Gardener News August 2013

Gardener NewsGardener News Serving the Agricultural, Gardening and Landscaping Communities

August, 2013 GARDENERNEWS.COM No. 124

Gardener News16 Mount Bethel Road #123Warren, NJ 07059

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Sudzin Country is in its 36th year on the radio, playing the country music classics and the ones that will be classics. Whether

it is country, bluegrass or western favorites, Sudzin Country plays it all.

Herb Sudzin, who grew up on a dairy farm in Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey established Sudzin Country in 1977 as an alternative to

mainstream country radio. With more variety to listen to, Sudzin Country has become a favorite, where it is heard every weekend morning on 88.7 FM WRSU and on WRSU.org.

On July 7, 2012, Sudzin, along with Tom Castronovo,

executive editor and publisher of the Gardener News, established the Gardening Hour segment, which airs on the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on 88.7 FM WRSU in the central New Jersey area. This program

features guests from the agricultural, gardening and landscaping communities. It can also be heard LIVE on SudzinCountry.com. In between each set of questions, Sudzin plays a country song or two, which is chosen by the (Cont. on page 16)

Tom Castronovo/Photo

By Tom CastronovoExecutive Editor

Jersey Fresh…On-the-Air

Herb Sudzin, left, host of the Gardening Hour segment on the Sudzin Country radio program, chats with New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray during a “live” on-air interview.

Gardener News2 August, 2013 Gardener News2 G A R D E N C E N T E R D I R E C T O R Y

A better garden starts with a better plant.Proven Winners

Container Gardens ShrubsVegetable Plants AnnualsPerennials We've Got It All!

Magnificant Hanging Baskets in All Colors

Gardener News August, 2013 3Gardener News

Really green and cat-proofAs I write this column, it has been really hot outside and my lawn is a very, very lush

green.At the beginning of June, I applied Jonathan Green Summer Survival 13-0-3 to the lawn.

This product controls a wide spectrum of insect pests, including chinch bugs, army worms, ticks, ants, etc. It provides a controlled release feeding, giving my lawn a gentle feeding through June. I also applied Jonathan Green’s Lawn Fungus Control, which is a systemic fungicide for both preventative and curative treatments. It controls more than 20 lawn diseases, including Summer Patch, Fusarium Blight, Dollar Spot, Copper Spot, Powdery Mildew, Red Thread, Rust, Striped Smut, and Pink Snow Mold. I applied it as a preventative. With all the rain we had in June, my timing was just right. And we all know that timing is everything. My lawn greened up quite nicely. It was healthy, too.

At the beginning of July, I made another application of the fungus control at the preventative rate. I then made an application of one of my favorite organic products that Jonathan Green has to offer. It’s called Natural Beauty 10-0-1. Natural Beauty is fortified with humates, which helps re-vitalize the soil. This product literally strengthens the grass plants. It promotes green-up without the excessive top growth. It basically gives you a green lawn in the middle of the summer without having to cut it all the time.

This is why I like Natural Beauty. The nutrients in it are derived from Feather Meal, Soy Bean Meal, Blood Meal, Kelp Meal, Wheat Shorts, Amino Acids and Humic Acid. These ingredients improve soil texture and fertility, and increase its capacity to retain moisture. They also contain trace minerals, amino acids and enzymes that feed and stimulate micro-organisms in the soil. The natural organic compounds increase soil activity, resulting in improved soil structure and enhanced turf performance. These soil organisms continuously break down organic matter into valuable nutrients for proper plant nutrition. They thrive and multiply with the introduction of organics. Microbes break down nutrients into a form which allows them to be used by grass plants. The ingredients also enhance the nutrient efficiency, availability and exchange of plant nutrients from the soil. Natural Beauty also has a form of slow-release nitrogen, which enables the grass plants to better utilize nitrogen, producing more grass plant growth, including more root growth, over an extended period of time.

When the grass plants are under stress, they cannot properly photosynthesize or perform physiological functions. This can contribute to a reduction of root mass and turf quality. This product also contains humates, which are harvested from primal humic shale, which are vital to the health of the soil, and therefore the lawn. Thank you, Jonathan Green, for allowing me to have the greenest and healthiest lawn in the neighborhood. And yes, you can apply Natural Beauty in August. Apply it early in the morning and water it in. Just like magic…it will green-up, just like mine.

Now, let’s talk about houseplants and cats. I bet the bottom of your houseplants are covered in tin foil to keep the cats from digging in the soil and doing their business in the soil. If they are, I have a simple solution that will look much, much better, and best of all, keep them out of the soil. Simply install four green garden stakes around the base of the pot. Then wrap the stakes with a soft twist plant tie. This is a cushioned, soft, pliable wire that you would normally use to fasten tomato plants to stakes in the garden. Please see the photo to the right.

As always, I hope you find the information in the Gardener News informative and enjoyable.

Until next time…Keep the “garden” in the Garden State. -Tom

Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News. Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening and landscaping communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

Around The GardenBy Tom Castronovo

Gardener News

2013 NJ Flower and Garden ShowAward Winning Water Display Garden

Gladly

Accepting

SNAP

EBT Cards


Gardener News4 August, 2013

Look Who’s Reading the Gardener News!

It’s in the newsPaul Hlubik, United States Department of Agriculture’s State Executive

Director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), looks over the July Gardener News cover story featuring the NEASDA secretaries during the Somerset Medical Center’s Community Health Department Event, titled “The Garden’s State: Lettuce Discuss Specialty Fruits and Vegetables.” The FSA is a safety outlet for producers. It helps ensure: the well-being of American agriculture, the environment, and the American people though efficient and equitable administration of farm commodity programs; farm ownership, operating, and emergency loans; conservation and environmental programs; emergency and disaster assistance; and domestic and international food assistance and international export-credit programs.


Let’s face it, the pace of life seems to go faster and become more complex as the years roll by. We all must find opportunities to take care of ourselves in nurturing ways that allow us time to reflect, relax and ponder all that swirls about us. One of the most natural therapies is to engage with plants and absorb the many benefits they can provide for us.

When it comes to harvest time, you are rewarded for all the planning and hard work that went into growing your garden. You can become so creative and fashion the bounty of your garden by sharing recipes and displays with your friends and neighbors and also have the experience of just enjoying what you’ve grown.

You can cut the flowers from your garden to beautify your surroundings. This in turn lifts your spirits and can insulate you from other areas of your life that are much more hectic.

As you move through the seasons, you get multiple shots at being able to plant a new crop, where once again you can gain that experience of one more cycle. You also

begin to turn your attentions to extending a season, by freezing and canning what you so lovingly raised.

If you haven’t gotten to the stage where you have enough time to plant your own garden, don’t despair. You still have a chance to wander to a farmers market or a farm. It still can be a very personal experience. You can meet the person who grew the crops, and of course get farm fresh goodies. You’ll meet others who also enjoy Jersey Fresh products.

Right now, at the height of our growing season, you can find pretty much any type of Jersey Fresh produce you want, as well as cut flowers. To get that gardening experience without having to actually garden, there are many pick-your-own farms throughout the state. You can

pick everything from apples to zucchini and blackberries to tomatoes. Farmers provide you with what you need to harvest and then you usually pay by the pound for your selections.

For those who want a quicker way to purchase their Jersey Fresh, New Jersey has more than 130 community farmers markets in almost every county. I have visited many of these markets and found that each is unique and special. There are large markets, such as the Ocean City Farmers Market, which has multiple farmers and a large number of vendors, catering to every taste, from local residents to the seasonal visitors.

There are smaller markets, which are absolute neighborhood gathering

spots, such as Robbinsville Farmers Market. The organizers of that market are farmers themselves and have partnered with a developer to bring Jersey Fresh produce to residents in the nearby area. While visiting their 2013 grand opening, we saw whole families walking to the market to pick up their fruits and vegetables, stop and get a cupcake and take home a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers.

Some markets are more like weekly major events that draw crowds for long periods of time. We stopped in to the Common Greens Farmers Market in downtown Newark and found a band playing and people shopping, then stopping to enjoy the music.

Many of the farmers get to know their customers who frequent their booth each week

at the various markets. These markets bring back the “town square” feel to whichever community they are located.

Your garden, community farmers markets and pick-your-own farms are places where the pressures of the world can melt away. So, enjoy it, savor it. This is truly the Garden State.

To find community farmers markets, pick-your-own farms and roadside stands in New Jersey, visit the Jersey Fresh website at www.jerseyfresh.nj.gov.

NJ Dept. of AgricultureBy Douglas H. Fisher

Secretary of Agriculture

Editor’s Note: Douglas H. Fisher is New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture. He is the department’s executive officer, secretary to the State Board of Agriculture and a member of the Governor’s cabinet. Secretary Fisher fulfills executive, management and administrative duties prescribed by law, executive order or gubernatorial direction. He can be reached at 609.292.3976. For more info, please visit: ht tp: / /www.state .nj .us/agriculture

Enjoying the Summer Harvest

Gardener NewsGardrdedener Neer NeNewNewssws August, 2013 5August, 201ugugusst,t, 2013 55

jerseyfresh.nj.govNew Jersey Department of Agriculturegy pChris Christie, GovernorDouglas H. Fisher, Secretary of Agriculture


Summer is the absolute peak of community gardening activity, with watering, weeding and harvesting of crops an ongoing daily enterprise.

Here in the Raritan Township Community Garden, which mirrors community gardens throughout New Jersey, we are dealing with all the vagaries Mother Nature throws our way. As I write, we are experiencing rain, rain and more rain, with high humidity. Hence, the zucchinis in my square-foot garden are experiencing blossom end rot. Upon Googling this unhappy circumstance and reading that my plants are not absorbing necessary calcium, my next dilemma was determining how to fix it, so I can have beautiful, fat zucchinis.

Off I went to my local garden center to purchase some foliar spray when I decided to stop at our local big box store and compare possible solutions. Much to my dismay, the big box store not only didn’t have anything remotely helpful for blossom end rot, but they had a huge array of chemicals designed to destroy weeds, pests and it seems every other living thing. I left there disheartened, wondering how our flora and fauna can possibly survive this continued onslaught of products enticing the public into believing they should have the perfect lawn and garden, clueless as to the long-term damage done to nature and our environment. Nothing is a perfect solution, but doing some homework and engaging in organic gardening is the best way to keep those bees buzzing, butterflies flitting about, and birds serenading us as we enjoy the great outdoors.

It has been a very exciting year in our young community garden as Carolyn Creed and I decided to experiment with straw in the vacant plots. Carolyn got the idea from a book on gardening from the ‘70s and found the KISS method on Youtube under organic gardening 123---straw bale gardening. My husband and I tracked down 26 bales of straw from Dave Everitt of Ringoes. I told Dave we were planning on planting pumpkins and squash according to the video we viewed and he proceeded to tell me how temperamental and difficult pumpkins are to grow. He devotes eight acres to his pumpkin patch and gets animated as he describes how he’ll take his morning cup of coffee to view his pumpkins as it’s such a happy way to start the day except that with pumpkins, you never know from one day to the next what may befall them. Maladies such as virus diseases, wilt, rots, blights, bacterial fruit spot and downy mildew can happen overnight and change a field of gorgeous specimens to one of decay and despair. Oh boy, and us with a downright soggy season already. Here’s hoping that we get some beautiful orange orbs along about September or October when my usual bout of “pumpkin fever” sets in and I have to have a myriad display of pumpkins in my yard.

You would think that all this would be enough for us to handle as we still have our own community garden plots plus gardens at home, but no, we get another e-mail from Carolyn with a great idea of a teepee constructed of bamboo poles with pole beans climbing up the poles as she could picture the school kids from Robert Hunter School across the street, having a fun time entering our teepee and maybe even invite the

local residents for an ice cream social. Remembering that our friend, Hildegard of Hearts-Ease Greenhouses in Tewksbury, had a bumper crop of invasive bamboo, we called and were told to come on over and have at it. We had fun erecting the teepee with Gayle, Matt, Carolyn, Bob and me acting like kids. I know this is being repeated all over the state in our community gardens, where gardeners enjoy a mutually rewarding activity enriching our lives and those around us, sharing and exploring old and new ways of gardening, providing healthy food for us, our friends, neighbors and food banks. What could be better than that?

Our Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc. had a new Board sworn in for 2013-2015, with our new President Barbara Mullin at the helm. We thank our outgoing President, Vivian Morrison, for all her hard work and dedication throughout the past two years of her administration. Vivian’s favorite job was to visit the eight districts comprising 112 garden clubs throughout the state, seeing firsthand what projects they’ve undertaken, and being so proud of the difference garden club members make in their respective communities. Get out there! Join a garden club!

Editor’s Note: Jeannie Geremia is the Community Garden Chair for the Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc., and is a National Garden Clubs, Inc., Accredited Judge for the GCNJ. Jeannie is also Program Chair for Neshanic Garden Club and can be reached by emailing jeannieg42@earthl ink.net Garden Club of New Jersey website is: www.gardenclubofnewjersey.com and phone number is: 732-249-0947.

Community Gardening at Its Peak!By Jeannie GeremiaGarden Club of New Jersey

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Annual Snyder Farm Open House and Great Tomato Tasting

Wednesday, August 28, 2013(Rain or Shine) 3pm - dusk

The event includes the very popular tasting of over 60 heirloom and hybrid varieties of beefsteak, plum, cherry, and grape tomatoes. Other highlights include tasting of apples and peaches from the NJAES Tree Fruit Breeding Program along with varieties of basil and honey.

The Melda C. Snyder Teaching Garden will showcase demonstration gardens of deer tolerant ornamentals; blueberries, hazelnuts, and hollies from the Rutgers breeding programs; examples of proper tomato plant culture; and a wall of fruit highlighting apple trees for the home landscape.

Wagon tours of the farm’s research plots will be held throughout the event. Chef demonstrations featuring preparation of several recipes, Jersey Fresh Salsa tastings, a corn maze, and educational displays from various organizations are also expected.

Rutgers NJAES faculty and staff and Rutgers Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answer your gardening questions and to make your visit a pleasurable and memorable one.

The Snyder Research and Extension Farm is located at 140 Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, Hunterdon County, NJ.

For more information visit http://snyderfarm.rutgers.edu/tomatoes.html

Gardener News August, 2013 7

Voice of the CustomerThe Storr Tractor Company in Branchburg, Hunterdon County, N.J., and the

Toro Landscape Contractor Equipment Team from Bloomington, Minn., hosted 40 Landscape Contractors from around New Jersey on July 16 for a unique opportunity to meet with the people of Toro. The contractors were greeted in the Branchburg showroom, which was filled with the newest landscape power equipment manufactured by the Toro Company. There were roundtable and open discussion forums where they shared ideas and suggestions with the Toro team. Pictured is Michael B. Todé, left, president of Todé The Artistry of Landscape, and Kevin Neely the regional sales manager for Residential & Landscape Contractor Business for Toro, looking over a new 36-inch Toro Power Boom. The Storr Tractor Company has been serving the turf industry since 1945. They also have another location in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. Toro is a leading worldwide provider of innovative turf, landscape, rental and construction equipment, and irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions.


Summer is definitely different this year, but nonetheless good. Solid, consistent, yet different.

It feels good to see a lot of people return, yet strange to see so many fewer people and families return. I realize it is not the same and may not be for a few more years, but it will continue and go on, as well as get better and stronger.

WE ARE GREAT! We will be back, and that is all that matters folks. I’m still relishing in the fact that we are procuring some of the best seafood I have seen in years. Everything from clams, oysters, tuna, sword, mako, scallops etc... have been pristine. SUPER PRISTINE! The Jersey corn and tomatoes are all-time awesome and every other produce item from Jersey has been exceptional. E-X-C-E-P-T-I-O-N-A-L! Buy it, eat it, love it!

We are prime time right now as far as Jersey stuff goes! So get on it now, people! I see so much beautiful food pass before me and I implore

you to take advantage before October comes and we are getting everything from South America again. Can it, vacuum it or do whatever you have to do to preserve and use it now. Take advantage of it all, it goes quick. Get out there and support your local produce market and fish suppliers. Request the best and enjoy the best Jersey has to offer.

I, for once, am handing off my column to my wife, Shannon, who has been begging me to run her “famous summer all-day pasta” for everyone. Good luck!

Hi everyone! I can’t believe Craig is actually letting me write this! Tommy

and I were making fun of Craig the other night at dinner about how he is always late handing in his article. So today, since we were making fun of him, I am now writing it. However, in reality, I am always trying to get him to use my recipes!

This recipe is one of my favorites. It is easy, fresh and delicious! I normally serve this as a side dish for four, but if you wanted to serve it as a main dish for four, you need to double the recipe. It is so good that I even add basil to it. Why would that be weird? I DESPISE basil to the point that I do not allow it in my home and I have even had an “I hate basil” T-shirt made for me!

Ingredients -8oz. Brie cheese, remove

the rind and dice-1 large chopped, seeded

Jersey Fresh tomato-2 cloves garlic, finely

chopped5-6 large Jersey Fresh

basil leaves, chopped (I only use 2 and add it right before serving so it does not taste too much like basil)

-3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil

-Salt and pepper to taste-1 pound. pasta of your

choice (I use linguine). Method

Combine all of the ingredients, adding the olive oil last, in a large bowl and mix.

Cover with plastic wrap

and leave on the counter (the key is not to refrigerate it)

You need to make it at least three hours before serving.

Cook the pasta to al dente, drain and top with the cheese mixture!

I hope you like this dish! Maybe Craig will even let me write more! Please remember to visit all of the local businesses and support us in our rebuilding of our beautiful Jersey Shore. Also, if you can go vegetable-picking at any of our local farms, do so. My daughters and I can’t wait to go and get our hands dirty picking the wonderful vegetables that our great state has to offer.

From the DeepBy Craig KorbExecutive Chef

Editor’s Note: Craig Korb is executive chef at The Crab’s Claw Inn, Lavallette, New Jersey. He has an Associates degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelors degree in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University. For more information visitwww.TheCrabsClaw.com or phone (732) 793-4447.

Que pasa from the Jersey Shore!

Gardener NewsGardrdedener Neer NeNewNewssws8 August, 20138 ugust, 2Augugust,t, 2013013

By Madeline Flahive DiNardo, Union County Agricultural Agent andMaster Gardeners, MC Schwartz and James Keane

Q. Last month I had hundreds of cicadas all over my backyard. Now theyare gone. What happened? Where did they go? -The Silence of the Cicadas

A. The brood of cicadas that came this spring/early-summer was actually at the end of its amazing 17-year life cycle. We saw the cicadas emerge from the ground from small cones of soil or half-inch diameter holes as tan nymphs; climbup an object, be it a tree, bush, telephone poles, etc.; and shed their nymphal skin. Within an hour, the nymph transformed into a mature adult.

That’s when things got noisy. Males produce a loud buzzing sound by vibrating membranes on the underside of their abdomens to attract a mate. A male may also have made a clicking sound to deter predators. Females were silent. Adult cicadas do not feed on plants.

You may notice some slits along the branches of your trees, shrubs or herbaceous perennials, such as Black-Eyed Susan. The mated cicada female used her saw-tooth like ovipositor to carve slits in branches to lay her eggs. The females prefer to lay their eggs in branches that are about as thick as a pencil, one-quarter to one-half inch in diameter. The female lays 24 to 28 eggs in twostraight rows in each “pocket.” Moving along the twig or by hopping to a nearby twig, the female will lay 400 to 600 eggs.

Some trees cicadas prefer to lay eggs in include Ash, Beech, Dogwood, Magnolia, Maple, Oak and Willows. Fruit trees are favorites. Shrubs such as Arborvitae, Holly, Juniper, Rose, Rhododendron, Spirea and Viburnum are also preferred sites. Over 270 species of trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials have been reported as host plants.

The egg laying site can cause “flagging” on trees and shrubs. Depending on the size and vigor of the branch, it may split, wither and die. You may notice dead leaves at the end of branches. A healthy mature tree can usually withstand egg-laying sites, but a newly planted tree or shrubs may be in for a though time.

If you have a newly planted tree or shrub with heavy damage from egg-laying, you might consider pruning badly damaged branches out. Before making a pruning cut, peel back a little of the branch bark. If the plant tissue beneath is still soft and green, hold off on removing the branch. Give the branch a chance to recover. A severely damaged young tree or shrub may need to be replaced in the cool fall weather.

After mating, the females and males die, ending their 17-year journey. Sowhat happens next? The 2030 brood has begun their expedition. Those tiny eggs hatched in about six to 10 weeks. The new generation is extremely small and a clear green/yellow color. They innocently crawl to the end of the branch, drop to the ground and begin to burrow one to two feet below ground. For the next 17 years, they will feed on nutrients from plant roots. They will be fully grown nymphs after seven or eight years, but they won’t grace us with their presence for another 17 years, in 2030.

Editor’s Note: The Union County Master Gardener’s HELP LINE fieldshundreds of citizen inquiries a year – offering assistance with their indoor as well as outdoor gardening and pest-control questions. Responses to resident phone calls and on-site visits comply with current Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station recommendations. Union County residents can call (908) 654-9852 or email [email protected] for assistance. A complete listing of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) offices where you can contact aMaster Gardener in your area can be found on page 22 of the Gardener News. Free RCE fact sheets are available at www.njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs

CASE FILESFrom the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County Garden Help Line


Anyone taken a stroll off the beaten path through the woods lately? Holy exoskeletons that attach and install an anticoagulant, Batman!

This was supposed to be a 7 a.m.-ish impromptu, quick stroll looking for Ladyslippers without any bug dope that, instead, turned into 45 minutes because we kept finding them. But, when my buddy and I came out, we each found over 50 ticks on our pants, shirts, heads, behind the ears, etc. Mostly dog ticks but... some deer ticks! We immediately stripped right down to our tighty-whiteys and came back for the rest of our clothes after we picked up big leaf bags to throw them into and tie shut. This jaunt was out behind the local hospital and we had to wonder what anyone looking out the window thought of two older gentlemen, coming out of the woods and sprinting across the parking lot in their underwear. Did not want to bring the ticks into the car or the homes, so that was our only solution besides burning our clothes,

and I had a brand new pair of Carharts on. Fifty ticks plus, the most I have ever found on me, made me write this article so that hopefully you will be prepared for an off-trail hike.

According to the local Fish and Wildlife people here, all types of ticks seem to be finding this to be a banner year. Thus, Lyme Disease is, unfortunately, expected to rise. Right now, walking in the woods for any length of time is likely to result in contact with ticks, and quite possibly deer ticks. The little blood suckers deliver Lyme Disease annually to 30,000 or so victims. The blacklegged tick (or deer tick), spreads the disease in the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and North-Central United States. Ticks can

attach to any part of the human body but like the hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, scalp and behind the ears. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme Disease bacterium can be transmitted, so the idea is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, avoiding folklore remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin.

Signs and Symptoms Within three to 30 days: red, expanding bulls-eye-like rash called erythema migrans (EM); fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Some people may get these general symptoms

in addition to an EM rash, but in others, these general symptoms may be the only evidence of infection. Sixty percent of patients with an UNTREATED INFECTION may have severe joint pain and swelling. Large joints are most often affected, particularly the knees. Up to 5 percent of untreated patients may develop chronic neurological problems months to years after infection. These include shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and problems with short-term memory. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of patients have symptoms that can include muscle and joint pains, cognitive defects, sleep disturbance, or fatigue. Studies have shown that continuing antibiotic therapy

is not helpful and can be harmful. The point here is that while rarely fatal, the disease is not something to dismiss lightly, or worse, ignore until some real damage is done.

How to Remove a Tick Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers.

After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. If you show any signs or symptoms of the disease, get medical help early.

Thanks for reading and see ya next month.

The Miscellaneous GardenerBy Richard W. Perkins

Freelance Writer

A Banner Year for Ticks!

Editors Note: Richard Perkins is an avid horticulturist, a member of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance and the Seacoast Writers Association. He can be reached [email protected]

August is the eighth month in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars. It was originally called Sextilis because it used to be the sixth month in the Roman Calendar. They changed the name to August to honor the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus when the calendar was changed around 8 B.C. But enough with the history lesson.

August is a great time to relax and enjoy the summer, now at its peak. Before we know it, Labor Day will be here. As far as maintaining your garden during this time, keep your garden hydrated, clean, and given adequate nutrients. Those are the keys to success.

August for me is a time to reflect on the first half of the year before getting into the second half of the year. How did things go? What worked out? What didn’t? What can be done to improve programs for next year? One thing for certain, looking back on the first half of 2013 is the reminder that you can’t always gauge what is going to happen from one year to the next.

For instance, the challenges this year as opposed to last year where night and day. This year, the season didn’t get started until mid-April, where last year the weather was so nice in mid-February that color was popping in late-winter. Last year, everything was ready at least two weeks ahead of normal, whereas this year we were at least two weeks behind the normal schedule. What does that do to the economics of the industry? If you think about it, it was a four week shift. That is tremendous when it comes to forecasting and scheduling of crops.

The ultimate goal of a supplier/grower is to be able to target when the peak demand of their product will be needed. The gardening

world is very different than, say, building a television or building a piece of furniture in that we deal with a perishable product, so timing is very important. Not only is timing a factor in getting ready for market, but also our variables are often ever-changing. Our number-one ingredient in growing a high-quality product is weather.

Everyone reading this probably already knows that New Jersey’s climate has been very erratic the last few years. Fortunately, in a greenhouse, we can control the environment to help provide a quality product. But what happens when the product is ready for sale and the outside environment is not optimal to boost the demand for the product? For instance, this year, flowering

bulbs were timed perfectly to coincide with the holidays of Easter and Passover, but what happened during that time? The weather was horrendous, freezing cold and threats of snow for weeks leading into those holidays. What did that do for demand of the products? It slowed down tremendously. The weather seemed to almost take the excitement out of the holiday.

What else was different from this year to last year? This year, everything bloomed later and in turn, people started gardening later and continued to garden well into the summer. Last year, everything starting blooming earlier and thus people started gardening early and finished sooner. By mid-June, gardening was done for many people.

So it is interesting to look back to see the differences that each year has to offer. And although they were very different, it will be interesting to see what next year will be. Maybe next year will be a Goldilocks year when it comes to weather – not too hot, not too cold, but just right. And one thing that is for sure about this industry is that it goes with the weather. The better the weather, the better industry. So, to answer my question above, it is relaxing to me to look back at the fruits of my labor for last season and help rejuvenate me for the next season. I’m going to spend much-needed time with the family this month. See you all after Labor Day with the start of the mum season.

What is August – Relaxation and Enjoyment?

The Professional GrowerBy Tim Hionis

Greenhouse Specialist

Editor’s Note: Tim Hionis has been growing plants for over 20 years, and is co-owner of Hionis Greenhouses and Garden Center in Whitehouse Station, NJ. He can be reached by calling(908) 534-7710.

Gardener News10 August, 2013Have you had enough of

the extreme weather the last few years? Everyone I talk to has, and so too have most of our landscapes.

What do we do when there is more than adequate rainfall to the point that flooding is becoming the norm and waterlogged soil is our regular planting medium? Whether we have clay, loam or sandy soils, the water table seems to be the factor contributing most to water logged and flooded yards. There isn’t to much we can do about that, but we can change elevations that plants are growing in through the use of berms, or just re-grade low areas to afford better runoff, or less area with which our root systems have to compete with standing or rising water.

Another way to collect water and disperse it at a later time is through the use of rain gardens. Basically stated, rain gardens are depressions built in low areas of your property which will collect rainwater and runoff and filter it back into the environment. Whereas catch basins are built to accept large volumes of water from parking areas or developed land, the rain garden uses native plants to help absorb and disperse the abundant water as the surrounding area dries out. A rain garden incorporates the water into a system of native plants which

thrive in the changing conditions created by the rain garden itself. Another difference is that catch basins don’t need to drain and rain gardens need percolation and a planting medium to help the native plants sustain.

To get started with the rain garden, a site where either natural rainfall collects and then percolates away within the next day, or where down spouts or sump pumps can be drained into the area, are good sites. A simple call to 811 will take care of the New Jersey One Call responsibility to notify utilities of a proposed excavation. After the mark-out is complete, work can begin. These areas will be excavated six to eight inches with the soil bushed out to the perimeter. Rocks can be used to enhance the border as well, but need not be made as complete walls.

After the excavation is complete, at one point to the lower side of the area, an overflow

should be installed. This can be as simple as a collection of three- to four-inch stones which will hold the soil of the berm in place while letting the overflow of water leave the area.

Once the excavation and perimeter berm are complete, the native plants can be installed. Depending upon the soil conditions left in the floor of the rain garden, soil amendments and fertilizer should be added and tilled into the planting area. A soil test would also be a good idea to determine the specific needs of the area. Most of our native plants do not need an overabundance of fertilizer, but a planting bed well prepared with compost and other natural ingredients, as well as a good organic food source, would be sufficient.

A nice short list of plants that have had success being planted in our rain gardens would include: Perennials, Swamp Milkweed, White Turtlehead, Joe-Pye Weed,

Sneezeweed, Cardinal flower, and Great Blue Lobelia. For grasses, sedges and ferns would include: Autumn Fern, Lady Fern, Royal Fern, Cinnamon Fern, Fox Sedge, Lurid Sedge, Foulmanna grass and Wood grass. Shrubs would include: Buttonbush, Arrowwood viburnum, Itea, Redozier Dogwood, Silky Dogwood and Spicebush. Certain other favorites and eye-catchers you may like can be incorporated into your garden as well. Pay attention to plant habits related to mature height and exposure before installing them.

The end result of a rain garden is to be self-sufficient and low-maintenance. During the first year of your rain garden, it will be important to keep undesirable weeds out and to let the new plants establish and create a dense plant mass and cover. Pruning should be done to encourage proper growth and to increase flower production. However, many

rain garden enthusiasts leave seed heads and spent flowers to attract wildlife into the garden for increased interest. You may need to scoop out excess sediment, which may accumulate in parts of your garden. But that means that the system is working and doing its job for you.

In early-spring, cut down your soft plants and perennials and prune certain shrubs which you want to keep under control, remembering to prune flowering plants after the new flowers have faded during the new growing season.

As the seasons progress, your garden may need some tweaking by replacing plants that don’t survive, as well as keeping order by moving or resetting rocks and soil as needed. By and large, these gardens can sustain themselves very well if the initial installation is carefully thought out. Your landscape professional or local nursery can help every step of the way and help you eliminate a floating situation in your yard.

The LandscaperBy Evan Dickerson

Landscape Professional

Editor’s Note: Evan Dickerson is owner of Dickerson Landscape Contractors and NaturesPro of North Plainfield. He has been pioneering the organic approach to plant health since 1972. Evan can be reached at 908-753-1490

We Love to Float, but Not in our Yards

Over the course of the past year, we have been working on a native plant garden at Rutgers Gardens. The area is unique in that the soil is predominantly a deposit of coarse sand, topped by a thin layer of organic rich topsoil. Obviously, the plant palette needs to focus upon those adapted to well-drained soils. A number of years back, Rutgers Gardens was given a plant of Eryngium yuccifolium, or Rattlesnake Master, which was planted in a heavy, moist soil. The plant lived for several years, but remained short and stunted before finally perishing. After seeing this plant used in a very sandy situation in central Illinois, I endeavored to use it again, with much improved results!

Eryngium is in the Apiaceae or parsley/carrot family. The genus is cosmopolitan, with the various species found throughout the world, although the greatest concentration

of species is found in South America. The etiology of the word Eryngium is rather confused, but it appears to come from the Greek Erugge or Erugarein, meaning to eruct or belch. Evidently, the Greek physician and herbalist Pedanius Diescordes (40-90AD) prescribed Eryngium as a cure to stomach ailments and flatulence. Another reference is Eerongos, meaning the “Beard of a Goat”! Eryngium is not bearded or pubescent, but is a prickly plant, much like the stiff beard of a goat. The leaves typically have sharp teeth along the margin and the flowers are subtended by four spiny bracts that often serve to enhance the floral display. The floral color is typically a steely blue or white with bluish cast. The spiny subtending bracts are often the same steely blue or silver color as the central boss of flowers, creating a very grand display.

Eryngium yuccifolium was first described by André Michaux (1746-1802) and published in his book Flora Boreali-Americana. Unique

to E. yuccifolium is the very attractive bold and rather stiff foliage; often the lower or basal leaves reach lengths of nearly three feet and widths of one-and-a-half inches! The leaf margins have widely spaced yet stiff “teeth,” which are more of a curiosity than a painful deterrent. As the species epithet infers, the foliage bears a striking resemblance to that of Yucca and it provides an attractive textural element to the Garden.

Unbeknownst to me when I was first introduced to the plant, it is native to tall grass prairie regions that feature humus-rich, sandy soils from Michigan east to Ohio and south to Florida and Texas. Although it will tolerate short periods of saturated soils, it truly prefers proper drainage. Plants grow upwards of five feet tall and the stems are topped by branched clusters of dense, one- to one-and-a-half-inch “button-like” umbels, which often contain150-200 flowers. The subtending bracts are very small, approximately

three millimeters in length, and are greenish-white to silver, typically with a light-blue wash. Despite their diminutive size, the sheer number of the bracts provides a very attractive appearance. The name Rattle Snake Master comes from its historic use by Native American Indians. They believed that if the root was masticated and applied to the bite, the effects of the venom would be voided.

Rattlesnake Master needs to be planted in full sun and although it is zone 3 hardy, situate it where it is afforded some protection from winds. The plants are difficult to attractively stake and if the location is windy, it is best to work the plant in with supporting plants, such as Eupatorium hyssopifolium or a lower-growing aster, such as Aster oblongifolius (now Symphyotrichum oblongifolium). In addition, care should be taken as to where to initially position the plants, as they develop a very extensive and deep root system and are notoriously

poor to transplant successfully. The plants will self-sow when planted in an ideal site, but they are hardly invasive. Once again, the North American tall prairies have yielded a very attractive, low-maintenance plant for gracing our gardens. The key, as I have long known, is to simply place the plant in the proper location and to never give up after killing a plant once!

Editor’s Note: Bruce, foremost a lover of plants since birth, is director of the Rutgers Gardens, an adjunct professor in Landscape Architecture at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, an instructor for Rutgers - NJAES Office of Continuing and Professional Education and chairperson of the Garden State Gardens group. He is a member of the Garden Writer’s Association and the New York Hortus Club. He can be reached at (732) 932-8451. For more information, please visitwww.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu

The Elegant Rattlesnake Master


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This past spring, the weather was extremely wet and cool and continued well into the summer months. Now that we are later in the summer, when hot, dry weather can dominate, what can we do to help our lawns survive?

I still hear about too many homeowners overwatering their lawns with the assumption that it will make newly sowed grass seed grow quicker. Pouring on more water will not make grass seed grow faster if there is a condition present that prevents the seed germinating. Usually these conditions are cool soil and air temperatures and poor soil conditions.

There was a lot of delay in the germination of grass seed this year due to the wet, cool weather. Grass seed will only grow when the conditions are right and too much water can be detrimental. On established lawns, more damage is created by improper watering, either with over-watering or under-watering. The rule of thumb is to provide the lawn about one

inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation. The exception to this rule is in severe hot, dry weather. We would prefer to have you water two to four times a week, depending on how severe the weather is but for longer durations.

I saw sprinkler systems turned on all spring and summer while we experienced generally cool weather and sometimes daily rain showers for 10 to 14 days in a row. Why were these sprinkler systems on? Water is precious and costs a lot of money! It does not rain everyday as a matter-of-fact in the USA; we are not part of the rainforest!

Your watering practices from spring through summer will determine how your lawn survives. Watering

too much during these months promotes shallow roots and, when hot, dry weather comes along, your lawn suffers greatly. Did you go on vacation and your lawn turned brown? Did you forget to turn on the sprinkler? If the heat and drought are severe enough, the lawn will go dormant, like a hibernating bear during winter. This is a natural state for the lawn trying to survive. Many areas of your lawn, if well-established, will come back in the fall when favorable weather returns.

If you have not adjusted your mowing height, be sure to raise it to around three inches to give the lawn some relief from the summer heat and drought, if those conditions persist. This

will help it to survive better, develop better root systems, and a stronger defense against heat, drought and fungus stress. If you feel your lawn needs a feeding and it’s not too hot and dry, apply an organic lawn fertilizer. Organic fertilizers will gently feed the lawn and improve the soil. Traditional fertilizers applied during the hot summer months run the risk of burning the lawn. Do not fertilize your lawn if temperatures are greater than 85 degrees and with high humidity levels to avoid any potential to burn the grass while it is under heat and drought stress.

Monitor your lawn for insect and grub damage. If grubs are present apply a grub control. If you notice ants, fleas, ticks, chinch

bugs or other surface insects on the lawn make sure you apply an appropriate surface insect control. Be careful when identifying lawn problems. Often, damage from insects can be confused as drought or fungus and vice versa.

Now is the perfect time to plan your fall lawn program. The early-fall is the best time to repair the lawn from summer stress with re-seeding and proper fertilization practices before the winter. If re-seeding is necessary, it is best to plant grass seed in early-September so you get the full benefit of great weather and next spring to establish deep roots. Decide how you want to fertilize the lawn to help strengthen it and develop a great quality lawn that will survive all winter long. Just remember, too much water is not a good thing!

Editor’s Note: Todd Pretz is Vice President of Jonathan Green, a leading supplier of lawn and garden products in the northeast. For more information, please visit: www.jonathangreen.com

Water, water everywhere

Turf ‘s UpBy Todd Pretz

Professional Turf Consultant

When I create a landscape plan for my clients, I always want them to dream big and create a fantasy plan. The point of this is not to see how much money I can make them spend, but rather I don’t want them to limit themselves and end up with a plan that is just OK. The reality is, once you have a layout that you love, you can manipulate the price of the project, up or down, based on decisions that you make when it comes time to making material.

Before I go much farther, let me clarify a few things. There are many components and steps when it comes to creating a landscape plan. The layout is just one step. If we loosely define the word layout, it is really just a drawing that shows various design elements and their shapes along with how they relate to one another. A landscape layout will display elements such as walkways and patios, lawn areas and planting beds, as well as any other hardscape elements or landscape features that you desire. A layout plan does not provide material specifications of materials, sizes or construction details. It is just a graphic representation of how things fit together.

This concept is very important because many times it is not always the layout that determines the cost of the project but rather your material selections. In other words, the layout that you create can be installed at various price points, sometimes doubling or tripling the price, solely based on the materials that you choose and how hard or easy they are to install.

For example, your layout may require nine evergreen trees to properly screen your neighbor. If you choose to install nine five- to six-foot evergreens, the price will be X$. However, if you want to install a screen that will make your neighbors go away right away, then you may decide to use nine 10- to 12-foot trees, potentially doubling the price. Again, the layout and quantities

stay the same. Only the sizing has changed.

The same idea pertains to hardscape features. You may have drawn a walkway in your plan that provides access from the front yard to the backyard. If this walkway is made of pea gravel, it is certainly going to be much less expensive than pavers, or a natural stone. Even though the layout doesn’t change, the materials vary greatly in price, as does the labor required to install them. Therefore, you may not only be choosing a more expensive material, you may also be choosing a more expensive installation process.

In addition, the classifications of materials I just mentioned (gravel, pavers, natural stone) also have various price points. A tumbled concrete paver may cost two or three times more than its economical

non-tumbled counterpart. A natural bluestone walkway that is “dry-laid” on a gravel base is significantly less expensive than one that is “wet-laid” and installed on a concrete slab with mortar joints. They are all walkways and will get you from point “A” to point “B”. However, their cost can vary greatly based just on your material selections.

If we bring this same concept indoors, in reality it is no different than a kitchen remodel. After the layout is completed, there are still a variety of choices to make, all of which can make the kitchen cost X$, 2X$, 3X$ or even more. You can choose from stock cabinets, semi-custom cabinets or custom cabinets. They’ll all hold your dishes (hopefully) but for very different prices. The same

thing goes for your kitchen counter. You can have it built out of Formica, butcher block or granite.

The good news is that unlike interior work, where your couch will always be your couch and will never grow into a complete family room seating area, when it comes to landscape installations, the five- to six-foot Norway spruce that you installed will grow and mature over time and ultimately screen your neighbors. All you have to do is wait a few years.

Editors Note: Jody Shilan is the owner of Jody Shilan Designs in Wyckoff, where he provides landscape design and consulting services for homeowners and landscape contractors. He earned his bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture from Cook College, Rutgers University and his masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Currently, he is Executive Director of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA). He can be reached at 201-783-2844 or [email protected].

Design the Dream, Worry About Money Later

Creating Outdoor SpacesBy Jody Shilan, MLALandscape Designer

Gardener News16 August, 2013So here’s the deal. Who

really cares about immigration laws where we live here on the East Coast?

Except for security and keeping the bad guys out, who really cares? Well, it looks like we all should. Immigration affects every single person in this country. To be clear, this is a country of immigrants and our area is certainly diverse. Immigrants have created much of the country’s wealth and also prospered in the process. But let’s focus on immigrant workers. Before we get started, let’s make one thing clear, I am not an activist of any kind.

In June 2013, the Senate passed a bi-partisan immigration bill that would lead 11 million undocumented workers on the pathway to citizenship. It would also add hundreds of border patrol agents and approximately 700 miles of fence would be erected on the Mexican border. At press time, the House of Representatives had the bill and was expressing concern, of course proposing its own version.

The bill would also create a program to train low-skilled, non-farmer workers through an agreement between the

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest lobbying group, and the AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation. Red flags anyone? Remember I am no activist.

But really what does this all mean to us here in New Jersey?

While we enjoy the spoils of our great growers in New Jersey during the summer, in the off-season, we need to buy from California and border states like Arizona. We need to get fresh produce imported in order to supply our demand in the winter months. And even during the summer months, our local supply is limited and does not cover full demand of what consumers are expecting.

Let’s face it, there really are no seasons anymore on 99 percent of fresh produce. Consumer demand has driven the supply chain to extend

seasons and import when seasons officially end in the U.S. This has fostered a world food supply chain that gets more complex every day. Governed by extensive regulatory institutions, we limit what is exported and imported daily.

California and border states rely heavily on farm workers from Mexico. There are very few domesticated U.S. citizens that will pick berries 12 hours a day, bent at the waist most of the time. We won’t harvest lettuce, pick apples and cherries from sun-up to sun-down, seven days a week. It is a known fact. When there is a willing group that will do these tasks, we must use them, because we have no choice.

Although technology has helped, there will never be a time when we do not

need workers. Technological advances include harvesters that will pick things they couldn’t pick in the past, as well non-manned machinery that can pick and pack with the use of a computer program. These advances have reduced but not eliminated the need for migrant workers.

Put very simply, immigration control directly affects us in the cost of our fresh food. Fresh produce will be the first to see significant inflation. Cattle and poultry feed is generally corn-based and will also be affected by the increase in cost. This puts three-quarters of our dinner plate at a higher expense. It is that sticky supply-and-demand equation. With less available migrant workers, more expensive options will be necessary to harvest. Make no mistake

about it, more expensive for the grower is more expensive for all of us.

Our food supply is volatile. It is dependent on many factors to keep it fertile, safe, consistent, and good. Like most industries, it is self-regulating to a point. The government’s role is to keep it safe from harm and safe to eat.

Immigrant workers are important to the fresh produce industry on both coasts. We are kidding ourselves thinking it’s only a West Coast problem. All consumers must understand the effects of the subject in order to properly put the correct people in place to represent our interests. Higher costs equal higher costs for all.

Passionate About ProduceBy Paul Kneeland

The King of Produce

Editor’s Note: Paul Kneeland is the Vice President of Floral, Meat, Produce and Seafood for Kings Food Markets, 1st Vice President of the Eastern Produce Council, and a newly elected board member of the Produce Marketing Association. He holds degrees in Business Management from Boston College as well as Northeastern University. He can be reached [email protected].

A Nation of Immigrants

guest. It’s a great format.The first guest on the

Gardening Hour segment was Bruce Crawford, director of the Rutgers Gardens. Crawford is also a featured columnist for the Gardener News. The show celebrated its one-year anniversary on July 6, 2013. Sudzin’s guest was New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Al Murray.

Each month, Sudzin rides the airwaves for the Jersey Fresh and Jersey Grown brands. His Jersey Fresh hat can always be found sitting on the radio console after he puts on his headphones while sporting a Jersey Grown shirt. Sudzin never forgets his agricultural roots. He often harkens back to stories of milking cows and harvesting the hay.

Here’s the first-anniversary interview of the Gardening Hour show.

Sudzin: Tell us a little about your background. Where did you grow up, go to school, and how did you get involved with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture?

Murray: I was born and raised in Audubon, N.J. Audubon is located in Camden County and is where my father, my grandfather, and great-grandfather were born and raised. My family owned a

grocery store and butcher shop, so I grew up in the food industry, spending countless hours working in the store. After I graduated Audubon High School, I attended Susquehanna University. I graduated with a B.S. in Management and Marketing and one day answered an ad in a local paper that was seeking a “Farm Products Marketing Representative” for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. I initially thought I would take the job for a couple of years to build up the resume, and 30 years later, I can’t think of having a better job.

Sudzin: How many positions have you held during your career at the Department?

Murray: After serving for a few years as a farm products marketing representative, I was promoted to Agricultural Marketing Specialist, then Bureau Chief and then Director of the Division of Markets. About six years ago, the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture appointed me to be the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. Currently, I serve as the Assistant Secretary and the Director of the Division of Markets.

Sudzin: What are the major functions of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture?

Murray: The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is very unique in that it touches every New Jersey citizen every single day. From the food and plants that are inspected by our graders, to the 739,000 school children we feed daily, to the farmers we serve, and the products we promote, we stay quite busy for being an agency of about 200 employees.

The Department is comprised of six divisions that are overseen by the Office of the Secretary. New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher serves on Governor Christie’s cabinet, and also serves as the Secretary to the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Our Department is one of the older state departments, and will be celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2016.

The Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources serves the farming industry by assisting in land-use planning, aquaculture development, this division houses the FFA program, engages in soil and conservation programs, and houses the USDA National Statistics Service.

The Division of Animal Health operates out of a state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory and works on all types of animal disease identification, surveillance, and

conducts programs of eradication.The Division of Food &

Nutrition houses all the nutrition and feeding programs of the state. They work very closely with community food banks and other emergency feeding organizations to help ensure New Jersey’s at risk citizens have access to healthy foods. They also oversee Child and Adult Care Food Programs, Family Day Care programs, and school nutrition programs. They are only one of three states where the food programs are in the state department of agriculture.

The Division of Plant Industry is also housed in the new diagnostic laboratory, and they work to ensure that New Jersey is devoid of plant diseases and pests like the Asian Longhorned Beetle or Gypsy Moth. The carry out a myriad of duties including Bee Inspection, Nursery Inspection, Plant Pest and Disease Control, Plant Laboratory Services and Seed Control.

The State Agricultural Development Committee works primarily in the Farmland Preservation Program as well as helps farmers with right-to-farm issues. New Jersey has a very successful farm preservation program that serves as a model for other states. To date, the program

has preserved over 200,000 acres, which accounts for about 27 percent of New Jersey’s existing farmland.

The Division I head up is the Division of Markets and Development. Our division oversees a wide-range of agricultural activities. We house the agricultural chemistry program, which inspects fertilizers and livestock and pet feed. While it might seem innocuous, if a farmer receives the incorrect type of fertilizer he/she may have ordered, it would later prove disastrous to the quality, and yield later on at harvest.

The Division also oversees the commodity inspection and grading program where we do fruit and vegetable inspection and grading, poultry grading, the organic program, and the Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program. They also train farmers in food safety and handling programs. The Division also houses equine programs that involve the pleasure horse industry, and the Sires Stakes program which encourages the breeding of standardbreds, which in turn encourages harness racing.

The Market Development section is also in this division, and that is where (Cont. on page 20)

Jersey Fresh…On-the-Air(Continued from Page 1)


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Gardener News18 August, 2013While we’ve seen more

rain than usual in our area this summer, it’s been excessively hot and dry throughout most of the United States. And we could experience similar conditions in our area moving forward.

When it gets that hot, drought stress can be a problem. As living things, trees need water for survival and even a few days of dry, hot weather can damage a weak or newly planted tree.

Water is essential for tree and shrub growth and development. Water maintains all of the physiological processes within plants and is the fluid that moves nutrients from the roots to the leaves. A large tree may absorb hundreds of gallons of water during a hot summer day, but it retains only a few gallons; most of the water is lost into the air by a process called transpiration. When enough water isn’t available, movement of nutrients throughout the tree will be reduced, and the process of photosynthesis will slow down, causing the tree to lose vigor.

Too little water is not the only problem a tree can face. Too much water in soil can have a negative impact on tree health as well. Many homeowners try to compensate for drought and

end up adding too much water. Over-watering can damage roots. Damaged roots cannot absorb oxygen as they normally would. Diseases prosper in wet soil conditions and add further stress. Effective water management provides a balance between excess soil moisture and drought conditions.

The timing of watering and amount of water to apply to trees and shrubs depends on the health of the plant, as well as the site conditions. Other factors for an arborist to consider are soil type, soil drainage and prevailing weather patterns. With normal rainfall and good soil conditions, trees will naturally adjust to water availability by opening or closing small holes in the leaf. If natural weather patterns do not supply enough water for your tree, an irrigation system should be considered.

As a general rule, most established trees or shrubs require a combined total from rain and irrigation of one to one-and-a-half inches of water per week. This equates to about half a gallon per square foot, six gallons per square yard or 620 gallons per 1,000 square feet. These rates may need to be doubled for sandy soils. There is a simple way to calibrate your system. Place a bucket in the area to be watered and run the irrigation system for 10 or 15 minutes to measure the depth of the water. This should give you an idea of the total output of water. A typically built-in sprinkler system will deliver about half an inch of water in 15 minutes. In this case, the timer should be set to run for 15 minutes, two times per week.

It is best to run any sprinkler system during the early morning,

between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. This reduces evaporation and reduces foliage-wetting periods. Wet foliage, whether the water is from irrigation or dew, is more susceptible to disease infection. The second-best time is in the late afternoon, when temperatures are lower and the foliage can dry before sunset.

On new transplants or trees with root damage, a sprinkler system may not direct the water where it is needed the most. In these cases, hand watering directly into the rootball is preferred. This can be done with a hose or with a water container such as a “Tree Gator.” Avoid application of water directly to the trunk for all application methods, as this may increase canker diseases.

You may want to consider using mulch as part of your overall tree health plan. Mulch

greatly reduces water loss from the soil surface and keeps soil temperature much lower. Two to four inches of wood chips or other coarse organic matter should be used. Mulch should not be in contact with the trunk - but, if you are a regular Tree Notes reader, you already know that!!!

As always, I hope you learned something!

…..’Till next month

Watering – Best Practices

Editor’s Note: Robert graduated from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Syracuse University with degrees in science education and forest biology. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and a New Jersey Certified Tree Expert. Robert is currently teaching AP Environmental Science, Biology and Chemistry at Liberty High School in PA., and on staff at Temple University teaching Horticulture. He delivers many short courses and seminars at various outdoor education facilities. He is available for talks and consultations in both NJ and PA. Robert can be reached by calling (484) 560-5744.

Mayne Planters – Two new styles of Mayne planters (Tall Cambridge 28.5”H. and Savannah 16” Square) with a water reservoir that helps keep roots moist. Particularly helpful when travelling away from home knowing your plants will continue to thrive without daily watering. Made of high grade polyethylene or vinyl—most styles available in black or white. Mayne

Garden Rocker Comfort Seat— Believe me--this is great for the lazy days of summer when you are tired of weeding on your knees. An ergonomically designed seat rocks with you as you bend and stretch. Reduces stress and fatigue and is helpful with other

general household jobs such as auto detailing. Made in USA . Vertex

Miniature Cottage with Rooftop Garden — A miniature garden is all the rage and now is the perfect time to find a hidden spot in your garden to start one. This adorable house has room for rooftop plantings and would be perfect for any small variety of sedum plants. Jeremie

Whimsical Fish Planter with Hens and Chicks — This eye-catching “Nemo” look alike is filled with “Green Wheel” sempervivum from Monrovia. The evergreen perennial has tight leaves that form multiples of apple-green rosettes. We couldn’t resist pairing the two! Love the fun stuff of summer. Available at Barlow’s

3 Tier Flower Cart— Quality wrought iron cart with a powder-coated finish for indoor or outdoor patio or porch. Perfect for displaying your favorite plants or garden décor—available in natural rust patina or black . 32”Lx20”Wx42”H. Deer Park Ironworks

I hope you are enjoying your gardens and the flowers are thriving. If you planted vegetables the bounty should rich by now and you merely

need to step outside your door for dinner. If you do not have a vegetable garden make sure you visit one of the Farmer’s Markets or Roadside vendors listed on the website of Jersey Fresh. www.jerseyfresh.nj.gov. They carry all of the wonderful products grown right here in the Garden State. It doesn’t get better in August than “Jersey Fresh”!

Governor Christie and the Department of Agriculture have gone to great lengths to promote “Jersey Fresh” Produce through the website and advertising around the state. So support the local markets and enjoy the best!

Relax and have fun during this last month of summer!

Til next time, Leslie

Garden ShoppingBy Leslie BarlowGarden Educator

Editor’s Note: Leslie Barlow is co-owner of Barlow Flower Farm in Sea Girt, NJ, one of the largest retail growers in NJ since 1983. She has appeared on News 12 NJ and has been a guest speaker at local garden clubs. She is a Certified Staging Professional™ with a specialty in Curb Appeal. She has been gardening for many years and is always at trade shows hunting for useful accessories for the home garden. For product information she can be reached at 732-449-9189 or [email protected].


“To be considered a good gardener you have to have killed some plants along the way. I have killed lots of them” Dr. Michael Dirr.

Dr. Dirr spoke these words at a lecture earlier this year in Princeton, N.J.. Dr. Michael Dirr has earned the admiration and respect of almost every gardener around the globe, has obtained numerous horticultural accolades, and has his Ph.D in Plant Physiology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture at the University of Illinois, Urbana, a Mercer Fellow at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, and one-time professor at the University of Georgia. His current company, Plant Introductions Inc., has introduced dozens of new cultivars into the nursery trade. He has published over 300 publications and authored many books. So, this had me thinking… if this guy has killed plants, what does that say about gardening?

Gardening is a hobby, a lifestyle, a passion and a profession for some. Much the same way golf is. There are those who find the sport frustrating, pursuing their perfect game, trying to sink that little white ball. Well my friends, there are many who find gardening just as frustrating. The ambiguity on nursery tags, at your local garden center, often says sun to part shade and well-drained soil. But what does that really mean? Every plant really is case specific. Too much sun for one and not enough for another really is trial and error. The same can be said for the water requirements of a plant. Some prefer more and some prefer less. How do you know?

The answer… it’s simply gardening! There is no exact science to this. You can be sold a near- perfect plant, free of disease, free of insects, in peak performance, and it could fail. Not because of where you bought it or what you did necessarily, but simply because you have to learn the right equation for your specific property. I know there are many who want this answer to be easier, but it’s not. It takes time, patience and much energy to create a thoughtful garden.

“Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.” Alfred Autin. Often I use the following examples about guarantees: Do doctors guarantee the health of your newborn baby? Does eating right and leading a healthy lifestyle ensure that you will be free of disease? In the past I have been quoted as saying, in Patch.com, that guarantees vary from garden center to garden center. Some provide no warranty other than the plant is true to name and others go so far as to guarantee it for a year or more. Our own experience is that if you educate the customer both in the vernacular as well as a physical demonstration, you can eliminate most problems. Couple that with teaching good watering habits and the return of plant material is infinitesimal. Planting properly means asking questions and learning from others’ mistakes. Look for the root flare, not planting too deep or too high, avoid those nasty mulch volcanoes, monitor the soil’s moisture… in short, pay attention to your plants!

Think of a sponge in a sink. If you keep the sponge wet all the time you will get mildew. Conversely, should you go away for the week, on vacation, you could snap the sponge in half as it will have dried out. Wring the sponge out and you will have something cool and moist. Your soil, surrounding your plants should feel cool and moist too. The only way to know this is to put your hand in the soil and feel for yourself. Sodden, thick, heavy soils and chalky dry soils should both be avoided.

Finally, negotiations! Many garden centers have sales this time of year. Hugely discounted plant material could be a good deal, however here are a few things to avoid. Chlorotic plant material, torn root balls, plants sitting in mucky soil, plants that are root-bound and those showing severe cosmetic and or physical damage should be avoided. Just as you would not consider a painting that is torn, a bottle of wine whose cork was damaged or fish that smelled funny, so too should you avoid the obvious signs of damaged or stressed plant material.

There is no substitute for doing something right the first time. “Remember that children, marriages and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get” H. Jackson Brown Jr. Start with a good product, learn as much as you can about it, cultivate it and your expectations should be met. After all, at the end of the day… it’s gardening and it’s not perfect!

Nature, Negligence & Negotiations

Editor’s Note: Bob LaHoff is co-owner of Hall’s Garden Center and Florist in Union County, a member of the Union County Board of Agriculture, the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, the American Boxwood Society, the European Boxwood Society, a members of the Reeves-Reed Arboretum Buildings and Grounds Committee, a lifetime member of the Conifer Society, a member of the NJ Plants Trade Show Advisory Board, and past member of the retail council for Monrovia Growers. He can be reached at (908) 665-0331.

Unique PlantsBy Bob LaHoff

Nursery Specialist


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Keeping trucks and trailers safely on the roadBergen County Police Chief Brian Higgins, second from

right, and Bergen County Police Lt. Vincent DeRienzo, right, meet with Bob Pedatella, second from left, President of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, and Bob Hibler, Chairman of the Board of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, before addressing over 70 members of the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Associations at their North Jersey meeting on July 11 at FDR Hitches/Hawthorne Hitch & Trailer, in Hawthorne. The Bergen County Police officers spoke to the members about traveling safely and legally this year, and how to avoid costly tickets and fines. The members also learned about some of the obvious “red flags” that could make them a future candidate for a costly roadside inspection, new laws in effect for 2013, as well as some existing laws that can confuse even the most “seasoned” contractor.

the world famous Jersey Fresh program is managed. The employees in this section also promote Jersey Seafood, Jersey Grown, and the Jersey Bred programs. Employees also work on economic development and market expansion projects on behalf of New Jersey agricultural products. Agricultural fairs, trade shows and promotions are also conducted out of this division.

Sudzin: Wow, that seems like quite a lot of responsibilities, just how big is the agricultural industry in New Jersey ?

Murray: New Jersey has a very vibrant agricultural industry. Currently, we rank as New Jersey’s third-largest industry, and when you combine the entire food and agricultural complex, it is valued at over $110 billion.

For a small state, we boast over 10,300 farms – the most farms in New Jersey since 1964. While the land available for farming has shrunk, there still remains a huge interest in farming, and many people want to get into the field.

The total land in farming is around 730,000 acres which when you think that New Jersey as a whole is comprised of 4.8 million acres, it shows we have a pretty good chunk of it dedicated to farming. Additionally, about 2.1 million acres remains as forest, so despite the jokes about oil refineries and huge urban areas, the fact is that 57 percent of New Jersey’s total land mass is in agriculture and forests.

While New Jersey grows over 100 different agricultural products, our leading commodities are broken down into five major categories. They are as follows: Nursery/Sod/Greenhouse products, which is New Jersey’s number-one agricultural output valued at $453.6 million and comprises roughly 41 percent of New Jersey agricultural industry. Coming in at number two is Fruits and Vegetables worth, $427.8

million or roughly 40 percent of New Jersey’s agricultural industry. Field crops come in at number three, with equine at number four, followed by poultry and eggs and then dairy.

New Jersey is a major supplier of produce items throughout the Eastern Seaboard and Eastern Canada. Our major markets remain the New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia region. New England is our second largest market, and Eastern Canada is number three.

Despite being a small state, New Jersey ranks nationally in the production of many items. We are number-three in cranberries, three in bell peppers, fourth in peaches, spinach and fresh herbs, fifth in blueberries and cucumbers, sixth in squash, seventh in tomatoes, and eighth in horticulture products.

One of New Jersey’s fastest-growing agricultural industries is the wine industry. New Jersey now boasts over 40 different wineries and our wines are gaining notice as they continue to win national and international competitions. New Jersey ranks number four in wine consumption, and is presently number eight in production.

I think that one of the reasons New Jersey’s agricultural industry is so vibrant, is that we produce many different items, we are close to huge population centers, and we can get our products to market in less than a day. New Jersey has such a diverse population, that our farmers are able to grow specific fruits and vegetables to various ethnic tastes. This in turn has added new varieties of produce items to the mainstream marketplace, and as Americans turn more and more towards locally grown produce, this has presented an awesome opportunity to our state’s farmers.

Sudzin: You mentioned the locally grown trend. How did this trend get started, and how do you think it has helped New Jersey’s farmers.

Murray: The “locally grown” trend is a national trend that really started to take off several years ago and has shown no signs of slowing down. Major factors that have contributed to the growth of locally grown include the global warming debate, food safety concerns, increased appreciation for the family farmer, and high transportation costs that have forced retailers to seek local supplies. This is in addition to the consumer’s interest in new and different foods – just look at the Food Network on television – have made this trend “white hot.”

As people debate global warming, terms such as “carbon footprint” or “food miles” have been coined. People begin to discuss whether it is environmentally responsible to ship tomatoes 3,000 miles to market and burn all that fuel when these same tomatoes can be produced nearby. The various foodborne illness outbreaks and the threat of terrorism have driven people to look locally for their food. There seems to be a certain comfort when the consumer is familiar with the farm that is growing their food. As fuel costs continue to rise, it becomes very expensive to transport produce across the country.

As people begin to experience locally grown items, they have gained an appreciation for the diverse products our farmers produce. This has led to a huge growth in community farmers markets. Fifteen years ago, New Jersey had 35 of these type markets in the state. Today, we have close to 150 community markets. In addition to bringing healthy and nutritious foods into urban centers, they also bring people back into downtown business districts, which helps foster economic growth. Instead of finding “standard type” fruits and vegetables, consumers are discovering there are many different varieties of items such as

eggplant or tomatoes. Heirloom varieties are becoming popular again.

All of this interest has also spawned other activities such as urban gardens, or community supported agriculture, where people buy a share in a farm’s output, or agri-tourism where people can come to visit a farm for the day and engage in activities such as pick-your-own, or hay rides or other types of entertainment.

Sudzin: What about seafood? I hear New Jersey has a pretty strong industry.

Murray: We always like to say that not all of New Jersey’s farming is done on the land. Being a coastal state, New Jersey boasts the sixth-largest seaport in the U.S. (Cape May) and our total value of the annual catch is around $176 million. New Jersey’s top seafood catch is Surf Clams, Atlantic Herring, Atlantic Mackerel, Menhaden, Scallops, Blue Claw Crabs, Monk Fish and Fluke.

It is interesting to note that we are the largest harvester of surf clams, and almost 85 percent of the clam chowder consumed in the U.S. comes from clams harvested off our waters.

We also have a very strong aquaculture farming industry where our farmers grown oysters and clams for market.

Sudzin: And what about Jersey Fresh? I see the logo everywhere, and as you know, I always tell my listeners that I ride for the Jersey Fresh brand.

Murray: With all the agricultural output from New Jersey, the Jersey Fresh and Jersey Grown and Jersey Seafood brands help tie everything together. Consumers know that when they see the brand, they are purchasing a New Jersey-grown farm product that is of top quality, grown nearby, and picked at the peak of freshness.

2013 marks the 29th year of the Jersey Fresh campaign.

Started in 1984, the program was instituted as a way to help New Jersey farmers compete against lost shelf space of their products to competing states.

This program was the first of its kind to promote a state’s agricultural industry, and has since been the benchmark that other states use whenever they try to institute a similar program.

Today, the brand Jersey Fresh is recognized by 78 percent of New Jersey consumers, and is recognized as meaning excellent quality. We advertise Jersey Fresh to consumers through television and radio commercials, as well as print ads that remind consumers when we are in season. We also do this with the Jersey Grown program to feature our nursery and horticultural products, and the Jersey Seafood program to promote our state’s seafood products.

We also seek to increase marketing opportunities for New Jersey farm products and advertise in several national trade publications. Our staff also takes Jersey Fresh, Jersey Grown, and Jersey Seafood on the road where we participate in various tradeshows both domestically and abroad.

Sudzin then thanked Murray for his special guest appearance and ended the Gardening Hour with a few announcements.

Editor’s Note: Tom Castronovo is executive editor and publisher of Gardener News. Tom’s lifelong interest in gardening and passion for agriculture, environmental stewardship, gardening and landscaping, led to the founding of the Gardener News, which germinated in April 2003 and continues to bloom today. He is also dedicated to providing inspiration, and education to the agricultural, gardening and landscaping communities through this newspaper and GardenerNews.com.

Jersey Fresh…On-the-Air(Continued from Page 16)


The days have already begun to get shorter. Some of the evenings have gotten cooler. Fall will soon be in the air.

I’m already thinking of the transformation of bright colored leaves in the trees above. We don’t have to wait for the trees to change to bring the color change of these plants into the garden. We can bring these colors into our containers and into our beds by using the plant Codiaeum variegatum, commonly called “Croton.”

Crotons are native to southern Asia and the western Pacific islands. They will not survive our winter, but they are ideally suited to being used in our gardens as a seasonal item. Last September, I placed crotons into my garden. Their bright, colorful leaves caused such a stir that people would slow down driving past my house to see what was creating such dramatic impact. There are quite a few varieties of crotons and the leaves range in size from an inch to over a foot long. The leaves have a waxy coating that give the plant a shiny glow. Many

of these varieties work great in tropical landscapes, but there are only a few that are what I consider perfect for decorating with in the fall.

The most popular variety is “Petra.” Petra’s leaves are oval-shaped and six to eight inches long. The leaves are variegated (multiple colors). New leaves emerge yellow and green and as they mature they can turn blush, red, burgundy, orange, salmon or pink, or a combination of these colors. In the fall, they are available in pots from four inches across to 22 inches across. The six-inch pot size seems to be the most suitable for planting into the garden and for use in containers. The plants are about 12 to 15 inches tall. One croton placed in the center of a container surrounded by

chrysanthemums will add fall drama to your container.

Another croton that has fall merit and deserves a

place in your garden is “Mrs. Robinson.” Don’t hide this in a hiding place where no one ever goes. Mrs. Robinson has large leaves that look like giant, colorful oak leaves. Colors range from greens to

yellows to pinks to reds. I used several of the large ones as a keystone in my fall decorating last year. These four-foot-tall plants emerged from behind my yellow and pink mums. They looked spectacular.

Croton “Mamey” has large six- to eight-inch leaves that have a twist to them. The colors range from bright yellows and reds to even tones of burgundy. The unique twist adds a different texture to the garden. One of the interesting things about a croton is that the colors can vary from plant to plant. Very similar to how the colors on the fall trees vary.

Croton “Picasso’s Paintbrush” has long, slender, almost wispy leaves that range from green to yellow, with tinges of red. The fine leaves almost add a wheat-like texture to your container.

Since we are treating the fall crotons as an annual, the amount of sun they get is not very important. They will last until the first hard freeze. You can decide to bring them in at this time and treat them as a houseplant. They are sensitive to over-watering and should be watered only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. When first brought inside, they may drop leaves as they get adjusted to the indoor conditions. This is normal, but they should start to produce new leaves soon. Once indoors, place them in a brightly lit location.

From Summer Blahs to Fall Hurrahs

The Great Plant EscapeBy David WilliamsPlant Enthusiast

Editor’s Note: David is a fourth generation partner at Williams Nursery in Westfield. He is a member of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Union County Board of Agriculture. He has served as a board member for the Friends of Mindowaskin Park, the International Garden Center Association, and the Rutgers Board of Managers. He recently finished a two year term as President of Garden Centers of America (GCA). He can be reached at (908) 232-4076.

I am sure everyone has heard the old question, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make any noise?”

We can rephrase the question and give it an agricultural slant by asking, “If a farmer grows a great-looking field of tomatoes but no one knows it, what good are they?” The answer to this question is obviously, not much. When it comes to raising perishable commodities, most people think of planting, caring for, and then harvesting the crop as the most important steps in the growing process. These steps are all crucial, and the omission of any one of these steps will ensure certain failure, but the final step in the process, which is marketing, is just as important.

I recently read an article about a cherry grower in New Zealand. At this particular location, they were able to harvest their sweet cherries in December. And due to its uniqueness of being in the Southern Hemisphere as well as its elevation and climate, this

farm was the only location harvesting cherries at that time of the year in the world! Their source of labor was actually French Canadians, (I guess there is not that much growing in Canada at that time of year) who would fly halfway around the world just to harvest these cherries.

Now, based upon the fact that there is zero competition from anyone else in the world, you would think that these cherries would actually sell themselves. To a certain extent, that is true. After all, if you sell produce and you want to have cherries to sell, you either buy them from this farm in New Zealand or you don’t have them. It’s that simple. But, if that grower wants to maximize his return from those cherries, he has to do the best possible job

in marketing them. That means keeping the lines of communication open with all his potential customers, keeping them apprised of availability and crop conditions and, generally speaking, doing all of the things necessary to foster a good relationship between a buyer and seller. And if this is not done, even though he is the only one on Earth with cherries to sell, he will not realize the full potential of his crop.

I think it is safe to say that many growers do not put enough emphasis on marketing their products. I know that I have been guilty of this myself. Sure, it is easy to say something like, “We better make sure we have something to sell before we sell it,” or, “If

these peppers are really nice, there will be a lot of demand for them.” And do not get me wrong, but there is some truth to these statements, but I think that we all realize that marketing has to go hand in hand with growing. Not long ago, I was lamenting to someone in the business about how we had had an overabundance of zucchini a couple of weeks ago. His reply was something like, “You should have called me because we were short that week.” If I had done a better job in marketing our products, this would not have happened.

Of course, we are all familiar with people whose marketing efforts are not justified by their paltry products. I am sure we have all been to a new restaurant

where the food did not live up to the description on the menu or to a movie where the only actually funny lines were in the promos. So in these instances, they would have been better off spending more time in preparation or production. But the fact of the matter is, we still ate that food and watched that movie. At least we knew about it. And as growers, even though we try to grow products that are so nice that they sell themselves, we could all stand to spend a little more time on marketing.

The Town FarmerBy Peter Melick

Agricultural Producer

Editor’s Note: Peter Melick is co-owner of Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick and a 10th-generation New Jersey farmer. Peter is a current member of the Tewksbury Township Committee, and a former Mayor of Tewksbury Township. He also served as a director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau and is a past president of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture. Peter has also been featured on NJN, News 12 New Jersey and on the Fox Business Network.

Marketing Matters


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G a r d e n e r N e w sThe Premier Gardening Monthly Newspaper

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Contact InformationPhone: 908.604.4444Fax: 908.647.5459 Website: www.GardenerNews.comE-Mail: [email protected]

StaffExecutive Editor/ Publisher . . . . Tom CastronovoArt Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin KukucAdvertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Castronovo

August Columnists Tom Castronovo Douglas H. Fisher Todd Pretz Tim Hionis Evan Dickerson Bob LaHoff Richard Perkins Paul Kneeland Peter Melick Robert Andreucci Jody Shilan David Williams Craig Korb Leslie Barlow

Contributing Writers Bruce Crawford Union Co. Master Gardeners Jeannie Geremia

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Subscription: One year by mail $24.99The Gardener News invites correspondences on gardening subjects of interest. Gardener News, Inc, and its Publisher reserve the right to accept, refuse, or discontinue any editorial or copy, and shall not be liable to anyone for printing errors, misinformation or omissions in editorial or copy. The information contained in articles herein represents the opinions of the authors and, although believed to be accurate and complete, is not represented or warranted by Gardener News, Inc. to be accurate or complete.All advertising is subject to the Gardener News advertisement rates, and must be PAID IN FULL at time of submission. Publisher reserves the right at its absolute discretion, and at any time, to cancel any advertising order or reject any advertising copy whether or not the same has already been acknowledged and/or previously published. In the event of errors or omissions of any advertisement(s), the newspapers liability shall not exceed a refund of amounts paid for the advertisement.NOTE: All editorial, advertising layouts and designs and portions of the same that are produced and published by Gardener News, Inc., are the sole property of Gardener News, Inc. and may not be reproduced in any form unless written authorization is obtained from the publisher. POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: Gardener News, 16 Mount Bethel Rd - #123, Warren, NJ 07059.(c) 2013 Gardener News, Inc.

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TIP OF THE MONTHIf you want your leaf blower to start and run efficiently when the leaves begin to drop, now is a good time to have your leaf blower serviced. Power equipment dealers are usually slow in August. That means a quick and speedy return. Have them change the spark plug, flush the fuel tank of old gasoline and refill it with fresh gasoline, and change the fuel filter and the fuel line. Also have them change the oil and grease up any fitting that requires greasing. Having a professional service your blower will help to optimize its life and make it more reliable.

Full Moon, August 20, 2013

TO RESERVE AD SPACE IN GARDENER NEWSCALL: 908.604.4444

Industry forecasts sizable2013 apple crop

apple industry recently, the forecast for 2013 was for a sizable apple crop. At the annual meeting of the Michigan Frozen Food Packers Association (MFFPA) in Grand Rapids, Michigan the consensus forecast was just under 251 million bushels nationally, while attendees of the Premier Cooperative Apple Forum in Syracuse, N.Y. separately pegged the 2013 crop at just under 252 million bushels. The approximate difference of 1 million bushels between the two estimates amounted to a difference of just four tenths of one percent. Though the numbers seem large in comparison to recent crops, a 252 million bushel crop would be only 11 percent above the five year average of 224 million bushels, and would be far from the largest crop on record which was 277 million bushels harvested in 1998.

Much of the difference compared to last year came from Michigan and New York. Michigan produced only 2.7 million bushels of apples, losing 90 percent of their crop to frost damage. New York’s 2012 crop of 17.1 million bushels represented just 62 percent of the five year average production of 27.9 million bushels. This year, MFFPA estimated the Michigan crop at 26.3 million bushels, while the Premier Cooperative estimate was for 30 million bushels for Michigan. For New York, MFFPA estimated the 2013 crop at 34 million bushels, while Premier pegged it at 32 million bushels. Both groups put the Washington estimate at 148 million bushels, down roughly 5 percent from 2012 production as reported by USDA at 155 million bushels.

Note: USDA has stopped publishing tree fruit and nut statistics due to the federal budget sequester, and the agency will not be issuing its typical August 1 forecast of the 2013 apple crop. US Apple is developing an estimate of the 2013 crop that will be announced at the annual Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference in Chicago on August 22-23.

Source: US Apple Association

Show Us Your Lawn and Win!Now through October 31, 2013 Jonathan

Green is holding a photo contest and asking you, the homeowner, to send them a picture of your lawn for a chance to win! Each month they will be drawing a winner for a $50 gift coupon to use in their local Jonathan Green retail store. You can use this gift coupon on anything in the store. One grand prize winner will win a $500 gift coupon and a New American Lawn product kit!

To enter today visit www.NewAmericanLawn.com and upload your photo.

SEBS Graduate Student WinsPrestigious Borlaug Fellowship

for Global Food Security

a graduate student in the Department of Plant Biology and Pathology at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, is the recipient of a U.S. Borlaug Fellowship in Global Food Security for 2013-2014. This program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development to study and manage the global landscapes in support of sustainable food systems and to address the key points of the “Feed the Future” initiative for food security.

Byrnes’s recently completed his first year as a graduate student under the mentorship of Professor James Simon of the Department of Plant Biology and Pathology and founder of the New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program (NUANPP) at Rutgers.

The fellowship received by Byrnes is named in the honor of Dr. Norman Borlaug, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for a lifetime of work to feed a hungry world in 1970.

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From Local Farms to Our Markets in 24 HOURS Enjoy the freshest local fruits, vegetables and herbs picked and delivered from local New Jersey farms to Kings Food Markets within 24 hours.

Market selections will vary daily, so find out when your favorite produce will be delivered by joining our e-newsletter on our website or by following us on social media.

This is what fresh tastes like.

Gardener News August 2013

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Transcript of Gardener News August 2013