Plant Health Care

Healthy gardens begin with healthy plants and understanding how to care for them ecologically is essential to long-term success. This course provides you with a deep knowledge of the various pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, and insects that affect native plants, along with the environmental conditions that lead to stress, infection, or decline. Through lecture, demonstration, and field observation, you’ll develop the diagnostic skills needed to recognize both beneficial organisms and harmful organisms early and respond effectively to your unique habitat. 🥬Learn to apply the Disease Triangle as a framework for diagnosing and managing plant disease, explore the major groups of plant pathogens, and examine how diseases spread across gardens and landscapes. Emphasis is placed on eco-friendly practices, including soil health, site conditions, and horticultural sanitation, that reduce disease pressure without relying on chemicals. 🥬Explore Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a holistic decision-making process. You’ll become familiar with common pest organisms in gardens, landscapes, and natural areas, gain a foundational understanding of pesticides and their limitations, and learn techniques to promote beneficial insects, especially natural predators that help keep pest populations in balance. Go home confident in your ability to identify beneficial organisms, diagnose issues, prevent problems before they occur, and care for your plants in ways that protect and enhance the surrounding ecosystem. Lunch is included each day of class. This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Tuesday 7/21 through Thursday 7/23. 🥬 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available About the Instructor: Timothy J. Waller, PhD Dr. Waller’s major responsibilities are to provide leadership and support for the commercial agriculture industries of southern New Jersey, specifically commercial nursery production in Cumberland County. He holds a PhD in Plant Biology (focused on Plant Pathology) and is tasked with mitigating pest issues (insects, diseases, weeds, herbivores), intercepting invasive species, improving farm sustainability and production techniques, as well as developing best management practices (BMPs) for the growers and green industry professionals of the region. Dr. Waller is serving in his second year with Rutgers Cooperative Extension but has worked in various sectors of agriculture for the last decade and has held a pesticide license since 2014. REGISTER NOW: General Public Individual+ & Dual+ Members Supporter, Advocate & Conservator Members