The Scoop Online – January 2013

My Favorite Tool Plant of the Month Word on the Street

Volume 35 No.1 Jan 2013

Turf, Phosphorus, & Water Quality

Also Inside

Trends Affecting Your Business in 2013

t h e o f f i c i a l p u b l i c at i o n o f t h e M I n n e s o ta N u r s e r y & L a n d s c a p e A s s o c i at i o n

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Volume 35 No.1 Jan 2013

contents 27

38

48 HIGHLIGHTS

27 Opportunities for the New Year How are customers responding to climate change? Could you charge more if your project benefited natural habitats and reduced long-term maintenance expenses?

31 Bachman’s Trial and Demonstration Garden John Daniels reports on the successes and lessons of ten years of plant trials.

38 Indian Grass: A Tough Native Plant Mary Meyer profiles an underused, easy-to-grow native grass.

43 It’s Marketing, Not Rocket Science When it comes to marketing your own business, you already know more than you might think.

48 MNLA Foundation Celebrates Another Successful Year Highlights of key projects that develop the next generation of green industry professionals.

63 Landscape Turf, Phosphorus Fertilization, and Water Quality In the latest Research for the Real World article, Dr. Calkins distills the findings from an ongoing U of M turfgrass study.

66 Trends Affecting Your Business in 2013 A slowly improving economy and housing market provides opportunity for more income, and pressure to retain good employees.

58 IN THIS ISSUE 8 Events 10 From the President: Here It Is, The New Year, Full of Hope, Promise, and … Change 12 From the Interim Executive Director: Introducing the new face of The Scoop and MNLA! 12 Word on the Street: Finding Quality Help 14 Member Profile: Abrahamson Nurseries 19 Plant of the Month: Pulmonaria 21 Invasive Species: 2012 Recommendations from the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee 24 My Favorite Tool: Weed Dragon Propane Vapor Torch 56 Legal Corner: The “Your Work” Exclusion 58 Volunteers Needed!

For MNLA The Scoop Contributions 60 MNLA Certification: What’s Changing?

january 13 mnla .biz

5

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association 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.TheLandLovers.org www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

MNLA Mission: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery &

A Top Notch Equipment ................................................................................... 42 Alliance Designer Products .............................................................................. 46 Anchor Block Company .................................................................................... 65 Ancom Communication & Technical Center .................................................... 16 Aspen Equipment ............................................................................................... 4 Belgard Hardscapes ......................................................................................... 20 Bridgewater Tree Farms ................................................................................... 16

Landscape Association is to help nursery and landscape related companies in Minnesota and the surrounding region operate their businesses more successfully.

Bullis Insurance Agency .................................................................................... 37

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Bailey Nurseries, Inc. 651-768-3375 • debbie.lonnee@baileynursery.com

Cushman Motor Co. Inc ................................................................................... 61

heidi heiland, mnla-cp, vice-president

D. Hill Nursery Co. ............................................................................................ 41

debbie lonnee, mnla-cp, president

Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens 612-366-7766 • heidi@BloomOnMN.com

herman roerick, secretary-treasurer

Central Landscape Supply 320-252-1601• hermanr@centrallandscape.com

bert swanson, mnla-cp, past president Swanson’s Nursery Consulting, Inc. 218-732-3579 • btswanson2@gmail.com

Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus ..................................................... 61 Casualty Assurance ........................................................................................... 54 Ceres Environmental ........................................................................................ 13

Dailey Data ....................................................................................................... 65 Dayton Bag & Burlap ........................................................................................ 41 Evergreen Nursery Co., Inc. ............................................................................. 53 Frost Services ................................................................................................... 41 Gardenworld Inc. .............................................................................................. 59 Gopher State One-Call ..................................................................................... 37

randy berg, mnla-cp

Great Northern Equipment Distributing, Inc. ................................................... 20

scott frampton

Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies ........................................................ 36

Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • rberg@smig.net Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 • sframpton@landscaperenovations.com

tim malooly, cid, clia, cic

Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com

mike mcnamara

Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscaping 651-437-9463 • mike.mcnamara@hoffmanandmcnamara.com

bill mielke

Waconia Tree Farms LLC 612-237-1728 • billmielke@waconiatreefarms.com

cassie larson

Hal Tiffany Agency ........................................................................................... 41 Hennepin Technical College ............................................................................. 55 Iowa Lakes Community College ....................................................................... 37 Jeff Belzer's.............................................................................................. 34 & 35 JRK Seed and Turf Supply ................................................................................ 57 Liberty Tire Recycling ....................................................................................... 59 Out Back Nursery ............................................................................................. 44 Plaisted Companies .......................................................................................... 18 Property Props .................................................................................................. 17 RDO Equipment Co ......................................................................................... 23 RDO Integrated Controls ................................................................................. 47

MNLA Interim Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz

Sterling Arbor LLC ............................................................................................ 37

Staff Directory

The Builders Group .......................................................................................... 42

interim executive director: Cassie Larson • cassie@mnla.biz

membership director & trade show manager: Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz

communications director: Jon Horsman • jon@mnla.biz executive assistant: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz accountant: Norman Liston • norman@mnla.biz mnla foundation program director: Jodi Larson • jodi@mnla.biz

advertising sales:

Pierre Productions & Promotions • 763-295-5420 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Manager • betsy@pierreproductions.com

government affairs consultants:

Doug Carnival, Legislative Affairs Tim Power, Interim Government Affairs Director

6

ad list

Volume 35 No.1 Jan 2013

➾ section title

mnla .biz january 13

The Mustard Seed ............................................................................................ 47 The Tessman Company .................................................................................... 30 Titan Machinery ................................................................................................. 2 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. .................................................................................. 11, 62 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. .................................................................................. 17 Vermeer Sales & Service ................................................................................... 44 Walters Gardens Inc. ........................................................................................ 26 Xylem, Ltd. ......................................................................................................... 7 Ziegler CAT ................................................................................................... OBC All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2012, and may not be used without written permission of MNLA. The Scoop is published 12 times per year by MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville MN 55113.

Address corrections should be sent to the above address. News and advertising deadlines are the first of the month preceding publication.

➾ calendar

MNLA Event

➾

MNLA Event

➾

JAN25

MAR6 Green Industry Day on the Hill Kelly Inn, St. Paul www.mnla.biz 651-633-4987 This annual government affairs event is an opportunity to make personal connections with legislators that will provide greater political strength to MNLA as an organization and, thus, ultimately to your business.

MNLA Certification Exam Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park www.mnla.biz 651-633-4987 Sit for the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional.

MNLA Event

mar28 Landscape Lighting Essentials (PLT Relicensure)

MNLA Event

mar 26–27 ➾

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mnla .biz january 13

ICPI Level I Concrete Paver Installer Certification Program

Midland Hills Country Club, St. Paul www.mnla.biz 651-633-4987 The two-day classroom course, followed by exam, is designed to enhance the knowledge of individuals involved in the construction of interlocking concrete pavements.

➾

Roseville Skating Center, Roseville, www.mnla.biz 651-633-4987 This class provides eight hours of Power Limited Training credit orientated specifically towards the landscape lighting specialist.

➾

2013 MNLA seminars generously supported by John Deere Landscapes

MNLA Event

mar 20–21

MNLA Event MNLA Event

mar7 Landscape Design Technology: Computer Aided Software Available For The Green Industry Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park www.mnla.biz 651-633-4987 This course will cover basic techniques for the idea exploration, visualization and communication using the some of the latest digital software programs (Dynascape Design, Dynascape Color, Sketchup, Visionscape), with the primary focus being on the creation of objects via computer modeling in the third dimension.

➾

mar15

Pesticide Certification Workshop & Exam

MNLA Certification Exam Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount www.mnla.biz 651-633-4987 Sit for the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional.

➾

Dorsey Ewald Conference Center, St. Paul www.mnla.biz 651-633-4987 Prepare for the category A and E pesticide applicator certification exam by attending this 1½ day study program.

Day 2 includes testing, if desired.

APR 6–10

MNLA Event

➾

APR3–4

Tree Care Advisor Core Course

Pesticide Certification Workshop & Exam

Key:

Event Education

TIES Conference Center, St. Paul www.mnla.biz 651-633-4987 Prepare for the category A and E pesticide applicator certification exam by attending this 1½ day study program.

Day 2 includes testing, if desired.

➾

University of Minnesota www.mntca.org Core Course Training is the base training for the TCA. It consists of 30 hours spread among several weeks and is limited to 20 participants to ensure individualized attention. Training is a combination of lecture, applied exercises, and hands-on experiences.

Certification ➾

All information on these and other industry events are online at MNLA.biz. january 13 mnla .biz

9

➾ from t he president

January 2013. Here It Is, The New Year, Full of Hope, Promise, and … … change. In the last year, we’ve survived the elections, another dry summer, and what looks like an upswing in the economy.

Debbie Lonnee

Trends Affecting Your Business in 2013

My Favorite Tool Plant of the Month Word on the Street

Volume 35 No.1 Jan 2013

Turf, Phosphorus, & Water Quality

Also Inside

Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

t h e o f f i c i a l p u b l i c at i o n o f t h e M i n n e s o ta n u r s e r y & l a n d s c a p e a s s o c i at i o n

here at the mnla, we’ve gone through a strategic planning process that has brought a lot of changes to our committee system and our public relations program. And, we are coping with the loss of our Executive Director, Bob Fitch, who has moved to Iowa to pursue his new dreams.

Last month, I spoke to you, our MNLA members, about Bob leaving our organization and how the Board of Directors was moving forward with a firm plan to search for the best possible replacement. I can tell you that our search is moving forward, we have a great committee, some fantastic legal council, and high hopes that we will find just the right person for the job.

But, this month I want to focus on the personal end of this large change for the organization. Over 16 years ago, Bob Fitch answered an advertisement in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and ultimately became our executive director.

After attending a number of Great Lakes conferences, and meeting with executives from many other nursery trade associations, I can assure you that we have had one of the very best in the business with Bob. Bob really gave his job 110%, every day. I have had a number of phone calls from Past President Roger Landsburg, who was on the search committee that hired Bob, and Roger only has glowing things to say about how Bob has lead our organization these many years. And, I totally agree with Roger — Bob’s skills in government affairs, running and growing our Northern Green Expo, and managing our organization have been second to none. Bob has put together a top notch staff and empowered them to do their jobs to the best of their

on the cover

Nicole Hacker and Cindy Hillmer plant cuttings as part of their training at Hennepin Technical College. Photo © Bruce Silcox.

10

ability. They will be running the Northern Green Expo without him, and he knows that they can do it without him being there. To me, that is the greatest example of a manager who does NOT micromanage his staff.

Did you know that Bob Fitch is a big Elvis Presley fan?

Two years ago, we attended the Great Lakes Conference in Ohio and flew into Cleveland early so that we could head over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and spend a few hours there. Both Bob and Past President Bert Swanson were mesmerized by a movie about Elvis and it was fun to watch them enjoy themselves so much. I spent a bit more time myself in the Beatles and Rolling Stones section.

Did you know that Bob collects Coke memorabilia?

Or has the most wonderful grandson that he and Kathy are raising themselves? There is far more to Bob than most of us will know, but all these qualities add up to a great person who has served our Association so very well these last 16 years.

I know I will miss Bob, his quiet demeanor, his incredible work ethic. But, I also know that this move into owning his own business and being near family is the best thing for him and I can only wish him and his family the very best in the future. Bob, I’ll be in Sioux Falls giving a garden talk this spring and watch out, I just may end up in Iowa giving you a visit.

Now, back to the work of finding a new Executive Director. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to find me at the Green Expo, or give me a call, I would be happy to discuss with you our search plans and goals.

mnla .biz january 13

debbie lonnee can be reached at: debbie.lonnee@baileynursery.com.

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➾ from t he interim e x ecu tive director

Introducing the New Face of The Scoop and MNLA! Welcome to a new year and a new look to your favorite industry publication, The Scoop! In addition to a complete full-color redesign, we’ve added new features, recruited more member perspectives, and expanded our coverage of hot topics. what hasn’t changed is our commitment to quality, inclusion of member submitted articles, and member education that has defined the MNLA publication from its inception.

The new strategic plan puts an emphasis on making MNLA communications more user-friendly for members.

This Scoop redesign is just one of a plethora of ways we hope to accomplish that. MNLA eNews and our member website, www.MNLA.biz, have both gone through a re-design process to make it easier for you to find the information that is most pertinent to your industry segment while still allowing you access to segments for exploration. And the newly formed Communications and Technology Committee is hard at work looking for even more ways to get you information in a timely, user-friendly fashion.

Related to the changes in our member communication, you may be aware that MNLA is in a transitional period

Cassie Larson

MNLA Interim Executive Director

in its leadership, as the Board of Directors searches for the next Executive Director for the association. Please be reassured that the association is in sound financial and organizational shape and that during this interim period, I and the MNLA staff will continue to focus on the mission and strategic direction of the association. Feel free to contact the MNLA office at any time with questions, concerns or ideas. We continue to be available as a resource to help members operate their businesses more successfully!

Whenever we deal with change, be it small like a website update or large like a change in leadership, it can be scary.

But it can also be very exciting — like this beautiful new publication! So sit back and enjoy this fun and colorful new issue of The Scoop and watch for other strategic changes, including the announcement of new leadership, in store at MNLA in 2013. cassie larson

can be reached at: cassie@mnla.biz.

word on street the

question: how did it go in 2012 finding quality seasonal help

and new permanent employees?

2012 was a difficult year for finding qualified employees. A few of the many issues facing all of us: With all the insurance regulations on drivers finding that right person was at times impossible. The labor pool of people in the green industry is shrinking fast and we need to beef up our efforts to make more high school students aware of the tremendous opportunities awaiting them in the green industry. steve sylvester s&s tree and landscaping specialists

12

mnla .biz january 13

First, retention is key: we try to hire fewer than 20% of our team as new employees for our spring rush every year. With the earlier-breaking season in 2012, using a temp service worked very well to fill the gap. I hope to keep 4–5 of the 2012 hires returning for many seasons to come. john o’reilly otten bros.

In 2012, it went pretty well finding seasonal help. About one-third of our seasonal help returns each season and the remaining two-thirds we acquire from a temporary service. Finding good, well-trained permanent employees has been very difficult the past few years. Hardest hit is finding good permanent crew lead positions. patrick warden

bachman’s, inc. to submit an entry for Word on the Street visit - http://goo.gl/uELlc

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➾ member profile

member profile abra hamson n u rseries Meta L. Levin

Photos courtesy of Abrahamson Nurseries

Abra hamson N u rseries

Dan Sandager Scandia, MN www.abrahamsonnurseries.com

People are the key to Abrahamson Nurseries’ success and longevity, says owner Dan Sandager.

“They are professionals and they are passionate about what they do.” sandager, who has owned the company

since 1972 and worked there for much longer than that, remains passionate about the green industry, as well.

At age 21, a time when most young people are still trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives, Sandager was buying a business and marrying his college sweetheart. By that time,

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mnla .biz january 13

Seven of the company’s full time employees hold certifications from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA).

however, he had worked for Abrahamson Nurseries for six years and knew how it operated. When he heard it was for sale, he jumped at the chance, arranging to purchase it on a contract basis.

Abrahamson Nurseries started in 1928 in Scandia, MN as a small greenhouse operation, growing primarily bedding plants. When Sandager began working there, however, the company was focused on trees and shrubs. Since then it has grown and expanded. In 1982 the Stillwater, MN facility opened and in 2010, the St. Croix Falls, WI facility. All three feature garden centers with plant and hardscape materials, as well as landscape designers, who work with customers to help them create plans for their property.

The 22,000 square feet of greenhouse space in the St. Croix Falls location allows Abrahamson Nursery to produce annuals

and small perennials to stock all three locations. Design and installation crews, operating out of all three sites, do both residential and commercial work. The Scandia nursery stock production area is 65 acres.

Seven of the company’s full time employees hold certifications from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA), verifying that they are professionals who have demonstrated that they are knowledgeable and experienced in their areas of specialization: nursery, garden center and landscape.

Sandager knows the value of education.

He grew up in an agricultural family and entered the University of Minnesota on a food science scholarship, but soon realized that his passion was horticulture.

Once he bought the business, he finished school, farmed, worked at Abrahamson’s

and saved, he says, while his brothers, sister and nephews helped out with the business. “One of the reasons that we’ve been around so long is that I have had great family input.”

In fact, Sandager’s brothers are still there: Rick works in the landscape division, while Erik is in nursery production. Brother-in-law Mitch Johnson is the general manager and has worked there for 30 years. “He’s good at seeing the overall picture,” says Sandager. Sandager’s wife, Sue, takes care of all of the administrative duties. Sons, Greg and Paul, also work for Abrahamson; Greg manages the landscape division and Paul works in the landscape area.

“They can work like crazy,” says Sandager.

“A lot of this business is hard work.”

Other key employees include Dave Quarrels, who is in greenhouse production.

He has been with the company for three

january january 13 13 mnla .biz

15

➾ member profile

Sandager says he is proud of the business he has helped to build, the people with whom he works and the customers who he says are “wonderful.”

years, but came to Abrahamson with “a vast storehouse of expertise,” says Sandager. “He’s a true greenhouse production man." Joie Neilsen is the retail manager. A 12-year veteran of the company, Neilsen “has a wonderful eye for the retail market,” says Sandager.

Three foremen, Andy Lewis, Erick Carufel and Henry Keogh, bring 15 to 20 years of experience to their jobs and are “the backbone of the landscape area.”

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mnla .biz january 13

One of his first acts after buying the company was to renew membership with MNLA, as the company had been a member since long before he started there. Over the years it has provided him with networking and educational opportunities. He has and continues to not only take advantage of classes and workshops, but also to send employees to those seminars relevant to their jobs.

Each year he takes 15 to 20 people to the Northern Green Expo.

Sandager says he is proud of the business he has helped to build, the people with whom he works and the customers who he says are “wonderful.” He is particularly pleased that he has had to do little advertising over the years. “We depend on repeat business and word of mouth,” he says.

But most of all, he is proud of the family and other employees. They are, he says, second to none.

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➾ plant of th e mont h

plant of month the

Pulmonaria

depending on the variety. The flowers appear in spring abundantly above the clumps of leaves in blue, pink or white.

A few varieties have flowers that begin as pink and turn blue as they mature.

Its common name is lungwort, the latin meaning of pulmo meaning ‘lung.’

pulmonaria is an attractive perennial that mixes well into the shade/part shade border. It prefers a moist, well drained soil rich in organic matter however, in my experience, Pulmonaria of all varieties withstand drought conditions very well.

In dry garden beds this perennial forms a tidy clump and in moist conditions it will spread, but not invasively. The leaves are lance shaped and narrow to oval ranging from green with a light speckling of silver to almost completely silver

All Pulmonaria share foliage that is rough, covered in very short hairs, making it resistant to deer and rabbits. They are also resistant to Juglans and can be grown near Black Walnuts. The foliage provides visual interest all season long and they are very easy to grow.

Pulmonaria saccharata is one of the commonly grown species of Pulmonaria including the varieties ‘Mrs. Moon’ and ‘Sissinghurst White.’ Hardy in Zone 3 and 4, P. saccharata ‘Mrs. Moon’ is a very popular variety because of its flowers that fade from pink to blue and often both colors of blooms are present at the same

time on the plant making it very visually interesting. ‘Sissinghurst White’ has pure white flowers; the look is very fresh and clean particularly next to a deep burgundy foliage plant such as Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ (PP14836).

Pulmonaria longifolia is the other most commonly grown species. Known as narrow leaved lungwort this species has thinner strap-like leaves. Native to Western Europe and found in both woodland areas and part shade areas it is adapted to growing in heavy clay soils. One of the more well-known varieties of Pulmonaria longifolia is ‘Bertram Anderson.’

Other varieties of interest are ‘Silver Shimmers’ PP13290, with foliage that is almost completely silver with a thin green margin, ‘Raspberry Splash’ PP12138, with bright raspberry blooms and ‘Trevi Fountain’ which blooms an intense vibrant blue.

plant of the month was written by ann standish, heidi’s lifestyle gardens. She can be reached at ann@bloomonmn.com.

(Top): Pulmonaria longifolia 'Bertram Anderson' and (top left): Pulmonaria saccharata 'Mrs. Moon.' Photos courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

january 13 mnla .biz

19

THE

Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 40 government Affairs . . . . . . . . . . 10, 12, 28 Landscape Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 greenhouse & Herbaceous growers . 14 Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Public Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Landscape Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 MNLA Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 40 Education/Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 MNLA Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 32, 42 From the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . 33 MNLA strategic Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35-39 MDA update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 46 state Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 MNLA Foundation Research . . . . . . . . . 48 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Plant of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Northern green Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

4

www.MNLA.biz | August 2012

ADVERTISER INDEX A Top Notch Equipment...........................14 Astleford International...........................15 Baker Lake Nursery ................................15 Belgard Hardscapes - Northfield ...............4 BFG Supply........................................26-27 Bridgewater Tree Farms..........................16 Bruce Company of Wisconsin, Inc.............21 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ ProGreen Plus ...................................18 Casualty Assurance.................................19 Central Landscape Supply .......................23 Collyard Landscaping..............................24 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ...........................19 D. Hill Nursery Co....................................23 Dailey Data ............................................44 Evergreen Nursery Co., Inc. .....................40 Gardenworld Inc.....................................25 Great Northern Equipment Distributing, Inc. ...............................39 Haag Companies, Inc. ...............................5 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies ..10 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet ................................7

Johnson's Nursery, Inc.............................38 Klaus Nurseries ........................................8 Kubota Dealers ........................................9 Landscape Alternatives ............................8 Lano Equipment, Inc...............................20 Liberty Tire Recycling .............................28 Out Back Nursery....................................30 RDO Integrated Controls .........................36 Rock Hard Landscape Supply, division of Brian's Lawn & Landscaping, Inc.........25 Sterling Arbor LLC.....................................8 Synthetic Turf Solutions of MN ................47 The Mulch Store .....................................41 The Tessman Company............................29 Titan Machinery.......................................2 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc..........................11, 17 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. .........................37 University of Minnesota Continuing Education .........................................13 Wheeler Landscape Supply .....................31 Ziegler Cat ...............................................3

2012 recommendations from the

noxious weed advisory committEe

Each year, Minnesota’s Noxious Weed Advisory Committee (NWAC) chooses a list of 10–12 plants to evaluate for invasiveness, based on recommendations from committee members and/or from the public.

The evaluations are drafted by NWAC’s Listing Subcommittee, using a process called the Plant Risk Assessment and Management Protocol for Minnesota, or “risk assessment.” The subcommittee then presents their risk assessments on each species to the full NWAC, which makes final recommendations to the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture regarding list/no list decisions for the state’s Noxious Weed lists. See www.mnnoxiousweeds.wikispaces.com for details and current risk assessments.

Tim Power | MNLA Interim Government Affairs Director

Japanese Barberry

One of the 2011 holdovers remaining on NWAC’s Internal Watch list is Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii). The draft Japanese barberry risk assessment is awaiting Green Industry input regarding both invasiveness and the cost/benefit of its potential listing as a Specially Regulated plant. Input will be received at MNLA’s Northern Green Expo on Wednesday, January 9th, but additional input is needed before NWAC’s Listing Subcommittee can present a completed risk assessment to the full NWAC. Please review the current risk assessment at www.mnnoxiousweeds.wikispaces.com (see Current NWAC Risk Assessments) and provide comments to timpower@powerconsults.com.

NWAC hopes to present a final recommendation on Japanese barberry to the Commissioner of Agriculture during 2013.

MNLA Policy Statements on Invasive Plants/Noxious Weeds

Industry input is needed for this NWAC Watch List plant: Japanese barberry.

Photo courtesy of Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

As MNLA members consider the possible regulatory fate of Japanese barberry and other invasive horticultural plants, it may be helpful to review policy statements already adopted by the MNLA Board of Directors. Background: In December 2001, the Missouri Botanic Gardens hosted an international conference on invasive plants, “to convene experts from across the globe to explore and develop workable, voluntary approaches to reduce the introduction and spread of non-native invasive plants.”

The American Nursery and Landscape Association and the American Society of Landscape Architects were conveners and sponsors of this conference, which produced The St. Louis Declaration, consisting (in part) of draft Voluntary Codes of Conduct for government agencies, nursery professionals, the gardening public, landscape january 13 mnla .biz

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➾ Invasive Species

In 2012, NWAC reviewed the following plants and made the recommendations noted: Risk assessment will not be complete and posted for M. sinensis until full references pertaining to the outcomes are cited in the document.

NWAC voted unanimously (11–0) for not regulating houndstounge and voted 7–4 to place it on the NWAC internal Watch List.

Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre)

Meadow and Brown Knapweed (Centaurea x Moncktonii and C. Jacea) Recommended by subcommittee to be listed as prohibited noxious weeds either as individual species on the Prohibited — Eradicate list or lumped in with spotted knapweed as a “knapweed complex” on the Prohibited Control list.

NWAC voted unanimously (11– 0) to recommend to the commissioner that both species be listed on the Prohibited – Eradicate list

Subcommittee recommended regulation on the Prohibited –Eradicate list based on the risk assessment.

Miscanthus x giganteus and Miscanthus sacchariflorus

Pale Swallow-wort (Cynanchum rossicum)

Subcommittee did not recommend any regulation of both species based on the risk assessment.

Subcommittee recommended no regulation based on the risk assessment.

NWAC voted 10–0 (with one member abstaining) not to regulate both species.

NWAC voted unanimously (11–0) to not regulate.

Risk assessments for both species will not be complete and posted until full references pertaining to the outcomes are cited in the document.

Common Reed – Non-native Phragmites

Black Swallow-wort (Cynanchum louiseae)

Miscanthus sinensis

Subcommittee recommended regulation on the ProhibitedEradicate list based on the risk assessment.

Subcommittee did not recommend any regulation based on the risk assessment.

They did recommend that this species be placed on NWAC’s internal Watch List as a result of the risk assessment.

Houndstounge (Cynoglossum officinale)

NWAC voted unanimously (10– 0 with one member abstaining) not to regulate and to place on the NWAC internal Watch List.

Subcommittee recommended no regulation of houndstounge at this time. The risk assessment outcome was to place it on the NWAC internal Watch List.

NWAC voted closely (6 opposed–5 in favor) to not regulate marsh thistle at this time.

NWAC voted (8 in favor–2 opposed, with one member dissenting) to recommend that black swallow-wort be added to the Prohibited-Eradicate list.

Subcommittee was undecided on whether to list or not. Risk assessment suggested listing either as a Prohibited or Restricted noxious weed based on the presumed efficacy of available controls.

NWAC voted closely (6 in favor –5 opposed) to recommend common reed be listed as a noxious weed and voted (7 in favor – 4 opposed) to recommend listing it as a Restricted Noxious Weed.

When will these decisions impact my business? If signed by the Commissioner, these recommendations will go into effect for the 2013 season.

The only decision that has any real significance for the Green Industry is NWAC’s recommendation to keep Miscanthus sinensis on the NWAC internal Watch List. Essentially, this means that the risk assessment for this important horticultural species and its cultivars remains incomplete, pending receipt of more information about efforts being made to use Miscanthus species and hybrids as biofuel crops.

Photos courtesy of: Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Cynanchum louiseae: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org. Cynanchum rossicum: John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org. Phragmites australis: Jil Swearingen, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org. Cynoglossum officinale: Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, Bugwood.org.

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mnla .biz january 13

Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus), Photo courtesy of Gil Wojciech, Polish Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org.

architects and botanic gardens and arboreta.

ANLA endorsed the voluntary code for nursery professionals, followed by MNLA and other state nursery and landscape associations.

MNLA’s policy statement reads as follows: Policy #2002-3: Nursery Industry Invasives Code of Conduct

• The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association has endorsed the national Voluntary Code of Conduct for Nursery Professionals: • Ensure that invasive potential is assessed prior to introducing and marketing plant species new to North America.

Invasive potential should be assessed by the introducer or qualified experts using emerging risk assessment methods that consider plant characteristics and prior observations or experience with the plant elsewhere in the world.

Additional insights may be gained through extensive monitoring on the nursery site prior to further distribution.

Policy #2009-1: Noxious Weeds

• MNLA supports voluntary and regulatory efforts to limit the negative environmental impact of noxious weeds. To that end, MNLA supports government and voluntary citizen efforts for noxious weed control; and a vigorous program at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture that provides statewide coordination and

education. Furthermore, MNLA supports restrictions on plants that have negative environmental impacts, provided there has been scientific review and that the economic attributes of that plant are strongly taken into consideration. tim power can be reached at: timpower@powerconsults.com.

• Work with regional experts and stakeholders to determine which species in your region are either currently invasive or will become invasive.

Identify plants that could be suitable alternatives in your region.

• Develop and promote alternative plant material through plant selection and breeding.

• Where agreement has been reached among nursery associations, government, academia and ecology and conservation organizations, phase-out existing stocks of those specific invasive species in regions where they are considered to be a threat.

• Follow all laws on importation and quarantine of plant materials across political boundaries.

• Encourage customers to use, and garden writers to promote, non-invasive plants.

• MNLA affirmed its support for the Minnesota Noxious Weed Advisory Committee and its risk assessment process in 2009: january 13 mnla .biz

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➾ my favorite tool

my

favorite tool W eed D ragon 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 -B T U P ropane Vapor Torc h

Erin Buchholz

MNLA CP Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Lyndale Park Peace Garden Photos courtesy of Erin Buchholz

every year, the Recycle Run at Lake Harriet provides internal funding for Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board employees’ sustainable ideas. In May, 2012, horticulture staff successfully applied for the Earth Day Mini-grant to purchase four Weed Dragon torches for use in public garden spaces.

While propane torches are nothing new to the industry, we hoped to reduce herbicide use in the gardens to protect our visitors, their pets and children.

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mnla .biz january 13

While we first intended the torches for garden use, park maintenance staff also began using them around the Chain of Lakes, athletic fields and recreation centers. MPRB staff used them to replace weed whipping around cement crevices, benches and trees. They also burned weeds from tot lots where herbicides are not allowed. They found that flame weeding lasted longer than mowing and weed whipping, and have purchased more torches from the general budget.

Please know that we acknowledge glyphosate’s importance to the industry. It certainly will always have its place. Our goal was not to eliminate its use in Minneapolis parks, but to offer an alternative for our visitors who worry for their children’s safety. The Weed Dragon torches offer less chemical exposure to our “customers” and staff.

While propane torches are nothing new to the industry, we hoped to reduce herbicide use in the gardens to protect our visitors, their pets and children.

➾

we were overjoyed that all of our suppositions about the product were quickly proven accurate: Flame weeding offers instant results. Glyphosate needs four to seven days to produce a visible effect.

We saw a reduction in time spent hand weeding, and coworkers expressed how easy the torch was on their bodies versus bending over and kneeling down.

Less soil disturbance from hand pulling meant fewer weed seeds stirred up and less weed germination in beds and pathways. Plus, the torches ran hot enough to destroy weed seeds.

There is no need to post application signs; and the public was curious, amazed and supportive of this “new” method of weed control.

You can use it in a variety of weather conditions, as long as safety precautions are taken. Rain, temperature and wind prevent spraying herbicides. ➾

The amount of money we spent on Propane refills in 2012 was less than what we spent on glyphosate in 2011.

some minor issues we had (but also expected) include: It will not kill weeds with strong tap roots — it seems to only make them angry.

Safety needs to be exercised! Always wear eye protection. Hot pebbles can “pop” and cause minor burns if they land on exposed skin. The more water content in the weeds, the more smoke produced.

Heat is non-selective! Keep the torch away from evergreens, or use a metal scoop or snow shovel to protect them from the flame.

Burning takes longer than spraying. Oxalis burns instantly, but thicker-leaved weeds take several seconds of a constant flame for elimination.

weed dragon torches

can be purchased from the manufacturer, Flame Engineering, Inc.: www.flameengineering.com, A.M. Leonard or Amazon.com.

january 13 mnla .biz

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opportunities for the

new year It would appear our green industry has much to be optimistic about for this new year. Several events have combined to yield a compromise on issues that have been holding back our economy. While the United States government’s “fiscal cliff” looms as I write this, we are hearing a greater willingness for Congress to work with the President toward a combination of increased revenue and significant budget cuts.

Douglas Owens-Pike | President of EnergyScapes

â&#x17E;ž opport unity

Photos courtesy of Douglas Owens-Pike

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O

ur U.S. economy has grown slowly but steadily since 2009. Now our clients seem more willing to invest in landscape improvements than in recent years. We have seen greater demand for both design and installation services, though most projects tend to be smaller than prior to the economic reset in 2009.

Across the country there is an increasing awareness of our changing climate as record drought, fire or flooding have impacted nearly every region. Scientists concur that this more erratic weather is a product of heat retained by our increasing concentration of fossil fuel emissions that linger in the upper atmosphere. While it is hard to complain about the beautifully mild fall we have enjoyed so late into November, other problems emerge with this warmth. A variety of new insect species are arriving that had not been able to survive our formerly bitter cold winters. Many of these pests cause significant damage to landscape plants. Lack of snow cover can reduce survival of mature trees, already stressed by our extended drought, by freezing sensitive roots close to the surface. Winters with persistent snow cover protect those roots with a blanket of insulating snow.

As landscape planners, we need to consider these new conditions if we want the trees we recommend to be healthy for future generations. We should promote best management practices that minimize the impact of either too much or too little rainfall. By responding appropriately to these new challenges, we can improve our profits as we learn to create landscapes that are more resilient and beneficial to the environment as they meet aesthetic standards for gorgeous gardens.

An example of this approach is a recent project where our company collaborated with the watershed district to construct a front yard raingarden that accepts street runoff through a curb cut. Our client received the maximum matching grant from their watershed district in exchange for this public service. Accepting street runoff filtered through their raingarden will improve the water quality in the lake behind their home. Instead of quickly transporting excess nutrients through storm pipes directly into the lake, the new raingarden does a surprisingly efficient job of recycling that pollution into a beautiful floral display. Earlier, our client had also installed a 20' wide buffer strip of native plants along their shoreline, which reduces nutrient runoff from their lawn.

In this case, their new front yard is now dominated by the raingarden basin, filled with both native and horticultural varieties of plants that can handle the extremes of extended drought and occasional flooding. Surrounding that basin will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;No Mowâ&#x20AC;? turf we started from a seed mix developed by Prairie Nursery in central Wisconsin. We are grateful for the engineering and technical guidance provided by Curt Coudron, Resource Conservationist with Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District to successfully complete this project.

To be most successful as we enter the new year, we should seek to embrace these opportunities in our industry. Those designers who can show their customers how to reduce energy and water use will gain a larger share of projects both public and private. Our customers are looking for solutions to their landscape problems that allow them more enjoyment of their outdoor space.

My experience shows that they are willing to pay more if they know their project will also benefit natural habitats and reduce long-term maintenance expenses. douglas owens-pike

can be reached at douglas@energyscapes.com.

january 13 mnla .biz

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&

bachman’s trial demonstration

garden There are so many “great” new landscape plant varieties available to our market, yet often so little firsthand knowledge is available regarding the performance of these new introductions in our region. It is common that many of the new varieties brought to this market are relatively untested. How do we know if the new varieties are really improved or if they perform well in our area?

John Daniels | Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery and Hardscapes

Hydrangea Limelight.

Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries.

â&#x17E;ž trial garden

Rosa rugosa

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mnla .biz january 13

State Street® Miyabe Maple (Acer miyabei ‘Morton’) Photo courtesy of Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes

I

n 2002, after a number of “misses” regarding new introductions, Bachman’s began to plant many new plant varieties in a trial garden. The purpose of the garden is two-fold; the garden offers the opportunity to trial a wide range of landscape perennial plant materials and the garden offers the industry an opportunity to observe the many plant materials in the garden as they grow to maturity.

Since the initial plantings in 2002, many plant varieties have come and gone from the garden. Today, nearly 1,000 plant species and varieties of trees, evergreens, shrubs, roses, and perennials are growing in the trial garden at Bachman’s growing range in Farmington. The site is relatively unprotected relative to wind and the wide variety of weather encountered so commonly in our area. Plants in the garden are at the mercy of the elements, including the wet weather and droughts, the cold and heat, and any other conditions that Mother Nature has to offer. Plants are watered upon planting and throughout the first season in the garden.

The trial plants are not watered after the initial season. No pest control (insects, disease, other) is performed in the garden. All trial plants are “put to the test” in this environment.

Much has been learned through observation of these plants as they develop over the years.

Each spring/early summer, each plant is rated for performance and quality. At this time, subjective comments are also recorded. This rating system is highly unscientific and is based on subjective observations and comments made for each plant in the garden. As the season progresses, additional observations are made and documented regarding plant form, flowering, fall color, growth habit, and more. The knowledge gained from the observations of plant performance are valuable in decisions which guide the development of plant recommendations and the product offerings to the industry. As a result of these trials, many plant varieties have been added to the product line and a number of varieties have been removed from the product line. The trials have also allowed us to better understand winter hardiness of these relatively untested varieties.

Over the years, the garden has been full of surprises — both good and bad. Each year, there seems to be a new “favorite” plant. As plants develop and mature, some striking characteristics develop and shine. In 2009, a great performer was the Chiquita Viburnum — a sargentii selection with an excellent, upright growth habit and fall coloration. Unfortunately, the plant was attacked by borer in 2011. In 2010, a trial garden favorite was the Blue Chip Juniper grafted on a standard — magnificent. This plant continues to develop and look great — clearly an underused good performer. In 2011, the QuickfireTM Hydrangea came into its glory, blooming two weeks earlier than other hydrangeas and offering excellent leaf color and texture. The Limelight continued on page 36

january 13 mnla .biz

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➾ trial garden

continued from page 33

‘Cheyenne Sky’ Panicum virgatum.

Photo courtesy of Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes

Hydrangea continues to show off — you can see this plant a mile away! We are anxious to watch the Little Lime Hydrangea develop.

The rose section of the garden has been very challenging over the years.

The exposed site really puts this group of plants to the test. It is clear from the past 10 years that the rugosa roses are extremely tough plants — performing well with great consistency. Many other rose varieties have performed with a wide range of success throughout the years.

A favorite area of the garden is the evergreen section. It is clear that there are many evergreen species and varieties of many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures that perform very well in our area and are, in many cases, very underused by the industry. In 2012, a number of Larch and Chamaecyparis varieties were a wonderful surprise in terms of shape, texture, and excellent performance.

In terms of trees, we have learned a great deal about the growth characteristics of groups such as elm, red maple, birch, and others.

We continue to search for a red maple that performs like Northwood, but offers an improved fall color. While the many trials have not yet yielded acceptable results, there are a number of varieties that show potential. An underused maple that has proven to be extremely tough in the garden is the State Street® miyabei maple. While fall color is yellow-gold, this tree variety has proven to be a fast grower, showing excellent hardiness and pest resistance.

A focus of the perennial area has been, among others, a trial of many of the new ornamental grass varieties. There are such a wide range of sizes, colors, and flowering habits that make this group of plants so versatile in a variety of landscape settings. Among others, an excellent performer in 2012 has been the Cheyenne Sky panicum grass. This variety shows superior red fall color when growing alongside many other panicums.

The trial garden at Bachman’s growing range is highly valued as a learning resource. It has offered the opportunity to put many new varieties to the test. This garden complements the work at many other sites such as the University of Minnesota Arboretum where many plant species and varieties can be observed as they develop towards maturity. While providing valuable information to Bachman’s, the garden also plays an important role as a demonstration garden open and available to any nursery and landscape professional who wishes to take time to tour the garden. Contact Bachman’s Nursery Wholesale Center at 651-463-6288 for details. john daniels

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Potential Careers: Golf Course Management Chemical Applicator Nominations Open for 2013 Friend of Nursery Manager theForeman Environment Award Landscape Garden Center Manager The MNLA Friend of the Environment Award honors Landscape Designer an MNLA-affiliated company or individual for Groundskeeper outstanding environmental efforts, a personal commitment Lawn Careto environmental protection and enhancement, or demonstrated leadership on a specific . . . and more! environmental issue in their field of work. The application is now available online at www.MNLA.biz. Nominations are due in the MNLA office no later than October 1 and must be accompanied by a signed letter of support from the nominator. Support documentation and/or an essay Schedule campus visit today! are also encouraged.aThe MNLA Awards & Nominating Committee, made up of past MNLA presidents, 712-852-5206 selects a winner from among the nominees. If you have questions, www.iowalakes.edu please contact the MNLA office at 651-633-4987 or visit us online at www.MNLA.biz.

â&#x17E;ž indian grass

indian

grass: a tough native plant

Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans, is an underused native grass.

Found throughout the U.S. (except CA, NV, ID, WA and OR), Indian grass grows on a wide range of soils, but prefers loamy rich, wet to mesic sites. Occasionally it is found on upland areas with heavy clay soils, as long as there is sufficient moisture.

Mary Meyer | Professor and Extension Horticulturist, University of Minnesota

Left: Sorghastrum nutans 'Sioux Blue' Indian grass.

Right: Sorghastrum nutans 'Indian Steel' Indian grass.

Photos courtesy of Mary Meyer

T

he plants.gov database describes site preferences as “deep, well-drained floodplain soils and in well-drained upland sandy loam soils; tolerant of poor and well-drained soils, acid to alkaline conditions, and textures from sand to clay.” Indian grass has striking blue green summer foliage and grows quickly from June through August.

The showy golden bronze flowers are often bright yellow with prominent anthers, which accounts for the other common name: yellow Indian grass. Because this was one of the main grasses in the tall grass prairie, we can find it along roadsides and in prairie remnants throughout Minnesota.

Uses for Indian grass include seeding large or small areas for restoration purposes, or using individual plants in a smaller garden or landscape setting.

native mixes. The University of Minnesota was involved with a 1988 release of the Indian grass variety ‘Tomahawk,’ along with North and South Dakota Experiment Stations and the NRCS Plant Materials Center in Bismarck, ND. Seed for this selection was collected in early 1960’s from Dickey and Brown counties, in southeastern North Dakota; and Marshall county, north eastern South Dakota. ‘Tomahawk’ is the only variety of Indian grass that is selected from northern seed; all other NRCS selections originate from more southern states, such as Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. Indian grass from these states matures later and is more subject to winter injury. ‘Tomahawk’ is a good selection for prairie restoration, pastureland, livestock, rangeland, habitat cover, and roadside use in Minnesota, and North and South Dakota.

Prairie Restoration

The Minnesota Department of Transportation uses Indian grass in native mixes for wetter areas, along with sedges in wetland restoration, and general mixes for native roadsides. Indian grass grows well on disturbed sites, produces abundant seed, and is good for erosion control and difficult slopes. Restoration companies know the value of Indian grass in

Garden and Landscape Plantings

In gardens and more urban plantings Indian grass has a place in many settings. Its tolerance of heavy clay soils and endurance (once established) to full sun and hot summers makes it a sustainable grass for difficult sites. With its taller stature, Indian grass makes a good border or screen hiding a fence or marking a

boundary. Garden selections, ‘Indian Steel’ and ‘Sioux Blue’ are large plants that are good substitutes for miscanthus. A gardener told me recently she removed her Indian grass because it was too floppy and messy, which may happen in areas of shade or high nutrient soils. ‘Sioux Blue’ was selected by Rick Darke from the seed propagated NRCS variety Osage, which originated from Kansas and Oklahoma. ‘Sioux Blue’ has powdery blue foliage in summer and numerous cinnamon colored flowers in early fall and flowers a few weeks later than Indian grass from Minnesota or the Dakotas.

‘Indian Steel’ is a seed-propagated cultivar introduced in 1995 by Jelitto Perennial Seeds. Blue foliage and upright vase-shape are characteristic of ‘Indian Steel.’ Origin of this cultivar is unknown. Both ‘Sioux Blue’ and ‘Indian Steel’ are large plants, usually 6'–7' in height. ‘Bantam’ and ‘Red Spike’ were announced as named cultivars under evaluation by Iowa State in 2010, but so far have not been available in the trade.

From 2005–2010, I evaluated 24 different Indian grass selections from South Dakota.

Over 7 seasons, I looked for desirable landscape traits and selected 6 plants that we are evaluating further at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. These are diverse plants, and january 13 mnla .biz

39

➾ indian grass

Indian grass supports wildlife, with its dense cover, and I find birds love to forage on the seedheads at the Arboretum.

Bees sometimes feed on the pollen; skipper butterfly larvae feed on the foliage; whitetail deer browse foliage; songbirds and bobwhite quail, mourning doves feed on seeds; and prairie chickens use the plants for feed and cover.

all flower earlier than ‘Sioux Blue’ or ‘Indian Steel.’

Indian grass supports wildlife, with its dense cover, and I find birds love to forage on the seedheads at the Arboretum. Bees sometimes feed on the pollen; skipper butterfly larvae feed on the foliage; whitetail deer browse foliage; songbirds and bobwhite quail, mourning doves feed on seeds; and prairie chickens use the plants for feed and cover.

Remember Indian grass when you are thinking of native grasses, it’s an easy to grow, tough native.

Top: Indian grass flowers.

Bottom: Indian grass collection at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Photos courtesy of Mary Meyer

References: Anonymous. 2009. Sorghastrum nutans ‘Indian Steel’ Indian grass. http://www.jelitto. com/haupt.html. accessed 18 Oct. 2012.

mary meyer recognized by terrace books

Minnesota Department of Transportation.

2011. Native Seed Mix Design Manuel for Roadsides. Accessed 18 October 2012. http://www.dot.state.mn.us/environment/ erosion/pdf/native-seed-mix-dm.pdf.

Terrace Horticultural Books presents its sixth annual Terrace Award to Dr. Mary Meyer.

The award is given each year in recognition of outstanding achievement and service to horticulture in Minnesota. Meyer has spent much of her career studying ornamental grasses for use in northern gardens.

Stephens, L. 2010. ‘Bantam’ and ‘Redspike’ Indian grass. HortScience 45:445-44.

USDA-Soil Conservation Service. 1989.

‘Tomahawk’Indiangrass. Program Aid 1405.

Accessed online 17 October 2012. http://books.google.com/ books?id=k3wtZ9JLoQYC. USDA-NRCS. 2012. Plants Database. Indian grass Plant Fact Sheet. Accessed 12 October 2012. http://plants.usda.gov/ mary meyer can be reached at meyer023@umn.edu.

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Photo courtesy of Kent Petterson

The ornamental grass test gardens that she started recently marked their 25th year at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Her grass introduction Schizachyrium ‘Blue Heaven’ little bluestem was released in 2007. Meyer has authored or co-authored more than 30 peer reviewed papers and has written two books on ornamental grasses for cold climates.

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it’s marketing not rocket science It’s funny; the longer I’m in marketing the more I hear people say “I don’t know how to market.” But you do! Marketing is made up of three things — product/service knowledge (…check), customer knowledge (…check) and market awareness (…check). You’re already on your way!

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➾ mark eting

G

reat, that was easy, what’s next? Get started. Now. Unfortunately, marketing typically only becomes a concern when finding customers becomes a problem. At that time, it might be too late to gain or keep any momentum. With the seasonality of our industry, now is the time to put together your strategy for 2013. Don’t waste valuable time mid-season searching for new customers. Answer the 5 W’s to keep a steady flow of customers and you’ll be set for success.

Why

The 5 W’s…

Why: Why are you marketing?

What is your goal? Is it to drive sales, bring people into an event, let them know you opened a new store/location?

Who

Who: Who is your customer?

Where

Know your market. Create a customer profile: who is your typical customer, what do they want? Keeping this phantom customer in mind will help you stay focused.

Where: Where do you find your customers and alternately, where did they find you?

Where does your ‘who’ shop, hangout, get their news, live? Where do your leads come from?

Always ask how they found you, that way if it’s working, you can keep doing it.

When: When will you tell them?

When

If you have an event, this will answer itself, if not, when is your ‘who’ interested in your message? When do you hear from your customers? Is it in the morning, afternoon, early week?

Is it early spring, mid-summer or winter? Tailor your timing to when your ‘who’ is most open to your message.

What

What: What are you going to say?

What do you want them to know? What makes you different? When is your sale/event/ promotion? What are they looking to get out of your product/service, how can you help them? Tell your ‘who’! Make sure your ‘what’ is engaging. Most people see clichés as fluff and gloss over them. january 13 mnla .biz

45

➾ mark eting

Ho w …and one H How: How are you going reach your goal?

Review the answers from your 5 W’s, and start your strategy. Be sure to have measurable goals or you’ll never know if you were successful.

And another thing … Here are a few lessons learned as you get started.

Don’t overlook an opportunity to market because you think you’re too small (or too big!).

Review your resources. Be realistic with your time and budget and enlist help if you need it.

You are not your customer, so don’t market to yourself. This includes where you market and what you say.

148250 RDOIC Scoop Ad.indd 1

11/28/12 3:05 PM

Know your timing. The best messaging is lost on poor timing, so are the dollars spent to execute it. If a tree falls in the woods…you know the rest.

Focus. Don’t try to create a one-size-fits-all approach for all services/goals. If your target market is different, create a separate strategy to fit the customer profile.

Price/promotions are not always king.

In the world of discount shopping, great (not just good) service can still help you stand out and create return customers.

Add value, service and customer support whenever possible.

Track your success. It isn’t always easy when you’re doing a million other things but you can’t recapture this information (in most cases) and you’ll need it to evaluate what to do for the next year.

So get started…today! can be reached at: kclements@sstree.com.

karla clements

january 13 mnla .biz

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â&#x17E;ž cover story

MNLA Foundation Celebrates

Another Su

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mnla .biz january 13

ccessful Year

2012 was a busy and exciting year for the MNLA Foundation!

This story features photos from local schools with horticulture programs and outlines highlights from the MNLA Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key projects.

(Top): Elm pruning at University of Minnesota.

(Left): Making good connections at Hennepin Technical College (HTC). Š Bruce Silcox.

january 13 mnla .biz

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mnla .biz january 13

Greenhouse production at HTC. © Bruce Silcox.

We’ve been hard at work reaching out to and preparing the next generation of green industry professionals.

A Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) Spring Tour.

s part of this outreach, a new Green Industries Careers Team will work with MNLA Foundation staff on the Foundation’s Key Projects. This team has been assembled and includes: Scott Frampton of Landscape Renovations (chair), Tim Oberg of Southview Design (vice-chair), Jim Calkins (Research and Education Consultant), Amanda Clark (The Mustard Seed), Terry Ferriss (University of Wisconsin, River Falls), Kim Gaida-Wagener (Dundee Nursery and Landscape Company), Melissa Haselhorst (LandSculpt, Inc.), Mary Meyer (University of Minnesota, St. Paul), John Mickman (Mickman Brothers, Inc.), Bill Mielke (Waconia Tree Farms), Kurt Schrader (Twin Lakes Landscape) and Bert Swanson (Swanson’s Nursery Consulting, Inc.).

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR KEY PROJECTS ➾ january 13 mnla .biz

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CURRICULUM:

SCHOOL/TEACHER OUTREACH:

Development of Grade School Curriculum: Hooked on Horticulture (12 Lessons).

Attended, exhibited and presented at MN Ag Educator Conferences and the National School Counselors Conference. The Foundation plans to continue outreach at these events in the future, plus add a workshop and exhibit at the Ag in the Classroom conference this summer.

Purchase and Revision of High School Horticulture Curriculum.

All curriculum available for download via www.MNLAschoolhouse.org.

NEXT STEP: Review curriculum and work to ensure a complete and thorough marketing effort is achieved.

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Participated in the creation of the Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Blueprint for Education in Minnesota, ensuring the visibility of horticulture and landscaping as an important part Agriculture.

BENCHMARKS/PATHWAYS/ CAREER DEVELOPMENT/ CERTIFICATION: California had a valuable Career Pathways model and gave us permission to use it.

A team of MNLA volunteers assembled and revised these documents.

TheLandLovers.org overviews the career paths one might take for the various interest areas.

NEXT STEP: Review available certifications and consider further future action.

Hands-on landscape instruction at HTC. © Bruce Silcox.

Containerized & Bareroot Liners Quart Liners • Extends your planting season • Virtually no transplant shock • Deeper container for better roots • Great Value!

Bareroot Liners • Premium grade bedrun • New low price • Heavy rooted, northern grown

www.EvergreenNurseryCo.com 1 800.448.5691

CREATING RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND VALUABLE INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS: Linking industry members with mentoring opportunities through the University of Minnesota.

Partnering with member companies to award deserving students with scholarships through the MNLA Foundation Academic Awards Program.

Connecting various student groups with industry members for site visits, etc.

Possibilities for student outreach and engagement (internships, mentoring, career days, etc.) will be evaluated to determine which the MNLA Foundation should be offering and developing.

january 13 mnla .biz

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➾ cover story

School counselors flocked to the MNLA Foundation display at The National School Counselors conference this past June, excited to talk about career opportunities for their students in the green industry.

GREEN INDUSTRY PROMOTION & THELANDLOVERS.ORG:

DIGITAL/SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH:

Creation of theLandLovers.org website has been a huge success. There are 35 state partners and 3 national partners.

theLandLovers.org.

TheLandLovers.org education page links to all Minnesota horticulture/landscaping programs and has received over 1,200 unique visitors since it debuted.

MNLA has created a number of materials for members to use in promoting the industry, including pens, bookmarks, brochures, stickers, coloring sheets, PowerPoint presentation, and a career fair display kit.

Poster and handouts in the MNLA Garden at the Minnesota State Fair advertised for theLandLovers.org and green industry careers.

For the first time, the Foundation had a careers presentation in the Eco Experience building during the Minnesota State Fair.

Participation in workforce development and education discussions with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MN DEED).

MNLASchoolhouse.org and MNLA.biz’s Schoolhouse pages.

Outreach on Facebook and Twitter.

Current digital and social media outreach will be evaluated and revamped this upcoming year.

OTHER PARTNERSHIPS: Workshops, exhibits, and student interaction at FFA State Convention for the last two years.

Outreach to Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, Minneapolis Public Schools and the STEP UP program, the Ag High School in Vadnais Heights, and the Conservation Corps.

GREEN FOR LIFE: This was formerly an Association outreach program but now can be absorbed into the Foundation’s Careers Outreach efforts.

jodi larson is the MNLA Foundation Program Director and can be reached at: jodi@mnla.biz.

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Hennepin Technical College on Grow with KARE

A member of the minnesota state Colleges and universities system. Hennepin Technical College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.

The project is the result of conversations among instructors in HTC’s horticulture, landscaping, and culinary arts programs, who wanted to develop gardens that all three departments could share.

According to Linda Valentine, who teaches graphic design at HTC and Highview, she was already working with HTC culinary arts instructor Dave Eisenreich on a Highview culinary project when she heard about the garden idea. She arranged a meeting to bring representatives from the college and Highview together, and they started to develop a plan to make the garden a reality.

BOBBY

“WORkING TOGETHER, WE’RE TEACHING sTuDENTs HOW TO CARE fOR THE EARTH AND PLANTs, sO THEY CAN GROW AND CONsumE THEIR OWN HEALTHY fOODs AND sHARE IT WITH OTHERs,” sAID JAY sIEDsCHLAW, LANDsCAPING INsTRuCTOR AT HTC. VIsITORs TO THE sITE INCLuDE BELINDA JENsEN AND BOBBY JENsEN Of kARE-11 TV’s ”GROW WITH kARE,” WHICH fEATuRED THE PROJECT ON A sEGmENT THAT AIRED IN OCTOBER.

BELINDA

LANDSCAPE & HORTICULTURE

A unique collaboration between Hennepin Technical College and Robbinsdale Highview Alternative Program, the Earth Education (E2) Garden is helping students learn through a hands-on project that’s taking shape on the Brooklyn Park campus of HTC.

In phase 1 of the project, high school and college students have constructed raised garden beds and are researching appropriate plants to grow. In the spring, they will sow the plants, then tend the garden and harvest the produce next summer. The HTC culinary arts students will use the fresh vegetables and herbs in their college classes, with excess produce being distributed to Highview students and local food shelves. HTC culinary students will also demonstrate fresh produce preparation for the high school students.

In phase 2, Highview and HTC students will construct a duplicate garden at the Highview site. In Phase 3, the group hopes to construct satellite gardens in the community.

Industry partners are also donating time and some materials for the project.

Anchor Block Company donated 28 pallets of concrete blocks to help with construction of the raised garden beds. With the E2 Garden, a good idea helped forge a unique collaboration and a project that’s helping students learn how to grow together.

www.HennepinTech.edu Arboriculture, Greenhouse management, Horticulture, Landscape Design & urban forestry

➾ legal corner

Insurance Loopholes: The “Your Work” Exclusion Most contractors have a general liability insurance policy to protect their company if something goes wrong on a job. What many contractors don’t know, however, is that their policy likely doesn’t provide coverage for the work they perform on the jobsite.

Here’s what you need to know to evaluate your policy and what risks it can expose you to.

Bryan Zlimen

Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC

the problem lies in what is called a “your work” exclusion, which excludes coverage for damage to work or operations performed by you. Most policies only provide coverage for damage to other elements caused by your work.

As an example, if you build a retaining wall, and that wall later fails due to an installation mistake, an insurance policy that contains a “your work” exclusion will not normally indemnify or defend you for claims relating to the repair or replacement of the wall. If, however, the wall toppled over onto a car parked nearby, the policy would cover the damage to the car, but only the car.

This shortcoming can leave you on the hook for significant repairs or monetary damages that you were not expecting. That kind of surprise can be detrimental to a business.

If you hire subcontractors to work on your jobsites, there may be a bit of good news. Most policies that have a “your work” exclusion also have a clause that will allow for coverage if the damaged work or the work out of which the damage arises was performed on your behalf by a subcontractor.

There are steps that you can take to help protect you from damages resulting from your work. If you cannot

obtain coverage through your insurer, having a good written contract and doing business as a protected entity (such as a corporation or LLC) can limit the amount and types of liability you or your business could be exposed to. The first step, however, is to review your policy and talk with your insurance provider so that you know exactly what types of damage are covered on jobsites.

Taking a few minutes to do so can save time, money, and worry down the road. on employment 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. If you would like more information regarding business liability or other legal matters, please contact Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-331-6500 or info@zmattorneys.com.

this article provides general information

is one of the founding partners of Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC. His law practice focuses on assisting contractors & other small business owners. Prior to becoming an attorney, he spent 12 years working in the residential construction and landscaping industries. He can be reached at bzlimen@zmattorneys.com.

bryan zlimen

INSIDE SCOOP of Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens chose Pulmonaria as the Plant of the Month. Its common name is lungwort, the latin meaning of pulmo meaning ‘lung.’ All Pulmonaria share foliage that is rough, covered in very short hairs, making it resistant to deer and rabbits. The leaves are lance shaped and narrow to oval ranging from green with a light speckling of silver to almost completely silver depending on the variety. The flowers appear in spring abundantly above the clumps of leaves in blue, pink or white. The foliage provides visual interest all season long and they are very easy to grow. see page 19. ann standish

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➾ vol unteer

mnla

member

volunteers needed for M N L A T h e s co o p contrib u tions

The MNLA invites all members to get actively involved in your association. There are numerous volunteer opportunities that will expand your network and knowledge while supporting the green industry and the mission of MNLA. We hope to make this a monthly column that highlights areas in which we need members to get involved!

Get involved! We guarantee you’ll take away more than you thought possible.

write an article and/or submit photographs for the scoop Who doesn’t like seeing their name in print?

This month we’d like to highlight an opportunity for members to write articles for the MNLA monthly magazine — The Scoop!

Feature Stories/Member Articles: Do you enjoy writing or feel passionate about an industry-related issue? We encourage you to start typing and send us an article or even two! One of the things that makes this publication truly unique is the amount of member-submitted content we are able to publish on a monthly basis. We can learn more together than we can individually, so let’s share. Articles can be submitted at any time to MNLA Executive Assistant Sue Flynn at susan@mnla.biz and will run in the soonest available issue based on deadlines.

Industry Response Questions: Not feeling up for a full-blown feature story? We have some new short member-response highlights like “Word on the Street” (see page 12) or “My Favorite Tool” (see page 24) that debuted in this issue. Let us know that you’d like to be added to the e-mail response list for future renditions of these features. E-mail MNLA Executive Assistant Sue Flynn at susan@mnla.biz and we’ll add you to the list!

Calling all Photographers: Perhaps you don’t feel like you’re a strong writer, but you’ve got some great photographs that you’re willing to share (with a photo credit of course!). Or maybe you want to be on a resource team and we can e-mail you when we’re looking for specific photos to run with a story. If this sounds like an opportunity for you, get in touch with MNLA Communication Director Jon Horsman at jon@mnla.biz.

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The Scoop | MDA UPDATE

Minnesota Agriculture D 2012 Gypsy Moth Tr

T

he Minnesota Department of Agriculture will set nearly 18,000 gypsy moth traps across Minnesota this spring as part of its annual program to monitor Minnesota’s forests and urban areas for new infestations of the destructive tree pest. Trapping will cover priority areas including the state’s eastern border, the Twin Cities area, St. Cloud, and the southwestern corner of the state.

•Gypsy Cash Flow Advantage with moth caterpillars eatpay-as-you-go the leaves premiums Customized Loss Controlfavoring Servicesoak, designed for YOUR business of •many trees and shrubs, • Proactive Claims Management Member/Group focused poplar, birch and willow.

Infestations • Contactresult Dennis for more information: 651-389-1043 typically inMedo unsightly defoliation, and severe, repeated infestations can kill trees – especially when the trees are already stressed by drought or other factors. The moths are not native to North America,

at

T ST m ot

A fr Fr to th

su gy ro w be

de a w ve fu w 38

www.MNLA.biz | June 2012

â&#x17E;ž mnla certification

updates to mnla

certification Is the MNLA Certification program changing? The answer to that question is yes and no. Some components of the program will stay the same and some will change.

Susan Flynn | MNLA Executive Assistant

• The purpose of the program will stay the same: To uphold, improve, and promote standards of professionalism and excellence within the industry. The program will continue to bring the most highly trained industry professionals into the fold and give members a promotional tool they can use to set themselves apart.

• The current pre-requisites will stay the same: one must have completed 2000 hours in nursery or landscape related employment or two years of nursery or landscape education plus internship to sit for the exam.

• There will still be a comprehensive exam. It will likely look a little different than the certification exams of the past. But be assured, the rigor and challenge of the exam will remain.

• Recertification and continuing education credits will continue to be required.

What is changing is how you will learn the materials and prepare for the exam.

Some have found studying the 500-page study manual for the Certification Exam a daunting experience. In response to that, a task team of educators and industry professionals have begun the work of developing online training modules with accompanying self-tests. This is an exciting, new way of learning. Imagine being able to study the materials on your computer, watch a video or perhaps a power point, and then take a short quiz to test yourself immediately following it. The learning possibilities are endless!

The Education and Certification Committee are excited about the future of MNLA Certification and are committed to providing the best program possible. More details coming soon! for those preparing to take the

— The January 25th exam at Hennepin Technical College and the March 15th exam at Dakota County Technical College will be in the current testing format. exams in 2013

The NEW Standard in Sidewalk Snow

Schedule a Ventrac Demo with:

Cushman Motor Company, Inc.

2909 E Franklin Ave • Minneapolis, MN (612) 333-3487 • 1-800-759-5343 www.cushmanmotorco.com january 13 mnla .biz

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➾ R esearch for th e R eal W orld

Landscape Turf, Phosphorus Fertilization, and Water Quality Turf is an important component of most American landscapes and having an attractive, green lawn is a desired goal for most residential and commercial landscapes.

Turfgrass is also an important commodity in the nursery and landscape industry.

Dr. James Calkins

Research Information Director MNLA Foundation

whether a seed producer or a sod grower, a landscape installation firm or a landscape management company, a lawn maintenance equipment manufacturer or retailer, or a wholesaler or retailer selling seed, sod, fertilizers, pesticides, or other turf-related products, turfgrass generates sales and has the potential to generate profits.

While having a beautiful, green lawn is an important objective for many homeowners and landscape service providers, significant inputs are typically required to achieve success and it is important that this goal be pursued in the most sustainable fashion possible.

Fertilizing is one aspect of turf management that is often criticized as being excessive and a potential source of phosphorus carried in stormwater runoff to surface waters. As a result, restrictions on the use of phosphorus fertilizer have been implemented in several jurisdictions, including Minnesota, and are under consideration by others.

The Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law was implemented statewide in 2005 and prohibits the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus on lawns and turf in Minnesota unless: • a soil or plant tissue test shows a need for phosphorus, • a new lawn is being established by seeding or laying sod, • phosphorus fertilizer is being applied on a golf course by trained staff, or • phosphorus fertilizer is being applied on farms growing sod for sale.

In addition, all fertilizer spilled or spread on paved surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, and streets must be cleaned up immediately to prevent it from washing away into rivers, lakes, and wetlands. This applies to all fertilizers, whether they contain phosphorus or not.

Whether such restrictions on the use of phosphorus fertilizers have or will have a meaningful effect on water quality remains to be seen, but research completed at the University of Minnesota has shed additional light on the relationships between the application of phosphorus fertilizer and phosphorus levels in runoff from turf. The research findings also reinforce the importance of healthy, vigorous turf and the role landscape turf can play relative to water quality.

Significant points/findings:

• Pertinent research findings related to the role of phosphorus in eutrophication (the natural and enhanced addition of nutrients to water bodies which can result in increased algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and excessive growth of macrophytes and lead to decreased water quality and associated detrimental environmental effects), sources of phosphorus loading including the role of fertilizers applied to turfgrass, and seasonal effects on stormwater runoff and phosphorus transport are presented and discussed; a working understanding of these relationships is required to make sound turf management decisions.

• Research objectives included quantifying the amount of phosphorus carried in stormwater runoff from landscape turf relative to fertilization and clipping management and assessing the effects of phosphorus fertilization and clipping management on turf quality and growth.

• Four fertilizer treatments (non-fertilized control, no added phosphorus, low added phosphorus, and high added phosphorus) and two methods of clipping management (removed or returned) were compared; the no, low, and high phosphorus treatments also received added nitrogen and potassium at rates recommended for turf. january 13 mnla .biz

63

➾ Researc h for the R eal World

Figure 1. When compared to non-fertilized turf, properly fertilized turf can reduce runoff and the potential for phosphorus losses that can have a negative effect on the water quality of surface waters.

(Photo credit: Jim Calkins).

• On soils with adequate phosphorus, not fertilizing with nitrogen and potassium reduces turf quality and growth resulting in reduced turf density, increased weed growth, more exposed soil, increased stormwater runoff, and increased potential for phosphorus losses.

• Clipping management does not have a significant effect on the phosphorus levels in runoff from landscape turf.

• Properly fertilized turf can reduce runoff volumes and phosphorus loading to surface waters; poor quality turf caused by inadequate fertility can increase phosphorus losses and increase the potential for environmental harm; a soil test is needed to determine fertilizer needs.

top takeaways Turfgrass generates sales and has the potential to generate profits.

Fertilizing is one aspect of turf management that is often criticized as being excessive and a potential source of phosphorus carried in stormwater runoff to surface waters.

Research findings reinforce the importance of healthy, vigorous turf and the role it plays relative to water quality.

Most runoff occurred when the soil was frozen.

Applying additional phosphorus to soils containing adequate phosphorus does not improve turf performance and can increase phosphorus levels in runoff.

Not fertilizing with nitrogen and potassium reduces turf quality and increases weed growth, runoff, and potential for phosphorus losses.

Properly fertilized turf can reduce runoff volumes and phosphorus loading to surface waters.

A soil test is needed to determine fertilizer needs.

• Phosphorus levels in the soil, turfgrass tissue, and runoff increased as the rate of phosphorus fertilization was increased.

• Fertilizers should not be applied to frozen soil even in situations where additional phosphorus is needed; most runoff occurred when the soil was frozen (66–78%) and the majority of the phosphorus lost also occurred when the soil was frozen (80–86%).

• Phosphorus should not be added to soils that are high in phosphorus; when fertilized with nitrogen and potassium, applying additional phosphorus to soils containing adequate phosphorus for turf growth does not improve turf performance and can increase phosphorus levels in runoff.

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• Any strategy that decreases runoff volume (e.g., preventing compaction, aerification to reduce compaction, fertilization with nitrogen to increase turf density) will decrease phosphorus losses.

In general, excess phosphorus in surface waters has a negative effect on water quality and this concern has lead to increased public awareness about this relationship and has fostered phosphorus fertilizer restrictions for turf. As a result, when the general public is asked to identify the primary sources of the excess phosphorus that threatens our water resources, fertilizer is a common answer and especially the application of fertilizer to turf. This is unfortunate as the situation is much more complicated and a large segment of the population now believes the application of fertilizers in general is harmful to the environment and can result in enhanced erosion and phosphorus losses that are higher than those realized for fertilized turf; in other words, the exact opposite of the intended outcome. In many cases, this perception has also given turf a bad name. In reality, a variety of important benefits are associated with healthy turf in designed landscapes and research supports the idea that when properly managed, high quality turf is one of the best ways to reduce erosion and the transport of phosphorus to surface waters.

The green industry has a responsibility to apply fertilizers properly and to educate the public about the proper use of fertilizers based on the most up-to-date scientific information available. Research efforts like these University of Minnesota studies can be helpful in this regard.

For additional detail and about this University of Minnesota research or to read the Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law and its reported effectiveness, see the following selected references: Bierman, P.M., B.P. Horgan, C.J. Rosen, A.B. Hollman, and P.H. Pagliari.

2010. Phosphorus Runoff from Turfgrass as Affected by Phosphorus Fertilization and Clipping Management. Journal of Environmental Quality 39(1):282-292. https://www.agronomy.org/publications/jeq/ articles/39/1/282?highlight Horgan, B., P. Rice, and C. Rosen. 2012. Phosphorus Runoff from Turf.

MTGF Clippings (Spring/Summer 2012):4-5. http://issuu.com/mtgf/ docs/mtgfclippings?mode=window&pageNumber=4 Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law; http://www.mda.state. mn.us/phoslaw To comment on this month’s update, suggest research topics of interest, or pass along a piece of research-based information that might be of interest to your industry colleagues, please email us at Research@MNLA.biz.

Continued from page 10 the property maintenance after the project is complete, and this maintenance plan is presented to the client with the designs and bids.

The answer to maintaining a beautiful new garden, landscape or patio might lie outside the walls of the company that designed or installed the project. If your company is not set up to maintain landscapes after the installation, refer a qualified maintenance company, gardener or property manager.

Maintenance crews need proper training about specific materials and components installed. The proper maintenance plan and team will enable you to build long-lasting relationships with clients and also help you grow your professional network. Whether it is a licensed arborist, master gardener, reliable irrigation technician, artistic lighting designer or other contractor, these services are all part of what I consider NEW LakEtoN PLus™ PaviNg systEm to be a quality maintenance team.

Learn to include short term and long term maintenance A fAster pAth to BeAutiful services in your bidding process. Build relationships with other maintenance professionals to utilize their expertise. Exceed Laketon Plus™ paving system provides a random natural flagstone appearance with a clientThe expectations and go that extra mile by helping clients single shape and six different faces that can be installed efficiently. Anchor Plus™ paving understand quality maintenance is essential to the ongoing systems surpass industry strength and durability standards. The signature manufacturing appearance, function and value of their property. q process produces a rich color, distinctive appearance and wear-resistant surface. See our _________________________________________________ display at the Northern Green Expo. For more information visit anchorblock.com.

Seth ©Midura is Block a member MNLA Landscape Design 14.3622.1 11/11 2012 Anchor Company. of Thethe “Anchor Build Something Beautiful” logo and Laketon Plus™ are trademarks of Anchor Wall Systems, Inc. Committee and can be reached at seth@naturalcreationsmn.com.

J

ust ask Van why he chose CounterPoint and Dailey Data as his POS solution providers for Malmborg’s Garden Centers:

“CounterPoint and Dailey Data have helped us become more profitable by improving our purchasing with detailed historical sales information, as well as controlling our margins by identifying return items and limiting inventory losses with controlled receiving procedures.

“I highly recommend Dailey Data and CounterPoint to others in our industry because they have the hands-on experience to understand the specific needs of the Nursery, Greenhouse, and Garden Center businesses.” ~ Van Cooley Malmborg’s Garden Centers

Want to know more? Call or email for a no-obligation survey and ROI analysis for your company.

12

www.MNLA.biz | July 2012

➾ trends team

trends affecting

your in 2013

business

mnl a t r en d s t eam

What do the industry leaders on MNLA’s Trends Team foresee for 2013?

Most think the green industry is likely to see some benefit from an improving economy and housing market, and that positioning your company as offering sustainable solutions will be important.

Plus, as the economy improves, there will be pressure to find and retain quality employees.

Brad Tabke, Ethical Landscape Consultants: “New technologies and methods of communication will continue to gain steam in 2013. Embrace them and continue to incorporate technology advancement into your processes - clients will respect and demand it. Another trend in 2013 will be landscape companies spending more on their employees. Retention will be key as the economy improves and employees begin to have more choices and opportunity to change.

“Finally, as the economy recovers, commercial real estate will begin to invest more in their properties. The winners will be the people who put forward the best solutions that will decrease long-term costs, increase sustainability and even have return on investment. Think Smart irrigation, reduced turf areas, native landscapes and fewer annual flowers.”

Andy Petersen, Spectrum Sales: “In the next 12 to 14 months, I think we’ll see shrinking incomes due to taxes, but mainly inflation in the price of food, energy and consumables. Inflation will be further exacerbated by the Fed monetizing the Federal Debt. Another trend is that customers will search for the best value in all things - not necessarily best price, but the best value for the price. I also believe that the uncertainty over Obamacare, combined with over-regulation and tight credit will continue to be a drag on job creation unless removed.”

Matt Brooks, Dakota County Technical College: “The continued housing recovery will

Jeff Pilla, Bachman’s: “Retailers will need to reposition themselves for the change in demographics. As baby boomer’s consumption continues to decrease, it will be vitally important to increase the dialog with Gen X and Gen Y. The housing market appears to be on the rebound and if this continues into 2013 the green industry will greatly benefit.

Consumers continue to be interested in ‘buying local’ and independent garden centers are well positioned to leverage this trend.”

bode well for landscape design/build firms and garden centers, albeit at a more modest pace than pre-2008. I think there will be a growing interest in more sustainable/environmentallyfriendly landscapes including home food gardens, orchards, back yard chickens, etc.

Finally, I hope I’m wrong, but I fear continued drought conditions will result in watering restrictions which will likely hit lawn maintenance companies hardest.”

Steve Hedberg, Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies: “I believe the three biggest forces in the economy will be continued low interest rates, rising home values, and decreasing unemployment. In our industry, big trends will be a continuing growth of outdoor living environments as a consumer purchasing choice; increased use of natural stone as building material choice; and also the use of a combination of natural stone and concrete products in hardscape.” edited by bob fitch and jon horsman

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Steve Sylvester, S&S Tree & Horticultural Specialists: “We’ll continue to be challenged to find, recruit and hire good employees that understand what our industry is all about and want to work in our field. Second, we need to be on the alert for new pesticide restrictions — making sure that a fast one is not pulled like what happened to our neighbors in Canada. Third, I think the economy will keep coming back around, along with the housing market, and hopefully will free up consumers to open up their pocket books and invest money back into their property again by spending it on green industry items.”

NORTHERN

GREEN

EXPO

JANUAR

11, 2013

MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER

The 2013 Northern Green Expo Is Generously Supported By:

Future January 8-10, 2014 Expo Dates: January 7-9, 2015

www.NorthernGreenExpo.org

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