New Plant Threat Signs in the Gardens
April 17, 2019
Next time you’re walking through our gardens, take a look at our new educational signs on plant diseases and pests and learn how you can help control their spread. In June 2018, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates joined the Sentinel Plant Network (SPN), a partnership between the American Public Gardens Association and the National Plant Diagnostic Network. The group contributes to plant conservation by engaging public garden professionals, volunteers, and visitors in the early detection of serious plant pests and diseases. The SPN was launched in 2011 with financial support from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and includes more than 225 public gardens. Because Edison Ford is part of the network, the SPN provided the six signs at no cost.
To remain in the SPN, Edison Ford garden staff receive training on pest detection and disease outbreaks and are encouraged to share their knowledge with the local community. The new SPN signs on our property will help us spread the word about some of the more serious plant pests, like the Asian long-horned beetle, that have the potential to devastate local and national plant populations. We also plan to hold a training session for community members who wish to learn more about the threats that may appear in their gardens and yards. The training class will probably be held in the fall or early 2020. Watch our website and social media for the official date when we schedule it. In the meantime, check out our other garden-related classes here.
