Horticulture IPM Symposium

8th Annual Horticulture IPM Symposium

Registration for the 8th annual horticulture IPM Symposium is now open.  There are several topics to choose from and pesticide credits in various categories from 4 different states. There are also NC Landscape Contractor credits as well.   Come join us!  Seating is limited so please register early. 
The link below will take you to the agenda and registration pages:

IPM Symposium






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

Landscape Field Day

Landscape Field Day

There will be a landscape field day at the JC Ralston Arboretum in Raleigh: Field Day Registration

This will be a great event that you can earn several credits.


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

Amborsia Beetle Scouting

Scouting for Ambrosia Beetles

Landscapes and Nurserymen alike should consider putting out traps now and monitoring for Granulated Ambrosia Beetles.  One of the primary indicator plants for the emergence of these insect pests is the flowering of Saucer Magnolia.   With the warm spring-like weather we have been having
the Saucer Magnolias have began to pop out in full bloom.   I have seen them beginning to flower in parts of Transylvania and Henderson County and they are likely beginning to show color in other parts of WNC. 
Please visit the following link to see how to make a simple trap as well as get information regarding pesticide applications:
Granulated Ambrosia Beetles




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

Invasive Grass of Concern

Cogongrass

The folk at the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services asked us to spread the word about this noxious weed. The weed scientists at NCDA&CS are very concerned about Cogongrass entering our mountain ecosystem.

http://www.ncagr.gov/PLANTINDUSTRY/Plant/weed/Cogongrass.htm

If you suspect that you have found an infestation please contact the NCDA Weed Specialist Bridget Lassiter at (919) 707-3749.

This is an interesting grass as one form was sold as an ornamental grass back in the early '90s under the name Japanese Bloodgrass  Imperata cylindrica " Red Baron".   Some of you may have been misinformed as I was,  and used it in landscapes or sold it in your garden centers, with the impression that it was a sterile form of the species.  I seem to recall that it did not appear to overwinter very well here in the mountains- but then some of those winters were colder than we have experienced lately.   Unfortunately,  in some climatic conditions it becomes a noxious weed.  

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

NC Landscape Contractor License Exam Training

 NC Landscape Contractor Licensing Exam Training and CEU Classes

Are you looking to become a licensed NC Landscape Contractor?  If so we are holding a 2 day school with 4 separate half day classes to prepare you to take the exam.  If you plan to take the exam on the 3rd Friday of November (11/17)  you will need all of your applications materials in and the Surety Bond approved prior to October 17th to take the exam at this location in November.  These documents must be in 30 days prior to taking the exam regardless of where you choose to take the exams.

For more information and registration visit:

Review Course

Need NC Landscape Contractor CEUs?

These classes were also pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for existing licensed landscape contractors.  The first three are opportunities to get 3 hours each for Technical Credit (L) and the last of the series will get you 3 hours of Business credit.  You do not need to take all 4 classes to get the credits but you must attend the entire 3.5 hours in each specific class.  As indicated the classes are $30.00 each or the entire course is $100.00

Please note: The fees above are for the training only and do not cover the costs associated with the application and exam fees for those taking the exams.  You must contact the NC Landscape Contractor's Licensing Board to file the application and pay those fees!   https://nclclb.com/licensing-2/   We are two separate organizations!! 

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

Commercial Pesticide School

Commercial Pesticide School

Announcing: The NC State University and NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. will be offering the annual fall Commercial Pesticide School and Exam 

Date: October 11-12, 2017
Location: MILLS RIVER, NC -
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center

455 Research Dr., Mills River, NC 28759

  

Commercial Pesticide Schools are held to assist green industry professionals with obtaining their Commercial Pesticide License by offering pre-exam classes. All attendees should have already obtained their study materials and be familiar with the information before attending. Exams will be given on the second day of the school.

To obtain a Commercial Pesticide License in North Carolina, pesticide applicators must study for and take an exam in the Pesticide Applicator Core category as well an exam in their chosen specific applicator category.

Our Pesticide School offers Pesticide Applicator Core training on the first day and specific sub-category training on the second day in these categories:

-Ornamentals and Turf
-Right of Way
-Private

- *special this one time - Aquatics*

Classes start at 8:30 a.m. and are over by 4:00 p.m on the 11th and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 on the 12th 

Exception-  The Aquatics class will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on the 11th after the Core Class

All pesticide exams are given on the second day at 1:00 p.m. 

***special note -  We are holding the seldom offered pre-exam study class for the Aquatic Pesticide Applicator exam. This will be offered after 4:00 p.m on day one of the training October 11th. If you need to take the Core Exam you should already be in the Core training that takes place that day from 8:30-4:00.  Contact Andrea Crozier at pesticide-edu@ncsu.edu. to  request an additional seat in the Aquatics Class.

**Fees for Pesticide Schools are different from NCDA&CS Pesticide exam fees. Exam fees should be paid at the pesticide school or exam location. 

**Go here to register for school:

https://commerce.cashnet.com/cashnetg/selfserve/BrowseCatalog.aspx?CNAME=SCHOOLS+++++ 

To learn more about pesticide licensing visit:

http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/pesticides/exam.htm

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

7th Annual Horticulture Industry Symposium

Horticulture Industry Symposium 2017

Hard to believe that is is August already and the precise middle of summer.  The registration and information is already up for this year's Horticulture Industry Symposium.  Please consider attending this year.  We have a lot of different speakers and interesting content.  The program continues to grow.  For more information visit these sites from The NC Arboretum:  2017 IPM Symposium

Agenda or Program for IPM Symposium

Registration Form

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

Fire Ants Expanding their Territory

Fire Ants are Expanding their Territory 

Fire Ants are expanding their territory in NC and additional counties or portions of counties are now under quarantine.  Essentially, for the green industry this means that certain products (nursery crops, pine needles, hay, straw, etc) can't be move out of those counties without being properly treated.  For more information read the link attached above. 

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

Cicadas are Impacting Trees in WNC

Cicadas are Impacting Trees in WNC

If you or your clients are noticing dead twigs on forest or landscape trees, chances are that it is the result of Periodical Cicadas.  The female gender of these insects cuts slits in the twigs of various species of trees and lays her eggs.  The result is the death of these twigs which turn brown and ultimately fall off of the tree.  As this has already occurred there's little that you can do to prevent of control the problem, however pruning out the damaged twigs and destroying them may reduce the population for future outbreaks.  Check out the attached article on Periodical Cicadas:

Periodical Cicada





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

Post Drought Stress Symptoms

Post Drought Stress Symptoms

Although we are getting what appears to be adequate rainfall now, we are still seeing symptoms of drought stress or "post drought stress".    These symptoms may vary from wilting and slow growth to smaller than normal leaves and entire canopy death.   While some of these symptoms may have occurred last summer and into the fall there seems to be a continued showing of cracked trunks and branches with die back occurring on trees and shrubs now even though we are getting good rainfall.

Most of these problems relate back to a failure to water the plants adequately through an entire establishment period.  Trees, particularly those that are field grown and sold balled and burlapped are particularly susceptible due to the amount of root loss that they encountered when harvested.  Typically, a tree takes one year per caliper inch to get re-established so a 2 inch caliper tree will take 2 years of careful monitoring and extra care to see that the root ball doesn't dry out to reduce the potential for drought stress.  Some plants, such as Leyland Cypress and many flood plain species are drought sensitive and may require extra care to keep them from drying out.   Here are a couple of samples from a Sweetgum tree that was planted just before the drought of 2016 and is showing drought stress this spring:

   Note the cracking in the main trunk!↘

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

Job Opening

Job Opening
The following is a job opening that some of you might find of interest:

Trademark Homescapes Inc., a successful landscaping company providing landscaping, custom wood working, gardening and water features is seeking an experienced landscape crew member to fill a full time position. Pay is dependent upon experience.
Qualifications include: (must possess at least 3 of the listed qualifications) Nursery Background
Skilled Carpentry Experience
Masonry and Hardscape Experience
Track Hoe/Skid Steer Experience
Certified Plant Professional – CPP
Plant and Irrigation Installation Experience Associate/Bachelor Degree in Horticulture or similar Must have a valid North Carolina Driver’s License. Accepting Resumes through June 1st
Send resumes to: trademarkhomescapes@yahoo.com 

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

New Worker Protection Standards Coming into Effect on Jan 2nd

New Worker Protection Standards Going into Effect on Jan 2nd

It's December 1st and I want to make you aware of some new laws that will be going into effect on January 2nd.  If you use and apply pesticides you need to be aware of these standards as they will be enforced.  I have included the link below to give you guidance as to these new standards:
New WPS .
Also to compare the old standards with the new visit this document:  https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/comparison-chart-wps.pdf

Some highlight of the new standards:

1. Annual training of all workers and handles associated in and around pesticide use.

2. Training of worker and handlers immediately upon hiring and prior to their being exposed to areas where pesticides are being used.

3. Expanded training requirements.

4. Records of training must be kept for at least 2 years.

5.  Fit test requirements for individuals using respirators.

Note on the latter.-  We are in the process of hosting a clinic for applicators that need to be fit tested. If you or your employees use respirators then they will need to be fit test to insure that the equipment they use actually works and that they are healthy enough to use a respirator.  The date has not been confirmed but tentatively it will be sometime in March.  If you have a need to get a fit test earlier contact the folk at Mission Hospitals- OccuMed for an appointment. (828) 213-0878.

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

Smoke- Respirator Use

Working in Smokey Conditions

There has been some concern about breathing during these times with smokey conditions prevalent over most of our area.  The link here:  Respirator for use during smokey conditions  takes you to a pdf that will describe the proper minimum respirator for use by individuals working outside in smokey areas.  Keep in mind this does not apply to areas close to the actual fires or where there are large particulates of ashes in the air.  Additional protection may be required. 

Also as indicate in the article you should contact your medical doctor before wearing any respirator. One note is that starting in January if you use a respirator as part of your work- applying pesticides, dusts, fertilizers, etc or working in other conditions that would require respiratory protection;  you will need to have the respirator test fitted for your face and conditions.  There are various health issues that will preclude your use of typical respirators.  Beards and other facial hair may also make wearing a respirator difficult due to the inability to properly get a seal to eliminate air movement around the perimeter of the respirator.   

Our recommendation is that if you or your employees have health issues or encounter breathing difficulties working in conditions where the air quality is compromised; that you cease working in those areas and go inside until the conditions subside.  If you can access proper respiratory protection devices then use them on a limited basis with reductions in the time you spend outside.   Be sure that you know the life span of the respirator that you will be using.  Once the device or filter cartridges are exposed to the air (particularly polluted air)  they begin to age. As the filter gets full of particulates the functional use of the device declines and will need to be replaced.    

If you or someone on your staff has known health issues it would be well advised that they be assigned to working in a structure with filter air.  Nothing that you have planned to do over the next few weeks are more important than the health and well being of you or your staff.     

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

Landscape Contractor Math and Bidding Clas

Landscape Contractor Math and Bidding Class

New guidelines require that Licensed Landscape Contractors obtain a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 4 hours of business credits each year as a part of their 7 hour requirement.  In order to assist clients with meeting this requirement we have developed a 3 hour class to provide basic training in Landscape Math and Bidding.  We may develop other business classes upon request but are planning to offer this class at least twice this fall.  The brochure attached below describes the class and provides a way to register to attend. 

 Registration Brochure

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

Position Opening

Position Open

The town of Canton NC has a Right of Way Maintenance Position open.  See the job announcement attached;     Right of Way Job

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

Small Nursery for Sale

Nursery for Sale

Sharon Yaste of Brevard NC has the following for sale as part of an acquired nursery.  She is retired and is scaling down so does not need or want to keep the materials.  

 She has  approximately 1500 plants, a custom built trailer, and a custom built work bench for potting, lots of empty pots (different sizes), and 4 wood boxes with screens and the sand (for growing clippings).  There are approximately 22 varieties and she can send you the list.  

if you are interested in expanding your nursery or starting a new nursery this may be a good opportunity.  Contact Sharon at: 

 Sharon Yaste

PO Box 1788

Brevard, NC  28712

828-883-9096 (home)

828-384-8423 (cell)

I can not personally vouch for the quality of these plants but am sharing the information as it was passed on to me.  

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

Horticulture Industry IPM Symposium

Horticulture Industry IPM Symposium 

The attached flier for the IPM Symposium include new data that indicates the number of recertification  hours for each category.  Note there are hours for pesticide credits in both Carolinas and Tennessee as well as Landscape Contractor Credit hours in NC.  Please get registered soon as September 1st is the last day for early registration:

https://buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2016-IPM-Symposium.pdf?fwd=no




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

Job Opening

Job Opening Posted

Thyme in the Garden, a retail garden center in the North Asheville area off of Merrimon Avenue has the following openings:

Local Garden and Gift Store Hiring Part-time Sales Clerk

6-20 hours; although this is not a seasonal position, hours fluctuate greatly with seasonal increases/decreases in business.   

Great environment. Ideal candidate will enjoy helping customers select product combinations from our unique selection of gifts and plants.  This type of sales engages your creativity! It also presents an opportunity for you to learn with the customer both about the plants and different products offered. 

Must Have:

·         Plant knowledge and enthusiasm for learning.  Experience of 2-3 years working with plants in a professional setting such as landscaping, horticulture, or agriculture is important.

·         Retail or other customer service experience preferred. Ability to engage customers in friendly, hospitable manner, good at reading customer signals.

·         Flexibility on amount of hours (the needs of the business fluctuate with the seasons)

·         Sense of design and confidence helping customers with creative tasks (plant arrangements, unique gifts, home and garden décor).

·         Ability to regularly lift 20-50 pounds and knowledge of safe lifting practices

·         Experience in a trade such as carpentry, welding, plumbing a plus

Contact Laura Carter at 828-628-3700 or visit their website at:

thymeinthegardenasheville.com   or  lauratigthyme@gmail.com

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

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.

Electric Lawn Equipment Being Tested

Electric Lawn Equipment Being Tested

NCSU Grounds Department is testing various electric lawn care equipment.  Thought you as a Green Industry Professional might find this article interesting:  NCSU Electric Lawn Care

On a more personal note, I purchase three pieces of lawn care equipment with rechargeable batteries, this Spring.  I charge the batteries using a solar charger.  The items are a leaf/debris blower that weighs about 3 pounds; a string trimmer that is about 5 pounds; and 4 gallon backpack sprayer that I mounted onto my riding mower instead of trying to carry it (I'm not quite ready to put 45 pounds on my back)  I can run either of them for the equivalent of 4 hours on a single charge and re-charge the batteries, if the sun is out,  in about 2 hours.  Since they for home use only I don't need extra batteries for the equipment- (I run out of energy before the batteries do) .  But I'm not paying for gas, oil, or electricity- as long as the sun is shining.   Just a thought worth sharing.  Solar chargers can be mounted onto a truck with an inverter and outlets one can charge several batteries while they are working.  

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