Pest Management of Ornamental Landscape Plants

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Prevent the unnecessary loss of ornamental plants by learning how to identify and control the weeds, diseases, and insects that commonly affect them. 

Collage of different kinds of plant pests and plant diseases

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Pest Management of Ornamental Landscape Plants
Course Code: AL0402CA26
Date of Most Recent Offering: February 10, 2026

Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:15 pm (Check-in time: 8:30 am)

Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course

Registration Fee: $210 per person
Early Bird Discount Fee: $195 per person (expires February 3, 2026)

Registration Closes: February 8, 2026

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the Landscape Management Certificate Program and the Public Grounds Management Certificate Program.

An all-star group of instructors will supply you with tips to help recognize and control diseases, weeds, and ornamental insect problems.

  • Weed Control
  • Insect Control
  • Disease Management
  • Pesticide Regulation
  • Plant Selection to Minimize Insects and Diseases

Who Should Attend?

This class is a great source of information for anyone who grows and maintains ornamental plants. Past participants have included:

  • Building and Grounds Managers
  • Department of Public Works Employees
  • Horticulture Maintenance Professionals
  • Grounds Crew Members
  • Landscapers
  • Master Gardeners
  • Park Maintenance Professionals
  • Weed Control Professionals

Meet Your Instructors

Bill Errickson, Rutgers University

Headshot of instructor Bill Errickson

Bill Errickson is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County. Bill holds a master’s degree in soil science from the University of New Hampshire and is completing a doctoral degree in plant biology from Rutgers University. He has led courses focused on sustainable soil management for commercial growers, home gardeners, and college students throughout New Jersey and New England. His current programmatic areas include supporting the NJ nursery and landscape industries in their efforts to promote native plants and ecological landscaping practices.

Tim Waller

Bio coming soon!

Steve Kristoph, Steven Kristoph Nursery

Headshot of instructor Steve Kristoph

Steve Kristoph is widely known for his encyclopedic knowledge of plant material. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from Rutgers University, and he has been an adjunct instructor at Rutgers for over 25 years. He also owns and operates Steven Kristoph Nursery in Monmouth County, NJ, where he grows many types of ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials. The landscaping division of his business, P. Steven Kristoph Garden Design, serves both residential and commercial customers and offers a full range of services, including design, installation, maintenance and seasonal color. Steve is passionate about plants and enjoys sharing his passion with others.

Student Reviews

“Provided useful, thought stimulating ideas plus useful information and answers to common problems.”

– Past Participant

“Well balanced overview of topic, touching on key points to consider.”

– Past Participant

“[I learned to] pay close attention to plants for signs of stress from disease and bugs.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Pest Management of Ornamental Landscape Plants (5.5 contact hours) was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Pest Management of Ornamental Landscape Plants course (5.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators:  2 units in CORE and 6B; 4 units in 3A, 8C and PP2

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 3 Technical and 2 Management Contact Hours (course #DLGS-RUCPE23-28)

NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 5.25 CEUs

NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 5.5 CEUs

DE, NY, PA and MD Pesticide Applicators: If you need pesticide credits in these states, you must register and notify Joe Canzano at least 45 days before the course start date. Call 848-932-7317 or send an email to joe.canzano@rutgers.edu.

Course Requirements and Policies

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least two (2) weeks in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

coronavirus icon COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Icon of map marker over folded mapLocation Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

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This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Pest Management of Ornamental Landscape Plants, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

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Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Zinnia plant with disease

Managing Diseases of Ornamental Landscape Plants

Insect crawling on white flowered plant

Managing Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants

Searching for pests on plant with magnifying glass as part of IPM approach to pest management

Landscape Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

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