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Commercial & Consumer Horticulture Updates
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Downy Mildew on the Move
Downy mildew, caused by the oomycete Pseudoperonospora cubensis continues its annual movement across the area. The disease occurs in two distinct groups, or clades. Clade 2 affects cucumbers and cantaloupes, Clade 1 is associated with watermelon, squash, and pumpkins. The current outbreak is attributed to Clade 2, which tends to arrive in the region early in the season via wind borne spores from the south. This puts cucumbers and cantaloupes at high risk. Be vigilant in scouting and stay ahead by applying your fungicide rotations.
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Fall Armyworms Have Arrived!
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The heat is on! Fall armyworms are out in force in many areas, a devastating pest of fescue and bermuda turf species. However, they can be seen less voracious on other warm-season turf as well.
Fall armyworm damage is very distinctive. Since armyworms cross turf as a group, they create a noticeable line between damaged and undamaged turfgrass. Usually damaged areas will originate around a site where egg masses can be easily laid (signposts, buildings) and radiate outward.
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2025 Regional Strawberry Preplant Meeting
Tuesday, August 19th, 2025
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Registration and more info through the provided link.
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Monks Named Associate Dean & Director of NC State Extension
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at NC State University has named David Monks as associate dean and director of NC State Extension, effective Aug. 1, 2025. Monks, who has served as co-interim director since September 2024, will lead one of the nation’s largest Extension systems, with operations in all 100 North Carolina counties, the Qualla Boundary and the Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) in Kannapolis. He will also serve as vice provost for outreach and engagement at NC State, advancing the university’s land-grant mission across North Carolina and beyond.
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Welcome Our New Turfgrass Weed Scientist
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Dr. Navdeep Godara’s recently joined the Crop & Soil Sciences Department as an Assistant Professor of Turfgrass & Grassland Weed Science. His research and outreach program will focus on practical weed management challenges in turfgrass and forages, weed biology and ecology, and the evaluation of precision weed control technologies.
Dr. Godara can be reached at ngodara@ncsu.edu
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2025 Southeastern Vegetable Crop Handbook
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The 2025 Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook can be accessed via the link below and also purchased via UNC Press.
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NC Green Industry Grows Economic Impact
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NC’s Green Industry Tops $15.8B in Economic Impact
A new NC State report shows North Carolina’s green industry contributed $15.8 billion to the state’s economy in 2023. Despite steady employment around 65,000 jobs, the sector’s impact has grown significantly since 2005, driven by population growth, development, and increased efficiency. Key areas include landscaping, nurseries, garden equipment, and florists.
“The green industry helps make North Carolina beautiful—and it’s thriving,” says co-author Melinda Knuth.
Support the Nash County green industry by visiting your local nurseries and garden centers!
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Other Upcoming Commerical Events
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2025 Lake Wheeler Turfgrass Field Day
Wednesday, August 13th
Lake Wheeler Turfgrass Research Lab in Raleigh, NC
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Southeast Strawberry Expo
November 11th - 14th
Raleigh Hilton | North Hills
Raleigh, NC
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2026 Spring Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Training
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Nash County will be offering Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Training beginning on Thursday, January 22nd through April 30th, 2026.
Classes will meet weekly on Thursday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Nash County Agriculture Center.
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We are excited to have the Arboretum designated with signage at the beginning of Ag Center Drive on Eastern Avenue. Stay tuned for more improvements around this area!
Visit the Nash County Arboretum – Where Nature, Learning, and Family Fun Bloom Year-Round!
This Arboretum has been open since 2001 and is maintained by NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers. Open 365 days a year, the Arboretum offers themed gardens perfect for exploring, learning, and relaxing.
Smell the roses, wander through woodlands, spot pollinators, and discover unique gardens like the 4-H Garden, Screen Garden, and Tranquility Garden. There’s something for all ages to enjoy—come learn, play, and grow together in nature!
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EMGV Mini Clinics
Nash County Farmers Market in Rocky Mount
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Nash County Arboretum Tours
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Visit us at the Nash County Arboretum on the second Friday of each month from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. for a fun and educational garden tour experience.
These plant tours utilize the many garden areas within the arboretum to tell a unique story about the variety of plant species throughout the gardens. Every tour focuses on different types of plants. These tours will provide insight to gardeners on choosing the right plant for the right place within their home landscapes.
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Nash County Arboretum : 2025 Garden Talks
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Join us for evenings of informative and engaging discussions about gardening at the Nash County Agriculture Center. The Garden Talks will be on the second Thursday of the remaining months listed from 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
August 14th, 2025 | Discover the Secrets of the Arboretum
Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will discuss the early history of the Nash County Arboretum and how the original plan was developed.
September 11th, 2025 | Rhubarb: Know How to Grow!
Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will discuss how to successfully grow Rhubarb within your home garden.
October 9th, 2025 | The Growing & Selling of Christmas Trees
Sherry Peele of Sharpe Tree Farm, will discuss the business of growing and selling Christmas trees and wreaths.
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New Weather Station at the Arboretum
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We’re excited to share a new addition to the Arboretum—our very own on-site weather station, now providing real-time local weather data right from the gardens! Tracking temperature, humidity, wind speed & direction, rainfall, & more.
Whether you're a gardener, educator, or just a curious visitor, this tool helps you better understand our local climate and how it influences plant health and growing conditions.
Why it matters:
🌱 Helps gardeners make smart planting decisions
👣 Adds a science-focused feature to your walk through the Arboretum
Check it out, learn something new, and enjoy a day in the gardens.
You can access the station live by following the provided link below.
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NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
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