Nursery Views - Summer 2020

VOL. 50/NO. 1

SUMMER 2020

The Official Publication of The Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association

Management of Weeds in the Nursery Member Spotlight on INSIDE OUT DESIGNS

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VOL. 50/NO. 1

SUMMER 2020

TOP FEATURES

7 UPCOMING

EVENT

2020 Summer Outing

8 FEATURE

STORY

This Story Changed the Way I Do Business

10 COVER

STORY

8

Management of Weeds in the Nursery

12 MEMBER

SPOTLIGHT

Inside Out Designs

10 DEPARTMENTS

5 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 6 FROM THE PRESIDENT, Jeff Wallitsch

NURS ERY VIEWS • SUMMER 2020

12 The Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Nursery Views, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bi-annual publication. Copyright © 2020 by the Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association. Nursery Views is published bi-annually. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association.

We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs.

Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.

4

The official publication of the Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association

P.O. Box 5006 l Frankfort, KY 40602-5006 502-330-8300 Email: knla.org@gmail.com www.knla.org KNLA OFFICERS PRESIDENT JEFF WALLITSCH (2018) Wallitsch Nursery & Garden Center 2608 Hikes Lane • Louisville, KY 40218 Tel: 502-454-3553 • jeff_wallitsch@live.com PAST PRESIDENT MICHAEL MUELLER Inside Out Design, LLC 100 Old Georgetown Road • Frankfort, KY 40601 Tel: 502-695-7020 michaelm@insideout-design.org SECRETARY STEPHANIE TITTLE (2019) 4716 Greenhaven Lane Goshen, KY 40026 Tel: 502-303-4852 • wfarmgarden@gmail.com TREASURER CRAIG GRIGSBY Abrams Nursery 4609 Glenarm Road • Crestwood, KY 40014 Tel: 502-241-4996

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MELANIE FRANSEN Tel: 502-330-8300 melanie@knla.org DIRECTORS ROSCOE KLAUSING Klausing Group rklausing@klausinggroup.com Tel: 859-254-0762 ext 104

Published by Leading Edge Communications, LLC

206 Bridge Street l Franklin, TN 37064 615-790-3718 l Fax: 615-794-4525 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com www.leadingedgecommunications.com EDUCATIONAL ADVISORS DR. WINSTON DUNWELL UK Research & Education Center P.O. Box 469 • Princeton, KY 42445 Tel: 270-365-7541, ext. 209 wdunwell@uky.edu DR. DEWAYNE INGRAM University of Kentucky, Horticulture Dept.

N-308F Agri. Sci. Center • Lexington, KY 40546 Tel: 859-257-8903 • dingram@uky.edu

ADAM MCCLANAHAN Carlton Plants 299 Hill Ave • Franklin, OH 45005 Tel: 800-442-1453 amcclanahan@carltonplants.com

ADAM LEONBERGER Franklin Co. Extension Agent for Horticulture 101 Lakeview Ct • Frankfort, KY 40601 Tel: 502-695-9035 • adam.leonberger@uky.edu

JACOB STIDHAM Yew Dell Gardens jacobs@yewdellgardens.org Tel: 502-241-4788

DR. ROBERT (BOB) E. MCNIEL (Emeritus) Highland Moor 226 Shady Lane • Midway, KY 40347 Tel: 859-509-2719 • rmcniel@highlandmoor.com

ADVERTISERS INDEX

AMMON WHOLESALE NURSERY, INC............ 5

www.ammonplants.com

ANDERSON MULCH & SOIL, LLC.................... 3

www.ralumber.com

BOBCAT ENTERPRISES, INC.............Inside Front Cover

www.bobcat-ent.com

BROWN’S NURSERY...................................... 13 BOSHANCEE NURSERY, INC......................... 15

www.boshanceensy.com

FAIRVIEW EVERGREEN NURSERIES.............. 9

www.fairviewevergreen.com

JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS......................... 14

www.jelitto.com

LANDSCAPERS CORNER, INC........................ 6

www.landscaperscorner.com

LEADING EDGE COMMUNICATIONS............ 11

www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

MCHUTCHISON, INC........................................ 9

www.mchutchison.com

MILLCREEK GARDENS LLC............................. 9

www.millcreekplants.com

RICHEY NURSERY COMPANY, LLC.............. 15

www.richeynursery.com

RUSTY MANGRUM NURSERY.......................... 9

www.rustymangrumnursery.com

SMITH SEED SERVICES................................... 5

www.smithseed.com

TREE EQUIPMENT DESIGN, INC................... 15

www.treeequip.com

WELLMASTER CARTS.....................Back Cover

www.wellmaster.ca

To discuss advertising opportunities, contact Leading Edge Communications:

(Toll Free)

sales@leadingedgecommunications.com www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

5

NUR SERY VIEWS • S UMMER 2020

615-790-3718 888-707-7141

FROM THE PRESIDENT l Jeff Wallitsch

2020

We are ESSENTIAL.

sure has been a kick in the burlap sack! I don’t think anyone could have predicted what was going to happen, not only nationwide, but globally. With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the nation, it was difficult to stay positive. With the uncertainty of pretty much everything, we all began to stockpile on bread, milk, and even toilet paper. You know, the “essentials.”

We all hunkered down and expected the worst. Glued to our portable devices, we all wondered what was going to be shut down next. Was the green industry a part of that shut down? Luckily, we are deemed as essential. While things are still uncertain and unstable, I wanted to share a few positive notes of what I have seen our industry doing during the pandemic.

Buy Local, Support Local.

There has been a lot of chatter on the web the past several months with the hashtag #buylocal. Whether it be supporting local restaurants or buying gift cards to support small businesses, we can all benefit from buying local. The buy local concept brings people together and helps support our local community. Many of our members rely on the business of their local economy to survive. Buying local provides jobs, reduces the time it takes to receive product, and keeps more of your dollars closer to home. There is a great meme that says “Buy Local, because (Insert Big Box Store Name) isn’t going to sponsor your little league team.”

Think Outside the Box. Many of us, including myself, had to quickly come up with new business

practices to keep up with the everchanging state guidelines during the pandemic. I noticed many retail outlets implement online ordering and curbside pick up services. And some of these services were implemented in less than 24 hours! Now, that is impressive. With the use of numerous social media platforms, companies are still able to reach their customers and bring in business. I see many of these services becoming the new normal. With the use of modern technology, we are still able to be connected with one another.

We are Essential.

By being Essential, we are providing a service. Each and every member of the KNLA provides some sort of service that is deemed essential whether it be greenhouse, garden center, landscaping, or agriculture. Gardening gives us the chance to be creative, connect with nature, and provides us with a mental health outlet.

The KNLA is here to be essential for YOU! We have many great resources available to our members to keep you up to date on new state orders and business guidelines to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a full list of the COVID-19 resources, please visit knla.org/COVID19-RESOURCES. I want to give a special thanks to all of our board members, educational advisors, and our Executive Director. We truly are a working board and we are working towards making the KNLA more essential to you. As an organization we can get through this together. The light at the end of the tunnel may be dim, but at least there is a light.

Stay safe and healthy.

Jeff Wallitsch NURS ERY VIEWS • SUMMER 2020

#weareessential

Our scheduled date for the Summer Outing is Thursday, August 27, 2020. Visit knla.org for information as it becomes available.

6

DATE!

Thursday, Aug. 27

th

The schedule and registration will open in summer 2020.

Visit www.knla.org for more information.

FEATURE STORY

This story changed the way I do business.

By Roscoe Klausing

NURS ERY VIEWS • SUMMER 2020

A

lmost 20 years ago, I was told a story about mower safety and efficiency that changed the way I do business.

A friend of mine was giving me a tour of a landscape maintenance company where he served as vice president.

The company was large. They employed over 1,000 people.

During the tour, one of his company’s maintenance crews arrived to mow the lawn.

As the crew started working, they placed traffic cones around their truck and trailer. As they unloaded equipment, I saw that each string trimmer and edger still had the debris guards installed. As larger equipment was unloaded, I watched employees engage roll over protection systems (ROPS) and deck discharge chutes. I had never seen such attention to safe practices.

While the crew was mowing, I noticed that they were producing a lot of thatch. They had to double and triple cut the lawn just to disperse the clumps of grass. “You know,” I said to my friend, “if you flip up the deck discharge chutes, the grass clippings won’t clump up.” That’s when he told me the story that changed my approach to mower safety and efficiency.

Several years earlier, my friend had found himself in a courtroom. An employee of his company had lost their finger in an accident while operating a mower on an embankment. The deck discharge chute was not installed on his mower and when the mower flipped, the employee’s finger made contact with the exposed blade.

During the trial, the plaintiff’s attorney asked why the discharge chute had been removed. The employee explained, “without the discharge chute, the grass clippings don’t clump up.” The plaintiff’s attorney went on to explain that this is what it looks like when a company puts efficiency and profits over the health and safety of its employees.

Maybe the employee still would have lost his finger if the discharge chute had been engaged. Maybe he was the one that took off the discharge chute in the first place? Regardless, when I heard this story, I realized that throughout my entire career I had watched professional landscapers remove or disengage safety features from equipment. These unsafe practices were so widely accepted, that day, watching that crew mow the lawn, I was surprised to see safety features in use.

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We’ve come a long way in 20 years. Far more companies wear PPE and follow safe mowing practices than two decades ago. But we’ve got a long way to go. For the last 5 years, the landscape industry has been Kentucky’s most fatal industry.

This is in large part due to rollovers of zero turn mowers. Our industry can do better. Here’s a short list of the minimum safety standards you should be enforcing on every one of the job sites where you mow.

Wear safety glasses and earplugs.

Wear boots, pants, and high vis clothing.

Demarcate a work zone around trucks.

Engage ROPS and wear seatbelts.

Engage deck discharge chutes.

Leave debris guards on string trimmers and edgers.

Don’t mow steep embankments.

Specializing in Bareroot Fruit, Shade, Ornamental Trees

A Peach of a Nursery!

3075 West Greenhill Rd. McMinnville, TN 37110 (931) 939-2572 • Fax (931) 939-2577 mangrumfarms@blomand.net www.rustymangrumnursery.com

Don Blocker

Sales Representative

New Basewell Rooted Cutting Technology

dblocker@mchutchison.com mchutchison.com

9

NUR SERY VIEWS • S UMMER 2020

Louisville, KY C: 502-681-8073 F: 866-521-8353

COVER STORY

MANAGEMENT OF WEEDS NURSERY IN THE

By Joshua Kight, Extension Associate, Nursery Crops

W

Cultural practices include methods such as sanitation and cultivation. In container nurseries, always use weed free substrates. Store pots and flats in areas where they will not become contaminated with weed seeds. Keep production areas as weed free as possible to prevent the introduction and spread of weeds.

In field production, sanitation and cultivation can be used to control weeds. Difficult-to-control or persistent weeds, such as Mugwort (Figure 1) should be controlled before planting and considered when designing weed control during production.

Other cultural practices for reducing weed pressure include planting a temporary ground cover and plowing in the fall. A cover crop creates competition with weeds through shading, mowing, and can reduce the weed seed bank in the soil.

Preemergence herbicides are useful in nursery weed management programs because they form a residual barrier in the soil that keeps the weed seedling from emerging. It is very crucial to time applications so that a chemical barrier is in place before weeds seeds germinate. Multiple applications throughout the season are necessary to maintain control throughout the year.

In container nurseries 3 to 6 applications could be made, while in field production there may only be the need for 2 – 3 applications. Application sites will differ due to the history of heavy weed pressure versus sites with little weed pressure.

eeds in the nursery can be a major hindrance to the industry. They can harbor insect pests, plant disease pathogens, and rodents. If weeds go unchecked, they can reduce airflow. This can lead to an increase in humidity, and consequently increase disease pressure and severity. The presence of weeds ties up fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, and water, therefore reducing their effectiveness. So, it is important to manage weed pressures. Nurseries should adopt an integrated weed management program that uses techniques to reduce the weed population.

Weed scouting is probably the first and most important step in developing an integrated weed management program.

Making effective weed management decisions is based on field history, as well as the current weed population. Field nurseries should be scouted at least twice a year: late summer/early fall and again in late spring/early summer. By doing this, prevalent weed populations and weeds requiring special control measures can be identified. This allows a manager to develop a customized program for integrated weed management in their nursery. As there is no silver bullet for controlling weeds, the program’s methods may change from year to year.

Weeds can be controlled or managed with cultural practices and/or by the use of chemical PRE/POST emergent herbicides.

LATE WINTER

EARLY SPRING

Weed Scouting PRE Herbicide

X

NURS ERY VIEWS • SUMMER 2020

Nutsedge Control

10

EARLY SUMMER

MID SUMMER

X

X

X

X

POST Herbicide Sprayer Maintenance

LATE SPRING

LATE SUMMER

X X

Spot Treat

Spot Treat

Spot Treat

Spot Treat

PRE

POST

POST

POST

X PRE

PRE

EARLY FALL

Treat Perennial Weeds

The use of postemergence herbicide is necessary when there are weeds that have escaped the pre emergence application. Postemergence herbicides that are available are selective, non-selective, contact action, or systemic action. Glyphosate, Glufosinate, and Diquat are non-selective postemergenece herbicides, as they injure any vegetation contracted. Sethoxydim, fluazifop-p and clethodim are selective post control herbicides that will control grasses but not broadleaf weeds. With nonselective herbicides it is necessary to apply as a directed spray, while selective herbicides may be applied over the top to tolerant plants. With all chemicals it is very important to read the label and have an understanding on how the product should be applied.

Another important thing to consider when implementing a program, is managing for herbicide resistant weeds. It is important to know a product’s Mode of Action (MOA), to rotate MOAs and use multiple control tactics. For more information on MOA categories, use the Weed Science Society of America website www.wssa.net.

Other methods for control are flame, steam or hot foam to weeds. They are most effective controlling seedlings of annual weeds, but larger annual weeds may grow back rapidly. Use of cultivation is proven to be effective, but may lead to erosion, the spread of rhizomatous weeds such as mugwort (Figure 1), and the damage to shallow rooted crops.

Figure 1. Mugwort. Image: University of California Extension

More information can be found at the links provided below: https://wiki.bugwood.org/IPM_book https://wiki.bugwood.org/IPM_Shrub_Book https://wiki.bugwood .org/SNIPM

Source: 2017 Southeastern U.S. Pest Control Guide Nursery Crops and Landscape Plantings

NUR SERY VIEWS • S UMMER 2020

11

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Inside Out Designs’

S

COVID RESPONSE

pring of 2020 brought challenges beyond the usual rush of planting, mowing and weed control. What is normally a busy season in the green industry was slowed nearly to a halt

by COVID-19. As ever, the Kentucky Nursery and Landscape industry has shown incredible resilience and ingenuity in the face of these unusual times.

Inside Out Designs began as a two-person operation with Michael Mueller (past KNLA president) and his wife Andrea working from a single desk in their home in 2007. Thirteen years later, it has grown and is a thriving business.

Inside Out Designs, like so many of our amazing member companies, has taken a proactive approach to adapting the workplace for the current climate and looking out for the safety of their staff and customers. The following information is a resource Inside Out Designs has provided for their team, and they’ve generously shared this information with KNLA. Thank you, Michael and Andrea, for your continued work to support, grow and protect our industry!

IOD Employee Covid 19 Policy & Safety Procedures

NURS ERY VIEWS • SUMMER 2020

1. Wear clean clothing

We have issued each employee 3 t-shirts and 2 bandanas as part of our new safety policy. We must insist that employees come to work with clean clothes on each day. Please launder your clothing. Clothes that are soiled are more likely to carry human pathogens including COVID-19.

2. If you or someone in your household is sick – stay home

Stay home and call the office immediately if: 1. A doctor advises you or someone in your household to stay home — even if you did not get a COVID-19 test.

2. You have had contact with someone who you believe may have been exposed, whether or not they have symptoms.

3. You have worked with someone who may be ill.

We can do this…

3. What if someone becomes ill at work?

In the event an employee becomes sick during the course of the workday, the crew driver of that employee must take them back to their vehicle or directly home if the employee didn’t drive to the site. The crew driver must notify the office. If it is a driver that becomes ill, they must (if possible) take their crew back to the shop and then go home.

4. Personal Protective Equipment & Cleaning Supplies

You have been provided with items to help you stay safe such as dust masks, bandanas, gloves & bottles containing bleach cleaning solution. We expect you to use these daily to keep clean.

Please disinfect your masks on the weekends or each evening.

If you have more than one. Take turns using ones that have been cleaned. None of these items guarantee your safety. You must still follow the CDC recommended guidelines of maintaining a 6 foot distance, not touching your face and washing your hands for a full 20 seconds whenever. Wearing a face Continued on page 14

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North Pole Arb

Franklin’s Gem Boxwood

China Girl Holly

Emerald Green Arb

Sullivan Cypress

Winterthur Viburnum

Excelsa Arb

Member of the Boxwood Blight Cleanliness Program with University of Kentucky.

OFFICE PHONE: 606-346-0863 • FAX: 606-346-2139 • MIKE’S CELL: 606-706-1620 EMAIL: brownsnursery@yahoo.com

Green Giant & Nigra Arbs

Sprinter Boxwood

American Boxwood

Gem Box Inkberry

Nova Taxus

Uptight Boxwood

Green Mtn. Boxwood

Green Gem Boxwood

Steeds Holly

Popcorn Viburnum

Chicagoland Green Boxwood

Hicksi Taxus

Firelight Hydrangeas & Sprinter Boxwoods

Densiformis Taxus

Pragense Viburnum

Polar Gold Arb & Sky Pencil Holly

Wintergem Boxwood

MIKE BROWN’S WHOLESALE NURSERY, LLC. • 525 HOLTZCLAW LANE • HUSTONVILLE, KY 40437

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT l Continued

covering in public can also reduce the chance of infection.

Please use the masks and bandanas. See instructions for folding your bandana into a no-sew filter covering on this page.

5. Maintain Social Distance

Please do not interact with clients unless at a distance of a minimum 10 feet. Be advised that any meeting must be kept to no more than 20 minutes and must be restricted to outdoors only. Please avoid touching any personal items that belong to clients. If you are moving items, such as lawn chairs, in the way

of performing your job, wear gloves, carefully return them to their original location and sanitize your hands.

6. Lunch Breaks

It is very important that you limit your contact with others.

Please do not take lunch on customer’s furniture. Maintain 6 ft spacing with your crew members during lunch outside of your truck. Wash your hands before eating, wipe down your truck often, and practice good hygiene when using field restrooms.

Hand sanitizer stations are now provided at our portable toilets.

NE

W

!

BANDANA FACE COVERING (no sew method)

Materials • Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20" x 20") • Coffee filter or dust mask (extends usage) • Rubber bands (or hair ties)

1

Cut Coffee Filter

2

Fold bandanna

3

Fold filter in center of folded bandanna.

Fold top down.

Fold bottom up.

4

Place rubber bands or hair ties about 6 inches apart.

5

Fold side to the middle and tuck.

GAILLARDIA aristata ’Fire Wheels’

Exciting New Perennial Varieties from Seed www.jelitto.com

NURS ERY VIEWS • SUMMER 2020

Production · Breeding · Seed Technology USA Office: 125 Chenoweth Ln. · Louisville, KY 40207 Phone (502) 895-08 07 · Fax (502) 895-39 34 · maryv@jelitto.com German Headquarters: P. O. Box 1264 · D-29685 Schwarmstedt Fax 01149-50 71-98 29-27 · www.jelitto.com · info@jelitto.com 14

6 7

After use, remove by bands carefully.

Wash bandana with soap & water, dry daily.

Repeat with fresh coffee filter, change dust mask after 5 days.

Together we can protect each other, our families and our community CDC Helpful Facts & Guidelines: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide helpful facts about coronavirus (COVID-19) and guidelines to stop the spread of germs on their website: cdc.gov/COVID19

Who we are Our priority is the health and safety of our employees, families, customers and vendors. We can stay mindful and healthy by following these new procedures. We are going to get through to the other side of this most challenging time. So please remember how important it is to: • Wipe down your trucks, tools & common surfaces • Keep track of your assigned tools • Minimize contact with others • Limit gatherings even on off hours

RED BOSS SPADES* TREE BOSS

info@redbosstreespades.com

TREE PLANTERS * TREE TIERS

www.redbosstreespades.com

• Stay safe, stay home

Contact Us If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our office staff or Michael and Andrea directly:

Proudly made in USA #570-386-3515

Phone: 502-695-7020 Email: andream@insideout-design.org Web: www.insideout-design.org 15

NUR SERY VIEWS • S UMMER 2020

100 Old Georgetown Road Frankfort, KY 40601-8864