February 22, 2012
UF recently announced that the 2012 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course will take place on May 7-10, 2012 at the Coral Springs Marriott Hotel in Coral Springs, Florida. The early registration deadline is February 24, 2012.
This Short Course will offer CEUs in these categories:
- Aquatic
- Right-of-Way
- Natural Areas
- General Standards (CORE)
- Forestry
For more details see the website: http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw/index.html
February 20, 2012
Deadly fungus covering a Fire Ant.
Researchers at UF/IFAS have discovered a way to modify a friendly fungus to help control fire ants. The modification affects the ants’ nervous system and disrupts the ants’ tendency to remove dead ants from the nest. This combination of effects makes the fungus fairly effective.
In a similar study, the researchers modified the fungus differently to affect the mosquito’s digestive system. Again, this method proved fairly effective.
More research is needed to further improve the effectiveness of these methods.
Full story here: http://ow.ly/8VBRi
February 16, 2012
We now have one Fertilizer BMP class (also known as the GI-BMP class) and one Landscape BMP class scheduled per month from now until the end of 2012. The only exceptions are in November and December due to the holidays.
Here is a link to the entire schedule: http://ow.ly/8VnSn
Here are the details of the Fertilizer Ordinance: http://ow.ly/8VoEz
Here is a comparison of the fertilizer ordinances of Sarasota, Manatee, and Longboat Key: http://ow.ly/8VpEn
February 13, 2012
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) just released their new plant hardiness zone map. This is the first update to the hardiness zone map since 1990.
Unlike past maps that used average minimum temperatures from the past 13 years, this time the map is averaging the past 30 years.
The map is located here: http://ow.ly/8Vmcu You can either click on the state to see an expanded image or there’s a drop-down menu where you can pick the state.
February 7, 2012
I’ve heard several local reports of major problems with downy mildew on Impatiens. In fact this seems to be widespread not just in our area but also down the West Coast and even on the lower East Coast.
The problem is the weather. It’s perfect for downy mildew. There doesn’t seem to be a good solution to the problem. By the time the disease is spotted, it’s already making good headway and is proving difficult to stop.
Here’s an in-depth article on the topic written by 2 Extension Agents on the East Coast: http://ow.ly/8VlOE
February 3, 2012
Several people have asked me about Spanish Language classes for the Fertilizer BMPs. Pinellas Extension just sent me word that they will be holding that class soon – Feb 17th from 9:00 – 4:30. They must have at least 15 students registered to hold the class, so they asked me to help get the word out.
If you have employees that need to take the Fertilizer BMP class in Spanish, information and registration is here: www.pce-commercialhort.eventbrite.com
For those of you who have asked about the Landscape BMP class in Spanish, we’re putting those classes together and will be offering them as soon as we get the instructors certified.
Questions? Email me at dkp205@ufl.edu or call Jennifer or Dave at 941-722-4524×226.
January 6, 2012
The original riding mower.
This is a quick reminder that ANYONE who works in the landscape industry in Manatee County must take (and pass) a certification class THIS YEAR. I know that Manatee County is in the process of training their inspectors and enforcement will begin on June 1st, 2012.
If you FERTILIZE plants (turf, ornamentals, trees, etc.) in Manatee County, you must get certified by June 1st, 2012. That means taking (and passing) a FERTILIZER BMP class. If you’ve taken this class in another county, you don’t have to take it again. Otherwise, look at the list of classes below, pick a FERTILIZER BMP class and register – today.
EVERYONE ELSE that works in the landscape industry (if you mow, trim, weed, prune, apply pesticides, do tree care… anything other than fertilizing in the landscape), you need to take (and pass) a LANDSCAPE BMP class. If you’ve taken this class in Pinellas County, you don’t have to take it again. Otherwise, look at the list of classes below, pick a LANDSCAPE BMP class and register – today.
For those of you that need the LANDSCAPE BMP class and want to get it out of the way SOON, we have a class coming up on Jan 9th at the GT Bray Park facility (details: http://120109landscapebmp.eventbrite.com/).
Don’t wait – don’t put it off. Do it now while you have the time.
The busy season will be on us before we know it.
2012 Comm Hort Class Schedule
Jan 9, 2012 (Mon) – Landscape BMP class – Commercial industry – $15 County workers – Free
Location – GT Bray – Movie room 1-4 pm, CEUs: CORE 1, O&T 1, Private 1, Comm L&O 1, Ltd L&O 1, Max 2
Details & registration – http://120109landscapebmp.eventbrite.com/
Jan 27, 2012 (Fri) – Fertilizer BMP class – Commercial industry – $30 County workers – Free
Location – GT Bray – Movie room 9-5, CEUs: CORE 2, O&T 2, Private 2, Comm L&O 2, Ltd Comm 2, Ltd L&O 2, max 4, Details & registration – http://120127fertilizerbmp.eventbrite.com/
Feb 10, 2012 (Fri) – Landscape BMP class – Commercial industry – $15 County workers – Free
Location – Manatee Extension 9-12 am, CEUs: CORE 1, O&T 1, Private 1, Comm L&O 1, Ltd L&O 1, Max 2
Details & registration – http://120210landscapebmps.eventbrite.com/
Feb 24, 2012 (Fri) – Fertilizer BMP class – Commercial industry – $30 County workers – Free
Location – Manatee Extension 9-5 – Registration begins at 8:30, CEUs: CORE 2, O&T 2, Private 2, Comm L&O 2, Ltd Comm 2, Ltd L&O 2, max 4
Details & registration – http://120224fertilizerbmp.eventbrite.com/
March 8th, 2012 (Thur) – Landscape BMP class – Commercial industry – $15 County workers – Free
Location – Manatee Extension 9-12 am, CEUs: CORE 1, O&T 1, Private 1, Comm L&O 1, Ltd L&O 1, Max 2
Details & registration – http://120308landscapebmp.eventbrite.com/
March 22, 2012 (Thur) – Fertilizer BMP class – Commercial industry – $30 County workers – Free
Location – Manatee Extension 9-5 – Registration begins at 8:30, CEUs: CORE 2, O&T 2, Private 2, Comm L&O 2, Ltd Comm 2, Ltd L&O 2, max 4
Details & registration – http://120322fertilizerbmp.eventbrite.com/
April 6, 2012 (Thur) – Landscape BMP class – Commercial industry – $15 County workers – Free
Location – Manatee Extension 1-4 pm, CEUs: CORE 1, O&T 1, Private 1, Comm L&O 1, Ltd L&O 1, Max 2
Details & registration – http://120406landscapebmp.eventbrite.com/
April 19, 2012 (Thur) – Fertilizer BMP class – Commercial industry – $30 County workers – Free
Location – Manatee Extension 9-5 – Registration begins at 8:30, CEUs: CORE 2, O&T 2, Private 2, Comm L&O 2, Ltd Comm 2, Ltd L&O 2, max 4
Details & registration – http://120419fertilizerbmp.eventbrite.com/
December 9, 2011
Do you know what caused the palm on the right to topple?
Do you know the symptoms of potassium deficiency in palms?
Do you know the right fertilizer to keep palms healthy?
If not, you haven’t been to the Palm School hosted by Florida’s leading experts on palms, Dr Monica Elliot and Dr Tim Broschat.
I attended this class recently (http://ow.ly/7SfXN) and can’t say enough about it. Absolutely great class. Be prepared, the info will be coming at you non-stop. It’s well worth the price. Any business will recover the cost of this class in no time as you add palm management to your business.
Officially, the class is known as “Palm Management in the Florida Landscape.”
It’s a 2 day class February 28-29, 2012 (2 days – Tuesday and Wednesday)
Time: 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM each day
Location: University of Florida – IFAS
Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
3205 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314
For more information and to reserve your spot for “Palm School”, contact:
Dr. Monica Elliott at melliott@ufl.edu or 954/577-6315
Topics include:
(classroom presentations and field trip to palm groves on site)
Diagnosing Palm Problems Palm Insects
Palm Anatomy and Growth Palm Diseases
Physiological Disorders Normal Abnormalities
Nutrient Deficiencies Fertilizer Formulations
Sampling and Leaf Analysis Fertilizer Application Techniques
Transplant Issues Pruning Palms
Speakers include:
Dr. Timothy Broschat, Palm Horticulturist, Nutrition and Fertilization
Dr. Monica Elliott, Palm Pathologist, Fungal Diseases
Dr. Robin Giblin-Davis, Palm Entomologist/Nematologist
Dr. Nigel Harrison, Palm Pathologist, Phytoplasma Diseases
Dr. Catharine Mannion, Ornamental Entomologist
Details:
Registration Fee: $300, checks only, payable to the “University of Florida”
Reservations/Payment By: February 14, 2012 (or until class fills up)
Enrollment Limit: 40 persons. Enrollment will be limited to 3 persons per company. If space is still available after February 15, this enrollment cap will be lifted.
CEUs requested: LIAF, ISA, FNGLA and FDACS (pesticide license)
December 8, 2011
Don’t wait until the last minute – start planning to obtain your CEUs and Certifications now.
Check out the Manatee Commercial Horticulture calendar here:
http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/comm-hort/calendar.shtml
It contains a rundown of the classes I’m aware of for January and February in Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties.
The classes listed contain a variety of CEUs as well.
Pay attention to the details – you might be able to obtain your certifications and your pesticide CEUs in the same class.
December 7, 2011
Hi Everyone,
I apologize for the long silence. Between the holidays and the annual reporting ordeal required by Extension, I’ve not been able to find time to post articles. But since the my annual report is almost done I hope to be back up to speed, or at least half speed shortly.
Thank you for your patience.
Dave
