savage garden

Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for 1:1 cost-share funding up to $100k through the Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative (CIT) ! The application deadline is May 30th, 2025. This program is geared towards small and medium-sized Ontario-based companies developing a solution or product that incorporates at least one of these six critical technologies: 5G & advanced networks, AI, Blockchain, Robotics, Cybersecurity or Quantum . Some examples of greenhouse-specific projects that would fall under this program: robotics for planting or harvesting, AI for sorting on a production line, or 5G connected sensor systems for greenhouse monitoring. Program Details This initiative has 5 different funding programs that aim to drive the commercialization and adoption of critical technologies to advance Ontario’s agri-food sector. One of the five programs, the Development and Commercialization Program (DC) , is currently accepting applications until May 30th. Successful applicants w...

For those of you planning on shipping ornamental products out of Ontario anytime between May 15 and June 15, this is your yearly reminder to get your curative application of Acelepryn on BEFORE May 15! Recall that no pesticides are allowed when Japanese beetle (JB) pupae are present (generally, May 15-June 15 in Ontario). So, if you haven’t already curatively treated your plants that are about to go out the door (either after Aug 15 in 2024 or before May 15 2025) they may not meet shipping requirements. For more details, check our our updated infographic for JB control products and timing to know what to apply when. Not sure if you need to treat for JB or not? This post also contains a decision tree and a quick reference table for applicable JB programs when shipping outside Ontario. Infographic developed by S. Jandricic in collaboration with the CFIA. Only applicable to Ontario crops. STEP 1: Which JB Program Do I Fall Under? Step 2: How Do I Know If I Need to Treat for...

If scouting has been a challenge for you or your employees in the past , you’re a new IPM scout, or you feel like you could use a refresher , then this webinar is for you! This recorded webinar is applicable to garden retail centres as well as ornamental and some nursery crop producers. I cover topics such as how best to spend your time , tools of the trade, what data you should be recording , as well as tips and tricks from the pros ! Recorded Webinar: Scouting Ornamental Crops Who: Sarah Jandricic (Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist for OMAFA) Dr. Sarah Jandricic is the Greenhouse Floriculture Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness (OMAFA). She works directly with Ontario growers to help manage pest issues and find research solutions. She has worked continuously in floriculture IPM for over 25 years.  Description: Scouting is your first line of defense against all sorts of insect and disease p...

On March 12th, 2025, Dr. Alexandra Revynthi’s lab (University of Florida) gave an amazing update on what they’ve been working on with regards to Thrips parvispinus . A lot of this was important basic knowledge about their biology, such as development time and survival at high temperatures. There were also quite a few lab and small greenhouse trials looking at potential biocontrol agents . Some of this will be i nformation we build on to create effective IPM programs for Parvi in the future. But some of these findings, you could put into use right now. You can go watch the full webinar using the link in the full blog post, or read my summary notes and see what I thought were the important take-aways . Link to the Zoom Recording: There is LOTS of good info this webinar, so don’t let the 2 hour run time scare you. You can watch the full using this link . TLDR (Too long didn’t read – or watch, in this case): If you don’t have time to watch the webinar in full at the moment, and...