Gardener News October 2022

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Destroy Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses

Destruction of spotted lanternfly egg masses can help prevent the spread of spotted lanternfly. A single egg mass could hold 30 to 50 eggs.

Early detection is vital to the effective control of this pest and the protection of agriculture and natural resources-related businesses.

It’s a good time of year to spot the egg cases of the spotted lanternfly (SLF), now that leaves are falling, foliage is dying back and surfaces are exposed. SLF adults lay eggs starting in October and will continue to lay eggs through the first few hard frosts. Egg masses are live and viable from about October through July.

Egg masses can be found on virtually any outdoor surface. The egg masses are about 1-1.5 inches long and 1/2 -3/4 inches wide. They are gray-brown in color. Newly laid egg masses are somewhat shiny – covered in a waxy coating. The wax, when it is first deposited, is light gray, but it takes on the appearance of mud as it dries.

You can scrape egg masses whenever encountered using any hard or rigid tool such as a stick, a putty knife, or credit card. It’s unknown if eggs scraped onto the ground can survive, so the best advice is to scrape egg masses in a downward direction into a container with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. They can also be double bagged and thrown in the garbage.

Tom Castronovo/Photos

Around The Garden

By Tom Castronovo Gardener News

Get Out the Hoses and Plant Health

Yes, some trees do go dormant in drought. Recurring and prolonged periods of drought seem to have become commonplace in many regions of the tristate area in recent years. Especially this past summer! The drought effects on trees and shrubs are seen in both the natural and in the manmade landscapes.

Premature drought dormancy is not ideal for a tree’s health. As they go into dormancy and drop leaves (and sometimes also go through fall color changes), tress also lose their ability to produce food. After all, the purpose of the leaves is to produce food for the tree through the process of photosynthesis.

I personally witnessed many maple trees in my neighborhood completely defoliated by late August. It looked like fall leaf drop on the lawn. Several other species had wilted leaves and marginal scorch. What a summer…

Long, dry periods without supplemental water can damage root systems and possibly kill your trees. Although some may look normal next spring, trees that have been weakened from the previous season’s drought, and possible dryness over the winter, will usually die back later next summer.

After this year’s summer drought, it is more important than ever to monitor soil moisture conditions, and water trees and shrubs going into winter. Drought conditions seem to be persisting into the fall. Dry air and low soil moisture can increase plant damage if no supplemental water is provided.

Established trees should be watered two to three times a month in the fall season until the ground begins to freeze, and once a month in the winter season. When watering any tree, remember to apply water out to the edge of the tree’s canopy drip line. Most established trees have a root spread equal to their height and beyond.

Newly planted trees require routine and thorough watering regularly for at least three years after planting.

Water acts like an insulator, both to a tree and the soil. Soil that stays moist will be warmer; likewise plant cells that are plump with water will be less susceptible to damage from the cold.

Evergreen trees lose water through their needles in the dry winter air, so they need more stored-up water going into the winter season to make up for it. Cold, dry winds can actually strip water from evergreens faster than their roots can absorb it. That’s why it’s especially important to provide a sufficient water supply in the fall, and water during dry spells during the winter.

Evergreens like boxwoods and arborvitae need water in the fall to reduce the chance of winter

burn — branches that are dry and brown in spring because they dried out for lack of water during the cold month.

Long, slow watering is best. Give the water plenty of time to soak in. You’ll know there is enough moisture in the soil when you can dig a small hole and it feels moist at least six to nine inches down. Avoid short, frequent watering, as it promotes development of a shallow root system that is more vulnerable to drying out and other stresses.

The best time to water your tree is after the sun has set, or in the early morning before the sun is high in the sky. Watering your tree between sunset and sunrise will help it replace any moisture it lost during the heat of the day and minimize the amount of water that evaporates.

One of the best ways to water a tree is called deep root watering. Trees take up water through their roots, so directing the water to those roots is going to make them the healthiest. Deep root watering involves soaking the soil in the drip zone to a depth of about nine inches — deep enough that the tree’s roots have an adequate amount of water to take up. Soaker hoses provide a slow stream of water. Soil should be moist, but not waterlogged. This method results in less runoff and the water is more likely to be absorbed by the root zone.

Please make sure that you detach the hose from the water bib after each use so it doesn’t freeze and crack.

Avoid fertilizing trees and shrubs stressed by drought during the summer months. If water is unavailable, do not fertilize at all because plants will be unable to absorb the nutrients. Fertilizer salts may burn roots when there is insufficient soil moisture. Fertilizers applied in the fall may also stimulate top growth that could result in excess leaf area for the tree or shrub to maintain during periods of limited soil moisture. Over-fertilizing can severely damage or kill woody plants. Before beginning, read manufacturer’s instructions on the amount of fertilizer to use.

I’ve been taught that when a tree sheds sticks all the time, it’s a sure sign that it’s not healthy. A tree that’s in good shape will have flexible branches and twigs that don’t tend to break off. If you see broken branches or twigs on the ground around a tree, you should call a tree specialist to do an inspection.

If your tree’s bark is flaking and peeling, it’s not receiving enough nutrients. Like us, a tree has skin, which is the trees bark. Our skin problems provide clues about underlying illnesses, just like the condition of tree bark can point to tree problems.

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.

One of the most special times of year in the Garden State (of which there are many) is when we harvest the grapes that produce the fine wines that we are increasingly becoming known for here in New Jersey.

Not that long ago, the mention of a wine being from New Jersey might elicit a quizzical look from consumers, who had likely grown up hearing only of wines from regions like Napa or the Finger Lakes as places where American wines were produced.

At that time, there were only about 30 wineries in our state, and only a couple of those had gained national or even regional awareness. It’s hard to believe, considering the attention now garnered by our wineries, but just a couple decades ago, not many people outside the state knew how good Jersey wines could be.

Now our state has grown to 55 wineries, with plans and applications for licenses showing that we are headed to around 70 or more very soon.

As of a study in 2016, New Jersey’s wineries produced more than two million gallons of wine, with a retail value of around $30 million. Five wineries have been

NJ Dept. of Agriculture

By Douglas H. Fisher Secretary of Agriculture

Jersey Wines from Jersey Vines

added since that study was conducted, so those numbers are naturally larger now.

Not only is the number of wineries growing, but the national and international respect for New Jersey wines is also expanding. Our state’s wines routinely win awards at major competitions, both in the United States and abroad, making them internationally famous.

Much like other sectors of agriculture here, the micro-climates and terroir of our four recognized wine-growing regions lend themselves to specific attributes in the grapes that are grown in those areas of New Jersey.

Our four designated American Viticultural Areas, each with conditions best suited for wine-growing, are: the Central Delaware Valley AVA: designated in 1984, located in Central New Jersey and shared with

Southeastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware River, just north of Philadelphia; the Warren Hills AVA: designated in 1988, located entirely in Warren County, along New Jersey’s hillier northwestern edge bordering Pennsylvania; the Outer Coastal Plain AVA: designated in 2007, located in Southeastern New Jersey and including all of Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic and Ocean counties; and the Cape May Peninsula AVA, designated in 2018, located in Southeastern New Jersey and including parts of Cape May and Cumberland Counties.

Not only are New Jersey wines based on specific grapes enjoyed and honored (with some being unique to individual wineries), but varietal blends and fruit wines from our state are also gaining recognition.

New Jersey, of course, is a state rich in tourism opportunities, and wineries

are tailor-made to welcome guests. Meals at wineries, visits to a tasting room, and even overnight stays at or nearby a winery, can make for a great getaway.

Some say there’s just no beating the pairing of a fine meal and a great wine for immersing oneself in elegance, and you’ll find that our wineries have adopted that appeal to a more refined experience into the venues on their properties geared toward hosting such timeouts from our everyday lives.

If you’ve heard people speak about wine at all over the years, you’ve no doubt heard them address something being a “very good year” for a particular type or brand of wine. One of the factors that goes into a “very good year” is the weather and how that weather impacts the growing of the grapes from which the wine is made.

The drier weather we have

experienced this spring and summer, while not ideal for all farming enterprises, helps a winery bottle excellent wines with great brix counts (the measure of sweetness in fruits and aqueous solutions).

You can find information on wineries and calendars of special events at www. newjerseywines.com, the website for the Garden State Wine Growers Association.

With autumn and Thanksgiving approaching, go and enjoy all the wines New Jersey has to offer, along with the other autumnharvest farm products still coming into market.

It’s a glorious time in the Garden State.

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

Forest Service Taking Emergency Action to Protect Giant Sequoias

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is initiating emergency fuels reduction treatments to provide for the long term survival of giant sequoia groves against immediate wildfire threats. These actions make use of the agency’s existing authorities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to conduct emergency fuels treatments as expeditiously as possible.

Encompassing approximately 13,377 acres that will protect 12 giant sequoia groves, the emergency fuels treatments would remove surface and ladder fuels that present the greatest wildfire risk and include hand cutting of small trees, mechanical removal of trees, application of borate on green stumps, pulling duff away from the base of large giant sequoias and prescribed burning.

Most of the planned treatments have already initiated NEPA required environmental reviews. The environmental review processes for two of the projects are scheduled to be completed by April 2023 and the other will be completed by November 2023. With the emergency action, giant sequoias could receive accelerated protection by as much as 9 to 12 months in most groves and years earlier in other groves. The intent is to complete treatments by 2023 but may continue through the end of 2024.

On the Sequoia National Forest, the estimated cost for the manual and mechanical treatments, including prescribed burn preparation on up to 11,945 acres, is approximately $15 million, which the Forest Service has available thanks to funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and appropriations from

Congress. Work on eight groves could be initiated this summer and work on three additional groves could begin this fall.

On the Sierra National Forest, approximately $6 million is needed for manual and mechanical treatments, including prescribed burn preparation on up to 1,432 acres. Work could be initiated this summer on three groves.

Of the 37 giant sequoia groves found on 37,000 acres of national forests in California, all but five have burned or partially burned in recent wildfires, and many giant monarchs – the largest sequoias in a grove – were killed. Since 2015, wildfires have caused significant destruction of the giant sequoia groves, and have destroyed nearly one-fifth of all giant sequoias in the last two years. The emergency facing giant sequoias is unprecedented.

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Governor Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher Phil Murphy

Governor Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher

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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

From the Director’s Desk Rutgers Outreach

Provided by Brian Schilling Director

Preparing Your Garden for a Successful Spring Season Now – Overwintering Best Practices

When it comes to preparing your garden for a successful season, an ounce of prevention is certainly worth a pound of cure. In this case, what you do now will have direct impact on your future garden, landscape, or natural area come springtime.

Water: Trees, shrubs, fruiting vines, and herbaceous perennials will weather the winter months much better if they are adequately watered prior to the ground freezing. Typically, one inch of water per week during the growing season, continued through the fall months, will prepare most plants for a potentially dry winter. Although most of us don’t regard winter as being drought-prone, it is very common, and many otherwise healthy plants succumb to a lack of moisture during this time. Given the 2022 drought conditions, special attention should be given to perennials planted this season. However, don’t overwater as this can promote other issues, such as root diseases.

and insects, such as solitary bees and other pollinators. The fall is a great time to clean (scrubbed with soap and water) and sanitize (chemically) all equipment, structures, trays, and tools you have been using throughout the season, as waiting until spring can have negative consequences. While cleaning up and inspecting your garden, remember to keep taking notes of interesting and concerning observations for use in subsequent seasons.

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

Record: Draw your current garden or landscape layout, taking note of what plants did well, the diseases or pests you encountered, and any other considerations you would like to remember come springtime. Borrowing from commercial agriculture, the concept of ‘crop rotation’ is considered a golden rule and means that a single crop family should not be grown in the same location year after year, as diseases, pests, and certain nutrients can be depleted. Although your garden is considerably smaller, this same ideology can be deployed successfully for annual flowers and fruiting vegetables as well as when perennials need to be replaced. Good record keeping (throughout multiple seasons and years) is a great way to look back when problems are encountered and memory is a bit hazy.

Clean and Sanitize: It’s interesting how we can pour so much time and effort into the establishment of a garden, only to walk away at the end of the season. Proper stewardship of our landscapes, gardens, and natural areas is a 365-day job, especially when many pests and diseases can overwinter in plant debris and on contaminated surfaces. After the season, plant debris should either be removed or turned under/ buried into the soil. In areas with plants prone to leaf spots, dropped leaves should be removed. In a vegetable garden, crop debris (also known as residue) should not be left until next spring as pathogens will be more likely to infect during the next crop cycle. However, in healthy perennials/ biennials that naturally dieback in winter, their stems and litter serve as vital overwintering locations for many beneficial microorganisms

Soil: As you remove infested plant materials, turn under healthy plant debris, and clean around landscaped areas, be mindful that most soils should not be left uncovered for extended periods as this can lead to erosion, runoff, and leeching of nutrients, thus degrading your topsoil. Adding mulched leaves, straw, and compost can provide numerous horticultural, ecological, and soil composition benefits. These benefits include buffering plants against extreme moisture fluctuations, adding organic matter, nutrients, and structures that support beneficial microorganisms such as mycorrhizae, and providing thermal insulation to root systems especially in areas that do not receive regular insulating snow cover.

Enjoy: One thing you can do this fall is stroll through arboretums, nurseries, and natural areas to take note of ‘fall interest’ plants. A key consideration when designing a year-round garden or landscape is selecting plants that are ecologically and aesthetically important in a continuum, one after another, throughout the season. This could take the form of early season pollinator forage, to late summer blooms, to colorful fall foliage and brilliant winter stem color. Learning about how our garden ecosystems go into their dormant months can provide a much deeper understanding of our favorite plants.

Reach-out & Research: If you have regular issues with pests and diseases, contact Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory to have them evaluated. Soil tests are also another great way to stay informed about the unique conditions in your landscape and gardens. Contact the Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory by visiting their website at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/soil-testing-lab/. A cost is associated with this service. You can also contact Rutgers Master Gardeners through their website at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/mastergardeners/ for such services as ‘Call a Rutgers Master Gardener,’ ‘Lawn & Garden Frequently Asked Questions,’ or to get information on becoming a Rutgers Master Gardener yourself. Rutgers factsheets pertaining to numerous topics can also be found at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/ pubs/.

Editor’s Note: This month’s contribution was written by Timothy J. Waller, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agent in Commercial Nursery, Cumberland County.

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Pork Belly with Pumpkin, Hazelnuts and Fermented Garlic In the Chef’s Corner

Hello Gardener News family. Fall is upon us, and I find it to be a spectacular time of year. There is nothing like the crisp chilled air and stunning foliage landscapes that surround us at every turn. I am not a fan of the days getting shorter, but it is a small sacrifice given all the season offers.

At this time of year, our menu items shift to having less of a focus on summer’s bounty of vegetables, fruits and herbs, and greater emphasis on the local New Jersey autumn crop. As the seasons change, so does the produce available for consumption. As always, produce consumed during its season is fresher, richer in nutrients, and in its prime. For fall, think squash, corn, eggplant, zucchini, pumpkin…a rainbow of eye popping colors which seem to replicate the scenic views. There is so much one can do with this versatile produce.

Traditionally at this time of year, we keep some of our popular entrées by leaving the main part of the dish intact and alternating the sides based on what is in season.

Featuring in-season sides is an easy and unobtrusive way to change a menu while still maintaining the foundation of the dish.

Different textures and tastes, especially when combined, can enhance the seasonality of a dish. For example, sprinkling cinnamon and nutmeg on top of a slow-roasted duck entrée will bring out the comforts of fall. There are limitless

By Aishling Stevens Executive Chef

combinations to highlight, and it is an excellent way to keep menu items fresh. I feel that seasonal menu changes give us four opportunities each year to experiment with new flavors and dishes, and stay relevant in the everchanging world of food.

On a more pleasant note, one of my favorite dishes at this time of year is pork belly with pumpkin, hazelnuts and fermented garlic. It is quite easy to make and so flavorful. For ingredients, you will need one strip of pork belly (blanched and cut into bite size pieces), one bowl of cubed pumpkin (with the skin intact), crushed hazelnuts and the fermented garlic.

Even in the drought we have been experiencing, pumpkins are inexpensive and plentiful. I buy from a few local farms nearby in Sussex County to procure this fall favorite. Regarding hazelnuts, farmers trying to grow them east of the Rockies have been dogged for years by Eastern Filbert Blight, but that is hopefully changing thanks to the work of Thomas Molnar, a plant biologist at Rutgers University, who has been working on a blightresistant hazelnut hybrid that can be grown in New Jersey.

Now onto the recipe! To get started, heat some oil in a pan or wok. Sauté the fermented garlic until aromatic. Add the pork belly pieces and sauté for a while. Mix these together well. Then, add water until the meat is covered. Cover and let the liquid boil at high heat for five minutes. Then, lower the heat and let

it simmer until the meat is cooked and tender. This can take between 35 – 45 minutes depending on the pot you use. You can add more water if you prefer more gravy.

When the meat is cooked and the gravy is thickened, add the cubed pumpkin and hazelnut. Cover and continue to cook the ingredients until the pumpkin is soft. This will take between 5 to 8 minutes. Stir and mix well. I like to serve this dish with brown rice. It is heavenly!

Now, when it comes to the right wine pairing, pork belly needs a sweet wine with a high level of acidity. Such wine can cut through the fatness and not take anything away from the taste. I highly recommend a German Spätlese Reisling.

The word “Spätlese” means late harvest, and the name originated from quite a popular story about the Spätlese wine. Legend has it that the cultivation of this wine was more of a mistake. The courier meant to deliver the official harvest picking order for this wine, and it was delayed due to unknown circumstances.

By the time the courier made it to the winery, noble rot had already invaded the grapes meant for the winemaking, and the wine turned out to be even sweeter than the winemakers could imagine. The Riesling grapes used for this wine are picked later to develop a higher sugar level, prompting a rich and sweet wine taste.

Hope you enjoy and bon appetit!

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.

Plenty® Announces the Largest Vertical Farm Campus in the World

Plenty Unlimited Inc. announced on September 14, 2022 that it has secured up to 120 acres of land near Richmond, Virginia, to build the largest, most advanced indoor vertical farm campus in the world. The centrally located Plenty Richmond Farm Campus marks Plenty’s expansion beyond the U.S. West Coast and will bring fresh, healthy produce to the East Coast year-round. Plenty plans to deploy several large-scale vertical farms on the campus in the coming years, with a potential annual production capacity exceeding 20 million pounds across multiple crops including strawberries, leafy greens and tomatoes.

The campus’ first farm will grow Driscoll’s strawberries, and be the first in the world to grow indoor, vertically farmed berries at scale. The farm is designed to grow more than 4 million pounds of strawberries annually, helping to meet growing demand for flavorful, fresh berries in the Northeast, the largest berry consumption region in the U.S. Plenty has broken ground on the farm and the first crop of Driscoll’s strawberries grown by Plenty will be available in winter 2023-2024 at retailers throughout the Northeast.

The Plenty Richmond Farm Campus will expand over time to include farms growing additional produce, such as Plenty’s signature pesticide-free leafy greens, using Plenty’s patented platform. Plenty’s controlled indoor growing environments optimize produce for flavor, texture and size by tailoring nutrients, water and light to the needs of each individual plant. Through this advanced technology and customized approach, Plenty can produce yields of up to 350x more per acre, using a fraction of the water, compared to conventional farms.

About Plenty

Plenty is rewriting the rules of agriculture through its technology platform that can grow fresh produce anywhere in the world, year round, with peak-season quality and up to 350x more yield per acre than conventional farms. Plenty’s proprietary approach preserves the world’s natural resources, makes healthy produce available to all communities and creates resilience in our food systems against weather, location, pests and climate. Plenty operates the largest of its kind indoor plant science research facility in Laramie, Wyoming, and is currently building the world’s most advanced, vertical, indoor farm in Compton, California, and the world’s largest indoor vertical farm campus near Richmond, Virginia.

Fall has arrived and it’s time for fire pits, football and roasting marshmallows. The single best outdoor living project at my home is the fire pit, which extends our outdoor entertaining and living time well into the fall.

This past month has been a whirlwind! We held a successful 2nd anniversary of the Northeast Outdoor Industry Showcase and Expo (NOISE) at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Lambertville! The event serves as an excellent fundraiser for our educational fund, which provides scholarships to students in the outdoor living industry. Over 30 educational exhibitors lined the booths, taking up an entire pavilion. One could learn everything they needed to run their outdoor living businesses correctly, safely and legally from A to Z. Exhibitors in this pavilion included Rutgers University, Penn State, the Department of Agriculture, New Jersey State Police, OSHA, the Department of Environmental Protection, and many more. Attendees at the show were able to earn pesticide and fertilizer credits to keep their licenses current, plus visit a plethora of cool and interesting exhibitors. They were able to

The NJLCA Today

By Gail Woolcott Executive Director

First Down, Fifty Yards to Go!

demo equipment and really get a feel for each one before taking the plunge on purchasing them. What a great two days we had, thank you to all who participated!

We also recently held a Latino Mixer at the Stagehouse Tavern in Mountainside. This event was a tremendous success, with over 65 in attendance. Sponsored by SiteOne Landscape Supply, NJLCA Board Director Hector Escobar envisioned the event and was our main speaker. Hector (CIO of Blue Mountain Landscaping) spoke to attendees and told his success story of coming to America and starting his landscape business. Since opening over 20 years ago, Hector (an engineer by trade) has grown his business and proven the success of Latinos in our industry. Marvin Barrantes (Total Maintenance Pro) also spoke to attendees about his struggles with

getting his green card, all the way through today where he is a wellrespected owner of a successful landscape company. The purpose of this event was to introduce Latinos to the NJLCA, explain how running a business legally and properly can lead to remarkable success, and to encourage them to continue on their paths towards accomplishment. Furthermore, we explained how the NJLCA would like to be there for them and how we can help them achieve their goals.

Our next educational event will be held at Bobcat in North Jersey, with special guest Mark Borst speaking about the correct way to price projects and services. Mark is the president and owner of Borst Landscape and Design and is a leader in the landscape and snow and ice management industries. This follows our last member

meeting where Chris James, another industry leader, explained what a successful company should start looking at when trying to figure out their own finances.

We also have our immensely popular NJLCA Golf Classic, which will be held at Crystal Springs Golf Resort on October11th. This event also supports our scholarship program, and this year we will have a very special guest, Mr. Kelsey Grammer, joining us to meet and greet our guests. The outing offers a $10,000 put-off challenge, a $1,000,000 hole-inone, several prized holes-in-one, and prizes for special on-course contests. The event is strongly supported by our associate members and is always great fun!

We are also gearing up for the NJLCA’s Landscape Achievement Awards program, one of my favorite events of the year. We get

to see all the amazing, beautiful, award-worthy projects that are entered to win one of many awards in categories to match the scope of the project. The awards are decided on by a panel of judges (blind judging, as they are unaware of the company entering the projects) and awarded at our annual Holiday Gala and Achievement Awards Dinner in December.

And before you know it, we will be talking about the 2023 Landscape New Jersey Trade Show and Conference, now in its 45th year! Have a Happy Halloween all!

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.

The Great Beetlebung Tree?

By Hubert Ling

Give up? A beetle, besides being a common insect, is a large wooden mallet used to drive in the cork (bung) of a barrel. The beetlebung tree, or Nyssa sylvatia, supplies the hard, dense wood to shape into a beetle. This tree has a plethora of common names: tupelo, sour gum, bowl gum, yellow gum, and wild peartree. Tupelo is derived from a Native American name (Creek Nation): ‘ito’ is tree and ‘opilwa’ means swamp. Nyssa was a water nymph in Greek mythology and sylvatia the species epithet is Latin for woodland.

I couldn’t find the reason for the common name sour gum! Although the fruit is very sour, there is nothing particularly gummy about any part of a sour gum tree. The non-related sweet-gum tree does produce a gummy resin which was traditionally

used as chewing gum. Nevertheless, sour gum trees are finding increasing acceptance as a street or an ornamental tree. During spring and summer, the leaves are a shiny deep green; in fall many of the leaves turn a bright, metallic, fire engine red which has to be seen to be believed.

Under standard yard conditions, it is a smallmedium sized tree (about 20-50 feet tall) which does not produce tons of sweetgum balls like the completely different sweet-gum tree. Instead, the sour gum tree produces small, dark blue, edible stone fruits about 3/8 inch long which have a good flavor but are very sour. The fruits were widely used by Native Americans and settlers for drinks, preserves, and pies. Bear, deer, fox, opossum, and small rodents also utilize the fruit. In the Deep South, the variety biflora has a juicier fruit but

is intensely bitter.

In sour gum the sexes are divided into male and female trees; however, both sexes will have a few flowers with male and female parts. Bees are strongly attracted to blooming sour gums and the tree supports the production of highly prized honey. If you want to attract a variety of birds in large numbers, be sure to get a female as well as a male tree for good fruit set.

Sour gum wood is tan to dark brown, tough, hard, dense, and difficult to split. It has been used for beetles, tool handles, crates, pulpwood, bowls, pulleys, pallets, gunstocks, docks, and wooden wagon wheel hubs. Since it is hard and resistant to certain acids, it has also been used for factory floors. Although the untreated wood is not rot resistant, the tough, treated wood makes superior, long lasting railroad ties.

Native Americans used it as a toothbrush, and as a native

of Appalachia described it: you chew on the end of a small branch about as big as a pencil and the branch would separate into stringy tough fibers to form the brush.

Baking soda could be used as toothpaste. Don’t use salt as toothpaste because it is very abrasive and cuts into your teeth. Sour gum was also used for the habit of snuffdipping. This was carried out by some poor women of the South who would wet the toothbrush with water and then coat it with finely ground tobacco (snuff). The gums and mouth would be rubbed with this mixture. The result would be a nicotine high, but the practice is strongly condemned by the NCI since tobacco has considerable amounts of carcinogens and repeated snuff-dipping leads to mouth and throat cancer.

Sour gum, as the Native Americans well knew, grows best in moist, rich, partially shaded, slightly acidic

bottom land soil. However, it is resistant to occasional drought, clay, sandy soil, salt spray, black walnut, and uplands conditions. The tree is generally pest free. Under flooded conditions, specialized water roots develop which allow the tree to thrive. Since the untreated heartwood is not rot resistant, the mature tree is a reliable den tree. Squirrels, bees, amphibians, and reptiles make frequent use of this property. Propagation is by seed, which must be given a 60 day cool, moist, stratification period prior to germination.

Consider this tree with its fluorescent fall yellows and reds for your yard.

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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Bobcat T76 Compact Track

Mark Borst, president of Borst Landscape & Design in Allendale, NJ will be the featured speaker at the NJLCA’s October Snow Membership Meeting. Mark’s presentation, titled “What I Have Learned Over the Past 30 Plus Years” will focus on how contractors can understand their numbers and create estimates that will help make jobs more profitable.

In addition, Mark will sprinkle in the knowledge he has gained during the past 30 years including how he planned out his career with the end in mind, how to manage a company instead of doing the physical work and how to use consultants to help grow your company.

Rob Guarino of The Weather Pros will provide attendees with the first winter weather forecast and let us know what we can expect for the upcoming snow season!

Join your fellow snow contractors at one of the most highly anticipated and well attended membership meetings of the year!

The T76 compact track loader, part of the revolutionary R-Series loader lineup, has been completely redesigned to meet the growing demands of today’s toughest jobsites. This compact track loader – sometimes referred to as a skid-steer with tracks – offers a long list of quality-focused innovations that make it more reliable than ever –including an inline engine and direct-drive system, cast-steel lift arms and improved cooling performance. There’s also a focus on the operator to maximize your productivity, including a superior suspension system that provides added comfort on long days and features that make servicing the machine easier. The T76 is optimized to deliver more usable horsepower and improve overall performance to help you complete bigger jobs in less time.

The other day I was visiting a gardening friend in Germantown. She has been doing some gardening renovations. One of her new additions is a little bog garden at the base of her bird bath, and it has several carnivorous plants including a host of pitcher plants and several Venus fly traps. I thought Venus fly traps were more something people used in terrariums, but that is probably because they are widely grown, sold and distributed in the houseplant section of garden centers. But, in addition to being a great plant to add to your indoor terrarium, they make a great plant for the garden too.

Venus fly traps, Dionaea muscipula, are commonly sold in garden centers and nurseries as houseplants, but they are perfectly happy grown in a pot on the patio or in the ground. This carnivorous plant can be found growing in bogs and poorly drained areas on coastal plains within a 90-mile radius of Wilmington, North Carolina.

In Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love and was the Roman counterpart to the Greek goddess, Aphrodite. The genus name for the Venus fly trap is Dionaea, which is named for the daughter of Dione, Aphrodite. The

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

By Andrew Bunting Vice President of Horticulture

The Venus Fly Trap

species name is muscipula, which is derived from musca (fly) and decipula (trap).

The Venus fly trap is a small plant consisting of a rosette of leaves only reaching a couple inches in spread and height. The terminal lobes of each leaf are hinged with two flaps thus forming the “trap.”

The flaps have tiny hairs called “trigger hairs.” When a small insect or spider comes in contact with the leaves, they are “triggered” and close, thus trapping the insect.

The trapping mechanism is so highly specialized that it can distinguish between prey (insects) and a drop of rainwater, and only closes on the prey. The trapped and decomposing insects provide nutrition to the plant. They are closely related to Drosera, the sundews, another carnivorous plant.

The flowers of the fly trap are also interesting. Rising from the center of the clump

is a stem up to six inches long with flowers that are star-like with five white petals. It is pollinated by sweat bees and longhorn and checkered beetles.

In its native habitats, which are nitrogen and phosphorouspoor environments such as bogs and wet savannahs, it relies on other methods to derive its nutrients to remain vigorous. Its elaborate traps catch insects that decompose, creating nitrogen for protein formation. The diet of the fly trap includes 33% ants, 30% spiders, 10% beetles, 10% grasshoppers, and less than 5% flying insects.

Because of the restricted native habitat, habitat loss, fire suppression (fire is a key part of its ecosystem), and poaching of plants from the wild, it is a plant that is threatened in the wild. Today, most plants sold in stores are nursery produced through division

and micropropagation (tissue culture) and don’t impact native populations.

In the garden, the key is to replicate conditions it is likely to find in its native habitat. The planting “soil” mix should be 60% peatmoss and 40% silica sand. If you plant in the ground, you will want to create a container garden by digging out the soil and adding a rubber liner to help contain the moisture.

The mix of peat and sand can be added on top of the rubber liner. Carnivorous plants will also thrive in a container.

The key is to find a container that does not have a typical drainage hole in the bottom of the container.

Most carnivorous plants are very sensitive to watering and need water with a low mineral content of under 100 ppm. Never allow the pot or the inground planting to dry out. The best water for the Venus fly trap and

other carnivorous plants is rainwater or distilled water. Fly traps grow best in full sun.

As you experiment with growing the Venus fly trap, you may want to add other carnivorous native plants to your plantings including the sundews, Drosera, and the amazingly beautiful pitcher plants, Sarracenia

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

Garden Grant Focused on Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability!

With schools back in session, kids are checking on what their school gardens were up to over the summer. Did their plants survive? Is there a fun treat ready to be harvested? Are there weeds everywhere?!

KidsGardening is also excited about school starting and is delighted to partner again with the Klorane Botanical Foundation to offer the Budding Botanist Grant!

The program is designed to support new and existing school garden programs that want to teach about biodiversity and environmental sustainability. School gardens are the perfect place for students to learn about plants, explore their world, and feel inspired to take care of the life they discover in their local ecosystems. The 2023 Budding Botanist Grant is open until October 14, 2022.

Any public school, charter school, or private school serving students in grades K to 12 in the United States that can demonstrate that at least 40% of their student population would qualify for free or reduced-price

meals is eligible to apply. Applicants must be planning a new or expanding an existing school garden program designed to teach students about environmental sustainability and the importance of biodiversity.

The deadline for application submission is Friday, October 14, 2022, at 11:59 pm PST.

All applications must be submitted online. You can download a copy of the questions to view ahead of time as a Word document or PDF file. We strongly advise saving the questions and then copying and pasting the answers into the application rather than composing your answers directly into the online form. Many browsers are set to timeout after 30 minutes of inactivity (or sometimes sooner) and so you may lose your work if it takes longer than your browser’s setting to complete or save your entry.

In 2023, twenty schools across the country will be awarded $1000 each in grant funding.

Learn more at https://kidsgardening.org/grant-opportunities/

This summer my wife and daughter had their turn picking our family vacation spot. Lowcountry is a cultural and geographic region along South Carolina’s coast, an adventure taking us from Charleston to Savannah, with an interim stop in Hilton Head. An area inclusive of the Sea Islands, it is known for its breathtaking salt marshes and coastal waterways. Landscapes littered with a disproportionate number of behemoth trees, in my opinion, the South has their Crapemyrtle, Southern Magnolia, Flowering Dogwood, Red Maples, Eastern Redcedar, Sago Palm, Baldcypress and of course… those magnificent Live Oaks! Almost always clothed with the epiphyte Spanish Moss, Tillandsia usneoides, which is a nonparasitic plant supported by another plant, with aerial roots exposed to humidity. Spanish moss also goes by Long Moss, Black Moss, and Vegetable Horsehair.

Make no mistake, while my wife and daughter scheduled most of our trip, they graciously afforded me time alone to gawk, visit and hug several of the Southern verdure. Charleston, South Carolina, our initial city, was “sensory overload” for most things horticulture. Able to plan one day just for me, I took advantage of the opportunity and filled the hours with a swamp tour, a massive oak, and an even older oak. Up at the crack of dawn, Moncks Corner and the Cypress Gardens was my first stop. It is a 180-acre botanical treat, complete with 4.5 miles of walking paths, nature trails, an 80-acre open blackwater swamp and its very own Swamparium. Navigating my own boat, with oar in hand, my hopes of gliding between century-old Baldcypress,

Unique Plants

By Bob LaHoff Nursery Specialist

Time Spent in the Lowcountry

Taxodium distichum, and Water Tupelo trees, Nyssa aquatica, did not disappoint. Swamps are forests that are flooded for all or part of the year, and these two tree types not only tolerate, but thrive in saturated, low oxygen level soils. This man-made swamp is strewn with other semi-aquatic gems like Sweetbay Magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, Swamp Dogwood, Cornus foemina (stricta), American Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Dwarf Palmetto, Sabal minor, and Eastern Redcedar, Juniperus virginiana. All native and commonly associated tree types, most I identified on higher ground. “The distinctive dark and highly reflective water of a blackwater swamp owes its color to the tannins leaching out of the accumulated dead leaves and twigs (peat) on the bottom,” (Cypress Gardens). Meandering thru the swamp, ever cognizant of the small, white directional arrows, I happened across one small alligator and on the shoreline spotted a Carolina Anole, a Great Blue Heron, and an Egret. Finally, those magnificent “Cypress Knees,” woody projections extending from the submerged root system of Baldcypress, were ever-present. Important to note here, the “knees” are not necessary for gaseous exchange,

so the question remains for this author… are they solely there for support?

A quick one-hour drive from Cypress Gardens is Angel Oak Park, John’s Island, and the famous Angel Oak Tree. Estimates vary from 300-500 years old, standing over 65 feet tall with a 28 ft. circumference, this Live oak, Quercus virginiana, produces shade that covers a staggering 17,200 square feet. From tip to tip, Angel Oak’s longest branch distance is 187 feet. While some debate that the actual age of this tree is around 1,500 years old, most accept the more conservative estimate. Always a top ten destination for those visiting the Charleston area, “plant geeks” alike would put this well before Rainbow Row, Ghost & Graveyard Tours, and even Fort Sumter. “A Lowcountry Treasure,” the Angel Oak may be the largest of its kind in Lowcountry, however, it’s not the oldest Live Oak I saw!

Middleton Place, “once the home of Founding Fathers, Statesman and Diplomats, is today a vibrant enduring historic site that illustrates the complex history of our nation,” (Middleton Place). America’s oldest landscaped gardens, today’s 125 acres began in 1741. It is a National Historic Landmark, complete with their House Museum and

working Plantation Stableyards. Gardens showcase Crapemyrtle, Camellia, Tea Olive, floral allées, terraced lawns, sunken gardens and a pair of ornamental lakes shaped like butterfly wings. Held to an extremely tight timeframe, I was greeted at the front entrance by a delightful woman, Dalia. Thoroughly understanding my time constraints and addressing my ambitions, Dalia pointed me in the right direction, not sure I would accomplish all that I hoped. After all, 125 acres in two hours is ambitious, but I did have my running sneakers on… and I used them! The Middleton Place map has 33 points of interest and I found them all. Wanting to see this plantation for its history and landscaping was important to me, but I have to admit I ran by so much so quickly. However, two points of interest that stopped me literally in my tracks were the Butterfly Lakes, sitting beneath the “Reine des Fleurs,” and the Middleton Oak. Butterfly Lakes was molded by the vision of Henry Middleton, and its layers run down the hillside and end at a curvature on the Ashley River. The geometric design is so precise, you can see the influence of formal French and English garden styles. The Butterfly topography reminded me of work done, in today’s age, by Kim Wilke, a British landscape

architect known for his ability to “Sculpt the Land,” a subject I wrote about in this periodical’s April 2014 issue. And if this wasn’t enough, the Middleton Oak really is the “tree of trees.” A behemoth of the arboriculture world, this Live Oak, Quercus virginiana, is nearly 1,000 years old. The circumference of this tree is 37 feet and was named a “Constitution Bicentennial Tree” in 1989 (one of 61 named). An impressive oak spared by storms, earthquakes, shipbuilders’ ambitions, garden construction and time, this tree is said to be an Indian Trail Marker long before Columbus sailed the Atlantic. Imagine what this tree has seen. The American Revolution, the Civil War and the evolution of said property, just to name a few.

In closing, the South is littered with trophy trees, draped in Spanish Moss, adding to their mystique. The history and landscape of Lowcountry is certainly something to behold. And truer words were never spoken… “To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as a people, we must have trees,” (Theodore Roosevelt). All this, and I’m not even out of Charleston yet.

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.

Registration Now Open for Mid-Atlantic Nursery Tradeshow (MANTS)

Registration is now open for the 2023 MidAtlantic Nursey Tradeshow (MANTS) scheduled for January 11 – 13 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Green industry businesses interested in exhibiting or attending may register online at www.MANTS.com.

MANTS is one of the largest private trade shows serving the horticulture industry and is widely known as the masterpiece of trade shows. Bringing together buyers with purchasing power and more than 900 exhibitors, MANTS kicks off

the new year with opportunities for in-person meetings, networking, and commerce. Over three days, MANTS creates a valuable space where businesses can connect with clients they rarely see, network with potential customers, debut new and exciting products, and write orders for the upcoming season.

“I’m proud to carry on the tradition started by the visionaries who foresaw the need for enhanced networking and business opportunities amongst the green industry,” said Vanessa A.

Finney, MANTS executive vice president. “Since our first year, MANTS has been exhibitorfocused, attendee-driven, and business-centered, and we can’t wait to see everyone in Baltimore in January.”

Early bird pricing for attendees is $20 per person through December 2, after which admission is $30 per person. Pricing includes admission to all three days of the show.

Find more details and registration information at www.MANTS.com.

The summer of 2022 will go down as one of the driest in recent memory here in Central New Jersey. In fact, if my recollections are correct, one would have to go back to 1999 to find another summer as dry as this one. Why would I remember whether or not 1999 was a drought year, you might ask? That would be for two reasons. First of all, that was the year my wife and I were married. And secondly, that drought came to an abrupt end when New Jersey was hit by Hurricane Floyd in early September. That aforementioned storm proceeded to drop approximately 15 inches of rain here in Central New Jersey and became the new standard, at least until Superstorm Sandy hit, by which all storms were measured.

As growers of fruits and vegetables, we have learned to be keenly aware of the weather and its potential effects on our crops. We understand how being too dry or too wet can harm a crop. We realize what happens if it gets too cold while fruit trees

The Town Farmer

By Peter Melick Agricultural Producer

Farming in a Dry Year

are in bloom, or if there is a sudden hailstorm that tears up the flesh and foliage of anything in its path. But when you ask the general public about what they think is the most harmful type of weather for agriculture, the large majority would say drought.

I have always wondered why that is the case. Maybe it’s because people have images of the Great Depression Era Dust Bowl ingrained in their mind. Or maybe it’s because when plants die from a lack of water, it’s a long, slow, lingering death. With too much rain or a flooding situation, a few hours is all it takes to lose a crop.

With a Spring freeze, less than an hour of temperatures

below freezing is enough to do considerable damage. And with a hailstorm, forget it. Less than a minute of intense hail is all it takes to completely ruin almost any crop. All of these weather events, besides droughts, happen very quickly, and we, as growers, are left to live with effects for the rest of the growing season. Many people, however, have a hard time comprehending this fact.

I can vividly remember one instance where it was the day after one of the worst Spring freezes we have ever suffered. After I explained to the person what had happened, he replied, “Don’t worry, it’s supposed to be 75 degrees tomorrow!” After all,

he probably had no reason to be awake early that morning and had no idea.

But droughts don’t sneak up on anybody. Even long before there is a drought, people will think that it is too dry. And maybe it is too dry. For example, if seeds are planted into the top layer of soil and it stays dry for a couple of weeks, those seeds won’t germinate and the crop can be a total loss or severely delayed. Or, if any crop does not receive adequate moisture at a critical time, there can be a significant loss in yield. Conversely, one or two welltimed showers that occur at an opportune time in a plant’s lifespan can make all of the difference in the world in

regards to a crop’s success.

If you ask me, I would take a dry year over a year that is too wet anytime. Especially with fruits and vegetables where we have the ability to irrigate many of our crops, it is possible to add water if it is needed, but there is no way to take it away. Plus, as a general rule, fruit will have a much higher sugar content when it is dry; and have better flavor as a result. There is also a great deal less disease pressure when conditions are dry. As the old saying goes, “A dry year will make you nervous, a wet one will make you poor!”

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.

Produce is linked to almost every aspect of life

Andrew Melick, right, the middle son of Gardener News Featured Columnist Pete Melick, left, prepares a farm fresh beet salad in the Melick’s Town Farm Kitchen in Oldwick, Hunterdon County, NJ, as his father proudly learns the process.

As an 11th generation farmer in the Melick family and the next generation of culinary and food leaders of the world, Andrew enjoys sharing his expertise with family members on how food impacts people, communities, and economies.

When Andrew is home from the culinary arts program at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, he tours the farm daily and helps harvest fresh produce for the Melick’s kitchen. His daily prepared offerings can be found in the Oldwick Farm Market retail refrigerators.

Andrew is scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2024.

For nearly 300 years, the Melick family has provided their community with delicious, locally grown, farm fresh fruits and vegetables. They are the largest apple grower in New Jersey with over 650 acres of land including 120 acres of fruit trees, 4,000 peach, nectarine and plum trees and 20,000 apple trees.

Tom Castronovo/Photo

Fall has arrived and I hope your area has experienced some good rainfall by the time you read this article. What can we still do to our lawn to keep it growing green and healthy? When you read a fertilizer label, Potassium is the third number listed. Let’s look at the importance of Potassium or Potash in your lawn.

Do you remember high school chemistry? Potassium is listed as “K” on the elements chart. Potassium is an important nutrient for healthy turf grass growth. Generally lawns do not need a lot of Potassium, but it can certainly help keep your lawn healthy. Only Nitrogen is needed in larger quantities for a healthy growing lawn. Potassium applications do not really show great growth response or greening, but they may reduce drought stress induced wilting. Potassium can also increase resistance to turf grass wear, and increase winter hardiness and cold tolerance. Improved disease resistance can also be a benefit of Potassium applications. Most fall-winter fertilizers have a larger amount of Potassium listed on their bags. They may range between

One of my ongoing botanical struggles is learning the seemingly endless number of new plant names after they are reclassified. The changes are certainly understandable, as science now allows botanists to evaluate genomes and better align plants with their proper genera. Yet, learning new names remains challenging. One plant that has proven to be particularly troublesome is Iris domestica, the Blackberry Lily. With 24 different botanical names since it was first described, I suspect it has challenged many folks over time!

Regardless of the botanical name, Iris domestica has always been a member of the Iridaceae or Iris Family, not the Lily Family as the common name suggest! The plant is native to China, as well as Eastern Russia and possibly the Himalayas. Its use as a medicinal promoted widespread trade over the centuries, making its native provenance difficult to pinpoint. It was originally named Ixia chinensis in 1753 by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (17071778). Ixia is from the Greek Ixos meaning ‘Bird Lime’, a reference to the sticky sap found within. Today, the majority of the roughly

Turf ‘s Up

By Todd Pretz Professional Turf Consultant

The Importance of Potassium

10 to 20% Potassium like a 10-0-20 formulation. Many fall fertilizers can also be applied when seeding.

Soil pH plays a big part in how effective Potassium is at improving your lawn. The only way to know the pH of your soil is by taking a soil test. We have talked about soil testing many times; it is a great measure of how well your lawn fertilizers will be utilized by the grass plants. A soil range of 6.2 to 7.0 is best to grow cool-season grasses. Soil pH levels outside this range will greatly reduce the effectiveness of Potassium. Potassium applications activate enzymes within the grass plant. Potassium triggers sugar translocation and energy transfer within the grass plant. It is also responsible for

maintaining cell turgor. Turgor is what makes living plant tissue rigid. Without turgor the plant starts to wilt. If possible, do not remove lawn clippings since some valuable nutrients will be taken from the soil and grass plants. Decomposing grass clippings serve to recycle Potassium.

Potassium comes in two basic forms from mines around the globe. Potassium Chloride is the one most widely used in lawn fertilizers, sometimes referred to as Muriate of Potash. Canada is the world’s leading producer, and along with Russia, Belarus and China they account for 80% of the total world’s supply. Some Potassium is mined in the USA too. Sulfate of Potash is frequently used in high-end lawn fertilizers for

golf courses. Sulfate of Potash reduces burn potential due to its low salt content when applied to lawns under stress. It is predicted that we will never run out of Potassium even if mines run out, because there is plenty in the oceans.

I thought I would give you an update on the fertilizer markets. World-wide supplies of fertilizer are determined by global agricultural needs, with supply and demand setting the prices. Many events disrupted this supply in the last nine months and some supply issues seem to be improving. However, I do not see any real reductions in lawn fertilizer prices, in fact some price increases may occur for the next year or so.

There has been another grass seed harvest this past summer

Morris County Park Commission

By Bruce Crawford Horticultural Manager

Blackberry Lily – An Iris for the Summer, Fall and Winter

50 species are found in South Africa.

It was not until 1805 that the Belgian painter and botanist, Pierre Joseph Redouté (17591840) reclassified the plant as Belamcanda chinensis However, he did not craft the genus name and the story of its name requires an additional peek into its medicinal background. Blackberry Lily was important in the early health care in China, where it was known as Pinyin and Shê Kan. As the plant spread into India, it became known as Balamtandan. It was the French botanist Michel Adanson (1727-1806) who latinized this name in 1763, crafting the genus Belamcanda Redouté and Adanson’s name remained steadfast until 2005, when the American botanist Peter Goldblatt (1943-) with the British Botanist David Mabberley (1948-)

reviewed the genetics of the plant and deduced it was more closely aligned with the genus Iris and suggested changing the genus. The species epithet of domestica was selected since the plant is domesticated for medicinal use.

Blackberry Lily most strongly resembles an Iris during spring when the 18-24” tall fans of swordlike leaves radiate from small rhizomes. In early July, a stout floral stem starts to elongate from the foliage, reaching upwards of 4’ tall. The floral stem branches repeatedly near the top, producing numerous flat topped floral structures called cymes. The 2” diameter flowers consist of six tepals, whereby the three outer sepals of the calyx and three inner petals of the corolla look virtually identical. The tepals are typically an attractive orange, although yellow is not uncommon.

Appearing throughout the tepals are dark orange-red spots that inspired another common name of Leopard Lily. Each flower blooms for close to one day, but the ample number of buds allows for nearly a month of bloom. Flowers are visited by numerous pollinators, including Hummingbirds.

As the flowers fade, they curiously twist in a counterclockwise rotation, revealing the oblong seed pod beneath. Come September, the outer covering of the seed pod splits open, revealing rows of black seeds that truly resemble ripe blackberries. The seed pods remain attractive throughout the fall and winter. It should also be noted that Blackberry Lily appears on invasive plant lists, but I have only seen it spread as far as the stalk supporting the seed pod can stretch upon falling. Unwanted

since the disastrous harvest we experienced in 2021. The Pacific Northwest states are the largest producers of grass seed in the world, with Oregon being the leader. While the harvest quantities are much improved, the prices for grass seed seem to be very strong going into this fall and winter. Time will tell when these prices will settle down some, maybe this spring or with next summer’s harvest.

If you are planning on seeding this fall, please do it this month if possible, don’t wait. The ground is warm, the air is cool, and hopefully rainfall happens regularly. Fall seedlings have two seasons to get well established before next summer’s bad weather arrives. Remember when this July was so hot and dry you didn’t even want to leave your house? I hope you enjoy the fall season.

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

seedlings and plants are easily extracted, and if concerned, there is ample time to deadhead any seed pods.

Iris domestica is easily grown. Thriving in full sun or light shade, the plant will prosper in well-drained soils in zones 5-10. Occasionally, the flower stems will collapse during heavy winds if the soils are overly fertile. In China, they appear naturally in open grasslands and they look stunning interplanted among the blue flowered Nepeta (Catmint) or Perovskia species (Russian Sage).

Blackberry Lily is a fascinating plant with an equally fascinating history. No doubt the name changes have frustrated a number of gardeners over the years, but hopefully no more. Afterall, this ‘Lily’ is a great ‘Iris’ for the summer, fall and winter garden!

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

Available at garden centers and hardware stores in your area.

Ask for a free copy of our Lawn Guide.

Fall is the best time to seed and feed your lawn. Fall is the best time to seed and feed your lawn.

NORTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF STATE

NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Spotted Lanternfly Population Found in the Buffalo Area

VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Sample the Sweet this Fall with the Vermont Maple 100

The colors of Vermont’s fall foliage season are right around the corner, reminding us all of the changing seasons. Cooler temps, sweatshirts, flea markets and the red, yellow and orange leaves of our state’s maple trees are all part of our shared Vermont Fall experience.

In celebration of the many year-round benefits of our maple industry, The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and several partners are bringing back the Vermont Maple 100 this Fall to connect those enjoying Vermont’s fall foliage season with Vermont maple related businesses, activities, and food. Beginning today and running until October 15th, this statewide campaign offers visitors and Vermonters alike the chance to discover favorite Vermont maple snacks, treats and local products, as well as discover new ways to enjoy Vermont’s sweetest treat.

“The sugar maple brings us together in so many ways. Vermonters, tourists, vacationers, and day-trippers benefit year-round from the sweetness of the Vermont maple tree,” Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts said. “The Vermont Maple 100 is a unique way for all to connect with Vermont maple syrup even though it’s not sugaring season.”

Visit a new Vermont destination you’ve never seen and then drop by a nearby brewery or distillery to see how they use maple. Combine a bike ride with a visit to a sugarhouse or farm stand. Enjoy a Vermont maple creemee from a local general store along your way home from a hike in a Vermont State Park. Try maple cheddar and hot sauce for a sweet and spicy twist to your next grilled cheese or add maple candy crumbled into your favorite cookie recipe for an added burst of flavor. The possibilities of maple never end.

Among many offerings this year, the sugar makers at Green’s Vermont Maple Sugarhouse in Poultney are providing guided tours through the entire maple process, from tapping to table using photos, videos and demonstrations. At Yates Family Orchard in Hinesburg, enjoy Vermont maple creemees, maple syrup, maple sugar, cream and candies!

And at Wild Woods Maple Sugar Bush in East Hardwick, enjoy their beautiful fall foliage, sample their syrup and hike their trails in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

Find these and over 70 other Maple 100 activities at www. VTMaple100.com, including details about featured local businesses, specialty products, recipes, and more. Download a Maple 100 Bingo Card to join in the fun and win a prize. Sample and savor. Learn and mingle with makers. Get lost in discovering something new. There’s more to maple!

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is asking residents in Western New York to be on the lookout for Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), after a population was found in the Buffalo area this week. SLF is a destructive pest that feeds on more than 70 plant species, including treeof-heaven, and plants and crops that are critical to New York’s agricultural economy, such as grapevine, apple trees, and hops. The invasive was first observed in New York State on Staten Island in August 2020, and since then the population has been reported in all New York City boroughs, Long Island, Port Jervis, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Ithaca, Binghamton, Middletown, Newburgh, Highland, and now in the Buffalo area.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We are concerned about the significant number of adult Spotted Lanternfly that have been found in Buffalo, especially with its proximity to the Concord grape growing area in Western New York. SLF can have a devastating impact on vineyards, as we’ve seen in neighboring states, so we need everyone’s help to be on the lookout for this invasive and to report it immediately.”

he Department’s Division of Plant Industry inspectors responded to reports of SLF in a residential area of Buffalo adjacent to an active rail line. As of September 9, over 100 adults have been found. Agriculture and Markets staff will continue to survey the surrounding areas in the coming days. Although the population is significant, the area was surveyed in April of 2022 and no egg masses were found, and no old egg masses have been found during the current survey.

While surveys in the area are ongoing,

the Department is asking for the public’s help in slowing down the spread of SLF in this area by reporting any sightings immediately to agriculture.ny.gov/ reportSLF.

While these insects can jump and fly short distances, they spread primarily through human activity. SLF can lay their eggs on any number of surfaces, such as vehicles, stone, rusty metal, outdoor furniture, and firewood. Adult SLF can hitch rides in vehicles, on any outdoor item, or cling to clothing or hats, and be easily transported into and throughout New York, so residents are being asked to be vigilant.

The public is also encouraged to thoroughly inspect vehicles, luggage and gear, and all outdoor items for egg masses and adult SLF. If SLF adults are found, residents should remove them and scrape off all egg masses.

SLF Impacts to New York Agriculture

SLF feeding can stress plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. SLF also excretes large amounts of sticky “honeydew,” which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants, negatively impacting agriculture and forest health.

The estimated total economic impact of invasive insects in the United States exceeds $70 billion per year, and if not contained, SLF could have an impact to New York State of at least $300 million annually, mainly to the grape and wine industry, which ranks third in the country in production. SLF also has the potential to significantly hinder quality of life and recreational activities due to the honeydew and the swarms of insects it attracts.

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

DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

$76 Million Pennsylvania Apiary Industry

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture was joined on August 20, 2022 by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and agriculture partners to celebrate the honey bee’s critical role in food production, food security, and biodiversity in Pennsylvania for Honey Bee Day at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art.

The value of Pennsylvania’s apiary industry is estimated at more than $76 million; much of this is attributed to increased yield and quality in crops that are partially or completely dependent on honey bees for pollination.

“Honey bees, and everyone who tends to them and educates about them, are critical to agriculture and feeding Pennsylvanians,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary for Plant Industry and Consumer Protection Fred Strathmeyer. “One out of every three bites we eat is made possible because of pollinators, including honey bees, and their role in promoting biodiversity and plant health in our food system.”

In Pennsylvania, more than 6,000 registered beekeepers manage more than 61,000 honey bee colonies.

Honey bees and other pollinators are also critical to the environment. More than 80 percent of the world’s flowering plants need to be pollinated in order to reproduce.

“Pollinators including bees help many flowering plants reproduce, and in turn are dependent on plants for food and habitat,” DCNR Bureau of Forestry Conservation and Ecological Resources Division Chief Rebecca Bowen said. “Protecting the land, planting native species, and converting lawn to meadows and forests are ways we all can help bees, butterflies, and other pollinators so they can continue to help us produce food and ensure diversity in our ecosystems.”

DCNR manages about 2.5 million acres of forest and park land that provide habitat for pollinators, plants, and wildlife; educates the public about the importance of biodiversity and native species; and leads a program to convert lawns to meadows and trees for pollinators and water quality.

Honey bees pollinate and help increase quality and yield of produce grown in Pennsylvania, including apples, melons, cranberries, cherries, pears, onions, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, broccoli, almonds, berries, and much more.

Pennsylvania is home to hundreds of species of pollinators (bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles , and more), with more than 500 species of bees alone. Pennsylvania also has one of the most diverse crop systems in the U.S. In total, these crops contribute $260 million to Pennsylvania annually.

The Pennsylvania Pollinator Protection Plan was developed by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences with input from 28 state and national organizations and stakeholder groups, including the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The plan describes the current state of pollinators in Pennsylvania and provides recommendations for best practices and resources to support and expand pollinator populations.

RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Mini Grant Program

The RI DEM Division of Agriculture (DEM) is pleased to announce a competitive solicitation process to award Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. Please visit USDA’s website at https://www. ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp to view a comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops, ineligible commodities, and examples of projects that enhance

the competitiveness of specialty crops under the SCBGP.

A total of up to $275,000 is available for this grant round. Grant awards will range from $2,500 to $10,000. Funds for this round have been provided through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. This grant is available to specialty crop farms or food producers.

Questions regarding this grant and/ or the competitive solicitation process should be directed to DEM at (401) 222-2781 or DEM.SpecialtyCrop@dem. ri.gov

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

New State FFA Officers Active with Visits as School Year Begins

The 2022-2023 New Jersey FFA officer team elected as part of the 93rd Annual State FFA Convention has been active visiting chapters around the state as the new school year has started. The officers also represent New Jersey FFA at several state and national functions throughout the year.

The new officers with the chapters they represent are Jonathan Finney (Salem Tech), State President; Loriann De Sousa Rego, (East Brunswick), State Vice President; Chase Sherburne, State Secretary (Salem Tech); Alexis StretchHuff, State Treasurer (Salem Tech).

“Part of FFA’s motto is ‘living to serve’ and is what drives officers to have a vested interest in each of the local chapters,” said New Jersey State FFA Advisor and Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Program Leader Erin Noble. “With our FFA membership being at an all-time high, we want to foster the relationships we have all around the state to allow each member the opportunity for an exceptionally valuable experience. We are anticipating a great 2022-23.”

FFA is a component of a food,

agriculture and natural resources program of instruction that prepares students to pursue fulfilling careers in the business, science, education and technology of agriculture. There are more than 2,900 FFA members in 36 chapters in New Jersey and more than 850,000 members across the nation.

Some of the state officer duties include assisting chapters in the execution of their program of activities; encouraging FFA members to participate in food, agriculture and natural resources education and FFA programs; maintaining positive relations with members, the agribusiness sector, the public and others interested in agricultural education; traveling to FFA chapters around the state 2-3 times per month; assisting at career development events, including fall, spring, and summer; and representing the New Jersey FFA Association at events of other state agricultural organizations.

For more information about New Jersey Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Education and the state FFA program visit http://www. jerseyageducation.nj.gov/.

I visited a friend’s backyard garden and learned how a garden can tell the story of a child. For a family who suffered the loss of a child, gardening can be healing. The garden’s entrance sign reads, “Andrew’s Garden.” This is a Memory Garden which took me on a journey through fourteen childhood years of Andrew Sean Kries. I share this story during October’s fall monarch migration... because Andrew loved butterflies. He seemed to be in perfect health, a track athlete, a boy scout who loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, cycling, and he enjoyed his friends’ company. He planted milkweed with plans to raise monarchs... but unexpectedly, an unforeseen heart condition abruptly ended his life. This is about a Memory Garden that his loving family would grow, bringing thousands of monarchs into their lives.

Hummingbird and butterfly ornaments decorate the garden beside angelic statues, butterfly flags, bird baths, bird houses, and engraved stones. The garden is bursting in flowers... especially orange, Andrew’s favorite color.

How did a teenage boy become interested in butterflies? A longtime family friend and nursery school teacher introduced Andrew to raising monarchs by planting milkweed. Andrew and his dad, Kenneth, transplanted Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) to their backyard, but Andrew would not live long enough to see the monarchs lay eggs on his plants. His parents would be the stewards to carry on his vision in what was to

How a Child is Remembered through a Memory Garden Growing Gardeners

become Andrew’s Garden.

It was April. It was apparent from the condolences and memorial flowers received that Andrew had touched many lives. His mom, Heather, said, “What are we going to do with these beautiful flowers and bulbs? There are so many orange tulips.” Andrew’s Boy Scout leader suggested planting the memorial service flower seeds and bulbs in the backyard garden beside Andrew’s milkweed. This was the beginning his Memory Garden.

Now, sixteen years later, the original square garden bed has evolved into a magical pollinator garden filled with winding paths and gently curving borders of flowers. There are no rules to define a Memory Garden’s size or form, whether it’s a garden bed, a container garden, or a tree surrounded by flowers. Choose plants that are meaningful. Grow forget-me-nots, bleeding hearts, or plant a weeping tree species. Create a relaxing atmosphere by including scented plants, seating or a hammock.

By Diana Dove Environmental Educator

life and saw beauty in the world. As a Growing Gardener, Andrew became the inspiration of a healing garden; a place filled with compassion and love, nurtured by his family.

Add items symbolic of hobbies and things loved. Along the path is a statue of a boy fishing, another is holding a dog... each with a story to tell. A stone with the Boy Scout emblem represents Andrew’s rank as Life Scout with plans to become an Eagle Scout. A metal American flag represents his love of patriotism. There were camping and carpentry items. You could not miss the whimsical metal donkey sculpture whose smile makes you laugh. The design reminded me of a robot. Andrew loved robotics and inventing things. In the center of the garden is Andrew’s bike. You could feel Andrew’s love of nature and people. Some gardens feature a photo in a waterproof frame, an engraved photo or a sundial. Each Memory Garden is oneof-a-kind and personal. Look up plant meanings and requirements. Consider native, drought-resistant, non-invasive plants that meet a color theme... annuals and/or perennials. What size should your garden be? Plan, design, and choose a site. A larger garden allows for more diversity. Will you fence

the garden?

Research planting for wildlife and determine a watering plan. The Kries family waters their garden with rainwater. Attract birds with Water elements such as bird baths. Add winter bird feeders if your area is bear-free. Colorful bird houses provide homes for birds, and in Andrew’s Garden, they house tree frogs.

Enhance the atmosphere with windchimes, music, and twinkling lights. In Andrew’s Garden there are butterfly windchimes and strings of glowing orange lights. Add speakers and fill your garden with music.

When there aren’t words to express the grief or sorrow of loss of a beloved family member or a pet, there are meaningful ways of remembrance to share through a Memory Garden that provides emotional healing. Andrew’s mom, Heather, said, “I find peace in the garden hearing the birds and watching the hummingbirds.” Since Andrew died so young, honoring him with a Memory Garden, has become a living testament of how he lived his

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.

Tom Castronovo

Todd Pretz

Gail Woolcott

Andrew Bunting

or complete.

October 2022 Columnists

Brian Schilling Peter Melick Diana Dove Bob LaHoff

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