VNLA News - Spring 2022

Spring 2022

The Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association Magazine

Member Highlight on

Windridge Landscaping & Hardscaping Plus,

Highlights from MANTS 2022

Willow Springs Tree Farms

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Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association 5101 Monument Avenue, Suite 203 Richmond, VA 23230 Tel: (804) 256 2700 Email: info@vnla.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 • Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 • Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com 2021 Officers and Directors Year indicates start of volunteer service to VNLA Board of Directors

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Jeff Howe 2016 Windridge Landscaping & Hardscaping Vice President Chris Dowdy 2020 Bennett’s Creek Nursery

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Secretary Treasurer Jason Stern 2021 Bailey Nurseries Past President / Board Recruitment Seana Ankers 2017 Meadows Farms Nurseries and Landscape VNLHRF Chair Christopher Brown, Jr. 2013 Lancaster Farms Executive Director Shellie Archer DIRECTORS Matt Deivert 2017 MANTS Board Representative South Riding Nurseries

CONTENTS | Spring 2022

Recent Events 10 MANTS 12 VAC Legislative Banquet

Cover Story 14 Member Highlight on

Windridge Landscaping & Hardscaping

4 • VNLA News • Spring 2022

DEPARTMENTS 5

Index of Advertisers

6

President’s Letter

6

Calendar of Events

8

News from VNLA

8

Legislative Update

Neal Beasley 2019 Certification / VCH* Chair Timmons Group Robin McCall 2020 Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service Warner Winthrop 2020 Bartlett Tree Experts EX-OFFICIO, VIRTUE OF OFFICE: Non-voting Laurie Fox, Ph. D. VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC David Seward Reynolds Community College Montpelier, VA * VCH = Virginia Certified Horticulturist

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

A wholesale grower of deciduous and evergreen B&B trees.

Bennett’s Creek Nursery.................17 www.bcnursery.com

Better Bilt Products...................18, 19 bbponline.com

Bremo Trees.....................................5 www.bremotrees.com

Cam Too Camellia Nursery, Inc.......5 www.camtoocamellia.com

Fairview Evergreen Nurseries..........17 www.fairviewevergreen.com

Leading Edge Communications.........9 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

masLABOR.....................................20 www.maslabor.com

Pender Nursery, Inc........................13 www.pendernursery.com

The Turfgrass Group........................3 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Virginia Turfgrass Council................7

434.842.8733 email@bremotrees.com www.bremotrees.com

www.vaturf.org

Willow Springs Tree Farms.............Inside Front Cover www.willowsprings.com

To discuss advertising opportunities, contact Leading Edge Communications:

888-707-7141 (TOLL FREE) sales@leadingedgecommunications.com www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

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, VNLA News, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2022 by the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association.

VNLA News is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: VNLA News allows re- printing of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.

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Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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5

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Welcome to 2022

I

want to thank everyone for taking the time and making the effort to remain members of the VNLA in these especially strange times. I am honored to be President and a longstanding Virginia Certified Horticulturist (#1486) member of this association.

While some membership organizations are downsizing, this association moves forward with solid footing. The VNLA continues to strongly represent our industry’s legislative interest on Capitol Hill. In this time of labor shortages and lack of training and education in our profession we need representation and energy toward workforce development. We have one of the oldest and best-known horticultural certification programs in the country.

Certifications not only show our professionalism, but are a stepping stone to enhance careers. It is our goal to continue to have VCH available for study and testing throughout the state. We are making it easier to achieve this goal by teaming up with Pearson testing centers and will have this along with a revised VCH exam and plant ID available in the near future.

As most of us know, the native movement is here to stay. There are local and regional environmental groups with support and growing momentum. Their persuasions are being recognized as states around us are making bold moves and banning the cultivation and sale of plants that are still “commercially viable” in Virginia. I know that many of us recognize the impacts in different ways and our members are on both sides of the fence for a variety of reasons. The association needs to hear from you so we can best represent the broad spectrum of interests and perspectives. You can make your opinions known by becoming more involved. We need members to step up and make their voices heard and situations understood. Consider taking an active role on a committee or volunteer for a board position. This organization is run by one executive director who is supported and directed by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about our profession and industry.

I can’t thank Shellie enough for doing a great job dealing with numerous covid restraints and working with the executive committee over the last couple of years. We have managed through challenges, but it is very rewarding to work with such a professional person who has developed an understanding of this industry and all the wonderful people in it. I’d like to thank Seana Ankers for holding down the president’s podium and continuing her passionate and persistent legislative expertise along the way. Christopher Brown, Jr., who I have known for 7 years now, has helped guide this organization with creative genius beyond what I can recognize here. We will miss you and continue to lean on you so please don’t change your email or phone number yet. Chris Dowdy: thank you for keeping us straight with all the numbers and helping develop budgets to make things work so well.

I am incredibly appreciative of the VNLA’s certification committee: Neal Beasley, David Seward, Laurie Fox and all those who help with the VCH program. Your effort, energy and passion toward this profession is impressive and I look forward to its continued success.

Individually and collectively, each person who voluntarily serves on the VNLA Board of Directors brings so much to the table with their experience, creative ideas and expertise.

Thank you all so very much!

Finally, I must thank my wife, Christy. She has tolerated my absence from various events while obtaining and maintaining my numerous certifications. She is understanding of my participation at board meetings for both the VNLA and VSLD, attending four years of CBLP steering committee meetings, attending NALP workforce groups and other seminars and events across the state. I love being able to go to MANTS and represent the VNLA and support VCH efforts in numerous fashions.

I wish for you all a successful 2022. We hope to see many members at upcoming events and / or potential networking events.

Jeff Howe

2022 VNLA President

6 • VNLA News • Spring 2022

March 18, 2022 Shenandoah Valley Plant Symposium Waynesboro, VA Best Western Inn and Conference Center

February 9 – 11, 2022 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Winter Symposium and Central Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (CVNLA) Short Course

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden February 9 and 10: Virtual February 11: Pesticide Recertification will be in-person

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Visit https://cblpro.org/ training-calendar/ for schedule of certification training and dates

Our New Environmental Institute is Working for You! Connecting with environmental groups

Dialoguing with politicians

Spreading the news about our great industry

Pollinator Protection Program

Protecting Sensitive Oceanfront Areas

Protecting The James River

In 2022, we will distribute another 25,000 pollinator-friendly wildflower seed packets – that’s a total of 10 million wildflower seeds that could create half a million square feet of new food and foraging space

In 2022, we are partnering with the City of Virginia Beach to plant 15,000 beach grass plants on critical beach areas. The City wants us to make this an annual event!

We are working with Virginia State University, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the James River Association and others to keep sediment out of the James River.

AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!

P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 (757) 464-1004 virginiaturf@gmail.com virginiaturf.org

NEWS FROM VNLA

C

In Memoriam

arl Fletcher Flemer, Jr., 99, died peacefully in his home on April 25, 2021. Carl was the oldest son of Carl Flemer, Sr. and Margie Armentrout. While attending Cornell University, he met his wife of 76 years, Shirley, from Westhampton Beach, NY. Carl later studied horticulture at the University of Maryland.

Carl was a true renaissance man – an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, patriot, and athlete. After years of dairy farming, he founded Ingleside Plantation Nursery in the 1950s, which grew to be one of the largest wholesale nurseries in the eastern US. He later become one of the pioneers of the Virginia wine industry, starting Ingleside Winery in 1980 with help from his dear friend, winemaker Jacques Recht. The award-winning winery is one of the oldest on the eastern seaboard and one of the largest in Virginia.

Carl was an avid historian and wrote two books about Virginia’s Northern Neck – Four Centuries of Little Known Washington Parish History and Birthplace of the Nation: Leedstown, Westmoreland and the Northern Neck. He loved to visit historic homes and was enamored with fine art, antiques, and historical artifacts.

Carl was a community servant, serving on the Westmoreland County School Board, the Westmoreland County Planning Commission, and the vestry of St. Peters Church in Oak Grove. He was instrumental in the expansion of the Peoples Bank of Montross, where he served as board chairman. Carl was a leader in the nursery industry, serving as vice president and president of the Virginia Association of Nurserymen, and was a founding member of the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, which now has over 10,000 attendees annually.

Carl hunted, fished, and rode horses, but his passion was tennis, which he played on a court he built at Ingleside and also on his annual visits to Boca Raton. As a lover of gourmet food, he was proud to be a ROMEO (retired old man eating out) in later life.

Carl was especially proud that his three sons and grandson Jordan are now running the family businesses, which are flourishing.

Carl was predeceased by four siblings – Bela, Margie, Betty, and Pat. He is survived by his wife Shirley, his sister Blanche, sons Fletcher Flemer, Douglas Flemer (Nancy), and Christopher Flemer, his daughters Sherri Flemer and Sara Flemer Simpson (Kennedy), his grandchildren Bradley Pugh, Douglas Pugh, Sara Pugh Wright (Russell), Jordan Flemer (Bekah), Carlyn Flemer, Tierney Simpson Jutzi (Joe), Will Simpson, Palmer Simpson (Jessica), and his great-grandchildren Kira Wright, Maia Wright, Ryan Pugh, and Kennedy Jutzi. •

Thank You

SEANA! On behalf of the VNLA’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Members: Seana, thank you for your leadership and dedication serving as the 2021 VNLA President. • 8 • VNLA News • Spring 2022

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

From AmericanHort: How Politics Are Affecting Your Business Right Now

Please Act Now on H-2B!

By Craig Regelbrugge

Unless Congress and the Administration take positive steps, it’s going to be an especially grim spring labor market for seasonal employers. In just the first three days of the new year, employers started the application process to fill 136,555 positions with start dates April 1 or after, but only 33,000 H-2B visas are available.

Because seasonal worker shortages in the landscape sector hurt the whole green industry supply chain, we are urging everyone – regardless of where you are, regardless of what your business does – to take a few moments to act now to urge your elected leaders to address this looming problem.

AmericanHort Meets with New USDA-APHIS Leadership Team

By Laurie Flanagan & Craig Regelbrugge USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS-PPQ) has an outsize role in our industry. The agency makes and enforces the rules for all types of plant imports, conducts inspections at the ports, maintains domestic interstate quarantines for several high-consequence plant pests, and facilitates export opportunities for U.S. growers. For these reasons, productive relationships with key APHIS officials are exceptionally important for AmericanHort and our members.

With notable staff changes at the end of 2021, the AmericanHort advocacy team staff recently met virtually with Mark Davidson, APHISPPQ acting deputy administrator, and Ibrahim Shaqir, the new associate deputy administrator, to familiarize them with AmericanHort and the industry, discuss emerging issues, and brief them on ongoing certification initiatives and other collaborative efforts with the Agency.

Committee Advances Key USDA Nomination

By Evan Lee

The Senate Agriculture Committee on January 12 voted to advance President Biden’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) research agencies (Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, and National Agricultural Statistics Service). Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young received her presidential nomination in July and testified at her confirmation hearing in late November. AmericanHort is among the agriculture organizations publicly supporting her confirmation.

The committee’s approval is the final step before consideration by the full Senate, which has set a relatively slow pace of confirmations for the term amid the President’s competing legislative priorities.

Among the 644 individuals nominated as of December 31, 2021, the Senate has successfully confirmed 355 of President Biden’s nominees.

Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow remarked after the hearing, “I am pleased we are making process on getting Secretary Vilsack’s team in place.”

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Dr. Jacobs-Young has provided scientific leadership to USDA for years as a career civil servant. If confirmed, she will become the first woman and person of color to lead the Research, Education, and Economics mission area at USDA and serve as Chief Scientist, roles which involve research prioritization and coordination across the Department.

local media company collaborator, and the brief video makes the case just how effective these facility visits can be at raising the profile of our industry and our policy priorities.

Take a moment to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qugV3iP1swQ

Watch for Floriculture Survey!

EPA Announces Endangered Species Act Protection Policy for New Pesticides

By Evan Lee

AmericanHort encourages floriculture crop growers in all 50 states to please watch the incoming mail for USDA’s Floriculture Crop survey and complete the survey before things get too busy with the Spring season. We use information from this survey in our ongoing advocacy efforts, and information provided by the survey can positively influence everything from university horticulture department and high school vocational horticulture program funding to our industry’s share of Specialty Crop Block Grants.

Bringing Advocacy Home!

By Craig Regelbrugge

When it comes to effective advocacy, relationships are the coin of the realm.

Building effective relationships doesn’t have to be difficult, it just takes some thought, preparation, and persistence. In our experience, one of the most effective ways for a horticulture business to build useful relationships is by hosting members of Congress and staff for a facility visit. After all, what better way could there be to convey the impact your business has at the community level – the jobs you create, taxes you pay, investments in people and infrastructure, and more.

Mike and Rachel Gooder and team at Plantpeddler in Cresco, IA, just hosted Rep. Ashley Hinson for another visit. Hinson (R-IA-01) serves on the powerful Appropriations Committee. A few snippets of this latest visit were captured a

By Laurie Flanagan & Tal Coley

On January 11, 2022, the U.S. EPA reversed decades of practice by announcing their new policy in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). From this point on, before EPA registers any new conventional AI, the Agency will assess the potential effects of the AI on federally listed threatened or endangered species, and their designated critical habitats, and initiate ESA consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Services where appropriate. This policy change comes with the goal of advancing the protection of federally threatened or endangered species. Before this announcement, EPA did not consistently assess the potential effects of conventional pesticides on listed species when registering new AIs. This old policy often resulted in a lot of litigation for the Agency.

The new policy should reduce these types of cases against the Agency and improve the legal defensibility of new AIs. Within the consultation of the new policy, if EPA determines that jeopardy or adverse modifications are likely, the Agency will only make a registration decision until adequate mitigation measures are in place. EPA is also continuing to explore applying these new ESA approaches to new biopesticide AIs and new antimicrobial AIs. Additionally, the Agency is currently developing a detailed work plan to outline additional improvements to further the Agency’s compliance with the ESA, including more stakeholder engagement opportunities. • Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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RECENT EVENT

MANTS RETURNED TO BALTIMORE J A N U A RY 5 – 7, 2022

More than 5,700 Connected On-Site for Business on the Show Floor

The

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) returned to the Baltimore Convention Center January 5 – 7 to jump-start the 2022 green industry trade show season bringing together horticulture industry leaders from around the country.

MANTS 2022 welcomed more than 5,700 on-site attendees (including exhibitors) for three days of in-person meetings, networking, and business. Attendees from 46 states had the opportunity to explore new products, technology, and equipment, and reconnect with more than 825 exhibiting companies that had a presence on this year’s show floor.

“While our foot traffic was lighter than in pre-pandemic times, I’m extremely proud that we were able to bring together green industry suppliers and buyers in Baltimore this year,” said MANTS Executive Vice President Vanessa A. Finney. “Despite the snow, flight cancellations, interstate closures, COVID, and other factors out of our collective control, our exhibitors and buyers went to great lengths to be with us and return to the in-person connections that are a hallmark of MANTS.”

10 • VNLA News • Spring 2022

MANTS 2022 continued to mean business, welcoming wellqualified buyers with high levels of purchasing power. More than 86 percent of MANTS attendees identified as either the final decision-makers or those who influence their companies’ purchasing decisions. Additionally, more than 76 percent of attendees identified as owners, vice presidents, managers, buyers, or sales and marketing professionals. Furthermore, more than 400 exhibitors have already renewed their exhibit space for the 2023 show, indicating that MANTS is the official start to the green industry buying season and a must-attend trade show for the industry.

“We’ve been here for 10 years and MANTS has always been so rewarding, not only for strengthening relationships with our existing contractor and dealer customers but providing opportunities for new potential prospects to help grow our business,” said Charles Gamarekian, chairman and CEO, Cambridge Pavers. “It’s always an outpouring and a show we could not even think about not coming to even in these pandemic times. It takes one lead to make the show all worth it and it has happened again here. The quality traffic has been here at the show and that’s very important.”

“The show was GREAT! MANTS 2022 was the perfect way to start the year. The quality of attendees was as amazing as ever. We enjoyed time with the cream of the crop – the true decision-makers – and were thrilled with the quality of conversations and business orders we prepared. Thanks for another great year. We’re proud to be a sponsor for the 52nd year in a row! See you in 2023!”

Art Parkerson, Owner and CEO, Lancaster Farms

“MANTS 2022 was as busy as ever for us. We wrote the same amount of business as a normal year at MANTS. We typically have three of four sales reps on the show floor, so as the only sales representative this year, I was occupied the entire time!”

Jason Adkins, Sales Representative, Lancaster Farms

“Money well spent!” said Julia Keyser, a first-year exhibitor from Old Glory Wholesale Nursery.

“MANTS has always been the best show of the year for our companies,” said Kevin Cramer, Marketing Manager, Van Belle

Nursery. “We meet the right customer base and prospects each year, and this year was no different. This was the perfect way to start off 2022. Thanks to the MANTS team for making the show happen and providing the platform for great business connections.” •

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) | www.MANTS.com The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, MANTS, is known as the Masterpiece of Trade Shows™ and is sponsored by the State Nursery and Landscape Associations of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. MANTS is the place where horticulture industry leaders gather every January because MANTS means business.

FOR ADDITIONAL SHOW HIGHLIGHTS, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS.

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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R E C E NT E V E NT

VAC 50th Annual

LEGISLATIVE APPRECIATION BANQUET

1 2

VNLA

was proud to be a Bronze Sponsor at the Virginia Agribusiness Council 50th Annual Legislative Appreciation Banquet, on January 13. The event, which is known to our state legislators and VAC’s members as “the event of the year” was held in the newly renovated The Shed at Main Street Station in Richmond.

In addition to being an event sponsor, members of our Board of Directors and a number of VNLA members enjoyed networking at the Virginia’s Finest Reception and a buffet of delicious Virginia produced food and beverages. While our assigned legislator was unable to join us, board members made some great contacts with some other legislators with plans to meet to discuss key industry issues later this year.

Attorney General Jason Miyares gave an eloquent speech that was both uplifting and inspiring. VNLA Members James River Nurseries and Strange’s Florist did a great job with flowers and landscaping to beautify the event. VNLA wishes to congratulate VAC’s 2021 and 2022 Agribusiness Award Recipients! •

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12 • VNLA News • Spring 2022

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PHOTO 1: L – R Theresa Macon, Guest; Chris Dowdy, VNLA Vice-President, Bennett’s Creek Nursery; Seana Ankers, VNLA Past-President, Meadows Farms; Robin McCall, VNLA Board Member, Williams Brothers.

PHOTO 2: Robin McCall (left), VNLA Board Member, Williams Brothers; Kyley Clevenger, Farm Credit PHOTO 3: Virginia Attorney General, Jason Miyares PHOTOS 4 & 5: VNLA Members James River Nurseries and Strange’s Florist, who provided landscaping and floral design set-up at the VAC Banquet, at the newly renovated The Shed at Main Street Station.

3

Rediscover PENDER NURSERY

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Garner, NC 27529

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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C O V E R ST ORY

Member Highlight

WINDRIDGE LANDSCAPING & HARDSCAPING Jeffrey Walter Howe formed Windridge Landscaping

in 1987, just west of Charlottesville, in Ivy, VA. What began with cutting grass with a walk-behind mower transported on a small wooden trailer behind a Ford Courier pickup, quickly became so much more. By the fall of the following year, he had about 30 clients and was busy studying horticulture at Virginia Tech during the week and mowing grass on the weekends. In a few years, Jeff finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Ornamental Horticulture and soon after became a Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH) and began to focus on installation and maintenance.

The company quickly grew into the early 1990s after moving the shop to his family’s Red Horse Farm in Barboursville, VA. By 2000, Windridge had earned a solid reputation as being a professional and knowledgeable landscape contractor in the central Virginia region. Continuous education and professional development continued to be a priority for Jeff. He pursued and holds the following credentials: •L andscape Industry Certified Manager through National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) • LiveRoof Certified •C ertified Concrete Paver Installer through Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) • S egmental Retaining Wall (SRW) installation through Masonry wall through National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) •C ertified Landscape Designer through Virginia Society of Landscape Designers (VSLD) •L evel 2 Design and Installation with Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals (CBLP)

14 • VNLA News • Spring 2022

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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15

COVER STORY • continued Additionally, Jeff has served on the VNLA Board since 2016, most of which has been as a committee chair or on the Executive Committee. In addition, Jeff served as President of the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers.

Soon after achieving this high level and solid foundation of professional development, Jeff realized more education was needed. It was labor that really lacked consistency and Windridge started using the H2B program. With a solid, reliable workforce, Windridge could expand its focus on commercial landscape installations and include landscape maintenance services from snow removal to wetland installations and meadow establishment and care. Windridge grew to a staff of just under 30. Large projects included Monticello High School, several large apartment communities, Hollymead Town Center as well as one of the first commercial biofilters in Albemarle County.

Of course, Jeff wasn’t doing this solo. Friends have been involved with Windridge since the beginning and more so through the 1990s. The majority of the company’s management remains the same today as it was back then. Fraternity brother since college and longtime vice president and co-owner Andy Guercio (VCH) was a big part of the Windridge family from the early 1990s to 2013. Andy was instrumental in Windridge’s expansion into hardscaping and the landscape construction work that he was overseeing and helping execute. Although Andy is no longer with the company, his dedication to clients and desire to ensure quality is engraved in the mission and values at Windridge.

Jeff Thompson has been with Windridge since graduating Albemarle High School in 1996. He moved from residential to commercial maintenance and became fluent in Spanish. He quickly proved himself a valuable asset to the company by learning hardscape and horticulture. Now he is a senior project manager on

16 • VNLA News • Spring 2022

prestigious projects – most notably the “Rotunda Hardscape” at the University of Virginia in 2013. Jeff has built retaining walls 30' tall and ponds 20' deep.

Christy Howe, Jeff’s devoted wife and best friend has helped develop systems, guide advertising and labor sourcing efforts.

She is the Treasurer and has overseen all financial management of the company as well as scheduling and Human Resources since just before their marriage in 1995.

Saul Valdovinos started in the H2B program, ran commercial crews for maintenance and became a U.S. citizen in 2015. He is now a senior foreman for both hardscape and softscape projects.

Jennifer Hughes (VCH) has been integrating her knowledge of horticulture since 2005 and now knows more about hardscape materials and swimming pools than she ever expected.

Jen’s passion for the right plant in the right place has helped Windridge exceed the expectations of many residential and commercial clients.

Paul Clarke is Jeff’s brother-in-law and shop manager. Paul is the person who knows where everything is and how it is supposed to work! Paul is nearing retirement but since 2008 has kept Windridge running water on plants, supplied materials and delivered and repaired equipment to job sites for years.

Windridge Landscaping and Hardscaping: providing Expert Hardscapes and Stunning Landscapes since 1989. Core beliefs include establishing relationships and a trust with our clients first, then providing them a quality project experience from concept to completion.

Jeff believes in giving back to the community both financially and educationally. He works with the local high school and another local landscaping company (Creation Appreciation) to host workforce development field days and demonstrate to youth that landscaping today is a lot more than mowing grass! •

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protective tubing tree collars

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