Free State Spring 2014 Edition

Free State N U R S E RY

&

LANDSCAPE

Spring 2014 Vol. XLI No. 1

NEWS

Camellias in America A Look Back at the MNLA Annual Meeting & MANTS

The Art and Science of Summer Digging New Pests for Crape Myrtles

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Free State • 1

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Contents 5

Enougth Said

– Francis Gouin

10 Total Plant Management

– Stanton Gill

12 MNLA Annual Meeting 15 It’s Time for Sharing

– Jerry Faulring

15

18 Growing with Education

– Ginny Rosenkranz

19 MANTS 24 Featured Member

Lowry & Co.

Departments

4 4 6 6 27 29 35 37 39 39 40

From the President – Brent Rutly Association Officers Director's Message MNLA Board of Directors New Members CPH Update Editorial Calendar of Events MNLA Mission Statement Directory of Advertisers MNLA Chairmen and Committees

24

10

Executive Director: Vanessa A. Finney Quercus Management Staff: E. Kelly Finney and Chelsea Bailey Phone: 410-823-8684, Fax: 410-296-8288 E-mail: ofice@mnlaonline.org Web: www.mnlaonline.org Free State e-mail: freestate@mnlaonline.org Design: Gregory J. Cannizzaro (contact information page 30)­ © 2014 Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association

18

President’s Message Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association Officers 2014 President Brent Rutley Capitol City Contractors, LLC 301-854-5620 1st Vice President Steve Black Raemelton Farm 240-416-0714 2nd Vice President Jessica Todd Clear Ridge Nursery, Inc. 410-775-7700 Secretary Brad Thompson Foxborough Nursery, Inc. 410-836-7023 Treasurer John Marshall Marshalls’ Riverbank Nurseries 410-677-0900 Director-at-Large Garet Bunting Bunting’s Landscaping & Nursery, Inc. 410-352-3371 Executive Director Vanessa Akehurst Finney

Maryland Nursery and Landscape Assn.

P.O. Box 726 Brooklandville, Maryland 21022 Phone: 410-823-8684 Fax: 410-296-8288 e-mail: office@mnlaonline.org Website: mnlaonline.org Free State E-mail: freestate@mnlaonline.org

As I write this first 2014 message, it’s kind of hard to believe spring is already 10 days old. I’m looking out of my office window at snow coming down at almost an inch an hour; I guess the fact that it’s melting as it lands should clue me into spring is here. That and the fact that my 3 older boys have all their hunting gear neatly collected and ready to go for spring Turkey Season.

First off: to Vanessa Finney and her team, the MNLA Board Brent Rutley members, and past president Garet Bunting - a heartfelt thank you for your leadership, encouragement, and commitment to our association and industry. My hope and prayer is, as your new president, I am able to continue to advance the ball towards the goal of fulfilling the purpose of our mission statement.

1. Promote professionalism–create educational programs relevant to our industry and members. To educate and inform our employees, clients, and the public of what we do as a commitment to environmental stewardship; separate fact and good science from flawed, emotional public opinion.

2. Support horticulture research–our universities and community colleges are being crunched financially, especially in Horticulture and Agricultural programs. We need to be committed to financially support education, so there is a next generation in our industry.

3. Monitor and participate in state and local legislative and regulatory process - a lot of bad laws and regulations pass while we sit on the sideline.

4. Use and promote environmentally sound practices–our field days, re-certification classes, Chesapeake Green and MANTS are great ways to build knowledge and score an advantage over your competition. ….Let your clients know all of the things you learn and do to offer them superior service and product.

5. Communicate to members, developments in allied industries–the MNLA is expanding our capabilities to “get the word out” to its members. Check frequently on our new website for information as well as in the “Root of the Matter” email blast. Subscribe to the UMD Extension TPM/IPM greenhouse weekly report. (extension.umd.edu/ipm) 6. Support communities–outreach to under-served segments of our state; donation of labor, materials and knowledge to: rebuild parks, help Habitat for Humanity, support our universities and colleges. The public is positively influenced by individuals willing to invest time and money into those in need. Let’s leverage our blessings to help others.

I close this message with a challenge to all readers (to butcher a famous phrase by President Kennedy), ask not what your association can do for you, but what you can do for your association. I know we are very busy, in our families, our relationships, our businesses, and our lives. But we must make the effort to help move MNLA forward. I am providing my personal email address below, please don’t hesitate contacting me with your ideas, comments, complaints, or preference in volunteering.

This will only work if we all do. ❦ Brent Rutley MNLA, President brentrutley1@gmail.com p.s. MNLA Field Day - June 26, 2014, Roseland Nurseries, Sudlersville, MD

4 • Spring 2014

Free State • 5

Director’s Message Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2015 Gregory Stacho Akehurst Landscape Service, Inc. 410-538-4018 Jason Sersen Kingsdene Nurseries, Inc. 410-343-1150 Mary Claire Walker Patuxent Nursery 301-218-4769 Stormy Gibbons-Neff Clovelly Nurseries 410-778-9686

Terms Expiring 2016 Larry Hemming Eastern Shore Nurseries 410-822-1320 Carrie Engel Valley View Farms 410-527-0700 Peter Driscoll Dogwood Hill Farm 301-428-8175 Wm. Oliver Hardy Classic Lawn & Landscape Ltd. 410-335-6868

The Free State Nursery and Landscape News is a news magazine published for the membership of the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA).

For more information, e-mail: freestate@mnlaonline.org

6 • Spring 2014

Back in 2005, Thomas Friedman’s book, The World is Flat, was on the New York Times Bestseller list. Although not working in the field of international business (this was my undergraduate degree) I still had/have interest in the subject. So, I decided to read the book.

The plot of the book is basically how ten specific modern-era events or inventions have changed the world, making it “easier” to conduct commerce across traditional geographic and cultural Vanessa Finney boundaries. Friedman further provides the impetus and challenge to readers that you’d better think global and explore opportunities beyond your traditional borders if you want your company to succeed and grow in our new, smaller, world. Borders, in this case, is not restricted to geographic borders, but also includes what you might have thought were your business’ technology and human resources constraints.

While maybe not 100% relevant to the nursery industry (because our products do have temperature zone “borders”), this book does still have lessons for us in that we should be learning what and how are neighbors to the north, south, east, and west are doing in the fields of crop management, technology, human resource utilization, etc.

There is a lot to learn by opening our minds to the realization that someone a thousand miles away may have the answer to your innovation and efficiency needs.

On a personal connection, my family has made the big world a little smaller by hosting several international students over the years. We’ve hosted a young man from Taiwan (He was 9 years old at the time. How bold of him and his parents to send him so far from home at such a young age!), a teenager from Germany, and another teen boy from Spain (currently staying with us).

Although my husband, Kelly and I enjoy these experiences, one of our key motivators in participating in student exchange programs is to expose our children to peers in other countries, so that they can realize that the world is not so big. And that your contemporaries in other continents are really not so far away, nor are they so different from you. They have the same desires to understand the world, politics, business, social settings, world history, etc. as our children do. And they use the same technology…they use the same technology. That means there really is no border between them and us, at all. We share a similar opportunity. What they have, we can learn from and vice versa.

Speaking of opportunity, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is working on several programs to introduce foreign markets to Maryland growers. MDA has several on-going programs that bring foreign buyers to Maryland, as well as programs encouraging the development of Maryland exports to foreign countries. To keep abreast of these programs, do open and read Root of the Matter when it is sent from the MNLA office. We compile all sorts of information to pass along to members via this e-bulletin.

Or talk to Mark Powell at MDA directly, 410-841-5770, or visit www.susta.org.

Here’s to spring finally arriving! I hope you have a productive one. ❦ Vanessa Finney Executive Director “The playing field has been leveled” - Nandan Nilekani says to Friedman, The World is Flat; flattener #7.

Guest Contributor

Enough Said– Hidden Benefits of Compost Francis Gouin

I spent twenty-three years conducting research on composting and in maximizing the use of compost in the nursery and greenhouse trade. I lost track of the number of research papers that I published on the subject but I can assure you that it was far less than the experience and knowledge that I gained from doing the research. Despite being retired for 18 years, the benefits of amending soils with compost and/or using compost in formulating potting blends cause me to admire the many biological benefits of compost. I read with great interest Jerry Faulring’s comments on mycorrhizae in the last issue of the Free State Nurseryman’s News and I agree with him 100%.

When I started research with compost in 1972, Abbot Lab had just developed blocks of mycorrhizae for which they promoted its virtues and hounded me to test it. For several years I included it in tests along with my compost studies. I could never measure any response to, including the Abbot product, with and without compost. When the Buckingham State Forest Nursery had to stop growing black walnut seedlings in some of their soils due to the soil becoming heavily infested with the black shank fungus, I included the new and improved Abbot product, with and without the addition of compost. There was no visual response to adding the Abbot product, but a single addition of 4 cubic yards of compost per 1,000 sq. ft. resulted in producing black walnut seedlings 2 to 3 ft. tall in only one growing season, with no visible symptoms of black shank disease. When we dug the plants, fungal filaments covered the roots, even in soils that were overfertilized with P. High levels of P have been reported to reduce or inhibit fungal filament development, but not in this case. In my extensive research on growing a variety of hard and soft wood seedlings in establishing safe levels of compost to use, workers at the State Forest Nursery never saw tulip poplar roots with mycorrhizae clinging to the roots.

If you read some of Dr. Harry Hoitinks research, performed at the Worcester Ohio Research Station, you will find that many of the micro-organisms that he identifies in compost are beneficial organisms that re-enter the compost, after the initial heating process, with mycorrhizae association. Jerry is correct when he

states that there is no one micro-organism that forms a symbiotic relationship with the roots of plants and not all roots of native plants form mycorrhizae relationships.

Over the years, my research has always shown improved plant growth and disease resistance from amending soils and potting mixes with compost. Adding 1/3 by volume of compost to potting soils completely eliminated the need to apply soil drenches to control soil-borne diseases associated with the growing of poinsettias. Adding 2 to 4 cubic yards of compost per (continued on page 8)

Free State • 7

(continued from page 7)

1,000 sq. ft. completely controlled the black-shank disease on black walnut seedlings. Adding 2 cubic yards of compost per 1,000 sq. ft. completely controlled damping off of white pine and spruce seedling in nursery beds. Research conducted at U.S.D.A Beltsville on vegetable crops, resulted in the control of club-root of cabbage, bacterial rot of lettuce and green beans from the application of compost to soils with a history of disease problems. Researchers, conducting studies on turf have demonstrated that compost is effective in controlling fusarium. While doing consulting work with Rainbow Farms in the San Waukeen valley of CA, turf producers were getting fusarium control on blue grass by applying 10 tons of compost per acre.

Some of the claims being made on the use of compost tea bother me a great deal. It is hard for me to believe that adding 5 to 10 lbs. of compost per 100 gallons of water can perform wonders. I did a limited amount of research with compost tea and found that I could only measure growth differences when there was sufficient

8 • Spring 2014

compost in the water to raise the soluble salt levels to o.5 to 1 mmhos/cm. At that concentration, the compost tea served as a liquid fertilizer.

Nurserymen who grow field grown plants need to be reminded that with every crop they harvest, they remove 250 to 300 tons of top soil per acre. Experienced nurserymen have told me that it always takes a year or two longer to grow the next crop on the same piece of land. Even the best cover-crop cannot replace the organic matter loss. It is easy to see why Jerry Faulring of Waverly Farm is so supportive of the use of compost; he has seen the light and experience the difference compost makes.

My years of research and development have taught me not to expect industry to adapt new information. Seeing is believing. Enough said. â?Ś Francis R. Gouin, Professor Emeritus University of College Park, MD

Total Plant Management

Crape Myrtle – Watch for this New Pest For the last 20 years the crape myrtle has grown in popularity in Maryland landscapes. It is being used heavily in city-scapes where it is hot and dry and they seem to perform pretty well. In Maryland nurseries crape myrtle liners are planted out with increasing Stanton Gill frequency and nursery managers tell me they cannot keep enough big crape myrtles in stock to meet the market. Many crape myrtles are being shipped in from southern nurseries to fill the demand from landscapers.

Everything is wonderful in crape myrtle land.

Or is it?

First off, let me say the winter of 2014 was not kind to crape myrtle plants in many locations. In some central Maryland counties the temperature dipped to -5 F back in January and stayed there for a couple of days. It has not been this cold since 1978 when crape myrtles had severe dieback of the growing parts above the ground.

The National Arboretum did wonderful work with developing powdery mildew resistant crape myrtles back in the 1960 and 70 period with crosses of Lagerstroemia indica x Lagerstroemia faurie but they did not select for cold hardiness. We will likely see some winter injury on branches and twigs from this low temperature. Some pruning back may be in order as the spring progresses.

The winter damage is prolog at this point. Let’s focus on a couple of insect pests that need to be addressed.

Both of these insect pests are unintended gifts from Asia.

With increasing numbers of crape myrtle samples coming into our CMREC lab over the last couple of years, I would say that one of the biggest pests of crape myrtles in Maryland is the crape myrtle aphid, Sarucallis kahawaluokalani. Although native to Southeast Asia, crape myrtle aphid was described by Kirkaldy from specimens collected in Hawaii. In the U.S., crape myrtle aphids are monophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on crape myrtle and do not attack or damage other plant species. In 2013 and 2014 we had reports from several landscapers that had heavy infestations of crape myrtle aphid causing cosmetic damage, mainly from the honeydew and sooty mold that detracts from the visual 10 • Spring 2013

aesthetics of crape myrtle. The good news is that feeding has not been shown to have long term effects on plant health or vigor.

This is not your typical aphid Most aphid species only produce winged stages (alates) when they want to disseminate the populations or there is environmental stress on the plant on which it is feeding. Not so with the crape myrtle aphid. All adult crape myrtle aphids bear wings that are held roof like over the body and mottled with black markings. Adults can take flight whenever they want and spread to a new plant.

Nymphal stages of the crape myrtle aphid are pale to bright yellow with black spike or hair like projections on their abdomen. Adults are also yellow in color but differ from nymphs in having black spots and two large black tubercles on the dorsal surface of the abdomen.

Eggs overwinter on the stems. Some dormant applications of oil are an option for controlling crape myrtle aphids. Since crape myrtle leaf out late, you have plenty of time in the spring to apply dormant rates of oil. Eggs hatch in early spring when leaf buds break and all aphids that emerge from these eggs are female (fundatrix). After developing into an adult, the fundatrix reproduces through a form of asexual reproduction known as parthenogenesis and gives live birth to female nymphs (virginoparae). For the rest of the summer the multiple generations of aphids are also referred to as virginoparae and produce all female offspring through parthenogenesis during spring and summer.

When photoperiod and temperature decrease in the October, virginoparae give birth to a generation of aphids that produce both male and female aphids (sexuparae). Female offspring of sexuparae (oviparae) mate with males and produce eggs. Oviparae produce four to six eggs and place the eggs in crevices located on the bark of crape myrtle stems. Overwintering eggs will hatch the following spring in response to temperature and photoperiod stimuli.

If populations are heavy, sooty mold will be very noticeable. Black sooty molds are fungi that grow on honeydew produced by the aphids. Capnodium is a genus of fungus that has a species associated exclusively with crape myrtle aphid honeydew. This fungus species is not yet described and therefore is known only as Capnodium sp. Black sooty mold can turn the entire plant and unsightly black color detracting from the visual aesthetics of crape myrtle. When aphid infestations are severe, thick carpets of black sooty mold interfere with photosynthesis and may cause early leaf drop or complete defoliation of affected plants.

So, if branches were killed back this winter and you need to prune back branches at least you will be getting rid of overwintering eggs of the crape myrtle aphid. Remember this aphid has adult winged stages so infestations can fly in from other crape myrtles to re-infest your plants. You might have to make repeated applications of summer rate oils to keep this aphid suppressed. I would try to avoid applying a neonicotinoid as a soil drench since this may accumulate in the pollen and be picked up by pollinators in July and August when the plant blooms.

The second pest that should be watched for is being found in the south and not found in Maryland at this point. The pest is Eriococcus lagerostroemia, which is common on the timber tree Lagerostroemia indica in Japan and China.

In 2004 a report was received in at the lab of Dr. Mike Merchant of Texas A & M from a local landscape maintenance company concerning an unusual pest

insect on crape myrtle that was proving exceptionally difficult to control. This initial infestation was located on a commercial property in Richardson, Texas.

Initially this insect was identified as an Eriococcid scale (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), most likely the azalea bark scale, Eriococcus azalea. A sample of the scale was collected by Dr. Mike Merchant at Texas A & M in 2008 and submitted for ID and it was still thought be azalea bark scale. Because of the fact that azalea bark scale had never before been recorded from crape myrtle, and they learned of a very similar species of Eriococcid scale that feeds on crape myrtle from China and Japan, they resubmitted scale samples to Dr. Dug Miller (now retired) in 2010, systematic taxonomist for scale insects with the USDA in Washington, DC. He concluded that it was very likely that this scale insect is a new introduction of Eriococcus lagerostroemia, the scale previously known only from Asia. He was unable to detect any physical differences between the crape myrtle scale and the azalea bark scale. DNA analysis is necessary to differentiate the two species.

As of the beginning of 2014, in Texas the crape myrtle bark scale has been observed infesting crape myrtles throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth-Denton-Rockwall area, and in Tyler, TX. In 2012 the scale was confirmed in Ardmore, OK and in 2013/14 it was confirmed in Houma and Shreveport, LA; Germantown, TN; and Little Rock, AR. In Texas, Dr.Merchant had a chance to test out several materials to try to control this new invasive scale. In addition to testing some newer neonicotinoid insecticides, they looked at applications of horticultural oil and of malathion. The latter two treatments provided no significant suppression of scale activity; however they did see significant control with acetamiprid, clothianidan, dinotefuran and imidacloprid.

When applied with a drench treatment to the plant root zone, they concluded that these products provide significant control of this scale, although additional work needs to be done concerning the longevity of control and consumer satisfaction associated with use of these products.

Since so much plant material is shipped up from the south you need to be alert to not bring in this pest. If you detect this scale on crape myrtle in 2014 please contact me at the University of Maryland Extension, Sgill@umd.edu, or the Maryland Department of Agiculture in Annapolis, Maryland. � Stanton Gill, Extension Specialist in Nursery and Greenhouse IPM, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Extension and Professor with the Landscape Technology Program, Montgomery College Free State • 11

Garet Bunting, immediate past president

George Mayo, historian

Jan Carter, MANTS director

Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association

201 Garet Bunting recognizing Carville M. Akehurst Award recipient, Steve Black

MNLA Board of Directors Seated left to right: Mary Claire Walker, Brad Thompson, Steve Black, Brent Rutley, Jessica Todd, John Marshall Standing left to right: Greg Stacho, Oliver Hardy, Larry Hemming, Pete Driscoll, Carrie Engel, Garet Bunting, Jason Sersen

12 • Spring 2014

Stanton Gill and Carrie Engel in the MNLA booth

Incoming president, Brent Rutley, thanking Garet for his service

14 A

nnual

Meeting Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association

2014 Breakfast Sponsor

Thank you for your Support Executive Director, Vanessa Finney, discussing the2012 Maryland Horticulture Survey

Garet Bunting presenting Professional Achievement Award to Mark Dougherty Free State • 13

We have answers when you have questions …

www.mnlaonline.org

The MNLA web site is designed for our members and is your single source for the answer to almost any question. The site is your: • Membership Directory with member search options • Up-to-date industry calendar • Classified ads which members can post and track resumes/ responses • CPH program information including basic and advanced test applications and registration • Business resources • CEU forms • Free State Nursery and Landscape News (electronic issues) • Root of the Matter issues and MaGIC updates

• Chesapeake Green - speaker resources - year round • Industry calendar includes: – Event postings from organizations and educational institutions around the Mid-Atlantic region; – Resources for finding CEUs for pesticide recertification, nutrient management recertification, and general education in horticulture topics; – MNLA events including Field Day, MANTS, Chesapeake Green and much more

Visit www.mnlaonline.org today!

14 • Spring 2014

It’s Time

for

Sharing

The Art and Science of Summer Digging Jerry Faulring

Summer digging of field grown plants provides significant advantages for landscape contractors and wholesale distribution yards. ‘Just-in-time’ material sourcing provides freshly dug material delivered on the exact day needed, often right to the job site. There is no need to receive material in advance, maintain it and then transport it to the job site. Wholesale distribution yards can source material as needed for their customers and keep fresh materials coming just as with containers.

Since 2008 this has become almost standard operating procedure for wholesale distribution yards as they want to take less risk buying and holding large quantities of material that may not sell. Although summer harvest adds to the cost of plants, it is less costly than buying in the spring and not selling it later.

This matter of digging actively growing plants needs to be researched at the academic level to gain a fuller understanding of the plant’s physiological response to what appears to be harsh treatment. Searching the internet turns up mostly anecdotal information such as I present here. The above title may be somewhat overstated given the science is murky (see photo below).

Way back when, the notion that nursery operations

This Viburnum ‘Shasta’ looks pretty ‘soft’ but can be easily dug.

could harvest field grown material out of dormancy, on a routine basis, was considered wrong. There have always been those who would go to extreme efforts to harvest individual specimen plants during the growing season but production nurseries discouraged this activity. There are stories of transplanting during the growing season decades ago when the plant canopy would be reduced by one third or more to reduce stress. Modern methods reduce or eliminate the heavy pruning although large tree moving may still require canopy reduction in some cases.

There are growers who ‘close the gate’ after spring digging is complete. Some will say “summer digging is an interruption to what I need to get done”. Others have had bad experiences and simply refuse to suffer bad outcomes. Further, some landscape contractors have had bad experiences and refuse to ask for summer dug material.

The practice of summer digging has become more commonplace in recent years as growers want to extend the digging season and improve summer cash flow derived from the practice, plus provide a service to their customers.

There are apparently some soil types that are not entirely conducive to summer harvesting practices. I don’t know exactly what soil conditions prevent summer harvest but have heard stories of failure. Anyone who does not currently summer dig should experiment before committing to insure successful outcomes.

In the late 1990’s we realized sales and service opportunities were being sacrificed for lack of understanding. We set out to learn how to provide freshly dug material without risk to us or our customers.

I know many growers summer dig and most have found a system they are comfortable with. What I describe below works for us but is not the only way to get the job done. I do not intend to endorse the products mentioned below.

We have experimented extensively with summer digging systems over the past 15 years and continue to gain confidence. We have successfully dug almost every plant in production, even during hot droughty weather. (continued on page 16) Free State • 15

(continued from page 15)

factor, at least with our soil conditions and growing system of compost amended soils. I have read that one grower uses as little 2-3 gallons of 6% solution on a 2 inch caliper tree. The amount of fluid is important; we apply at the rate of 25 gallons per caliper inch for trees and basically create mud around shrubs. The soil firms up before harvest. It is critical that ample water and Bio Plex reach all growing parts of the plant prior to harvest which requires up to 48 hours. During most periods we follow the Bio Plex treatment with 24-48 hours of drip irrigation. I believe complete plant hydration is the most important factor (see photo below).

In the second phase, we make a thorough application of 1-2% Vapor Gard to the plant.Vapor Gard is a water emulsifiable organic concentrate used to reduce water transpiration. The soft, flexible film formed after the spray application dries will reduce moisture loss from plant foliage without interfering with normal transpiration. The active ingredient is di-1-p-Menthene, a pinolene based compound. Vapor Gard can not be applied to plants such as blue spruce. The bluish color is due to the presence of epicuticular waxes on the needles that reflect specific wavelengths of light. This wax will be diminished by Vapor Gard and yield an interesting discussion with the buyer. The application should occur at least one hour before rain and should not be applied after dark as the it is said the sun interacts to form the ‘shield’; here again, the science is unclear (see photo top, page 17).

We often find ourselves digging large quantities of Buxus and Ilex in the spring during the ‘flush’. It appears this would be difficult but with Vapor Gard applied the harvest is successful. To accomplish the larger area of application efficiently we apply it with a tractor drawn sprayer. It results in spraying more plants than necessary and wasting Vapor Gard but at a very low labor cost when labor is scarce (see photo bottom, page 17).

After a 24–48 hour wait we usually dig a somewhat larger ball than typical of dormant harvest. The ball will be from 0 to 15% larger depending on the specific plant. Some plants such as Buxus and Ilex do A staff person injects a solution of fine with a standard size water and Bio Plex into the root zone. root ball while deciduous plants generally appear

Our system is simple with just several key steps that ensure success. First, we inject a solution of water and Bio Plex into the root zone of each plant prior to digging.

Bio Plex is seen as a stimulant that essentially reduces stress symptoms, improves moisture retention, and speeds fibrous root formation according to the Bio Plex web site discussion. We have adjusted dilution rates over time and find very low rates are required at this location.

We have tried water without Bio Plex and know that with some plants Bio Plex might not be needed. I suspect failure and success will vary with date. When I worked in sod production we learned sod was susceptible to failure based on flowering time. The problem was we could not determine which day or days the excess stress caused the failure. Similar physiological factors probably bear on woody plants and may impact digging success.

When trialing the various hydrating opportunities we found that Bio Plex gave us a slight edge most of the time. Rather than risk failure on any given day we simply standardize and use the same method universally. For deciduous harvest the summer digging date begins when we feel the spring flush is mostly complete and ends late September or early October. An understanding of the degree days in this matter may be useful. The window for treatment varies a little each year based on weather. We always discuss the dates each year and err on the side of safety; that’s where the art comes in. The dilution of Bio Plex we apply is .2% which is far below the label rate.

This suggests to me that water is the most important

16 • Spring 2014

Spraying large quantities of Ilex ‘Blue Maid’ with Vapor Gard prior to digging.

to perform better with a larger root ball. We then move the material from the field to our holding yard and aggressively irrigate it until picked up or loaded for delivery.

We have drip irrigation on every plant from the day it is planted until harvested. Each tube is controlled by a valve allowing us to irrigate just those rows where plants will be dug saving on irrigation expense. The buyer of summer dug plant material must be strongly reminded to maintain high moisture levels of the root ball during transportation, holding, and after planting.

We amend our soils with 250 cubic yards of compost per acre while preparing each planting cycle. Our in-ground soil moisture monitoring system has shown that amended soils hold 26% more water compared to a control soil.

We believe this provides another measure of safety and success for the plants dug during the growing season although this is only a logical theory as we were summer digging before we

began amending soils.

Summer digging of Prunus, Cercis, and certain Quercus, Carpinus, and Fagus cultivars is discouraged; results have been variable for us.

Although summer digging can be inefficient because the orders tend to be scattered about the farm, we enjoy the additional receipts and it allows our customers to receive fresh material and the ability source plants that may not otherwise be

available.

Summer digging incurs additional expense for labor and materials which is passed on to customers. Our charge varies with quantity. ❦ Jerry Faulring Waverly Farm

A staff person sprays an individual plant with Vapor Gard.

Free State • 17

Growing

with

Education

Camellias Growing in America for Over 200 Years Ginny Rosenkranz

One of the oldest imported plants in America is the spring blooming Camellia, Camellia japonica, which arrived from the Far East to Middleton Place outside of Charleston, South Carolina in 1786. That year a French botanist, Andre Michaux, gave the Middleton’s four camellias, one of which at over 220 years is still alive and blooms today in those gardens and is considered the ‘Reine des Fleurs’ or ‘Queen of Flowers’.

Another nearby southern garden, Magnolia Plantation, which opened their gardens to the general public in 1870, has been growing Ancient Camellias and has the largest heirloom collection and over 20,000 camellias blooming from January to March.

Here in Maryland, the evergreen spring-

blooming Camellia japonica, usually blooms from March through April and thrives from USDA zone 7 – 9; this zone includes parts of Fredrick, Howard, Montgomery, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Cecil counties and all of Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and the entire Eastern Shore. It can be considered a small tree or large shrub, growing 10 – 15 feet tall and 5 – 10 feet wide. Camellia japonica prefers slightly acidic, well drained soils, and afternoon shade to grow its best.

Poorly drained soils can lead to root rot for these shallow rooted plants. Once established the camellia can handle some drought conditions and some exposure to salt, although a long drought can lead to flower bud drop. Winter winds can dry out the foliage, turning the glossy green leaves a dull brown, while a summer sun can also burn the leaves. The flowers are the main attraction for gardeners, bursting into single cups of flowers to semi double or complete, tightly packed double blooms.

They have also been bred to bloom with a frothy anemone form and a peony form or the rose double bloom that mimics roses. Colors range from pinks of all shades, rose, red, white, and variegated white with reds.

Some wonderful heirloom varieties include Debutant, a light pink flower that blooms in a peony form; Kramer’s Supreme, a fragrant red bloomer; and Pope John XXIII, a pure white large double flower. ❦ Ginny Rosenkranz University of Maryland Extension

18 • Spring 2013

Alexis Moretti (r) of Tidal Creek Growers talks with Martha Bruder of American Plant The crowd shows that MANTS means business

Cory Ogiba and Kevin Castillo of Belgard work with Executive Chef “Jerry” Infantino on demonstrating a wood fired oven

Looking back at

Ben Langeveld (r) of Netherland Bulb greets William Blish of Menne Nursery Corp located in Buffalo, NY

The Masterpiece of Trade Shows Free State • 19

Above, left to right: George Mayo and Gary Sliker of MD Plants and Supplies; Secretary of Agriculture Buddy Hance and Vanessa Finney; Jack and Jean Lowry; 50 years in business; 44-year exhibitors at MANTS!

The Maryland Agriculture Commission tours MANTS

Heather Willoughby of Plant Works Nursery helps a customer

The Homestead Horticultural Supply display showing a wee bit of Ravens spirit!

Brian Dahl of George Bridge Boxwoods greets a client 20 • Spring 2013

John Kulak (l) of Kulak’s Nursery in Rexford, NY talks availability with an exhibitor

Two attendees discuss products and strategy

Attendees stop to check their inventory and needs

Below, left to right: Mike Leubecker of Tidal Creek talks with Jim Davenport of Ruppert Nurseries; MANTS floor manager, Charlie Blocher and 29 year exhibitor, Dave Thompson, Foxborough Nursery; MANTS attendees map their strategy to cover the show

MANTS director William Verbrugge discusses the show with Garden Writers Assoc President Kirk Brown and another writer in the MANTS press office

Free State • 21

6 1

2 3 4 5 6

Good Reasons Your Company Should Advertise in the MNLA’s Free State Nursery and Landscape News

Free State Nursery and Landscape News is seen by members of Maryland’s Nursery, Landscaping and Garden Center Industries and is the leading publication for members of the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association (circulation to members and CPHers is about 600 unique individuals) Free State Nursery and Landscape News enhances your ad by providing important industry specific articles which are educational and informative, and with the new digital version, readers are sent directly to your website via links Free State Nursery and Landscape News helps promote your company and product while providing direct access to readers in Maryland’s Green Industries Articles appearing in Free State Nursery and Landscape News are contributed by highly regarded members of the industry, many of whom have a lifetime of knowledge and are frequently published Free State Nursery and Landscape News is a cost effective way to help keep your name out in front of and reach your customers Free State Nursery and Landscape News helps support the association in its endeavors on behalf of the green industry in the state of Maryland

For more information on advertising in the Free State Nursery and Landscape News contact Kelly Finney at the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association at 410-823-8684 or e-mail freestate@mnlaonline.org 22 • Spring 2014

Interested in a subscription to

Free State Nursery and Landscape News?

Contact us with your request and we’ll add you to the mailing list.

Subscriptions are $35 annually; MNLA will invoice you upon receipt of your subscription request. (members need

not subscribe)

Name_________________________________________________ Business_ _____________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ City___________________________________________________ State, Zip______________________________________________ E-Mail_________________________________________________ Mail/Fax or e-mail: Free State, Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association P.O. Box 726 Brooklandville, MD 21022 or e-mail: freestate@mnlaonline.org

Over 1500 choices delivered to you. perennials, natives, ferns, grasses, vines, herbs, ground covers, pansies, dahlias, cannas, green roof and environmental planning material.

www.cavanos.com Ph 410-592-8077

Featured Member

LOWRY & COMPANY, INC. This is the 50th year for Lowry & Company in Phoenix, Md., which was started June 15, 1964, by Jack and Jean Lowry.

Jack graduated from Penn State in 1958 with a degree in horticulture.

He started as a salesman for Towson Nursery in Cockeysville, Md., and then he was garden center manager of Valley Mart in Baltimore. Jack looked around and decided the best avenue to pursue his interest in the horticultural field was to become a nursery representative, so he and his wife went to an American Association of Nurserymen trade show in Boston in 1964, and visited the booths of nursery exhibitors.

He found five growers to represent.

Then he started out.

“Back then, there were no

24 • Spring 2014

computers or fax machines, all he needed was a pen, an order blank and a car,” Jean recalled.

Without even a cell phone, Jack covered the Baltimore and Washington areas, visiting nurseries and garden centers. He added Pittsburgh, then New Jersey, and New York.

As he traveled, nurserymen asked him to add their growing operations to the ones he represented. Jack got his real break at the Eastern Regional Nurserymen’s Trade Show at Concord in New York. Jack met Alfred Teufel, a nurseryman from the West Coast. Teufel asked, “Would you like to represent my nursery on the East Coast?” So Jack came home and began selling West Coast material here in the east.

Teufel was one of the first nurseries to move stock from the west to the east. There are many nurseries in Oregon that Jack sells for now, and he has added more from the east.

Jack and Jean were the only people

involved in Lowry and Company Inc., other than several short-term salesmen, until about eight years ago when Tom Bowman, former field manager at Manor View Farms joined Lowry.

Early on, Jack wanted to have samples to show to customers. He found a 1953 Cadillac ambulancehearse combination which he remodeled to suit his needs and plants. Jean said, “Jack was known for that hearse. People still ask if we still have it.”

Jack’s last vehicle was a Navy service van which had small pulldown seats on each side in the rear.

Jean tells of going with four couples (all in the nursery industry) to the Chesapeake Restaurant in downtown Baltimore. “We pulled up in front of this fashionable restaurant, and the women poured out from the back hatch in long dresses and furs. A man in a Cadillac behind us was so stunned he locked his keys in the car with the engine running!”

trip with the Far West Trade Show.

In a hired van they visited 35 nurseries in six days.

“We’re both 81 now,” Jean said.

“The visitors were much younger. They Early on, Jack wanted to have samples to wondered how Jack kept up.” show to customers. He found a 1953 Jean has been Cadillac ambulance-hearse combination which no slacker either. he remodeled to suit his needs and plants.

In addition to working with Of all those couples, all in the her husband, Jean is in her third same age range, “we’re the only ones term as president of the Lutherville still working,” Jean added. “Why Garden Club. She has also taken, retire? We don’t have to and we can’t twice, all the courses required to afford to, and we don’t want to.” earn the National Council of Garden There were ups and downs, but Clubs’ Gold Star — flower show “many ups and only a few downs,” judge, landscape design consultant, Jean said, “until 2008, when the gardening consultant, and recession hit and there was no environmental studies consultant. building going on. The bottom really She is the only person to earn that fell out of the nursery industry,” she honor in Maryland, and one of only said. It appears that the industry is 75 nationwide. turning around.

The Lowry’s younger daughter, Since Jack was going to the Nancy, is a landscape designer. She West Coast once a year, Jack took and her husband, Pierre Moitrier, customers with him, combining the also a designer, have their own

company, Designs for Greener Gardens, based in Annapolis.

“Our other daughter is an accountant with her own business; our son is in computers,” Jean said.

Jack was awarded the distinguished Professional Achievement Award by the Maryland Nurserymen’s Association in 1984 and Wholesale Plant Sales Professional of the Year Award in 1993 by the American Nursery and Landscape Association.

Jack served as a director on the board of the American Horticulture Society, and served on the board of the Maryland Nurserymen’s Association and was its president in 1970 and 1971.

The Lowry’s home garden has been visited by the American Nursery and Landscape Association, the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, the American Horticulture Association, and many garden clubs.

Jack also prides himself in restoring a 1948 Cadillac Limousine which he still owns. Over the years he has had many antique cars.

You can reach Lowry & Co. at sales@lowryandco.com or 410- 628-8061. ❦ Carol Kinsley

LOWRY & Company, Inc. SPECIALIZING IN NURSERY STOCK

Free State • 25

26 • Spring 2014

New Members We welcome the following into membership in the MNLA. Full contact information may be found within the member portal of the MNLA website, www.mnlaonline. org. We encourage you to reach out to your peer members – they may have valuable business advice for you.

Ashton Manor Environmental, LLC Karen Key Bryan & Sons Lawn & Landscape, LLC Allen Bryan Kody Cario Good Earth Gardeners (Returning Member) Kara Crissey J & D Landscaping Services, Inc. Juan Carrillo Chesapeake Horticultural Services, LLC Leslie Hunter-Cario

Native Roots Nursery John Pearson Oliver Neely, LLC Jill Howson - Student Ray’s Creative Landscaping & Tree Farm Ray Caudle Wye Gardens, LLC William Gordon Premier Plantscapes David Pearson

Special Thanks

Maryland Landscape Nurserymen Association, On the behalf of the Maryland FFA Association, thank you for your support of the Landscape Nursery Career Development Event at College Park the first of April. After the contest we had several positive comments about how organized the event was which would not have been possible without you. It is through your continued support our students are able to continuously develop their premiere leadership, personal growth, and career success.

Hope all is well, Dane Grossnickle Maryland FFA Association

m re

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Whether it’s original Soil Moist, Soil Moist Mycorrhizal for strong root development, or Soil Moist Plus nutrient blends, there’s never been a better time to call for technical data and expert advice.

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Free State • 27

MANTS Pender ad half page_MANTS pender half page ad 2/6/14 10:53 AM Pag

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www.manorview.com 28 • Spring 2014

Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist Program

Update

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S !

The following individuals passed the Basic CPH exam on April 15th.

Dustin Kennedy Jim Logan Mary McDermott Matthew Purdy Rebecca Sunday Virginia Volker Melissa Warner

Bob Jackson Landscapes, Inc. J & G Landscape Design Chapel Valley Landscape Company J & G Landscape Design Homestead Gardens Chapel Valley Landscape Company

Kudos to the following high school students who also passed the Basic Exam on April 15th. These students will receive a student certification recognition and are eligible to become full-fledged CPHers upon completion of the required secondary/work experience CPH program credential.

North Harford High

Bobby Burton Hailey Cornell Lauren Makowiecki

Dylan Day

Cecil County School of Technology

Update on Basic Manual Re-write The CPH Board has been busy working over the past year to edit and update the CPH Basic Manual. This process had not been done since 1996. Working through chief editor, Martha Simon Pindale, the CPH Basic Manual has been completely reviewed, re-written, updated, and enhanced with modern graphics, etc.

New chapters have been added, as well.

It is expected that the new manual will be ready for distribution in July of 2014. The October 2014 CPH Basic exam will still use the current manual as its reference, with the expectation that the April 2015 Basic exam will be the first to use the new manual as its reference.

In addition, the Board is investigating options to offer the Basic exam more times during the year by adding testing venues. The board recognizes that electronic

testing of the multiple choice component of the test can technologically be accomplished at a variety of testing venues. However, the Board wishes to retain having real plant samples for the Plant ID portion of the test.

The collection of fifty or more samples per test requires greater logistical planning (and volunteer time) than the multiple choice portion of the exam. We will keep you posted as our ideas for advancing opportunities to take the Basic exam progress.

Calling For Input We are looking to update and enhance the reference materials to which we refer Basic Exam applicants. If you have some all-time favorite resources, be they print or electronic, would you share them with us? Please forward your faves to office@mnlaonline.org.

Free State • 29

Bright Ideas

Logo Design Packaging Design Exhibit and Trade Show Graphics

Advertising Brochures Direct Mail Catalogs

Fresh Solutions

Gregory J. Cannizzaro Graphic Design

PUBLICATION NOTICE We welcome your company news and updates or columns with your professional insight. E-mail any submissions you have for Free State to freestate@mnlaonline.org

or mail to Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association P.O. Box 726 Brooklandville, MD 21022 The deadline for submissions for the Summer issue of Free State Nursery and Landscape News is July 1, 2014.

410-444-5649 • gccannizzaro@aol.com

Get your Ag Tag today!

www.agtagmd.com Educating Youth about Agriculture 30 • Spring 2014

You only grow the best.

Why not offer your customers the best in advice, too!

Certified Professional Horticulturists (CPH) provide either “do-it-yourself� or professional landscape installation and maintenance advice.

Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist Program

For more information contact the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association at 410-823-8684 or visit www.mnlaonline.org

Cultivate your business with a Certified Professional Horticulturist

Editorial Landscape Management Magazine

Fuel savings inside the box (truck) December 3, 2013, Reprinted with permission John Shorb Landscaping backs its sustainable mission with diesel-electric hybrid vehicles.

John Shorb Landscaping added two diesel-electric hybrid box trucks during the 2013 season.

Some of the latest blog entries on John Shorb Landscaping’s website focus on sustainable landscaping practices, such as beneficial insects, rooftop gardens, conservation and stormwater management. The company, based in Kensington, Md., also promotes its sustainability message on its Facebook page.

The efforts all are part of an overall commitment to resource conservation. John Shorb Landscaping has built a sizable portfolio of services that appeal to ecoconscious customers. To build on its sustainability message, the company ordered two diesel-electric hybrid box trucks in 2012 and began driving them in the spring of 2013.

“We thought this played into our image of trying to do the right thing environmentally,” says John Shorb, president of the company.

In addition to the environmental benefits, Shorb expects the trucks to provide fuel savings. As of September, the company was still evaluating how much it has cut fuel use. “We are noticing fuel savings,” Shorb says. “We don’t have empirical data proving it. It’s mainly based on the fact that we’re not fueling up as often.”

Why hybrids?

The trucks Shorb purchased were 2014 Hino 195h diesel-electric hybrid box trucks. The company drove Isuzu box vans for several years until Isuzu stopped making the model the company preferred. Shorb purchased two Hino vans and liked them enough to purchase two more. Upon visiting the Hino website to

view his options, he noticed the company, a Toyota Motor Group company, offered hybrid vehicles. One of Shorb’s managers drove a Toyota Prius and spoke highly of its performance, further convincing Shorb to make the purchase.

“Hino is Toyota’s truck version (of the Prius), so we knew the brand and liked it,” Shorb recalls. “Also, we knew fuel prices weren’t going down, so we thought it would be worth a try.”

Shorb says his company plans to continue replacing its fleet with more hybrid box trucks as long as the cost remains competitive. The hybrid trucks cost about $11,000 more than a traditional diesel box truck, says Ed Ervin, a commercial fleet sales manager at K. Neal International Trucks in Hyattsville, Md. But the hybrids are about 30 percent more fuel efficient than the standard diesel engine, says Ervin, who sold the Hino trucks to John Shorb Landscaping. The payback period on these hybrid vehicles is nearly seven years.

The return on investment can fluctuate depending on the price of diesel fuel, Ervin says.

Hybrid trucks, Ervin cautions, are not suited for every industry because the trucks need to idle for the batteries to recharge. They are ideal for landscaping businesses that have many clients in the suburbs, where stoplights every few miles offer an opportunity to recharge, he says.

How it works When the clutch engages in the hybrid system, the motor uses electric power stored in the battery to start the engine, eliminating the need for a starter motor. The hybrid system is active until the truck reaches a cruising speed, the most efficient operating mode for an engine.

The truck then automatically switches to engine-only driving. (continued on page 34) Free State • 33

Even Mother Nature wakes up on the wrong side of the bed.

(continued from page 33)

During braking, vehicle acceleration energy is converted to electricity, which is stored in battery. In this mode, the clutch automatically disengages to enable energy recovery and regeneration. Another potential fuel-saving feature is the “idle stop mode.” When the vehicle stops, the engine shuts off to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. When the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal, the engine restarts.

Moving forward with hybrids In addition to improving fuel efficiency, John Shorb Landscaping hopes to better maintenance crew productivity with the addition of bathrooms and laptop computers to its box trucks.

As of late July, Hino had sold about 450 195h hybrids in the U.S. since introducing them in November. Most of the sales were in California, due to the state’s Hybrid Vehicle Incentive Program.

And while adoption has been slow, more landscaping companies are showing interest in hybrid vehicles.

“I’ve quoted two or three other landscaping companies on hybrid trucks,” Ervin says. “The landscaping companies I’ve dealt with are very environmentally sensitive—a lot more than any other industry that I deal with. They’re dealing with the environment day in and day out so they seem to be more in tune with it.”

So far, Shorb says he’s pleased with the performance of the hybrid vehicles. The “idle stop mode” feature was a little frustrating at first because Shorb thought the van wasn’t working properly. “It’s a little disconcerting the first few days you’re driving it in stop-and-go traffic,” he says.

Looking ahead, though, Shorb expects the hybrid trucks will pay off. “We hope we’re able to confirm the extra price will be offset by the fuel savings,” Shorb says. “We also believe that eventually customers will appreciate the fact that we’re doing this. ❦

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34 • Spring 2014

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Landscape Association

2O14 Field Day

Roseland Nurseries Sudlersville, MD Thursday, June 26, 2014 • 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Founded in 1965, and located on 700 acres on Maryland's beautiful Eastern Shore.

Roseland is dedicated to providing quality trees and service. A family-owned business and proud of their personal customer relationships.

Registration information will be available in May via the MNLA web site, mnlaonline.org. Questions, please e-mail office@mnlaonline.org or call 410-823-8684.

Free State • 35

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2014-15 Calendar of Events

2014

June 5-7, 2014

Millersville University Native Plant Symposium Location: Millersville University Lancaster, PA Contact: 717-871-2189 nativeplantsatUM@gmail.com www.millersvillenativeplants.org June 6, 2014

Procrastinator’s Pesticide Applicators Program Location: Montgomery County Extension Office Derwood, MD Contact: UMD Extension, 301-590-9638 www.extension.umd.edu/ montgomery-county June 13, 2014

Eastern Shore Procrastinator’s Pesticide Applicators Program Location: Wye Research and Education Center Queenstown, MD Contact: UMD Extension, 410-827-8056 www.extension.umd.edu/wye

July 10, 2013

LCA Certification Written Test Location: Johns Hopkins University Contact: LCA, 301-948-0810 www.lcamddcva.org July 15-17, 2014

MAC-ISA Certification Course Location: Morgantown, WV Contact: MAC-ISA, 703-753-0499 www.mac-isa.org August 2, 2014

LCA Certification Hands-On Test Location: Agricultural History Farm Park (Derwood, MD) Contact: LCA, 301-948-0810 www.lcamddcva.org

August 20, 2014

Stormwater Management Program Location: Montgomery County Extension Office Derwood, MD Contact: UMD Extension, 301-590-9638 August 21, 2014

Stormwater Management Program Location: Robinson Nature Center Columbia, MD Contact: UMD Extension October 6-7, 2014

MAC-ISA Annual Meeting Location: TBD Contact: MAC-ISA, 703-753-0499 www.mac-isa.org

MANTS 2015 The Masterpiece of Trade Shows ™ ®

June 14, 2014

MAC-ISA Day of Safety Location: Rockville, MD Contact: MAC-ISA, 703-753-0499 www.mac-isa.org June 19, 2014

MGGA Summer Tour and Picnic Location: Tidal Creek GrowersDavidsonville, MD Contact: MGGA, mdgga1@gmail.com www.mdgga.org June 26, 2014

MNLA Summer Field Day Location: Roseland Nurseries, Sudlersville Contact: MNLA, 410-823-8684 office@mnlaonline.org www.mnlaonline.org

JANUARY 14 - 16, 2015 Baltimore Convention Center

We’ve perfected the art of bringing exhibitors and attendees together to buy, sell and share information on the latest plants, products and services. · Conveniently located, modern facility · Over 975 exhibitors, in over 1,500 booths · Ideal timing – after the holidays, before the spring rush · Just business, all business · Our 44th consecutive year · Unlimited Inner Harbor attractions to enjoy after the Show ends

www.mants.com On-line Registration is available 24/7 beginning October 1.

@mantsbaltimore #mants

P.O. Box 818 Brooklandville, MD 21022 410-296-6959 800-431-0066 fax 410-296-8288

Free State • 37

✁

For a full and updated calendar of events, and to find registration information and event links, please visit the MNLA website at www.mnlaonline.org

38 • Spring 2014

Directory of Advertisers Firm Name

Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc.

Page

A & A Tree Experts Angelica Nurseries, Inc.

26 Outside Back Cover

Arbor Jet

Mission Statement The purpose of the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association is to promote the use of ornamental plants, products, and services. The association supports all constituent groups of the horticulture industry including landscape, garden centers, interiorscape, grounds maintenance, nursery, greenhouse, and arboriculture. The association communicates the role of the horticulture industry in improving people’s quality of life.

Specific Goals Promote professionalism through education programs for members and the public and by encouraging enrollment in educational institutions.

Monitor state and local laws relating to horticulture industry.

Participate actively in legislative and regulatory processes.

Promote the use of environmentally sound practices in the horticulture industry.

Monitor and communicate to members developments in allied industries including agritechnology.

Support donations of plant products and services to state and community programs.

Babikow Greenhouses

1 Inside Front Cover

Braun Horticulture

22

Cam Too Camellia Nursery

8

Cavano's Perennials

23

CPH

31

Folcomer Equipment Corp Foxborough Nursery

2 Inside Back Cover

Gregory J. Cannizzaro Graphic Design

30

Hanover Farms

26

Holly Hill Farms

32

Hortica Insurance and Employee Benefits

34

John Deere Landscapes

35

JRM Chemical

27

Kurt Bluemel

38

Manor View Farm

28

MANTS

37

MD Ag Ed Foundation

30

MNLA Field Day

35

MNLA On-Line

14

OHP

36

Pender Nursery

28

Walnut Springs

9

Waverly Farm

5

Support research relevant to the horticulture industry.

To join the growing list of companies who advertise in the Free State Nursery and Landscape News or for more information, please call Vanessa or Kelly in the MNLA office at 410-823-8684.

Participate in Maryland agricultural organizations.

Visit the redesigned association website at: www.mnlaonline.org.

E-mail Free State News at freestate@mnlaonline.org.

Free State • 39

Chairman & Committees Education

CPH

Dave Clement Stanton Gill Hank Doong Mary Kay Malinoski Tina Paul Ginny Rosenkranz Greg Stacho

George Mayo – Chair Steve Black Shelley Hicks Cindy King Dr. Andrew Ristvey Martha Simon-Pindale Bob Trumbule Gaye Williams

Nominating

Mark Dougherty – Chair Richard J. Watson

Scholarship

John Marshall – Chair Brent Rutley Steve Black Larry Hemming

Bernie Kohl, Jr. – Chair Hank Doong Jessica Todd Leslie Hunter-Cario George Mayo Greg Stacho Mary Claire Walker

Link/Shanks Scholarship

Economic Survey

Finance and Planning

Mark Dougherty – Chair MANTS

Jan S. Carter Bernard E Kohl, Jr. William A. M. Verbrugge Membership Committee

Steve Black Bernie Kohl George Mayo Brent Rutley Dr. John Lea Cox

Advisors to the Board

Rich Poulin Greg Stacho

Richard Bean MD Department of Agriculture

Awards - Professional Achievement,

Dr. John Lea-Cox University of Maryland

Carville M. Akehurst Michael Marshall– Co-Chair Kevin Clark - Co-Chair

Signe Hanson Independent Horticultural Consultant

Advisors to Others LEAD Maryland Vanessa Finney Maryland Agriculture Commission Karl Fischer Marion Mullan Maryland Farm Bureau Larry Hemming MAEF Hank Doong MGGA Tina Paul Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC) John Peter Thompson MDA Nutrient Management Advisory Committee Signe Hanson Young Farmers Advisory Council Jessica Todd Invasive Plants Advisory Council Mike Hemming Jason Pippen

Historian

George Mayo – Chair Legislative/MaGIC

James R. McWilliams– Chair Signe Hanson Alan Jones Bernard E. Kohl, Jr.

40 • Spring 2014

Every member of every committee listed above is an individual who volunteers their time in support for the MNLA and it is with the utmost gratitude and appreciation that we thank you for your selfless endeavors. If your name is not listed above, please consider following the example of those who are. Contact Vanessa at 410-8238684 with your interest.