Indiana Nursery & Landscape News, Sept / Oct 2023

Indiana Nursery & Landscape News Volume 85 • Issue 5

September | October 2023

MEMBER FEATURE

Dan Fuquay of

Aching Acres Landscaping, Inc. The Official Publication of the Indiana Nursery &NURSERY Landscape INDIANA & LANDSCAPEAssociation NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:29 AM

PUBLISHERS NOTE Introducing a New Magazine Format:

Celebrating Our Members Welcome to the updated INLA Magazine, where we highlight the power of community and the accomplishments of our members. Our new format puts a special emphasis on the incredible talent within the Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association.

In each issue, we'll shine a spotlight on one of our esteemed INLA members through a captivating cover story. Discover their inspiring journeys, innovative projects, and valuable insights as we celebrate their contributions to the industry.

Our dedication to community extends beyond the pages of our magazine. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook as we share the remarkable landscape projects of our members showcased through engaging posts and videos. This is a complimentary service exclusively for our members!

We want to feature your company!

If you're an INLA member, we invite you to reach out to us on Instagram or Facebook to be included in our magazine features or social media coverage. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your work and inspire others within our thriving industry.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey, embracing the spirit of community and recognizing the extraordinary talent that makes the INLA a remarkable association. Together, let's elevate the standards of horticulture and landscaping while paving the way for a brighter future.

Indiana Nursery & Landscape News

Volume 85 • Issue 5 - September | October 2023 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 PUBLISHER Rick Haggard, Executive Director, INLA 765-366-4994 • rhaggard@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.

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

For questions regarding subscriptions, please call INLA at 317-8892382.

Advertising Rates: Media Kit available online at www.inla1.org INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:29 AM

TABLE OF CONTENTS Inside This Issue:

9

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WEEPERS by IN DNR

1

Publisher's Note

4

Executive Director’s Message

5

New IAH Members

6

President's Letter

7

Calendar of Events

9

DNR Article - Weeping Trees

16

Dan Fuquay of Aching Acres

20 Awards of Excellence

14

23

Summer Tour Recap

24

Summer Tour Sponsors!

28

George Brenn's Study Guide

29

New IAH Members

30

IAH Quiz!

34 List of Advertisers

22

Welcome

16 COVER STORY - INLA MEMBER FEATURE

New INLA Members!

Custom Outdoor Living, Inc Ph: (574) 993-0629 Bruce Wilson 431 Pulaski Hwy Galien MI 49113 Rubley's Nursery Ph: (931) 668-1750 Scott Rubley 9689 Beersheba Highway McMinnville TN 37110

21 REGISTER FOR THE AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE!

Affiliate Member: The Excel Center - Richmond Ph: (317) 524-3734 Jeri Zawadzki 1215 S J Street Richmond IN 47374

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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EXECTUTIVE DIRECTOR'S LETTER Greetings to all the great people, that are a part of the smallest surface area touching any part of water in the Great Lakes Region.

Thought I would start off with a little tidbit, since the INLA is a member of the Great Lakes Nursery and Landscape Advisory Council. Our entourage will be President Gabriel Gluesenkamp, President-Elect Shaun Yeary and myself are heading to Minnesota in September to partake in a mesmerizing discussion of what is happening with the other associations that are a part of the Alliance. Ask any of the past INLA Presidents that have been to this meeting the takeaways and openness of others that may Rick Haggard have helped not only their own companies continue to strive, but also have shared some of the best management practices to solve or prepare for unplanned misfortunes.

Now onto some reports on some of the great successes within the INLA in recent months. I will focus primarily on our summer event as well as the status of our continued growth within the IAH Certification.

First to the 2023 INLA Summer Meeting in South Central Indiana August 2-4. This year would be a 3-day event, with a visit on Day 1 – August 2, to the picturesque setting of Schneider Nursery located in Seymour, Indiana. The Schneider Team sure knows how to treat and feed people, that is for certain! The day would be 2 parts with a morning tour followed up by an educational field study with Cliff Sadof of Purdue University, enlightening many of the attendees interested in learning what to look for as far as pests and potential diseases. In case you were not aware, Cliff along with Mike Dana of Purdue are our 2 newest Honorary Members inducted into this bestowed honor at our Annual Meeting during the 2023 Indiana Green Expo. The attendance for Day 1 really picked up as the date grew closer, even bringing some newbies from not only Indiana, but Kentucky as well.

Day 2 would start off at our host location of Designscape in Nashville (Belmont), Indiana.

With so many coming from all areas of the state for tours set-up in the eastern Bloomington, Nashville, and western Columbus areas. The tours had a vast array of many different aspects and characteristics with a whole gamut of obstacles that had to be overcome to create such a beautiful landscape and environment that many of the homeowners were very proud to let our group visit. The evening after the tours returned to Designscape for dinner and part 1 of the INEF Live and Silent Auction. I will say that this is one of the few times were everyone seemed to stay around until the last song was played, or someone threatened to break out the Karaoke machine. I was honored to see many of our most beloved leaders that have made the 90 year old INLA achieve the status were we are today. Gabriel, I greatly appreciate the thoughtfulness to be sure many others were invited but could not attend in person, I have no doubt, it is their legacy of why our association is able to be rock solid today.

Day 3 ventured to Sugar Creek Sporting Clays and Hunting Preserve in Mitchell, Indiana.

We had 8 5-person teams take part in the event with Team Ricci winning first place, followed

by Team Franco with Team Weingart finishing 3rd. There was tie for Best Individual Marksmen with Dave Todd and Casey Seitzinger sharing honors. By the way congrats go to Todd Zandstra of Redwood Landscape on winning the gun raffle. In this edition there will be a separate article related to some of the particulars of the summer meeting.

Next, I would like to reference the continued success and diligence set forth by the IAH committee. The INLA’s IAH Certification is gaining new IAH’ers in both the Initial and Masters Certification. In 2023 alone and as of this writing we have had an additional 107 newly inducted IAH Certified individuals. With that number 60 of those are classified as students. These are from high schools such as North Montgomery and Indy Metro, along with various Excel Centers which are a part of the Goodwill Industries Outreach to assist those less fortunate gain a diploma as well as a trade. The others are part of the Ivy Tech Horticulture Program at New Castle Correctional Facility.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:31 AM

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE How’s your season going? Our “season” dropped 8.5” of rain at the farm in JULY -- and we might still get that much again in August!

Never have our customers lawns been so lush… unfortunately the weeds too, but I digress. This magazine installment is coming to you off the heels of the INLA summer outing and for my practical advice to our members I want to press into membership benefits.

Skipping through all the normal formalities -- which if you read Rick’s letter, I’m sure he will give the important details -- I am soul-focused on the gratitude toward our industry and the INLA for continuing to grow our important functions like the summer outing. Really it comes down to raising money for INEF (IN Nursery Endowment Foundation) scholarships but fortunately we all get to have fun doing it. Any day hanging with my friends at Schneider Nursery is a good day and I have been around there long enough to have gotten that mud on my baby booties. The quality of execution for the event on August 2nd showed all our visiting members how much that family cares about our Industry and the INLA. Grant, Cathy, Margie, Jill, Glover (Andy), Drew and team: THANK YOU! Walking through the nursery creates memories we won’t soon forget, and we probably even got enough rain that the sacrificial spruce lived! Getting the Purdue team involved added (I believe) our first-ever educational component that provided us all IAH, OISC, and ISA credits. Listening to experts give practical knowledge in the field is one of the best ways we learn. I think most of us are familiar with working on things with our hands, so that “hands-on” training was over-the-top. Regardless, we all know just sitting a spell with Grant should be worth some CCH’s… come on Joe Becovitz.

Starting there really set the tone for an awesome three days. Spending time touring our members’ jobsites on day two was a different but equally rewarding experience. Having the owners of Mother Nature, Thrasher Landscaping, and Brown Hill Nursery along with their teams show us some of the most beautiful landscapes in this area really displayed the quality of craftsmanship our industry is capable of. I know taking away from production to show off your landscapes is more effort than it’s worth to the company so that sacrifice for our industry is noted and appreciated. To all of you, THANK YOU! Day two, dinner and auction were action packed for our team, yet still the great conversations I had with many of you were my favorite part of the day. Growing up with the “old folks” -- which I have been told by a few of them still read this letter (love you Tom and Paula) -- I have been blessed in business situations with a gift on hindsight, while looking out my front windshield instead of the rearview mirror.

Seeing industry titans grow their businesses each in their own unique ways helped us shape Designscape into what is today. I think it’s safe to say landscapers in general are friendly people even though we prefer to talk with plants over people most days. Listening to them generously share their failures and victories are priceless nuggets of wisdom decades of experience sometimes can’t replace. The team here at DHS put in a great effort for day two’s festivities and their hard work came together and produced an atmosphere that all were able to enjoy. To OUR team: THANK YOU!

exception.” I’m sure seeing that lived out through our professional industry veterans is why it continues to stick. And if one of you reading this thinks you coined that phrase originally, fine, but it’s mine now. Granted, many lessons that have stuck with me have been learned through NOT yielding the advice of the wise yet still they have been a great springboard for my personal and professional growth over the years. Seeing the Gluesenkamp tribe with the Julius’s, Schnieders, Allens, Price Nursery Family, Dallas Foster, and so many others really brought a feeling of wholeness to our efforts. Frank, Rick, Wayne, Johnstone, Franco, and others… you are not old enough to be in that group but still really appreciate you all bridging the gap to us millennials.

I will end this letter with the same invitation that if you need some help working through things in your own company please just reach out and ask myself or Rick. The wealth of knowledge gathered under the tent at Designscape could solve the world’s problems if we didn’t already love plants so much. If you are reading this and were here last month, please pass on to another could be member that needs to hear about this great organization. If you are a member and not actively involved, please take this as a carrot to further engage yourself in what could be the best career move you make this year or even decade.

Cheers,

Gabriel Gluesenkamp

I have said this already in a previous letter but a huge thing for us is a core value statement that reads simply, “Do what you say you are going to do… when you fail make it right every time without 6

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:32 AM

CALENDAR October 17

Hardscape North America Louisville, KY

31

Awards of Excellence Submission price increases!

Get it in early! https://inla1.org/awards-of-excellence/

December 1

Awards of Excellence Final Submission Deadline!

Get it in early! https://inla1.org/awards-of-excellence/

January 17-19

Indiana Green Expo 2024 Indianapolis, IN Learn More at https://indianagreenexpo.com/

31

IOMA Advocay Day Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, IN

Visit http://inla1.org/events-calendar/ for updates and new event listings.

2023 EXECUTIVE TEAM Gabriel Gluesenkamp, President Designscape Horticultural Services 2877 S. TC Steele Road Nashville, IN 47448-9584 812-988-8900; Fax 812-988-2639 gabrielg@designhort.com Shaun Yeary, President-Elect Greendell Landscape Solutions 749 West State Road 42 Mooresville, IN 46158 317-996-2826; Fax 317-996-2032 syeary@greendelllandscape.com Bob Wasson, Vice President Wasson Nursery 13279 E. 126th St. Fishers, IN 46037 317-770-1123 bob@wassonnursery.com Dean Ricci, Past President Ricci’s Landscape Management, Inc. 502 Norbeh Drive, Hebron, IN 46341 219-996-2682; Fax 219-996-2680 dean@rlminc.com 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 S rhaggard@inla1.org • haggard.rick@att.net

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Erick Brehob (2023) Brehob Nursery • 317-783-3233 erick@brehobnursery.com Kyle Daniel — Purdue University 765-494-7621 • daniel38@purdue.edu Jill Glover (2023) Schneider Nursery • 812-522-4068 jill@schneidernursery.com Jason Fritz (2025) Stantec Native Plant Nursery (574) 5862412 Jason.fritz@cardno.com Carlos Reichman (2025) Schuetz Insurance Services (317) 639-5679 carlos@schuetzins.com Kevin Van Sessen (2024) Blade Cutters, LLC. • 219-661-8206 kevinvs@bladecutters.net Kent Wilhelmus (2024) Second Nature Landscape Management 812-483-7817 • kent@secondnaturelm.com INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:33 AM

DNR UPDATE

The Wonderful World of Weepers Weeping plants provide an eye-catching interest in the landscape. There are numerous weeping cultivars available on the market that are both deciduous and evergreen species. Some perform very well in our region, while others seem to have problems. Some people absolutely hate them. I have even had some say to me “What’s wrong with this plant” when they were looking at a perfectly fine specimen. I would like to disclose that I love these plants and they are wonderful assets that provide a focal point to any landscape. However, the inspector side of me that focuses on issues, would like to share my experiences growing some of the cultivars and the cultural and pest problems I have encountered with these plants as an inspector.

Weeping Deciduous Conifers Cascade Falls Weeping Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’) is one of my absolute favorite weeping conifers. Its fine textured foliage and pendulous branches give it a fern like appearance. This plant is very tolerant of wet conditions but requires extra watering during excessively dry periods.

Occasionally cypress twig gall midge and Japanese Beetles can cause minor injury to this plant, but it is relatively pest free.

Although the Taxodium distichum species doesn’t have a cold hardiness issue, hardiness is a serious problem with Cascade Falls bald cypress. This cultivar was developed in New Zealand which may have something to do with its tolerance for the cold. When this plant was first released in trade it was abundant and inexpensive. I purchased two beautiful specimens that grew to 7 feet high Weeping Bald Cypress and 3 feet wide. Much to my dismay however, they did not survive the severe winter of 2012-2013.

Miss Grace Weeping Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Miss Grace’) is a weeping form of dawn redwood. Its branches are not as pendulous as many other weeping cultivars, but it is still a great plant. This plant may be a good substitute for Cascade Falls bald cypress because it is hardier. It should be noted that I have spotted some hardiness issues associated with fluctuating winter temperatures on dwarf dawn redwood cultivars of ‘Schirrmann’s Nordlicht’ and ‘Hamlet’s Broom’. However, these cultivars still had better hardiness than Cascade Falls bald cypress in my experience. Japanese beetles can cause damage in summer but overall, this plant is pest free.

Weeping European Larch (Larix decidua ‘Pendula’) is just another very graceful weeping cultivar with extremely pendulous branching. It often requires staking when it is young. It is soft in texture and develops a bright yellow fall color as it is a deciduous conifer. I have not often spotted this plant in Indiana, however some of the nicest specimens I have observed were in central Michigan. I have heard that is it difficult to transplant and needs a lot of extra water, especially during dry periods after transplanting. There is concern that Indiana summers may be too hot for this plant. However, dappled shade and drip irrigation may be an option for those that just ‘Gotta have it’.

Weeping Evergreens Weeping White Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Pendula’) is a narrow form of white spruce with dramatically hanging branches. It is very narrow and gives the resemblance of evergreen trees that have hanging branches when they are covered with heavy snow. This plant can reach 20 feet or more over time. It is very hardy but seems to be prone to spruce spider mite infestations which can occur early in the growing season. If this plant is near paved areas or shelter from heavy rainfall, it should be scouted regularly for mite infestations.

Weeping Blue Spruce have several cultivars in the nursery industry. The Blues weeping blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘The Blues’) is an upright form of weeping blue spruce. It has a strong blue color and gets much taller than some of the other weeping blue spruce cultivars which grown more along the ground. It is susceptible to spruce spider mite but seems to be less susceptible to mite injury than weeping white spruce. However, I have observed Rhizosphaera and Stigmina needle cast diseases on this cultivar. There are two other cultivars of weeping blue spruce that I have encountered which include Picea pungens ‘Prostrata’ and Picea pungens ‘Procumbens’.

Both of these cultivars grow along the ground in a weeping manner. Prostrata seems Weeping White Spruce to be just a bit taller than cultivar Procumbens. They tend to be slow growing in a manner similar to P.pungens ‘Gluaca Globosa’. Slower growing cultivars have some INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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resistance but not immunity to needle cast diseases. Since these plants are smaller and grow along the ground, spruce spider mites can be controlled by conducting a few extra overhead waterings in late April or early May. These plants are eye catching and worth planting in an area with good drainage, ample sun and air circulation.

Weeping Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Pendula’) are very common in the nursery industry. However, I have noticed that there is a lot of variability in height and weeping growth habits within this cultivar. Some seem to grow more upright, while others trail along the ground somewhat. Spruce spider mite can cause damage to this plant, but I jdo not see it that often on this cultivar. Bagworm can cause serious injury to this plant as well as any evergreen plant.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’) is a great plant with a bright blue, unique growth pattern. It has very flexible branches and can be trained on a trellis, grown into the form of an arch or just left to grow on its own. Do not Weeping Blue Spruce underestimate the size of the plant. I have observed specimens that were 15 feet tall with a spread of over 30 feet. I occasionally see bagworm on Atlas cedar. There is a needle cast fungal complex caused by Sirococcus and Kabatina fungi that has been reported in the Pacific Northwest, but I have not encountered that disease in Indiana and the Purdue University Plant and Pest Diagnostic lab does not have any records of needle cast on Atlas cedar. The most significant issue I see on weeping blue atlas cedar is wind burn during severe winters. The plant will often grow out of this in the following growing season, but its hardiness is somewhat limited. It is definitely hardier than Weeping Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani ‘Pendula’) and Weeping Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara ‘Pendula’). I have attempted to grow weeping Deodar cedar, but it did not survive the winters in Bloomington. If you are interested in Deodar cedar, I would recommend the cultivar ‘Kashmir’ which is a tree form that is thought to be hardier than the straight species.

Weeping White Pine (Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’) is another great weeping plant. It has a soft texture and can grow fairly large.

As with weeping Norway spruce, I have observed a lot of variability within the cultivar. Bagworm can be a serious issue on this plant. Occasionally, I see low population levels of pine needle scale. White pines are not salt tolerant and do not like wet feet.

Excessively wet or dry condition can predispose this plant to bark beetle infestations. This plant is also very brittle and can easily break during transplant and handling. However, it is truly a plant worth installing in the landscape and will perform quite well in Indiana.

Weeping Alaskan Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’) is a relatively pest free plant that grows well in Indiana. It is hardy to Zone 4 but also seems to be fairly heat tolerant. Spruce spider mites and bagworms may establish on this plant. I have also occasionally found canker type diseases on this plant. I think many people underestimate its mature size. Give it room; this variety can grow up to 30-40 feet. There are narrow cultivars, blue cultiWeeping Alaskan Cedar vars and even one cultivar that has variegated growth.

Weeping Tolleson’s Juniper, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Tolleson’s Weeping’ is a weeping form of Rocky Mountain juniper. This species of juniper is highly adapted to hot, dry and low humidity conditions. Many of the cultivars in this species are predisposed to Kabatina and Phomopsis blight because of our humid climate in Indiana. I have seen a few specimens growing in Indiana landscapes. They never seem to thrive here but are still and interesting plant. Most specimens I have observed in Indiana have been less than 20 feet. This plant requires a bit of staking when it is young. It is a unique plant but may not be suitable for soil types and weather conditions in Indiana.

Weeping hemlocks provide several varieties available on the market. The two I encounter most are Cole’s Prostate Weeping Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis ‘Coles Prostrate’) and Sargent’s Weeping Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis “Sargentii’). These plants are at opposite ends of the spectrum size wise. Coles prostrate grows in a low mound 12- 18 inches high and 2-3 feet wide while Sargent’s can easily reach 10 feet high and wide. Spruce spider mites and bagworm can be a problem on this plant. They are also susceptible to hemlock woolly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale, but fortunately those pests are not established in Indiana. One final note, the deer have destroyed every weeping hemlock I have had on my property including T. canadensis ‘Gracilis’. Gracilis looks similar to Coles Prostrate but is a bit Weeping White Pine taller in size. Unfortunately, just as appetizing to deer.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:34 AM

Weeping Deciduous Trees Weeping Higan Cherry (Prunus subhirtella var. Pendula) has been around for many years. There are numerous cultivars within this variety that vary in deepness of their pink color.

The snow fountain cherry (Prunus x ‘Snowfozam’) is a hybrid white form of weeping cherry that stays much smaller than weeping Higan Cherry. I personally have seen weeping Higan cherry 50 feet tall in Pennsylvania. Weeping cherries are very susceptible to boring insects including the peach tree borer, lesser peach tree borer, ambrosia beetles and shot hole borers.

White prunicola scale and Japanese maple scale can also be found on these plants. Japanese beetles will occasionally infest these trees as well. Recently I have been observing a lot more leaf diseases causing early defoliation on both weeping Higan cherries and Yoshino Cherrie (Prunus x yedoensis). A common cultural problem among the weeping cherries is its tendency to produce suckers below the graft union. This growth must be removed, or it will eventually dominate the tree and the tree will no longer appear as a weeping plant.

Weeping Higan Cherry Weeping Red Buds are also available on the market. Lavender Twist, (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’) and the closely related hybrid cultivar ‘Ruby Falls’ are plants that are good for a small place where a strong focal point is desired. These are small slow growing cultivars that are excellent for landscapes with limited space. I do not often see problems on these plants.

Leafhoppers can cause noticeable injury to Lavender Twist. Cankers and verticillium wilt can be an occasional problem on any red buds, but they are pest free compared to crabapples or cherries.

Weeping Beech cultivars are typically cultivars of European beech (Fagus sylvatica). There are green forms of weeping beech that can reach 50 feet high and 40 feet wide at maturity. These are often slow growing trees but can get quite large.

The most common weeping beech I encounter in the industry is the Purple Fountain Beech (Fagus sylvatica “Purple Fountain’). This plant is moderate in size compared to Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’. I do not find many pest issues on this plant. However, it may be less tolerant of heavy clay soils compared to many other weeping plants I have discussed.

Weeping Crabapple cultivars are available in the nursery industry. I am not familiar with all of them. The two most common weeping crabapples I frequently encounter are the cultivars Red Jade and Louisa. Both are weeping forms that provide a nice spring interest. Red Jade has heavy fruit production in the fall and looks quite remarkable and weeps a bit more than Louisa. Both cultivars tend to get thick growth that promotes reduced air circulation which can lead to disease issues such as apple scab and cedar apple rust. Fireblight can be an issue on certain crabapples, but resistance to fireblight is variable among cultivars.

Many of the plants discussed in this article are wonderful for landscape use and I do not want you to think it is all “Gloom and Doom” with these plants. My wife tells me that I always say something is wrong or is dying on our property. This is because as an inspector, my eyes and brain are trained to find out what is wrong with plants instead of just focusing on the beauty of a plant. Remember, any plant has the potential to get pest or disease issues, otherwise I would not have a job as a nursery inspector. These plants are definitely worth the investment, however having a better understanding of the potential problems and how to handle them will increase your likelihood of maintaining the desired landscape value of a particular cultivar. Understanding the culture requirements of these cultivars and picking the right cultivar for the correct location and environment can help alleviate stress and the risk of plant pests and disease. It is important to educate clients about the limitations and level of care that may be required for a particular cultivar so they have realistic expectations of a plants performance and are satisfied with the investment they made in their property. Although some of these cultivars may take a bit more tender loving care in the landscape, they are worth it for the focal points and interest they provide.

Ken Cote, Nursery and Compliance Inspector, Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology. This will be the last article submission from Ken Cote to the INLA. He’s retired effective early August 2023. The DNR would like to thank him for his years of dedicated service and wish him well in his future Purple Fountain Beech endeavors.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:35 AM

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www.mcgavicoutdoorpower.com INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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IGE 2024 ....Save The Date!

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:35 AM

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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INLA MEMBER FEATURE

Dan Fuquay of Aching Acres In a paragraph or two, please tell us about yourself: Your name, businesses, partners, etc.

Hi! I am Danny Fuquay. I am 49 years old, Husband to Monica, Father to our five children Logan, Braxton, Keely, Kimber, and Alyssa. I love my Family and I am grateful for our entire Aching Acres Family. Upon graduation from Vincennes University with just an Associate’s degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design in 1996, I started Aching Acres Landscaping. Just myself and one crew member, a truck and a trailer. Fast forward to 2023, we now have nine team members between sales and install, one Express Blower Mulch Truck, four dump trucks from single axle to triaxle, eight pickups, ten CAT construction machines, nine trailers and everything in between. In 2019, my lead landscape designer Brian Williams proposed we go forward with a pool division. Together, he and I started Pool Builders by Aching Acres, adding another 4 members to our hard-working team. We are based in Evansville, IN but service a 100-mile radius, or wherever the job takes us.

In September of 2021, my beautiful wife Monica and I purchased the Julius family’s Chandler location, beginning the latest venture with Aching Acres Wholesale Nursery.

Inheriting our management team from Ridge and keeping the legendary Sam Beitler on consult, we were proud to add our eight nursery team members to our Aching Acres family. With the purchase of the Nursery and our 25-year relationship with EarthWorks Stone, we were able to introduce an EarthWorks Authorized Stoneyard at our Chandler location.

What inspired you to start Aching Acres and pursue a career in the landscape industry?

I grew up in a family of entrepreneurship so you could say I always knew I wanted to be my own boss. My Grandparents Lloyd and Helen Hahn owned Hahn Equipment Company here in Evansville. Grandpa invented the Hahn Hi-Boy Crop Sprayer in 1948 and Golf course Spraying equipment through the ’80s and ’90s. Outdoor power products were their main business for over 45 years so I have always had a love for equipment. They also had a small Nursery as a hobby nursery that I worked at in my youth. That Nursery was Aching Acres Nursery. We grew Azaleas, Holly, and Rhododendron so my love for plants 16

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came from them. When I decided to start a landscape contracting business to honor them, I asked if I could use the Aching Acres name so Aching Acres Landscaping, Inc. was born.

Many people start a landscape company thinking they can be successful, could you share one the moment in your career when you knew you could make landscaping a successful career?

I worked for another large local garden center and landscape contracting company for two Summer internships and another four months once I received my horticulture degree. I learned some great lessons there from Sam Beitler and Gene Flick who were my supervisors, mentors and veterans in the industry. I enjoyed customers’ reactions to the jobs we would complete. I think it was during my time there that I knew I wanted to start my own company and cater to high end clients and projects that were challenging.

Within the first months on my own I knew I had found my passion and that I could make it my successful career. I

" I’ve always dreamed of building Aching Acres to the size we are today, but the simple fact is Dan Fuquay of Aching Acres would not exist without every single team member across all three companies. "

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:37 AM

am grateful for my time there but glad I started my company when I did.

What are some essential tips you would give to beginners who are just starting to explore the thought of starting a landscape company?

First, you have to love the outdoors and working in extreme conditions. Weather plays a roll in your everyday schedule. Secondly, education is important. The INLA has done an awesome job of education through their programs all over the state. Thirdly, Communication with clients is essential. We are consistently scheduled out 6-8 months.

We regularly update clients on our schedule and when to expect us. Fourthly, buy the right equipment based off your needs not wants. I am an equipment junkie; if it can speed up our production we buy it, but rent until it makes sense. It’s taken us 27 years to get to our current fleet size and it doesn’t happen overnight. Lastly, find team members that have passion for what they do. Pay them as much as you can and set up benefits and incentives. You will not regret it. We have very little turnover after all these years.

It’s easier to pay great team members through the entire year than to waste time re-building your team every Spring You’ve mentioned to me, personally, that it’s not the money that keeps you doing what you’re doing. Can you elaborate on what keeps you motivated to keep pumping out these incredible projects on such a backto-back basis?

I am motivated by several things. I am proud of how much work we accomplish each year with small, well-equipped teams across our three businesses. I love the daily challenges of running the projects hands on. Its very rewarding to start with a client in the design process, then execute that design and see the client’s reaction when they are using their pool or outdoor living space for the first time. Brian Williams, our main Landscape/Pool Designer, always says, “Big Jobs produce Big Jobs”, and he’s exactly right. Having big work lined up back-to-back is a comforting feeling. My biggest motivator is our Team Members and their families.

I take great pride in knowing how well we take care of them no matter what it costs us.

What was the appeal to joining the INLA? When I started my career, I received my IAP from the INLA. When I started Aching Acres, I liked the affiliation with the INLA to give Aching Acres more credibility within our local market. Dallas Foster was my sponsor back then and we started a friendship that has lasted all these years. With the encouragement from my longtime friend Kent Wilhelmus at Second Nature to become more involved with the INLA, we recently joined Pool Builders and Aching Acres Wholesale Nursery as affiliate members through our original membership. We are working with the INLA at the nursery to help grow membership in Southwest Indiana with our customers. There are so many member benefits that INLA offers and I think that’s pretty cool for the younger generation getting started.

What was your thought process behind adding on Pool Builders by Aching Acres?

Our design process covers total site design from pool location to total landscape design. For years we usually ran the jobs and did all the leg work for other contractors. To ensure our schedule wasn’t interrupted waiting on one of the other pool companies to get to us, we just decided that it was time for us to do this in house. We build treated steel wall pools with concrete flat work and grout slopes.

We go to great lengths to ensure long term quality of our builds from bottom drains under our main drains to all Sch 40-80 piping, and we back fill with rock not dirt. We love steel kit pools because most of our clients ask for large and wide pool widths. Steel allows this where fiberglass does not.

What do you think is a practice in your business that you would deem paramount to growth as a company, not just by size, but rather by efficiency in the field?

Equipment and People. We continually take care of our team members so they increase production every year. We have invested in many pieces of equipment over the years.

Our Express Blower Mulch Truck is so important for our efficiency and production schedules. We can install 100yds a day on our big jobs with two team members freeing up others to move on to the next project. It is an expensive INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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priority. With four of our five children out of the house now, it’s a little easier to find balance and time for family things. The addition of the pool and nursery businesses have added to the work load. I do my best to keep Sundays for family time and body recovery.

How did your landscape company transition into opening up Aching Acres Wholesale Nursery, and what inspired you to combine these two aspects of your business?

tool but one we have learned how to maximize its ability of blowing mulch, rock, soils and compost to improve our production.

What is the most important lesson you've learned from your experiences as a businessman in the landscape field?

Be patient for growth. Learn your skill set and your passion. Follow through on what you say to clients. Be ready when opportunity happens for you to grow larger because it will. My passion is natural stone walls. I love the challenges of creating something with structure and timeless beauty. If you had told me 25 years ago that we would be installing 2800-3200 tons of natural stone annually I would have said no way. Create designs and execute the installs like no one else in your market and you’ll always stay busy.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

It’s not easy. When our kids were younger, I was better at it. I’d miss some events, but always tried to make it a

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We were longtime customers of the nursery when The Julius Family owned it. We were approached by them to see if we had any interest in purchasing the nursery and the land. After a few weeks of going back and forth with Monica, it was she who said we will regret not buying it.

She was right. Buying the Former Ridge Wholesale and keeping a pipeline of fresh trees and plant material for all of us in the industry in our part of the state has been challenging but very rewarding. I have enjoyed meeting and educating many of the younger contractors that buy from us, especially the stone products and how to use the different stone lines we offer.

How do you balance the demands of running a successful landscaping and pool business while also running the nursery?

It only happens because of our teams at each business. We have systems in place for delegation of duties throughout all three businesses. I work on the crew and stay in touch with our Landscape and Pool Teams primarily. Monica and I each have responsibilities running the nursery alongside of our amazing crew.

In your opinion, what is the most challenging aspect of being Dan Fuquay of Aching Acres?

I’ve always dreamed of building Aching Acres to the size we are today, but the simple fact is Dan Fuquay of Aching Acres would not exist without every single team member across all three companies. We are very proud of the work we produce every year with our Aching Acres Family!

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:41 AM

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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We're looking for the best landscape projects in Indiana.

Do You Have What it Takes?

Submission Deadline 12/01/2023 Winners Announced at Indiana Green Expo. January 2024

Submit Your Project to the Indiana Nursery & Landscape Association's Annual Awards Program Celebrating Landscape Excellence!

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:48 AM

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:49 AM

Summer Meeting Recap 2023

By Rick Haggard - To all that could not attend our August 2-4, 2023 3-Day Summer Meeting and INEF Shooting for Scholarships, I will try my best to make it seem as though you were there in person, but as they say, “there is nothing like the real thing”.

These 3 days were all planned by the Summer Committee of Kevin Van Sessen, Erick Brehob, Brant Boram, Gabriel Gluesenkamp, Jill Glover, Scott Johnsen, the families and staff of Schneider Nursery and Designscape Horticultural Services, that sought sponsors, donations for INEF Auction, including a freezer load of beef secured from Gabriel Gluesenkamp cousin.

It would not be an INLA function without Julie Gillen and Vickie Newell at the registration table each day.

DAY 1 Schneider Nursery located in Seymour, Indiana.

With some 60 plus registered attendees everyone embarked to the newest acreage and eastern most fields shuttled by vans to either ride the trolley or stay in one of the accompanying vans. We would venture westward to see nursery stock on some of the most pristine fields, that obviously are cared for like children. I have no doubt that while it is a laborious undertaking, it reflects the Schneider’s family heritage and dedicated staff that when speaking with any one of them, leaves a feeling that it truly is in their blood to leave the nursery in better condition than what they came to. While on the trolley or in one of the vans they even had a game planned to keep everyone on their toes, with a “Name that plant” which had a blue ribbon at various stages. The Schneider’s even showed how they utilize their tree spade and dug a couple of plants where everyone was able to take a stretch, off the trolley and out of the vans. The Schneiders even brought back some newly retired employees to show their appreciation and engage with the attendees of some of their past duties while working at Schneider Nursery. It is still, in this day and age, that you find such committed individuals to their craftsmanship at staying at one place of business or returning when grass was nit greener on the other side. Lunch was served with a Mexican buffet and trust me there were no missing ingredients or options.

The afternoon offered 2 options; 1 being a short drive for those interested in boating on Lake Monroe for a couple of hours, while others yearning for more of an educational aspect returned to the

fields and engage with Cliff Sadof assisting in diagnosing some issues in the fields. Cliff Sadof, a well-respected Entomologist of Purdue University, not only in Indiana but in the Midwest as well. Always breaking out his 10X little pocket magnifier to help search for any insect that might be unseeable to the naked eye. Cliff also is one of our 2 newest Honorary Members of the INLA, as well is Mike Dana of Purdue University. We are all very fortunate to have these ambassadors for our green industry. Day 1 concluded with a heartful Thank You to the Schneider family and staff, while Cliff ran back out to the fields for another personal visit.

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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Thank You! 2023 SUMMER TOUR SPONSORS August 2, 2023 Schneider Nursery Tour Luncheon Sponsored by John Holmlund Nursery ******************************************************** August 3, 2023 Designscape Horticultural Services Hard Truth Luncheon sponsored by West Side Tractor Sales Dinner Sponsors Ricci Landscape Management & Tiffany Lawn and Garden Dinner Beverage Sponsor was Red Hen Turf Farm ******************************************************** August 4, 2023 Sugar Creek Hunting Preserve Breakfast Sponsored by Oberfields Shooting Station Sponsors • Blue Grass Farms • Niemeyer Stone • Spence Restoration Prize Sponsor was Tiffany Lawn and Garden

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:35:53 AM

DAY 2 Designscape Horticultural Services located in Nashville (Belmont), Indiana We were a little concerned about the number of people pre-registered as well as phone calls from others wanting to participate in the tours as well as dinner and the INEF Live and Silent Auction items, including the beef! Once everyone was ready, we embarked to the east side of Bloomington, Indiana to view 3 landscape sites done by Mother Nature Landscape, with Shawn Eurton (coowner) leading our group on the various stops. Shawn took time to ask if there were any questions at each of the stops from one site having synthetic turf since they could not keep regular grass maintained cleanly around the pool area and the homeowner saying she could see the seems from the upper deck when they were installing the synthetic turf. It is really refreshing to hear and see projects go from a vision by the client, designer and installation create the artistry and aesthetically pleasing result all involved had hoped for.

Next was just a short drive to Hillside Subdivision to see Thrasher Landscape completed landscape jobsite. Bobby Thrasher, the owner was there to greet the group and describe the project from beginning to end. Imagine all the attention to detail that this and all of the sites we were about to visit must encompass. I am sure while it can be a monumental task to be sure everything is exactly as the client wants or envisions, but the reward of their happiness is all worth it.

With 4 sites down, it was time to Hard Truth Distillery for lunch. I will not go into details but talk about a buffet spread for “LUNCH??” in Nashville, Indiana. Once everybody slowly walked to the vans or their own vehicles, we continued our afternoon stops in Columbus, Indiana. We visited 2 sites done by Brown Hill Nursery with Will Stoddard, owner leading our ensemble through picturesque landscaping and containing many massive natural stone boulders on one of the sites that eventually will possibly surround the entire lake embankment. After these stops, we journeyed to some sites landscaped by our host company Designscape Horticultural Services. We were fortunate to see one that is still in “construction phase” and wondered how in the world they were able to do such work on a steep descent to the lake. Dan Gluesenkamp remarked that they had to create a breaker, so the boat’s wakes would not destroy the beach created for the clients.

After the last site visit of which we were on time or slightly ahead, we headed back to Designscape for Drinks, Dinner, Music, and Auction.

Most of all it afforded the opportunity to socialize with several past INLA Presidents, Board Members and their accompanying wives. All may be retired or “slowing down” but when they get together, they sure know how to reflect on the way things were and would not have passed it up for the memories. A huge shout out to the entire Gluesenkamp Family and Staff that left no stone unturned from the beverages,

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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snacks, dinner, music, and ambience of the entire night.

One word comes to mind as we started night 1 of the INEF Auction. WOW!! Upon moving to the auction, on behalf of the INLA we want to give a huge applause and THANK YOU to Gerald Sowders for doing the auction at Designscape. Robert is good but when a seasoned auctioneer takes the mic, well let’s just say things start happening, if you were there you know what I am saying. He did not care who he had to get involved!!!

Day 3 – Sugar Creek Sporting Clays and Hunting Preserve located in Mitchell, Indiana Sugar Creek is a 700 acre with Sporting Clays and a Hunting Preserve, owned and operated by Brian and Andrea Waldbieser. Their facilities are well maintained, and they are extremely courteous to our association each time we have been there. Brian said that they could tally the scores for our group also. They shooters had 100 shots at 15 stations with 6 shots at the first 10 stations and 8 shots each at the last 5 stations. Team Ricci ended up with 1st place as a team and each member received a trophy and $100.00 cash prize, plus a bonus $50.00 gift card. Best individual ended in a tie again this year, with Dave Todd and Kyle Robinson each receiving a $100.00 cash prize. After a Barbeque lunch part 2 of INEF Auction concluded with Todd Zandstra of Redwood Landscape winning the gun raffle.

As of this writing we are still going through all the items and auction monies to give an accurate fundraising amount for the entire INEF. The entire 3 days could not have gone any better without a complete effort on everyone’s behalf. The list of individuals is endless and some I am not aware of, so let me say THANK YOU to EVERYONE INVOLVED and ready to head North in 2024. Plans are to be hopefully in the South Bend, Indiana area.

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION • www.inla1.org

9/19/2023 11:36:02 AM

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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IAH STUDY GUIDE

George Brenn’s IAH Study Guide

Text: © George Brenn

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

Chapter 7 – Turfgr as s Manag emen t LAWNS require proper establishment, fertilization, mowing and irrigation (environmental characteristics)



TURF Selection: COOL SEASON turfgrasses = in most of Indiana, we grow cool season turfgrasses, including Kentucky Bluegrass = the preferred (best) turfgrass for most of Indiana {1.4 million seeds / lb.} Dark green color Spreading habit (Tillers & Rhizomes) Tolerant of many diseases Drought & traffic tolerant  Slow to germinate (14-21 days) & establish (3-4 months) Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) = 2nd best turfgrass for Indiana lawns { 225,000 seeds / lb.} Excellent heat, drought and wear tolerance Slightly coarser blade than Ky Blue Much deeper root system  7 - 14 day germination Few, if any, tillers and rhizomes (is a clump forming grass) Note: Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is an older variety, not turf-type, coarse bladed & clumpy Perennial Ryegrass is often used in seed mixtures for quick germination { 240,000 seeds / lb.} Leaf blade very similar in width to Ky. Blue, but vertical growth somewhat faster Rapid germination (5-7 days) and establishment (6-8 weeks) Very susceptible to many turf diseases Best to keep fine leaf Per Ryegrass at 10% of mixture Note: Linn Per. Ryegrass is an older variety, coarse blades, does not blend well w/ Ky Blue Fine Fescues = best shade tolerance of common turfgrasses { 400-500,000 seeds / lb.} Narrowest blade, best tolerance to drought, shade, and low fertility Moderate germination (7-14 days) Several varieties, including Creeping Red, Chewings WARM SEASON turfgrasses – can be useful in Southern Indiana, and will grow in Northern IN, BUT… Zoysia – very dense, aggressive growth; spreads vigorously in summer; good drought tolerance BUT: turns brown (dormant) from 1st frost till May. = green for 5 months, brown for 7 months See chart on pg 2 with listing of various species for specific situations

SEED or SOD? The “Turf Establishment” question Fact; seedbed preparation is the same for seed or sod When to SEED - BEST time is late summer to early fall (8/15 – 9/15 in North, 9/1 – 10/1 in South) 2nd BEST time is called Dormant Seeding and occurs from approx Thanksgiving to Easter Seeds benefit from winter freeze/thaw cycles, causing crevices in soil which make ideal germination chambers, and seed will germinate soon as soil temp is warm enough in spring LEAST desirable time to seed is May through July: heat drought, weed competition.

Seedbed Preparation – smart money goes for a soil test to determine what needs to be added 1. Start clean – spray actively growing weeds with Glyphosate at least 1 week prior 2. Till or cultivate to 4-6” depth; DON’T do it when soil is wet; DON’T make soil powdery.

3. If needing to add Phosphorus, lime or sulfur, apply during step 2 4. Allow soil to settle (ideally, gentle rain or light irrigations) 5. Rake soil prior to applying seed: eliminate clods, level as necessary, but scarify entire soil surface; need to create places for grass seeds to lodge 6. Apply Starter Fertilizer and spread grass seed on soil surface Mulching – helps prevent erosion and minimize moisture loss, If using straw, 1 bale per 1,000 sq.ft. (do not remove straw; pray for no wind).

Hydromulch; 1,000 – 1,200 lbs / A on level ground; 1,500 – 2,000 lbs / A on slopes Watering – turf seedlings are very susceptible to desiccation – do not allow seeded areas to dry out. Best to irrigate lightly 2 – 4 times per day, needing only to moisten top 1 – 2”.

AFTER seed germinates, gradually reduce frequency & increase duration of waterings Mowing – encourages turf to fill in. 1st mowing @ 1.5 – 2” height, then increase mow height to 3” Never remove more than 1/3 of length of grass blades. SHARPEN BLADES OFTEN. Fertility – since you applied moisture 2-4 X / day for several weeks, time to FEED THE BABY. Apply 0.75 – 1.0 lbs N / 1,000 sq.ft. @ 4 – 6 weeks after germination (after 3 rd mowing) and again 4 – 6 weeks later. OK to use regular lawn food (28-4-4, etc.)

Weed Control – not difficult IF you start clean and seed in Aug/ Sept.

IF fall seeding, can apply phenoxy herbicides (2,4-D) AFTER 3rd or 4th mowing to control perennial & annual broadleaf weeds (up to early November) - To control annual grasses (Crabgrass), apply pre-emergent herbicides in spring (on fall-seeded lawns). IF dormant-seeded OR spring-seeded, avoid pre-emergent herbicides during 1st year.

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IAH STUDY GUIDE CONTINUED When to SOD - seedbed preparation is the same for seed or sod, but sod could handle more P 2O5 Rolls of sod can be installed most anytime the ground is not frozen and sod is available.

Advantages of Sod – affords greatest visual appeal via “instant lawn;” reduced incidence of erosion in sodded areas as opposed to seeded; can be installed in summer Disadvantages of Sod – must be laid soon after receiving; COST: labor intensive installation and sod costs way more than seed: For 1,000 sq.ft., Sod would cost approx. $300 vs Seed costing approx. $20 - $30 Sod is usually supplied with approx. ½” of soil: sod rolls can be kept on pallet for 12 hrs @ 90°F And perhaps 24 – 36 hrs @ 70°F Sod is primarily Kentucky Bluegrass because it produces tillers and rhizomes (= sod-forming) Ryegrasses and Fescues have very limited, if any, ability to spread; 1 seed = 1 plant (These are referred to as bunch forming grasses) On slopes or in waterways, sod can be pegged or stapled to ground to aid in securement Rolling of newly laid sod removes most underlying irregularities & presses sod into seedbed for best root / soil contact. Rolling should be done prior to watering newly laid sod.

Sod should be “rooted in” after 10 - 14 days and should be mowed within 3 weeks of installing Aerification (core aeration) benefits sod / soil interface and helps reduce thatch buildup Weed Control – OK after sod is well established, usually 6 – 8 weeks, or 3 – 4 mowings.

Dandelion control best done in October with post-emergent broadleaf herbicide

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 develop knowledgeable, motivated, professional employees for the landscape nursery industry.

There are over 700 Indiana Accredited Horticulturists and over 125 Master Horticulturists.

Congratulations! New Indiana Accredited Horticulturists Jason Beasley, NCCF, Indianapolis, IN

Bruce Giggy, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Darrell Brown, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Tyrone Harper, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Martin Clark, NCCF, Indianapolis, IN

Jerry Hatfield, NCCF, Indianapolis, IN

Patrick Diebel, NCCF, North York, Ontario, Canada

Rickey Jenkins, NCCF, Portland, IN

Zachariah Dirrim, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Phillip Kress, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Christopher Miller, NCCF, New Castle, IN Robert Pike, NCCF, New Castle, IN Shane Poling, NCCF, Auburn, IN Steffon Ring, NCCF, Angola, IN

Peter Kuhns, NCCF, Indianapolis, IN

Michael Spradling, NCCF, New Castle, IN

William LaBaume, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Larry Truesdale, NCCF, Clayton, IN

Mario Garcia, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Robert Lacroix, NCCF, New Castle, IN

George Wilder, NCCF, Anderson, IN

Lucio Garcia, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Donald Maxwell, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Antonio Williams, NCCF, New Castle, IN

Stephen Allen Elswick, NCCF, New Castle, IN

INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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IAH QUIZ - JULY/AUGUST

IAH Quiz

Quiz Due October 31, 2023

Each quiz will be worth a .5 (one-half) CEU!

1. In NW Indiana, the primary types of turfgrasses are _________ _________ grasses 2. Kentucky Bluegrass seed germinates very rapidly. T or F 3. Zoysia forms a dense and aggressive turf with good drought tolerance, but it becomes _________ and turns __________ after the first frost 4. The best time to seed a lawn is from mid-May until the end of June. T or F 5. The only way to know if your lawn needs a lime application is by ___________ the soil 6. Perennial Ryegrass is one of the most disease resistant turfgrass varieties. T or F 7. A non-selective herbicide, such as __________ can be applied to actively growing weeds before seeding a new lawn and will kill existing perennial weeds and grasses.

8. Turf seedlings are very susceptible to __________ and should not be allowed to dry out 9. Topsoil and subsoil often have completely different nutrient and pH values. T or F

Chapter

7

10. Generally speaking, lawns in NW Indiana should be mowed at a 3” height. T or F 11. Mowing should remove no more than _______ of the length of turfgrass blades 12. Starter fertilizers have an analysis higher in Potash than Phosphorous. T or F 13. When watering a lawn, it is best to _______ ________ instead of ________ ________ 14. Mower blades may require sharpening more than once each year. T or F 15. _________ is the nutrient primarily responsible for promoting vegetative growth 16. The best time to fertilize your lawn is in ________ 17. Generally speaking, a “full feeding of lawn food supplies _______ of N per 1,000 sq.ft.

18. Thatch is a layer of dead grass clippings caused by not bagging when mowing. T or F 19. _______ _________ is the best method of alleviating compacted soils in lawns.

20. Annual grassy weeds are best controlled with a ____ - ________ herbicide which should be applied prior to __________ of the weed seeds 21. The key to success with any “weed killer” is to apply to ________ ________ ________ 22. Post emergent herbicides are also known as ________ _________ 23. White grubs are the _______ _______ of beetles and chafers 24. The best time to control grubs in turfgrass is when they are _________ , usually within a few weeks after the emergence of _________

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

25. Moles eat more earthworms than grubs during any given year. T or F

Name:___________________________________________________________________________ IAH No.:_________________________________________________________________________ Phone:__________________________________________________________________________ Email:___________________________________________________________________________

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

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INDIANA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NEWS • JULY | AUGUST 2023

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LOOKING TO PURCHASE EXISTING BUSINESS

ADVERTISERS

Landscape, Lawncare, Tree and Shrub Care, or Irrigation Business in Indianapolis or surrounding counties.

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Call Jim Calvin, Calvin Landscape 317-247-6316

Blue Grass Farms of Indiana..........................inside front cover www.bluegrassfarms.net Bowling Nursery..................................................................27 sales@bowlingwholesale.com Brehob Nurseries, LLC.................................outside back cover www.brehobnursery.com Calvin Landscape................................................................32 www.calvinlandscape.com Estes Material Sales Inc........................................................19 www.estesstone.com Fairview Evergreen Nurseries...............................................27 www.fairviewevergreen.com Forest Commodities, Inc........................................................8 www.fcimulch.com.com Indiana Business Appraisals LLC...........................................14 www.indianaba.com Indiana Irrigation Co...........................................................27 www.indianairrigation.com MacAllister Machinery, Inc...................................................31 www.macallister.com McGavic Outdoor Power.....................................................13 www.mcgavicoutdoorpower.com Millcreek Gardens................................................................27 www.millcreekplants.com Reynolds Farm Equipment...................................................15 www.reynoldfarmequipment.com Southern View Nursery........................................................12 www.southernviewnursery.com Tiffany Lawn and Garden Supply...........................................4 www.tiffanylawnandgarden.com Unilock..................................................... inside back cover, 2 www.unilock.com

INLA Job Board at www.inla1.org Member Benefit

FREE JOB POSTING for INLA members!

Positions are open to any who wish to respond!

West Side Tractor Sales..........................................................5 www.westsidetractorsales.com Woody Warehouse Nursery, Inc...........................................19 www.woodywarehouse.com

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, 765-366-4994 32

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50 years of

Design Leadership 1972

FIRST PAVER in North America

1983

CLASSICO CURVE

1993

GEOMETRIC SHAPES

2004

TIMELESS ELEGANCE

2007

SLEEK UMBRIANO

2012

UVISION 3D DESIGN

For over 50 years, Unilock has set the standard with ground-breaking products and designs. In 1972, we introduced UNI-Stone® to North America, taking hardscapes to new heights of durability and aesthetics.

A decade later, we introduced Classico®, the first circular paver system.

From timeless Elegance™ products to the contemporary Umbriano®, we continue to innovate and grow. We’re 30 years ahead of the curve in geometric designs, with a line of geometric forms and unique banding technique, and a design manual we initially dubbed “Paver Quilting”!

Thanks to the U-Cara® Multi-Face Wall System, contractors can express their design creativity vertically. Thousands of contractors and designers use our user-friendly, cost-effective U-Vision® 3D design software since its introduction more than 20 years ago.

50 years and counting and we’re just getting started!

Contact us at 1-800-UNILOCK or UNILOCK.com to see how we can help you reach your design goals.

2018

PATENTED U-CARA

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Rick Haggard, INLA Executive Director Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association 7915 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 247 Indianapolis, IN 46237 JULY | AUGUST 2023 Address Service Requested

MOTHER NATURE’S FINEST,

BEST IN THE MIDWEST.

BrehobNursery.com For more than 50 years, Brehob has been committed to providing top businesses and landscapers with top notch quality, selection, and availability. Join us as we continue the Brehob tradition of innovation in the green industry.

Westfield

4867 Sheridan Road (SR 38) Westfield, IN 46062 317-877-0188 or 877-829-0188

Indianapolis

4316 Bluff Road Indianapolis, IN 46217 317-783-3233 or 800-921-3233

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