Landscape Message: Jun 26, 2020

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 UMass Plant Diagnostic Laboratory has reopened for plant disease, insect pest and invasive plant/weed samples. At this time, we can only accept mail-in samples, walk-in samples cannot be accepted. Please refer to our website for instructions on sample submission and to access the submission form: https://ag.umass.edu/services/plant-diagnostics-laboratory. Mail delivery services and staffing have been altered due to the pandemic, so please allow for some additional time for samples to arrive at the lab and undergo the diagnostic process. We look forward to resuming activities and diagnosing your plant problems!

The UMass Soil & Plant Nutrient Testing Lab reopened on June 23, 2020, in order to analyze samples that were in process when the lab closed on March 16 and those that arrived after that date. Orders will be processed in the order they were received. Please be aware that we will not be accepting new samples for analysis until the backlog of orders is significantly reduced. Please do not send soil samples for analysis until we are able to accept new orders. For updates and information about available services, please visit: https://ag.umass.edu/services/soil-plant-nutrient-testing-laboratory.

UMass Extension has developed a listing of resources for commercial horticulture operations in Massachusetts to help keep you informed and aware of relevant policies and best practices for landscapers, turf managers, arborists, nurseries, garden centers, and greenhouse producers.

For our COVID-19 Information and Support for Landscapers, Nurseries, Turf Managers, Garden Centers, Arborists, and Greenhouse Operations in Massachusetts, go tohttps://ag.umass.edu/landscape/news/covid-19-information-support-for-landscapers-nurseries-turf-managers-garden-centers.

Happy Independence Day! The Landscape Message will be updated bi-weekly July through September. The next message will be available on July 10. To receive immediate notification when the next Landscape Message update is posted, be sure to join our e-mail list.

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Environmental Data

The following data was collected on or about June 24, 2020. Total accumulated growing degree days (GDD) represent the heating units above a 50° F baseline temperature collected via our instruments for the 2020 calendar year. This information is intended for use as a guide for monitoring the developmental stages of pests in your location and planning management strategies accordingly.

Updated on 6/23, this map of MA shows a "Moderate Drought" (D1) covers half of our state and a large swath including Boston continues to experience "Abnormally Dry" (D0) conditions: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA

To track water use restrictions by town, regularly check the MassDEP map:https://www.mass.gov/doc/water-use-restrictions-map/download

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Not in the Landscape Message, but related:

United States Drought Monitor - Northeast