Purdue Landscape Report

Don't miss this free business webinar next week, June 24th. Dean Ricci will be sharing his experiences and methods to develop SOP's for his company.

Building Strong Operations: Developing Standard Operating Procedures for Green Industry Businesses Join Dean Ricci, owner of Ricci’s Landscape Management, Inc. of Hebron, IN, for a free webinar as he details his company’s vast library of SOP’s that have been developed over the years. This presentation focuses on how clear, well-designed procedures can improve efficiency, consistency, and te...

Catch up on the last newsletter before a new one is released tomorrow!

26-03 Resources for landscapes and gardens in the Midwest

Scale Spotlight: Introduction to common scale pests and their management

Scale Spotlight: Introduction to common scale pests and their management Scale insects are some of the most common pests sent in for identification from homeowners, arborists, and nurseries. This series will highlight some of the most frequently encountered scales in our region with an emphasis on their identification, biology, potential for damage, and control options.

Urban Tree Spotlight – Planting Deciduous Shade Trees

Urban Tree Spotlight – Planting Deciduous Shade Trees Spring is just around the corner, green spaces are beginning to wake from their winter slumber, Earth Day and Arbor Day are a little over a month away, and people are ready to get outside with planting on their minds. But before you go and get your tree(s) for planting, there is quite a lot to thin

Fast-Growing Trees for the Landscape

Fast-Growing Trees for the Landscape An unfortunate question I am sometimes asked is similar to this: “I lost my prized shade tree! What can I plant that will grow fast and give me shade?” While there is no instant fix to this scenario, let’s review a few trees that might be better choices here in northern Indiana. One obstacle t...

Beetle that attacks Tree-of-Heaven found in Indiana

Beetle that attacks Tree-of-Heaven found in Indiana We are often the bearers of bad news when a new exotic insect species is discovered in Indiana. This time, however, we have some good news to share. Agrilus smaragdifrons, a beetle that feeds exclusively on Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), was detected in Indiana last year in Allen County. Y

Free Diagnostic for Cut Flower Samples

Free Diagnostic for Cut Flower Samples Cut flower production continues to expand rapidly across Indiana, with many farms adding flowers as a high-value crop, an agritourism attraction, or a way to diversify their operations. To better support growers in this emerging sector, Purdue Extension launched a new project to better serve Indiana

The Green Industry in Focus Part 1: National Highlights from the USDA Census of Horticultural Specialties

The Green Industry in Focus Part 1: National Highlights from the USDA Census of Horticultural Specialties The Census of Horticultural Specialties, conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), provides the most comprehensive snapshot of the U.S. Green Industry. Released in February as part of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties captures d

Keep an eye out for hammerhead worms!

Keep an eye out for hammerhead worms! When talking about invasive species, specialists are most commonly talking about some kind of plant or insect that is making an impact on landscape plants, soil, or hardwood. Most of these species are relatively easy to understand, with a biology that typically resembles that of a native counterpar