Spring 2018 UAC Magazine

Focus on

pollinators

URBAN AG COUNCIL MAGAZINE GEORGIA

Keeping Georgia’s green industry informed

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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SPRING 2018

Advocate. Educate. Promote.1

LAZER Z DIESEL ®

THE ALL-NEW DIESEL LINE-UP

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

96” Lazer Z Diesel with UltraCut ™ Rear Dischage and Flex Wings

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EXMARK RAISES THE BAR FOR COMMERCIAL ZERO-TURN PRODUCTIVITY WITH THE 2018 LAZER Z DIESEL LINE-UP. Available with a new 96-inch UltraCut Rear Discharge with Flex Wing cutting deck and state of the art RED Technology-equipped Yanmar liquid-cooled diesel engines, the new machine is capable of cutting more than 10-acres per hour.* Lazer Z Diesel models are also available with a choice of 60- or 72-inch UltraCut cutting decks, in side- or rear-discharge configurations.

Visit one of our 1,500+ servicing dealers to experience the most innovative and reliable mowing products on the market. You’ll see, first hand, why the most respected landscape professionals trust Exmark 2-to-1 over the next best-selling brand of zero-turn mowers.‡ *Many manufacturers use 100% efficiency ratings for sale purposes. Exmark believes an 80% efficiency rating is more representative of actual mowing conditions, as it allows for turns and overlapping. Formulas for calculating acres per hour: 100% efficiency: MPH x width of cut ÷ 99 = acres per hour | 80% efficiency: MPH x width of cut ÷124 = acres per hour ‡Based on U.S. Data study by Wiese Research Associates, Inc. Market Share and Additional Equipment Study (February, 2016).

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UAC Magazine Official publication of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council

Board of Directors Todd Jarrett, President

Arbor Hill Nurseries Matt Lowe

Swift Straw Josh Morrow

Athletic Fields, Inc. Ken Morrow

The Turfgrass Group Chris Nelson

Chattahoochee Nature Center Bob Scott

Irrigation Consultant Services Ray Wiedman

Outdoor Expressions Ron White TurfPride

Ex Officio Ellen Bauske

UGA Extension Public Service Assistant Bodie Pennisi

UGA Extension Horticulturist Clint Waltz

UGA Extension Turf Agronomist

Staff Mary Kay Woodworth

Executive Director Kathy Johnson

Marketing Director & Editor Angie Jinright

Executive Assistant

A member of:

Georgia Urban Ag Council PO Box 3400 Duluth GA 30096 P: 800.687.6949 E: info@georgiauac.com www.urbanagcouncil.com All contents copyright 2018

GEORGIA

SPRING 2018

UAC NEWS

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Meet Angie Russell Jinright Executive Director message New vice president named Ewing names Childers to lead division What did you miss? Landscape Business Boot Camp UAC has a new mailing address What did you miss? UAC dinner at Arbor-Nomics Turf Looking to grow your team? Job postings on UAC's website

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REGULAR FEATURES Have you met... Lyle Collins, Southern Trillium, LLC Me & my mentor Jared Icard, Roots Turf and Ornamental Pest 411 European gypsy moth is knocking on Georgia's door Save the date Safety works Using pesticides safely Health & benefits UAC health insurance plan Pro project Cozy contemporary outdoor space, Classic Landscapes What the tech? Finding new clients Directory of advertisers

BUSINESS 30 32 34 35 36 37 38

Growing Managers Series The discipline of management Motivate without money Happy teams can be their own reward Small business tax returns What to do if you make a mistake Payroll mistakes Common errors that cause liability concerns Commercial insurance When to connect with your agent Online pest control CEUs UGA offers web-based education Get what you want Seven questions to keep you focused

INDUSTRY 40 41 42 43

Spread the word It's time to shine a light on our profession Outdoor water use rules Non-Drought and Drought Response Level 1 2019 SNA conference announced January 7-8, 2019 in Baltimore Hort scholarships $18,000 available in 2018

URBAN AG

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More than pollen and nectar What pollinators need Got shade? A pollinator-friendly landscape can be created in the shade Protecting pollinators What you can do to help their survival Giant milkweed Consider the possibilities Native cup plant A one-stop cafe for birds and pollinators Scarlet sage An old friend made even more dazzling How to plant a tree Why are we still doing it wrong?

Turfgrass diseases Identifying and preparing Cottontail rabbits Cute, cuddly, destructive Every bug is not a pest Identify before applying pesticides Distant cousins Native azaleas are very different from traditional variety

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Atlanta Botanical Garden Georgia Agribusiness Council Georgia Arborist Association Georgia Association of Water Professionals Georgia Green Industry Association Georgia Urban Forest Council Georgia Water Alliance National Association of Landscape Professionals Southern Nursery Association

URBAN AG COUNCIL MAGAZINE

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UAC NEWS

Meet Angie Russell Jinright “I’m a born and raised Georgia peach,” is how

Angie describes herself. Well, actually she was born in Ohio but the family moved to Norcross when she was four. She went to Norcross High School, then earned a business degree from UGA.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

After graduation, she did an internship at a retail store and discovered her talent for retail. She “I love meeting new people and loved it so much that she, along with learning more about their business, her mom, opened seeing how I can help them grow their own clothing their business and be a resource to and gift store on them."

Sugarloaf Parkway, ~ Angie Jinright across from what is now the Infinite Energy Center. Montage Boutique had an Anthropologie-type feel, with Angie managing the clothing and jewelry end of things and her mom handling the home accessories and gifts.

“Retail is a tough business but I loved working with people, getting to know their story, learning different things about them,” Angie said.

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They had the store for six years, and over that time she found the transformations she was able to help her customers achieve extremely rewarding. Women left the store feeling better about themselves and some of them have remained close friends to this day, but Angie wanted to work from home so she could give her children more attention. Montage Boutique was closed and she was ready for her next challenge.

“I’ve grown up in our family landscape company with a family of entrepreneurs, but I wanted to find my own niche,” she explains.

She’s never actually been an employee of

Russell Landscape Group, but she started Russell Enterprise, where she ordered uniforms, safety supplies, and marketing/promotional items for the landscape company for nine years.

“It was fun, in my wheelhouse, but I felt like I wanted something more,” she said. So she began a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, a designation for small businesses that are owned by “socially and economically disadvantaged individuals” (a group that includes women) and started bidding on government contracts with the Department of Transportation. Her company bid on highway work, maintaining medians. She enjoyed the challenge for a couple of years, but found that she missed the daily interaction with customers.

Then her brother, Teddy Russell, mentioned that Mary Kay Woodworth was looking for an executive assistant, working with Georgia Urban Ag Council’s landscape member companies.

That sounded right up her alley. She could work from home, which was perfect.

“I was familiar with MALTA, and Teddy had told me about UAC but I didn’t have a clear picture of what the organization was until Mary Kay explained it to me. I’m very impressed with UAC’s work for the industry and the support they give to landscape companies,” she said.

She’s been on the job for several weeks now.

What’s her favorite part? “I love meeting new people and learning more about their business, seeing how I can help them grow their business and be a resource to them,” she answers.

Her goal in this job? “I want to be able to answer everyone’s questions, be the best resource that I can be, help them get the most out of their membership. If I was a member, that's what I would need: an easy-to-reach resource to help my business grow,” she replied.

UAC members are encouraged to let Angie know what they most need from their UAC membership. Is there a service you wish we provided? Tools or information you need to advance your business? Training for yourself or

UAC NEWS your employees? UAC can use this feedback to see how to better meet your needs.

with the administrative part of my job and have that organized; now I can dive in to focusing on members a lot more. That is the part of my job that I love,” Angie said.

Right now, Angie is reaching out to individual members during their annual renewal time, introducing herself, letting them know she’s at their service, and asking for feedback about UAC. She’s also contacting new members to welcome them to the organization, and will soon start branching out to members at random to say hello and offer help.

People who know Angie describe her as warm and trusting, an easy-to-get-to-know kind of person who is a good listener. “Active listening, really taking in what they have to say, is important to me,” she said.

Meet Angie Jinright. UAC’s newest member benefit is waiting to get to know you.

“People are starting to learn who I am. I’m excited about attending more events, getting to know more members. I’m in the swing of things

Phone: 800.687.6949 Email: angie@georgiauac.com

Dear UAC Members and Supporters, This time of year gardening blogs, magazines and websites are chock-full of checklists about how to prepare landscapes and gardens for spring, hot new trends in outdoor living and the latest, greatest flowers, trees and shrubs. New clients will be searching for companies that can provide these things; existing clients will likely tell you exactly what they want and when!

School – View and download training 4Safety content, slide presentations, and attendance T.E.S.T. documents (Task/ 4Safety Equipment Specific Training) - Everything

To help new customers to find you, double check that your company profile, on the UAC website, is accurate – including contact information, services and service areas. Upload your logo and project photos, and include an accurate profile with keywords for searches. Login as a member at urbanagcouncil.com today.

Another UAC member benefit is our home page job posting. All business-level members are eligible to post on this site. Log-in and select “Post a job” in the members-only area.

A high priority for your company should be training – to protect your employees and train them on equipment use – to help your bottom line and workman’s comp costs. Check your emails for new resources and use these training tools now at your disposal on UAC's site:

you need to conduct safety training on the equipment your employees use every day.

UAC also offers a variety of opportunities through this magazine, seminars, webinars, and promotion of events - for you to learn about and engage with business consultants (Ken Thomas/Ben Gandy – Envisor Consulting; Tony Bass; Jeffrey Scott; and more). Each of us has different needs, so we provide an assortment of articles and links. In 2017-2018, we are featuring a series of articles from Green Mark Consulting (Steven Cohen and Bill Eastman), and this month introduce you to Brett Stewart, with tracFIRST. We hope that you enjoy these articles, and would appreciate your feedback.

Finally, thank you to all of the UAC member companies who have gone above and beyond their membership investment commitment and become SEED Sponsors (Support, Energize, Enable, Develop). These financial contributions assist our operations and initiatives, and at the same time promote these companies with a listing on all of our print information and emails. Please contact me today to add your name to this list!

Mary Kay Woodworth Executive Director

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

As you prepare for the season, are you also thinking from a larger, organizational perspective, and taking advantage of this time of hiring and retraining to prepare your employees for the spring and summer seasons?

sheets on a wide range of safety topics.

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UAC NEWS

New vice president named

Ewing names Childers to lead Eastern Division

By Veronica Biczo Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply, the

largest familyowned supplier of landscape and water management products in the country, announced in March 2018 that Tom Childers is the new Eastern Division Vice President.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Childers will lead Ewing’s continued growth and expansion in the eastern United States, leveraging Childers will lead Ewing’s continued his more than 26 growth and expansion in the eastern years of experience United States, leveraging his more in the landscape than 26 years of experience in the and green industry. landscape and green industry.

Childers’ vast experience includes business operations and development, sales and marketing.

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“Bringing Tom into the Ewing family of employees further strengthens our leadership team in the east. His values align with Ewing’s — deliver quality products and excellent service while creating an environment of success.” ~ Douglas W. York

President and Chief Executive Officer Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply

Currently Ewing’s geographic footprint in the east includes locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,

South Carolina and Tennessee. Childers will lead this region with a focus on operational excellence, quality customer service, business development and customer relations.

“Throughout the country, Ewing is known for its rich and deep commitment to the green industry and to its ongoing training and development of customers and employees. As Ewing continues to build upon its products, services and customer base, I’m looking forward to serving our customers and stores in the Eastern Division,” said Childers.

Prior to joining Ewing, Childers was the cofounder and president of Landscape Today, a sales and marketing agency serving green industry manufacturers, for nearly four years.

Previously he was the senior vice president of marketing at John Deere Landscapes for nearly 13 years. He also held leadership roles with Toro and Turf Care Products. Childers earned a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Kennesaw State University in Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Auburn University in Alabama.

About Ewing

Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply is the largest family-owned supplier of landscape and water management products in the country. As your business partner, we offer products and education for irrigation and landscape, turf and land management, outdoor living, sports fields, golf and sustainable solutions. Our nationwide network of friendly, knowledgeable staff helps green industry professionals discover products and services for business success.

UAC NEWS

The secret of our strength is YOU! As a member of Georgia’s premier association for green industry professionals, you have the power to make your industry stronger.

Networking & marketing

Diverse educational opportunities, from monthly dinner meetings to workshops that help you meet licensing requirements

Meet industry leaders and get your product or service in front of our growing membership

UAC Magazine

Trade show & field days

Six issues/year packed with the information you need on business, industry, and urban ag topics

PLUS:

Legislative support

Education

State and national governmental affairs/legislative monitoring

Judges Choice

The latest trends, newest equipment, and cutting edge research, all brought together for you

Awards From design/build to maintenance to community service to green innovations to safety, UAC awards programs give you a chance to shine and be recognized

Reduce your costs UAC Workers Compensation and Health Benefits programs through WS Pharr/Snellings Walters offer competitive rates and outstanding customer service.

PO Box 817 Commerce GA 30529 | P: 800.687.6949 | E: info@urbanagcouncil.com | urbanagcouncil.com

Tell a colleague about Georgia UAC today!

Your continued support of the Georgia Urban Ag Council shows your commitment to a strong industry.

With your help, we can grow even stronger.

Your industry. Your passion. Pass it on.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Advocate.Educate.Promote.

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UAC NEWS

WHAT DID YOU MISS? Landscape Business Boot Camp

January 18 Snellings Walters Insurance Agency Atlanta GA

The Georgia Urban Ag Council in partnership with Green Industry Pros Magazine sponsored the Landscape Business Boot Camp. On a snowy January day, GreenMark Consulting Group brought its Boot Camp to Atlanta, a combination of business and industry expertise and accelerated knowledge of in-depth strategies.

4 Cores of Landscape Business Success: 1. Guiding the Business 2. Running the Business 3. Getting the Business 4. Doing the Business Participants learned about each of the 4 cores and received Landscape Business Courseware and GreenMark's Landscape Business Success Toolkits™, blueprints to guide them when they returned to their businesses.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

UAC has a new mailing address

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Effective immediately, our mailing address has changed to: Georgia Urban Ag Council | PO Box 3400 | Duluth GA 30096 Our phone number remains the same: 800.687.6949

Please make a note of our new address.

UAC NEWS

WHAT DID YOU MISS? Networking + Education Dinner

February 27 Arbor-Nomics Turf Marietta GA

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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HAVE YOU MET

Lyle Collins

Southern Trillium, LLC

My first job in the green industry...basic

lawn maintenance for neighbors during high school. I would mow lawns after school and other activities were over.

The biggest challenge in my career has been.. learning how to grow a company and adjust to the constant changes.

There was the total water ban and heavy Lyle Collins water restrictions Phone: 678-525-8207 experienced in Email: lyle@southerntrillium.com the Atlanta area.

Address: 5033 Antebellum Drive Then there was the

Stone Mountain, GA 30087 slowdown of the Web: southerntrillium.com economy. I have learned how to adjust and diversify, but I never know what will be the next hurdle.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

The people who have influenced my career are...first, I would say David Berle at

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UGA. I majored in Religion at UGA but began to realize more of my interest in horticulture during my junior year. After taking the intro to Horticulture class taught by Professor Berle, I asked for him to sign me into his Residential Landscape Design class the following semester.

He allowed me, as a Religion major, to take his class, which was the beginning of my path.

Second, I would say Brooks Garcia. I met Brooks at the 2013 Southeastern Flower Show where we were installing a garden for the show.

Since then, we have become friends and I consider him a mentor who has challenged me to consider each detail in everything I do.

My biggest career success so far has been..surviving the recession. While many

other companies were struggling and closing, mine was growing. This year marks the 14th year of my business. I am grateful for each and every one.

If I had it to do over again, I would.. probably go and work for another company in the beginning. I, along with two others, originally started Southern Trillium in 2004, one year after graduating college. I have never worked for anyone else, and I believe I could have benefited greatly from that experience.

The thing I like most about my career is.... designing and creating custom landscapes

and gardens that only improve as time goes by.

We live in a world of instant gratification, but a garden cannot be created instantly, nor is it enjoyed all at one moment. It is always growing and changing as the seasons come and go.

Walking a garden only days apart may reveal new plants appearing and in bloom. A garden is art that is lived in and experienced over time.

My least favorite part of my job is... keeping up with the ever-changing rules and regulations required when owning and operating a company. I have to keep track of everything, including: employees, DOT regulations, building/construction codes, permitting policies in each jurisdiction, tree ordinances, erosion regulations, chemical licensing, and insurance policies. It is a balancing act of keeping up with all of these while doing the part of my career that I love.

The one thing most responsible for my success is...my constant desire to learn more

and be the best I can be in my field. I always want to understand more, so I read more. I have sought out licenses and certifications to further my expertise and career, such as being an ISA Certified Arborist as well as a Georgia Licensed Residential Contractor.

HAVE YOU MET One piece of advice I would give to someone entering the green industry today is...learn all that you can and reach out to those around you for advice. As they say, you don’t live long enough to make all the mistakes, so learn from the mistakes of others.

If I could change careers, just for a month, I would...be a park ranger at

Yellowstone National Park. It is one of my favorite places, and I would enjoy interacting with the other guests while admiring and explaining the beauty of the park.

One thing that really annoys me is...seeing improper work done by so-called professionals.

“Crape Murder” is on the top of my list. I would love to see the annual topping of crape myrtles become a footnote in a history book.

When I'm not working, I like to...spend

time with my wife and two young daughters.

I enjoy working in our own gardens and am constantly improving our home with custom remodeling and details. We are involved at our church, where I volunteer with the senior high

From left: Lily, Hannah, Lynden and Lyle, taken at Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze. youth group. I also love photography and have been shooting for over 20 years now.

One thing most people don't know about me is...I am an Eagle Scout. My eagle project

was a meditation garden at a church which included both hardscaping and landscaping. It is still there and used to this day, 20 years later.

SEED sponsorship opportunities support | energize | enable | develop

SEED sponsorships offer our members an additional opportunity to promote their businesses and support UAC at a level beyond the membership dues.

seed support | energize | enable | develop

URBAN AG COUNCIL GEORGIA

Thank you to all of our SEED Sponsors!

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Gold Chatham Landscape Services | Ed Castro Landscape | Greenwood Group | Landmark Landscapes | Legacy Farms | MNI Direct | Outdoor Expressions | Seasonal Solution | Topiary Courtyard | Unique Environmental Landscapes Silver Classic Landscapes | Crabapple Landscape Experts | The Outdoor Lights Bronze LawnSouth

Contact us today to see how you can become a SEED Sponsor!

800.687.6949 | info@urbanagcouncil.com | urbanagcouncil.com

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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ME &NEWS MY MENTOR UAC

Standing apart

How to distinguish yourself from competitors

by Jared Icard, Roots Turf and Ornamental Q: “How do you establish yourself as a professional company and deal with the challenges of competing with non-professional counterparts?”

Our office is located at the corner of a very busy intersection, less than half a block away from a nationwide irrigation supply warehouse.

Any given day, I can look out the window of my office and lose count of the amount of trucks that ride by with “free estimates,” and/or “licensed and insured” advertisements on them.

That’s not what makes you different or makes your company stand out in an otherwise flooded market.

It is extremely important to establish your OWN brand. Do this by creating a voice for your company, a voice that reflects your brand and allows your company to become more apparent.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Once potential clients begin inquiring about the type of services your company offers, it is essential for you to be knowledgeable and able to adequately answer any questions that may arise in a professional manner. After all, we are in the customer service business. We just happen to offer lawn care and landscape services!

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Knowledge is power Knowing the "in"s and "out"s of your industry is imperative. Continuing to educate ourselves and our clients helps us to stand out.

We encourage our staff to attend continuing education courses often and obtain licenses that are available to us in our industry. This allows our employees to keep an edge on the competition by being able to educate existing clients and potential clients along the way.

Be personal and honest Every single person who inquires about our services gets the same treatment as would our own family. We physically go out and visit every property for all of our estimates. I know that there is technology available for us to be able to provide estimates right from our desks. But for me, not visiting that property just leaves the door open for us to lose that personal

My name is Jared Icard, I am 35 years old and have been in the Green Industry for 15 years. I started my career working for a couple of national lawn care companies before starting my own company, Roots Turf and Ornamental, in 2012.

ME & MY MENTOR relationship with people that can be established in the very beginning. Our clients are not just a number!

We DO NOT over sell and under produce, and absolutely DO NOT make promises that can’t be kept.

There are so many companies that offer unrealistic expectations to homeowners about what their services can actually do for their lawn or landscape. We aren’t miracle workers. We can’t fight Mother Nature, she’ll always win. We are lawn care professionals.

There have been many instances where we have had to tell potential clients that our services just aren’t right for them, we simply cannot provide what they want or are expecting us to achieve. Grass is a crop. It’s a living breathing organism, and things happen. We always make sure to let our clients know that, especially when

their expectations and goals are unrealistic.

Environmental, mechanical, and cultural practices always play a part in the way a lawn or landscape is able to function and thrive.

Quality before quantity, all the time, every time Your reputation is what people think of you and what sets you apart from your competitors. Whether individually or as a team, all you have is your reputation, and once that has been tainted it’s hard to get it back.

Our company’s standard will not be compromised. The quality of work that we produce truly means the most to me. It’s something that is not taken lightly and that cannot be stressed enough, in my opinion. I always reiterate to my staff that our quality comes first.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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PEST 411

Get ready

European gypsy moth is knocking on Georgia's door

by Matthew Chappell and John Ruter, University of Georgia

European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is an economically important landscape insect pest in the northeastern United States. It was first introduced to the United States in 18681869 near Boston, Massachusetts by E. Leopold Trouvelot, an artist and amateur entomologist.

He first introduced the species from France in an attempt to produce silk from the larvae, but was unsuccessful in the attempt and soon lost interest in the experiment. During this time, the pest escaped its housing and found shelter within the surrounding neighborhood vegetation.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Over 30 years passed before the moth was recognized as a forest/landscape pest; and several attempts to eradicate the pest soon began (Figure 1). However, the attempts were too few and too late; European gypsy moth had become established in the surrounding area. An epidemic had started, with no viable means to stop the spread at the time and limited methods now; the species continues to flourish and spread south and westward (Figure 2).

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Currently, European gypsy moth is one of the top quarantine species in the United States and continues to be monitored heavily by the U.S Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service. Unfortunately for us in Georgia, we are about to find ourselves in the crosshairs of this insect pest. This review is intended to provide an update on the pest and what we can expect in Georgia when the bugger arrives.

Life cycle European gypsy moth has four life stages: eggs, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs of the European gypsy moth are laid by females, typically in the fall, as an overwintering stage. Eggs then hatch in spring (April in the Northeast but earlier in the mid-Atlantic). Each egg mass generally contains 500-1000 eggs and is protected by a dense mat of brown or tan hairs (Figure 3).

They are laid within layers of bark or on any outdoor object that provides some shelter from the elements. The larva (caterpillar) hatches from these eggs laid by the female and is the next life stage of the insect. While the color of

Projected 10-year intervals without slow the spread implemented

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Gypsy Moth eradication attempts by residents in the Boston Area. Gypsy Moths in North America. USDA FS

Gypsy Moth predicted spread and range map.

Gypsy Moths in North America. USDA FS

PEST 411 the caterpillar may vary from tan to a darker brown, the caterpillar is rather easy to identify by the colored dots on its back; there are 5 blue dots on the thorax (behind the head) followed by 6 red dots along the abdomen (rear-end) of the caterpillar (Figure 4). Most damage to trees and vegetation is caused during the larval stage. The caterpillar constantly feeds on foliage to prepare for metamorphosis into a pupa. Most young caterpillars feed during the day, while older caterpillars feed at night. There are instances where all ages of caterpillars feed during day and night depending on the scarcity of food.

To travel to new sources of food, the caterpillar attaches a silken thread to the top of trees and allows the wind to carry them to a new point on adjacent trees. After seven weeks the larva has acquired enough nutrients to enter into the pupal stage.

Figure 3. European gypsy moth egg masses.

Evgeny Akulov, Russian Research Institute Of Plant Quarantine, Bugwood.org

Figure 4. European gypsy moth larvae (caterpillar).

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

The caterpillar enters the pupa stage between June and early July in the Northeast, and 3-4 weeks earlier in the mid-Atlantic. In Georgia, due to an earlier spring, this could be even earlier, although this is speculation at this point.

In the pupa stage the caterpillar surrounds itself in a dark brown shell covered in small tan hairs. The cocoons or shells can be found within sheltered areas, generally between the bark of trees or in leaf litter. The adult moth emerges 10 to 14 days later (Figure 5). The female moths have tan wings and a distinguishing ‘V’ on their wings. The female moths are larger than the males and they do not possess the ability to fly. The male moths have brown wings and a brown body. They also possess feathery antenna, unlike the females. Despite only one generation per year, the populations can reach epidemic proportions due to the large number of eggs laid by a single female.

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Range and spread The current U.S. range of European gypsy moth is from northern Maine southward to nearly the North Carolina/Georgia border.

The current front of the pest is North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Since the release of the moth 130 years ago it has spread at a rate of 21 Km/year (13 miles/year).

USDA APHIS PPQ , USDA APHIS PPQ , Bugwood.org

Figure 5. Male (brown) and female (tan) gypsy moths.

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PEST 411 an outside source. The most common form of physical movement is transportation by humans.

The caterpillars, along with the egg masses, have been known to travel many miles outside of the established range attached to a vehicle.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry , Bugwood.org

Figure 6. Aerial view of defoliation from European gypsy moth – the

area of defoliation is progressing from the top right to the lower left of this image.

Interestingly, over the last century the rate of annual spread has been increasing; between 1900-1915 the rate of spread was only 9.5 Km/ year (5.9 miles/year). At this rate, European gypsy moth is knocking on Georgia’s boarder in 2018 - and would reach the piedmont of Georgia by 2025. There are several factors that contribute to the spread of the European gypsy moth, including both biological and physical.

The primary biological modes of travel include flight and crawling.

(caterpillars) can traverse several trees 4Larva within the seven weeks before entering the pupa stage.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

next mode of travel is flight; once the 4The adult emerges from the pupa stage it has the

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ability to fly. The males and females both have wings, however only the males are able to fly.

The distance that males are able to fly is also minimal due to the size of their wings, however with the help of wind currents they can travel a much farther distance.

mode of travel is the previously stated 4Another ability of the caterpillar to attach a silken thread to the tops of trees and then use the wind to travel to a neighboring tree. This mode of movement is both a biological and physical mode of travel.

next mode of movement is physical in that 4The it is physically moved to another location by

But the most prevalent form of transportation is the transport of firewood without proper treatment or checking for insects on or within the wood. In fact, it has been identified three times in Georgia prior to 2017 (Fannin, Rockdale and White Counties), all attributed to human movement.

In all three cases, rapid chemical treatment of adjacent areas seems to have prevented spread.

Current damage Since the introduction of the pest in the northeastern United States, European gypsy moth has become one of the most significant pests of ornamental and forest trees. The European gypsy moth has the ability to fully defoliate a tree/forest (Figure 6) and create lasting damage, including mortality if a tree is repeatedly and completely defoliated over several years. During the larval stage, caterpillars must constantly feed on foliage to provide enough nutrients for a successful shift to the pupal stage. The caterpillar is a free feeder, meaning that it consumes the entire leaf without any constraints on its digestive system.

Generally, an infestation of the European gypsy moth occurs over a four-year period.

The defoliation is typically light in the first two years and then intensifies in the third year.

By the fourth year the canopy is completely defoliated and if total defoliation continues a fifth and/or sixth year, the trees are typically not able to recover. The population of caterpillars then declines as the local food source declines and this forces following generations to push outward (in this case south and west).

The main food source of the European gypsy moth are mature hardwood trees. However, research from Maryland indicates they can survive and reproduce when ingesting a mixed diet of hardwood and pine foliage, including

PEST 411

Tolerant

Resistant

Acer negundo

Acer rubrum

Abies balsamea

Alnus spp.

Acer saccharum

Abies fraseri

Amelanchier canadensis

Amelanchier arborea

Acer penslyvanicum

Betula nigra

Aesculus spp.

Acer spicatum

Betula papyrifera

Asimina triloba

Camaecyparis thyoides

Betula populifolia

Betula alleghaniensis

Catalpa spp.

Carpinus caroliniana

Betula lenta

Fraxinus spp.

Corylus spp.

Carya spp.

Gleditsia triacanthos

Crataegus spp.

Castenea dentata

Gymnocladus dioicus

Fagus americana

Castenea pumila

Ilex opaca

Hamamelis virginiana

Celtis occidentalis

Juniperis virginiana

Larix decidua

Cercis canadensis

Kalmia latifolia

Larix laricina

Cornus florida

Ligustrum spp.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Diospyros virginiana

Lindera benzoin

Malus spp.

Jugulans spp.

Liriodendron tulipifera

Ostrya virginiana

Magnolia acuminata

Maclura pomifera

Populus balsamifera

Nyssa sylvatica

Morus alba

Populus grandidentata

Oxydendrum arboreum

Morus rubra

Populus tremuloides

Picea spp.

Platanus occidentalis

Pyrus spp.

Pinus spp.

Rhododendron spp.

Quercus spp.

Populus alba

Robinia pseudoacacia

Salix spp.

Populus deltoides

Rubus spp.

Sorbus spp.

Prunus avium

Taxodium distichum

Tilia americana

Prunus penslyvanica

Thuja occidentalis

Prunus serotina

Ulmus rubra

Prunus virginiana

Viburnum spp.

Sassafras albidum Tsuga canadensis Tsuga caroliniana Ulmus spp.

Vaccinum spp.

Table 1.

List of species that have been classified as susceptible (greater than 75% plant damage or larval survival in research trials), tolerant (10-75% plant damage or larval survival in research trials), or resistant (less than 10% damage or larval survival in research trials).

This table does not include species that are suspected to be susceptible, tolerant or resistant to European gypsy moth, only species included in formal research trials. See literature review for specific studies.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Susceptible

17

PEST 411 some understory trees and shrubs. They feed on hundreds of forest and landscape species including both hardwoods and conifers; a comprehensive literature search was conducted to compile a list of economically important trees, which can be found in Table 1. However, some of the most affected / preferred trees include oak (Quercus spp.), alder (Alnus spp.), beech (Fagus spp.), and willow (Salix spp.). When infestations begin in an area, scouting for the insect should be done on or around these taxa.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

The main concern for susceptible trees, besides the previously stated annual defoliation of the trees, is that constant defoliation and re-growth by the tree causes an immense amount of stress on the tree. The stress put on the tree by the constant defoliation weakens its ability to protect itself from environmental stress or secondary pests. When the tree is stressed it is more likely to be attacked by different insects including bark beetles and boring insects. Along with increased attacks from insects it is also susceptible to a variety of pathogens and bacterial infections.

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Expected damage in the Southeast Although the European gypsy moth hasn’t yet spread entirely across the southeast, and has not gained a foothold in Georgia, its 13 mile per-year progression southward from North Carolina into Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee is as foreboding as it is inevitable.

The preferred hosts (oak, alder, beech, and willow) are plentiful in this region and the warmer climate offers the possibilities of smaller moth die-offs in winter and shorter moth generation lengths (in other words, more moths in less time). Moth eggs are susceptible to freezes early or late in the season, and cold, rainy weather can slow larvae development, feeding, and spread. The south’s warmer weather could result in rapid moth population growth and massive forest dieback. Street trees – already under stress – will likely be targeted by the insects, along with trees in yards, parks, and other high-stress urban plantings.

Homeowners, property owners and property managers turn to the Internet to find landscapers, landscape management firms, and other Urban Ag providers they can trust.

Reporting & Recommendat

,

They find you on your website, Facebook page, LinkedIn page, Yelp, Angie’s List, and Houzz to check-out what you’ve done, areas you service, and even schedule appointments.

To earn trust, you need a website and social media sites with great content and images that showcase your professionalism and expertise. You also need digital tools that help build positiveonline reviews.

Turn to WebTech.

We help companies grow and improve their brand online, where their customers are looking

User friendly websites with fewer bounces, more click throughs, and longer page views Logical online marketing strategies with proven results

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Learn more about how we deliver results for Urban Ag members and affiliates with a free, no-obligation assessment of your online presence.

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Cost effective and targeted advertising campaigns specifically designed for seasonal growth

19

SAVE THE DATE

Visit urbanagcouncil.com for updates and to register.

UAC Demo Night at Yancey

MAY

15

Networking + Education Dinner

DATE: TIME: PLACE: PRICE:

Tuesday, May 15 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Yancey Bros. Co. | 300 Lee Industrial Blvd. | Austell, GA 30168 UAC members: $35 | Visitors: $45 | UGA CAES: $25

UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day

AUG

DATE: Thursday, August 9 PLACE: UGA Griffin Campus

9

www.GeorgiaTurf.com

MAR

26 2019

GALA

GEORGIA URBAN AG COUNCIL

GEORGIA LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Georgia Landscape Awards Ceremony & Banquet DATE: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 TIME: 5:30 cash bar | 6:30 dinner and presentation PLACE: Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park

1320 Monroe Dr. NE | Atlanta GA 30306

Mark you calendar and start planning your entry!

Looking to grow your team?

Did you know that UAC's website has a job posting section?

If you're a business-level member you can post there for free.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Just follow the instructions below, enter your job and contact information, then your posting will be listed on UAC's website for 30 days. It will automatically expire, but you can always post it again if the position hasn't been filled.

20

Here's how to access: > Go to urbanagcouncil.com > Use the "MEMBERSHIP" menu tab > Click on "Members-only content" under "MANAGE" > Log in as a member > Use the email address and password that is associated with your UAC membership > Need help? Contact us:

info@urbanagcouncil.com or 800.687.6949 > Under the "Business" category, click on

"Submit a job posting."

LOW SCAPE® Mound

Challenge accepted.

LOW SCAPE® Aronia

LOW SCAPE® Hedger

LOW SCAPE® Hedger FULL TO PART SUN USDA ZONE 3, AHS 9 3-5' tall, 2-3' wide

You’ll find the perfect shrubs for challenging landscapes in the Low Scape® aronia series. Low Scape® Hedger offers a short, columnar habit that is perfect for a formal hedge, bursting with white spring flowers. Low Scape® Mound has a tiny, mounded habit with loads of white spring flowers and purple-black fruit in summer. Best of all, they will both thrive almost anywhere, cold climates and hot, wet soils and dry, sun and part shade.

10’

LOW SCAPE® Mound FULL TO PART SUN USDA ZONE 3, AHS 9 1-2' tall, 2' wide

Coming fall 2018 Hillside Ornamentals Byron • 478-956-0945 http://hillsideornamentals.com

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

10’

LOW SCAPE® Mound Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM165’ ppaf, cbraf LOW SCAPE® Hedger Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM166’ ppaf, cbraf

21 April-June_Georgia UAC_Low Scape.indd 1

2/8/18 2:54 PM

SAVE THE DATE SAFETY WORKS

Using pesticides safely

National Pesticide Safety Education Month is launched

by Christina Conner Hundreds of people get sick each year from

inappropriate pesticide use, but those who don’t deal with pesticides daily may not think about it very often.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Pesticides are used in homes, workplaces, During National Pesticide Safety Education apartments, farms Month in February, University of Georgia and other places Cooperative Extension personnel urged where humans need homeowners, and all Georgians, to to control pests such learn more about the safe use, storage as weeds, insects, and disposal of pesticides. Land-grant fungi, rodents and universities across the nation provide even viruses. Of the programs to educate both public and private 11 states participating sector groups about pesticide safety. in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) pesticide safety program, workers reported 853 serious injuries from pesticides in 2011, according to the CDC.

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During National Pesticide Safety Education Month this February, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension personnel urged homeowners, and all Georgians, to learn more about the safe use, storage and disposal of pesticides. Land-grant universities across the nation provide programs to educate both public and private sector groups about pesticide safety.

“Pesticide safety education is key to helping pesticide applicators, both commercial and agricultural, safely and effectively use available pesticides to protect their crops and livelihoods,” said Mickey Taylor, UGA Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) coordinator.

“At the same time, they want to protect themselves, their employees and colleagues from any potential ill effects of pesticide use

in addition to protecting their families and neighbors. As good stewards of the land, (they want to) preserve our environment for the future.”

This year, the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), the American Phytopathological Society (APS) and the Entomological Society of America (ESA) joined forces to highlight pesticide safety education programs and to teach pesticide safety to the public during the collaboration’s inaugural National Pesticide Safety Education Month in February.

UGA Extension’s PSEP promotes the safe, responsible use of pesticides by individuals and commercial groups by providing training programs, materials and educational resources covering pest identification, personal safety, safe storage and disposal of pesticides, environmental protection, pesticide drift and runoff prevention, threatened and endangered species protection, water quality protection, and food safety.

“Georgia’s PSEP offers online training modules covering core pesticide safety topics for agricultural producers seeking private applicator licenses, and core and some category study guides for commercial applicators of pesticides,” Taylor said. “In addition, recertification classes are offered in requesting counties around Georgia, as well as regional training classes that offer re-certification credit hours.”

PSEP also offers an online training course, the Georgia Competent Applications of Pesticides Program, that teaches basic pesticide safety to homeowners, public service employees

SAFETY WORKS and public volunteers, like Master Gardener Extension Volunteers, according to Taylor.

“This allows anyone in Georgia who might want to learn about the proper and safe use of pesticides to do so from the comfort of their own living room,” Taylor said.

Taylor is the editor of UGA Extension’s Georgia Pest Management Handbook, which is revised and published annually. Copies of the handbook are provided to all UGA Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agents and are sold to crop advisers, chemical distribution companies and to the general public throughout the Southeast.

More information about UGA Extension’s pesticide safety resources can be found at www.extension.uga.edu/programsservices/pesticide-safety-education.

Get the training Visit UAC's Safety School to get training materials (training notes, slide presentation, attendance sheets) on these topics:

 

Global Harmonization System Pesticide safety

UAC Safety School is available online to all business-level UAC members. Here's how to access: > Go to urbanagcouncil.com > Use the "MEMBERSHIP" menu tab > Click on "Members-only content" under "MANAGE" > Log in as a member > Use the email address and password that is associated with your UAC membership > Need help? Contact us:

info@urbanagcouncil.com or 800.687.6949 > Scroll to the "Safety" category on that list and click on "Visit UAC Safety School"

Mid Tenn Turf, Inc. — 1/2 Page Horizontal Ad for Deep South Turf Expo Program

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

georgia

23

HEALTH & BENEFITS

The average rate increase for health insurance is 9%.

Members of the

Urban Ag Council’s health insurance plan

averaged a

12.5% decrease

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

on their health insurance renewal.

24

Are you confident that you’re doing everything possible to manage your health insurance?

Contact us to discuss the program and eligibility.

Steve Harmon, Principal sharmon@snellingswalters.com

Billy Potter, Benefits Consultant bpotter@snellingswalters.com

770.396.9600

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Health Care Benefits Program

4

There’s nothing easy about health insurance.

Unless you’re a UAC member.

ways your life just got easier

SPEND LESS TIME ON INSURANCE ISSUES

1

> One invoice for all coverages > Online systems for your HR managers > We’ll help you design a plan that is tailored to your specific needs > Bilingual call center so your employees can call directly for information

> The power of your group gives you more bang for your buck so you can offer more for less > Position your company to compete for the best employees > Take care of your current employees so they remain loyal to your company

3

4

2

CHOOSE YOUR DOCTORS AND FACILITIES

> Large national network means more options for you and your employees

ose! Medical ••• Dental ••• Vision ••• Life ••• Disability ••• Voluntary Benefits You cho

Contact us to discuss the program and eligibility.

Steve Harmon, Principal sharmon@snellingswalters.com

Billy Potter, Benefits Consultant bpotter@snellingswalters.com

770.396.9600

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

> Drive results that are more predictable and create long-term savings for your company > Help contain your costs by offering company-specific wellness programs like tobacco cessation or activity-based challenges > Just like your safety programs help you reduce workers comp claims, wellness programs can significantly reduce your health costs > Don’t worry, we’ll help you develop MAKE PRICING programs that work for your MORE PREDICTABLE company

OFFER BENEFITS LIKE THE BIG COMPANIES

25

SAVE THE DATE PRO PROJECT

Cozy contemporary outdoor space Project by Classic Landscapes classiclandscapesga.com

This small suburban back yard was mainly a leftover spot dominated by out-of-scale

screening trees that made it feel like it was in a huge hole, a deck too small to accommodate more than two or three people, and no gardening space to speak of. Our clients like to visit with friends and family out of doors, cook with a few kitchen herbs and hang out later than dusk doing it.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Our client wanted to keep the existing retaining wall as is, so color choices were critical in moving attention away from it to the immediate space such as red for the urn fountain and roses and the richer path color of the mini slate.

26

Before Overgrown cypresses dwarfed the empty space, making it seem smaller than it was.

Walk and snapped stair tread “walls� integrate site amenities cohesively in linear fashion.

PRO PROJECT

GALA

GEORGIA URBAN AG COUNCIL

GEORGIA LANDSCAPE AWARDS

AWARD WINNER: Distinction

A fire table with dark blue and grey tones help warm the atmosphere on chilly nights outside and provide a focal point as you enter the garden from the parking court.

Urn fountain placement draws visitors in from parking court to the main focal area. Concrete stepping stones help guide guests to the large deck at the back of the home. A small herb garden near the fountain ensures that fresh herbs are available for cooking while blending ornamentally into the design.

Copper landscape lights will develop a patina to blend into the landscape in the day and light the space for late nights in the garden.

The small deck size limited the scope of outdoor gatherings at finished floor elevation. The enlarged deck facilitates larger gatherings while wider steps allow for easier ingress and egress.

The dark grey furniture and deck enlargement not only helped open up more entertainment space but also draw visitors' eyes to the main elevation of the garden with its repetition of strong color.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Before

27

WHAT THE TECH?

Finding new clients

How to leverage your existing network

by Jasmine Rozier, WebTech Marketing Services strategic planning, your existing customers can help introduce you to new opportunities and increase sales.

Word-of-mouth marketing The two primary word-of-mouth (W.o.M.) marketing methods that you can leverage are referral and influencer programs. Most people trust the recommendations of their friends and families over a company spokesperson; they’re more likely to use a product or service when the message comes from a familiar and reliable source.

are one of the oldest forms of 4Referrals business promotion and is the simplest of the Kathy G. Johnson

With some strategic planning, your existing customers can help introduce you to new opportunities and increase sales.

on the other hand, tap into the 4Influencers, exploding digital market and provide a means

You’ve successfully launched your own business and built a sizable and reliable customer base. You’ve had time to really

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

work on your business and iron out any kinks that may have come up along the way. So, what’s next for you and your company?

28

Expansion, of course. Since customers are the backbone of any business, it’s essential for you to keep generating leads and engaging with your current base. As many business owners soon realize, however, growing your client base is easier said than done.

One of the most obvious ways to recruit new customers is to deploy your sales team. Having a department dedicated to chasing down leads and hunting for new business provides an advantage that can’t be overlooked. But, many sales teams often get so caught up looking for new clients that they forget about one of their greatest assets: existing clients. With some

W.o.M. marketing tools. It usually works by having previous customers recommend your services and gifting them with a reward when those friends make a purchase.

for companies to use individuals with a large online following to promote their products.

Be proactive and reach out to current customers for introductions and referrals. These are some of the strongest leads that you could generate as W.o.M. remains a powerful agent in the growth of businesses.

There’s an implied sense of trust in having someone you know or admire mention a product or service. Turn your customers into advocates for your brand.

Always make sure that your clients leave with a product that they’re satisfied with and believe in.

Testimonials Testimonials offer the ability to showcase your brand and prove that you have success in helping others achieve their desired goals.

WHAT THE TECH? They show that you have a history of providing what you promise on your website and other marketing materials. For a testimonial to be successful, it has to say more than “John did a good job.” It must describe why the client chose you over competitors and should explain the results that were obtained from your partnership.

To secure a testimonial, simply call or email your satisfied clients and ask them to provide you with a few sentences about the experience they had with your business.

banners, business cards, brochures or 4Consider newsletters as a means of communicating your

in a tough market, going professional 4Ifmayyou’re be your best course of action. An online

After each completed project, be sure to gather testimonials as well as images.

Images add to the trustworthiness of your services by providing a visual means for potential clients to gauge success.

For any testimonial, always be sure that they comply with the guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission! This means your testimonials must be authentic and reflect the typical user’s experience.

Online review acquisition An often-overlooked form of garnering new clients is actively harnessing the power of the internet to ensure that your previous clients stay engaged with your brand. Having a unified place for your clients to rave about your services does wonders for your search engine ranking.

The higher your ranking, the easier it will be for your company to be found by potential clients.

Create a review acquisition strategy and use the completion of each project as an opportunity to ask your client to review your services.

review and marketing agency garners reviews by asking and reminding customers to review your business—without the spam. These agencies completely manage the review process for you by consistently driving customer reviews to your online local business listing. These services typically offer guideline-compliant methods for gathering consumer insight and lead customers through a more sophisticated review process.

An important thing to remember about implementing a review acquisition process is that time is on your side. You’ll be seeking reviews for months or years to understand if your process is working. So you’ve got time to try new things and see what works best for your company.

Reflections As you continue to try out new marketing methods using your existing customer base, be sure to monitor and measure where your new customers are coming from. Find out which sources offer the most significant value to your organization. Tweak and refine the approach that you know works in order to grow your customer base even further.

About the author Jasmine Rozier strongly believes in the power of words. As WebTech's content pro, she brings to a unique perspective and the technical experience to match. She coolly manages the creation of client editorial content that drives awareness and brand recognition.

E: jasmine@wtmarketing.com P: 770.940.2025 (mobile) W: www.wtmarketing.com

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Surprisingly, one of the easiest and most effective ways of reaching new clients and improving your ranking is by generating reviews.

84% of consumers said they trust online reviews as much as they trust a referral from a friend or family member.

desire to generate online feedback. For more established businesses, QR codes and interactive displays can aid in conveying this message. You can also use your website as a vehicle to receive reviews. Have a page or icon on your website that encourages customers to leave reviews.

29

BUSINESS

Growing Managers Series The discipline of management

by William Eastman, GreenMark Consulting Group Management, like leadership, is an issue of mindset.

How a manager views themselves and their position will determine how and when they apply their skills.

Everything starts with one word: contribution. How a manager spends No effective manager is at the mercy the day should be of events - they drive them. an outcome of where is the greatest contribution. When you share this concept with managers, the pushback is always about “not controlling their own time.� Which takes us back to mindset.

Frontline employees live in a system where they are responding to job demands driven by managers and customers. Managers don’t have that luxury. You have people reporting to you and therefore in a position to delegate or say no.

No effective manager is at the mercy of events they drive them.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Time management

30

The punch line is this: effective managers structure their day and make events fit in.

What makes up an effective day?

time to deal with urgent 4 Scheduled issues. This can be hard but if you know

4

time for business tours.

4 Scheduled Schedule time daily to visit a part of the business to connect with people and the work. Ensure you have toured every element of the business weekly.

time for surprise visits.

4 Scheduled Schedule time daily to observe without

notification what is going on. Where to visit is based on a review of the information and reports to gain context to what is on paper.

Measurement and data One of the major differences between large and small businesses is the availability of information. Managers in large companies have too much information and the task is to sift and find the critical few things needed for day-to-day decision making. Managers in smaller companies have the opposite challenge - creating key measures that improve decisions that contribute to success. If you are dealing with a lack of information, here are few areas to consider:

Customers on marketing spend: cost of 4 Return qualified leads? ratio: percentage of qualified leads 4 Close that close? satisfaction: satisfaction with 4 Customer the finished product and the experience of doing business with us?

Employees

how a typical day evolves, make those periods available for the latest crisis.

days: causes for employees failing 4 Missed to show up on time and staying on the job

Scheduled time to review information and reports. When the flow of the day is the quieter, review information about business operations. A critical daily activity and necessary before tours and visits.

accidents: causes for 4 Job-related accidents; training or attitude? causes of job related 4 Performance: mistakes; training or attitude?

until the work is completed?

BUSINESS Work accuracy of material and labor 4 Budget: hour estimates; accurate or the job poorly performed?

causes for doing a job over or 4 Waste: returning to finish? causes for giving something 4 Give-a-ways: away or reducing price to satisfy the unhappy customers?

wrong materials, material 4 Materials: defects, or insufficient materials? wrong equipment/tools or 4 Machinery: broken equipment/tools? schedule was wrong or the 4 Methods: wrong/no job procedures? people are not/poorly trained 4 Manpower: or the attitudes of the crew?

Making decisions

Finance can the job be performed as 4 Estimates: promised? are jobs meeting gross margin 4 Margin: targets? how much is each job/project 4 Profit: contributing to profitability?

My experience is if you identify the real cause, the decision is easy. If you would like a more in-depth discussion on the Discipline of Management, check out our exclusive podcast for the Georgia Urban Ag Council (details below).

About the author

Problem solving Manage time for contribution and building a measurement system that provides essential information and you're two-thirds of the way there.

Now the challenge is to improve problem solving by determining the root cause of problems.

The following is the approach we use with clients and in our companies. The root cause is one of the 4 Ms:

William Eastman is a Business Management Consultant with GreenMark and the Managing Partner for Intellectual Property at the GrowthWorx – a business research and product development company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

For more information: P: 833.RUGREEN E: weastman@greenmarkgroup.com W: www.greenmarkgroup.com

Learn more about this topic by listening to the podcast: Created in partnership with Georgia Urban AG Council and the GreenMark Consulting Group.

Content of this podcast: Exclusive UAC member benefit

The self-discpline required of managers > Focus on Contribution > Manage Your Time to Drive Events > Making Core Metrics > A Model for Problem Solving

Program length: 25 minutes 21 seconds

www.blogtalkradio.com/ownrlife/2018/03/08/the-discipline-of-management

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

The Discipline of Management

31

BUSINESS

Motivate without money

Happy teams can be their own reward

by Erin Saunders, ON Services “I need a raise.”

At some point as managers, we are all faced with the dilemma of having valuable employees who want to be paid more and needing to manage the business and the budget. It isn’t realistic or always warranted to be able to give raises to our people.

When you allow autonomy, provide vision, and recognize success, your team is much more likely to be content at work.

So how do you keep your employees engaged and motivated when you aren’t able to give increases?

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Keep them engaged What are some ways you can keep employees engaged without giving them an increase?

Take time to sit down and have a developmental conversation. Understand what they want to do professionally, and then use that information to help them incorporate their goals into their current roles.

First, listen to why they feel like they need to be paid more. It can be nerve-wracking to ask for a raise, so allow them the time to explain why it is important. Did they come with a business case and results? Do they feel like they aren’t valued?

Did they learn that one of their peers makes more than they do?

32

If they are a highly valuable employee, make sure you tell them that. Let them know of their value and take this opportunity to have a developmental conversation with them.

out what interests 4Find them professionally

Listen and be honest

Listening to your employee’s justification helps twofold. First, it makes your employees feel heard and respected. Secondly, it gives you valuable information about why they think they deserve more money, which you can respond to directly.

If the company is under financial constraints, let them know that costs are up, or that business is down; and while you would love to consider an increase, you are unable to because of business reasons.

For example, if you have an employee who wants to gain more customer facing skills, see if there are ways to bring them into the sales process. Can they assist with quotes? Come along on a sales call? These are all low-cost developmental opportunities that employees can find motivating.

them autonomy 4Allow Inspire. Unleash. Then get out of the way. That

Be honest with your response If you have to follow an annual increase process, let them know that you’ve heard and understand their request, but that you have to stick to that process. Let them know what to expect from you for timing and feedback.

is our primary role as a manager. When we hire competent people, we should help inspire them to achieve the goals for the success of the business. Give them a vision. Then help them understand their role in achieving that vision.

Provide feedback, but don’t micromanage.

People want to have control over their own work. Allow them the space to succeed. Provide coaching when needed and be generous in recognizing successes.

BUSINESS Psychologist Frederick Herzberg’s classic study on employee motivation showed that the factors that led to a sense of happiness at work included achievement, recognition for achievement, the work itself, responsibility, and opportunities for growth. When you allow autonomy, provide vision, and recognize success, your team is much more likely to be content at work.

your culture 4Consider Think about the culture of your organization

Creating a positive culture takes intentional thought. Sit down with your team members and brainstorm ways to recognize each other.

Find out what fun things they would want to do around the office or at a job site. Encourage them to recognize each other’s successes and improve as a team.

Everyone wants to be paid more, but it isn’t always realistic or reasonable to meet every request for more money. When you aren’t able to give out increases, use the conversation as an opportunity to motivate and reward employees in other meaningful ways.

or team. Do you provide regular feedback?

Do team members find the work rewarding?

Does your team have fun at work? Creating a culture that offers flexibility, fosters creativity, incorporates humor and a sense of fun, and encourages a sense of team goes a long way in keeping employees engaged and happy at work.

About the author Erin Saunders is Director of Human Resources with ON Services in Norcross, GA. P: 770-457-0966 E: Esaunders@ONservices.com

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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BUSINESS

Small business tax returns

What to do if you make a mistake

by Snellings Walters Insurance Agency The X Form includes three columns you must complete accurately. Column A - amounts from the original return Column B - net increase or decrease of the original amounts Column C - corrected amounts Additionally, explain the changes on the back of the form. Be thorough and accurate as you share your reasons for amending your tax return.

Include related forms or schedules

While the tax preparer you hire will have liability insurance that covers his or her part in any filing mistakes, you must take several steps to correct the mistake and prevent your liability, too.

Small business tax return mistakes can vary from simple math miscalculations to huge

deduction errors. While the tax preparer you hire will have liability insurance that covers his or her part in any filing mistakes, you must take several steps to correct the mistake and prevent your liability, too.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Amend your tax return

34

The IRS knows that mistakes can happen, which is why they allow you to amend your tax return. Essentially, this amendment corrects any mistakes.

Find the X form To amend your tax return, you need to know the form number of your original return. Then find the X form. For example, if you filed a Form 1040, look for the 1040-X. Likewise, Form 94X corrects employment taxes, and Forms W-2C and W-3C correct employee earnings and withdrawals. Complete the X Form Generally, you will need to print and complete the paper version of the X Form, even if you electronically filed your original tax return.

Your tax return amendment may also change information on the other forms and schedules you filed. Complete corrected versions of these forms and schedules, and attach them to the amended X Form. If you forget to submit all these papers together, you will experience a processing delay. File the Amended Form After you complete the X Form with accurate information, mail it to the IRS. It usually takes a minimum of eight to 12 weeks for the IRS to process amended small business tax returns.

Pay penalties While you do want to amend your tax return and correct mistakes, realize that you may also owe penalties. Interest typically accumulates from the due date of your original return. Pay any tax you owe as soon as possible to decrease penalties.

File an amendment ASAP You may file an amended tax return up to three years after you filed the original return.

Because your fees, penalties and interest charges increase the longer you wait, file any required amendments as soon as you realize the mistake.

When you notice a mistake on your small business tax return, you may take several steps to correct it.

Take these steps to reduce your financial liability and protect your business.

Originally published Snellings Walters Insurance Agency's Business Protection Bulletin, March 2018

BUSINESS

Payroll mistakes

Common errors that cause liability concerns

by Snellings Walters Insurance Agency Completing your payroll in-house allows your company to save money. However, mistakes could increase your liability and jeopardize your business. Identify common payroll mistakes and then fix them as you protect your company.

Employee misclassification Your business may hire non-traditional workers, including freelancers, consultants and independent contractors, to perform a variety of duties. These talented individuals provide an invaluable service as they multiply your workforce while saving your money.

Because you don’t have to pay taxes on independent contractors, you may classify regular employees in this category. You will face hefty fines, though, for this misclassification.

Always be careful to label employees and nontraditional workers correctly.

Missing records on file

Inaccurate information on pay stubs Data entry requires precision, and it’s easy to get in a hurry or accidentally hit the wrong letter or number on your keyboard. This mistake can cause you to include inaccurate information on pay stubs. Pay stub inaccuracies can cause costly fines and penalties. Triple check that you have the correct data on each pay stub, including the employees':

Delayed filing

As you complete payroll for your employees, take care not to make these common mistakes. They increase your liability and could cause expensive fines and other costs.

You spend most of your time operating your small business and handle everything from hiring employees to customer service.

Occasionally, you may be too busy to file your company payroll on time. A delay in payroll filing affects your employees and business. Your employees will express displeasure, resulting in reduced motivation, goodwill and morale.

Rushing can also cause you to make expensive mistakes. Plan time each week to prioritize payroll prep to keep your employees happy and to protect your business.

Complete payroll by hand When you do your payroll by hand, you touch each timecard and calculate each salary. The personal touch may be okay when you’re first starting a business, but you could easily make mistakes and will face increasingly complex calculations as your company grows. Consider automating your payroll process. Numerous reliable options decrease errors, could reduce payroll processing costs by 80 percent and give you more time to focus on running your business.

As you complete payroll for your employees, take care not to make these common mistakes.

They increase your liability and could cause expensive fines and other costs.

Originally published Snellings Walters Insurance Agency's Business Protection Bulletin, March 2018

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

For each employee, you must maintain accurate and detailed records. These records prove the identity of your employees and allow you to comply with various federal and state laws. Ensure you store several documents for each employee, including their employment application, W4, I-9 and pay stubs. Because guidelines vary, check the applicable laws to ensure you keep the right employment records on file.

• Official full name • Social Security number • Payroll details such as hourly rate and hours worked • All taxes, deductions and contributions

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BUSINESS

Commercial insurance

When to connect with your agent Provided by Snellings Walters Insurance Agency Your commercial insurance policies protect your business, making

During this meeting, discuss details about your business and the types of insurance you need, including coverage limits and cost, as you verify that you have the right insurance for your needs.

your insurance agent an essential resource for your company.

While you may not have your agent on speed dial, you will want to contact him or her in several circumstances.

Verify coverage

You can purchase a variety of different policies for your business, and need to understand your exact coverage. Contact your insurance agent to verify which types of coverage you have and your policy limits.

Update your policy

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

When you add a vehicle to your commercial fleet, sell a piece of equipment, move to a new location, or make other changes to your business operations, call your insurance agent. These updates could affect your insurance needs, policy and premium.

36

File a claim If you need to file an insurance claim, contact your agent immediately. You may call the agent’s office, send an email or text, or fill out an online claim form on the company’s website.

Remember to submit pictures, too, as you get your claim process started.

Ask questions about a claim After you file an insurance claim, you may have questions about the adjuster's findings or the settlement timeline. Feel free to contact your agent and ask any questions you may have.

Discuss your bill Whether you pay your insurance bill annually, semi-annually or quarterly, you may inspect your bill and realize that you have questions about one of the charges or fees. Most insurance agents remain transparent about billing, and they can explain anything you don’t understand about your insurance charges, fees or payment date.

Pay your bill If you experience any issues when you pay your insurance bill, call your agent. You may also ask for a change in the policy due date or a change in payment frequency.

Initiate an annual review You should receive a notice a few weeks before your commercial insurance policy's renewal date. Ask your agent for a meeting to renew your coverage. During this meeting, discuss details about your business and the types of insurance you need, including coverage limits and cost, as you verify that you have the right insurance for your needs.

Request a new quote Based on your insurance policies you purchase and your loyalty to your commercial insurance company, you may qualify for discounts or a more competitive rate. Your agent can rework your coverage limits, check for discounts and give you a new quote that meets your budget.

Throughout the year, you may wish to contact your commercial insurance agent for several reasons. Always feel free to reach out and discuss your needs as you purchase the right coverage for your business.

Originally published Snellings Walters Insurance Agency's Business Protection Bulletin, March 2018

BUSINESS

Online pest control CEUs

UGA offers web-based education for pest control operators

by Cristina deRevere, University of Georgia The University of Georgia Griffin Campus is hosting two intensive commercial Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training programs this spring, including a 1.5-day workshop on termite control and a 10-week Urban Pest Management Program course that will run from April to June.

The courses are part of a wide-ranging training series available through the UGA Urban Pest Management Program, which provides education programs for pest control operators.

The program includes commercial, school and home IPM workshops as well as workshops on termite control, bed bugs and general pest control education. All seminars, workshops and trainings provide continuing education credits for pest control operators.

Several of these lectures are available for growers through the Getting the Best of Pests webinar program, gtbop.com. To receive continuing education credits, growers can visit their local UGA Cooperative Extension office, watch the videos and sign a form. The UGA Extension agent will relay the form through UGA to the Department of Agriculture for credit.

“We enjoy continuing the live-webinars for the Green Industry, but the recordings have the potential to be a huge resource for county agents,” said UGA entomologist Dan Suiter. “UGA faculty, who might sometimes need a filler lecture when they have to be absent, can utilize this resource as well.”

Termites feed on pieces of wood in garden soil.

To receive notifications of upcoming webinars, workshops or trainings, contact Beth Horne at gtbop@uga.edu or Tami Boyle at tadams@uga. edu.

For more information on the UGA Urban Pest Management program, visit the website at http://gabugs.uga.edu.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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BUSINESS

Get what you want

Seven questions to keep you focused

by Brett Stewart, tracFIRST News flash: there’s a lot going on in business. Your to-do list is a mile long, and

tasks come on quicker than they go off. But there’s good news: you don’t have to go through 2018 overwhelmed by “the list.” Instead, ask yourself these seven questions to simplify, focus and create an outstanding year:

1.

Am I getting everything I want from my business? Making good money, loving my team and generally at peace with the way things are going. If your answer is “YES,” stop reading now and save 6 minutes of your life.

Do we have a clear vision that’s shared by everyone the organization? General Patton said: “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” There’s no perfect plan, don’t wait for one. Get your team 100% aligned around the vision you have now, and get after it!

2.

3.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Am I monitoring a small set of measurables to keep a pulse on my business? Beware of the “paralysis of analysis." You can’t analyze everything all the time. Instead, focus on a small set of numbers and measure them weekly to reveal the areas where you do need to go deep.

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Am I 100% surrounded by people who both live our culture and are great at what they do? If you answered “YES” you might need to be more honest with yourself. There’s a good chance you’ve settled for people that live your culture, or are great at their job, because it’s so difficult to find people that are both. Don’t settle - your business and your sanity depend on it.

4.

Do we have a system for identifying and resolving issues and obstacles that get in the way of our execution? Issues are popping up around you every day, and without a system for knocking them out, you feel like you’re carrying a bag of rocks. And by the way, a fire drill is not a system.

5.

6.

Are the core processes that run my business clearly documented and followed by everyone in the organization?

Good news: when your core processes are documented and followed, your business will run faster and easier. Bad news: documenting processes is not fun. Good news again: there’s somebody in your organization who loves to document processes - find them.

7.

Do we set clear goals and hold people accountable, so we reach our goals? One step at a time: set goals, reach them, set new goals. If you don’t have this, all the rest is wasted time, effort, and money.

It really is that simple. Not easy, but simple. So, here’s your challenge: ask yourself these seven question every week for a year, and respond with the actions you know you need to take. Don’t overthink it, you’ll know what to do. If you follow that discipline, I guarantee you will be closer to a “YES” on question #1 when you get to the end of the year.

Learn more about how you can get what you want from your business: Call me at (678) 549-5345 or email me at brett@tracfirst.com to start a conversation.

Check the strength of your company with the EOS Organizational Checkup: organizationalcheckup.com/getstarted/?ref=brett%40tracFirst.com Download the first chapter of Traction, the book that details the Entrepreneurial Operating System: eosworldwide.com/ty-download-tractionch1#axzz4TakQJ0jS

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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39

INDUSTRY

Spread the word

It's time to shine a light on our profession to Hosting a Landscape Career 4Guide Day Event that Your Community Will Dig:

Would your company like to host recruitment events in your community or at your place of business?

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has created a website focused on industry careers: landscapeindustrycareers.org The $78 billion landscape industry currently employs nearly one million professionals who are responsible for the health, well-being and beauty of the landscapes we enjoy. As the industry continues to grow, 300,000 job openings are made available each year.

So why are many lawn and landscape companies struggling to fill open positions?

Many people within our own communities may not be aware of the exciting benefits and opportunities that exist within the industry.

This toolkit will help you plan and host your company’s own event. You’ll find everything you need, from event suggestions and audiences to invite, to sample social media posts.

Invitation Letters: Tailor and send 4Sample formal letters to elected officials and educators

requesting their participation and inviting them to your Landscape Career Day event.

Career Day Hands-On 4Landscape Activities: Give attendees the chance to

experience the best that the landscape industry has to offer through guided activities.

Career Day Educational 4Landscape Presentation: Help your attendees understand what the profession is all about by sharing this ready-to-go presentation at your event.

It’s time to shine a light on our profession to attract the best and the brightest to the field! By hosting a Landscape Career Day event you can showcase why and how careers in the lawn and landscape profession are incredibly rewarding.

and Landscape Recruitment 4Lawn Banners: Recruit potential employees at your event with these ready-to-go pop-up banners.

Career Day Surveys: Learn 4Landscape more about their Landscape Career Day

Landscape Career Day is an opportunity for you and your company to celebrate the industry and the hundreds of thousands of men and women who thrive within the profession, show your community what you do, highlight the many professional paths that exist and overview the countless opportunities to be creative, work outdoors and be a part of a team.

experience to help inform your plans and activities for future events.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Career Day Take-Home 4Landscape Materials: Send participants home with

40

If you are interested in hosting a Landscape Career Day event, but aren’t sure where to begin, start here: landscapeindustrycareers. org/career-day/plan-your-event You can download fliers, graphics, invitation letters, suggestions for hands-on activities and more to make your Landscape Career Day planning a breeze.

engaging, take-home materials that include information about the profession that they can share with their family and friends.

• Careers Sheet for Teens, Children, Adults • Landscape Career Path Sheet • Benefits of Healthy Landscapes Sheet • Benefits of Healthy Landscapes Infographic • NALP Coloring Book

marketing collateral to help 4Customizable spread the word about your event.

Once you’ve planned the event, you can register it on NALP's national website, and they provide tools to promote your event. Take advantage of this unique method of finding your new workforce!

INDUSTRY

Non-Drought and Drought Response Level 1

Outdoor Water Use Rules

From Georgia Environmental Protection Division All Georgia counties are currently in Non-Drought Response Level.

Both Non-Drought and Drought Response Level 1 follow the rules listed below:

YES! You can use water. Be Water Smart.

Water any day, any time for:

For established landscapes:

Newly planted lawns, turf, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, trees and other plants during installation and for 30 days after installation is complete.

Sprinklers and spray-type irrigation permitted daily before 10 am and after 4 pm.

Hand watering with a hose or watering can, drip irrigation and soaker hoses.

Watering food gardens.

Commercial pressure washing.

Irrigation of public recreational turf areas and sports fields.

Irrigation of plants for sale and hydroseeding.

Water from private wells, bodies of water, and alternate source (grey water, rain water, airconditioner condensate).

URBAN AG COUNCIL GEORGIA

Visit www.GeorgiaWaterSmart.com for more tips on saving water both inside the home and outside in the landscape.

•

Learn how to conserve water and save money inside your home.

•

Get tips for how you can conserve water and improve your landscape at the same time.

•

View the University of Georgia Water-Wise Landscape Guide.

3/14/18

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Installation/maintenance of irrigation system.

Learn more:

41

INDUSTRY

2019 SNA conference announced

Schedule for January 7-8, 2019 in Baltimore

Hill. Details of the SNA Synergy Sessions can be found at www.sna.org/page-1863049.

The Southern Nursery Association (SNA) has announced plans for the 2019 SNA Conference. After favorable reviews of the

2018 conference, plans are underway to hold the 2019 conference once again at the Baltimore Convention Center on Monday and Tuesday, January 7 - 8, 2019, preceding the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) on Wednesday, January 9 – Friday, January 11, 2019.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Participants of the 2018 SNA Conference were positive about the location, the meeting space, and the added convenience of the conference held two days before the opening of MANTS. Participants were once again impressed with the plant conference speaker lineup and the quality of research papers presented at the research conference, and enjoyed the open format of the conference allowing ample time for networking and discussion.

42

One component of the conference was the SNA Synergy Session featuring participantdriven roundtable discussions covering topics chosen by attendees and facilitated by the most qualified people attending the session. Topics included Challenges in Plant Breeding led by David Roberts, Bailey Nurseries; Stories Behind the Plants led by Richard Olsen, U.S. National Arboretum; Shrub and Tree Trends led by Tim Wood, Spring Meadow Nursery; Value of Our Products and Services led by Raymond Evison, Guernsey Clematis Nursery Ltd.; Hydrangeas led by Rick Webb, Louisiana Growers; Plant Trial Programs led by Leanne Kenealy, Hoffman Nursery. Details of the crowd-sourcing and concept of the session can be found at www. sna.org/page-1863044.

In 2019, the conference will include more "cross-pollination” between the plant conference and research conference presentations. This means even more collaboration and synergies between all participants.

On Monday morning Dr. Charlie Hall and Dr. Marco Palma, Texas A&M, teamed up to present “The Forecast – A Preliminary Outlook for the Spring Season” during the SNA SuperSession. These two green industry economy experts offered a preliminary economic outlook for the industry and the key drivers impacting the industry today. The complete video presentation is available at contents.sna.org/ snaconferencesupersessionvideos.html.

Sponsorship packages for the 2019 SNA Conference will include all-access passes to the conference to allow face-to-face engagement throughout the two days of keynotes, roundtables, plant conference, and research conference sessions to create meaningful business relationships without time constraints. The sponsor package will also include tabletop display space, as well as other promotion before, during and after the event.

The SNA Conference will provide a platform to communicate, demonstrate, train or simply engage with customers on a personal, one-toone level.

Craig Regelbrugge with AmericanHort provided an update on Tuesday morning during the SNA SuperSession, offering his insight on the ever-changing political landscape on Capitol

“Collocating The SNA Conference at the Baltimore Convention Center two days before the opening of MANTS offers many advantages to the audience of both events,” said Karen

INDUSTRY Summers, SNA Executive Vice President.

“Participants have the convenience of attending the industry’s most widely recognized conference for new plants and quality research and attend one of the industry’s largest trade show. The SNA Conference draws many of the industry’s top plantsmen and researchers, and I am confident this creates new synergies for everyone involved,” she added.

Founded in 1899, the Southern Nursery Association is a non-profit trade association representing the horticultural industry in the southeastern U.S. SNA provides member services to wholesale growers, brokers, retailers, landscape contractors, landscape architects, grounds maintenance contractors, interiorscapers and allied suppliers. The SNA strives to unite and advance the horticulture

industry through educational, research and marketing efforts.

The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show or MANTS® is one of the industry’s largest trade shows and is sponsored by the state Nursery and Landscape Associations of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. MANTS information is available at www.mants.com or by calling 410296-6959.

More details of the 2019 SNA Conference will be released in the coming weeks. For more information, contact the Southern Nursery Association, Inc., PO Box 801454, Acworth, GA 30101, 678.809.9992, mail@sna.org, or visit the SNA website at www.sna.org.

Hort scholarships

$18,000 available in 2018 to southeast hort students over the past 28 years and we want to express our appreciation to everyone who has help build this important funding program for our students. The ability to make this level of awards over the years, as we built the endowment fund that now stands at over $850,000, is quite an accomplishment and a tribute to the many SNA members, exhibitors, and industry individuals who made contributions to help build the fund and award our students,” he added.

The deadline for application is May 27, 2018.

The Scholarship Selection Committee will make final selections by August 1, 2018 and recipients will be notified soon thereafter. Twelve $1,500 scholarships are expected to be awarded for a total awards of $18,000.

Created in 1989 by the Southern Nursery Association (SNA), the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund is a 501 (c) 3 charitable foundation providing academic scholarships to horticulture students in the sixteen southeastern states within the SNA region.

majors it is now accepting scholarship applications for 2018. Industry members are asked to advise all eligible students of the availability of this scholarship award.

Horticultural students who are eligible are encouraged to apply for this year’s scholarship awards. Eligibility requirements and the application is available on the fund’s website (www.sbmsef.org).

“Last year’s awards set a milestone for the fund as we crossed the half million dollar mark in total scholarship awarded since the fund was established,” said Danny Summers, Executive Vice President of the fund. “We are very proud of our accomplishment in building the fund

For more information contact the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund, PO Box 801513, Acworth, GA 30101, Tel 678.813.1880, Fax 678.813.1881, www.sbmsef. org, info@sbsmsef.org.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

SNA’s Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund is reminding horticulture

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URBAN AG

More than pollen and nectar

What pollinators need to help produce food for people

by Paul Pugliese and Elizabeth Benton Pollinators are essential to the production of native plants and food crops. To help

pollinators like bees and butterflies do their job of moving pollen, we need to provide habitats that provide both water and shelter.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Through the "Trees for Bees" project, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agents are teaching children and adults how to create pollinator habitats. To promote a diverse pollinator habitat, plant pollinatorfriendly plants, provide nesting boxes for cavity-nesting bees, leave spots of bare ground for ground-nesting bees and allow winter weeds to bloom to increase floral resources.

44

Pollination is the process by which pollen is moved from male to female flower parts. Pollination is necessary for fruit and seed development in plants. Some plants are self-pollinated or wind-pollinated.

However, most plants depend on animals for pollination.

A pollinator is an animal that transfers pollen from one flower to another flower. More than 90 percent of flowering plants depend on pollinators. The value of pollination services in Georgia is estimated at $360 million.

To survive, pollinators need more than just flowers as sources of pollen and nectar. They also need water, bare ground for nesting, shelter and nesting materials. In natural areas, these items are readily available. But in urban and residential areas, these resources are often limited. Landscapes with manicured turfgrass and ornamental shrubs, while very attractive, are often not welcoming habitats for pollinators.

To help pollinators thrive in home landscapes, homeowners need to provide them with water for drinking, evaporative cooling and reproduction purposes. If there are no ponds or streams nearby, add a couple of birdbaths or shallow dishes of water in numerous locations to provide fresh, clean water for pollinators.

Change the water often or unwelcome mosquitoes will use it to lay eggs. Treating birdbaths with Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) “dunks” are a safe mosquito control alternative that will not hurt pollinators. Attractive pebbles or marbles can be added to birdbaths to give pollinators a safe spot to land.

When we think of pollinators, we often picture commercial beehives, but many bee species nest underground and are solitary, meaning only one bee per nest. Bumblebees, sweat bees, miner bees and cellophane bees are all native bees that nest underground. Ground-nesting bees prefer soil that is sandy and dry. Leaving drier patches of your landscape bare of plants will provide important nesting habitats for bees that nest underground.

Wood-nesting bees, such as mason bees, carpenter bees, orchard bees and leafcutter bees, ideally use dead tree trunks or “snags” for nesting sites. Leaving dead tree trunks in your landscape is likely not desirable in residential areas, but an artificial habitat can be provided.

Nesting boxes, also called bee condominiums, can be fun and decorative additions. Designs for nesting boxes can be simple or very creative.

All that is needed for a nesting box is a piece of untreated wood with holes of various sizes, up to 1/3 of an inch in diameter. Untreated lumber or unused firewood are good options for nesting boxes. The box frames can be painted, as long as the surface the bee approaches is left bare.

Other nesting materials that can be provided include bundles of soft-centered plant stems, old bamboo stakes, or purchased cardboard

URBAN AG “bee tubes.” Place nesting materials out in early spring in a sheltered location. Secure nesting boxes so they do not sway in the wind.

Another way to create a pollinator-friendly landscape is to plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year.

Pollinators need pollen and nectar from flowers, but not every flower will be used by pollinators. Lantana, zinnias, cosmos, bee balm, coneflowers, catmint, salvias, black-eyed Susans and milkweeds are some of the herbaceous plants that will attract pollinators.

Larger plants, such as flowering trees and shrubs, are also beneficial for pollinators. Shrubs that provide pollen and nectar include American beautyberry, glossy abelia, lacecap hydrangea, sweet spire and fragrant tea olive. Pollinatorfriendly trees, such as black locust, chaste tree, sumac, cherry, crabapple, crape myrtle, catalpa, tulip poplar, eastern redbud and red maple can also be incorporated into landscapes.

Adding food, water, shelter and nesting habitats to developed residential areas will help promote pollinator health. Follow these tips and you will likely see honeybees, mason bees, bumblebees, butterflies, hover flies, hummingbirds and many more.

For more information, see UGA Extension Bulletin 1456, Eco-Friendly Garden: Attracting Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, and Other Natural Predators, available online at extension.uga.edu/ publications.

This article is part of UGA Extension's “Trees for Bees” project aimed at educating adults and children on the benefits of installing plants that attract pollinators.

About the authors

Paul Pugliese is the agriculture & natural resources agent for the University of Georgia Extension office in Bartow County.

Elizabeth Benton is a forest health outreach specialist with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

45

URBAN AG

Got shade?

A pollinator-friendly landscape can be created in the shade

by Paul Pugliese and Elizabeth Benton are beneficial resources for pollinators, and they can easily be added to a landscape to provide “trees for the bees.”

Not all trees with eye-catching blooms are beneficial to pollinators but planting a variety of trees can ensure a yearround supply of blooms to help provide nourishment for pollinators.

Many trees, like this dogwood, have showy flowers that are not only useful to pollinators, but also very attractive additions to landscapes.

Pollinators are an important natural resource in Georgia, providing an estimated

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

value of $360 million in pollination services.

Agricultural crops and native plants need pollinators to successfully produce fruit and seeds.

46

redbuds are covered with purplish4Eastern pink flowers in the early spring. handsome white flowers of dogwoods 4The follow about a month later. poplars grow to be large trees that 4Tulip provide shade to a landscape and feature greenish-yellow flowers in late spring.

white flowers of a catalpa tree brighten 4The yards in the early summer. myrtles and bottlebrush buckeyes 4Crape provide bursts of color during the heat of summer.

hazel trees provide a splash of yellow 4Witch to complement fall foliage. other trees that can be used by pollinators 4Some include American plum, red maple, sugar

Unfortunately, pollinators face a growing number of challenges, like parasites, diseases, habitat loss, weather extremes and misuse of pesticides. Providing flowers is one way to help local pollinators. Thoughts of pollinator habitats conjure up images of wildflower meadows or cottage gardens blooming in the full sunlight.

For homeowners surrounded by shade, pollinator-friendly landscapes can seem unattainable, but they don’t have to be.

Landscapes featuring trees and an abundance of shade can be great resources for pollinators, too. Existing flowering trees, shrubs and shadetolerant herbaceous plants in shaded landscapes

maple, red buckeye, white fringetree, persimmon, American holly, yaupon holly, chastetree and black locust.

Shrubs provide floral resources for pollinators starting with whitish-yellow flowers on paperbush in February, rounding out the year with white, wispy groundsel bush blooms in October. Spring bloomers include painted buckeye, sparkleberry, mayberry and blueberry. Pink abelia, lavender American beautyberry, white buttonbush, and white oakleaf hydrangea flowers can liven up landscapes in the summertime.

URBAN AG Hydrangeas are beautiful shrubs for shady landscapes, but not if your goal is to provide pollinator resources. The dense blooms of the popular mophead hydrangeas (Hortensia cultivars) are a collection of brightly colored modified leaves that mimic flowers. They do not provide pollen or nectar for pollinators.

However, delicate lacecap hydrangeas, smooth hydrangeas and panicle hydrangeas are packed with fertile flowers for pollinators to enjoy.

Trillium, begonias, violets, columbine, hostas, bleeding heart, Carolina jessamine, trumpet creeper, bugleweed ajuga, and hardy geranium are all shadetolerant herbaceous plants that provide bright splashes of color throughout the growing season.

Take care of the roots of nearby trees and shrubs when planting smaller plants. It can be tempting to cut through roots to get “bedding” plants close to tree trunks, but damaging tree roots can negatively affect the tree’s overall health.

Shade-dappled landscapes can be transformed into a pollinator paradise. Just add a couple of extra trees, shrubs, and shade-tolerant herbaceous plants to feed native pollinators.

This article is part of UGA Extension's “Trees for Bees” project aimed at educating adults and children on the benefits of installing plants that attract pollinators.

About the authors

Paul Pugliese is the agriculture & natural resources agent for the University of Georgia Extension office in Bartow County.

Elizabeth Benton is a forest health outreach specialist with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources.

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URBAN AG

Protecting pollinators

What you can do to help their survival by the University of Georgia

Pollinators play important roles in biodiversity, crop production, and even the economy. A 2014 economic impact study by

University of Georgia experts determined that the annual value of pollination to Georgia is over $360 million. Even better? The services pollinators provide is totally free.

Pollination is key to seed production, and without pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, ants, butterflies, wasps, and many others, our favorite fruits and vegetables would never make it to our tables.

Pollinators are also key to the survival of wild plant species, they help to control pests that destroy agricultural crops and they help in decomposition, which is extremely important in crop production because the process aerates the soil.

Although wasps, ants, and bees don’t yield warm and fuzzy feelings for most people, that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Pollinator populations are decreasing. Not only in population, but also in diversity. Research from UGA is helping to identify not only the reasons behind the decline, but also what homeowners can do to help them.

Pollinator publications Eco-Friendly Garden: Attracting Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, and Other Natural Predators

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Bulletin 1483

A pollinator-friendly and ecologically sustainable garden is both beautiful and able to attract and sustain beneficial insects, reducing the need for pesticides. This publication is based on new research in habitat management for purposes of planting insect-attracting plant species in order to intentionally draw insects to garden areas and urban landscapes. This is done by providing a refuge for the insects during winter and nectar and pollen resources. Plant selection directly affects beneficial insect populations, those insects that can provide ecological benefits such as biodiversity and natural pest control. This concept of “habitat management” can lead to potential increases in pollinating and other beneficial insect populations. An increase in these populations in landscapes will contribute to improved pollination of plants and biological pest control and reduce the need for pesticides.

We can positively affect pollinator populations in our region by providing plants that help sustain them. Pollinators face the increasing challenges of habitat loss, parasite and disease pressure, and the unintended consequences of pesticide misuse. Bee forage plants can bloom season-long with careful plant selection appropriate to the region. A combination of herbaceous perennial and annual plants, trees, and shrubs can provide valuable resources to bees and other pollinators. Even grasses can be used by bees as a pollen source, while crape myrtles can provide a later season resource for pollinators. Anyone—from individual home gardeners to commercial and agricultural property managers—can promote pollinator health by selecting and planting appropriate plants. This guide provides options for selecting flowering woody plants that are attractive to bees and butterflies and sometimes have additional wildlife benefits.

http://extension.uga.edu/publications/ detail.html?number=B1456

http://extension.uga.edu/publications/ detail.html?number=B1483

Bulletin 1456

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Selecting Trees and Shrubs as Resources for Pollinators

URBAN AG Management of Turfgrass Insect Pests and Pollinator Protection Circular 1127 Turfgrass is an important component of many landscapes. Research has shown that landscapes support diverse, abundant, and intact bee communities in New York, California, and Ohio.

In fact, the abundance and diversity of bees visiting home landscapes have been observed to approach, and even exceed, numbers in nearby natural and/or agricultural systems. If the turfgrass has been treated or is being treated with insecticides, the pollinators can be exposed directly or indirectly to the insecticides on the weeds. This can cause lethal or sublethal effects on these pollinators. The guidelines in this publication will reduce insecticide exposure to pollinators as they seek nectar and pollen from plants around lawns.

Creating Pollinator Nesting Boxes to Help Native Bees Circular 1125 Planting pollinatorfriendly flowers in your yard is a great first step for improving the quality of pollinator habitats.

Adding nesting sites and nesting materials is another important measure in creating sustainable habitats, especially for native bees.

When bees have access to a diversity of nesting materials, their numbers are positively affected, so providing nesting resources in your landscape is very beneficial to bees.

Published with the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources as WSFNR-17-48.

http://extension.uga.edu/publications/ detail.html?number=C1125

http://extension.uga.edu/publications/ detail.html?number=C1127

770/233-6107 ugaurbanag.com/certiďŹ cation UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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URBAN AG

Giant milkweed

Consider the possibilities

by Norman Winter

for monarch caterpillars and their cousins, the queen and soldier caterpillars, which always seem to go unmentioned in the butterfly world.

They, too, must have milkweed to exist.

Even though the giant milkweed is from across the world, Native monarch butterflies will use it as a host plant.

The phone rang, and I heard a gardener in tearful hysteria pleading for me to take

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

her monarch caterpillars because she was totally out of milkweed leaves. At the time, we had quite a few plants representing several species, both native and imports. I was shocked, however, when she brought me a box with 100-plus caterpillars, and I went out to the garden and started dispersing them — one for each small plant and two or three for each large plant. Deep down, I knew we would soon be in trouble. I would run out of milkweed leaves, too.

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In the midst of that butterfly dilemma, I remember thinking that we need larger milkweeds. As winter rolled toward spring, I started trying to buy more native milkweeds.

Over 20 species are native to Georgia, but finding them for sale can be a daunting task. I did find a wholesale nursery in south Florida that sold a plant they called the “giant milkweed” or “crown flower,” Calotropis gigantea.

We’ve been growing giant milkweeds for three years in Savannah, Georgia, and I am pleasantly surprised. Our giant milkweeds are now 4 to 5 feet tall with leaves as large as those on a rubber tree. They provide many food opportunities

The giant milkweed is native to India, Malaysia, Indonesia and China. I questioned whether native butterflies would lay eggs on the giant milkweed and whether the caterpillars would feed on such a large import, but the answer is yes on both counts. So, would the monarchs and queens rather feed on a native milkweed species? You would think so and, for that reason, we have those, too.

I wonder if a plant, maybe just one, of this huge, 5-foot-tall, 5-foot-wide giant milkweed, with silver foliage and incredibly showy blue and lavender flowers, might just have a place in the garden. The monarch and queen butterflies will use this import as a host plant, too. There is enough leaf space to feed all who want to partake. I doubt there will be any more tearful reports of lack of milkweed leaves.

The giant milkweed is cold hardy in zones 11 and 12 and, in its native region, can grow 8 feet wide and 15 feet tall. In Savannah, we have had them return slowly from the previous two winters, but we are always hedging our bets, so to speak, and rooting cuttings, too. This means that, more than likely, you will be growing yours as an annual. If so, you can easily root cuttings, holding them over for spring, or grow them in a portable container that you can protect from freezing weather.

At the Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, we use the giant milkweed in our pollinator beds with a host of other nectar and larval plants. We dress it up with a little tropical foliage. Butterflies and hummingbirds are always around. Though we were a little wind-whipped after Hurricane Irma, the butterflies showed that they also had weathered the storm.

URBAN AG

The giant milkweed produces showy flowers along with silver-grey leaves.

About the author

Norman Winter is the former director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia, now retired.

Norman Winter stands by a 5-foot tall giant milkweed with leaves as big as a rubber tree at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens.

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Native cup plant

A one-stop cafe for birds and pollinators

by Norman Winter

considered large plants and terrific partners for the cup plant. Within close proximity, the pagoda flower (Clerodendrum paniculatum), Java glory bower (Clerodendrum speciosissimum) and baby lace (Hydrangea paniculata) all do their part to bring in hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

When it comes to backyard wildlife, the cup plant is like the flagbearing perennial for bees, butterflies and birds. It is a stalwart and is native in 34 states, from Louisiana, north to Canada and sweeping across all states east.

When it comes to backyard wildlife, the

The blooms will eventually be covered in what may best be described as a “pollinating frenzy.” Every kind of bee, including honeybees by the hundreds, bumblebees and more, like wasps, are there doing their thing.

Its size makes it seem like it is the composite, or aster, that ate New York. It is big, bold and wonderful, and summer is the time of the year it shines the most.

On a summer morning visit to the Coastal Botanical Garden, I saw eastern tiger swallowtails, long-tailed skippers, fiery skippers and yellow sulphur butterflies. It was like a park for pollinators. Though I didn’t see any, everyone reports hummingbirds on the plants as well.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

cup plant does it all. To me, it is like the flagbearing perennial for bees, butterflies and birds.

It is a stalwart and is native in 34 states, from Louisiana, north to Canada and sweeping across all states east.

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Why is this called the “cup plant”? As the plant grows, it develops large, square stems that give the impression that they are piercing the center of the large leaves. There are actually two leaves without petioles that are attached to the stem, forming a perfect cup with which to collect rainwater. Small birds, like finches, take advantage of this natural reservoir of water.

These same birds also feed on the seeds as they mature and disperse.

If you are interested in the cup plant but unfamiliar with the flower, it is known botanically as Silphium perfoliatum and, as I alluded above, is cold hardy from zones 3 through 9. It can grow tall — 4 to 10 feet — and colonize, so it is a plant for the back of the border. Here at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, ours are around 7 feet.

Although it may be hard to imagine that they can dwarf a brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba or Brazilan sage (Salvia guaranitica) are both

The nature lover will find the cup plant to be one of the most thrilling plants to incorporate into the landscape. Get a chair, a pair of binoculars and a camera, and you will be ready for a day of journaling.

Gardeners may need to adjust before planting.

First, they must be ready to incorporate such a tall aster family member into the back of the border. Then, they must accept a colonizing racehorse of a plant, so to speak. Not only will

URBAN AG gardeners have rhizomes spreading, but they will have reseeding. In other words, there will be some maintenance required to confine the plant to the space allotted.

Native plant nurseries sell the plants, and if we can buy them, so can you. They are also easy to start from seeds. Sow unstratified seeds in the fall or stratified seeds in the spring. If using stratification, give seeds a three-month cold, moist treatment in the refrigerator. Putting moist, coarse sand and seeds in a plastic bag is a good method. Then, choose a sunny location with good soil moisture.

Since this plant will be the backbone of your wildlife habitat or pollinator garden, choose companions that are not only beautiful but will incorporate the cup plants. I mentioned salvias and brown-eyed Susans, but Joe-Pye weeds, milkweeds and ironweeds native to your region would partner with cup plants well.

Other favorites could be anise hyssops like ‘Blue Fortune,’ ‘Blue Boa’ and ‘Black Adder.’

They would give that complementary sizzle of opposite colors.

Lastly, use the cup plant to create mystery in the garden by blocking a view and forming an area of transition.

The cup plant does it all for wildlife and pollinators, all the while showing dazzling 3.5-inch yellow blossoms. You have to agree that it is pretty doggone special.

As the cup plant grows, it develops large, square stems that give the impression they are piercing the center of the large leaves.

There are actually two leaves without petioles that are attached to the stem, forming a perfect cup with which to collect rainwater for bees and birds.

About the author

Norman Winter is the former director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia, now retired.

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UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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URBAN AG

Scarlet sage

An old friend made even more dazzling

by Norman Winter

It has been well over a decade since

'Picante Salmon' salvia provides a rare color to the garden and looks incredible with blue evolvulus.

I have written about the scarlet sage, and yet this year, it seems like I am discovering an old friend. I think you should, too. It is like this plant I grew up loving had disappeared, but in truth, while I have been growing other flowers, the scarlet sage has simply gotten better.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

There is a good chance that you have forgotten about this plant. If you are under 30, there is a very good chance it is totally unknown to you. To get started, know that scarlet sage is our annual salvia, known botanically as Salvia splendens. I say “annual” because that is how most of us treat it. In Florida, you’ll find some people growing it as a perennial.

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New colors and varieties will ensure a dazzling landscape or a sizzling mixed container for the whole gardening season. One group that you will probably find new to you is the Saucy series.

‘Saucy Wine’ and ‘Saucy Red’ have both found fame in the Southern Living Plant Collection.

‘Saucy Coral’ looks as though it was designed with the artist gardener in mind, with one of the rarest colors in the gardening world.

The Saucy series is fairly large, growing 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. You’ll find that all of the Salvia splendens do their part to bring in hummingbirds and butterflies. Because of their height, the Saucy series also makes great cut flowers. Deadheading simply brings more flowers throughout the summer.

The Vista series is another group that I have always liked. These are more compact, reaching only 1 foot in height and 8 to 10 inches in width. The Vista series comes in six colors and a mix. My color-designer son seems to always make sure white flowers are part of his mixes, and in 2017 I have to say that the ‘Vista White’ was extraordinary. Even through September, his mixed planters featuring ‘Vista White’ were amazing.

The Picante, Salsa and Sizzler series are also compact when compared to the Saucy series.

They have so many colors, you’ll question why they are called “scarlet sage.” They originated in Brazil, so the marketing or varietal names are certainly appropriate.

Color from spring through frost means that this annual form of salvia is an exceptional buy and ranks as a stalwart performer. Its spiky texture is most welcome in a garden world dominated by round flowers.

The ideal site would get morning sun and midafternoon shade. The soil should be very well drained. Plant on raised beds, or amend heavy soils with the addition of compost or humus. Plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 may find these to be returning perennials with superior drainage.

While preparing the soil, incorporate 2 pounds of a slow-release, 12-6-6 fertilizer or something balanced per 100 square feet of planting area.

Space the plants 10 to 12 inches apart, planting at the same depth they are growing in the container.

Water deeply, once a week, particularly during long, dry periods. In the Savannah, Georgia, area, last year we had the fourth-driest summer in a dozen years. On the other hand, we had the second-wettest summer in terms of frequency of rain. This was just about perfect for most of our annuals.

URBAN AG Adding a good layer of mulch will reward the gardener with happier plants by keeping the root zone cooler and the moisture from quickly evaporating. Prune spent flowers to encourage branching and blossoms. This will be especially important for your late summer and fall display. Feed a month after planting with a light application of fertilizer.

Scarlet sage comes in almost any color, including two-toned varieties, so it helps to know your color combinations. I have loved my son’s mixed container of ‘Saucy Coral’ with ‘Black and Bloom’ salvia and bright ‘Sidekick Lime’ ornamental sweet potatoes. And the others planted with ‘Vista White’ seem to complement all other colors. Don’t be afraid to use white.

It is super as the sun sets, and the color even reflects moonlight at night.

Hummingbirds, butterflies and dazzling beauty are pretty good attributes for scarlet sage. It will give you a sense of "green-thumb satisfaction."

'Vista White' salvia provides high contrast and complements other flowers.

About the author

Norman Winter is the former director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia, now retired.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

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URBAN AG

How to plant a tree

Why are we still doing it wrong?

by Art Morris, Board-Certified Master Arborist

1.

Planted with burlap and straps still on the root ball.

2.

Root bound or planted in a small, glazed hole.

3.

Staked improperly or even guyed down (as if they’re going to take off like rocket ships).

4.

Poorly selected for the site.

…and the biggest problem:

5.

Photo courtesy of the Georgia Urban Forest Council

Clearly there is a disconnect somewhere between the “how-to” articles and the production landscape installer.

Why are we still doing it wrong? I suspect that there are a few reasons: training, budgets, and one-year plant warranties.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

When I was asked to write an article on “how to plant a tree” my first thought

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was that, surely, this topic had already been extensively covered in this publication and countless others. Is there really a need for another how-to on the subject?

Naturally, I turned to Google… and found only 2 million hits with “how to plant a tree in Georgia.”

And yet, despite industry-wide publications, continuing education seminars and online resources, it’s not hard (in fact its common) to walk through a landscape and find trees that are:

Planted too deep.

Clearly there is a disconnect somewhere between the “how-to” articles and the production landscape installer. Why are we still doing it wrong? I suspect that there are a few reasons: training, budgets, and one-year plant warranties.

Training Most employers provide training for employees on proper planting, but how often do we audit their work? When was the last time you visited a jobsite, found a tree planted too deeply and required your team to dig it back up and replant it? We should be constantly auditing the quality of our planting projects, correcting mistakes and coaching our teams on the importance of planting correctly. This includes removing the packing material, digging a hole at least 3x as wide as the root ball, teasing out circling roots, backfilling with native soils, planting at the correct height or even slightly above native grade, staking correctly (I’m partial to underground staking) and providing for adequate (but not excessive) watering. Our expectation is that the tree we’re planting will live for decades; we owe it to ourselves and our customers to invest the time and effort to plant it correctly.

URBAN AG

Budgets We all know that the trees don’t pay the bills.

The customers do. Ultimately, we’re all subject to the constraints of the project budget and usually, a customer who wants as many plants as possible at the best price possible.

It’s our responsibility to educate our customers and the public on the importance of proper planting. Of course, there’s a cost associated with the extra time and effort it takes to do it right, and we may lose the occasional job due to these costs. Nevertheless, it’s important to discuss these issues with customers.

Installing fewer trees in the landscape, but planting them correctly, is almost always worth consideration. I bet almost everyone would rather have two or three very healthy trees than 10 dying trees.

Plant warranties And on a related note, the one-year warranty kills more trees than any landscape pest or disease. By offering a one-year warranty we create incentives for ourselves to plant incorrectly:

When compared to the “one-year warranty” tree, my “planted for decades” tree is less likely, due to the initial stress I put on it, to survive for the first year. It's far more likely, however, to survive for 50 years.

There’s nothing wrong with providing a plant material warranty, it affords the customer a sense of confidence and security. We simply need to be sure we don’t allow the warranty to dictate how we plant.

In summary, how to plant correctly: Google it. Train employees on it and audit their work.

Communicate with your customers about it.

Expect and budget for some failures, but rest assured that you’re contributing to the longterm health of the landscape.

About the author Art Morris is a Board-Certified Master Arborist and President of the Georgia Urban Forest Council. He is the General Manager of New Urban Forestry, a tree care, landscape design and green-waste recycling company based in Athens.

a tree alive for one year 4IfI’mmynotgoalgoingis totokeep break up the root ball and risk damaging the roots (I might even just put the tree, container and all, into a small hole).

plant it a few inches too deep and 4I’llstakeprobably it really tightly to be sure I don’t have to come back and stand it up if it falls over.

Conversely, if my goal is to plant a tree that will live for decades I’m going to break up the root ball, removing as much of the planting medium as possible (I like to get as close as I can to bare-rooting the tree). I’ll find the original root collar and plant it a couple of inches higher than native grade, staking it loosely or using underground staking. I’ll probably water it deeply once or twice a week but quickly ween it off of supplemental watering.

About the Georgia Urban Forest Council The mission of the Georgia Urban Forest Council is to sustain Georgia's green legacy by partnering with individuals, organizations, and communities in raising awareness toward improving and maintaining Georgia's community forests.

The vision of the Georgia Urban Forest Council is that every Georgia community experiences the many benefits of healthy trees and a strong community forestry program.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

definitely going to over-water it, maybe even 4I’m water it every day.

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URBAN AG

Turfgrass diseases

Identifying and preparing for spring/early summer diseases

by Alfredo Martinez, Plant Pathology Department, University of Georgia-Griffin Campus

Centipede decline

Plant nutrition The nutrient requirements of centipedegrass are different from most other turfgrasses. An acid soil pH of 5.0 to 6.0 is preferred by this turfgrass species. As the pH goes above 6.0, iron (Fe) availability decreases. Iron deficiency causes the grass to become chlorotic or yellow. A high phosphorous level also renders iron unavailable in the soil, resulting in chlorotic symptoms.

Centipedegrass has a lighter green foliage than most other turfgrasses. It will become dark green with excessive nitrogen applications, which can be a primary cause of centipedegrass decline.

Additionally, unwarranted nitrogen can lead to thatch build-up and disease problems.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Centipedegrass is subject to a condition called “centipedegrass decline,� which is failure to green-up in the spring or successful green-up followed by decline and death in late spring and summer. Many factors may contribute to this problem. It is important to be aware of these factors so that preventive and/or corrective steps can be taken. This problem can be prevented by proper management, which includes avoiding over-fertilization, preventing thatch accumulation, irrigating during drought stress (particularly in the fall), and maintaining a mowing height of 1 to 1.5 inches.

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Large patch of warm season grasses

Alfredo Martinez

URBAN AG Thatch build-up A “thatch layer” is an accumulation of dead plant material at the soil surface. In the case of centipedegrass, thatch is composed of turfgrass stems, stolons and roots. Thatch build-up prevents water from penetrating into the soil, harbors insects and disease organisms, and leads to a shallow-rooted centipedegrass that is heat-, cold- and drought-susceptible. New stolons grow on top of the thatch and roots don’t penetrate the soil as deeply. Therefore, these stolons and roots are exposed to cold temperatures and are more subject to drought and desiccation.

If proper fertility and mowing practices are followed, grass clippings will not promote thatch build-up. A soft, spongy turf usually indicates an excessive thatch accumulation.

Soil and water conditions Healthy aboveground growth depends on an extensive, well-developed, deep root system.

The weaker and less extensive the root system, the more susceptible the grass is to drought stress and winter injury. In extreme cases, the root system may be so weakened that the grass will die even during favorable summer weather conditions. A number of factors can contribute to poor root development, including nematodes, compacted soils, pH or nutrition problems and poor watering techniques.

For information on centipede decline, visit: http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail. html?number=C1003

Large patch of warm season grasses

a turfgrass species best adapted 4 Establishing to your geographical area and situation.

Making sure that areas are well-draining, as 4 moisture levels in the thatch and soil is an

essential aspect of large patch management.

4 Implementing a sound fertility program 4 according to recommended guidelines for Preventing and/or alleviating soil compaction.

your particular turf species and an updated soil test.

4 Emphasizing cultural and genetic control on 4 home lawns, as few effective fungicides are Cutting grass at the proper mowing height for that species.

available for the public to use for large patch management.

4

Applying fungicides in the following classes for commercial turf: carboxamides, benzimidazoles, carbamates, dicarboximides, DMI fungicides, dinitro anilines, nitriles, polyoxins, and Qo inhibitors.

For more information on large patch for warm season grasses, visit: http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail. html?number=C1088

Dollar spot

(Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) Dollar spot is an ever-present turfgrass disease that affects all warm and cool season grasses in the state of Georgia. Dollar spot fungus is classified as Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, but its taxonomy is under review. Affected grasses display white to straw-colored lesions. Blighted leaves are formed in aggregates that appear as circular, sunken patches, measuring from less than 1⁄2-inch to more than 4 inches in diameter. The disease is most prevalent during spring and fall. In Georgia, dollar spot infections develop rapidly at temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures, combined with long periods of leaf wetness from dew, rain, or irrigation, favor growth of the fungus.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

Rhizoctonia large patch is the most common and severe disease of warm season grasses across the state of Georgia. The disease is apparent during the spring and fall, when warm season turfgrasses are entering or exiting their period of winter dormancy. Circular patches of affected turf are easily observed. Infection of the lower leaf sheaths by R. solani occurs whenever the temperature of the thatch layer is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and continuous moisture is available for at least 48 hours.

Management strategies include:

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URBAN AG

Alfredo Martinez

Dollar spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) Management strategies include:

a turfgrass species best adapted 4 Establishing to your geographical area and specific location.

fertility through light and 4 Monitoring frequent nitrogen applications, which are

recommended for disease management and maintenance of turfgrass growth.

before sunrise, or otherwise 4 Irrigating avoiding irrigating in the late afternoon or evening, as this prolongs periods of leaf wetness.

morning dew by either light 4 Removing irrigation or poling to help lower disease incidence.

thatch layers if they are greater 4 Removing than 1 inch in depth. regularly, as drought-stressed turf 4 Watering is particularly susceptible to dollar spot UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

infection.

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cultural and genetic control, 4 Emphasizing as few effective fungicides are available for the general public to use for dollar spot management.

the variety of fungicides available 4 Applying to professional turfgrass managers. the several biological fungicides that 4 Using are now labeled for dollar spot control.

Comprehensive information on identification and control on dollar spot can be found at http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail. html?number=C1091

Spring dead spot

(Ophiosphaerella spp) Spring dead spot (SDS) is a persistent and destructive disease of bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.) in Georgia. The disease can be problematic on lawns, landscapes, golf courses (bermudagrass greens, tees and fairways) and sports fields. The disease is particularly prevalent and damaging in north Georgia, especially in the Piedmont region. However, SDS can be observed throughout the state after harsh winters and in areas where bermudagrass has been exposed to freezing temperatures for extended periods of time. The disease has also been observed in zoysiagrass, although less frequently.

Cultivar selection and cultural practices The primary cultivars grown and used in Georgia (e.g., Tifway, TifSport, Tifton 10, Celebration, etc.) have shown susceptibility to SDS. However, SDS tolerance has been enhanced through breeding. Most “tolerant� cultivars (e.g., Patriot) may still get the disease but not as severely. In general, cultivars with more cold tolerance have less SDS than noncold tolerant bermudagrasses. On sites where SDS has been a chronic problem, conversion to a tolerant cultivar is an option for disease management. Complete control of SDS in a single growing season is uncommon. It typically takes two to four years of proper cultural management and fungicide applications before acceptable control can be achieved. This has

URBAN AG led to SDS becoming one of the more difficult diseases for growers to manage on an annual basis.

Cultural practices that improve the coldhardiness of bermudagrass can be particularly effective for managing SDS. Proper use of nitrogen fertilizers is important because high nitrogen levels can reduce the winter hardiness of bermudagrass. It is recommended that no more than ½ pound of nitrogen per 1,000 ft2 be applied after mid-September. Potassium applications in the fall (September or October) that total 1 pound of K2O per 1,000 ft2 can be helpful in improving the winter hardiness of bermudagrass and thus reduce SDS severity.

Potassium applications should be applied based on soil test results. A neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH has been linked to increased SDS severity. Maintain soil pH at 5.8 to 6.2. Use acid-forming fertilizers on sites with near neutral to alkaline pH. Apply iron, manganese and other micronutrients based on soil test results.

Any soil condition that reduces bermudagrass

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Comprehensive information on identification and control of SDS can be found at http://extension. uga.edu/ publications/detail. html?number=C1012

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root growth such as compaction, excessive thatch (> ½ in) and poor drainage can also increase the severity of SDS. Core aeration and other practices that reduce soil compaction and encourage the production of new roots can be helpful in managing this disease.

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URBAN AG

Cottontail rabbits

Cute, cuddly, destructive

by Michael Anthony Foster, University of Georgia Rabbits are often welcomed additions to lawns because many

The fictional Peter Rabbit isn't the only rabbit that enjoys munching in vegetable gardens. To keep rabbits out of home gardens, University of Georgia Extension specialists recommend building a fence around precious plants. The fence must be at least 2 feet high and must be buried 8 to 12 inches deep.

homeowners find them adorable. They love to see rabbits at the edges of their lawns early in the morning or in the evening. However, if the population is left unchecked, rabbits can cost homeowners hundreds, even thousands, of dollars a year in damages.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

In the Southeast, rabbits feed on backyard plants yearround. They consume flowers, soft stems, fruits and vegetables during the spring and summer months. Very few home-garden crops, like tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, corn and spicy peppers, are immune to rabbit damage. Rabbits can kill older, mature trees by stripping bark from the trees’ bases.

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For more information on controlling nuisance wildlife, see the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Circular 1021, “Repellents and Wildlife Damage,” at extension.uga.edu/ publications.

Damage caused by rabbits is often mistaken for damage by whitetail deer and squirrels. Many of their foraging habits overlap.

Rabbit damage is identifiable by gnaw marks on woody vegetation. Bark gnawing usually occurs in patches and doesn’t occur higher than 2.5 feet above ground level.

Other signs of rabbit damage are young, cleancut stems sheared at an angle, looking as if the stem was cut with scissors. The presence of round, pea-sized droppings around damaged areas may also be chalked up to rabbits.

One of the easiest ways to mitigate damage caused by rabbits is to modify their habitat.

Remove brush piles and weed patches, fill holes and remove any debris that could be used as a den site. Habitat modification is extremely effective in residential areas because there are very few suitable habitats available.

When habitat modification doesn’t work, use a physical barrier to prevent rabbits’ access.

Exclusion is the most effective means of control, but it can be the most expensive in terms of labor and money.

Fences to deter rabbits should be at least 2 feet tall, buried 8 to 12 inches below the ground, and constructed out of chicken wire or hardware cloth.

Tree guards may keep rabbits from tearing the bark from young trees. Construct box cages around small, raised gardens and individual plants to protect them. Be sure to use hinges on these box cages so the homeowner has an access point.

Repellents are the most common form of pest control. A variety of chemical repellents, designed to discourage rabbits from browsing, are on the market today. Remember to vary the products you use. If you use the same repellent over and over again, the rabbits will become accustomed to that product, rendering it ineffective.

Most repellents can be sprayed or brushed on like paint, and most are contact-, taste- or odorbased repellents. Taste-based repellents should be applied before damage occurs. Homeowners who experienced previous damage to their vegetable gardens should apply repellent shortly after this year’s crop begins to emerge. This teaches the offending animals that these plants are unpalatable.

The final option is lethal control. Rabbits are classified as a game species in Georgia, so

URBAN AG game laws must be followed. When rabbits are in season, live box traps can be baited with apples, lettuce, carrots or Brussels sprouts. While shooting is a quick, easy method of control, most municipal firearm ordinances prohibit the discharge of firearms within city limits.

While rabbits may be adorable, they can also be the source of significant damage to backyard gardens and landscape plants. Fortunately, there are a variety of available control techniques that can help mitigate and even prevent rabbit damage.

Every bug is not a pest

Identify pests before applying pesticides

by Amanda Tedrow, UGA Cooperative Extension Agent Pesticides, which include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and more, can

contain organic or conventional ingredients.

People use them in homes and workplaces, on farms and in gardens, and in other places where they want to control pests like weeds, insects, fungi, rodents and plant viruses.

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension urges all Georgians to learn more about the safe use, storage and disposal of pesticides. The UGA Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program promotes the safe, responsible use of pesticides by individuals and commercial groups by providing training programs, materials and educational resources that cover pest identification, personal safety, safe storage and safe disposal of pesticides.

To reduce the unnecessary use of pesticides, remember that not every bug is a pest.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a science-based decision-making process focused on controlling insects through biological, mechanical, cultural and chemical methods.

IPM reduces the economic, environmental and public health risks associated with pests and pest management practices.

Agents use the home and garden edition of the 2018 Georgia Pest Management Handbook to give control recommendations.

Both the home and garden and commercial editions of the handbook provide current information on selection, application and safe use of pest control chemicals.

UGA Extension agents can identify the suspected pest and recommend the low-risk treatment options, if treatment is needed. Some insects may actually be beneficial to your plants.

Agents use their knowledge and experience, and the home and garden edition of the 2018 Georgia Pest Management Handbook, to give control recommendations. The home and garden edition of the handbook, along with the commercial edition, provides current information on selection, application and safe use of pest control chemicals.

To purchase a print copy of either edition of the 2018 Georgia Pest Management Handbook, visit UGAExtensionStore.com. The Commercial Edition is $50, which includes both volumes. The Home and Garden Edition is $20.

Note: This is a different resource than the 2018 Recommendations for Turfgrass Professionals which will be distributed to all UAC members upon publication this Spring.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

UGA Extension experts educate homeowners, landscape professionals, farmers and other individuals who commonly use pesticides about how to protect the environment, reduce pesticide drift and runoff, protect threatened and endangered species, protect water quality, and keep food safe.

The first step in the IPM process is pest identification.

If an insect, weed or suspected plant disease causes trouble in your landscape or garden, bring a sample of the pest or email a photograph to your local UGA Extension office.

Place the insect in a plastic container or glass bottle, or bring in a freshly cut leaf sample.

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URBAN AG

Distant cousins

Native azaleas are very different from traditional variety

by Sharon Dowdy, News Editor, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Georgians are accustomed to evergreen azaleas, but native azaleas are currently growing in popularity. Unlike evergreens, native azaleas lose their leaves in the fall, grow tall and airy rather than low and dense, and bloom in the spring and summer.

Native azaleas typically have tubular flowers with long stamens that extend beyond their petals.

University of Georgia plant breeder Carol Robacker has studied azaleas for the past 25 years. She and her research technicians, Allen Byous and Sherrod Baden, have learned a lot about one of the South’s most popular flowers.

UAC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2018

A scientist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Robacker breeds new landscape plants that are genetically adapted to survive and thrive in the heat and drought stress of Georgia’s urban conditions. Robacker works with CAES entomologist Kris Braman to breed native azalea plants that can tolerate azalea lace bugs, a major pest of azaleas.

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Evergreen azalea flowers come in a wide variety of forms, and the most common is single-petal.

Native azaleas typically have tubular flowers with long stamens that extend beyond their petals.

“There are more than 17 species of native azaleas. We collected a number of these that grow in the Piedmont (region) and are now evaluating which ones are adapted to Georgia,” said Robacker.

The Research and Education Garden on the UGA Griffin campus is filled with row after row of her research plots. In Robacker’s laboratory

and greenhouse at UGA-Griffin, Byous and Baden tend the plants and record any insects and diseases that affect them.

To help Georgia gardeners successfully grow azaleas, they offer the following tips.

“First, when you buy an azalea, turn the pot upside down. Gently remove the plant from the pot and examine the roots. If the roots are light brown and the pot is fairly full of healthylooking roots, you’re good. If they are black, don’t buy it,” Byous said.

When it comes to site selection, pick a spot that gets both sun and shade, Byous said. Azaleas need sunlight to develop flower buds and flowers, but most azalea varieties perform better in the shade, which protects them from extreme heat in summer.

“A 50-50 mix of sun and shade makes for a good compromise for most varieties,” he said.

Look closely at the soil. Azaleas don’t like wet, boggy areas, and native azaleas especially like well-drained soil, Byous said. Azaleas also like an acidic soil with a pH in the 4.5 to 6.0 range.

When you are ready to plant, dig a hole 4 inches larger than the pot. “Break up the root ball, scar the inside of the hole so the roots can spread and place the plant 2 inches higher than soil level so it drains well,” he said.

Add pine bark or shredded leaves as mulch to insulate the plant and keep the weeds down.

Water the new azalea plant heavily for the first two years and fertilize in the spring with a slowrelease fertilizer similar to a 19-5-8 fertilizer blend.

Native azaleas typically aren’t pruned, but if you choose to prune, do so after they bloom and before the new buds set the following spring.

“You don’t have to prune them, but you may want to if they grow outside the area where you planted them,” said Robacker. “But please don’t

URBAN AG try to create a meatball shape. Natives aren’t meant to be shaped like that.”

Over her 37-year career at UGA-Griffin, Baden has developed a dark green thumb. Her advice to azalea lovers is simple: Don’t move them once they are established.

“If you want an azalea in another area of your yard, take cuttings from your azaleas and root new plants,” she said.

“Wound about a half-inch of the lower stem of the cutting by scraping the surface with a sharp knife. Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone of your choice, liquid or powder,” Baden said.

“Stick cuttings in a mix of milled sphagnum moss and coarse perlite mixed 1-1.”

For more indepth information on selecting and growing azaleas, search UGA Extension publications at extension.uga.edu/ publications.

Place the cuttings in light shade under an automatic misting system to keep them moist for several weeks.

To do this, select shoots that are about 6 inches long. Snap the branch to remove a cutting. Place the cutting in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel and label the bag.

“If you don’t have an automatic system, create a humidity dome out of a plastic shoe box or corsage box. Gradually open the box over a few weeks to decrease the humidity and allow the cuttings to adapt to the drier air,” she said.

“Keep the bag out of the sun. Put the bag of cuttings in the refrigerator overnight,” she said.

The next day, trim the cuttings from the bottom to create a 4- to 6-inch cutting. Remove all the leaves except the top pair, and trim these by about half to reduce plant stress.

After several weeks, the cuttings should have roots. Allow the newly rooted cuttings to grow undisturbed their first season. Cuttings must overwinter in a protected, cold environment and go dormant. Newly rooted azalea cuttings should bloom two years after being established.

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