Join us online for a review of the challenges and successes of the 2025 season for Lawn Care and Landscape and learn useful information for looking ahead to 2026.
Registration
Preregistration is required.
Attendees are welcome to sign up for one or both days. Pesticide and association credits are available on a per day basis.
$75 / per day or $110 / entire series. Group discounts are available!
Email harmonieolou[at]umass[dot]edu (harmonieolou[at]umass[dot]edu) for municipalities to pay via PO.
Agenda
Day 1 - Tuesday, November 18 – Lawn Care Topics
8:30 AM Opening Remarks
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM What to Know About Snow Molds for Lawns & Grounds - Dr. Angela Madeiras, Extension Plant Pathology Specialist & Diagnostician, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab
Snow molds are a reminder that fungal diseases can be active in every season of the year. This talk will cover snow mold biology and how to reduce potential for unsightly impacts when spring arrives.
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM Break
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Why Your Weed Management Program Went Sideways in 2025 - Randall Prostak, Weed Specialist, UMass Extension
2025 helped New England to live up to its reputation for challenging weather patterns and variable growing conditions. Learn about how these factors affected weed management approaches to be better equipped for future seasons.
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM Break
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Optimizing Mowing Inputs to Save Time, Money, and Achieve Better Results - Jason Lanier, Turf Specialist, UMass Extension
Mowing is the most fundamental turf cultural practice, and is arguably the most impactful, not to mention costly. This presentation will outline approaches to make mowing more efficient and effective, yielding increased performance with lower resource inputs.
12:15 PM Credits info, wrap-up and adjourn
Day 2 - Wednesday, November 19 – Landscape Topics
8:30 AM Opening Remarks
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM Dispatches from the UMass Plant Diagnostic Lab: 2025 Disease Round- Up - Dr. Nicholas Brazee, Extension Plant Pathology Specialist & Diagnostician, UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab
This talk will examine the 2025 woody plant disease picture from the front lines of the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab and will highlight causal factors and management strategies.
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM Break
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 2025 Year in Review for Insect Pests of Trees and Shrubs - Tawny Simisky, Entomology Specialist, UMass Extension
Hear about the latest tree and shrub insect trends from the 2025 season, including the excitement of native insect activity, invasive insect updates, unique species mentions, and research-based approaches for management.
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM Break
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM The Invasive Box Tree Moth in MA: Latest Updates from Cape Cod - Russell Norton, Horticultural Specialist, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
The box tree moth is among the most problematic invasive pest detection in recent years, and thus far it is confined to Cape Cod. An overview of the issue, incidence and damage reports, and management approaches will be included.
12:15 PM Credits info, wrap-up and adjourn
Pesticide Credits
Poll questions will be held throughout the webinars to verify attendance for pesticide credits.
Day 1 / Lawncare: Two pesticide contact hours for categories 37 and Applicators License are available.
Day 2 / Landscape: Two pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 35, 36, and Applicators License are available.
Each day acts as its own event in relation to earning credits.
Professional Credits
Day 1 / Lawncare: 1 MCH and 1 MCLP credits are available.
Day 2 / Landscape: 1 MCA, 1 MCH, 1 MCLP, and 3 ISA credits are available.
Each day acts as its own event in relation to earning credits.
Pre-registration required.