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 about Soil Basics for Improved Plant Health[Read More]
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Earthworms are not the only wigglers in the soil beneath your feet. Nematodes, microscopic roundworms, can be found in soil across the globe (even Antarctica!) and are often a barometer of soil and environmental health. However, the nematodes we encounter more frequently feed on plants and cause us, as plant stock producers and consumers, a…Read more about Foliar Nematodes[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 about Current Issues in the Green Industry: Featuring Senator Mike Braun[Read More]
Black knot, caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa, is a recurring problem on Prunus species. Most Indiana fruit growers, both professional and amateur, have at one time or another observed the black, knot-like warty growths (Fig. 1) that often occur on the woody parts of plum and cherry trees. This fungal disease is one of…Read more about Black Knot Disease[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 about Current Issues in the Green Industry: Coivd-19 Updates and Resources[Read More]
In a survey of Indiana produce growers conducted on April 2020, we found that 72% of them are planning to sell online. Their online strategy ranges from sales through emails, texts, e-commerce enabled websites, or online platforms that aggregate food vendors and buyers. The other 28% felt they lack the technical knowledge to transition online…Read more about Managing your social media during Covid-19[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 about Assessing Freeze Injury on Horticultural Plants[Read More]
Day-to-day activities have changed every aspect of businesses throughout the country. The Green Industry is no exception, with changes implemented to maintain safe working environments for employees and their clients while being compliant with the state’s Executive Order. Due to the diversity of services and products that the Green Industry provides, there is no one-size-fits-all…Read more about Green Industry Businesses Share Protocols to Maximize the Health and Safety During the Covid-19 Pandemic[Read More]
Labor issues and timing of tree care activities have been and will continue to be impacted by federal and state rulings as a result of CoVid-19. As a result of social distancing and confusion surrounding “essential services”, many plant health care technicians and business operations have been suspended. As the season progresses, these labor suspensions…Read more about Managing Emerald Ash Borer During the Covid-19 Pandemic…[Read More]
Usage of mulch at the base of trees is a very common and recommended practice to protect the trunk from mower damage, as well as improve root conditions by preventing weed and grass growth in the root zone. Mulch also increases moisture retention in the soil, and improves soil quality as it breaks down over…Read more about Mounds upon Mounds of Mulch[Read More]
Plant pathology is the study of plant diseases. In my career, I’ve studied or witnessed the plant disease epidemics of chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease, sudden oak death, soybean rust, and many more. I am not comparing these to the current pandemic of Covid-19. It doesn’t compare. Please understand this is just an opportunity for…Read more about Epidemiology Plant pathology is the study of plant diseases[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 about ‘Leaves’ of Three, Let It Be Should Be ‘Leaflets’ of Three[Read More]
Biology: Wild Garlic (Allium vineale) is a monocotyledonous cool-season perennial that can be found throughout most of the eastern and southern United States. Despite having linear leaves and parallel veins, wild garlic is neither a grass nor a sedge; it is a member of the lily family. Wild garlic is more noticeable in the winter and…Read more about Spotlight on Weeds: Wild Garlic (Allium vineale)[Read More]
That “chill-out” time for our landscape is nearing the end and it’s time to think about tree maintenance. An important maintenance task is supplemental fertilization during early spring weather, especially if there wasn’t any type of fall fertilization. Let’s take a look at how a tree uses and gains energy during the year to understand why and when trees need nutrition.
This Nootka falsecypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) is showing severe dieback throughout much of the tree (fig. 1 and 2). The primary pathogen present is a fungus in the genus Diplodia. Small twigs are infected first, which eventually leads to dieback of larger branches (fig. 3). Note the spherical black spore bearing structures (pycnidia) at the base…Read more about Nootka falsecypress Dieback Problems[Read More]
This winter has been very mild, especially compared to last year. With the mild temperatures throughout the season, most plants have accumulated enough growing degree days to start bud break when temperatures become favorable. Utilizing the Spring Leaf Index, via the United States National Phenology Network (USNPN), spring has been trending 10-20+ days early this…Read more about Early Spring=Earlier Germinating Weeds[Read More]
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