Click HERE for the NC PEST NEWS. Highlighted this week in the Ornamentals and Turf section is: Cottony Camellia Scales on Holly,Jaw-dropping Dobsonflies,General Comments Regarding Insects on Ornamentals and Southern Red Mites.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Just Announced! Urban Landscaping Update!
The Carolina Canopy Workshop Series just announced the Urban Landscaping Update to be held in Asheville at the NC Arboretum on August 10! Hot topics and speakers not to be missed! Join us inside on this hot summer day to learn about using edible plants in the urban landscape and integrated pest management. Hear updates about Sudden Oak Death, the honeybee situation, the proposed Landscape Contractors License and updates on the Sustainable Sites Initiative and LEEDS Certification. Landscapers, urban foresters, professional gardeners, nurserymen and plants people alike are encouraged to attend. North Carolina pesticide credits and ISA credits will be available. To register, click HERE. Early bird registration (before July 21) is $20 for members of the NC Urban Forestry Council or $30 for nonmembers.
This update is sponsored by the NC Urban Forestry Council, Asheville GreenWorks and NC Cooperative Extension.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
USDA Implements Tree Assistance Program
USDA Implements Tree Assistance Program
Orchardists and nursery tree growers can begin applying for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program. The signup began Monday, May 10, at Henderson-Polk-Transylvania County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The phone number is (828) 693-1406, ext. 2.
The program provides cost-share assistance to orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant and rehabilitate after natural disasters. It provides assistance for trees, bushes and vines grown for commercial purposes and covered by crop insurance or NAP. The program has been expanded to include Christmas tree and nursery tree growers that were ineligible before. Trees grown for pulp or timber or not grown for commercial purposes are
not eligible.
Eligible losses must have occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011. To qualify for TAP, there must have been actual tree, bush, vine, etc. deaths in the stand and those losses must have been in excess of 15 percent mortality (plus adjustment for normal mortality) from an eligible natural disaster for the individual stand.
The deadline to apply for losses that occurred in 2008, 2009, or in 2010 prior to May 7 is July 6, 2010.
For more information contact Kelly Springs, (828) 693-1406 ext. 2
kelly.springs@nc.usda.gov
Orchardists and nursery tree growers can begin applying for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program. The signup began Monday, May 10, at Henderson-Polk-Transylvania County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The phone number is (828) 693-1406, ext. 2.
The program provides cost-share assistance to orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant and rehabilitate after natural disasters. It provides assistance for trees, bushes and vines grown for commercial purposes and covered by crop insurance or NAP. The program has been expanded to include Christmas tree and nursery tree growers that were ineligible before. Trees grown for pulp or timber or not grown for commercial purposes are
not eligible.
Eligible losses must have occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011. To qualify for TAP, there must have been actual tree, bush, vine, etc. deaths in the stand and those losses must have been in excess of 15 percent mortality (plus adjustment for normal mortality) from an eligible natural disaster for the individual stand.
The deadline to apply for losses that occurred in 2008, 2009, or in 2010 prior to May 7 is July 6, 2010.
For more information contact Kelly Springs, (828) 693-1406 ext. 2
kelly.springs@nc.usda.gov
Week of May 17 NC PEST NEWS
NC Pest News is published weekly by NC State University. NC Pest News is a great integrated pest management tool that helps you to stay informed about pests, diseases, and beneficials that are occuring in our area. For Ornamentals and Turf, these pests and beneficials are highlighted this week:Imported Willow Leaf Beetles,Cottony Cushion Scales,Fire Ants to Ignite Soon, Wheel Bugs Begin to Roll,Red Erythraeid Mites and Oak Lecanium Scales.In Western NC, we are typically about two weeks behind the Raleigh area on pest and disease emergance. So, over the next two weeks keep your eyes out for these critters.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
GreenTips Newsletter
The May/June version of Green Tips is now online at GreenTips
Of particular importance is the Pest Management Tips article referring to Hemlock Borers.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Of particular importance is the Pest Management Tips article referring to Hemlock Borers.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Honeybee Swarming Season
Swarming is an instinctive part of the annual life cycle of the honeybee colony and is necessary for the species to survive. Swarming occurs when a colony of honeybees divides and 30 to 70 percent of the bees, along with their queen, leave the hive to start a new colony. You may find a swarm of honeybees hanging from a tree branch or resting on your clothes line while they are looking for a new home. The swarm can be the size of a softball or as large as a basketball. The tendency to swarm is usually greatest when the bees increase their population rapidly in the period before the honey- flow. Therefore the cause of swarming is normally associated with a crowded brood (eggs/ larvae/ pupae) nest. Most swarming takes place in our area during April – June. There are many other reasons why a honeybee colony will swarm. A lack of food, age of the queen, bad odors, a heavy infestation of wax moths, repeated attacks by bears and other predators, and sometimes disease.
*** If you notice a swarm in Buncombe County, please call the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension office at (828) 255-5522. We have a list of local beekeepers who we can contact for catching the swarms. If the honeybees decide to take up residence inside the wall of your home or storage building, the local beekeepers can help with that too. If you notice a swarm in another county, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office.
Swarm resting on the bottom of a picnic table.
*** If you notice a swarm in Buncombe County, please call the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension office at (828) 255-5522. We have a list of local beekeepers who we can contact for catching the swarms. If the honeybees decide to take up residence inside the wall of your home or storage building, the local beekeepers can help with that too. If you notice a swarm in another county, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office.
Swarm resting on the bottom of a picnic table.For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Disaster Prepardness and Recent Storms
If the recent storms have left you with downed trees or you need information on chainsaw safety, visit NC State University's Urban Forest website for this information.
EDEN, the Extension Disaster Education Network, working through eXtension has released four new fact sheets regarding the impact of floods on farms and methods of preparing for and recovering from flooding on the farm. In preparation for spring and the severe weather that potentially lies before us, you may want to revue the resources available through eXtension and EDEN. Their URL's are listed below.
EDEN - http://eden.lsu.edu/Pages/default.aspx
eXtension - https://www.extension.org/disasters
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
EDEN, the Extension Disaster Education Network, working through eXtension has released four new fact sheets regarding the impact of floods on farms and methods of preparing for and recovering from flooding on the farm. In preparation for spring and the severe weather that potentially lies before us, you may want to revue the resources available through eXtension and EDEN. Their URL's are listed below.
EDEN - http://eden.lsu.edu/Pages/default.aspx
eXtension - https://www.extension.org/disasters
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Irrigation Workshop - Chlorination Systems for Nursery and Vegetable Crop Production
Many of you are pumping water from non-potable sources. Whether this is from a pond, cistern, or stream, some of these sources contain both plant and human pathogens.
This class will provide you some insight into methods that you can use to reduce the risks that these pathogens can have on both your crops, your family, and your customers. The class has been granted 2 hours of commercial and/or private pesticide x credits as well as 2 hours of irrigation contractor credit. So- for a morning of your time you could earn 2 hours of credit for each of these two licenses.
Irrigation Workshop
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
This class will provide you some insight into methods that you can use to reduce the risks that these pathogens can have on both your crops, your family, and your customers. The class has been granted 2 hours of commercial and/or private pesticide x credits as well as 2 hours of irrigation contractor credit. So- for a morning of your time you could earn 2 hours of credit for each of these two licenses.
Irrigation Workshop
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Internet Marketing Series
Looking at ways to expand your market? If so you may want to consider marketing on the internet. The NC Cooperative Extension is offering as series of classes on Monday mornings to assist with the idea of internet marketing. You may find the information at: Internet Marketing Series
Come and join us, you might be tweeting before summer!
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Come and join us, you might be tweeting before summer!
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
