have been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Veronicastrum virginicum provides both pollen and nectar for its insect visitors. The plant is sought for by many types of bees such as bumblebees, green metallic bees, honeybees, masked bees, and mason bees. Culver’s root is also visited by butterflies, moths, sphecid wasps, and syrphid flies. Culver’s root is generally not browsed heavily by herbivores although deer may nibble on it a little. Consider this graceful, tall plant as an ecologically significant addition to your garden. Editor’s Note: Hubert Ling is Horticultural Co-Chair of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. He can be reached at milhubling@ verizon.net.
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July 2022 23
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Outdoors – Booth space will be available in open air pavilions and on a grass concourse. Demo space – All equipment vendors will be provided with an equal amount of demo area space to match their booth space for attendees to try out equipment. Live music – There will be a live band on Saturday (don’t worry, it will be far enough away from the booths for you to have normal conversations). Food trucks – Instead of the usual concession stand fare, this event will host several food options from multiple food truck vendors. Location – The Hunterdon County Fairgrounds are within minutes of a great nightlife in Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA. Plus, we expect attendees from throughout NJ, NY, PA and DE to come to this centrally located event. Limited education – Means more time for you to spend with attendees and exhibitors, networking, demonstrating and discussing products and services. Space – With over 1 acre of covered exhibit space, 1.5 acres of outdoor space and 1.25 acres of demonstration area, this will be the biggest event on the east coast.
A Proud Sponsor of the Bobcat of North Jersey
201 MALTESE DRIVE TOTOWA , NJ Attendance at this event will be to the level permitted under New Jersey Executive Orders in effect at the time of the show. Additionally, all participants must (973) 774-9500 to all CDC and state guidelines regarding COVID-19. However, we are back and better than ever and invite you to be part of the beginning of the northofadhere North Jersey east’s biggest green industry event ever!
201 Maltese Drive, Totowa, NJ Steve Caputo 973-800-5097 www.njbobcat.com • (973) 774-9500 Steve.Caputo@NJBobcat.com
http://www.njbobcat.com
Plus, we’re still hosting our Landscape New Jersey Trade Show and Conference at the Meadowlands in February. So, you will now have two opportunities to meet and greet, network and learn. Exhibitors should reserve their booths at the Northeast Green Industry Expo today! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 201-321-5111 or NGIS@njlca.org.
®
Sincerely,
Proudly Supporting the Entire New Jersey Agricultural, Gardening, Landscaping and Nursery Communities.
Bobcat , the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2021 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. 14520937 Bobcat , the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. Richard Goldstein Gail Woolcott ©2021 Bobcat Company. All rights reserved. 14520937
Sean Kunkel 973-800-7109 Sean.Kunkel@NJBobcat.com
President
Executive Director
24 July 2022
GardenerNews.com
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