The Dayton "Dirt" - January 22, 2016

With only 3 relatively cold days this past week, things are looking up again in the temperature department resulting so far in an “easy” winter.

Making cuttings, transplanting, making more cuttings, transplanting, etc. is getting old in the greenhouse but on a cold winter day, it’s not a bad use of time. Looking at the achievements for new insect control products from various companies, it looks as though neonicotinoids are fast falling out of favor. Much controversy has surrounded this chemical class that may be linked to the Colony Collapse Disorder of honey bees. Last year we did away with sprays and grub control products containing neonicotinoids that we use and sell and we’ll continue to look for suitable replacements to offer for sale that will not effect pollinators. The “evil” of the neonicotinoids is in their systemic properties in which pollinators can come into contact long after they are applied. Other chemicals are no less deadly except that they are of little consequence as long as they are not applied when pollinators are foraging.

January 30th is seminar #1 on the relationship between the urban forest and people that will be given by Chad Clink of the Holden Arboretum. No doubt he will shed some light on the problems urban trees are facing and what we can do to mitigate or even eliminate the perils to the trees. Be sure to join us in the Owl Barn on Saturday, January 30th at 11 a.m. for Chad’s presentation.

See you soon.

Tom