Pest identification is key to maintaining a healthy, beautiful garden.  Join us on July 15th to hear Mark Kokinchak speak about two of the most common (and least understood) garden pests: downy mildews and scale insects. There is much confusion as to what downy mildews are (they are no longer considered fungus), and why they are such a problem.  Mark will cover a little history, a little biology, and how to implement simple, non-toxic methods of preventing major infestations.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Mark Kokinchak earned his BS degree in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Connecticut in 1985. Mark first worked for a family nursery obtaining practical landscape experience before attending UCONN. Afterwards, he trained with Bartlett Tree and implemented the first IPM Monitor program in Danbury, CT. He then worked for 15 years for Lesco, Inc. where he used his knowledge to encourage sales helping customers to understand insect and disease controls. Currently Mark conducts a wide range of insect, disease and weed control at a large wholesale nursery in Newtown and Watertown, CT. He also teaches License classes for CT.