Monday, February 21, 2011

Granulate Ambrosia Beetle Alert

This is the first alert from the Granulate Ambrosia Beetle Monitoring and
Alert program.

Granulate ambrosia beetles were captured in Pitt Co. which is in the
eastern, warmer part of the state zone 8A or 7B. Growers in this area
should begin protecting susceptible trees with preventative applications
of a pyrethroid insecticide.

Growers in colder regions 7B, 6A, and 6B may have weeks before beetles
emerge and do not have to begin preventative applications at this time.
Other alerts will be sent when beetles emerge in these areas.

Recommendations: A landscape borer spray containing a pyrethroid such as
permethrin or bifenthrin can be used and may have to be reapplied every
three weeks while beetles are active.

Astro, Permethrin Pro (permethrins), and Onyx (bifenthrin) are registered
for use on tree trunks in the landscape.

For nursery sites Perm-Up (permethrin) is labeled for field grown nursery
stock. OnyxPro (bifenthrin) is labeled for application to tree trunks in
landscape and nursery sites.

Generic equivalents to the above products are also acceptable.

More details can be found at Granulate Ambrosia Beetle


If you have other questions DO NOT reply to this email. Contact me at
sdfrank@ncsu.edu

Steve



For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Rain Garden Certification Training

RG 201: Residential Rain Garden Certification for Professionals
Formally entitled “Rain Garden Certification Workshop” (1.5 day workshop)
Training Dates/Locations:
Asheville, NC - March 17-18, 2011
Chapel Hill, NC - March 24-25
Oak Ridge, NC - April 26-27, 2011
About the workshop: As homeowners and property managers become more aware of the issues of stormwater management many of them are choosing to manage the runoff from their homes and businesses with rain gardens. Rain gardens are shallow depression landscape features that can effectively collect and treat stormwater and reduce localized flooding. Rain gardens can be integrated into the existing landscape as a retrofit or be included in the initial landscaping plan. To effectively manage stormwater, rain gardens must be accurately sized and properly constructed. This workshop will present a simple method for sizing and designing rain gardens and detail proper construction techniques. Participants will design and install a rain garden as part of the training. As a result of this training participants will:
· Understand why stormwater needs to be managed,
· Understand the principles of rain garden location, design, construction and maintenance,
· Be able to select appropriate vegetation,
· Tour several local rain gardens, and
· Be eligible to take a test at the conclusion of the training to be certified in rain garden design and construction
These workshops are sponsored by NC State University Dept. of Biological & Agricultural Engineering and NC Cooperative Extension. The certification is awarded by NC State University Cooperative Extension. For RG 201 only, 8 C.E.U.s are approved by the NC Board of Landscape Architects.
For more information and to REGISTER ONLINE, please go to: Rain Garden Training
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Sharing New Blog

If you scroll down the right hand side of this Blog, you'll see that we are constantly adding new blogs that we enjoy or feel would be of interest and value to you. The latest of these comes from our own NCSU Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. This new blog has been created and managed by a Graduate Student in the Plant Pathology Program and offers some insight to both commercial folk and home gardeners. I think you will enjoy it and possibly subscribe to it directly.
Here's the link: NCSUPDIC Blog

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.