INLA March/April 2025

Indiana Nursery & Landscape News Volume 85 • Issue 2

March | Aoril 2025

FEATURE

Indiana green expo� highlights PLUS!

Green Excellence Award Winners INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025 The Official Publication of the Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS Inside This Issue: 2

Upcoming Events

2

New INLA Members

4

Executive Director's Letter

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President's Message

2025 EXECUTIVE TEAM Shaun Yeary, President Greendell Landscape Solutions 749 West State Road 42 Mooresville, IN 46158 317-996-2826; Fax 317-996-2032 syeary@greendelllandscape.com Bob Wasson, President-Elect Wasson Nursery and Garden Center 3737 North 500 West Muncie, IN 47304 765-759-9000 bob@wassonnursery.com

12 Feature: Indiana Green Expo 2025 Recap 16 DNR Article: Pests in Indiana Nurseries 20

IAH Registration Form

21

INLA Green Excellence Award Winners of 2025

26

INLA Joint Committee Meeting

28

George Brenn's IAH Chapter 14 Study Guide + Quiz

30

New IAHs

36

Directory of Advertisers

Gabriel Gluesenkamp, Past President Designscape Horticultural Services 2877 S. TC Steele Road Nashville, IN 47448-9584 812-988-8900; Fax 812-988-2639 gabrielg@designhort.com Kevin Van Sessen, Vice President Blade Cutters, LLC. PO Box 738 Crown Point, IN 46308 219-661-8206 Fax 219-226-3127 kevinvs@bladecutters.net Rick Haggard, Executive Director & Publisher 7915 S. Emerson Ave., #247 Indianapolis, IN 46032 Office: 800-443-7336 or 317-889-2382 Cell: 765-366-4994 info@inla1.org • rhaggard@inla1.org • haggard.rick@att.net

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Erick Brehob (2026) Brehob Consulting and Distribution, LLC 317-258-0544 • brehoberick@outlook.com

Indiana Nursery & Landscape News

Kyle Daniel — Purdue University 765-494-7621 • daniel38@purdue.edu

Volume 85 • Issue 2 - March | April 2025

Indiana Nursery and Landscape News is the official publication of the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc. (INLA) and is published bimonthly.

Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association 7915 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 247 Indianapolis, IN 46237 Phone: 317-889-2382 Toll Free: 800-443-7336 www.inla1.org

Copy Deadline: First of the month preceding the month of the issue. Reprint permission granted if source is indicated.

Views expressed in articles or editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the association or its directors, but are those of the writer.

Trade names used in articles are for identification only.

No discrimination is intended toward similar products and the INLA does not endorse the use of the products mentioned.

Jill Glover (2026) Schneider Nursery • 812-522-4068 jill@schneidernursery.com Jason Fritz (2025) Stantec Native Plant Nursery (574) 586-2412 Jason.fritz@cardno.com Carlos Reichman (2025) Schuetz Insurance Services (317) 639-5679 carlos@schuetzins.com

PUBLISHER Rick Haggard, Executive Director, INLA 765-366-4994 • rhaggard@inla1.org

Subscriptions: Included with membership to the INLA. Nonmembers: $36.00 per year (six issues per year).

Kent Wilhelmus (2025) Second Nature Landscape Management 812-483-7817 • kent@secondnaturelm.com

Advertising Rates: Media Kit available online at www.inla1.org

For questions regarding subscriptions, please call INLA at 317-889-2382.

Matt Colias (2027) Matt's Lawn Care and Landscaping 219-838-8900 • matt@mattslawn.com

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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UPCOMING EVENTS March 15-23 Indiana Flower and Patio Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds www.indianaflowerandpatioshow.com 18

IAH Certification Initial Test/Retest, 9 - 11 AM,

Automatic Supply, 116 Shadowlawn Dr., Fishers, IN 46038

Registration online or Inside Magazine - call 317-889-2382 for more info www.inla1.org

April 24 Contractors on Tap, 5 - 8 PM CDT, Off Square Brewing Company, 11000 Delaware Parkway,

Crown Point, IN 46307

Registration online or Inside Magazine www.inla1.org July 17 IOMA Golf Outing Fundraiser, Twin Lakes Golf Club, 3200 W 96th St., Carmel, IN 46032

*detailed information coming soon www.inla1.org August 6-8 INLA Summer Meeting and INEF Shooting for Scholarships, Central Indiana *details coming mid-April www.inla1.org Visit http://inla1.org/events-calendar/ for updates and new event listings.

Welcome New INLA Members!

Landscape Rescue LLC

Active

London Stoneworks

(765) 474-6821 Greg Gilman 3520 Indianbrook Dr. Lafayette, IN 47909

Mulch Mule (812) 589-2165 Jamie Read 2501 S. Kentucky Ave. Evansville, IN 47714 Nicolock Paving Stones

Great Lakes Landscape Mgmt., Inc.

(312) 961-0770

(219 690-1650

Roger Essex

Dino Loakimidis

17333 Silverwood Loop

PO Box 256

Granger, IN 46530

Lindenhurst, NY 11757

RPM Exterior Services

TL Design

(631) 669-0700 Warren Maccaroni 612 Muncy Ave

Schererville, IN 46375 Hatton Landscape

(317) 670-3813

(219) 743-9019

Blake Lyons

Joel Johnson

3155 Lake Ct.

13115 Schneider St.

Greenwood, IN 46142

Highland, IN 46322

Associate

Tycol Excavating & Property Services

Cedar Lake, IN 46303

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Hazelwood Outdoor

Foster's Inc

(219) 343-0554

(319) 235-6548

Michael Hazelwood

Jeff Engle

3311 W 79th Pl.

1235 Peters Dr.

Merrillville, IN 46410

Waterloo, IA 50701

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

(219) 301-2444 Teresa Lekan 2158 45th St. #143

(574) 849-6492 Tyson Kritzman 3004 Winding Waters Ln. Elkhart, IN 46514

Shingle Oak

Bur Oak

Willow Oak

Autumn Blaze Maple 2” – 4”

Red Pointe Maple 2” – 4”

Armstrong Maple 2” – 4”

Visit our website for link to our current inventory and photo gallery.

Volume discount on 3" – 4" caliper trees.

502-266-9299 2814 Todds Point Rd Simpsonville, KY 40067 sales@bowlingwholesale.com www.bowlingsnursery.com

Visit our Nursery in Simpsonville KY and get $500.00 off the 1st Semi-load PLUS 10% off select 3" – 4" caliper shade trees

October Glory Maple

Worplesdon Sweetgum

Tulip Poplar

Exclamation London Planetree

Princeton Elm

Heritage Birch, Single Stem

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S LETTER

Rick Haggard Talk about a whirlwind past couple of months with all the major holidays Christmas and New Years, plus items related to weather in an unseasonable as in the past couple of years. As of this writing in Central Indiana anyway dependent on your own locale. In 2022-2023, winter snowfall accounts were 10” total accumulation, in 2023-2024 the totals were 14” snowfall. In 2024- February 21, 2025 the total has been 24”. Now keep in mind the general running average has been around 20-22” during the winter and we still have 4-6 weeks left. You might ask yourself “Why would an Executive Director care about weather during the winter with an ‘office’ job?” Trust me, being in the industry as long as I have, I am well aware of the possible opportunistic “extra” income to the companies that do this type of work, or landscape crews that could still do pruning, late fall or early spring cleanups.

Now onto the meat and potatoes, to what the association is tirelessly working on regarding the Indiana Green Expo during this time. We were blessed with cold but clear weather during the 2025 Indiana Green Expo held February 9 – 12, 2025.

Yes, after exhibitors saw the “early” setup option for larger 4

booths being Super Bowl Sunday February 9, 2025, there was a number that muttered or very boisterously though this an invasion of privacy by offering or entertaining this odea in the beginning. However, as the week prior to this date several decided, there would be less interference and a better opportunity to get the big stuff out of the way. I will have more details in the “Indiana Green Expo” article located on pages 12-14 regarding exhibitors, registrations, etc.

Next up on the list is a huge shoutout to all the INLA Award recipients handed out during the INLA Annual Reception held Tuesday evening February 11, 2025, in Rooms 105-106 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. What an event with over 100 attendees sharing in the gala for celebrating our 2024 Award of Excellence pertaining to landscaping and hardscaping projects both commercial and residential of a certain value denomination criterion, as well as a special projects entry. We also awarded several deserving individuals, that with the support of their family, have invested so much of their personal time and giving generously in making the Association, stronger and more respectable from their leadership.

See more on pages XX regarding the INLA Award of Excellence article.

Next on my list of priorities is the upcoming events taking place on March 18, 2025 at Automatic Supply located at 116 East Shadowlawn Drive in Fisher, Indiana 46038. We are planning an IAH Initial Exam or a retest as the need be, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am (EDT). The INLA

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

Board will meet from 11:30 am to around 1:45 pm, then the ever popular and growing INLA Committee Callout from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This callout is for members to allow individuals from INLA companies send dedicated employees that have a desire to become more invested in the association and a passion to assist in developing better interaction with others that have the same interests in certain groups.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Matt Colias to the INLA Board of Directors, for the upcoming 2025 year.

In the same respect welcome Shaun Year as incoming President of the INLA and Gabriel Gluesenkamp to the new role of Past President. Dean Ricci it has been an honor and a privilege to have your in-depth leadership, during your tenure as board member, and fulfilling all the ranks as an INLA Officer.

To all enjoy many pictures from the most recent events as well as numerous articles of mere detailed information. Hope you can attend many of our events in 2025 and the IGE 2026!

Keepin it Green, Rick Haggard INLA Executive Director

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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PRESIDENT SHAUN YEARY'S MESSAGE Greetings to all of my fellow INLA members, On February 2 nd the infamous groundhog, Punxutawney Phil, saw his shadow predicting six more weeks of winter. As of the time I’m writing my first installment of the Presidents Letter, I’ll be darned if that varmint wasn’t right. In case you haven’t noticed, cold, snowy, freezing weather is not my friend. You see, I’m involved in the manufacturing and supply world for Landscape and Outdoor Living products and bad weather can put the Kabash on most opportunities to earn revenue. We stay active by continuing to follow the Greendell and Musselman Landscape Solutions Mission. “Provide customers quality products and industry leading service with integrity.”

Connecting with our customers and exploring new products and services that could add value to our stakeholders.

On the other side of the spectrum, snow and ice can be a very lucrative opportunity for many of our members. A chance at revenues that can help with profits and/or overhead recovery from keeping on their full-time staff on the payroll throughout winter.

With all of the mild winters we’ve become accustomed to, I’d be curious to see how snow and ice control revenue differs in the budgets of our northern-most members to our southern ones. It’s very important to know your numbers. Whether you’re dependent on that revenue or simply just budget it as “Bonus Money” because it can be very unpredictable. Even more so, the further south we go.

I am extremely grateful for everything the 26 years I’ve been in our industry has awarded me.

Great peers, colleagues and friendships. For those of you who do not know me, I began my career in landscape in the summer of 1999. It started with a company in Brownsburg, currently in Whitestown, named Start to Finish Inc. Our main scope of business was doing new home construction landscaping. I didn’t even know what sod was! I was 20 years old and starting at the bottom. Digging holes, pushing wheelbarrows and laying sod had become my new life. It awarded me with years of experience and opportunities to continuously learn new skills. Communication, equipment operating, Spanish, but most important discipline and patience and the value of a hardearned dollar. I’d like to thank Jeff Yeary for every opportunity given and congratulate him on how 6

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

far he and his team have brought the company today. After Start to Finish Inc. I tried my hand at doing my own thing.

I was poorly prepared and had little to no actual experience on the business side of things. Since I’ve been in the supply world, this is something I’ve seen happen quite a few times. I make it a point to donate more of my time to the newer startups I encounter. It’s become a large part of the foundation of what our company believes in.

To help grow and develop all of our partners.

Sorry for the tangent! I eventually closed up shop and moved around through a couple of different employers and finally was introduced to Frank Gieseking at Greendell Mulch and Mix. The interview process started in January 2012 and concluded that June was when I officially started my position as an Outside Sales consultant. Some years later Frank comically admitted that I wasn’t the greatest interview he’d done. I’m grateful he gave me the opportunity to develop a totally new set of skills. He’s encouraged me to learn and to an extent “fail forward”. It’s now 2025, and I work alongside a team of super amazing people that personify our values, our culture and they are all focused on driven to give our clients the best possible experience.

Moving on to my time and service with the INLA. I was brought onto the Trade Show Committee to help out with the Landscape Challenge at our Indiana Green Expo Trade Show reporting to, now Past President, Brian Franco. Eventually I was voted onto the Board of Directors and appointed as Chair of the Trade Show Committee. In the 11 plus years I’ve been in service, I’ve seen many individuals benefit from being involved. Covid time was definitely a challenge that took us a couple of years to start bringing people in, but now we are back in full force and looking to up our game even further. I’ve observed, over the years, that the INLA’s greatest resource is its members. It is an undeniable scenario in which both our volunteers and our organization win.

This is where I’d like to contribute to in my term as our organization’s President by improving our infrastructure and building a more solid foundation. All of this along with the current momentum we have in our mission to increase membership and, at the same time, add more value (cont. page 8)

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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to our current members state-wide.

What do I mean by aiding in the improvement of our infrastructure you may ask. I’ve been working with our Executive Director, the famous Mr. Rick Haggard, and pouring through various documents to create a better onboarding experience for newly elected members of our Board of Directors. Helping them hit the ground running will only contribute to a much quicker return on their service. Strengthening and stacking our Committees with some more industry rock stars. There’s room for growth and improvement in our committee system and an incredible amount of value that could be added to our organization.

As I’ve mentioned previously in this letter, “The INLA’s greatest resource is our members”. What are the benefits of service you ask?

A chance to: Build a network o Industry peers that you can share ideas and learn with Find a Mentor Be a Mentor o This isn’t just for the young. We still have some legends on the IAH Committee Perks of Service o Access to specific events through volunteerism o Committee appreciation events Make a difference My hope is to set in motion a series of events that lead to a strong association with a deep bench of industry leaders and upcoming leaders. Who do we want you ask?

Seasoned Leaders Upcoming Rockstars o People who show the spark of potential o Go-getters People who may have special Skill-sets o Who might benefit our Marketing and Social Media and Legislative Committees Over the last few years as the Trade Show Committee has been evolving, I’m constantly seeing new ways for us to add value. Our team this year did an amazing job and I’d love to give them another shout out of appreciation.

Melanie Ellis - Vincennes University: She must have put in 20,000 steps during show setup and sought out things to do when she ran out of work.

Jacob Sanborn- Brickworks (Raffle Sponsor!): He organized the acquisition, material handling and shipment of our Raffle materials, donated by Belgard Hardscape, to the winners. Thank you and Brickworks for your support.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

Josh Bex - Silver Linings Landscape: He showed up to help on early setup Sunday and Show tear down.

Paul Smith - Me and My Diddy Lawncare: Came in on Monday for setup and helped with tear down.

Jim Lefton - Perennials Plus: Helped with Show setup on Monday Jason Fritz - Stantec (Current Board Member): His golden voice earned him a lifetime roll as our Trade Show announcer.

Kent Wilhelmus - Second Nature Landscape (Current Board Member): Helped with early setup, Monday setup and Show tear down.

Dave Lafara - David Lafara Hardscape Services (Past President): Dave assisted with Show setup and tear down.

Thank you all for your service!

I hope this gives you a glimpse of what committee life can look like. We also conducted a series of monthly Zoom meetings and a meeting cook-out at my home. I hope to see a lot of new blood at our upcoming Committee Call-out event on March 18 th at Automatic Supply in Fishers at 2pm.

Moving on!!!

Let’s go grab our surf boards and get ready to ride the upcoming wave because historical data suggests that after a Presidential election, is a strong opportunity for growth. I’m thankful to have a motivated team on our Board of Directors and can’t wait to see what we’re able to accomplish this year.

I’ll conclude this and all of my upcoming letters with a book recommendation. All of the books I share have had a great and positive impact on my personal and professional life.

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect What the Most Effective People Do Differently

by John Maxwell Read it and reach out to me and let me. I’d love to know what you have learned.

Thanks again, Shaun Yeary

See what the INLA is all about!

Follow us on social media to be the first to learn about upcoming events, see your colleagues' businesses, and get featured yourself.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

CONTRACTORS

ON TAP

Inc Dinner 2 drinks

TRENDS OF THE INDUSTRY: PONDS & PAVERS

Featuring guest speakers Chas Minnemeyer of Unilock & Chris Wilson of Aquascape JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF NETWORKING, EDUCATION, AND INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AS WE DIVE INTO THE LATEST TRENDS, TECHNIQUES, AND INNOVATIONS IN HARDSCAPING AND WATER FEATURES. CONNECT WITH FELLOW LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS OVER DRINKS, GAIN VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE, AND GET INSPIRED TO ELEVATE YOUR PROJECTS. DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY!

https://inla1.org/purchase-tickets-to-contractors-ontap/ Thursday April 24th from 5-8p Off Square Brewing 11000 Delaware Parkway Crown Point, IN, 46307 Deadline to Register April 15th

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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INDIANA GREEN EXPO 2025 RECAP Indiana Convention Center - The Westin Hotel

IGE 2025's foot traffic was immense!

What person(s) in in their right mind would think that having the 2025 Indiana Green Expo would be a major success, by offering exhibitors the opportunity to move in on Super Bowl Sunday February 9, 2025. Well obviously, it worked as there were exhibitors utilizing over 40 – 10x10 booths doing just that. That really got a positive vibe and much appreciation to all that did that, taking a load off the a general one-day move in. (So we are playing it again in 2026 !!!!)

The Indiana Green Expo wishes to thank the following Sponsors that assist alleviating some of the inherit costs of putting on an event of this nature.

Lounge Break Sponsor: Midwest Groundcovers Session Sponsor: Hardscape – Indianapolis Landscape Association Product Showcase Donation Benefitting the INEF Scholarship Fund – Belgard Education: First Day – Workshops February 10, 2025 The first day was full of very well attended morning and afternoon sessions of workshops, as well as the full 1-day training for Concrete Masonry and Hardscape Association CPI aka (Concrete Paver Installation) class with Donny Duke of Landscapes Unlimited a certified CPI instructor devoting his time to assist and educate those attending to take an online test at a later date. This has changed from the usual full 2 days due to the merger with NCMA creating CMHA, which has created a 1 day only training, there will no longer be any testing, plus it was stated that there are no longer throw away answers on the tests plus a score of 80% minimum is required. The other full day workshop was regarding the

Corporate Sponsors play a huge role in hosting such a vast event - the photo above, as well as the photo at the top of the next column, show a moment of thanks for our Corporate Sponsors of 2025.

Corporate Sponsors: Blue Grass Farms of Indiana, Brehob Nurseries/DCA Outdoors, Schuetz Insurance Services/ proud to offer Frankenmuth Insurance, Prove Winners® Color Choice®, Genesis Sod Farms and Southern View Nursery.

Lanyard Sponsor: Syngenta Lounge Furnishing Sponsor: The Engledow Group 12

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

MRTF's Executive Director, Aaron Patton, is shown above speaking as one of the many educators at the Indiana Green Expo.

the final touches to their exhibit booths which were making a very aesthetic pleasing atmosphere considering the temps outside were bone chilling. At least there was minimal snow predicted for central Indiana our folks to the south were facing more difficult forecast toward the middle of the week..

Day 2 - February 11, 2025 First day of Trade Show and Full Education Tracks As the number of attendees started making their way into the Registration area, located outside of Hall D, it was obvious that there were some late or unregistered attendees. You should have seen the crowd as the picture in this edition, is probably about 65% of the actual attendees entering the trade show as others were still being in educational tracks.

You will also see pictures of the classroom attendance, which

Kent Wilhelmus is shown above with a group of Vincennes University students in attendance at this year's IGE.

INLA - IAH (Indiana Accredited Horticulturist) Indiana Department of Education Approved Certification Exam.

Many were heard that this all-day review before test was very helpful. While the various other 2025 workshops were going on, ranging from various common pests and pathogen issues in our industry, with a focus on certain turf diseases to Becoming a Leader to Chainsaw Safety, etc. This day also enabled some 110+ exhibiting companies to begin or adding

This year's Best in Show Award for Green Goods went to Southern View Nursery.

was almost to capacity in several rooms. Especially once the opening session Keynotes completed their sessions. A more detailed regarding keynotes will be in the May/June INLN. Please keep in mind the picture waiting outside was the incoming crowd and does not include the some 350 plus registered exhibit booth personnel.

This year's Best in Show Award for Equipment was awarded to Russo and Haltom Equipment - Powered by Russo.

The education tracks on Day 1 included the following while also in many of these sessions garnered Continuing Credit Hours (CCH) for applicator/RT licensing from the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC), as well as Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH -INLA) Continuing Educational Units (CEU), plus additional Indiana Arborist Association credits. The previous acronyms (CCH) and INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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(CEU) is sometimes confusing to individuals thus the reason for explaining in the previous sentence. Tuesday Educational Tracks included the following as well as joint opening session; Lawn Care (full-day), Golf (full day), Sports Turf (full-day), Landscape Installation and Maintenance (full day), Vegetation Management (half-day), Plant Material (3/4 day), Spanish Track (full day), Professional Development (1/2 day), Women in the Green Industry (1/2 day) and the Indianapolis Landscape Association Sponsored Hardscape/ Lighting Track (1/2 day). While this was all transpiring, educationally speaking, the Trade Show was full of varying exhibiting companies and was open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Carried over from 2024 there was also talks on the trade show floor starting at 11:30. Also new for 2025 were

The Most Interactive Best in Show Award for 2025 was awarded to SiteOne Landscape Supply.

While the trade show was open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm to allow exhibitors to teardown and load up after 1:15 pm, the concessions were open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and educational talks on the trade show floor were available from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Exhibitors generally prefer to leave when there is less traffic in the Indianapolis Metro area. The educational tracks for Wednesday included the following tracks; Workshop – Core Pesticide Training, Lawn Care (full day), Golf (full day), Sports Field (1/2 day), Equipment Managers (half day), Landscape Installation and Maintenance (full day), Tree Care (1/4 day), Invasive Species (1/2 day), Nursery (1/2 day), Plant Material (1/2 day), Business (1/2 day) and Design (1/2 day) .

The Best in Show Award for Hardgoods was awarded to Estes Material Sales.

the Maryland Street Concessions opening at 10:00 – and closing at 2:00 pm, however if there were more people might have stayed open longer.. There were several companies also exh`ibiting new products in the New Product Showcase designated area. We also handed out some Best of Show Awards for certain categories to our exhibitors. The winners are as follows: Hardgoods – Estes Material Sales, Green Goods – Southern View Nursery, Equipment – Russo and Haltom Equipment powered by Russo, and Most interactive – SiteOne Landscape Supply. Congrats to all the winners, your displays and enthusiasm were over the top!

Day 3 – Wednesday February 12, 2025 - Final Trade Show (half day) and Educational Tracks (full day) 14

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

We trust and hope that with this much diversification of topics as well as the various expertise in the speakers that we assemble will create the need to attend the 2026 IGE, which takes place February 8-11, 2026 at the Indiana Convention Center. The Exhibit Halls being utilized in 2026 will be Exhibit Hall D with move in/out opportunities with weather permitting being allowed via Exhibit Hall E. Same plans for moving in Super Bowl Sunday February 8, 2026 for large exhibitors.

On behalf of the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF) and the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA), partners for the Indiana Green Expo, we wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2025.

See you in person at the Indiana Green Expo 2026!!!!

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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2024 Top Ten Pests & Pathogens in Indiana Nurseries Gary Moughler, Indiana Department of Natural Resources

2024 Top Ten Pests and Pathogens in Indiana Nurseries Table 1. Top ten pest insects, diseases, and abiotic factors observed during inspections.

Northern Region* Southern Region* Insects Diseases/Abiotic Insects Diseases/Abiotic 1 Aphids 1 Powdery Mildew 1 Scales 1 Powdery Mildew 2 Galls 2 Rusts 2 Aphids 2 Rusts 3 Scales 3 Apple Scab 3 Mites 3 Cultural Issues (Herbicide Injury) 4 White Pine Weevil 4 Herbicide Injury 4 Leafminers 4 Virus 5 Mites 5 Needlecast Diseases 5 Galls 5 Cultural Issues (Planting Depth) 6 Japanese Beetle 6 Virus 6 Sawfly 6 Environmental (Cold/Winter Injury) 7 Leafminers 7 Leaf Spots 7 J apanese Beetle 7 Environmental (Drought Stress) 8 Thrips 8 Botrytis blight 8 Lacebugs 8 Fungal Leaf Spot 9 Whitefly 9 Cercospora Leaf Spot 9 Bagworm 9 Leaf Spots 10 Bagworm 10 Drought Stress 10 Flea Beetles 10 Needlecast Diseases * Northern Indiana is in Hardiness Zones 5b-6a while the southern is in Hardiness Zones 6a-7a.

VASCULAR STREAK DIEBACK- A CONCERNING PROBLEM

Vascular streak dieback (VSD) is a potential problem of concern for homeowners and the nursery and landscaping industry. What is most alarming is that its symptoms resemble other diseases and environmental stressors of plants. VSD was first detected in a nursery in North Carolina in 2019 on red maple. DNA testing on a fungus found in discolored vascular tissue was initially identified in 2020 as Ceratobasidium theobromae. The test results were positive for a Rhizoctonia-like fungus growing on symptomatic stems. The most common VSD host is Eastern Redbud, followed by flowering dogwood and red maple. Other plants found to be susceptible are listed in Table 1. Scientists do not know how long it has been in the United States. It was found in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and Oklahoma. It is moving from state to state through nursery stock.

VSD impacts several stages of host plants, including seedlings, older nursery stock in containers and fields, grafted plants, and have even been found in landscape plants. About 13 percent of the samples submitted came back positive for VSD. External symptoms include leaf scorch, leaf wilting, chlorosis, reduced vigor, and dieback in the upper branches or on a single branch (Fig. 1). Infected plants may also have small and off-color leaves. Internal symptoms include mild to severe streaking in the wood in which the streaks can be very narrow (Figs. 2 and 3). Streaks are usually present below the bark and cambium, which is generally still green, the severity of which can vary with each host. Angular cuts on branches show mild to severe dark marbling of the wood and severity can vary with species. Symptoms of VSD are often mistaken for several other causes of leaf and branch dieback including bacterial leaf scorch, laurel wilt, black twig borer, fungal cankers, and verticillium wilt. Verticillium wilt has not been isolated from any VSD samples to date.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

Table 1. Plants diagnosed with VSD as of March 2023 Genus Species Common Name Acer griseum Paperbark maple Acer rubrum Red maple Acer x freemanii Freeman’s maple Amelanchier canadensis Serviceberry Calycanthus florida Sweetshrub Catalpa bignonioides Southern catalpa Catalpa speciosa Northern catalpa Cercis canadensis Redbud Cornus florida Flowering dogwood Cornus kousa Kousa Dogwood Crataegus viridis Green Hawthorn Fothergilla spp.

Witch alder Hamamelis virginiana Witch hazel Lindera benzoin Spicebush Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Poplar Magnolia tripetala Umbrella magnolia Myrica cerifera Wax myrtle Nyssa sylvatica Black gum Prunus salicina Chinese plum Rhus aromatica Fragrant sumac Syringa reticulata Japanese tree lilac

Research shows this fungus is very difficult to work with. It is slow growing and if a sample is poor, it might not grow at all. Samples also usually die in culture after one month. Because it is so difficult to work with, efforts to PROVE the cause of VSD so far have been unsuccessful though circumstantial evidence is strong.

Research into VSD is ongoing currently with the development of molecular tools and species-specific DNA testing for the accurate detection of causal agents. Scientists are also working on pathogen detection techniques using spore traps.

Currently, recommendations include best cultural practices to maintain plant health which might minimize the chance of infection. These practices include scouting and early diagnosis, sanitation, crop rotation, avoiding unnecessary pruning, only using healthy plants for propagation, proper irrigation, usage of appropriate depth for planting, avoidance of herbicide injury, and proper fertilization.

Figure 2: Vascular streaking.

Photo: John Bonkowski- Purdue University

Figure 1: Discolored foliage and dieback.

Photo: John Bonkowski- Purdue University.

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Those unsure of causes of dieback in a plant can contact their local inspector to come and see symptomatic material and/or send samples to:

Figure 3: Vascular Streaking.

Photo: John Bonkowski- Purdue University.

Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory Purdue University 915 Mitch Daniels Boulevard, LSPS 116 West Lafayette IN 47907-2054 Email: ppdl-samples@purdue.edu Voice: 765-494-7071 Website: ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/ppdl/

No VSD-specific chemical treatments are recommended at this time as a specific fungal pathogen has not been identified. However, preventative fungicide drenches are recommended to protect roots against Rhizoctonia and other soilborne pathogens. Because of this, it is important to keep an eye on any nursery stock coming in from infested areas that might show symptoms. Often fungicides utilized at the state of origin can mask symptoms until the plants have been moved into new areas. Please contact the inspector in your region if any plants shipped in are symptomatic of VSD and they will come collect and process samples.

Questions about pests or pathogens in your nursery?

Visit our website, https://www.in.gov/dnr/entomology/ Inspectors contact information: https://www.in.gov/dnr/entomology/division-staff/ General questions can be sent to DEPP@dnr.IN.gov.

References: Gray, J., M. Munster, D. Biley, K. Kilborn, F. Baysal-Gurel. 2024. Unveiling Vascular Streak Dieback: Insights, Surveys and Solutions. https://www.hriresearch.org/unveiling-vascular-streak-dieback-insights-surveys-andsolutions Baysal-Gurel F, P. Liyanapathiranage. 2024. Vascular Streak Dieback An emerging threat to the redbud nursery production in the southeastern United States. https://www.tnstate.edu/extension/VSD%20FAct%20Sheet%20TSU_PL_Feb%2026.pdf Beckerman, J. 2024. Vascular Streak Dieback or Redbud: What Plant Pathologists Know so far. https://purduelandscapereport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Vascular-Streak-Dieback-of-Redbud-What-PlantPathologists-Know-so-far-2.pdf Bily, D. and E. Bush. 2023. Vascular Streak Dieback: An Emerging Problem on Woody Ornamentals in the United States. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/spes/spes-483/SPES-483.pdf About the Author Gary Moughler lives near Fort Wayne and is the nursery inspector for 10 counties in Northeast Indiana. Gary has a master’s degree in entomology and plant pathology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. His thesis focused on biological control agents of the spongy moth. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family working on their farm in Garrett, Indiana.

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Get your work featured

One of the many benefits of your INLA membership is the opportunity to have your work or business professionally photographed and showcased on our social media platforms. If you have a project you would like to highlight, we've got you covered!

It's FREE!

On our Instagram!

LOOKING TO PURCHASE EXISTING BUSINESS Landscape, Lawncare, Tree and Shrub Care, or Irrigation Business in Indianapolis or surrounding counties.

Call Jim Calvin, Calvin Landscape 317-247-6316

MEMBER BENEFIT! INLA Job Board at www.inla1.org FREE JOB POSTING for INLA members!

Positions are open to any who wish to respond!

To post an open position at your company, please email info@inla1.org and send the job description along with how to apply.

Questions? Contact Rick Haggard, 317-889-2382

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

19

IAH Certification Written Exams & Retests ONLY

Registration Form Date: March 18, 2025 Location: Automatic Supply – 116 Shadowlawn Drive – Fishers, IN 46038 Test: 9:00am to 11:00 am (Eastern Time Zone)

***REQUIRED: IAH program registrations, this is different from study materials, for certification must be purchased through the INLA for an additional fee. The certification fee is $95.00 for INLA members and $145.00 for nonmembers. _____ I will retest the IAH exam only_____Initial _____Masters @ $15 for members and $25 for non-members _____ I will first time test the IAH exam only ($95.00 or $145.00) ___ Initial, or ___ Masters (no charge) * *The IAH first time Masters written exams are included in the program fees. $____________ Total due Visit www.inla1.org and click on Certification to purchase the study materials, OR email jagillen41@yahoo.com or rhaggard@inla1.org to confirm if you have previously registered.

Name ______________________________________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip _______________________________________________________________ Ph ____________________________________ Cell Ph _____________________________ Email ___________________________________________ Fax ______________________ ALL CONFIRMATIONS/COMMUNICATION WILL BE VIA EMAIL ONLY Please charge my credit card ___Master Card ___Visa ___ Discover ___AMEX Card No. ___________________________________________________ Name on card: _______________________________________________ Email for receipt: ______________________________________________ Expiration date: ___________________ Security code: ________ (AMEX -4 digit front) Contact INLA Office at 800.443.7336 or Rick Haggard cell 765.366.4994 Email: rhaggard@inla1.org One form per person, please.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

2024 Green Excellence Award Winning Projects On February 11, 2025 during the INLA Annual Reception and Awards Presentation the following companies were recognized for their outstanding craftsmanship in the following categories for the 2024 year.

Here are the following recipients with their respective categories and very brief descriptions: Pictures Selected by the Winning Company are also included.

the community and contribute to ecological health.

The scope was refined and eventually limited to the east facade, and smaller sections of the south and north facades.

Financed in part by a grant from the City of Danville, all plantings and replacement of the existing retaining wall were completed in spring of 2024.

Category: Commercial Hardscape Design/Build Over $50,000 Project Name: Harbor at Grand Park Village Monument Sign – Westfield, Indiana Winning Company – Calvin Landscape LLC – Indianapolis, Indiana Brief Description: Harbor at Grand Park Village Monument Sign

Category: Commercial Landscape Design/Build Under $50,000 Project Name: Bread Basket Café – Danville, Indiana Winning Company – Eagleson Landscape Company – Sheridan, Indiana Martha Surridge Designs – Indianapolis, Indiana Brief Description: When the delightful owners of this destination café in Danville, Indiana called with a request to design a native-oriented, pollinator friendly planting scheme for their business, we recognized an opportunity to create a composition that could encourage passersby and patrons to consider natives in their own home gardens. By providing abundant seasonal color and textural interest with a palette of natives, nativars and carefully selected pollinator friendly plants, the café could also present a beautiful front door to

Our team was tasked with a job where the customer wanted to make a statement with their landscape for the entry way to a new neighborhood. The statement they wanted to make was, “Grand.” After many hours of design changes and plant selection changes we came up with something both parties were excited and proud of.

Problem/Solution: With plant material ordered and our crews were ready to start the project we were met with “Indiana Weather.” The project was to start in July of that year but there were delays in site work that would push the project back to November. All involved “rolled with the punches” and did what we could. Winter started to set in, and the project would have to roll over to next year. When winter broke and the temperatures went up, we were able to get back in the saddle. Other challenges were on the horizon. We waited on the water tap for the irrigation system that was installed as well as making repairs to the irrigation system due to unforeseen site work that was missed in the initial planning. Nonetheless, we faced those challenges head on and were able to finish the project in early summer.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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Category: Special Projects Project Name: Jarrett Geist Lakeside Transformations Fishers, Indiana Winning Company: Vive Exterior Design – Fishers, Indiana Brief Description: The homeowners built their house nearly 30 years ago, including a concrete pool and deck that had since fallen into disrepair and no longer met current codes.

While they loved entertaining in the summer and spending time with their large family, the layout of their screen porch, upper deck, and lower deck was disjointed and impractical.

Access to the water on Geist Reservoir and elevation constraints added to the challenges, leaving them unsure of how to move forward.

Our goal was to design a space that would feel as though it had always been a part of the home, while also ensuring durability for years to come. To achieve this, we selected board and batten skirting for the deck, paired with a 50year composite decking and railing system for longevity and seamless integration with the home’s aesthetic. We also addressed the deteriorating pool coping by extending the deck to the water’s edge and incorporating a new custom auto cover below.

To tackle the steep slope and create usable green space, we implemented a StoneDek solution and installed synthetic turf. This not only provided a functional area for games like cornhole but also broke up the visual monotony of the expansive decking.

The result is a transformed property that looks timeless and enhances the home’s charm. From the water, the property stands out, and at night, concealed deck post lights illuminate the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The homeowners and their guests now enjoy a beautifully cohesive space that is as functional as it is visually striking.

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Category: Residential Landscaping Design/Build Under $50,000 Project Name: Lucas Front Renovation – Seymour, Indiana Winning Company: Calvin Landscape LLC – Indianapolis, Indiana Brief Description: After living in this home for six years and removing many dead or overgrown plants, the homeowners decided that it was time for them to rejuvenate their curb appeal. During our first meeting with the client, they expressed their need for their landscape to be cohesive and low maintenance, while also stating that there was an interest in having a paver walkway to connect the driveway with the front door. Once the design was complete, the overall price of this front renovation project was forty-five thousand dollars.

Three major elements of this project for the homeowners were the overall maintenance of the new installations, the appearance of the home at night, and a paver walkway that eases the connection between two elements. First, our designers worked diligently with the varying styles of plant material to produce a balanced approach to this new front landscape. This balanced approach considers the amount of evergreen and deciduous shrubs within the front landscape, while keeping the full maintenance of this portion of the property low. With a variety of leaf textures and flowering schedules, the new curb appeal of this family’s home is second to none within this neighborhood. In maintaining the goal of the homeowners, the contents of the horizontal plane of the landscape beds were to remain a gravel style medium.

According to the homeowners, gravel beds are easier for them to clean and de-weed because of their busy schedules.

A second factor that increases the visual aesthetics of this home is the addition of LED landscape lighting. Originally, there was only a porch light and a lamp post light in front of this home. After installing eleven varying light fixtures to the front of this home, this family’s home stands out at night. Wide

accent lights on trees, thin accent lights on the architectural features on the home, and path lights illuminating the paver walkway, these eleven fixtures have created a huge impact on this once dark exterior home.

Completing the front renovation project and achieving a wish of the homeowners was the installation of the paver walkway. This paver walkway connects the driveway to the front walkway. When deciding on which paver to select, the homeowners opted to complement the brick of their home, rather than mimic. Their paver selection was the more economical route but also warms the appearance of the home because of the cold appearance of the washed river rock landscape beds. Stepping back and admiring the home from afar, the family is now graced with an appropriate front landscape that has pops of color throughout the year, a subtle nighttime appearance, and a new connecting paver walkway, with functional elegance.

pool, a full kitchen, golf simulator and arcade games for those not-so-great pool days.

The landscape gives a nod to the southern lifestyle and was designed to create quaint spaces that open up to tremendous views throughout the property. Boxwood hedges tie the entire project together and define the spaces. We have used mass plantings of Hydrangea, Roses, Abelia, Deciduous Holly, Azalea, Coneflower, Allium and Liriope (just to name a few) to bring the spaces to life during the spring and summer months. Some of the specimen trees used were Crape Myrtles, Dogwood, Paperbark Maple, Columnar Elm and Magnolia. This project features a formal garden that uses the limestone that was used on the hardscape as steppers.

The formal garden is designed around a very large, reclaimed iron planter that acts as a focal point not only for the garden but is visible throughout the space. There are also two other reclaimed companion planters that tie in with the large one, our client found these, and they were stripped and powdercoated. These planters are home for lush annual plantings throughout the spring and summer. The landscape, trees, hardscape and planters are tastefully illuminated to bring this project to life at night.

Category: Residential Landscape Design Build Over $50,000 Project Name: Southern Charm (Kay Cox Residence) Evansville, Indiana Winning Company: Aching Acres Landscape/Pools by Aching Acres - Evansville, Indiana Brief Description: Southern Charm (Kay Cox Residence) We had the privilege to design and build a spectacular landscape, pool and pool house project for a long-time client.

We provided the pool, hardscape and planting design and we worked with a local architect on the pool house design.

Her family loves to vacation in the Charleston and Kiawah Island parts of South Carolina. She wanted to create a space that was not only functional for everyday use but would be comfortable and accommodating for entertaining guests.

Last but not least, she wanted to be able to have a little bit of south charm at her residence in the Midwest. The property is large, so we had to be very mindful of creating a smaller feel while also directing views from this space to other focal points around the property. The pool house boasts a beautiful open interior space with an incredible vaulted ceiling in the great room that opens to the outside covered living area and

Category: Hardscapes Design/Build Under $50,000 Project Name: Cromer (Modern Poolside Escape Project) – Noblesville, Indiana Winning Company: Vive Exterior Design - Fishers, Indiana Brief Description: The homeowners envisioned a modern outdoor living space with a pool that could serve as a hub for entertaining. They wanted multiple areas for gatherings that felt cohesive and connected while also standing out with unique design elements. The primary challenge for this project was working within tight space constraints imposed by easement lines, which significantly limited construction options.

Our goal was to create a sleek, modern space that reflected the architecture of the home and met the homeowners’ desire for INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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distinct yet integrated entertaining zones. To achieve this, we installed a compact fiberglass pool to maximize functionality within the limited space. A composite deck was added alongside the pool, cantilevering into the easement area to provide additional seating and lounging options.

To bring visual interest and meet the homeowners' request for unique features, we designed a striking modern pergola.

The pergola, constructed with metal posts and beams, features joists suspended beneath the beams, creating a bold architectural statement. Additionally, a modern, linear double-sided fireplace was incorporated, offering warmth and ambiance while maintaining open views of the surrounding common area, helping the space feel larger.

For the finishing touch, hexagonal pavers in a gradient pattern were used, adding a dynamic visual element that captures attention. At night, carefully placed lighting transforms the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for evening gatherings.

The completed project is a harmonious blend of modern design and functional elegance. It provides the homeowners with an inviting space for entertainment, enhanced by unique touches that set their outdoor area apart. This modern oasis is not only visually stunning but also a testament to thoughtful design and creative problem-solving within challenging parameters.

Category: Residential Hardscape Design/Build Over $50,000 Project Name: Towriss Patio Project – Zionsville, Indiana Winning Company: Vive Exterior Designs, Fishers – Indiana

Ultimately, this project was valued at six-hundred thousand dollars to complete. While completing this project, three problems and constraints posed issues during the design and installation phases. Those issues were creating physical and visible connections, adjusting our approach to an ever-changing scope to the project, and incorporating an engineer to aid in the weight distribution on a cantilevered patio. Initially, the homeowner was not content with the existing concrete because it began to crack and fade unevenly throughout the project.

Our designers suggested a modern appearing Unilock product to the homeowner. He approved of this selection because the product allowed for a simple laying pattern, which generated a cohesive connection between the many patio spaces and walkways.

After demolition of the concrete patio began, the homeowner wanted to expand the scope of his project to incorporate a second step transition, landscaping highlights in an homage to his recent trip to Italy and improving the appearance of his front foundation landscaping. Each time that the homeowner requested a revision in the scope of his project, our design staff reinvolved themselves to access the changes. These revisions in the scope brought out the usability of the property and intensified the connection that the homeowner has with his property. The largest and most difficult issue that this project posed was executing a stable finished product on the cantilevered patio.

The homeowner wanted this patio area to match the remaining paving areas of his property. Our designers were worried about the new distribution of dead and live loads to this cantilevered patio, so they expressed this concern with the homeowner. A structural engineer was brought in to assess the current capabilities of the patio and to generate a structurally sound amendment that will allow our crew to achieve the homeowner’s goal. After the assessment was complete, we installed eight additional steel support bracings and a thicker and deeper gauged corrugated steel plate, which sits on top of the bracings. This additional support created an even weight distribution of dead and live loads on this cantilevered patio section. After completing this project and the evolving scope, the homeowner is excited to use his modern slab paver patios and walkways in the many seasons to come.

Special Note:

After living in this home for a couple of years, the homeowner was not pleased with how the existing pool did not suit his style of entertainment. While renovating the gunite pool, the homeowner decided to update the cracking concrete around this pool and other gathering spaces. With removing concrete and installing slab pavers, the adjacent landscape beds were enhanced to soften the vast appearance of threethousand square feet of patios and walkways.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

The 2024 INLA Special Achievemnet Awards will appear in the May/June 2025 INLN Magazine Please remember it is not too early to start making plans for 2025 submittals or editing and resubmitting the 2024 non-winning submittals. Pictures of finished projects are nice; but before, during and after generally gives a judge a better overall perception of the scope of work.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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INLA NEWS

INLA Joint COMMITTEE MEETING

Join us... and bring your good ideas!

Thursday March 18, 2025 • 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Automatic Supply (116 Shadowlawn Dr, Fishers, IN 46038) The Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion, and representation. The planning and implementation of most INLA activities are handled by volunteer groups. All groups are supported by INLA staff. INLA committees have ongoing, results-oriented tasks. The interaction between group members promotes effective planning and evaluation of tasks.

YOU CAN HELP!

Sign up now! Review the following list of committees and check off those of interest to you. Return this form to the INLA office via email or mail and you will be registered to attend.

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FORM I am interested in giving some time to work in the following areas:

 Awards Committee: Organize selection of annual awards.  Communications Committee: Newsletter, website, directory, social media etc.  Education Committee: Works to enhance educational opportunities for all members of the industry, ranging from those

with extensive practical experience to new members of the industry and students preparing for green industry careers.

 IAH Committee: This committee works closely with educational and vocational-technical levels and oversees the Indiana Accredited Horticulturist Program. This meeting will be held in northern Indiana at an alternate date.

 Legislative Committee: Works in partnership with the Indiana Outdoor Management Alliance.  Membership Committee: Promotes the INLA by securing new members and assisting current members by providing member services.

 Summer Meeting: Planning and organization of annual INLA Summer Meeting.  Trade Show Committee: Plans and conducts the premier trade show for the industry in Indiana annually.  Women in the Green Industry: What platforms and types of events can be planned to promote this growing sector in Indiana

 FFA Committee: Volunteer to judge state and national career development events. (This committee will not meet; however, you can volunteer to judge these industry-related events in April and October.)

Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Company: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone:___________________________________________

Fax: _________________________________________

Email:_______________________________________________ My primary area of business (check all that apply): ____Grower

____Garden Center

____Landscape

____Other (specify) ____________________________________

To register, please email to rhaggard@inla1.org or mail to: INLA, 7915 S. Emerson Ave., Ste. 247, Indianapolis, IN 46237 26

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

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Contact 1-800-UNILOCK or visit UNILOCK.COM to connect with your local Territory Manager.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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IAH STUDY GUIDE

George Brenn’s IAH Study Guide

George Brenn, Four Seasons Landscaping Nursery, created this study guide to help teach the material covered in the IAH Manual. His intention was to assist those trying to master the subjects within the manual.

CHAPTER 14 Study Guide

1 The Indiana Nursery and

Landscape Association has developed the Indiana Accredited Horticulturist Program to provide a method of self-study and accreditation for individuals in the nursery industry. The goal of this certification and accreditation program is to 3 develop knowledgeable, motivated, professional employees for the landscape nursery industry.

There are over 700 Indiana Accredited Horticulturists and over 125 Master 4 Horticulturists. The success of the program and the upgrading of the personnel in the nursery industry are direct results of the emphasis the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association have placed on education programs. You are encouraged to take advantage of this valued educational service of your association.

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Text: © George Brenn

Much of the information contained in Chapter 14 is covered in detail by previous chapters of the IAH Manual, but is presented here as specifically applicable to individuals involved in selling and customer service.

A good garden center employee is a professional having extensive knowledge of the products that are sold to the public. This knowledge includes, but is not limited to, knowledge of…..

Trees Shrubs Annuals Perennials Bulbs Seeds Ground Covers Sod Pesticides Containers Materials Supplies Tools Ammendments Also important is knowledge of how plants are used in the landscape, how to care for those plants, potential pest problems that may arise, and how to answer customer’s questions in a professional manner.

The garden center employee must know his company’s policies regarding deliveries, guarantees & planting.

In the eyes of the customer, the employee IS the company and must have one specific goal in mind: Helping the customer enjoy a positive experience with the plants and products being offered for sale.

Plant Care – In all circumstances, it is important to handle plant material carefully, always lifting plants by either the container or the bottom of the rootball, and NEVER lifting by the stem or branches.

Root Condition – {see Chap 6}

Container Grown (CG)– Advantages: can be planted any time the plant is on

display in garden center, and no transplant shock

because entire root system is inside container.

Disadvantages: require frequent watering, and some plants

will require much more water than others, may

require supplemental fertilization during season,

and are easily blown over during windy periods,

requiring additional labor to stand up Also; Container grown plants are usually delivered to

garden centers numerous times throughout the season,.

With each delivery comes the need to count delivered

plants and make note of shortages and/or damaged plants on delivery receipt B & B Plants – Advantages: usually larger sized plants and bigger trees

available as B&B than as CG Disadvantages: more difficult to water rootball, usually

must be dug from growing fields while dormant; larger

rootballs have significant weight and may be more

difficult to load into customer vehicles, and for customer

to handle when they unload Annuals, Veggies, Perennials (some perennials) –

Usually sold in flats or smaller individual pots which

require frequent monitoring for water needs and may

require supplemental fertilization until sold. Generally

have relatively limited “shelf life.” Prompt “sell through”

is important to profitability.

Also, any plant material held over winter must be protected from root damage from freezing temperatures, which adds cost to each plant.

Moisture Needs –

Garden center employees must understand and be able to explain to 8 customers the difference in moisture

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

needs between a plant on display in a container in the garden center sales area and that same plant’s needs

after installed in the landscape. Giving good watering instructions to each customer is one of the most

important aspects of each employee’s job.

Maintenance Advice –

An experienced garden center employee can offer brief “tips” to their customer such as: “Prune your new Forsythia right after it is done blooming.” OR “If you apply Iron Sulfate to your Azalea each fall, it will have beautiful dark green foliage next year.”

Plant & Material Displaymanship – Plant identification tags are important so there is no question as to what a specific plant actually is, so every plant should be tagged. Picture tags are very important on perennials, especially in early spring when plants lack foliage and have not yet bloomed.

Plants on display – Plants with broken branches, diseased leaves or wilted foliage will cause customers to be reluctant to buy.

Even the presence of 1 or 2 “unhealthy looking” plants in a display can “cast a doubt” in the customer’s mind. Thus, it is wise to be constantly observant of the appearance of every plant in the garden center display. Each plant in a garden center display should say “Take me home with you.” All plants, especially evergreens, need to be spaced so foliage is not touching adjacent plants.

Proper spacing avoids browning and loss of foliage due to lack of exposure to sunlight.

Annuals, Veggies, etc – plants sold in flats often look “picked over.” This can be minimized by removing spent flowers & unhealthy leaves, and by condensing pots and packs so flats look full.

Hard Goods & Bagged Products – need to be occasionally dusted and kept orderly on shelves. If products are offered in multiple sizes, the most popular size should be nearest eye level. Bagged products often become problematic because of broken bags and these should be removed from display to be used by the company or offered for sale at a discounted price.

Bagged fertilizers should be displayed on shelves or on pallets, so they cannot absorb moisture.

They should be out of direct sunlight and displayed such that their label can be read.

Selling – Garden center personnel are often asked questions they are not able to answer. If you don’t know, say so! This is an opportunity to learn and increase your personal knowledge, and a great way to build a relationship and customer confidence. Offer to look up the answer as your time allows and recontact the customer to answer their question. This lets the customer know you are committed to giving honest and accurate advice, which is something they cannot get from “box stores.”

Acknowledge & greet each customer as soon as is practical. If you know the customer’s name, make them feel important by saying something like, “Hi Mrs. Smith. How is your new Maple tree doing?” Even if you are serving another customer, you should acknowledge the new customer: “I’ ll be with you folks as soon as I finish helping this customer.” OR “Let me call for Bob and see if he is available to help you.” Remember, your job is to help the customer: the more you help them, the more they help pay your wages.

Find out what the customer is shopping for by asking questions that start with “what,” where,” or “how,” instead of asking closed ended questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no.” “How can I help you?” causes the customer to answer much differently than “Can I help you?”

Getting information about the customer’s needs – Often customers do not know specifically what they need and will respond to whatever is suggested. Wise garden center employees know to ask questions like: “Will this be planted in a sunny or shady area?” OR “How tall and wide can this plant become?” OR “Will this plant provide screening year ‘round or only during summer months?”

Guide customers through the plant selection process by mentioning features of a specific plant: “….and the beautiful wine-red fall color is absolutely intense.” OR “The berries on this Blue Princess Holly will be showy throughout most of the winter.” OR “This plant will tolerate moist soils and should thrive in the location you’ve described.”

Tell customer how to care for their purchase – make sure they understand planting and watering instructions. Offer general tips related to plant care: “You will want to cut this Maiden Grass back to 3 – 4” above ground level each spring before new growth appears, and you’ ll find that electric hedge shears work nicely for this task.”

Is the plant bigger than the customer can handle? Or maybe it will be really difficult for the customer to unload out of their car (let alone hard for you to get it into the car). If so, suggest your company’s delivery or planting service: Perhaps you would consider having our people deliver and install is Weeping Cherry for you.”

Anticipate customer’s needs – If your planting instructions recommend adding peat moss to the backfill when installing a plant, SAY SO! ‘You will need some peat moss and some root stimulator to plant these shrubs properly, and I think the 2.2 cu. ft. baleof peat would be about the right size.” OR ”We ecommend adding Iron Sulfate when planting Rhododendron and again each fall. Tthis 4 lb. bag will be enough for these 2 plants for this season, and for another application next year." Don’t be shy about suggestive selling – you are NOT “shoving something down their throats." You are actually helping your customer to enjoy a positive experience with the plants & products they purchase. Don’t let them discover, after they get home and prepare to plant, that they needed to purchase peat moss and root stimulator while they were at your garden center. You can save them from making an extra trip! It is your job to remind them. And it is your job to make tie-in sales by suggesting what the customer needs at the time of each purchase.

Product Knowledge – There is way too much information involving knowledge of the products sold in a garden center to address in this outline, and products and labels change over time. Also, not all employees will be authorized to give advice and offer recommendations on pesticide useage. However, one concept remains constant: ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. Customer Relations – It is much less expensive to retain existing customers than to try to get new ones, so it is extremely INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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important to keep the customer satisfied.

Answering the Telephone – Be enthusiastic and identify the business by name: “Good Morning. Main Street Garden

Center. How may I direct your call?” or something similar works well. Answer phone calls promptly in a

polite, professional manner. If the phone call is for an owner or manager, it is perfectly acceptable to ask the caller: “May I tell him who is calling?”

Too busy to talk? Know your company’s policy regarding answering machine/voice mail. If you tell a caller you will return their call, be certain that you do so in a timely manner.

Employee Appearance & Attitude – Remember always: In the eyes and ears of the customer, YOU are the company. What you say, how you dress and how you act leave an impression on your customer. Make that impression a good one.

Remember these 4 P’s: Be Polite; Be Prompt; Be Personal; Be Professional Handling Customer Complaints – it happens, and you may be confronted with a disgruntled or angry customer. Here is how to handle the situation: 1.

Apologize to the customer – focus your attention on the upset customer and move them and the conversation away from the checkout area so as not to become the center of attention for other customers.

2.

Listen to the customer’s complaint – Let them talk and don’t interrupt; don’t be defensive; reassure the customer that you want to resolve this problem.

3.

Ask: “How would you like us to fix this?” If you are authorized to do so, FIX IT, right then & there Better to avoid prolonging an unpleasant situation If NOT within your authority, get the appropriate person (manager, etc.) involved.

If appropriate person is not available, write down customer’s name, phone number and statement of problem. Give info to appropriate person ASAP and reassure customer they will be contacted by appropriate person 4. Follow up with appropriate person – make sure they received customer information and complaint; ask how it was resolved, and ask what you can do in future if this happens again.

Customer Service Know Company Policies regarding Plant Guarantees & Warranties; Returned Items;

Services Offered; Deliveries and Delivery Schedules Loading Customers’ Vehicles - Be careful; if you need help, ask for it. Avoid scratching paint or rubbing against vehicle; Place plastic liner in trunk or over seats as needed; If placing plants inside passenger compartment, be sure branches do not puncture headliner. Be sure plants are protected from 55mph wind and will ride securely; Don’t overload vehicle Safety – Stay alert and observe your surroundings.

Wear gloves, eye protection, etc. as needed for specific tasks

Lifting should be done with legs, not with back

Ask for help when moving heavy or bulky objects

Be observant of cars backing out of parking spaces

Be continually observant of tripping hazards, like water hoses

Learn how to properly & safely operate each piece of equipment

Read labels of any pesticides products you use and follow directions

Know company policy regarding injury

Go home with all body parts at end of each day

Congratulations New IAHs! Excel Center West

David Blade, New Castle, IN

Emma Burgess, Brownsburg, IN

Mitchell Crossley, Burlington, MI

Wm R Marks, New Castle, IN

Wynter Jones, Indianapolis, IN

Benjamin Freed, New Castle, IN

Gary Miller, Jr, New Castle, IN

Cody Gibson, New Castle, IN

Christopher Perkins, New Castle, IN

David Gohn Jr, New Castle, IN

Danny Quick, Shelbyville, IN

NCCF

Alberto Gomez, Beech Grove, IN

M. Jack Todosijevic, New Castle, IN

Manuel Alba, New Castle, IN

Nathan Hooper, New Castle, IN

Kevin Welborn, New Castle, IN

Curtis Austerman, Richmond, IN

Timothy Jackson, Gary, IN

Rosa Isela Pablo Mil, Indianapolis, IN

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Daivon Jones, Elkhart, IN

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

IAH QUIZ

IAH Quiz

Quiz Due February 28 1.______________________________ When answering the phone in the garden center, it is advisable to be sure to place the caller on hold so the can enjoy the “on hold” music or message. T or F _________________________________________________________ 2.______ Questions that start with the words ______, ________, _________, or _______ are “open-ended” questions and cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. _________________________________________________________ 3._____________ Because YOU are the company in the eyes of the customer, it is important that you know your store’s __________ regarding guarantees, replacements, __________ ____ , etc. _________________________________________________________ 4.__________________________________________________ Proper spacing of plants, especially evergreens like Juniper and Arborvitae, so the foliage is not touching adjacent plants avoids ____________ and loss of ____________ due to lack of exposure to sunlight _________________________________________________________ 5._Container plants sitting on a hot asphalt surface will ____ _____ more rapidly than those sitting on gravel or benches because of an unfavorable _______ _______ environment _______________________________________________________ 6.

Plants kept over winter by a garden center must be protected from ______ ___________ which could cause root damage. _______________________________________________________ 7.

If you are confronted by a disgruntled customer, you should try to move the conversation ________ from the checkout area to avoid the attention of _________ _____________. _________________________________________________________ 8.________A customer wants to purchase bags of mulch but does not know how many to buy. You should ask _____ ________ area they have and _____ ________ they want the mulch. _________________________________________________________ 9.________Tie-In Sales actually benefit the customer, because you know ______ ______ _______ to have a positive experience with their purchase and can suggest those products.

(Continues on page 32)

Name:______________________________________________________________________________ IAH No.:_____________________________________________________________________________ Phone:______________________________________________________________________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________________________

Send answers to: info@inla1.org -or- mail to INLA, 7915 S. Emerson Ave., #247, Indianapolis, IN 46237

Each quiz will be worth a .5 (one-half) CEU! The Indiana Accredited Horticulturist Committee is pleased to provide you an opportunity to earn CEUs (continuing education units) in each issue of the Indiana Nursery and Landscape News.

The IAH quiz offered in each issue can be completed by anyone who is an “Active” (current) IAH (initial or masters).

Each quiz will be worth a .5 (one-half ) CEU (continuing education unit) for the completion of the bi-monthly quiz with a pass rate of 80%. Over a 2-year period, you could earn up to 6 CEUs if you take and pass every quiz!

The INLA office will grade the quiz.

Questions and answers have been provided by the IAH committee.

Thank you and good luck studying!

The Indiana Accredited Horticulturist Committee Co-Chairs - George Brenn, Four Seasons Landscaping Nursery - Gabriel Gluesenkamp, Designscape Hort Services Committee Members - Brian Bunge, Twixwood Nursery - Wayne Gruber, Niemeyer’s Landscape Supply - Jim Messmer - Melissa Mravec, Allen Landscape - Jodie Overmyer, Marshall County Soil and Water

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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10._If you are confronted with a disgruntled customer, you should __________ to the customer, _________ carefully to the customer’s complaint, and if you have the authority, ask the customer: “_____ ________ _____ ________ ____ ____ _____ ________ .”

11._“Plant in the Spring or Plant in the Fall” is an old wives tale, because what actually matters is _______ a plant can be dug or _______­­______.

12._Plants grown in containers can be successfully planted ____________ they are displayed in the garden center because there is literally no disruption to the ______ ___________ 13._In the eyes and ears of the customer, YOU are the company and it is important to make a _______ ___________ on that customer by remembering the 4 P’s: Be _________, be ____________, be ___________ and be ________________.

14._Once you acknowledge and greet each customer and find out what they are shopping for, you should _____ ____________ about the customer’s needs so you can ________ them through the selection _____________ .

15._Suggestive selling actually involves your ability to ___________ the customer’s needs.

16._It is important to know the locations of advertised sale items so you can try to keep customers away from them so they buy other items at full price. T or F 17._When possible, lifting should be done with your ________ and not with your ________.

18._If a customer asks you a question, and you don’t know the answer, ____ ___. NO ____

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • APRIL | MAY 2025

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

When spring mulching occurs, most companies will apply a preemergence herbicide for extending weed control. It is well known that the combination of mulch and preemergence herbicides is a very effective method in controlling weeds (https://www. purduelandscapereport.org/article/cultural-plus-chemicala-good-weed-control-combo-in-landscape-beds/). When applying preemergence herbicides with mulch, which should be first for the most effective control?

This common question is answered by knowing the herbicides that you will be applying. Herbicides that are volatile, such as dichlobenil (Casoron), or that photodegrade quickly (DNA-dinitroaniline herbicides such as: trifluralin (Treflan), oryzaline (Surflan), etc.) will be most effective applying prior to mulching to prevent degradation of the chemical. Herbicides that aren’t as susceptible to degradation will be most effective on top of the mulch by binding to the organic matter of the mulch.

A study examining the effect of EPTC (Eptam 5G) on yellow nutsedge above and below pine straw, pine bark, and shredded cypress found that the greatest control was found below shredded cypress (Chen et.al., 2013). Similar results of oryzalin were found in Case and Mathers (2006). It is speculated the reason for the increase in control under mulch is due to the volatility of EPTC and oryzalin (Marble, 2015).

Size of bark materials were found to be a significant factor in herbicide placement in Case and Mathers (2006). Large pine bark nuggets were most effective at weed control when the herbicides were placed on top of mulch, with the exception of oryzalin.

When applying mulch and herbicides this spring, know the properties of your herbicides to determine the most effective location for maximum weed control. If possible, split applications will extend the control through early summer. Always ensure a water event (rainfall or irrigation) after applying preemergence herbicides to ensure efficacy.

TECHNOLOGY AT WORK

Literature Cited: Case, LT, Mathers, HM (2006) Field evaluation of herbicide treated mulches. Proc South Nur Assoc Res Conf 51:402.

Chen Y, Strahan RE, Bracy RP (2013) Effects of mulching and preemergence herbicide placement on yellow nutsedge control and ornamental plant quality in landscape beds. Hortic Technol 23:651–658.

Marble, C. (2015) Herbicide and mulch interactions: A review of the literature and implications for the landscape maintenance industry. Weed Technology. 29: 341-349.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

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Rick Haggard, INLA Executive Director Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association 7915 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 247 Indianapolis, IN 46237 MARCH | APRIL 2025 Address Service Requested