Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest
If you spend any time reading about native landscapes, you will quickly find numerous articles and guides for plants that are good for pollinators. Many native pollinator species are in decline, and choosing plants that support their lifecycle is a great way homeowners and landscapers can engage with the effort to improve their populations. However,[Read More…]
Rose rosette disease is a severe problem for rose growers and occurs widely throughout many rose growing regions of the US, especially from the mid-South into the Midwest. The problem was described on roses in the early 1940s but actual cause of the disease remained murky until the pathogen was identified as a virus in[Read More…]
Pink snow mold is a disease caused by the fungal pathogen Microdochium nivale (syn. Monographella nivalis) that is being observed in middle and northern Indiana this late winter. The pathogen is termed psychrophilic, or cold loving, due to its propensity to grow and infect in colder temperatures. The disease can be particularly severe on unfrozen[Read More…]
There have been a number of samples we have received at the PPDL in recent weeks that bear similar problems worth noting. It is still relatively early for significant in-season disease development due to how cold it has been, although we have certainly had enough rainfall to encourage fungal growth. We have received multiple samples[Read More…]
Garlic mustard (Alliara petiolata) can be found in public parks, backyards, meadows, forests, gardens, and along roadsides throughout Indiana. The leaves have a strong garlic smell to them. Garlic mustard was first introduced from Northeastern Europe in the 1860s in Long Island, New York. Immigrants from Europe used it for food (an herb), medicine, and[Read More…]
We are now on the other side of the equinox, days are getting longer, and there are specks of green poking out on the plants in our life. If you’re in Indiana or similar areas of the Midwest, you’ve probably experienced what I like to call False Spring and Second Winter and are looking forward[Read More…]
Two short YouTube videos demonstrate how English and Spanish speakers can use the Purdue Plant Doctor Website. Diagnosing Plant Problems with the Purdue Plant Doctor Web Page (5 minutes -in English with closed captions) Guia Rapida Diagnosticar y Manejar Problemas de las Plantas con Purdue Plant Doctor ( 9 minutes in Spanish with closed[Read More…]
Remember the pre-Christmas freeze? What about the extremely long fall? The Midwest experienced above-average temperatures through most of the winter, but those extremely cold temps in late December made for more than a few pipes to freeze in the southern part of the Midwest. The dichotomy in weather patterns over the last several years has[Read More…]
Why Scout? Pathogens, insects, weeds and other pests negatively impact ornamental plant production (greenhouse, nursery, landscape). Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are used to prevent (ideally) or mitigate damage to ornamental crops. IPM strategies of ornamentals include practices such as proper plant choice for the site, incorporation of resistant varieties when available, the use of[Read More…]
Rust diseases produce some of the most dramatic symptoms and signs we see on woody plants in the landscape. These fungi live up to the name of ‘rust’ diseases because the spore structures they produce on the plant are generally bright orange, as shown by these examples: Cedar-apple rust (https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/orange-koosh-galls-on-eastern-red-cedar/), Hollyhock rust (https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/jolly-hollyhock-rust/) and Buckthorn[Read More…]
Indiana is well-known for its erratic weather. Hoosiers, along with all Midwesterners, have numerous sarcastic sayings regarding the weather. “If you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes.” “The forecast is made up and the seasons don’t matter.” “It will be winter at 6 am and summer by 3 pm. Dress accordingly.” [Read More…]
The 2022 Indiana Arborist Association Annual Conference will be held in Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Marriott East, January 24-26th, 2023. The IAA and our partners will be offering a full 3-day program with educational opportunities and trade show for anyone involved in planning, planting or managing trees in the built environment. Speakers from all over the country[Read More…]
The Indiana Green Expo is Indiana’s largest and most comprehensive Green Industry educational conference and trade show serving Indiana and the Midwest. The 2023 Indiana Green Expo (IGE) is sponsored by the Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation. Unlike some for-profit trade shows, all proceeds from the IGE are used directly to[Read More…]
Join us on Tuesday, December 6th, for another Women of the Green Industry event. Nikki Hendrickson, Advanced Turf Solutions, will be speaking on her experiences in the Green Industry and the importance of leadership in our industry. Join us on Zoom at 12:00 pm (Eastern) at this link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/99294959481?pwd=bm53b0VvKzd6U2hyb3pQNTMyK0xkUT09 To view last month’s speaker, you[Read More…]
Soil testing is a common practice for both landscapers and farmers to ensure healthy plants. However, city soils are may be degraded and contaminated so you may wonder if the typical soil analysis is providing enough information. During this webinar series, participants will learn how to determine if their soils are contaminated and what they[Read More…]
The 2022 Turf and Landscape Seminar will be held November 17th and 18th at the William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus. Register here: https://www.mrtf.org/event/turf-and-landscape-seminar-2/?event_date=2022-11-17 This event is designed for beginning, intermediate, and advanced turf professionals, providing them with the latest technology for managing turf and landscape systems,[Read More…]
I enjoy gardening and take pride in the variety of flowers my wife and I manage to squeeze into a few beds each Summer. This year an interesting zinnia caught my eye and ended up in our back-yard garden. After fending off rabbits early in the season a new threat emerged in July: bacterial spots[Read More…]
This publication is the first of a series of articles aiming to assess the economic feasibility of growing sod. Publications can be found at the Purdue Education Store. This publication assesses the economic feasibility of growing Kentucky bluegrass in the Midwest by determining the financial costs and returns associated with one year of production. This[Read More…]
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