California announces light brown apple moth rules
Calif. Dept. of Food and Ag. announced interim rules to prevent the spread of light brown apple moth (LBAM). The pest, native to Australia, has a host range of 250 species and has been found in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin and San Francisco counties since February. Wholesale nurseries are asked to sign compliance agreements stating they will inspect host plants for LBAM before shipment. If nurseries are infested, plants must be treated and re-inspected before being shipped. Retail nurseries are asked to inspect plants and remove any infested plants or plant parts. Discarded material should be double bagged and placed in landfills. The interim rules will be in place until CDFA and USDA can complete surveys for the pest. Then official quarantines will be announced.
Investors buy Jackson & Perkins for $49 million
Harry and David Holdings Inc. sold Jackson & Perkins to 2 buyers for $49 million. The sale includes J&P's wholesale, catalog and e-commerce business as well as 3,200 acres in Wasco, Calif. Jackson & Perkins is promoted as the nation's largest marketer of roses, with more than $74 million in annual sales. "The decision to divest Jackson & Perkins was made only after careful consideration of its strategic fit with our core gift and gourmet food businesses," said Bill Williams, Harry and David CEO.
Petitti buys Ridge Manor Nurseries in Ohio
Petitti Garden Centers, headquartered in Oakwood Village, Ohio, purchased Ridge Manor Nurseries in Madison, Ohio, said owner Angelo Petitti. The 240-acre facility, with 120 acres in container production, was bought from the from the Brewster family, which also operates Willowbend Nursery Inc. in Perry, Ohio. Ridge Manor was formerly operated by International Garden Products.
Michigan grants Safari emergency EAB label
Michigan officials granted a special local-needs label to Safari insecticide for control of emerald ash borer (EAB). Safari, dinotefuran, can be applied through bark applications and is quickly translocated throughout ash trees, according to Valent Professional Products. The product will kill a generation of EAB the same season it is applied, not next year's generation, said Jason Fausey, Valent field market development specialist.
Experts forecast active 2007 hurricane season
Colorado State Univ. researchers said the Atlantic basin will see an active hurricane season in 2007. The team upgraded its prediction from 14 named storms in 2007 to 17. Nine are predicted to become hurricanes and 5 are expected to develop into major storms (sustained winds greater than 111 mph). In 2006 the group predicted 13-16 named storms, 8-10 hurricanes with 4-6 of them being major hurricanes. There were 9 named storms, including 5 hurricanes with just 2 considered major. No hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. in 2006.
Monrovia site gets SHARP designation
Monrovia Growers' 900-acre Dayton, Ore., facility was given the SHARP designation by Oregon OSHA. The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program recognizes companies that effectively manage occupational safety and health. Through the program, Oregon OSHA provides consultation and expertise. Monrovia is the first ag. company with the SHARP designation. The site encourages safety through prize and incentive programs and a system of reporting near-accidents.
Worth a visit
The nursery business deserves its own action/adventure serial, "The Great Nursery Adventure: A Year in the Life of Greene Family Nursery." This month, the family faces a menacing weed. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
Emerald Coast Growers produces superior starter plants in a variety of
cell sizes; specializing in ornamental grasses and perennial plants.
|
