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.

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.

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.

Does Your Forest Talk Money

Do you have forestland that may be suitable for some kind of alternative crop? If so then this workshop might have some interest to you. Visit the link below and click on "more information" to get a copy of the registration materials and agenda.

Woodland Products Workshop

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

Employees Wanted

Looking for employment or know someone that is? Snow Creek Landscaping is a proactive local landscaping firm with a mission for sustainability. They are looking for some good people to join their staff. If one of these jobs is something that fits your qualifications then visit their website Snow Creek Employment for an on-line application.

Gardeners
Snow Creek Landscaping seeks experienced gardeners who enjoy being creative and helping nature through their knowledge of gardening techniques, IPM principles, plant identification, and will welcome physical outdoor work.

Reactive Crew Leaders
Snow Creek is seeking an individual to coordinate small projects that would include rock work, plant installation, pruning and irrigation. Ability to organize and multi-task. Clean driving record required.

Landscape Crew Leaders
Snow Creek is seeking experienced Crew Leaders. Knowledge of rock work, plant installation, irrigation, and equipment experience needed. Bi-lingual a plus. Clean driving record required.

Mow Crew Leaders
Snow Creek is seeking an experienced individual to run a Mow Crew. Ability to multi-task, attention to detail and a leader. Ability to run various mowers and small equipment. Bi-lingual a plus. Clean driving record required.


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

Job Opening

This is the first time in several months that I have had a request to post a job opening. However,
Kelly Laughter, Fletcher Grading Contractors has indicated that they have an opening for a andscape Maintenance Foreman with a firm knowledge of plant material and turf. This company has s
few private developments and need someone to supervise the crews on shrub/tree and turf maintenance. Both experience and professionalism is required. If you are looking for a job or have a former employee that you feel has the qualifications and can recommend them, please let Kelly know at: 654-7777 x-111 office, 273-7744 cell- or by e-mail: kelly@fletchergrading.com

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

New Green Industry Video Posted

Check out the new video posted on the NC Green Industry Council website:
NC Green Industry Council
The video features a lot of what is going on across NC in our industry and features several of the green industry businesses that we all recognized. Many from right here in Western NC. I hope you will share it with your customers to increase their awareness of what our industry is doing.
The video also mentions several of the certifications, licenses, or registrations that many of you have already acquired. We are continuing to offer classes to prepare any of you that wish to obtain any of these certifications as well as CEUs for those needing them. So keep in tuned.

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

Business Side of Agritourism

Looking for a different way to make your farm or nursery make money? Consider attending this class:
Business Side of Agritourism

It could be that Agritourism is the market niche you should consider.

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

Nursery Management Workshop

Happy New Year!
For those of you waiting to see what the new year would bring. Here's the first of many programs being offered for the green industry in Western NC. Nursery Management Workshop This class will start your year off with 3 hours of pesticide credits and loads of information about scouting principles.

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

Irrigation Workshop

Looking for irrigation credits. Good news! NC Cooperative Extension and Carolina's Irrigation Association has teamed up for a 6 hour session on December 1st to offer 5-6 hours (pending final credit approval) to offer a whole day of irrigation credits. This class will be at the Mountain Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center from 8:30 to 4:30 with lunch. The cost is only $25.00. Registration form and agenda will be sent out very soon!

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