If you didn’t get your spring-flowering bulbs planted it may not be too late, but a lot depends on what the weather does. The reason for planting bulbs in the fall is two-fold. Bulbs require a period of chilling to initiate flowers. Most spring-flowering bulbs require 10 to 13 weeks of temperatures below 40º F.[Read More…]
Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
Landscape Report
Horticulture
Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) have been proposed as a management tool for reducing the labor needs in the Green Industry. Although PGRs are widely accepted in the ornamental plant production, their adoption among landscape maintenance companies is limited. The cost of PGRs and the lack of economic feasibility analyses are likely to undermine their adoption.[Read More…]
I hear this complaint or issue more frequently, “what can I do about the neighbor’s tree?” or “my neighbor just butchered my tree!”. Often, we see issues with a neighboring tree that may threaten safety or appears to be an elevated risk. For example, from the view of your window you see your neighbor’s tree[Read More…]
After you have decided on the best species and cultivar (right plant, right place!) for a location, it’s time to inspect the plants from the nursery or garden center. What should you be looking for when inspecting trees prior to transplanting into the landscape? Here are a few: Look for structural defects (Fig. 1). Ensure[Read More…]
Labor is one of the largest expenses in the landscape services industry, and maintenance services, such as pruning, is one of the most labor-intensive tasks. While plant growth regulators (PGRs) can be a cost-effective tool to control growth in shrubs and reduce labor expenses, lack of information on the economic feasibility of PGRs has limited[Read More…]
Labor is one of the largest expenses in the landscape services industry, and maintenance services, such as pruning, are one of the most labor-intensive tasks. While plant growth regulators (PGRs) can be a cost-effective tool to control growth in shrubs and reduce labor expenses, a lack of information on the economic feasibility of PGRs has[Read More…]
Dry summers are not that unusual in Indiana. Of particular concern this year is that the dry spell is lasting well into autumn, putting plants in poor condition to get through the winter. Figure 1 from the US Drought Monitor shows that much of Indiana remains abnormally dry to under moderate drought. While some[Read More…]
Please join us Wednesday (September 16th) for our bi-weekly, live educational series. The event will take place at 12:00 pm (Eastern) on Zoom at https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/96190839031 or on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/PurdueLandscapeReport/. The following speakers and topics will include: Costs of Applying Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) for Shrub Maintenance-Ariana Torres Plant Selections You’ll Live to Regret-Tom Creswell Manganese Deficiency[Read More…]
Plants that experience extremes in soil moisture may develop spots on their leaves, called “oedema” (also spelled “edema”). The spots may first appear as a blister or raised spot, particularly on the undersides of leaves, but may occur on the top side as well as on the stems. Eventually, the blister develops a rust-colored, cork-like[Read More…]
The Purdue Landscape Report Team will begin a new, free online series that will start tomorrow (July 22) and follow the day after the newsletter every two weeks at noon Eastern time zone. The topics and speakers will vary each session, so check out the newsletter every two weeks to find out what follows the[Read More…]
Hot, dry summers are not that unusual in the Midwest, but 2020’s hot dry spell started considerably earlier than usual, before summer even officially began! To make it a triple whammy, the hard freeze in early May caused some landscape plants to burn up more stored carbohydrate reserves to produce a second round of foliage.[Read More…]
Soil is the ‘lifeblood’ of plant health. Many people tend to focus more on above ground portions of the plant than the below ground environment. We should always remember that a plant is only as healthy as its roots. Knowing the basics of soils will help in understanding the health of landscape plants (Fig. 1).[Read More…]
Join us May 12th at 4:00 pm (EDT) at this link: https://purdueextension.zoom.us/j/92562247848 The Purdue Green Industry Team and Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association would like to invite you to a virtual event for the Green Industry and other Agri-Businesses featuring United States Senator Mike Braun. He will be providing updates for Agri-Businesses from the federal[Read More…]
Tuesday, April 28th, 2:00 pm (Eastern) To join the meeting via computer: https://purdueextension.zoom.us/j/95573025468 Changes are happening within the Green Industry at a fast pace during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to the questions and stress of gearing up for the season, there are many new questions this year, such as: Can your business stay open? [Read More…]
As so many gardeners are staying at home these days, we’ve had more opportunity to enjoy the spring display. And then, perhaps inevitably, “normal” spring frost and freeze visited – some plants are vulnerable to damage. The amount of damage will depend on how far along they are in their development. Home fruit-growers may have[Read More…]
Most gardeners have heard of the wise advice “leaves of three, let it be” referring to the pest plant poison ivy. While not quite as catchy, the saying really should be “leaflets of three, let it be.” Poison ivy leaves are compound rather than simple – a single leaf is divided into three separate portions,[Read More…]
We often receive inquiries from folks wanting to add landscape plants that will attract birds. Most folks primarily think of plants with edible berries. Birds require not only food such as fruits and seeds, but also shelter and water. Planting a variety of plants that offer these resources across the seasons will help attract more[Read More…]
The 2019 season provided challenges that were unexpected to the Green Industry, which included an abundance of rainfall followed by drought-like conditions, new invasive pests, concerns about glyphosate use, and many others. The Purdue Landscape Report focuses on timely articles that help Green Industry professionals make decisions for their business and keep abreast of looming[Read More…]
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