Weekly Word on Weeds

This is the first article this season from Dr.Joe Neal, weed scientist with the Horticulture Department from NC State University.


With freezing temperatures still in the forecast it is difficult to think about summer weeds. But, now is the time to begin summer annual weed management.

First line of defense: Mulches
Before ornamental plants leaf out, and herbaceous plants emerge, this is also a good time to apply a fresh layer of mulch to landscape beds. Not only does this conserve soil moisture and improve the aesthetics of the beds, it also will cover and shade weed seeds to prevent germination and establishment.

When mulches are not enough:
Preemergence herbicides work by preventing the establishment of weeds from seed. That means the herbicides must be applied several weeks before weeds germinate. Apply preemergence herbicides now to control spring-germinating weeds such as crabgrass, spurge and oxalis.

Common herbicides used in landscape beds include Barricade, Pendulum, Surflan, and Snapshot TG. Each works on summer annual grasses (like crabgrass) but differ in how well they control broadleaf weeds. Generally, Snapshot and Surflan are better on broadleaf weeds; Barricade tends to excel on spurge, pendulum may be a little better on horseweed. These herbicides also differ in their safety to ornamental plants. Granular formulations of herbicides are safer on ornamental plants than spray applications. But, when applied before budbreak, liquid applications may be made over the top of most woody ornamentals. In herbaceous ornamentals, you must be careful in your choice of herbicides. See Hort Information Leaflet No. 644 http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/landscape-index.html for more information on weed management in color beds.

Freehand – a new herbicide labeled for use in landscapes and nurseries:
Freehand is a granular combination of pendimethalin plus dimethenamid-p. It controls many summer annual weeds including crabgrass, oxalis, and spurge. It is one of the few herbicides that controls doveweed. It is also as effective as Pennant Magnum for the suppression of yellow nutsedge.

WWWeeds notes will be archived on my web site. http://www4.ncsu.edu/~jcneal/

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

Erosion Control Workshop

Landscapers should be familiar with Erosion Control Options!. This workshop will focus on some of the basics to consider when performing duties as a grading contractor and/or landscaper that result in soil disturbance. Please mark your calendars and attend.
To see registration for go to: Erosion Control Workshop

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

Henderson County Farmland Preservation Meetings

Interested in preserving our agriculture heritage and the farm land in Henderson County? If so come and attend one of the following meetings: Whether you are still active in agriculture, just an interested citizen, or an active farmer; these meetings will provide an opportunity to give input to keeping our agricultural lands sustainable.

February 17

Fruitland Baptist Church

Basement Fellowship Hall (or Family Life Center)

150 College Road

Turn north off Hwy 64 onto Gilliam Road

Turn right onto College Road



February 19

Refuge Baptist Church

30 Oleta Road

685-8544

Intersection of Dana/Oleta and Upward/Ridge roads



February 24

Mills River Elementary School

96 School House Road

Between Boyleston Hwy and Banner Farm Rd



February 26

Crab CreekCommunity Center

53 Jeter Mountain Road

Off Crab Creek Road



All of the above meetings will begin at 7:00. Complimentary dinner will be served at 6:00. Those wanting dinner will need to RSVP at least three days prior to the relevant meeting. RSVP to me at 697-5777 or john@carolinamountain.org No RSVP is necessary to attend the meeting. All residents of Henderson County are welcome to attend the meetings

March 4th. (3:00 p.m.)

Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center

745 Old Fanning Bridge Rd, Mills River. This meeting also open to Transylvania County residents to discuss the same issue there.


Green River meeting TBA. If you wish to attend the Green River meeting please let us know and the information will be shared with you as soon as this meeting is scheduled.






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

Greenhouse Product Magazine

We have added a link to the Greenhouse Product Magazine at the right. The online magazine has various informative video clips that will be worth visiting for many of you. Check them out.

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

Granulate Ambrosia Beetle Monitoring and Alert Program

A new scouting/alert program is coming from Dr. Steven Frank, our ornamental entomologist from the NCSU campus. For more information about this program and/or to sign up to participate please visit this link: GAB


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

WNC Turfgrass Conference

The registration for the annual WNC Turfgrass Conference is now on line. Please consider joining us for this conference this year. We have a very good line up of timely topics. To access the registration form link here: WNC Turfgrass Conference

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

Seed Collection Workshop

Wilkes Community College will be hosting a native seed workshop on March 17. The classroom for this will be 1602 in the Horticulture Complex. The workshop will last from 8:30 till 5:30. Vic Vankas from the National Seed Testing Lab will be speaking along with others. The major topic is the collection and cleaning of seeds from cones, pods, etc. down to clean seeds. We will use a variety of machines to perform this process. We will also discuss sites where one can purchase and sell seeds, different manufacturers of equipment and other sites where more information can be gained on seed collecting and sowing. X-ray analysis and purity tests will be performed also that day to show the procedures that are done to obtain those results.

Call Ronald Dollyhite at the Wilkes Community College to pre-register. (336) 838-6281
or email: ronald.dollyhite@wilkescc.edu

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

Landscape Management Workshop

Mark your calendars for the Landscape Management Workshop on February 26, 8:30am - 4:30pm with lunch, at the Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center, Mills River (formerly Fletcher, same place), NC. This program is a collaboration between NC Cooperative Extension and the Green Industry. Attendees will learn to manage pesticide drift in the landscape, understand the principles of sustainable landscaping and how to scout for pests in the landscape. Learn the fundamentals of pruning and practice hands-on pruning with ornamental plants. Pesticide credits for North Carolina pesticide license will be available- 3 in LNDX categories. This workshop can be offered in Spanish using a translator. Let us know if you need these services. Registration is $20, includes lunch.

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.

Value Added Agriculture

Value Added Agriculture has come to full focus in NC. Our new research facilities and staff in Kannapolis is already gearing up to give NC's agriculture economy an extra boost. Visit this link to see more Value Adder Agriculture

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