UMass Extension Landscape Message July 24, 2020

6 years ago

Landscape Message: July 24, 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 Landscape Message will be updated bi-weekly July through September. The next message will be available on August 7. 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 July 22, 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.

As of 7/21, this map of MA shows large areas of our state continue to experience "Moderate Drought" (D1) or "Abnormally Dry" (D0) conditions: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA

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

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Insects and Other Arthropods of Public Health Concern:

Mosquitoes: On July 3, 2020 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus had been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year: https://www.mass.gov/news/state-public-health-officials-announce-seasons-first-eee-positive-mosquito-sample-0 . For more information about the first 2020 EEE detection and ways to protect yourself, visit the link above.

For current information, including searchable risk maps for both EEE and WNV in Massachusetts, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update

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Comments (12)

claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
Original Author
6 years ago
United States Drought Monitor - Northeast
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
6 years ago
Wow, some parts of the state are normal and we are just abnormally dry rather than having a drought. I didn't realize the western part of the state has been getting less rain than we have. That seems so odd, since it would make more sense that a rain storm has to go through the Western part of the state to get to us.
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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
Original Author
6 years ago
PM2: A lot of storms come up the coast (like hurricanes often do) and miss the western and northwestern areas. I was surprised at the drought because my impression lately has been that rainstorms have been staying north of us, according to the weather maps.

One hydrangea and the phlox are the canaries in the coal mine for me - I watered them again yesterday.

Claire
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
6 years ago
My hydrangeas have been wilting all summer, even a couple of days after rain. I don't think they like the heat. The Mopheads I mean.
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
6 years ago
PM, I live i in the western part of north central CT (if that makes sense...lol) and just about all of the rain from mid May has missed us. The storms coming from the west are either going north or south of us or just dissipate before they get here. Based on this map I'm in a moderate drought area but if we don't get some beneficial rain soon, I can see things going downhill fast.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Sue, we were in that boat the past 3 years. We'd see a forecast that we could expect rain and even one town over would get the rain and we wouldn't. Very frustrating. I was dragging the hose all over the garden all summer. And that works to a point, but, nothing is as beneficial as enough rain. Especially when you have mature trees on your property that suck up the moisture. And we had a water ban to deal with too. We spread a lot of bark mulch to try to preserve the moisture, but that only gets you so far.

So, I hope you get the rain you need. And there is hope that even when you are having that kind of summer, it really could be different next year.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
6 years ago
And once again, the forecast was 100% wrong. [g]. Forecast for strong winds, heavy downpours for yesterday starting between 2pm and 5pm. Nothing. Not even a stray cloud. Not one drop of rain, beautiful blue skies and scorching sun. I started the sprinkler up about 4pm and will have to start it again this morning.
Sue W (CT zone 6a)
6 years ago
Same here, not a drop yesterday. Due to a low producing well, I have to water by hand. Grab the hose!
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
Original Author
6 years ago
Me too, (sigh). As usual, the forecast started out with good rain, then they changed their minds and there was going to be less rain, then they changed their minds again and the chance of rain was 30%, then there was no rain.

The humidity is low today so I'm expecting wilting soon and I'll probably water this afternoon.

Claire
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
6 years ago
Does anyone know if the bad forecasts are from one news outlet, or is it all of them that are wrong?
corunum z6 CT
6 years ago
PM2 - The other day the radar on Wunderground showed dark green right over me and nothing was hitting the ground. Evaporated somewhere. Accuweather, Weather Channel - seem to share info. NOAA is not always as detailed in the 7 day as I think it used to be - but that could be me. Yesterday afternoon, it rained for 1 minute - total. My rain gauge has dry rot. If you're on Facebook, I have found this fellow to be very accurate. When I want an accurate as is possible forecast without hyped drama and showmanship, I go to him - as do 63k other folks. He's an individual in CT, but covers MA and RI. eweather

Jane 😊
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
6 years ago
Great, Jane, because really, I've almost stopped watching the weather forecasts because they are so unreliable. I'll give him a try. Thanks!