Nursery Weed Management Field Day

Nursery Weed Management Field Day

September 7, 8 am to 1

This event features on-site demonstrations and will focus on recent research from Dr. Joe Neal's lab exploring the economics and efficacy of weed control strategies in container nurseries. Topics include herbicide efficacy and sensitivity, using mulches for weed control, and new products. Instructors for this event will include Dr. Joe Neal,Weed Science Extension Specialist; Amanda Taylor and Stacey Jones, Area Specialized Agents for Nursery and Greenhouse Crops; and Amy Barker, Research and Extension Technician, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University.

3 NC pesticide credits (categories L, N, D, and X) are available. Lunch is provided. Cost is $10 per person. To register, visit  http://go.ncsu.edu/weedday.   Registration flyer


For more information, please contact Amanda Taylor at 828-475-2915. This event is sponsored by Hawksridge Farms.

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

Who influences purchases of native plants?

MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS--Native plants are a growing niche market in the
southeastern United States. Researchers have documented recent trends toward
increased interest in native plants by landscape architects, wholesale and
retail nursery owners, and home gardeners. But landscape professionals and
amateur gardeners purchase native plants for distinctly different reasons.
Statistics reveal that landscape architects most often select native species
because they are suited to difficult or unique growing conditions, while
retail plant buyers purchase native plants based on recommendations from
landscape architects and contractors.

Check out the data files for this question at: ASHS Horticulture File


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

Nursery Management Workshop

Mark your calendars for the Nursery Management Workshop on February 25, 8:30am - 4:30pm with lunch, at the Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center, Mills River (formerly Fletcher, same place), NC. Topics to be covered include managing diseases and weeds, pour-through sampling for nutrient and pH management and irrigation. Registration fee of $20 includes lunch. Registration deadline is February 20. This program can be offered in Spanish using a translator. Let us know if you need this service. Contact Cliff Ruth, 828-697-4891 or Amanda Stone, 828-255-5522. NC Pesticide credits will be available, LNDX categories.

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

Green Tips for March

The March edition of GreenTips is now available on-line at:
Please make a note of several programs coming up soon for Green Industry Professionals.
These include opportunities to earn pesticide credits, gain knowledge about pest identification, acquire information about pruning as well as to gain skills needed to prepare for the CPP exam. The latter 2 of these are now offered in both English and Spanish.

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

Drought Assistance from SBA

Steve Troxler alerts nurseries about Small Business loans for drought losses.
RALEIGH Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler reminds nurseries that they may be eligible for low-interest drought assistance loans offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loans are available for all qualifying small businesses affected by the drought.

Loans are now available for eligible nurseries because of three recent federal disaster declarations, Troxler said. Most North Carolina counties are included in the program, and I encourage nurserymen to contact the Small Business Administration if they are interested in this program.

Eligible small businesses may qualify for loans up to $1.5 million. Loans are available at 4 percent interest rates. Loan amounts and terms are determined by the SBA. Agricultural producers are not eligible for loans under this disaster declaration.

To find out more about the program, contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov. The deadline for applying for this loan program is May 12.

CONTACT: Kathy Cooke, government relations specialist
U.S. Small Business Administration
(404) 347-9771

Nursery Position Open

Looking for a plant adventure? Green Outdoors Landscaping is looking for a full or part-time employee to assist in their nursery division. Some knowledge of plants and experience will be helpful. A valid drivers license is needed. Call Pauline Thrash at
645-5298 for more information or e-mail your resume' to Pauline at pauline267@aol.com.
Green Outdoors Landscaping is located at 91 Weaverville Hwy. Asheville, NC 28804.

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

2007 Nursery Short Course and Field Day

There will be a Nursery Short Course and Field Day on September 20th at the Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center in Fletcher. All green industry professionals should schedule time to attend. The registration form is attached below.

2007 Nursery Short Course

Pesticide Credits are available at this short course!

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