The Scoop - June 2022

PLAN FOR SERENDIPITY

GETTING THERE

PLANT OF THE MONTH

A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE PLUS:

REMARKABLE TREES I HAVE SEEN ALSO INSIDE:

HEALTHY SOILS PRODUCE THRIVING PLANTS

june 2022 n v45 n6

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

Everything you need...

TO GET THE JOB DONE!

ALL OF YOUR HARDSCAPE SUPPLY NEEDS

PAVER BRICKS, RETAINING WALL BLOCK, OUTDOOR LIVING KITS & NATURAL STONE.

5500 BLAINE AVENUE | INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN 55076 | F: 651-450-9380 | E: WHOLESALE@GERTENS.COM

gertenswholesale.com | 651-450-0277

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

When You Need a Helping Hand Count on Probst Handling Equipment

BachmansWholesale.com

Wholesale Nursery: (651) 463-3288 | (800) 525-6641 | Fax: (651) 463-4747 6877 235th St. W., Farmington, MN 55024 Hardscapes Cedar Acres: (952) 469-9665 | Fax: (952) 469-9674 23004 Cedar Ave. S., Farmington, MN 55024

©2022 Bachman’s Inc.

Probst tools and equipment makes life on the job site easier. Thanks to important ergonomic and efficiency-enhancing innovations, Probst is the world leader in the handling of hardscape materials.

june 2022 n v45 n6

15 31

8 35

Events

10 Focusing On Strategy Executive Director Cassie Larson looks forward to collaborating with the Board of Directors to build a roadmap for MNLA’s future.

12 What Are MDA Inspectors Looking For? Steven Shimek outlines what MDA inspectors look for and what happens if they find something.

51

15

Plan for Serendipity: Make Your Own Luck

Andrew Sobel offers six strategies that will amplify the serendipity in your professional life. 

22 35

Remarkable Trees I Have Seen

Faith Appelquist describes unique trees she has discovered on her travels. 

Healthy Soils Produce Thriving Plants

Gilles Lapointe and researchers at NVK Nurseries examine the impact of composting. 

40

Federal Workplace Posters

Anna Schwering provides a free resource to access federal workplace posters to keep you in compliance. 

51

Getting There

If you’re considering adding multiple locations for your company, you’ll need a multi-location marketing strategy.    

58

MNLA Foundation Outreach Activities

The Foundation is putting your dollars to work with events and initiatives that invest in the future of the green industry. 

20 Keeping Pollinators Safe Theresa Cira from MDA explains how to reduce the risk of harming pollinators using pesticide best management practices.

28 GILI: Leverage Your Investment The year goes by quickly for students so communication in your company is key to making the most of the program.

30 Plant of the Month Lamprocapnos ‘Gold Heart’ still captures Matthew Olson’s attention every spring.

31 Jumpstart Your Landscape Awards Entry Use the Entry Checklist from the Landscape Awards Task Team to shorten the time needed to enter your project.

43 The History of EAB MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager, Jim Calkins, takes a deep dive into the history of EAB infestations in the US.

49 Tree Planting Prioritized at the Minnesota Capitol MNLA was instrumental in legislation that allocates funding to replace distressed trees with climateadaptive species.

 Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Mgmt  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Mgmt  Arborists & Tree Services  All

Cover photo: iStock.com/marchmeena29. Table of Contents Images: Top Left: iStock.com/Scacciamosche. Middle: Adele Bedard, Landscape Ontario. Bottom: iStock.com/ST.art. june 22 MNLA.BIZ

5

DIRECTORY

june 2022 n v45 n6

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here!

1813 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987 • Fax: 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, Fax: 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz • www.NorthernGreen.org

Arborjet .................................................................................................. 48 Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes ................................ 3 Borgert Products, Inc. ......................................................................... 19 Bullis Insurance Agency ..................................................................... 34

Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape

Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ................................ 25

Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

Central Landscape Supply .................................................................. 53

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Randy Berg, President Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com Matt Mallas, Vice-President SiteOne Landscape Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@siteone.com Terri McEnaney, Secretary-Treasurer Bailey Nurseries 651-459-9744 • terri.mcenaney@baileynursery.com Faith Appelquist, MNLA-CP Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.com Greg Krogstad Rainbow Treecare 952-922-3810 • gkrogstad@rainbowtreecare.com Patrick McGuiness Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC

Circle K - Global Fuel / Holiday ......................................................... 11 Compeer Financial ............................................................................... 18 Cushman Motor Company ................................................................. 21 Davey Twin Cities Wood Products .................................................... 53 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................... 47 Environmental Design Inc ................................................................. 25 Fahey Sales Agency / Jeff Martin Auctioneers ................................ 9 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .............................. 2 Gopher State One-Call ....................................................................... 16 Green Turf Sod Farms ........................................................................... 4 Haag Companies, Inc. ......................................................................... 14 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet ...................................................................... 32–33 Keen Edge Company ........................................................................... 13

651-331-6500 • pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com

Kubota .................................................................................................... 54

John O’Reilly Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com

Landscape Alternatives Inc. ................................................................ 9

Nick Sargent, MNLA-CP Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com Jim Shimon Willow River Company — Landscaping & Tree Farm 715-386-3196 • jimshimon@willowrivertree.com Cassie Larson, CAE MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz STAFF DIRECTORY Executive Director: Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz

Maguire Agency .................................................................................... 53 Minnesota Mulch & Soil ..................................................................... 18 Monroe Truck Equipment .................................................................. 42 Niebur Tractor & Equipment ............................................................. 34 Out Back Nursery ................................................................................. 44 Plaisted Companies ............................................................................... 7 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................... 44 SiteOne Landscape Supply ................................................................ 50 SMSC Organics Recycling Facility ..................................................... 57 Spring Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners Color Choice ............. 38

Associate Director: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz

The Resultants ...................................................................................... 16

Dir. of Government Affairs: Forrest Cyr • forrest@mnla.biz

The Tessman Company ......................................................................... 9

Education & Cert Mgr: Hallie Chasensky • hallie@mnla.biz Communications Coor: Brianna Burns • brianna@mnla.biz Regulatory Affairs Mgr: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz Foundation Program Mgr: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz Administrative Assistant: Louise Nemmers • louise@mnla.biz Accountant: Pam Helgeson • accounting@mnla.biz Advertising Sales: 763-295-5420 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com Legislative Affairs Consultant: Doug Carnival 6

MNLA.BIZ june 22

Touchstone Accent Lighting .............................................................. 44 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .......................................................................... 29 Versa-Lok Midwest .............................................................................. 61 Wheeler Landscape Supply ............................................................... 34 Ziegler CAT ............................................................................. Back Cover

CONSISTENT QUALITY

HARDSCAPES

CUSTOM BLENDED MIXES

Plaisted Horticultural mixes are like no other — they contain highly sought after ingredients. We custom blend mixes using a computerized Accublender ™, controlling quality & consistency.

OUTDOOR LIVING

We are the midwest's largest resources for quality residential hardscapes. We offer 3,2000 in-store, quality brands that offer exceptional strength, durability that can withstand Minnesota’s harsh winters.

HORTICULTURE

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS • Bachman’s

• Baker Lake Nursery • Cross Nursery

• Tangletown Gardens

• Twin Orchard Nursery • Varty’s Greenhouse

RESPONSIVE DELIVERY

Experienced drivers operate a fleet of more than 45 trucks. Our GPS locator helps us set the standard for the most responsive delivery in the 5-state area.

763.441.1100 • plaistedcompanies.com info@plaistedcompanies.com

WE WE ARE ARE SOIL EXPERTS SOIL EXPERTS

UPCOMING

32ND ANNUAL WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT

JULY

19

Shotgun Starts at 8:30am. Come early!



The Widmer Golf Tournament is an 18-hole, best ball scramble tournament with great networking, prizes, contests, golf, and more! Proceeds support research activities and education that is important to the green industry. Registration is open now.

Crystal Lake Golf Club: 16725 Insbrook Drive, Lakeville, MN 55044 ➽www.mnla.biz/events

MNLA 2022 SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN BUS TOUR

AUG

11 –12

Tour industry sites in the Madison, Wisconsin area with a two-day bus tour including the Olbrich Botanical Gardens and the Environmental Research and Innovation Center. More



event details and information will be available soon. There is limited space for this tour.

Register online now!

Madison, WI and surrounding area ➽www.mnla.biz/events

MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS

AUG

17

Pre-game meal at 5:30pm; Game starts at 7:00pm



Take a break from your busy season to enjoy a game at the beautiful CHS Field. We have reserved space for our group in the Craft Beer Corner, and we will gather there to enjoy a pre-game picnic dinner. At 7:00pm, we will move to the reserved outfield seats to watch the game. Register now, this event sells out fast!

CHS Field, Saint Paul, MN ➽www.mnla.biz/events

MNLA FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT

SEPT

20

This sporting clays tournament is fun for everyone and is a great way to spend time



with colleagues and friends this fall. This is a 75-round course and the difficulty level is FUN! First time shooters are welcome, and guns are available for rent. Proceeds support workforce development. Registration is open now.

Game Unlimited: 871 County Road E, Hudson, WI 54106 ➽www.mnla.biz/events

MNLA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM

OCT

07

Sit for the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional in 2022.



Additional dates: October 21, November 4, November 11. Registration is limited.

MNLA Office, Roseville, MN ➽www.mnla.biz/events

PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION WORKSHOP

NOV

18

Obtain recertification credits by attending the Pesticide Recertification Workshop and



have your current license scanned and checked by MDA. Applicators MUST bring their license identification card. Registration opens in August.

TBD, Saint Paul, MN ➽www.mnla.biz/events

The Scoop, June 2022, Issue 6 is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2022, and may not be used

NORTHERN GREEN 2023

JAN

10 –12

Save the Date for the premier event for green industry professionals in the northern region. Exhibit booths are available. Registration will open in the fall. www.northerngreen.org

without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813

2022 MNLA seminars generously supported by:

Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

Your Trusted Partner

should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact the editor at brianna@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987. MNLA



reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

➽Information on industry events: MNLA.biz/events. Free, member-only videos: MNLA.biz/OnlineEducation.

8

MNLA.BIZ june 22

Business

 Skills Training

 Networking



Leadership Development

General

d v c w y c i o h y t

W

WE’RE BACK IN PERSON! the

Save the Date!

2022 Tessman Company

Buying show and hort. academy Social Hour & Trivia Night • August 15 Call your local Tessman Rep to Register!

We’re here to help you!

MYSTIC LAKE CASINO

PRIOR LAKE, MN Fargo, ND (701) 232-7238

38

AUG

Mon

Tues

15 & 16

St. Paul

(651) 487-3850

www.MNLA.biz | ocTober 2012

Tea, SD

(605) 368-2586

– i t p i o i W a p o

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Focusing On Strategy Cassie Larson

One of the primary roles of an association’s Board of Directors is to focus on strategy. The Board governs and creates the roadmap, and staff and committees help execute the strategy.

iStock.com/tomozina

MNLA Executive Director

To that end, the MNLA Board of Directors is embarking on a

strategic planning process in 2022. The primary purpose of strategic planning is to focus the association on what is crucial to serving members and by extension, the green industry as a whole. The Board will be taking time during this process to step back, rethink, and reassess the association’s mission and the relevance of goals and strategies currently in play.

Like in many of your individual organizations, in the last couple of years an inordinate amount of time was spent in crisis management mode. Thankfully, with the help and support of the membership and Board, MNLA is now in a good position to start to again look to the future.

In order to best assess priorities for moving forward, we will be seeking feedback from members on a variety of topics. Some examples may include: • What are your business priorities for the next three to five years?

• How will the green industry evolve moving forward?

• What issues keep you up at night related to your business?

• Are there educational gaps that need to be filled?

• How and from where do you and your team consume credible industry and business information?

• What professional resources do you find most valuable?

• How do you anticipate connecting with colleagues in the future?

These and MANY other questions will be on the table as discussions move forward. So please watch for a survey and other opportunities to provide your insights later this year. Associations exist to serve members, so your input is vitally important for the association to remain relevant into the future.

We look forward to building the roadmap together. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to participate in the process.

➽ MNLA Executive Director Cassie Larson can be reached at 651-633-4987 or cassie@mnla.biz.

10

MNLA.BIZ june 22

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MDA INSPECTIONS

MDA WHAT ARE

INSPECTORS LOOKING FOR?

AND WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF THEY FIND SOMETHING? Steven Shimek MDA Nursery Inspector

Detecting harmful plant pests and reporting them before they cause serious damage helps reduce losses. Information on treatment, control, and follow-up inspections

assist growers, assuring only pest-free products reach their customers. For dealers, certification assumes a minimum standard for the stock they purchase.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Nursery Inspection and Certification Program facilitates movement of quality pest-free nursery stock within Minnesota, across states, and internationally. Inspections also serve consumers and protect agriculture, natural resources, and the environment.

Plant pests may be treated differently in grower locations than in retail outlets.

Stock displayed for retail sale demands a higher level of pest freedom than stock in a growing range that may undergo treatments, additional inspection, and grading before being presented for sale.

The following are possible regulatory actions as outlined in the Central States Chapter of the Horticultural Inspection Society Inspectors Guide. This manual includes detailed descriptions of plant pests and provides guidelines for the appropriate regulatory action for each pest in retail versus grower locations.

Most central states use this manual as a guide. This consistency between states provides a framework for interstate movement of pest-free stock and outlines expectations of shipping and receiving states. This group also meets annually to discuss new and emerging plant pests. Inspectors have developed a network of experts from university and regulatory agencies.

1.

Treat as Needed

No restrictions are needed. This regulatory action is used for plant pests that cause cosmetic damage, are commonly found, and do not cause significant injury. Examples include foliar feeding insects, plant bugs, foliar leaf spots, and leaf gall insects. These pests in light to moderate levels do not require treatment, but treatment may be used to maintain plant quality. Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, is now established in Minnesota and has become a treat-as-needed pest. Treatments to knock down beetle populations can be done to maintain good-looking foliage. This often requires treatment to protect leaves, since once damage is noticed, it is often too late.

2. Restricted: Restore Vigor Before Sale

Nursery stock offered for sale must be expected to grow with normal vigor if given reasonable care. Stock damaged by cold temperatures, drying, or other environmental conditions is removed from sale. If vigor is unable to be restored, these plants must remain off sale. Packaged dormant plants fall into this category. These plants often show up in stores weeks too early and quickly lose viability if not kept in cool conditions. The remedy is to pot up these plants and restore vigor; however, this is not practical in most retail facilities, so the other options are to return to sender or destroy.

Left: Steven Shimek. Top: iStock.com/ulimi.

3. Restricted: Treat and Control

Stock that is infected or infested with a plant pest that is commonly found in the area and is relatively easy to control fall into this category. Restricted from sale, this stock can be returned to sale once the plant pest has been controlled. Treatment may be an application of a pesticide or simply removing the offending plant or plant part. Often cultural practices, such as modifying the environment to discourage disease development, can be effective.

4. Quarantine: Treat and Control Before Reinspection

The word “quarantine” is used to denote a higher level of regulatory concern.

Plant pests that are more difficult to control or require timing of applica12

MNLA.BIZ june 22

tions of pesticide at a specific time of year or stage of insect development means the stock may need to be held off sale for a period of time. Stock is released for sale only after an additional inspection is done to verify successful treatment. For example, Fletcher scale, Parthenolecanium fletcheri, on Taxus forms an invulnerable life stage when insecticide applications are not effective. For successful treatment, the mobile crawler stage that typically emerge in summer must be targeted. If scale is found before or after this, stock will be held off sale until treatment has been effective. Diseases such as spruce needlecast require treatment in spring to protect new growth. This disease may also require multiple treatments in successive years. If holding stock in quarantine is not practical, as with many seasonal retailers, stock can be returned to the shipper or be destroyed.

5. Reject or Return

Any stock infested or infected with a serious plant pest should be rejected upon arrival. Often the problem is not recognized or noticed until after delivery has been made. This makes rejection less practical than if the pest were detected before unloading.

Infested plants should be sorted and returned. This applies to stock infested or infected with those insects and diseases that are not treatable at the time of arrival or under circumstances that do not allow the plants to be held until the appropriate time for treatment. Inspection staff is available to confirm the condition and pest status of received stock.

6. Quarantine: Remove and Destroy

Plants infested with a plant pest where adequate controls are not available or are rendered unsaleable are ordered removed from sale and destroyed. Stem cankers, borers, blights, wilts, and viruses are examples where there are no practical treatments.

Stock could also harbor pests that could spread to unaffected stock or introduce a new pest into the state or area. Proper sanitation to remove the source of disease inoculum or insects, and treatment to protect remaining stock is important. Because inspectors focus on these most destructive pests, removal and destruction is one of the top regulatory actions taken.

Inspectors are also looking for proper labeling to assure buyers are not being misled. This includes any aspect of plant information and cold hardiness labeling. A cold hardiness list, which includes 1,600 plants, is available on the MDA website at the following link: https:// www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/cold-hardiness-list Inspection and certification facilitate the success of nursery stock growers and dealers by providing a framework to allow the sale and movement of pest-free, viable nursery stock from the producer to the end user. Inspection staff are available to assist in finding solutions to problems as they arise. ➽ Steven Shimek is the Agriculture Nursery Inspection Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Contact Steven at steven.shimek@state.mn.us or 651-201-6619.

Keen Edge Company Bill Burke / General Manager | Phone: 262-749-8097 Email: bburke2@keenedgeco.com

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The one-stop-shop for ALL your landscaping needs

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iStock.com/AlexSava

Plan for Serendipity: Make Your Own

Andrew Sobel

SERENDIPITY

BY DEFINITION, SERENDIPITY IS UNFORESEEN — YOU CAN’T PLAN FOR IT. ANOTHER SYNONYM IS “GOOD LUCK.” WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT FEELS GREAT.

“In order for any business to be successful. you need a strong, consistent foundation, including business processes and the right people.

Working with The Resultants helped me create that.”

- Steve Hedberg, Founder Hedberg Home Brick + Stone

1.

www.theResultants.com

16

MNLA.BIZ june 22

A former client calls you out of the blue and within a few days, you suddenly have a major new contract that you never could have anticipated in your business planning. An executive at an existing client unexpectedly leaves her company, and immediately contacts you to see if you could help her in her new role. An old contact gives your name to a corporate executive who emails you because it turns out he has a need in your area of expertise.

No amount of planning can predict these unexpected opportunities. Or can it? You can’t anticipate the exact break you’re going to get, but you can plan on doing things that will greatly increase the odds of these serendipitous events occurring. And they will—if you do the right things. In short, when it comes to growing your client base, you actually can plan for the unplannable. Here are six strategies that will amplify the serendipity in your professional life: Reach out regularly. Contact current

clients, past clients, and your most important VIP relationships on a regular, rotating basis. Your goal is a meeting (phone, video, in-person as circumstances allow) to discuss their issues and

iStock.com/Scacciamosche

“

ARE YOU GENEROUS WITH YOUR TIME, WISDOM, AND RELATIONAL CAPITAL?

share helpful insights and perspectives with them. How often do you reach out to the individuals in your core networks?

If you only do this a few times a week, that’s not enough.

2. Educate your market. Make sure clients,

prospects, and yes, friends, actually know what you do and the extent of your firm’s full capabilities. If they don’t know, then when they have a problem you could help them with, they won’t bother to think of you. Personal Example: I got tired of having the large roofing companies not show up to fix my roof issues at our house in Santa Fe. So, I hired an individual who repaired roofs, who ended up doing a great job. One day, I offhandedly mentioned that I needed to repair some stucco.

He said, “My brother does stucco repair.”

So, I hired his brother as well. Further down the road, I asked his brother, “So, what do you specialize in? What kind of work do you like to do?” Turns out he’s an excellent painter, so I asked him to repaint my garage and basement area. And on it went—soon, he was also refinishing some woodwork for me. And building a “coyote”

fence around my garden…and adding a flagstone path on one side of the house, etc. You get the idea. Are your clients familiar with the full extent of your capabilities? Do you share examples with them about the kinds of work you are doing for other organizations?

3. Give visibility to your thought leadership.

Write and publish regularly, so that your name and your content is visible not only to your prospective clients but also well-cataloged in search engines.

Gaining new business from existing clients, getting enthusiastic referrals, and earning word-of-mouth praise are certainly your gold standard for business development. Yet, many clients do online research around issues of interest and also search for providers online.

“Publishing” these days is a pretty broad term—it could mean a full-length article that is featured on a magazine or newspaper’s website, or it could simply be a short blog or podcast interview that you post on your own or your firm’s website.

Are you actively building your recognition in the market?

”

4. Put yourself at the crossroads of the marketplace. The more you are out talking to people in your market and in your field of expertise, the more you’ll have to say to the next prospect or client you call. Be like a bee or butterfly who alights on dozens of flowers, both depositing some of the pollen from the last plant they visited and also taking some of the new pollen with them, stuck to their legs, to share at the next the stopover. You never know what interesting tidbit you might pick up from a conversation, or when someone you connect with might remember you a year later and mention your name to someone else. Are you having lots of conversations with interesting people in your field?

5. Help Clients on a Personal Level. When

clients feel you’ve helped them personally as well as institutionally, they become far more likely to talk to friends and colleagues about your work and refer you to other potential clients. A personal connection creates passion and enthusiasm. Personal help can mean many things—for example: june 22 MNLA.BIZ

17

SERENDIPITY

DON’T JUST SET YOUR GOALS. GO GET YOUR GOALS.

LET’S MAKE YOUR PLANS A REALITY, TOGETHER.

iStock.com/AlexSava

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• Providing advice/being a sounding board on career issues and opportunities.

• Introducing your client to valuable contacts and expanding their network • Adding value around issues that are important but not a direct focus on your work, e.g., helping them to improve their team’s effectiveness, become a better communicator, build a better relationship with their own manager or boss, strengthen their leadership skills, and so on.

• Facilitating an interest they have outside of work (culture, sports, nonprofit, etc.)

Are you connecting personally with clients, helping them succeed as individual executives, and creating “personal promoters”?

6. Be generous and caring. If trust is the lubricant of relationships,

generosity fuels them. Generosity is winsome, appealing, and builds trust in your character and intentions. The all-around handyman I mentioned earlier was once finishing a job at my house. I needed to move several heavy pieces of furniture out to my driveway for pickup by Goodwill. I said to him, “Do you have another 20 minutes or so to help me move this furniture?

Of course, we’ll add the time to your hours.” We nearly broke our backs lifting several heavy bureaus up some stairs, down another flight, and then out the front of my house. When I went to get my checkbook, and he waved his hand dismissively, saying to me, “Andrew—you’re a great customer—I’m here to help, and I won’t take any payment for moving this furniture. Forget it.” And he quickly departed.

Are you generous with your time, wisdom, and relational capital? Do these things regularly, and you will soon find yourself marveling at that unexpected client opportunity that seems to just fall into your lap. But this time, you’ll smile and realize it’s not just happenstance…

(651) 330-0299 Info@MnMulchandSoil.com www.MnMulchandSoil.com

➽ ANDREW SOBEL helps his clients build enduring relationships with their clients and other important individuals in their lives.

Find out more at: www.andrewsobel.com.

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MNLA.BIZ june 22

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POLLINATOR BMPS

SAFE KEEPING POLLINATORS

WITH PESTICIDE

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

TO REDUCE THE RISK of harming insect pollinators when using pesticides, it is important to follow these best management practices.

• Conduct regular scouting and identify pests such as weeds, insects, and diseases, to assess if pest pressure justifies chemical pest control tactics. Use pesticides only when pest populations reach Theresa Cira PhD, threshold levels and when conditions favor pest development.

Research Scientist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Consult University of Minnesota Extension for specific pest thresholds.

Theresa.Cira@state.mn.us • Whenever possible, use non-chemical pest control methods like prevention (sanitation, removing breeding areas, using pest free seeds/transplants), physical barriers (landscape fabric, mulch, wraps/ cages around plant stems), mechanical practices (hand removal, hoeing, insect and rodent traps, plant thinning/trimming), cultural practices (timely watering and fertilization, planting varieties tolerant to pest pressure), and biological control (promoting beneficial insects).

• Select pesticides with low toxicity to humans and other non-target organisms, such as pollinators. Information on pollinator toxicity can be found at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s website www. mda.state.mn.us/protecting/bmps/pollinators/beetoxicity.

VIDEOS AND GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS ARE NOW ONLINE. Theresa Cira MDA Pesticide & Fertilizer Management

• Calibrate application equipment away from ponds, lakes, and other water sources.

• Do not place the end of the hose into the spray solution when filling the sprayer, it can lead to backflow and contamination of the water source. Use an anti-siphon/backflow prevention.

• Check the product label for specific pollinator requirements such as “Do not apply this product while bees are foraging.” Pollinator requirements would be in the Environmental Hazards and Directions for Use sections of the label, and some labels have a Bee Advisory icon.

Theresa Cira

• Spot treat if the pest population is not widely distributed throughout the property.

Insect pollinators, such as bees, are an important part of Minnesota’s ecosystems, agriculture, and economy. Many species of flowering plants are dependent on pollinators to transfer pollen to the female parts of plants, helping them reproduce and survive. In addition to their critical role in plant reproduction, managed pollinators like honey bees provide a livelihood to beekeepers in Minnesota who can sell honey, wax, pollination services, and queen bees.

Pollinators are in trouble though. Many factors threaten their survival such as loss of habitat, diseases, pests, and pesticides.

Many pesticides that are used in turf, ornamental, and nursery settings are toxic to insect pollinators and can threaten their ability to survive. A decline in pollinators affects us all, and it is important for everyone to do their part in reversing this trend.

For more information about keeping pollinators safe from pesticides, check out the MDA’s YouTube channel for the short video Protecting Pollinators When Using Turf and Ornamental Pesticides, or Google MDA’s BMPs for Turfgrass Pesticides for pdf documents.

20

MNLA.BIZ june 22

• Prevent pesticide drift by following spray drift management recommendations/requirements given on the product label. For example, do not apply pesticide when wind is blowing >15 mph or during temperature inversion conditions.

• Avoid foliar pesticide applications if a rain event is expected soon after application.

• Do not apply pesticides directly to any water body unless labeled for aquatic pest control.

• Communicate with local beekeepers before pesticides are applied.

Pesticide applicators can find the contact information for beekeepers in a specific area by using the free website DriftWatch: www. driftwatch.org.

• Clean pesticide application equipment regularly. Follow product label directions for cleaning application equipment and disposing the leftover pesticide solution. Check pesticide equipment for any leaks during cleaning.

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TREES Remarkable

I HAVE SEEN

Faith Appelquist Tree Quality LLC

IN MY TRAVELS, I HAVE SEEN SOME REMARKABLE TREES. I usually stumble across them by accident, read the signage and come away awed by their age, beauty, and history. These trees have been protected by forward-thinking people with a respect for nature so that we may learn something about ourselves and who we share the planet with. Here are stories of these amazing trees, knowing there are many others waiting to be discovered.

Species: Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) Location: Key West, Florida The Kapok Tree, also called the Celba tree or Silkcotton tree, grows to 130 feet or higher. It was the sacred tree of the Mayan people who believed that souls of the dead climbed a mythical kapok whose branches reached into heaven. This is not surprising, as a kapok tree can grow 10 feet a year. Kapoks are beautiful trees with wide buttresses at the base, and large, flattened crowns of leaves and branches.

The trees drop their leaves once a year in the dry season, exposing the branches.

The dropping of the leaves may lead to the opening of the large bell-shaped flowers, though this only happens every 5-10 years. The foul-smelling flowers have five petals and are white or pink. They open in the early evening in time to be ready for the bats to arrive. Tropical bats provide most of the pollination for the kapok tree.

Cross-pollination is enhanced since only a few flowers open each evening. The branches come from the top of the tree and extend horizontally, which allows them to be covered with other plants called epiphyte.

Species: Texas live oak (Quercus virginiana) Location: Austin, Texas The Treaty Oak is a Texas live oak tree and the last surviving member of the Council Oaks, a grove of 14 trees that served as a sacred meeting place for Comanche and Tonkawa tribes prior to European settlement of the area. This tree takes its name from its role in the history of the Lone Star State. Inscription on the plaque reads “The Treaty Oak was purchased by the City of Austin in 1937 to stand as a living and fitting symbol of the mighty state it has watched develop.”

Before having a potent herbicide intentionally poured around the tree and almost dying in 1989, the tree’s branches had a spread of 127 feet. The tree is located in Treaty Oak Park, on Baylor Street between 5th and 6th Streets, in Austin’s West Line Historic District. Foresters estimate the Treaty Oak to be about 500 years old.

Banyan

Kapok

Photos: Faith Appelquist

Left: iStock.com/obbushphoto. Top: iStock.com/Chanakarn Phinakan

Species: Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) Location: Maui, Hawaii The banyan tree in Lahaina, Maui Hawaii, was planted on April 24, 1873, to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of first American Protestant mission.

The banyan known in Hawaiian as paniana, is located in the Courthouse Square, which was renamed Banyan Tree Park. It is not only the largest banyan in Hawaii, but also in the United States. The tree was a gift from missionaries in India. A mere 8-feet when planted, it has grown to a height of about 60-feet and has rooted into 16 major trunks, apart from the main trunk, with the canopy spread over an area of about 0.66 acres.

Texas Live Oak

june 22 MNLA.BIZ

23

TREES

Southern Live Oak

Species: Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) Location: Charleston, South Carolina Now estimated to be between 900 and 1000 years old, the Middleton Oak is the reigning elder of all the many live oaks (Quercus virginiana) to be found at Middleton Place. An Indian trail marker long before Columbus sailed across the Atlantic, the tree was incorporated into the garden plan executed by Henry Middleton in the 1740s. Surviving innumerable hurricanes and earthquakes, the Middleton Oak could also have been harvested by colonial shipbuilders who sought out live oaks for the natural contours of their sturdy limbs to produce the ribs of ocean-going ships. But the great tree has survived to witness events of the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the evolution of Middleton Place.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Middleton Oak lost three of its huge principal limbs, leaving it as an espaliered backdrop to the neighboring Sundial Garden.

Species: Kauri (Agathis australis) Location: Australia It’s amazing to think that this majestic Queensland Kauri (pronounced “Ko-ree”) stood here long before the first Europeans set eyes on Australia. At more than 400 years old, this rainforest icon has adapted to thrive in its competitive rainforest environment. Known as an ‘emergent’ species, the Queensland Kauri grows tall and fast, punching through the rainforest canopy where it spreads out like an umbrella and blocks the sunlight reaching those plants below it. With no low branches and a smooth self-shedding bark, it prevents the likes of vines and other plants from growing up it and competing for light. With the origins of these trees dating back 200 million years, its an adaptation that has served them very well.

Tree Icon. iStock.com/Chanakarn Phinakan. Photos: Faith Appelquist.

Kauri

Species: Elm (Ulmus americana) Location: Washington D.C. This American elm is one of the oldest and most majestic trees on the Smithsonian grounds. It was planted around 1850, well before the opening of the National Museum of Natural History in 1910. Known as the Smithsonian Witness elm, this tree has seen many momentous events pass between the White House and U.S. Capitol during its lifetime. American elms are native to North America and were planted extensively throughout the United States in the 1700s and 1800s. From the earliest plans of the National Mall, elm trees were the unifying element that linked the parks, avenues and monument grounds. Around 1930, the devastating Dutch Elm Disease was introduced to the U.S. killing millions of elms throughout the country.

Trunk circumference: 17.75 feet; crown spread: 116.5 feet; height: 80 feet.

Elm

Species: Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) Location: New Orleans, Louisiana The Tree of Life or, the Etienne de Boré Oak, was named after the city’s first mayor, Jean Etienne de Boré. Boré is credited with developing the process of making granulated sugar in Louisiana on his sugarcane plantation. The tree resided on his property. Today, the tree is assumed to be around 300 years old. Some records say it was planted around 1740 and is almost as old as the city of New Orleans itself.

The tree now lives in Audubon Park in the heart of the city and shares a fence with the Audubon Zoo. The trunk, 35 feet in circumference, is rooted into the ground and sprawled with bumps. Right beside its enormous base is a piece of wood that reads “Enjoy My Shade! Don’t Trash My Roots.”

Southern Live Oak ➽ FAITH APPELQUIST is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, an ISA Municipal Specialist MN, and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist®. Faith can be reached at faith@treequality.com.

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MNLA.BIZ june 22

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COLD-HARDY

COLOR

By Jane Beggs-Joles and Natalie Carmolli, Spring Meadow Nursery All photos courtesy of Spring Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners® ColorChoice®

Scentara® Double Blue Syringa x hyacinthiflora

Bloomerang® Dwarf Purple Syringa x

*Sonic Bloom® Weigela florida

Designing color into cold-climate gardens can be challenging; you need plants that will survive harsh winters and a plan for a colorful off-season, i.e., winter. If you’re in a cold USDA zone, you’re going to have an off-season, and it’s probably a long one. Luckily, there are shrubs that don’t just tolerate the cold, they prefer it!

mildew and are hardy down to USDA zone 2.

Reblooming versions of familiar plants are a good addition to any landscape palette. Plants that flower on new wood as well as old, provide a second opportunity for color in the landscape. But we’re all familiar with plants that grow happily in cold climates, yet don’t flower. A late winter warm-up followed by a plunge in temperatures can damage newly emerging flower buds. The breeding team at Spring Meadow is working hard to address that.

We frequently get questions from people who have moved south and wonder why they can’t find lilacs. Syringa likes the cold and needs winter chilling to flower in spring. Lilacs will grow well in colder zones and old-fashioned varieties will grow to a whopping 12-15’, making them ideal for a stunning specimen plant.

Dwarf cultivars like Baby Kim® and Bloomerang® dwarf lilacs are sized perfectly for garden beds. Baby Kim® lilac is an improved version of ‘Miss Kim’ but at 2-3’ is just a third its size, with darker purple blooms that do not fade to white. Bloomerang® Dwarf Purple and Dwarf Pink lilacs measure 2.5-3’ and will flower in summer even if the spring buds are damaged by erratic late-winter weather. Hardy down to USDA zone 3, the Bloomerang® Syringa series blooms in spring, rests briefly, then blooms again in mid-summer.

But in most cases, your landscape design will call for a more compact cultivar.

Scentara® Double Blue Syringa x hyacinthiflora brings that true lilac scent but matures at just 6-8’, about half the size of conventional lilacs. Smaller yet is Scentara Pura®, measuring 4-6’ tall and wide.

Both show good resistance to powdery

Reblooming shrubs that thrive in cold climates are easy to find; there is reblooming Weigela, such as the *Sonic Bloom® series (zone 4), there’s the non-invasive Lo & Behold® series of Buddleia, and there’s the Tuff Stuff® series of bud-hardy Hydrangea serrata, which will very happily bloom away in cooler temps. The latter two are both hardy down to zone 5.

Advances in reblooming hydrangeas are being made in leaps and bounds. For instance, a new addition to the Let’s Dance® series of reblooming hydrangeas, Let’s Dance Can Do!®, is an H. macrophylla/H. serrata hybrid. It maintains the bud hardiness found in mountain hydrangeas while showing off the mophead-type bloom typically seen on a bigleaf hydrangea. But bud hardiness isn’t the only reason this new hydrangea is better suited to blooming in cold climates (down to USDA zone 4). This hydrangea forms old wood buds along the

Tuff Stuff™ Hydrangea serrata

Let’s Dance Can Do!® Hydrangea serrata

Let’s Dance Big Band® Hydrangea macrophylla

All photos courtesy of Spring Meadow Nursery/Proven Winners Color Choice

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Double Play Doozie® Spiraea x

Double Play® Blue Kazoo® Spiraea media

Kodiak Fresh™ Diervilla

entire length of its stems, not just at the tips, so even if it is pruned improperly or zapped by cold, those old wood buds will still bloom.

Cornus stolonifera bring vibrant color that extends into the landscape’s long winter nap. Plus, they’re native and hardy down to USDA zone 2.

When it comes to remontant (reblooming) hydrangeas, dependable early-blooming on old wood followed by a swift and reliable full flush of new-wood blooms is something from which every cold climate landscape can benefit. Keep in mind that

typically aren’t very flashy. Introductions of the native species of Diervilla combine durability and adaptability with colorful foliage. The Kodiak® series has become a very popular choice with its triad of foliage colors, but the soon-to-be-released Kodiak Fresh™ Diervilla takes that color and supercharges it. New growth emerges in tones of orange and red and then matures to chartreuse. As with the entire series, yellow flowers pepper the plant in summer, attracting pollinators. Diervilla is ideal for low-maintenance hedges, foundation plantings, and for incorporating into pollinator and native plant gardens. Although this series can tolerate some shade, when designing with leaf color in mind,

Pinpoint® Chamaecyparis

Soft Serve® Gold Chamaecyparis

Arctic Fire® Red Cornus stolonifera

if the traditional species isn’t hardy in your area, the reblooming one won’t be either.

it’s important to realize that the color will typically be more vibrant in full sun.

ninebark grows in a 3-5’ upright habit, and like Summer Wine®, its deep purple foliage is resistant to powdery mildew, so it stays dark all season.

The new Let’s Dance Big Band® Hydrangea macrophylla also addresses reblooming, with the ability to create new wood flower buds more rapidly than other macs. With a shorter summer season, faster rebloom is a definite asset.

Spirea also has a lot to offer landscapers.

Durable, deer-resistant, with species that are hardy down to zone 3, it’s available in a wide range of colors and sizes. Newer varieties have intense color, including orange or even red spring foliage. Flower color has intensified, too, with some varieties having carmine-red buds and cranberry-red flowers. Double Play Doozie® Japanese spirea is a sterile variety, so it reblooms without shearing, making it an extra attractive choice. Those who want a more subdued color palette will appreciate the cool, blue-green foliage and white flowers of cultivars like Double Play® Blue Kazoo® Spiraea media.

Plant breeders have also recently released colorful new selections of genera that

False cypress also never fails to provide a reliable, deer-resistant, all-season color anchor to landscapes. Choose evergreen cultivars that bring different shades of green to your palette. The Pinpoint® Chamaecyparis series offers cultivars with blue foliage, gold foliage, and one that has yellow-green new growth that accentuates its blue, fern-like foliage. The Pinpoint® series will reach heights of 20’ and are hardy in USDA zones 5-7. For an even hardier selection, Soft Serve® and Soft Serve® Gold false cypress will withstand temps down to -30oF and they’ll mature at just half the height of Pinpoint®, too.

Evergreens are an obvious choice for winter interest, but shrubs with interesting bark like that of bright red and yellow

*Sonic Bloom® is a registered trademark of the Syngenta Group Company

The exfoliating bark of Physocarpus is very appealing, too. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7, Proven Winners® ColorChoice® offers this native beauty with varying foliage colors (purple-black, to copper, to chartreuse) and in multiple sizes. The award-winning 5-8’ Summer Wine® ninebark starts its color story in late spring with white button-like flowers that accent its deep purple foliage. A graceful, arching habit completes the picture. For something a little different, Tiny Wine®

When designing in colder areas, it’s sometimes easy to be discouraged by the long list of plants that aren’t in your growing zone or those that are but don’t perform up to expectations. But don’t dismay! There are many shrubs; old classics as well as new hardier cultivars, that will perform beautifully. When layered and combined for yearlong interest, these selections remind us there are so many things you can grow that bring unique and refreshing color to cold climate gardens and landscapes. And remember, some snowbirds in Florida would love to enjoy the lilacs we take for granted!

For more information visit www.springmeadownursery.com.

Develop the next leader in your business next year with this proven MNLA program!

HOW TO LEVERAGE YOUR INVESTMENT DURING (AND AFTER) THE GILI YEAR The investment of money that GILI requires is substantial (currently $1,400 per student), but so is the time required to make the training truly successful. Ensuring your company receives the full value of the program means giving extra focus and energy into developing your chosen candidate all year. It’s only one year, but it can go by very fast as the intensity of the season hits and more immediate concerns take center stage.

To leverage your investment, the sponsor (the final decision-maker that sends an employee to the Leadership Institute) AND the direct manager (the supervisor who works directly with the employee on a daily basis) play key roles in embedding the employee’s learning curve back into the organization, helping them connect the dots in application, as well as offering them new opportunities to challenge themselves.

These are the best practices we’ve seen and now recommend to all companies who choose to invest in MNLA’s Leadership Institute. Creating accountability by defining roles and responsibilities is key.

1. SPONSOR: Check-in with the student a minimum of three times within the 11-month course.

2. DIRECT MANAGER: Communicate each month with your student about their course learning and project so that the student does not feel they are being left to fend for themselves. These check-ins, if more frequent, do not need to be lengthy. By establishing a touch-base cadence you reinforce new habits and help to connect the dots between the class and their daily work.

SAMPLE 1:1 CHECK-IN SESSION 1. Review the student’s progress in completing the project.

• How well is the project progressing?

• Is it on track or what might be causing the project to be off track?

• How can I support your efforts?

2. Review the student’s progress and attitude toward the course.

• How’s it going? What have you learned?

What are your “take-aways”?

• How can you put the skill or concept learned into practice…apply to your job?

• What are your challenges or concerns with this course?

• Give candid feedback: “Since you’ve started this course, I’ve noticed this about the way you…”

3. BOTH SPONSOR AND DIRECT MANAGER: • Make sure before you sign up that the student feels they can attend the Institute sessions each month and that the work schedule will allow for this. At times, the student may feel obligated to remain at work due to what is happening on the day of a session. Remind them that attendance in the course is important to the company and it’s okay to leave work.

• Offering up your observations (feedback) and asking questions to allow the student to share their progress is especially important. During the course of the 10 sessions, the facilitator will send the sponsor an email with a check-in question that connects to some of the course topics.

A COMPLETE EXPLANATION OF THE VALUE OF GILI IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.MNLA.BIZ/LEADERSHIP. For questions contact Jon Horsman, MNLA Associate Director: 651-633-4987 or jon@mnla.biz.

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Plant of the Month:

LAMPROCAPNOS ‘GOLD HEART’

Matthew Olson

Photos: Matthew Olson

Kohler Co.

Does your client need a perennial that brightens up a shady spot in spring? Look no further

than Lamprocapnos ‘Gold Heart’. This variety of the common bleeding heart was developed over two decades ago but still captures my attention every spring. The uniquely shaped flowers are produced in tight clusters which elongate to form a string of hearts. The flowers are spectacular, but the foliage is the main attraction. Clumps of chartreuse foliage emerge in April, giving way to delicate pink flowers in May. You can’t miss this stunning combination of pink and gold in a shady site.

‘Gold Heart’ quickly grows to 3x3 ft. if given proper site conditions. Bleeding hearts thrive in areas with part to full shade and moist soil.

However, they can tolerate full sun in cooler climates. While they prefer moist soil, they 30

MNLA.BIZ june 22

don’t like having wet feet in winter, so avoid planting them in areas with poor drainage.

This variety of bleeding heart goes dormant later than the species, and sometimes maintains its foliage throughout the summer.

‘Gold Heart’ makes a stunning combination with other spring-blooming perennials, like Brunnera and Bergenia. You can also combine them with hostas, ferns, and shade-loving annuals. ‘Gold Heart’ can be grown in a variety of landscape settings, like woodland gardens and shady borders. The plants can be propagated through division or seed, but division is quicker and more reliable. Pest and disease issues are uncommon, but aphids can be an occasional problem. Root rot can be an issue in areas with poor drainage.

The foliage can be removed if the plant goes

dormant during summer. In cooler climates, the foliage turns yellow in fall, creating an additional source of fall color.

Like the species, ‘Gold Heart’ is low maintenance and durable, lasting many years in the landscape. If you enjoy the chartreuse foliage but want a different flower color, consider growing ‘White gold’ or ‘Ruby Gold’, which offer the same foliage but different flower colors. Few perennials create a major impact in spring, but ‘Gold Heart’ is truly stunning.

➽ Matthew Olson, MNLA-CP is a Horticulturist at the Kohler Co. in Kohler, WI, as well as a freelance garden writer. He can be reached at matt@mattolsonhorticulture.com.

WANT A JUMPSTART ON YOUR LANDSCAPE AWARDS ENTRY? Use our checklist to get organized!

The Landscape Awards Task Team has created a tool to help first-time (or long-time) entrants with submission preparation. Download the Entry Checklist at MNLA.biz/landscapeawards. The checklist enables you to quickly see all you’ll need to gather, helps you double-check for the most common mistakes in an entry, and includes tips from a long-time award-winning entrant:

Judges appreciate photos that show seasonality, construction details that show the quality of the build, and other close-up photos of details of the project, but professional “After” photos are best at showcasing the project. Pair two or three before/after photos from the same angle, if possible. When writing your Project Description consider including an opening statement that grabs the reader’s/judge’s attention so that they want to read on. Include the client’s goals, the functionality of the landscape, the thinking behind your plant choices and hardscape selections, and how you used Best Management Practices in your installation.

Note: To

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The MNLA Landscape Awards Task Team is calling all landscape professionals to participate in the awards program this year. MNLA has so many talented designers and specialists that assist our clients with diverse projects, and we want to see both your technical and aesthetic creativity. We are welcoming installed landscapes of all sizes and types, whether it is a small intimate area or a large opulent space. We appreciate new and innovative concepts and materials, and look forward to how these ideas will spur the imagination!

Did you know?

• A Newcomer of the Year plaque is awarded to the top scoring project from a first-time entrant.

• You get a second chance. If an entry is incomplete or incorrect, entrants have one opportunity to amend their submission and resubmit materials.

DE ADLINE: • The criteria has expanded for plant labeling.

Notable dates: NOV. Planting areas that do not have specific locations 16 Sep. 30: Entry Portal Opens for each plant can be accepted for judging as Nov. 16: Submission Deadline long as a plant list and narrative describing the Nov. 17: Entry Review design intention for that area is provided. This Nov. 18: Notification of necessary entry revision narrative could appear in comments on the Work Nov. 22: Resubmission Deadline Responsibility Chart, in the Photo Descriptions, Nov. 24-30: Judging and/or in the Project Description. This expansion Dec. 5-9: Entry Status Notifications allows for inclusion of designers who follow an intentional process of placing plants onsite.

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023: Green Industry Awards Celebration Questions? Contact Landscape Awards Task Team staff liasion Jon Horsman at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.

Judging Reminders

• The size and cost of a project are not part of the criteria for judging.

• Entries are not judged against each other; rather each entry is evaluated by judges against standards of excellence.

• To ensure objectivity, judges do not know who was involved in a project. While there should be no identifiable people nor company names in the parts of your entry that judges see, products/ manufacturers may be identified as applicable.

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To qualify, vehicles must be used in day-to-day operations of your business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. ©2012 General Motors Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details. Take delivery by 9/30/12. ©2012 General Motors ©2012 General Motors

Business Choice is designed for business owners who rely on their vehicles for their day-to-day operations.

It’s available with eligible Chevrolet vehicles and offers great incentives such as valuable upfit equipment.

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302 302 302

www.jeffbelzerchevy.com Version # 4 Version # 4 Version # 4

Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.inddLinked Graphics Art Director Control Document Name GMC1-12-FCO-03178-302_v4.indd 12KTFLCHEV032.tif Linked GraphicsRGB

Retail Planning Flyer Control Art George Miller •Mechgmiller@jeffbelzer.com Scale 100 8.75” 952-469-7076 x 11.25” Bleed Chevy CopyDirector Writer TBD

RGB

12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB HD CC with Dump_psd.psd Linked GraphicsRGB Control Art Director 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Mech TBD Copy Print Scale Scale 100 12KTFLCHEV032.tif RGB None BusinessCentral_KO.ai ProjWriter Mgr csenn HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB 11CHSL00054.jpg RGB Scale Please 100 GM_business_choice.ai TBD Copy Writer Jeff Belzer Lakeville,Mech MN. call the Commercial Department at 952-469-4444.

Print Scale None BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Stock None HD CC with Dump_psd.psd RGB Acct Mgr Svc kdenmark cube_0758.jpg RGB GM_business_choice.ai Print Scale Trim None 8.5” x 11” BusinessCentral_KO.ai csenn Proj Mgr Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB All Rebates & incentives to dealer, must qualify for same, prices subject to change.

Stock None Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Mgr Svc afinnan cube_0758.jpg RGB Folded Size Prod GM_business_choice.ai RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Stock Live None 8.25” x 10.75” kdenmark Acct Svc cube_0758.jpg RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB Folded Size None afinnan Mgr TBD 1 RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB Finishing Buyer To qualify, vehicles must be None used in day-to-day operations of your business and notArtProd solely for transportation purposes.

Must provide Family_shot cube_exprss_slvrdo_a6.tif RGB Family_Option_a3.tif RGB Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB None Folded Size None afinnan ProdBuyer Mgr TBD RoundStep_3in_Chevy_Silverado.jpg RGB 4320G_cs.tif CMYK Finishing Art Family_Option_a3.tif RGB Colors Spec’d 4C TBD Copy Edit Visit gmbusinesschoice.com or your Chevrolet or GMC dealer for details.

Tonneau_Chevy.jpg RGB 4320Gss.tif CMYK 4320G_cs.tif CMYK Finishing None TBD Art Buyer Colors Spec’d Family_Option_a3.tif RGB 4C TBD 1PROCS.tif CMYK Copy Edit nminieri/pm Mac with Business Central Special Instr.

4320Gss.tif CMYK 4320G_cs.tif CMYK 1PROSS.tif CMYK Colors Spec’d 1PROCS.tif CMYK 4C Business Central TBD CopyMac Edit nminieri/pm Special Instr. with 4320Gss.tif CMYK BasePkg_ss.tif CMYK Publications None 1PROSS.tif CMYK 1PROCS.tif CMYK 12KTFLCHEV021.tif RGB Mac nminieri/pm with Business Central Special Instr. None BasePkg_ss.tif CMYK Publications

CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT

Job Description 8.75” Chevy Retail Planning Flyer 11.25” Bleed Trim 8.5” x x11” 8.75” x 11.25” Chevrolet, 50Bleed & Cedar, Box 965, Trim Live 8.5” 8.25”x x11” 10.75”

Publications None

Colors In-Use Cyan Colors In-Use

Last Modified 4-17-2012 3:37 PM 4-17-2012 3:37 PMDate Last Modified Printer Output 4-17-2012 3:37 PMDate Last Modified TITAN 4-20-2012 1:48 PM Printer Output

User ma-klane User

John Zadurski 952-469-6818 • User jzadurski@jeffbelzer.com 4-20-2012 1:48Date PM Colors In-Use Printer Output

11CHSL00054.jpg

840 ppi 270 ppi 840 ppi 1089ppippi 270 840 ppi 1089 ppi 270 ppi 1089ppi, ppi461 ppi 464 1112 ppi461 ppi 464 ppi, 421 1112ppippi 464 ppi, 419 ppi ppi 461 ppi 421 1112ppi, ppi 844 419 ppi 1708 ppi 421 ppi 1006 ppi,1708 1004ppippi 844 ppi, 419 ppi 1418 ppi, 1004 1482 ppi ppi 1006 ppi, 844ppi, ppi,858 1708ppippi 860 1418 ppi, 1482 ppi 1006ppi, ppi,605 1004 ppi 606 860 ppi, 858 ppi ppi 1418ppi, ppi,820 1482 ppi 821 ppi 606 ppi, 605 ppi 860 ppi, 858 ppi 3169 ppi820 821 ppi, ppi 606 ppi, 2431 ppi 605 ppi 3169 ppi 821 ppi, 820 ppi 2431 ppi 3169 ppi 2431 ppi

1PROSS.tif 12KTFLCHEV033.tif 12KTFLCHEV021.tif BasePkg_ss.tif 12KTFLCHEV033.tif 12KTFLCHEV021.tif 12KTFLCHEV033.tif

CMYK RGB RGB CMYK RGB RGB RGB

Magenta Cyan Yellow Magenta Cyan Black Yellow Magenta Black Yellow Black

proof of business.

ma-klane Mechd By: nminieri ma-klane Mechd By: nminieri

TITANRTVd By: None TITANRTVd By: None

Mechd By: nminieri

RTVd By: None CD/ACD

COPYWRITER

CD/ACD

COPYWRITER

CD/ACD

COPYWRITER

ACCT SERVICE

PROD

4-20-2012 1:48 PM

AD AD

©2022AD General Motors COPY EDIT

BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO ACCT SERVICE PROD COPY EDIT VED THIS WORK.

BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO ACCT SERVICE PROD COPY EDIT VED THIS WORK.

BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO VED THIS WORK.

4-20-2012 1:48 PM4-20-2012 1:48 PM 4-20-2012 1:48 PM

Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job # GMC1-12-03178 Job Description Chevy Retail Planning Flyer JobJob #Description GMC1-12-03178

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Soils lants P Healthy

Produce Thriving

Adele Bedard, Landscape Ontario

RESEARCHERS AT NVK NURSERIES EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF COMPOSTING.

Gilles Lapointe, NVK Nurseries Reprinted from Landscape Trades with permission from Landscape Ontario.

T

Adele Bedard, Landscape Ontario

SOIL

o reach the goal of a healthy plant, it always begins with healthy soil. In nursery production, soil is constantly leaving the field. Just think about it. Every tree harvested takes its root ball of soil off the farm to its new home. After a few cycles, the field is depleted and left with very thin topsoil. This is not a recipe for healthy plants, so what happens then? Fortunately, composting can help!

AS A RESEARCH SCIENTIST WITH NVK NURSERIES, MY FOCUS IS ON PLANT HEALTH.

Composting is probably the first step in sustainability, soil, and plant health. We can think about grandma composting at home or on the farm, and city folks making compost in their turning barrels in their backyards. It seems easy enough.

In my youth, I made compost with mixed results. The pile would grow year after year until we would look at it and say: “Wow! We’ve got good soil in there.” It took a few years, and I didn’t tend to the pile much. But this is not the type of compost I want to talk about.

iStock.com/wichatsurin

Follow the Science There are various types of composting methods, but the key is the way you work the compost. Fortunately, there is a lot of great scientific research we can utilize. American microbiologists Elaine Ingham and David Johnson, adjunct professors for the College of Agriculture at California State University in Chico, Calif., and others are conducting deep scientific research on compost at various universities. They do not just produce compost — they produce a product that holds life in it:

NEWS & NOTES

36

MNLA.BIZ june 22

MNLA Member Services

Are you taking advantage of the vetted industry partnerships that come with your membership? We’re proud to partner with multiple organizations to offer tangible benefits that help you operate your business more successfully!

During your busiest months, your vehicles are putting on the miles, and MNLA has three ways to save on fuel and more.

Circle K & Holiday Stationstores

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microorganisms. They have done the profession a huge service by presenting their findings at a number of conferences and events.

Strike a Balance Composting occurs when billions of microbes decompose the materials we layer in a pile.

These microbes use food sources (carbon and nitrogen) to do their job. And in order for that process to occur, we need to have the right ratio of carbon and nitrogen: about 20–30 carbon for one nitrogen.

Aerobic composting also requires good humidity and airflow within the pile. While there are several types of composting systems, including anaerobic (without oxygen), I will concentrate on the easy system of piling up the material and turning it to bring oxygen to it.

With a quick Google search, we can easily find a rough idea of the carbon or nitrogen content in materials such as straw, manure, wood chips, etc. Remember that all these materials are not equal in their carbon or nitrogen content. Wood chips have an extremely high amount of carbon, so we use

must be paid in full each month. Contact Becky Burton at 919.714.1069 or email bburton@circlek.com.

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iStock.com/mtreasure

less in the pile. We also need nitrogen for the decomposition to happen, with components like grass cuttings, perennial trimmings, or even manure.

It is essential to have the right proportions, because only then will we reach the correct temperatures for decomposition. What you really need are temperatures between 130–160F (55–70C) for at least 15 consecutive days, and to turn the compost about five times. Regular turning ensures oxygen reaches throughout the pile, and that all the material is subjected to high heat. Without high heat, pathogens and weed seeds survive and will eventually be spread throughout our fields. So, reaching the proper heat level throughout the pile is critical.

Patience is a Virtue Composting well takes several weeks. It will enter a heat phase (thermophilic), a cooling phase (mesophilic), and a curing phase. This is essential in order to obtain the correct proportion of microorganisms in the compost. If the compost is used too early (still in the mesophilic or thermophilic phase), it may very well be toxic. Also, it will contain mostly bacteria, which is not what we are looking for.

During decomposition, the bacteria use nitrogen to decompose. If we put this “green” compost at the foot of

Andrew Weis with questions or to apply (do not apply online): 608-791-7348 or email aweis@kwiktrip.com.

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Feeling the Heat The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced a new "national emphasis program" for heat illness in outdoor and indoor occupations in targeted industries.

This means that OSHA can now launch heat-related

plants, we can easily understand that plants will not grow well. The microbes will be scavenging all the nitrogen around (they are more efficient than the plants at picking up nitrogen) in order to decompose the carbon material.

So, let’s cure our compost!

During the curing phase, the compost switches the balance from bacteria to fungi. We need more fungi compared to bacteria. The fungi are made up of hyphae, which look like rapidly growing long roots. They are also efficient at creating a network in the soil to fetch nutrients for the tree roots. It has also been shown that some fungal species help trees communicate together through their roots (check out Dr. Suzanne Simard’s work at the University of British Columbia). It is truly fascinating.

Lessons Learned Composting is not so easy to do after all. At NVK Nurseries in Dundas, Ontario, we set up a trial from June 2020 through June 2021. Yes, it may take that long to produce a healthy compost! Of course, we can use the compost earlier, but through analysis done during production, we discovered a few things: 1. Compost is not really a fertilizer per se. Its nutrient content is rather marginal for plant growth.

2. The organic matter in it at the end of the curing

inspections on high-risk worksites before workers suffer preventable injuries, illnesses, or fatalities.

Agriculture and landscaping are both included in the list of targeted industries.

This is in addition to expected future regulation relating to heat illness.

june 22 MNLA.BIZ

37

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SOIL

Adele Bedard, Landscape Ontario

Figure 1

Figure 2

phase totally depends on the initial inputs and how well the degradation process happens.

3. The microorganisms present and changing during the composting phases are extremely important and need to be monitored closely.

4. We can also successfully compost growing media from dead plants, with good heat during the thermophilic phase.

Under the Microscope It is important to also realize the chemical and physical laboratory analyses do not give a complete picture of the composts. At NVK Nurseries, we have tested our compost with general laboratory analyses (the large Solvita® analysis) and lately, I have been checking the curing material under a microscope for microorganism evaluation. All of these tests have shown us that while it is good to get the general lab analyses in order to get an idea of what is in the compost, we must also analyze the microorganisms present.

At the end of the curing phase, we need the right microbes: a higher balance of fungus to bacteria. These microorganisms are the ones in charge of feeding the plants through interaction with the roots. Without them, our soils are depleted. If we kept adding more synthetic fertilizers, we could destroy present microorganisms and our plants could become ill. If we then looked to pesticides for

a solution, our yields could decrease. I have seen this cycle going on for quite a few years on many farms and gardens around us. It is not sustainable.

At a recent Soil Regen Summit, it was said that “everything (i.e., nutrients) is present in the soil already.” Our job is to help plants access those nutrients. This is done through microorganisms. But microorganisms also need organic matter to feed on, and plant roots to interact with. This is a complete system.

So now that we understand what composting is, we know we will need to tweak things down the road so please, buy a microscope!

They are actually much cheaper than you think, and your kids can probably help you figure out how to use them. Once we have healthy compost, we can use it in our fields and in our container production. Control your moisture and temperature well and it can be weed-free.

Time for Tea The next thing that good quality compost can be used for is making compost tea. It is not voodoo science, but rather quite technical.

Use the right amount in non-chlorinated water, add oxygen and foods for growing specific microbes, and voilà! 24 to 48 hours later the tea is ready to be used.

Figure 1 shows a simple setup for making tea in a drum. Growing the proper microorganisms is the key. During the brewing

period, the microbes increase in numbers, so you must be sure to use only healthy, pathogen-free compost.

The compost teas can be diluted and sprayed on fields in order to increase the number of microbes working and feeding the plants. Also, this tea can readily be used as a spray on plant leaves. We did a preliminary trial last year (see Figure 2) and observed a great difference between the treated plants and the non-treated plants. We also conducted an experiment on eight newly planted maple trees: four were left as controls, and four were watered twice with a compost tea produced on-site. During the summer drought, the four treated trees were all saved and had leaves greener and larger than the four control trees. Two of the control trees also had their leaves dry out and they produced a very thin canopy.

The main take-home message of my article is to not forget microorganisms, they are the key to life! Let’s produce quality compost and take our time to let it mature. It will be more sustainable that way!

➽ GILLES LAPOINTE is a production advisor, and in-house scientist at NVK Nurseries in Dundas, Ontario. Gilles holds a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph in molecular biology and genetics. He can be reached at gilles@nvknurseries.com. june 22 MNLA.BIZ

39

LEGAL ISSUES

Federal Workplace Posters Anna Schwering

You have probably received an email, direct mailing, or phone call telling you that

Zlimen & McGuiness,

“Labor Law posting notices are always changing” or something similar. These

PLLC

solicitations attempt to scare you into purchasing “the complete set” of posters from

iStock.com/ablokhin

their company so you will be in compliance.

Should you purchase posters from these companies? That is up to you, but before you do, please read the rest of this short article.

Why so many posters?

Historically, workers and employees have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous business owners and managers. Sometimes, the legislature’s response to this has been to require that posters be posted in a conspicuous place at the workplace so workers can be informed of their rights.

Both the state of Minnesota and the federal government have requirements for what posters must be displayed.

This month I am covering the Federal Poster Requirements.

What follows is a helpful table from the U.S. Department of Labor, listing information about federal posters and requirements. It is available online at: Workplace Posters | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Keep in mind, there are also additional posters and requirements for businesses that do work for the federal government and other governmental entities. Take time to look at the Department of Labor’s website to find out if those posters may apply to your business.

Where to Get Posters Sure, you could pay $50 to $100 to purchase all of the required posters in one package. Hopefully the posters will have the correct information and you will be all set.

Alternatively, you could save a bunch of money by getting the required posters from the Department of Labor for FREE!. Simply print or download them from: dol.gov/ general/topics/posters.

Please keep in mind that this article only covers the required Federal posters and not any state posters.

➽ THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES GENERAL INFORMATION on employment law matters and should not be relied upon as legal advice. A qualified attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given. Anna Schwering is a Paralegal at Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC, and a graduate of the Mitchell Hamline Paralegal Certificate Program. If you would like more information regarding employment law or other legal matters, please contact Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-331-6500 or www.zmattorneys.com 40

MNLA.BIZ june 22

FEDERAL POSTER REQUIREMENTS:

“

…SAVE A BUNCH OF MONEY BY GETTING THE REQUIRED POSTERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR FREE! SIMPLY PRINT OR DOWNLOAD THEM FROM: dol.gov/general/topics/posters.

”

POSTER

WHO MUST POST IT?

PENALTIES?

OTHER INFO

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Every private, federal, state, and local government employer employing any employee subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act 29 USC 211, 29 CFR 516.4 posting of notices.

No citations or penalties for failure to post.

Any employer of employees to whom sec. 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act does not apply may alter or modify the poster legibly to show that the overtime provisions do not apply.

Occupational Safety and

Private employers engaged in business affecting commerce. Does not apply to federal, state or political subdivisions of states.

Any covered employer failing to post the poster may be subject to citation and penalty.

Employers in states operating OSHAapproved state plans should obtain and post the state’s equivalent poster.

Public agencies (including state, local, and federal employers), public and private elementary and secondary schools, as well as private sector employer who employs 50 or more employees in 20 or more work weeks and who are engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce, including joint employers and successors of covered employers.

Willful refusal to post may result in a civil money penalty by the Wage and Hour Division not to exceed $100 for each separate offense.

Where an employer’s workforce is not proficient in English, the employer must provide notice in the language the employee speaks. The poster must be posted prominently where it can be readily seen by employees and applicants for employment.

Entities holding federal contract or subcontracts or federally assisted construction contracts of more than $10,000; financial institutions which are issuing and paying agents for U.S. savings bonds and savings notes, depositories of federal funds or entities having government bills of lading.

Appropriate contract sanctions may be imposed for uncorrected violations.

Post copies of the poster, supplement, and provision in conspicuous places available to employees, applicants for employment, and send to representatives of labor organizations with which there is a collective bargaining agreement.

Agricultural employers, agricultural associations, and farm labor contractors subject to the MSPA and who employs migrant or seasonal agricultural worker(s).

A civil money penalty may be assessed.

Each employer covered by the Act who provides housing to migrant agricultural workers shall post in a conspicuous place, throughout the occupancy period, information on the terms and conditions of occupancy of such housing.

Any employer engaged in or affecting commerce or in the production of goods for commerce. Does not apply to federal, state and local governments, or to circumstances covered by the national defense and security exemption.

The Secretary of Labor can bring court actions and assess civil penalties for failing to post.

The Act extends to all employees or prospective employees regardless of their citizenship. Foreign corporations operating in the US must comply or will result in penalties for failing to post. The poster must be displayed where employees and applicants for employment can readily observe it.

Health Administration (OSHA)

Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) EEO is the Law Poster Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA)

Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

june 22 MNLA.BIZ

41

EAB History of

IN MINNESOTA, NEIGHBORING STATES, AND CANADIAN PROVINCES Jim Calkins

iStock.com/WestermannCreative

MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager

A Deeper Shade of Green Local Genetic Origins

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EAB

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IN THE UNITED STATES, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT SEVEN BILLION TREES ARE THREATENED; IN SOME MUNICIPALITIES, AS MUCH AS 35% OF THE TREE CANOPY IS THREATENED BY THIS PERNICIOUS PEST.

EAB Arrival Native to east-central Asia, the emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis), classified in the taxonomic order Coleoptera (beetles) and the family Buprestidae (metallic woodboring beetles; also called jewel beetles and flat-headed borers), was first documented in North America in 2002. Found in the Detroit area of southeastern Michigan and across the border by the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario, Canada the EAB has since spread to 35 states in the Eastern, Midwestern, and Mountain regions of the United States and the southern portions of five Canadian provinces (Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec). In the United States, it is estimated that seven billion trees are threatened; in some municipalities, as much as 35% of the tree canopy is threatened by this pernicious pest. EAB is capable of attacking healthy trees, and hundreds of millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) have already been killed in infested areas. All three species of ash that are native to the Upper Midwest are susceptible to attack including white ash (Fraxinus americana), black ash (Fraxinus nigra; most common in northern Minnesota and the most numerous species in the state), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica; also

called red ash; the most widely distributed species in the state and the most commonly planted species in designed landscapes).

Based on the historical progression of the EAB epidemic, 99% of ash trees in infested areas will ultimately be killed by this devastating insect. As a result, it is estimated that as many as one billion ash trees could be at risk in the state of Minnesota alone.

EAB in Minnesota EAB was first documented in Minnesota in Ramsey County around 13 years ago in May 2009 and was also confirmed in Hennepin and Houston Counties the same year. All three counties were subsequently quarantined by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Winona County was added to the list of quarantined counties in 2011.

Since then, the destructive, non-native emerald ash borer beetle has continued to spread to new areas. As of May 2022, 34 of Minnesota’s 87 counties (39%) are currently subject to complete or partial quarantines to prevent the spread of emerald ash borer in the state.

Originally, the quarantine in St. Louis County was limited to Park Point in the city of Duluth but was subsequently expanded to include the southeastern portion of the

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county, including the entirety of Duluth, in response to additional EAB finds. The remainder and vast majority of St. Louis County (by far the largest county in the state) is not currently under quarantine. EAB is also present across the border in Superior, Wisconsin (Douglas County), where a quarantine went into effect in 2013. Although the infestations in Duluth, MN, and Superior, WI, are in areas where winter temperatures tend to be moderated by Lake Superior, these infestations are close to the larger populations of ash trees in the colder, more forested areas of both states. Depending on winter temperatures, we may soon learn whether these infestations are able to expand and have a significant effect on ash trees in the adjacent areas. Laboratory studies in colder areas have suggested EAB populations may not be able to reach tree-killing levels as a result of the winter temperatures that are typically experienced in these regions. With the exceptions of the finds in the city of Duluth and Brown, Cottonwood, Martin, Nobles, and Redwood counties in southwestern Minnesota, the current EAB infestations in Minnesota are limited to the core of the Twin Cities metropolitan area and the southeastern quadrant of the state. june 22 MNLA.BIZ

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EAB

Gaining Ground The spread of EAB in Minnesota has been slower than what has been experienced in other states. However, this trend may be changing as dead and dying ash trees are becoming commonplace in areas surrounding the first EAB infestation near the Minnesota State Fair Grounds. Although the spread of EAB and the number of trees that have been lost in Minnesota have historically been atypical compared to other states, it appears EAB has spread quicker in Minnesota in recent years. Beginning with the first EAB finds in Minnesota in 2009, six counties were quarantined during the first six years of the Minnesota invasion (2009–2014). Quarantines were implemented in another 19 counties during the next six years (2015–2020) and another nine counties since then (2021–March 2022; 15 months). Whether additional new infestations will be found this year and whether the increase in finds realized in recent years will continue remains to be seen.

Supercooling Larvae It has been suggested that subzero winter temperatures (-20 to -30ºF or colder) may kill 70-80% or more of the overwintering EAB larvae in the colder areas of the state and slow the spread of EAB. Research indicates that acclimated EAB larvae can supercool (avoid freezing at temperatures below freezing) and avoid being killed by exposure to freezing temperatures until temperatures reach -9.4 to -23°F. This information is based on research and observation including the results of a U.S. Forest Service study that reported an average supercooling point of -13°F for overwintering EAB larvae and predicts 5% larval mortality at 0°F, 34% at -10°F, 79% at -20°F, and 98% at -30°F (https://bit.ly/3wFurkC). In the longer term, the implications of these temperature/population dynamics are unknown.

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EAB Across North America As previously mentioned, emerald ash borer is also present in Wisconsin where it was first documented in 2008 (one year earlier than in Minnesota) and although EAB has not been documented in every county, the entire state of Wisconsin was placed under quarantine in March 2018. EAB currently infests 90% of Iowa’s counties — 89 of 99 counties — with the most significant infestations located mainly in eastern and southern counties; the entire state of Iowa was quarantined in 2014 after EAB was first documented in 2010. EAB has also been found in a few counties in east-central Nebraska (first documented in 2016), and in southeastern South Dakota (first documented in Sioux Falls in 2018) but has not yet been found in North Dakota. The South Dakota and Nebraska infestations, plus a small number of counties just across the state borders in eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and an isolated infestation in Boulder County, Colorado, are currently the western-most infestations in North America. With the exceptions of Florida and Mississippi, EAB has been found in the remaining states east of the western invasion front. In Canada, the EAB infestation is currently limited to extreme south-central Quebec, southeastern Ontario, and isolated infestations in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the cities of Edmundston and Oromocto in New Brunswick, the city of Halifax in south-central Nova Scotia, and in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The introduction of EAB in North America, which likely occurred in the early 1990s, was a human-mediated event and, more recently, the long-distance and initially-isolated infestations of EAB in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, the Duluth/Superior area, Rhinelander (WI), Thunder Bay (Ontario, Canada), Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada), the Kansas City (MO/KS) metropolitan area, the southwestern Arkansas/northern Louisiana/

northeast Texas region, Boulder County (CO), and Sioux Falls (SD) were also almost certainly human-mediated introductions.

Along with other control efforts, we must be constantly diligent and take great care to avoid moving EAB-infested materials, including firewood, to non-infested areas to slow the spread of this devastating insect pest.

Although the presence of EAB in 63 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties (about 87%) is a depressing statistic, it is important to note that, except for areas in the far southeastern corner of the state and a few counties bordering Minnesota in the southwestern part of the state, most of Wisconsin (approximately 80%) remains EAB-free. Most recently, however, EAB has been documented in a growing number of northern counties including Bayfield and Lincoln County in 2022, Barron, Iron, and Langlade County in 2021, and Florence, Price, Dunn, Oconto, Pepin, and Shawano County in 2020. The situation in Minnesota is even better where only 32 of the state’s 87 counties (about 37%), almost exclusively located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and southeastern Minnesota, and several counties along the Iowa border (Cottonwood, Martin, and Nobles), are currently under full or partial quarantine in an attempt to slow the spread of EAB in the state. The reality is that most of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and all of North Dakota, remain EABfree based on the actual land area affected instead of the number of counties where EAB has been found and preventing the spread of EAB to new areas should remain a top priority.

Saving Healthy Trees As nursery and landscape professionals know, EAB poses a serious threat to untreated ash trees growing in designed landscapes and in native ecosystems across the state.

MNLA members, especially those that do business in quarantined areas and across state

lines, should stay informed about additions to state EAB quarantined areas and changes in quarantine requirements. Nursery and landscape firms should also continue to educate their customers about the threat of EAB and how to manage and prevent the spread of this insect, including the treatment of valuable ash trees in residential and commercial landscapes. Treating healthy ash trees has been shown to be a highly effective means of protecting valuable ash trees from attack by EAB in landscape settings. Minnesota nurseries and garden centers are also important sources of information for the public on site-specific plant selection and providers of the landscape trees and plants that can provide the increased diversity needed to reduce the impacts of the growing list of invasive insects and diseases that threaten designed landscapes in Minnesota and beyond.

Deregulated Federal Quarantines Nationally, emerald ash borer has been documented in 35 states. Consequently, EAB was deregulated at the federal level on January 14, 2021, when the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) eliminated the federal EAB quarantine, eliminating federal regulations on the movement of materials that could harbor EAB between states. Federal resources are still being used for managing EAB including biocontrol using three species of parasitic, stingless wasps (Oobius agrili, Spathius galinae, and Tetrastichus planipennisi; Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae, Braconidae, and Eulophidae, respectfully) that are natural enemies of EAB that have been approved for release in the United States. All three species are host-specific parasitoids that attack EAB eggs (Obius agilli) or larvae (Spathius galinae and Tetrastichus planipennis). In anticipation of the deregulation of EAB at the federal level, the MDA developed a modified version of the Minnesota quarantine with the goal of filling the gaps that would result if the federal quarantine was eliminated and these regulations were implemented when EAB was deregulated at the federal level with cooperation from USDA APHIS. At the time, the MNLA commented on the proposed changes to the state EAB quarantine and expressed support for continuing the state quarantine and the MDA’s other EAB management efforts.

➽ JIM CALKINS can be reached at jim@

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Tree Planting Prioritized at the Minnesota Capitol Forrest Cyr

MNLA Director of Government Affairs

During the 2022 legislative session, many of the legislative priorities for MNLA were tackled, including irrigation backflow reform, construction liability reform, and salt use reduction.

Additionally, MNLA weighed in on important issues such

as landscape sales and use tax reform and money for environmental research and investment. Each year, our colleagues in the environmental committees in the Minnesota House and Senate consider various policy and finance provisions with direct implications for the green industry in Minnesota. One such perennial issue is the purchase and planting of trees throughout Minnesota and how best to secure enough trees to satisfy the demand by local cities, counties, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and to ensure that we plant the right trees.

The Minnesota House of Representatives Environment Committee and Senate leaders have worked with stakeholders to include funding for tree planting and replacement statewide, both for trees lost to Emerald Ash Borer and to the extreme drought conditions throughout Minnesota in the summer and fall of 2021. (MNLA also produced a drought document to guide policymakers; check it out on MNLA.biz.) These proposals are sweeping, providing $11 million in grants to local communities to purchase replacement tree stock. MNLA supports these proposals and paying attention to the details is vital to passing laws and funding that make a difference.

For example, in HF4492, the House Environmental omnibus finance and policy bill, $11 million is provided “for grants to local units of government to replace trees removed to address emerald ash borer.” The original language required these trees to be native Minnesota species. Working with the bill’s authors, MNLA helped amend the language to instead read: “Money appropriated in this paragraph may be used to acquire and plant trees

that are climate adaptive to Minnesota.” This language better suits the needs of Minnesota’s communities going forward and encourages communities to plant diverse species that are suited to Minnesota’s microclimates.

During the 2022 session, MNLA members testified on this topic in both the House and the Senate, including MNLA Government Affairs Committee member Gail Nozal of Davey Resource Group.

Other issues arise at the prospect of such a large state investment in tree planting. With materials and labor costs increasing, the supply of trees has become a focal point for both regulatory and legislative entities. With any massive spending plan from state authorities, the ability to procure needed materials for these projects is vital.

With trees, MNLA seeks to have Minnesota’s private nurseries be the primary beneficiaries of such spending, rather than the state nursery or those in other states.

As we move into summer and prepare for the legislative session in 2023, MNLA continues to partner with other environmental stakeholders to encourage the contracting agencies, including the DNR, to heed industry input that current state contracting practices discourage Minnesota’s nurseries from bidding for state contracts due to lack of certainty. We can find a way to both benefit the environment and Minnesota’s fantastic nursery businesses. Member input is essential to this effort!

➽ If you have concerns about government affairs, pending legislation, or laws and regulations that affect your business, contact me at forrest@mnla.biz, or 651-633-4987. june 22 MNLA.BIZ

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Multi-Location Marketing Strategy for Landscaping and Lawn Care Businesses Lindsey Getz

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Landscape Leadership

MARKETING

IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL SHARE ADVICE FROM LAWN AND LANDSCAPE COMPANIES ON CREATING AND ADHERING TO A MULTI-LOCATION MARKETING STRATEGY — AS WELL AS OUR OWN EXPERTISE AND HOW WE’VE GUIDED THESE COMPANIES IN THIS PROCESS. Developing an effective marketing strategy that helps your company connect

with prospects in a meaningful way can be challenging enough on its own. But when you add in a vision to grow your landscaping or lawn care business into multiple locations, it can become downright daunting.

For many, the fear is that your messaging will become diluted as it spreads. How can you ensure that you’re able to achieve optimal coverage with consistency—plus effectively use your budget to market all locations?

We understand how challenging it can become to feel that you’re maintaining consistency and implementing highly effective marketing strategies as your business grows. Everything from budgets to brand guidelines to the need for additional technology and people can seem to muddy the waters. However, it really doesn’t have to be as overwhelming or stressful as it feels. With the right multi-location marketing strategy for your landscaping or lawn care business, you can approach your growth with confidence that everything is under control.

In fact, there are a lot of lawn and landscaping companies that are already effectively doing this. Landscape Leadership has worked with some of the largest multi-location companies in the country — and we spoke with them for this article, asking them to share some of their best advice. On the commercial side, that includes Level Green Landscaping with five branches in Maryland and Virginia; as well as Yellowstone Landscape, which is headquartered in Bunnell, Florida with 40+ locations around the country. On the residential side, we spoke to Joshua Tree Experts, which currently has two Pennsylvania locations and is poised for more locations in the next year.

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In this article, we’ll share the advice from these companies on creating and adhering to a multi-location marketing strategy—as well as our own expertise and how we’ve guided these companies in this process.

It Starts with a Plan Let’s take a look at what a solid multi-location marketing strategy should cover for a lawn and landscape industry company and how some of our clients have gotten the most out of theirs.

A Unique Location Page on Your Company Website It’s important to have a unique page on your website for each location.

Let’s look at Joshua Tree Experts as an example. They have a Service Area page, but then they also have a unique page for each of their locations: Lehigh Valley and Buxmont. In order for these website pages to perform and rank well, you can’t just copy and paste the same information onto each.

These pages should be unique and as “hyper-local” as possible.

That’s why the Lehigh Valley page, for instance, has an opening photo that shows the SteelStacks in the background as this is a prominent Lehigh Valley location that most local people know. Other relevant content beyond photos would be linking a few localized blog articles to this specific location page. It goes a step further in making it a valuable experience for the visitors.

Of course, these location pages can become more difficult as you grow larger. Yellowstone Landscape is a national company, so they approach their location pages a bit differently. Rather than every branch having its own unique page, they utilize landing pages for each geographic area, such as Albuquerque, NM or Houston, TX. Then, the branches are listed for each geographic area.

“These geographic pages definitely need to be very localized,” says Joseph Barnes, Director of Marketing for Yellowstone. “When a prospective client from New Mexico wants to see the type of landscaping we do, they don’t want to see a lush, green, tropical resort in Florida.

That immediately creates the mindset that this isn’t a company that

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The first part of June you should receive an email with information about renewing your 2022–2023 MNLA membership. If you renew your membership online by July 31, you will be entered in a drawing for $150 CASH! (This does not apply to delayed payment option.)

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understands my region.” The geographic landing pages also feature local projects where visitors can click and read a case study. “These location pages do a really good job of showing off the type of work we do in each region,” Barnes continues. “When our salespeople send out a link to our website, they are not linking the homepage, they are linking to these specific location pages.”

Create a Unique Google My Business Listing for Each Location Another critical aspect of successful multi-location marketing for your landscaping or lawn care business is paying close attention to Google My Business (GMB). We all know Google basically runs the local SEO show and if you aren’t paying attention to your GMB page, you’re missing a critical opportunity. You need to set up each GMB page with a unique street address and phone number (even if, on the back end, it ultimately rings back to a main location). Of course, some challenges can arise with this goal, which is why it can be helpful to have a marketing agency partner helping you.

Michael Mayberry, Chief Technology Officer for Level Green Landscaping, says they experienced some issues with Google contesting their locations—in one case because they didn’t have a mailbox. “Landscape Leadership was an enormous help to us in making sure our locations were verified with Google,” Mayberry recalls. “They got it all worked out for us.” You will need to have a physical mailbox to which you can receive mail and it helps to have signage that is visible from the road, as well. Google will sometimes review street views when verifying your location.

Finally, another GMB best practice for multi-location businesses is to link each individual GMB listing to its unique, corresponding location page on your company website rather than linking all of your GMB listings to your website’s homepage.

Use a Service Like Moz Local to Maintain Consistency Software will also be incredibly helpful when setting up your GMB page and automatically syncing your company information with popular business directories (SuperPages, YP.com, Hotfrog, etc, etc). We personally like Moz Local and use it with all of our lawn and landscape industry clients. Consistency across numerous online directories is an important local ranking factor but can be challenging to stay on top of everywhere that your location is listed without some extra support from a tool like Moz Local.

Creating Marketing Assets Unique to Each Location One of the challenges, but necessities as a company grows into new locations, is to continue to create marketing assets that are unique to that location. This would include videos, images, case studies, blog content, customer testimonials, and more. “If you don’t have these assets, you’re just not going to get noticed in that market,” says Level Green’s Mayberry. “Along with that, those assets need to be able to connect to the prospects you’re trying to reach in that new market.”

Mayberry says a perfect example has been their expansion into Northern Virginia, where data centers are “popping up like McDonald’s.” But Mayberry says that marketing to a data center is much different than marketing to an office space, as they frequently focus on in other areas. “But if you miss the mark on what that client is looking for, you’re going to miss out on that entire vertical,” Mayberry says.

“That’s where Landscape Leadership has been a real partner to us, helping us to determine what content is going to connect best with our

prospects as well as what keywords are going to bring traffic to that content.”

These assets are also a crucial part of local marketing strategies for multi-location businesses in that they help even the largest companies to show how they are connected to a local area. “Photography and video have been absolutely key for us,” says Yellowstone’s Barnes.

“Even for our clients who are interested in our national footprint and the work that we can do for national accounts want to be able to see that we do really good work in multiple places.” Of course, Barnes says they also have prospects who are incredibly hyper-local and only really care about the branch that will be servicing them. “It has been our challenge that we must take both a micro and macro-approach,” Barnes says. “It’s a delicate balance in figuring out what the prospect cares about but we are focused on marketing ourselves as both a really large company, which has benefits that comes with that, as well as a very localized company that is very committed and connected to the markets that we’re in. Our marketing assets touch both of these and our sales team is selective about what to share with the prospect.”

Generate Customer Reviews for Each Location Another key part of a multi-location marketing strategy is to put in the effort to generate reviews for your landscaping or lawn care company. “Personally, I look at reviews all of the time no matter what I’m researching whether it be a tool, a vehicle, or a restaurant,” says Joshua Malik, owner of Joshua Tree Experts. “Great customer reviews

june 22 MNLA.BIZ

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MARKETING

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IT’S A TIME WHEN EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH GROWERS IS GOING TO BE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR PLANT BUYERS, WHETHER THEY ARE RETAILERS, LANDSCAPERS OR OTHER.

are a must-have for us not only for reaching prospective clients in a new area but also prospective hires. People want to work for a five-star company, not a three-star one. These customer reviews help build your company’s authority, even if you’re new to the area so it’s important to get them early on.”

Another best practice: Be sure to generate customer reviews for each of your GMB listings. If your company has five locations, each with a unique GMB listing, then you should solicit customer reviews across all five listings.

Have a Paid Search Budget for Each Location In terms of your marketing budget, we recommend having separate budgets for each of your locations. You will likely need to allocate more dollars to marketing a new location and if it’s all grouped into one budget, you could eat up the whole budget with just one location.

Even though you’ll need to spend more in a new market, you don’t want to ignore locations where you are already established. This approach translates to your paid search campaigns as well (i.e.- Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc). Each location should have its own, unique paid search campaign along with its own budget.

Don’t be afraid to go “offline.” Joshua Tree’s Malik says that they aggressively went after their new Buxmont location, creating a presence there before even officially opening. That included trying new marketing approaches they’d never used before. “We learned that billboards are more of a branding tool than a call-to-action tactic, but that was important since we were new to the area,” Malik says. “People didn’t know who we were yet. So, that was one way to establish our name in the area.” Malik adds that they also invested in lots of door-hanging, attending events, postcard mailers, and wrapping vehicles that would be driving through the area. “We started marketing in December but didn’t actually open until March, so we were really focused on creating a presence early on,” he explains.

Localize Your Email Marketing Finally, when it comes to utilizing email in your digital marketing 56

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strategy for a multi-location business, you want to make sure that your emails are targeted to prospects and customers in one specific location. Even if you have a more general email that applies to everyone, make sure that the phone numbers are localized and that any hyperlinks included are sending people to local pages. This is especially important if you are promoting different seasonal offers in different locations.

Overcoming Challenges when Marketing for Multi-Location Businesses We know this sounds like a lot. But by creating a strategic plan and having a marketing partner who can help execute it for you, it’s absolutely achievable. Malik says that maintaining consistency within multi-location marketing is imperative as a company cannot lose its brand identity in the process. “Our messaging, our look, our logo—it’s all consistent, even as we grow,” he continues. “That doesn’t mean we might not make tweaks to reach a new audience of prospects, but ultimately, who we are is the same.”

Mayberry agrees, “Making sure that your brand story and assets are cohesive, regardless of location, is critical,” he urges. “We know that when we enter a new market, we’re not going to be well-known there. But we’ve already created formulas that work and we stay true to our brand.” He adds that at the end of the day, local marketing strategies for multi-location businesses are partially “replicating what you already know works” while giving attention to anything that might be unique to that market. “This is where a marketing partner is so incredibly valuable,” he says. “Those slight changes in the market are not always apparent as we’re busy doing the landscaping work. A marketing partner can dig into what the prospects in that market are really looking for.”

Mayberry sums up: “Though it might feel like it at first, it really doesn’t have to be complicated and stressful. If you have a marketing partner on your side, you can attack your growth with a tried-and-true strategy that works.” ➽ LINDSEY GETZ is a writer for Landscape Leadership.

MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS

CHS Field: 3 6 0 N B r o a d w a y S t , S t P a u l , M N 5 5 1 0 1

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Pre-game meal at 5:30pm; Game starts at 7:00pm Take a break from your busy season to enjoy a game at beautiful CHS Field. We've reserved space for our group in the Craft Beer Corner. We'll gather there to enjoy a pre-game picnic dinner. At 7:00pm, we'll move to outfield reserved seats to enjoy the game. Register Reserved box for registered attendees. now, this event sells out fast!

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Visit www.MNLA.biz/events for more information and to buy your tickets!

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Commercial Yard Waste Drop-Off

We’ll take your yard waste off your hands and turn it into compost and other rich soil amendments.

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Engineered Wood Fiber/ Playground Wood Chips Natural and Colored Mulch Bagged Compost Athletic Field and Golf Course Top Dressing

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952.233.9191 • Shakopee, MN

FOUNDATION

2022 OUTREACH activities & programs

Career Fairs For the past year, career fairs have nearly all been online. We are excited that this year that changed and we were able to get in front of hundreds of students to show them the wide variety of green industry jobs. Since January, we attended the Minnesota FFA State Convention, Forest Lake Ag Day, and many other high school agriculture career fairs. The students loved planting seeds and learning about industry careers. Thank you to our donors, BFG Supply Co., Carlin Horticulture Supply, Bailey Nurseries, Miminka, and Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply for donating supplies!

MNLA Members Skilled Trades Career Exploration Malmborg’s will host the Scouting Career Exploration Day, a hands-on program open to young individuals from 6th grade to 20 years old with an interest in learning more about careers in skilled trades. This event is planned for October 2022.

Judging for PAS The MNLA Foundation recruited MNLA members to judge the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization

PARTNERING

with Axiom Marketing MTGF, and MPSTMA

Axiom Marketing won a grant to do a survey to understand thoughts and perceptions about dry and liquid compost’s importance to business operations. The MNLA Foundation will receive a donation of $25 for EVERY survey completed by nursery and sod grower members.

Partnered with MTGF and MPSTMA For Bowling Tournament The first annual Bowling Tournament fundraiser for a shared College Scholarship was a great success, raising over $2,000 for two scholarships.

The scholarships were awarded to selected students of the Turf Management Program at the University of Minnesota-Crookston.

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MNLA.BIZ june 22

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The MNLA Foundation is seeking MNLA members to help create a permanent corner plot that will house a sign noting the Landscape Design Competition, FFA, sponsors, and students.

(PAS) contest on March 17, 2022. Judging

St. Paul High School Agriculture

Apprentice Program

included Landscape Design, Construction

Advisory Committee

Foundation staff are working on a Landscape Crew

and Floriculture, and Turf Management.

MNLA Foundation staff were asked to serve as

Member/Foreman Apprentice Program recognized

2022–2025 Vice-Chair of St. Paul High School

PAS helps students prepare for

Agriculture Advisory Committee as

careers in agriculture and

industry liaison for agriculture

hosted their National

teachers. Members have

Conference in

donated materials for hands-

Bloomington, MN this year. Thanks to Cory

on activities that allowed

Whitmer of The

experiential learning in the

Mustard Seed, Inc.

classroom.

and certified by the Minnesota Department of Labor allowing MNLA members to receive wage and training reimbursement. The program is planned to launch fall/winter of 2022. Contact the MNLA Foundation for more information.

for judging this 2022 FFA Landscape Design

event!

Competition 2022 Research Priorities

The MNLA Foundation is seeking

Research Survey

MNLA members to help create a permanent corner plot that will

Members were surveyed for research priorities that will help Jim

house a sign noting the Landscape Design

Calkins focus research. Jim provides

Competition, FFA, sponsors, and students. It is

monthly updates and contributes to the

located at a prominent entrance at the MN State

SCOOP/MNLA Webpage quarterly.

Fair. Interested member companies can contact

DONAT E TO TH E MNLA FOUND ATION T O SUPP WORKF ORT ORCE D EVELOP MENT!  DONAT IONS A RE ACC EPTED YEAR R OUND.

the MNLA Foundation for more information.

EDISON HIGH

pollinator garden grant

Edison High School in Minneapolis was awarded $1,800 for their proposal to create a pollinator garden at their school. Edison High School partners with Spark-Y, a community non-profit that provides internships for students in sustainability and entrepreneurship.

These interns are involved in the pollinator garden and will be an integral part of developing the garden. Students can engage with the project by learning about the importance of native plants and pollinator habitats. The instructor, Sonja Hakanson is one of the few agricultural teachers in the Minneapolis School District. Sonja is working towards sharing her knowledge and creating online classes for students across the district.

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june 22 MNLA.BIZ

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BUS TOUR

🌻

Southeastern Wisconsin Bus Tour

Tour Sites*

AUGUST 11–12, 2022

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

| Thursday 9:00 a.m.—Friday 5:30 p.m.

TOUR WILL BEGIN AND END AT: Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown | 770 Regent St. | Madison, WI 53715

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS Thursday, August 11: • Networking Happy Hour • Monona Terrace landscape tour • Group dinner downtown Friday, August 12: • Epic Systems Campus tour • Private garden tours

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MNLA.BIZ june 22

Join us for the MNLA Southeastern WI Bus Tour!

This August we’re setting out to see a great variety of landscapes and gardens in Madison, Wisconsin and surrounding areas.

This is the perfect opportunity to connect with others in the green industry and tour public and private site visits with horticulturists, professional growers, and landscape designers that will guide us at each site. Lodging, meals, networking opportunities, and transportation are all included in your registration fee. Spaces are limited, so register now!

Members discounts are available.

These gardens include 16 acres of outdoor display gardens and an indoor tropical conservatory. We will tour the Thai Pavilion and Garden, the Rose Garden, as well as a Sunken Herb and Perennial Garden. The Bolz Conservatory houses a diverse collection of tropical plants, a waterfall, free-flying birds, and blooming orchids. Also included inside are carnivorous plants, bananas, coffee, and vanilla. During the tour, we will specifically get to see annuals and perennials in bloom.

Epic Systems Campus

Another worldly experience awaits us at the Epic Systems Campus Tour in Verona, Wisconsin. We will get to see the various themed sites that are all beautifully designed and maintained including Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and SO much more. We will see stunning landscapes on this

VERSA-LOK

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• VERSA-LOK retaining wall systems • Willow Creek pavers and kits • Unilock pavers • Rosetta hardscapes • Porcelain landscape tiles • Decorative rock, mulch, natural stone, steps, wallstone, flagstone and more • Accessories, including lights, sealers, polymeric sand, edging and geogrid • Easy in/out yards with knowledgeable staff and convenient hours

BROOKLYN PARK (763) 488-1310

OAKDALE (651) 773-7444

BURNSVILLE (952) 894-4401

KIMBALL (320) 398-5415

FARIBAULT (507) 331-3198

VERSA-LOK-midwest.com

ONALASKA, WI (800) 770-4525

BUS TOUR

🌻

Southeastern Wisconsin Bus Tour

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! | Member discounts are available!

NOTE: The times are approximate. The tour schedule is subject to change and the sites may not be toured in the order listed.

1,100-acre campus led by the city of Madison’s Director of Horticulture, Jeffrey Epping.

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

The UW Arboretum has three distinct garden collections we will get to see.

• The Longenecker Horticultural Gardens is a 35-acre site with more than 6,000 specimens that grow in Wisconsin’s climate.

• The Viburnum Garden contains three acres of many species of viburnum and arborvitae.

• The Wisconsin Native Plant Garden is a 4-acre native plant educational area.

Monona Terrace

…WE HAVE FOUR PRIVATE GARDEN VISITS PLANNED IN AND AROUND THE MADISON AREA. EACH SITE IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THAN THE NEXT.

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MNLA.BIZ june 22

This beautiful site was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and created as a space for connecting Lake Monona to the State Capitol. We will tour the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens which boasts panoramic views of Madison. The rooftop garden features beautifully maintained trees, plants, and foliage. We will also be able to see the Otis Redding Memorial from the rooftop. This will be our final site visit on our first day, so we should have amazing evening views before dinner.

Private Garden Tours

Throughout this two-day endeavor, we have four private garden visits planned in and around the Madison area. Each site is entirely different than the next.

Upcoming Classes & Events WIDMER GOLF TOURNAMENT

JUL 19

SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN GARDEN/LANDSCAPE TOUR

AUG 11-12

CRYSTAL LAKE GOLF CLUB, LAKEVILLE

OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS, EPIC CAMPUS, AND MORE!

NIGHT AT THE SAINTS

NORMANDALEJAPANESE GARDEN TOUR

AUG 17

CHS FIELD, ST. PAUL

LEARNING LAB HAPPY HOUR:

FALL BULB LAB

SEP TBD

MAINTENANCE-FOCUSED

AUG 30

NORMANDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE , BLOOMINGTON

MNLA SHOOTOUT

SEP 20

GAME UNLIMITED GUN CLUB, HUDSON

MNLA CERTIFCATION EXAMS TIF

PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION

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MNLA OFFICE, ROSEVILLE

I O 4, 11 S |SNOV OCT MNLA 7, 21 OFFICE, ROSEVILLE

WELLSTON CENTER, ST. PAUL

Go to www.MNLA.biz/events to sign up for these events and more!

For these events, all precautions will be taken to meet social distancing requirements and the guidelines set in place by local and state agencies, as well as venues. Should changes occur causing an event to be cancelled due to COVID-19 issues, your registration would be refunded in full.

NOV 18

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