UT Workshop to Teach Plant Pest Identification and Control

At some point, all gardeners find themselves wondering, “What’s wrong with my plant and how do I fix it?” Join University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture plant pathologist Alan Windham and entomologist Frank Hale for an in-depth look at the most common garden pests in our region and how to identify, control and even prevent them from invading your garden.

Windham and Hale will be the featured presenters for All the Dirt on Gardening: Bugs, Slugs, and Other Thugs, a day-long workshop to be held Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at the UT Gardens in Knoxville. The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until 3:15 p.m. The cost for UT Gardens members is $50 and $60 for nonmembers. The price includes lunch and break refreshments.

Novice and expert gardeners alike will benefit from this opportunity to study with the experts. Learn how to diagnose pest problems, how Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can work for you, and what to do when you need more help finding the answer. Hands-on specimens and diagnostics, along with lecture photos will be used. The first 50 registrants will receive complimentary pest identification tools. Attendees are encouraged to bring plant problems for hands-on diagnostics.

Hale is a professor in the UT Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of insect and mite pests of ornamental plants, turf grass, fruit, vegetables and dark tobacco as well as Integrated Pest Management, invasive pest monitoring and macro-photography.

Windham is also a professor in the UT Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of diseases of ornamental plants and turf grass as well as mycology, microscopy and macro-photography.

Both professors work closely with the UT Soil, Plant and Pest Center in Nashville, which is the primary information resource for regional pest and disease diagnostics.

To register online go to: tiny.utk.edu/gardenbugs

Photo: Cedar Apple Rust by A. Windham, courtesy UTIA