Landscape Message: May 5, 2017

UMass Extension's Landscape Message is an educational newsletter intended to inform and guide Massachusetts Green Industry professionals in the management of our collective landscape. Detailed reports from scouts and Extension specialists on growing conditions, pest activity, and cultural practices for the management of woody ornamentals, trees, and turf are regular features. The following issue has been updated to provide timely management information and the latest regional news and environmental data.

The Landscape Message will be updated weekly April through June. The next message will be available on May 12. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list.

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Drought Conditions Update: Little change from last week... approximately 23% of Massachusetts is currently under official drought status. Virtually all of the area under drought status is classified as 'Abnormally Dry', which is the lowest classification level. For more information see http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA.

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For Northeast Drought Conditions:

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/RegionalDroughtMonitor.aspx?northeast

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New Pollinator Protection Resource Online: The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has developed a Massachusetts Pollinator Protection Plan. It is a set of voluntary guidelines that discuss best management practices for stakeholders seeking to promote the health of the European honeybee and other pollinators. This document includes information for beekeepers, pesticide applicators, land managers and farmers, nurseries and landscapers, and homeowners and gardeners. Please locate the MA Pollinator Protection Plan for more information here: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/agr/farmproducts/apiary/pollinator-plan.pdf.

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