The Scoop Online – April 2011

MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION . . . SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES GROW HERE!

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Insights and Information for Green Industry Professionals

VOLUME 34, 32, NUMBER 4 6 June April 2009 2011

Top Performing Annuals Pages 24-25

A Full Agenda at the Capitol PAGE 8

Award Winners!

PAGES 35-36, 40-42 forow! p n Uing Ne 43 g i S ycl pag c Re See

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From the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . 8 Government Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sustainable Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . 11 MDA Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-19 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21 Plant Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 University of Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Landscape Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Garden Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Business Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Public Relations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-34 Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 40-42 Landscape Professionals . . . . . . . . . 37-39 Stormwater Management . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Careers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Plant of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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ADVERTISER INDEX AgStar Financial Services - 16 Anchor Block Company - 2 Ancom Communication & Technical Center - 15 Belgard Hardscapes-Northfield - 29 Borgert Products, Inc. - 14 Bourdeaux Enterprises, Inc. - 22 Bridgewater Tree Farms - 11 Brock White Company - 32 Carlin Horticultural Supplies/ProGreen Plus - 18 Casualty Assurance - 21 Central Landscape Supply - 20 Central Wisconsin Evergreens, Inc. - 26 Ceres Environmental - 39 Cherokee Mfg. - 41 County Materials Corporation - 10 Crow River Greenhouse & Nursery - 23 Cushman Motor Co., Inc. - 33 D. Hill Nursery Co. - 38 Dayton Bag & Burlap - 34 Fireside Hearth & Home - 27 Floral Plant Growers-Natural Beauty - 25

Fury Motors - 41 Gardenworld Inc. - 34 Golden Valley Hardscapes/Xylem, Ltd. - 28 Gopher State One-Call - 37 Great Northern Equipment Distributing, Inc. - 17 Haag Companies, Inc. - 5 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies - 9 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet - 7 Johnson’s Nursery, Inc. - 33 Klaus Nurseries - 30 L&M Products, Inc. - 37 MN Equipment Solutions, Inc. - 10 Out Back Nursery - 19 Rock Hard Landscape Supply - 4 Stonebrooke Equipment Inc. - 19 TerraDek Lighting, Inc. - 20 The Mulch Store - 13 The Tessman Company - 22 Ziegler Cat - 3

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Upcoming Events April 8-15 – Permaculture Design Certification. Nature’s Nest, Montrose, Minn. For more information, call Cathy at 763-972-6891.

22 – PLANET Day of Service. MNLA is an association partner in this national program. For more information, visit www.planetdayofservice.org.

May 11-13 – Minnesota Safety & Health Conference. Minneapolis Convention Center. For more information, call 651-291-9150 or see www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org.

July 9-10 – Ohio Shortcourse. Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio. For more information, see www.ofa.org.

19-21 – Perennial Plant Symposium. Hyatt Regency Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, see www.perennialplant.org.

26 – 21st Annual Widmer Golf Tournament. University of Minnesota Golf Course, Roseville.

Watch for more information at www.MNLA.biz.

28 – Landscape Design Tour. St. Paul and Minneapolis. Watch for more information at www.mnla.biz.

August 4 – Garden Center Tour. Minneapolis, Minn. Watch for more information at www.mnla.biz.

25-Sept. 5 – MNLA Garden at the Minnesota State Fair. Watch for more information at www.mnla.biz.

September 21 – MNLA Foundation Sporting Clays Tournament. More information coming soon at www.mnla.biz.

22 – Green for Life – an MNLA Public Service Event. For more information, see page 48 or visit www.mnla.biz.

October 5 – MNLA Snow Day. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul. More information coming soon at www.mnla.biz.

January 3 – Super Tuesday. Minneapolis Convention Center. More information coming soon!

4-6 – Northern Green Expo. Minneapolis Convention Center. Exhibit contracts available online at www.northerngreenexpo.org or call 651-633-4987.

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If interested in sponsoring, please call Betsy Pierre, 763-295-5420 / betsy@pierreproductions.com

Reserve Booth Space Now!

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 • GardenMinnesota.com

MNLA Mission The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help nursery and landscape related companies in Minnesota and the surrounding region operate their businesses more successfully.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bert Swanson, MNLA-CP, President Swanson’s Nursery Consulting, Inc. 218-732-3579 • btswanson@gmail.com Debbie Lonnee, MNLA-CP, Vice President Bailey Nurseries, Inc. 651-768-3375 debbie.lonnee@baileynursery.com Heidi Heiland, MNLA-CP, Secretary-Treasurer Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens 612-366-7766 • heidi@BloomOnMN.com Van Cooley, Past President Malmborg’s, Inc. 763-535-4695 van@geraniumsbygeorge.com Randy Berg, MNLA-CP Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 rberg@smig.net Scott Frampton Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 sframpton@landscaperenovations.com Tim Malooly, CID, CLIA, CIC Irrigation By Design Inc. 763-559-7771 • timm@ibdmn.com Bill Mielke Wilson’s Nursery, Inc. 952-445-3630 bill@wilsonsnurseryinc.com Herman Roerick Central Landscape Supply 320-252-1601 hermanr@centrallandscape.com Bob Fitch MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • bob@mnla.biz

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NorthernGreenExpo.org or call 651-633-4987

Staff directory and member services directory near the back cover.

The Scoop is published 12 times per year by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 1813 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113. Address corrections should be sent to the above address. News and advertising deadlines are the 5th of the month preceding publication.

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The Scoop | FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A Full Agenda at the Minnesota State Legislature

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director he Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association has a very full agenda at the 2011 Minnesota Legislature.

Here’s a brief rundown on the issues we’re lobbying on or monitoring.

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Bob Fitch

Phasing Out the DNR State Forest Nurseries. MNLA testified in favor of S.F. 364, sponsored by Sen. John Pederson, R-St. Cloud, which would shut down the DNR State Forest Nurseries which have long competed with private industry. The bill passed its first test on March 8th when the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee voted 7-5 in favor of laying it over for possible inclusion in the Senate Environment Omnibus Bill. No action has been taken on H.F. 635, sponsored

by Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar.

Fixing Unemployment Compensation Bias Against Family-Owned Businesses. The 2010 Legislature changed the law to limit the payment of unemployment benefits to laid-off employees who are the adult children of a business owner.

The change limits children (regardless of age) of owners from receiving more than five weeks of state unemployment benefits and up to 11 weeks of federal benefits. For family-owned seasonal businesses like nursery and landscape companies, this change is discriminatory and a severe economic burden upon hard-working citizens. Previously, the payment limit applied to minor children of owners. H.F. 103, sponsored by Rep. Rich Murray, R-Albert Lea, overwhelmingly passed the House, and is expected to be adopted by the Senate, where the sponsor is Sen. Pederson.

Protecting Nurseries and Greenhouses in Green Acres Discussions. A number of legislators are pushing to return to pre-2008 language for ag property tax 8

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classifications, i.e.

“Green Acres.”

MNLA’s priority is to ensure that key provisions in the Green Acres and related property classification laws for nursery and greenhouse operations are protected during the course of modifications to these statutes.

Discussions are ongoing, but so far, so good.

Penalizing Those Trying to Cheat the System. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is expected to propose an increase in the penalty for companies found to be operating without the appropriate nursery dealer or grower certificate. Non-compliance tends to increase during times of economic distress, especially when the penalty is extremely minimal. Those skirting the law are riding on the tails of legitimate operators whose fees help ensure compliance with nursery stock inspection procedures to protect nursery and landscape companies, as well as consumers, from flagrant disregard for the need to sell quality plants free of pests and disease.

Protecting Timely Payment to Sub-Contractors. MNLA is a member of the Contractors Bill of Rights Coalition (CBRC), whose focus is to improve the business environment for Minnesota's construction subcontractors.

CBRC is advocating for two bills. H.F. 589, sponsored by Rep. Buesgens, RJordan, requires all retainage to be held in a 3rd party-interest bearing escrow account and released upon substantial completion of the project. H.F. 590, sponsored by Rep. Howes, R-Walker, seeks disclosure and transparency as it relates to construction financing. It requires all construction contracts to verify whether lending is in place for each project and, if so, who the lender is.

In the event the general contractor or subs are not being paid per contract, the general or sub may notify the lender of non-payment without risk of retribution.

Supporting Reform of the PLT Law. MNLA expects an ally organization from the low voltage world to soon introduce a bill to address burdensome requirements in the state’s Power Limited Technician (PLT) and Technology System Contractor (TSC) licenses. Minnesota’s irrigation and landscape lighting contractors are negatively impacted by current requirements, as are other “low voltage” industries like cable television, computer cabling, telecom, and others.

Advocating on EAB / Community Forestry Issues.

Minnesota’s trees are faced with real threats from emerald ash borer (EAB), Gypsy moth, oak wilt, Dutch elm disease, and Sudden Oak Death. Public investments that enhance community forests and shade tree resources are vital because trees provide shade and temperature control; stormwater mitigation; and biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Behind the scenes, MNLA has been weighing in on several proposals to provide short- and long-term responses to the EAB threat.

Opposing Anti-Business Immigration Measures. Several bills have been introduced that would provide for state action on immigration issues.

MNLA strongly advocates for action on the federal level and believes action at the state level will unnecessarily target the business community. MNLA is part of the Minnesota Business Immigration Coalition that is monitoring these bills.

Nearly 50 MNLA members took part in the association’s March 2nd Day on the Hill, visiting approximately 80 legislators to discuss these issues. To see current MNLA government affairs alerts, go to the Legislative Center at www.MNLA.biz. It only takes a few clicks to find your legislators and send a message. q ________________________________ Bob Fitch is the executive director of MNLA. He can be reached at bob@mnla.biz.

The Scoop | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Japanese Barberry a Noxious Weed?

By Tim Power, MNLA Regulatory Consultant

NWAC’s listing options would be as a Specially Regulated Plant, which would require a management plan for the species.

t the recommendation of the Nature Conservancy and the Obviously, this potential listing of DNR, the State of Japanese Barberry holds concern for Minnesota’s Noxious Weed Advisory the nursery and landscape industry Committee (NWAC) has chosen to and MNLA will be monitoring the include Japanese barberry as one of discussion closely. Over the next few the plants to be reviewed this year years, several popular landscape plants for its invasiveness and possible are likely to be run through NWAC’s listing on one of NWAC’s noxious risk assessment process. John weed lists. NWAC, with MNLA’s Daniels, Bachman’s Wholesale, Photo Courtesy of Harold Pellett help, has developed a risk represents MNLA on NWAC and assessment protocol that gathers former U of M hort professor, Jim Calkins, is NWAC’s chair. data from reliable sources about species in question and allows NWAC is an advisory committee to the Minnesota science-based determination of a plant’s listing or non-listing as Department of Agriculture, which holds regulatory authority a noxious weed. MNLA agreed with NWAC’s assessment for noxious weeds, and NWAC’s membership includes a method because the process 1) acknowledges that some native number of agricultural and environmental interests. For more plants can be invasive, and 2) recognizes that some plants with detailed information, see www.mda.state.mn.us/en/ invasive tendencies have significant economic value. One of plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol.aspx. q

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SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT | The Scoop

New Online Natives Information

By Joe Schaffer, Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc.

id you know that Butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa is not suitable for fine textured soils and that it has a high tolerance for drought? How about that the American High-Bush Jeff Schaffer Cranberry Viburnum trilobum can reach a height of 16 feet and produces a brilliant white flower?

This and much, much more information on native plants can now be found via the MNLA website! The sustainable environment committee has now published five different online resource guides for you to use at www.MNLA.biz under business resources.

For years I have been looking for that one brilliant idea that would put me in the company of a billion dollar, successful organization and I finally figured it out (with a little help from the sustainable environment committee): Make a way that people can efficiently search for information on the internet that they are interested in and figure out what information is accurate and relevant! Unfortunately, Google beat me to the punch, so I will just have to

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continue trying to make a living Check out all the online resources at fulfilling people’s native plant MNLA.biz. Click on Business dreams.

Resources (“The Good Stuff”) then Being involved in a committee like the sustainable environment “Sustainable Environment Resource.” committee is a great way to learn and low maintenance lawns and rain barrels. network and share ideas. While In addition to the most recent topic conversations at committee meetings “Native Plants,” future topics to look for over the years have uncovered a lot of in the coming months include drainage information on topics relating our and IPM, among others. As a industry to sustainability and the committee, we are always looking for environment, we have always struggled ways to provide information that is with getting that information out to you, helpful to you. If you see a need for the people the committee serves, in a clarification or more information on a reasonable and productive fashion. For topic that all of us could use to help run the last year or so the committee has our business in a way that is more published a series of online information environmentally sustainable, please let us sources on varying environmentally know and we will try to sort through the favorable and sustainable topics that you information and provide members with can apply to your business. Look in useful information.

Business Resources, a.k.a., "The Good Stuff"on www.MNLA.biz. Committee Of course, if the online information members provide a brief summary of a doesn’t get you comfortable enough with topic that may be new to a lot of folks, something as complicated as say, native and list a number of resources available plants, you can always still contact a to help you successfully implement such specialist like Minnesota Native ideas. The links and resources provided Landscapes, who will gladly help you are screened by committee members and out! are intended to be helpful to people who I hope you all have a safe and have an interest in a topic, but not prosperous 2011 season. q necessarily a lot of expertise in an area. A ________________________________ mini “Google” of sorts!

Joe Schaffer is a member of the MNLA Topics to date include energy saving Sustainable Environment Committee and ideas for your business, permaculture, can be reached at joe@mnlcorp.com.

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The Scoop | MDA UPDATE

Thousand Cankers Disease of Walnut

By Kathryn Kromroy, Minnesota Department of Agriculture n February 23, the Commissioner of Agriculture signed into effect an emergency state exterior quarantine to protect the state’s black walnut trees by restricting walnut wood entering the state that could be carrying Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD). The disease of Juglans species is caused by a fungus (Geosmithia morbida) carried by the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis). Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) is especially susceptible.

Our September 2010 issue of SCOOP included an article about this recently reported disease.

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Prior to July 2011, TCD had been reported only in western and southwestern United States. This summer however, it was confirmed to be the cause of eastern black walnut mortality in Tennessee. This is the first report of TCD within the native range of eastern black walnut, which covers all or parts of over 30 states, including southeastern Minnesota (see map).

Crown symptoms of Thousand Cankers Disease on eastern black. Image courtesy of Curtis Utley, CSUE, Bugwood.org walnut

The highest risk pathway for TCD movement is in walnut wood with bark on. The list of walnut products covered by the quarantine includes live walnut trees, walnut logs,

walnut lumber, walnut firewood, walnut nursery stock, wood chips and mulch made from walnut wood, walnut branches and roots, and packaging materials made from walnut wood. The quarantine does not apply to walnut nuts, nutmeat, walnut hulls, finished products made from walnut wood without bark, or processed lumber that is 100 percent bark-free, and kiln-dried with square edges.

Several other states within the native range of eastern black walnut have issued similar exterior quarantines, including Missouri, Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Indiana and North Carolina (see map). MDA will seek public comment prior to replacing this temporary quarantine with a formal quarantine. To find out more about the quarantine and TCD, visit www.mda.state.mn.us or contact Kathy Kromroy (651-201-6343; email Kathryn.kromroy@state.mn.us). q

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Congratulations!

New MNLA Certified Professionals Passing the Certification Exam March 10, 2011

CERTIFIED Professional

From left to right: Ryan Lehn, Chippewa Farms; Joe Hansen, Linder's Greenhouse; Kari Ward, Green Valley Greenhouse; Jacob Ell, Miller Creek Lawn & Landscape; Jada Johnson, Country Fields Greenhouse & Landscaping; Tami Gallagher, Home Sown Gardens, LLC; Emily Malcolm, Sarah's Cottage Creations; LuVerne Verhoeven, Bachman's; Susan Wagner, Green Valley Greenhouse Not pictured: Allan Miller, Hamline University; Jennifer Monroe, SMSC; Audrey Schmitt, student at Hennepin Technical College

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CERTIFICATION | The Scoop

Getting Ready For the “Exam”…Already?

By Debra Kvamme, Hennepin Technical College y the time this article is published, the MNLA Certification Exams for 2011 will have taken place. There was an exam on January 21st and on March 10th. The industry people who worked hard studying for the exam are breathing a sigh of relief that their intellectual toil paid off. They are proudly CERTIFIED Professional displaying their certificate that says they are a “Certified Professional.” I am sure each one of those exam takers will tell you that it took diligent preparation and focused studying to succeed. I want to extend congratulations to each one of you for a job well done.

But what about the rest of you out there who are not certified? Maybe you have been thinking about purchasing the study materials, or have already bought the manual with the intentions of studying but can’t seem to find the time to read it…your certified peers made the extra effort and it paid off. If

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studying for the exam is important enough, you will find the time. Nothing worth doing is easy!

If you take a look at the certification manual (which is now in a printed format rather then a CD) it can look daunting. I suggest breaking the manual into weekly parts. Read a chapter a week. Some people retain information better by highlighting or taking side notes. The more ways in which you “touch or hear” the information the longer it stays with you. Notice also that members of the Certification Committee are showcasing excerpts from the manual along with a few quiz questions.

This is a great way to review. By the time January of 2012 arrives you should be in great shape to attend the Northern Green Expo for the study session to prepare for the exam later in the month.

So here is my suggestion to you tentative exam takers: you have approximately nine and a half months to prepare for the 2012 round of certification exams. It is never too early to begin the study process! q ________________________________________________ Debra Kvamme is a member of the MNLA Certification Committee and can be reached at Debra.Kvamme@hennepintech.edu.

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The Scoop | CERTIFICATION

Magic from the Manual: Occupational Health and Safety

By Bert Swanson, Swanson’s Nursery Consulting

he beginning of the busy work season and the on set of warm weather should be tempered with CERTIFIED Professional emphasis on safety.

General safety is always paramount, but there are specific human diseases that can raise their ugly heads against everyone in the Green Industry as we charge into the exciting Spring work. Some of the foes that could be on attack are discussed below.

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Sporotrichosis – Sporotrichosis is a lymphatic disease of concern to nursery

personnel, farmers, gardeners, foresters, and anyone handling infested material.

It is caused by a fungus, Sporotrichum schenckii (also Sporothrix schenckii var.

Ajello & Kaplan). The natural habitat of the fungus is soil, sphagnum moss, and some plant material, but it has also been found in commercial potting soil, flowers, shrubs, and even wooden mine support beams. Under some environmental conditions, with moisture, light, and temperature favorable to the fungus, sphagnum moss can become grossly infested and may remain infested for over a year. There is no evidence that the fungus is a plant pathogen, although it has been found associated with a variety of trees, grasses, flowers, and hay.

Sporotrichosis occurs worldwide in both temperate and tropical zones, but it appears to be most common in the Midwest. It often appears as a skin disease affecting the exposed parts of the body such as arms, legs and hands.

Cutaneous and subcutaneous forms of the disease are usually associated with an injury to the skin such as an abrasion, or a prick by a thorn or splinter. A lesion, blister or papule will develop in one to four weeks at the site where spores were introduced into the skin. The lesion may remain localized, or secondary lesions may appear as the fungus spreads along lymphatic channels. The lymph glands in the armpits or elbows may become enlarged and sore. In some cases, bone joint and abdominal pains may become involved. The lungs can also become infested. If diagnosed early, the disease can be adequately treated and is rarely fatal.

If it is suspected that someone has contracted Sporotrichosis, a doctor should be seen immediately. For a positive diagnosis, the fungus must be cultured on Sabouraud’s agar from specimens properly obtained from the patient. Anyone working under the conditions described above, and particularly with sphagnum moss, should take precautions described below.

Sphagnum moss is more likely a host than sphagnum peat.

1. When working with sphagnum moss and with material containing sharp objects such as thorns, splinters, or sticks, wear heavy gloves, long sleeves, thicksoled shoes, and heavy clothing.

2. Hands and arms should be washed thoroughly with soap and water after exposure to sphagnum moss or nursery soil. Disinfect any wounds received while

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working with material that may be infested.

3. Store sphagnum moss indoors under dry conditions.

4. In areas where dust from sphagnum moss may be present, wear a mask.

5. Report any suspicious skin infections as soon as detected.

Blastomycosis – is a rare fugal infection found in dogs, people and occasionally in cats. It is caused by a single fungal species, Blastomycosis dermatitidis, which is found as a mold primarily in sandy, acidic soils near river valleys or other waterways. It is endemic in the Ohio, Mississippi, and St. Lawrence River valleys, the Great Lakes region, and along the eastern seaboard.

Even though Sporotrichosis is not a serious disease if promptly diagnosed and treated, many physicians are unfamiliar with the disease and often misdiagnose it. This prolongs the time before proper treatment, thereby prolonging and complicating treatment. The treatment for Sporotrichosis is oral doses of potassium iodide solution. The treatment is effective, but, they may need to be continued for several months until all symptoms have disappeared. A possible side effect of treatment includes a perpetual upset stomach even after treatments have been discontinued.

In 2001, there were two deaths in Minnesota thought to be caused by Blastomycosis. Green Industry personnel working outside in wet soil conditions and experiencing flu-like symptoms or a recurring cough, which a doctor is unable to treat successfully, should inform the doctor of this work environment and suggest a biopsy for Blastomycosis. Blastomycosis is often difficult to diagnose because of its wide spectrum of manifestations, varying severity, and unusual occurrence in most geographic areas.

Darrell D. Shilling, Principal Plant Pathologist, USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station in St. Paul, MN, who contracted this disease from planting seedlings packed in sphagnum moss, states: “Nursery workers and tree planters who develop sores that do not heal properly should promptly seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possibility of Sporotrichosis.”

In humans, Blastomycosis occurs six times more frequently in males than in females, and typically affects middle-aged patients. The infection is initiated by inhalation of the dimorphic fungus after disturbance of contaminated soils.

Nearly all cases originate in the lungs although dissemination may occur to any organ from the lungs with preference to the skin and bones. The incidence rate is one to two out of every 100,000

population in the areas where the disease is endemic. The incidence rate is far less outside these areas.

Two basic forms of Blastomycosis have been recognized: Pulmonary Blastomycosis and Chronic Cutaneous Blastomycosis. The symptoms generally include cough, shortness of breath, sweating, fever, joint stiffness, weight loss, chest pain, skin lesions, hemoptysis or spitting up blood, and localized swelling. In some patients, the initial pulmonary infection presents symptoms of mild respiratory infection. In other patients, the pulmonary focus becomes more severe and is accompanied by pleuritis or inflammation of the membranes that line the lung cavities.

The most common feature of Blastomycosis is a pulmonary, mass-like, infiltrate which fills the air pockets in the lungs. The upper lobes of the lungs are the predominant sites for these infiltrates which are characteristic of Chronic Blastomycosis which may result in permanent lung damage. Because of the tremendous variety of symptoms, Blastomycosis is often mis-diagnosed as some other infection. Dissemination occurs to the genitourinary tract, skin, liver spleen, bone, lymph nodes, heart, adrenals, GI tract and pancreas. In Chronic Cutaneous Blastomycosis the initial skin lesion is seen as one or more subcutaneous nodules that eventually

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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ulcerate. They are most commonly found on exposed skin such as face, hands, wrists and lower leg. Response to treatment tends to be good.

Tetanus – The bacteria, Clostridum tetani, is present almost everywhere, but especially in soil, manure and dust. This bacterium enters through breaks in the skin, including burns and puncture wounds. Toxins produced by the bacteria invade nerves that control muscle contractions, resulting in muscle spasms and seizures. Tetanus is commonly called ‘lockjaw’ and results in an excruciatingly painful death in about 50% of the cases. Prevention is accomplished through immunizations during childhood, but a booster shot is required every ten years to maintain protection.

Lyme Disease – Lyme disease is a disease transmitted by deer ticks and western black-legged ticks that have been infected with Lyme disease bacteria by feeding on rodents and other animals that are infected. May through August are the most popular months for Lyme disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), because young, growing ticks are most active, and people are frequently outdoors and have more skin exposed during this time period.

These ticks are most often found in the grassy and wooded areas of the

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Northeastern and upper Midwestern states. The ticks are easily transferred to people or animals that brush against the vegetation. Ticks can attach anywhere to the body, but are usually found embedded in the hidden and hairy areas such as the groin, armpits and scalp.

They are extremely small, actually smaller than a pinhead, in their young nymph stage. A hand lens may be necessary to see that they are a tick.

They feed on a person’s blood for days without being noticed. Usually Lyme disease is transmitted to the host after two or more days of feeding by an infected tick.

If untreated, Lyme disease can be severe and can lead to arthritis, neurological problems such as facial paralysis, motor and sensory nerve inflammation, or brain inflammation. It also infrequently causes cardiac problems. The short term symptoms are usually flu-like. Sometimes the person will also get a rash in the shape of a “bulls-eye.” The most common flu-like symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches and joint pain, which typically occur at least seven to 14 days after exposure. People exposed to Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if the disease is discovered early.

Two additional diseases transmitted by the deer tick include Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis which is also known as

Ehrlichiosis. These diseases occur less frequently than Lyme disease, but they can be as severe or more severe than Lyme disease. They have occurred in Minnesota.

Employers should train employees on proper prevention techniques and on what to do if a tick is found. When in wooded areas, walk around overgrown areas of brush or very wooded areas, and use the centers of trails away from overhanging brush. Employees should be instructed to wear light-colored clothing so the dark-colored ticks may be more easily spotted. Covering all skin with long pants and a long-sleeved shirt and covering the head with a hat is a good defense. Employees should tuck their shirt into their pants and their pants into their socks when possible so ticks cannot reach their skin. Proper footwear, such as boots or closed-toed shoes, is best. Insect repellents with DEET also help to keep ticks from attaching themselves. Employees should check themselves for ticks once out of the wooded or brushy areas. At the employee’s discretion, a coworker may help check the scalp since that area is hard to inspect. If the employee finds an embedded tick, it should be removed with a tweezers. The CDC recommends grasping the tick firmly and as close to the skin as possible. Pull the body with a gentle, yet firm, steady motion. Try to

remove the tick and its mouthparts. The mouthparts may not be successfully removed, but according to the CDC, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are stored in the tick’s glands in its midsection rather than the mouthparts. Cleanse the area thoroughly with an antiseptic. If a tick is found and successfully extracted, place it in a moist piece of tissue paper inside a closed jar. Label the jar with the date, the location where the tick was found, and where on the body it was found.

The employee should then seek medical attention and show the tick to the medical personnel. If an employee never finds a tick, yet has symptoms, medical attention should also be obtained. Also, if an employee has the flu-like symptoms, but never notices a rash, medical attention should also be obtained.

With an early discovery and the appropriate use of antibiotics, Lyme disease and associated diseases are often curable. The best defense is proper dress, inspection and medical attention if symptoms or an incident occur. q ________________________________________________ Bert Swanson is a member of the MNLA Certification Committee and the president of MNLA and can be reached at btswanson2@gmail.com.

Sample Questions 1. T

F Sporotrichosis is a disease that is transferred from woody plants to Humans.

2. T

F Flu-like symptoms or a recurring cough could be due to an infection of Blastomycosis.

3. The causal agent of Lyme Disease is: A. Mosquito B. Bacteria C. Fungus D. Wood Tick E. Virus 4. T

F Two types of Lyme Disease are: Pulmonary Blastomycosis and Chronic Cutaneous Blastomycosis.

5. Tetanus is prevented by immunization during childhood with a booster shot every _____ years.

A. 6 B. 12 C. 3 D. 10 E. 5 Answers: 1. False; 2. True, 3. B.=Bacteria; 4. False; 5. D.=10.

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19

The Scoop | LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM

April Classes at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum he Minnesota Landscape Arboretum offers the following gardening classes and events in April. For more info and to register, visit arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422.

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Gardening with Herbs Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 nonmember, Learning Center.

Herbs have been used for centuries in many cultures for fragrance, medicine, flavoring food, and garden design delights.

Learn which annual and perennial herbs are suitable for Minnesota. Gain insights from an herb expert on how to grow them in your garden, sources for purchase, and more.

Container Gardening.

Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 nonmember, Learning Center.

Create colorful designs by breaking from convention and make unexpected combinations of color, texture, height, form, seasonal interest, and color progression for your containers.

Through lecture and demonstrations, you will learn skills to apply immediately at home. Instructor Duane Otto is a landscape gardener at the Arboretum and has been designing the Arboretum's annual gardens and planters since 1989.

Vegetable Garden Basics Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 nonmember, Learning Center.

Grow your own fresh food and learn how to make the most of your vegetable gardening space. Learn the what, where, when, and how about vegetable gardening. Find out which varieties will best fit your appetite and your garden site from an expert vegetable gardener. Instructor: Vincent Fritz.

Spring Planting for Summer Color Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 nonmember.

Spring is the time to plant bulbs, tubers and rhizomes to assure a riot of color in your garden later in the season. Learn from expert gardener Paul Sotak how to select the best lilies, dahlias, gladioli, and irises for your garden. Immediately apply what you've learned about how to plant them and be ready for a riot of blooming color in the summer.

For more Arboretum classes and events, visit arboretum.umn.edu.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest, is part of the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. It is located nine miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen.

Open daily except for Thanksgiving & Christmas Day. Adults: $9; free for ages 15 & younger and free for members. Admission is free all day Thursday, November through March. q 20

www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

MINNESOTA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY | The Scoop

April Classes at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society he following classes are sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, but are held at various locations, as noted.

Enrollment is limited, and preregistration is required. To register, call 651-643-3601 or 800-676-6747, ext 211, or visit their website at www.northerngardener.org.

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Small Space Gardening Tuesday, April 19, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $25 non-members. Location: MSHS classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Many urban and suburban gardeners have relatively little space, but still would like to grow vegetables. In this class, we cover methods for maximizing yield in small spaces, including square foot gardening, succession planting, vertical supports, and container gardening.

Instructor: Dr. William Cook is a biology professor who teaches a variety of courses on ecology, wildlife and environmental issues. He has tried his luck gardening in New Hampshire, Kansas, Arizona and Minnesota, and is now associated with Stearns County Master Gardeners. He is a general interest gardener but currently has particular interests in growing cacti and succulents, sustainable gardening and vermiculture.

Planting a Potager Tuesday, April 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $25 non-members. Location: MSHS classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

Vegetable gardens don't have to be just boring straight rows of herbs and veggies. Instead, you can make a kitchen garden that rivals the beauty of any flower garden and also provides you with fresh herbs, produce, and even cut flowers for your table. This presentation will teach you how to design and install a traditional four-square potager and also how to choose the most beautiful and tasty varieties of herbs, vegetables and

edible flowers for your new garden.

Instructor: Terry Yockey is a Master Gardener, garden writer and publisher of the popular website, NorthernGardening.com. Yockey's Red Wing gardens have been featured in several magazines and On the Road with Jason Davis TV show.

Container Gardening Trends from White Flower Farm Tuesday, May 3, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 members, $25 non-members.

Location: MSHS Classroom, 2705 Lincoln Drive, Roseville.

New varieties, new designs and the latest in edible container gardening. See top performers from White Flower Farm's growing trials and get our tips for keeping annuals, vegetables, and herbs lush and healthy in pots. Upcoming trends and our favorite combinations for sun and shade.

Instructor: Barbara Pierson has been Nursery Manager at White Flower Farm for 12 years. Ms. Pierson graduated from Cornell University with a degree in floriculture and ornamental horticulture, and developed her passion for plants while working at her parents' nursery. A nationally recognized expert, Ms. Pierson is a frequent guest on national and local TV and radio shows, and is often featured in national publications, including The New York Times and Martha Stewart Living. q

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21

The Scoop | PLANT MANAGEMENT

Is There a Virus In the Greenhouse?

By Dimitre Mollov, Plant Disease Clinic – University of Minnesota and Ben Lockhart, Professor of Plant Virology – University of Minnesota

iruses are very small infectious particles that cause plant diseases.

Viruses cause significant reduction of marketable greenhouse products and surely affect dollar profits. Many viruses produce obvious disease symptoms and are easily detected before considerable investment takes place in greenhouse production. In some Dimitre Mollov cases however, viral symptoms can be mistaken with nutrient problems or other diseases. For example, the Plant Disease Clinic has worked with customers that produce thousands of petunia hanging baskets or six-pack impatiens. Growers have considered waiting for warmer days and fertilizing the crop, hoping it will recover on time for shipment. It is needless to say that the baskets, infected with Tobacco mosaic virus or the six-packs infected with Impatiens necrotic spot virus needed to be discarded.

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Viruses can be introduced into greenhouses and spread around by several means.

1. People or mechanical transmission.

Handling of soft textured plants like petunia and calibrachoa inevitably breaks plant trichomes during manipulation. Tobacco mosaic virus sticks to workers’ hands and tools and it is easily introduced through the broken trichomes.

Handling of plants with waxy leaves: Hosta virus X is transmitted by using tools that have been used on infected hosta plants.

2. Insect vectors.

Thrips are very common pest in the greenhouse and are very efficient vector for tospoviruses e.g. Impatience necrotic vein virus and Tomato spotted wilt virus. These viruses infect over 850 species in more than 100 plant families. Tospoviruses, with few exceptions, cause severe disease symptoms and can be lethal to the host. Because of the efficient thrips vector and the wide host range, tospoviruses pose serious problems in greenhouse

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production when infected material is introduced and left unnoticed.

3. Propagation.

Virtually all viruses are carried over when infected plant material is used for cuttings, grafting or other means of vegetative propagation.

Viruses, as plant pathogens, differ significantly from fungi and bacteria.

They do not produce any forms of spores or other reproductive structures. Viruses multiply by using the plant host cell to induce more viruses. Viruses move from cell to cell throughout the plant and cause systemic infection. Because of the systemic nature of the viral infection there is no practical way of removing the virus. Once a plant becomes infected, it remains infected forever. Fungicides are used reliably to control fungal diseases but there are no chemicals that can be applied against viruses. The best way to control viral diseases is by prevention.

Usually when plants are imported to the U.S. or shipped from big suppliers they are virus indexed. Virus indexing is effective for prevention of known viruses only. When regulatory officials and industry professionals require virus testing plants are tested usually for a handful of known viruses like Tobacco mosaic virus, Impatience necrotic spot virus, Cucumber mosaic virus and few other host specific viruses. However, many viruses are introduced simply because we do not test for them.

The Plant Disease Clinic utilizes the latest molecular biology technology and the use of electron microscope to test for viruses. With these tools, we can detect any virus that is present in a given plant but normally could remain undetected by the standard industry routine virus indexing. In the past several years we have detected a wide variety of viruses that are either 1) known viruses occurring in new hosts; 2) known viruses increasing in importance; and 3) previously undescribed viruses. The following is a partial list of plant species that represent these categories: Abutilon, Aconitum, Agastache, Agave, Alchemilla, Angelonia, Asarum, Ash, Aspen, Aspidistra, Aster, Buddleia, Caliandra, Calibrachoa, Campanula, Canna, Celery, Chelone, Cimicifuga, Clematis, Columnea,

Coreopsis, Crocosmia, Cycads (Zamia, Ceratozamia, Stangeria), Cyrtomium, Diervilla, Echinacea, Epimedium, Filipendula, Galax, Geramium, Gerbera, Gloxinia, Hackberry, Heliopsis, Hepatica, Hesperis, Heuchera, Hippeastrum, Hosta, Hydrangea, Jasmonium, Lamium, Lobelia, Mandevilla, Monarda, Oenothera, Pelargonium, Penstemon, Peony, Petunia, Phlox, Pogostemon, Polygonatum, Primula, Rosa, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, Sinningia, Spathicarpa, Spiraea, Tradescantia, Verbena, Veronica.

Good examples of new viruses, which can be transmitted mechanically by handling of plant

material, are Angelonia bud break virus and Calibrachoa mottle virus affecting Angelonia and Calibrachoa respectively.

Among all pathogens, of all routine sample procedures during the last year the Plant Disease Clinic had performed 27% virus assays. There are two main reasons that more than a quarter of the techniques used are for virus analyses: 1)

the Plant Disease Clinic has access to electronmicroscopy facility and utilizes the latest technology available to analyze plant viral diseases in addition to a long established expertise provided by the plant virology laboratory and 2) with globalized marketing, the increased mobility of nursery stock and all kinds of plant material throughout the world many exotic viruses are being introduced to the U.S and Minnesota. For these reasons the Plant Disease Clinic at the University of Minnesota has gained national recognition and has been analyzing virus related plant problems for government and businesses from multiple states, spreading geographically from California to North Carolina and from New York to Texas. With the accessibility to the Plant Disease Clinic we believe Minnesota growers can be a step ahead in virus testing and prevention and help raise awareness among suppliers and consumers to better understand and control many of the newly emerging viruses. q

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

University of Minnesota 2010 Top Performing Annuals

By Steven R. Poppe, University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, Minnesota

The University of Minnesota supports the bedding plant industry through annual flower trials at Morris. In 2010 we evaluated annual flowers from fourteen major plant companies.

Our gardens are open to the public and industry for self-guided tours throughout the growing season, providing a unique opportunity to compare performance of bedding plant cultivars under regional conditions. The following 2010 top ten cultivars received the highest ratings as compared to the 400 cultivars trialed.

Cleome ‘Senorita Rosalita’: All the value of a Cleome with none of the typical cleome issues. No thorns, no odor, no stickiness associated with the foliage, no seed set and hence no returning volunteers the

yet gracefully arching downward. Can be used as a back drop for color or as a stand-alone statement plant. Will grow in full sun or partial shade. Minimal care, no specific maintenance needed.

Petunia ‘Shock Wave Coconut’: Shock Wave® petunias are easy to grow in sunny small-space gardens and containers.

They’re full of color all

season and make perfect earlyseason hanging baskets. New Coconut is a crisper, cleaner color than ivory with more controlled vigor and better branching.

Verbena ‘Tamari Blue’: Extremely vigorous spreading/trailing verbena that thrives in heat. Makes excellent large hanging baskets, mixed containers, or can be used as a spreading ground cover and offer excellent outdoor performance.

Grows to 5 to 12 inches tall, and spread up to 48 inches.

following growing seasons.

Here is a plant that branches freely; is a strong upright grower where the branches don’t break or snap; flowers from spring to fall; and flowers from ground to crown.

Pennisetum ‘Graceful Grasses Vertigo’: Fast growing upright annual grass. Great architectural statement due to its bold bronze color and broad foliage.

Provides a focal point for gardens reaching for the sky 24

www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

Lantana ‘Bandana ‘Cherry Sunrise’: If you are looking for a tough plant it’s hard to beat Lantana. Lantana are heat tolerant, use little to no supplemental

water in the landscape, will tolerate less than ideal soils and usually don’t need to be deadheaded. Cherry Sunrise has four or more colors on every bloom that change colors as they mature. The plant is quite compact - 20 to 26 inches high and about 2 1/2 feet wide.

Petunia ‘Supertunia ‘Vista Bubblegum’: One of the most vigorous landscape use petunias on the market.

Mature plant size is 36 inches wide & 20 – 24 inches tall.

Outstanding performance with minimal maintenance. Eyepopping color from spring to well into mid fall. Cold, and heat tolerant.

Impatiens ‘Super Elfin XP Violet Starburst’: Super Elfin® is a great impatiens series from greenhouse to garden with exceptionally uniform habit and plant vigor. It has consistent flowers and large blooms. Violet Starburst XP has a deep, rich color with slight white star center.

Stipa Tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’: This feather grass has fine, needlelike green fronds.

Its upright habit reaches nearly 24 inches. Its silky green flowers that bloom in July mature to golden blonde. q

Calibrachoa ‘Cabaret Mango Tango’: Cabaret® is a free-flowering, mounding and trailing variety with full centers and abundant blooms. New Mango Tango produces a continuous show of open, nonfading blooms in a flush coral color with veining details.

Torenia ‘Summer Wave Large Blue’: Bred to be more heat tolerant than other torenias, these hybrids produce relatively large flowers on long trailing stems. Tubular blooms with wide-flaring lips appear from spring until fall.

Like most wishbone flowers, these have low drought tolerance and must be well watered when conditions are hot and dry. They need filtered bright light and organic-rich, evenly moist soil. They are ideal for hanging baskets, mixed borders, and walls.

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

25

The Scoop | LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Designing for Sustainability: Shade Trees

By Elizabeth Wynne, Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens

id you know the word “sustainability” is defined as the capacity to endure? Hopefully at this point in time, sustainability is a primary consideration for all of us when designing a new landscape. And what plants could possibly be better than shade trees when it comes to the ‘capacity to endure’? Trees are not only lasting, but also once established, Elizabeth Wynne require very little resources outside of what nature provides. Just think about our historic and beautiful trees in the woodlands of Minnesota. No one is watering them, fertilizing them, or mulching them! Their ecosystems have lasted centuries without any care. Some of the oldest trees in Minnesota are estimated to be almost 600 years old.

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Understandably Minnesota woodlands are much different from our modern landscapes. Many clients tend to focus on bursts of color or instant gratification when they are expressing what they want in a landscape. However, I feel that it is our

mission to educate them on everything large shade trees have to offer. These trees bring many design elements into our landscape. They add grace, form, and structure by providing a canopy or "ceiling" for outdoor rooms. Large trees can provide shelter from winter winds or shade from hot summer sun, create a backdrop for ornamental shrubs and herbaceous plants, screen views that are undesirable, and help us conserve energy in our homes. They can also provide food and shelter for wildlife, provide edible food for us, and create spectacular seasonal interest with flowers, fruit, bark, fragrance, fall color, and winter structure.

In addition to recreating meadows and prairies - both great methods of returning our land to what it was years ago - I wish to create tree groves or return properties Sugar Maple to their native woodland state.

This can be achieved by using trees native to our areas for hundreds of years, indigenous trees that have evolved and naturalized to our area, or choosing many of the new tree introductions. Many of these introductions are resistant to insect and disease issues that have eliminated or greatly harmed our existing populations of our trees.

I truly hope that we are all in the industry because we are passionate and care about plants and our relationship with them! But we are also in this business to make a living, and trees are a high ticket item. By designing with and selling more trees, you are not only improving and enhancing the environments of your clients, you are also improving your bottom line.

As we begin another season of designing landscapes, consider leaving a legacy for many generations to come. Plant a shade tree. Better yet, plant groves of shade trees! q ________________________________________________ Elizabeth Wynne is a member of the MNLA Landscape Design Committee and can be reached at Elizabeth@BloomOnMn.com.

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www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

IRRIGATION | The Scoop

Promoting Green Irrigation Practices

By Jeff Latterell, Irrigation Consulting Group

he time is now to grow your business with your existing customer base by promoting green irrigation products and services.

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We all have customers with sprinkler systems that could benefit from one or more of these new technologies. Not only are we creating sales opportunities for our service Jeff Latterell divisions, but we can help our customers save a significant amount of water and money on their utility bills each and every year.

Ask your customers what they dislike about their sprinkler system. Most importantly, listen to their responses. Your customers are comfortable with you and they want you to customize a solution to solve their problem. Inform them of cost effective ways to reduce their water consumption and improve their irrigation system’s efficiency. The key is getting them to understand the cost savings involved with purchasing new technologies.

Several examples would be: • Smart Controllers or Weather Based Controllers • Drip Irrigation • Rain Sensor • Moisture sensor • Rotary Stream Nozzles There are many other efficient irrigation products available, these are just a few.

Many customers believe smart controllers are difficult to use. Most smart controllers are user friendly and often take just minutes to program. Smart controllers can save 30 percent or more on your utility bills. They automatically adjust your irrigation system’s run time based on existing weather conditions. Savings from installation of a smart controller can add up quickly. Often the costs can be recovered in just a couple of years. Focus on getting your customers to understand what smart controllers are and why they should invest in them.

Promote the installation of drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is generally less expensive to install and uses less water. It is more than 90% efficient and is ideal for trees, shrubs and planting beds. Drip systems deliver the water directly to the plant’s roots. A low application rate allows for precise watering and reduces losses due to evaporation. Watering with drip can be done any time of day without being affected by the wind.

There are thousands of sprinkler systems in our state that do not take advantage of a rain sensor. This would be an excellent opportunity to provide a water saving device to these

customers. Rain sensors are easy to install and in most cases the payback for the installation cost is recovered in the first season. Your service technicians should take this opportunity to discuss the benefits of rain sensor technology and how installing a rain sensor today will save them money tomorrow.

If your customers are not interested in a rain sensor, ask them if they are familiar with moisture sensor technology. Several moisture sensors work with existing wiring and can also be installed relatively easily.

Another way to promote water-efficient products is to suggest replacing your customer’s spray nozzles with rotary stream nozzles. Changing to rotating sprinkler nozzles will provide lower precipitation rates and higher uniformity. A lower precipitation rate will reduce the chance of runoff and deliver water at a rate the soil can actually absorb. The higher uniformity is due to the design of the multiple streams covering close to the sprinkler, some mid range and others cover the outer edge. This allows the rotating sprinkler nozzle to achieve high uniformity over the entire application. This is a relatively easy update that can help save your customers money and keep your service crews busy during the summer months.

Take some time to research products that are efficient and that can save money for your customer. There has been much advancement with irrigation technologies and practices in just the past couple of years. Make sure your staff is well trained.

Each service member on your staff whom is well informed is another salesperson with opportunities for finding your company additional business. q ________________________________________________ Jeff Latterell is the chair of the MNLA Irrigation Industry Committee and can be reached at jeff.latterell@mickman.com.

763-425-9656 The Fireplace Experts Indoors and Out! APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

27

The Scoop | SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

Don’t Let the 2% Have Too Much Power…

By John O'Reilly, Otten Bros. Nursery & Landscaping, Inc. veryone knows that “the squeaky wheel gets the oil.” But should it? Oil is getting pretty expensive these days!

Are there wheels out there that we should just let squeak?

E

One of my favorite non-industry blogs is from Seth Godin, an author and marketing expert. He publishes something daily, and John O’Reilly they’re usually a quick read and almost always insightful and business-focused. I find myself forwarding many on to the staff.

One of my favorites from this past Fall was on a topic that I believe a lot of us retailers struggle with. Take a read for yourself: Alienating the 2% When a popular rock group comes to town, some of their fans won't get great tickets. Not enough room in the front row. Now

they're annoyed. 2% of them are angry enough to speak up or badmouth or write an angry letter.

When Disney changes a policy and offers a great new feature or benefit to the most dedicated fans, 2% of them won't be able to use it... timing or transport or resources or whatever. They're angry and they let the brand know it.

Do the math. Every time Apple delights 10,000 people, they hear from 200 angry customers, people who don't like the change or the opportunity or the risk it represents.

If you have fans or followers or customers, no matter what you do, you'll annoy or disappoint two percent of them. And you'll probably hear a lot more from the unhappy 2% than from the delighted 98.

It seems as though there are only two ways to deal with this: Stop innovating, just stagnate. Or go ahead and delight the vast majority.

Sure, you can try to minimize the cost of change, and you might even get the number to 1%. But if you try to delight everyone, all the time, you'll just make yourself crazy. Or become boring.

(Nov 6, 2010 – Seth Godin’s Blog, http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ seths_blog/2010/11/alienating-the2.html)

It strikes me that there are a lot of times as retailers that we have spent energy or resources on thinking about and managing the reaction of the 2%: • “You’re really expensive” – it’s very easy for staff to remember the times that a customer has stopped to comment that our prices are too high. Is a comment like that an objective measurement? Or is it really just the 2% being vocal? While you don’t want to diminish the value of actual customer feedback, it’s important to remind the team (and ourselves!) about the 98% of people who go through the checkouts happy with their purchases and the value delivered … who don’t say a thing.

• “Customers will take advantage of our return/replacement policy” Yup, some of them will. But when you run the numbers: How many customers is that really? (Answer: A lot fewer than the staff thinks.)

• Honestly, I worry that some of us are even worse with inventory: listening to the vocal .5% - and the resulting SKU-creep is dangerous. I guarantee that there are products that you keep carrying even in spite of the fact that less than 2% of your customers are buying them?

You’ve heard: “We can’t stop carrying XXX because Mrs. Jones loves it …” (Your response: but we don’t make money on it, it’s not our core business, we can’t turn it fast enough, etc.) Ask yourself: Is Mrs. Jones a 2% voice?

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(Obviously, large quantity sales and special orders can be the exception here.)

• The marketing team can be affected, also – while nobody wants to be ‘blasted’ with emails, a significantly less than 2% opt-out rate probably doesn’t warrant a re-evaluation of the entire marketing plan. Check the rest of the numbers: do you see a high open rate and a direct correlation of increased sales following an email? As dangerous as it is, we’re all subconsciously trained to listen more to the negative voice of the "opt-outs."

• Policy manuals should be built to protect the company from the 2%, but our daily energy should go to encouraging the 98% and weeding out the 2% where they exist… not discouraging or burdening the 98% with examples of the ‘worst case’ scenario that would never cross the minds of most of them.

This spring, I hope we can all keep an eye on our 2% - those few loud squeaky voices can easily ruin businesses by disproportionately influencing decisions. q ________________________________________________ John O'Reilly is a member of the MNLA Garden Center Committee and can be reached at j.oreilly@ottenbros.com.

TRADE TALK | The Scoop

Stennes Named One of the Most Influential People in the Green Industry ark Stennes, plant pathologist and International Society of Arboriculture Board Certified Master Arborist with S&S Tree Specialists of South St. Paul, is one of five arborists throughout the country named as one of the most influential people in the green industry. Green Media publishers of Arbor Age, Landscape and Irrigation, Outdoor Power Equipment and Sports Turf asked readers, sources and industry insiders to nominate those who have influenced their green industry careers. For the full article, digital readers can click here: http://digitalmagazinetechnology.com/a/ ?KEY=arborage-11-01januaryfebruary#page=9&zoom=0.

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Hedberg to Consolidate Plymouth Warehouses Hedberg Aggregates Inc., dba Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies, is moving its Plymouth masonry city desk and warehouse to its landscape operations campus at 1135 Nathan Lane North, Plymouth MN 55441. Hedberg’s Masonry Selection Center, with its floor to ceiling stone displays, will remain open at 975 Nathan Lane North. e Hedberg Masonry Selection Center in Plymouth will retain its current phone number, 763-225-0540. Starting April 4th, customers should call the combined Plymouth city desk at 763-512-2849 to order product or arrange for a delivery or pick up. q

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Give Yourself Some Credit!

By Dan Bauman, Credit Card Dr./Better Business Solutions

hese days, if you're not accepting credit cards in your store, you're a retail relic. A dinosaur. Think of it this way: You can't expect people to come into your garden center and make their first big spring plant purchase in cash.

We're talking hundreds of dollars!

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This is 2011. Chances are, you've already begun accepting credit cards from your customers. But are you maximizing your business opportunities here? Are you making smart decisions about your credit card practices and making as much money as you possibly can from each transaction?

Here are the top five things you should consider as you move forward.

1) Ensure your PCI compliance.

Don't know what that is? The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of requirements that ensure that all companies that process, store or transmit credit card information — this means

you — maintain a secure environment. Be sure to check with your provider that you are up to date; you may be charged a monthly fee if you don’t follow their guidelines.

2) Get comfortable with your fees.

Interchange fees. These are what each credit card company — VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express — charges the merchant. This cost should be the same for businesses in the same category. Be sure you're paying straight interchange and understand what your mark up’s (additional fees) are and how they are applied.

Processing fees. They're what the processors charge to do the actual processing of charges to the proper credit card clients. Often, banks use credit card processing as a fee center and sneak extra fees in to maximize their profit.

They may add processing in as part of a package, which can make you feel like you're saving money but actually costs you more.

Watch your monthly minimums. If your sales volume fluctuates from month to month, try to find a processor

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4) To swipe or not to swipe? The best way to accept credit cards is always to swipe them. (Another option is to do the transaction over the phone or Internet.) If you are not going to swipe cards, ask your processing specialist to find how the most effective way to accept them at your business. You should also understand the difference between qualified and nonqualified transactions, and what each means for your business.

A word about American Express: This credit card typically costs merchants 3 to 3.5 percent of their revenue. You should have a compelling reason to accept American Express before you decide to take it.

There is definite money you can save when you understand the ins and outs of credit cards. q ________________________________ Dan Bauman, "The Credit Card Dr." at Better Business Solutions. To learn more visit www.theccdr.com or call 651-207-6867.

5) Choose your debit. Contrary to popular belief, PIN-based debit transactions can actually be more expensive than regular ones, depending on your business type and average sale ticket. Ask a thirdparty consultant to help you determine which makes the most sense for your business.

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3) Keep tabs on your rates. There are a couple of kinds of rates, tiered merchant account and cost-plus (also known as interchange-plus) rates. In most cases, the latter is best for merchants because they pay only what Visa, MasterCard and Discover charge the processor.

The "plus" is exactly what the merchant pays for their processing — no hidden fees.

Hold your processors accountable!

Seek out a third-party consultant with unbiased opinions who can analyze your statements occasionally to ensure that your rates are still where they are

supposed to be. You may be surprised with their findings.

Min n

that will waive or reduce your monthly minimums.

Never be afraid to ask questions and demand answers! Consult with your processing specialist to reach an understanding of where all your fees are coming from. You should never pay unnecessary fees.

i scape Assoc

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

31

The Scoop | PUBLIC RELATIONS

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www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

Connecting Souls to the Planet

By Heidi Heiland, Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens

ublic relations in the green industry, what does that mean? From an MNLA perspective, I would suggest it includes making the consumer aware of the Heidi Heiland professionalism, advanced skill sets and broadminded vision of MNLA companies, and consequently the consumers’ preference to hire us. From my unique perspective sitting at my desk (which was my fathers’ as he ruled over the central region Muzak franchise), I would suggest it also includes owning that we, the green industry, are perfectly positioned to help heal the planet. In fact, it is our obligation to do so.

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We heal our planet with ecologically sound practices; composting, recycling, raingardens, water wise solutions, zone appropriate designs, planting trees, etc., etc., etc. I believe even more than those responsibilities, connecting souls back to the planet is what God intended us to do. Healing spaces are created all over our world, by us and our colleagues, but we need to define them as such. Possibly the PR piece is simply to discuss what we do in those terms. We are not a luxury item on our clients’ budgets, we are a necessity!

The well-being that Mother Nature provides should not be taken for granted.

The fact that the term nature deficit disorder has been coined is scary and sad.

That is why I am taking my own path to the application of Horticultural Therapy (studying for my degree through Colorado State), and I would encourage you to do so if you haven’t already. John Q. Public is counting on us to provide this for them, we are much more at risk than we are willing to discuss. The rest

of this article explains and provides more resources for you to explore the people plant connection and was my monthly segment on Kare 11 @ 4 pm on March 18th.

Horticultural Therapy is a field of practice where the importance of plants and plant related environments are used to achieve health and wellness. HT is a treatment modality that works in conjunction with health professionals such as physicians, psychologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists. The Rusk Institute in New York City has been pioneers in the field since the ‘70’s. http://rusk.med.nyu.edu/ for-patients-families/options-care/ wellness/glass-garden.

Horticultural Therapy Programs consist of four components: 1. Trained horticultural therapist 2. Client/population served • Geriatric • Traumatic Brain Injury • Developmentally Delayed • Incarcerated • General Public 3. Plantbased activity 4. Detailed goals understood with measurable outcomes achieved in specific realms: Physical – Cognitive – Psychological - Social • Increase mobility • Improve fine and gross motor skills • Stimulate memory • Expand concentration • Decrease isolation • Help with sense of loss • Release stress Designing gardens that are accessible is a necessity, likewise considering sensory-stimulating plant materials that offer fragrance or various textures are essential. Tools have been adapted to make many horticultural activities available to a broad population.

http://agrability.missouri.edu/gardenweb /Adapted.html.

From experience we have found that HT is a win-win for everyone, from the population served, to their families, to staff, even the community at large.The demand for trained horticultural therapists has prompted universities, colleges, and other organizations to offer degree and certificate programs in the field. www.ahta.org/content. cfm?id=education.

While realized results are one of the most important considerations in the success of an HT activity, studies have found that simply digging in the dirt is beneficial. www.healinglandscapes.org/ blog/2011/01/its-in-the-dirt-bacteria-insoil-makes-us-happier-smarter/.

Likewise the people-plant connection, Nature Based Therapies (NBT), will hopefully become more mainstream. http://en.sl.life.ku.dk/Forskning/ParkerO gUrbaneLandskaber/Park_Naturforvaltni ng/Natur_Sundhed.aspx.

Arboreta and accredited programs include these respected resources: www.dce.k-state.edu/ag/horticulturaltherapy/ www.arboretum.umn.edu/ht_study.aspx www.chicagobotanic.org/therapy/ index.php http://htinstitute.org/ What is public relations in the green industry? Engaging prospective clients by promoting what we do from the perspective of health and wellness. As we look for ways to build our businesses, to continue to be happy viable souls, to be in service to our fellow man, consider your connection to Mother Nature to be your guide. q ________________________________ Heidi Heiland is a member of the MNLA Public Relations Committee and can be reached at Heidi@BloomOnMN.com.

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

33

The Scoop | PUBLIC RELATIONS

GardenMinnesota.com: Effectively Encouraging and Educating Consumers

By Jon Horsman, MNLA Communications Director

he Publications Committee is doing a superb job in providing excellent informational content to consumers.

They are now writing for all the GardenMinnesotabranded publications: website (GardenMinnesota.com), magazine (Garden Minnesota Yearbook), and eNews (GardenMinnesota.com Tips & Clips). For a quick sample of their work, check out the blog on GardenMinnesota.com, sign up for Tips & Clips (click the graphic in the upper right of any page) or read this year's Garden Minnesota Yearbook included with this month's Scoop.

All this work is fulfilling the mission of MNLA's public relations, namely, to implement cost efficient programs that continually encourage and educate consumers to purchase the products and services of MNLA member firms.

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Call for Spring Specials

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www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

Did you know Tips & Clips is opened and read by 2,000 people each month?

GardenMinnesota.com Tips & Clips is a monthly eNews produced for direct delivery to consumers. Each issue features tips and tasks for the next month, and an original timely article Over 7,000 people have subscribed to this well-written “opt-in only� eNews, and anyone can sign up for free. Oftentimes, consumers implicitly trust information that comes through a non-profit organization like MNLA. It always helps when you feel you are getting unbiased information. We are building the MNLA and GardenMinnesota brands through helping consumers get accurate, helpful plant, landscape, & environmental information and inspirational ideas. The positive feeling generated by receiving the info and ideas on GardenMinnesota.com, in Garden Minnesota Yearbook and in Tips & Clips creates brand equity and helps all MNLA members.q ________________________________________________ Jon Horsman is the Communications Director at MNLA and can be reached at jon@MNLA.biz or 651-633-4987.

AWARDS | The Scoop

Celebrating the Industry’s Finest at the MNLA Landscape Gala uilding on the success of the Landscape Awards Banquet, this year the newly christened “MNLA Landscape Gala” included a presentation of the MNLA Landscape Awards, the new Midwest Home Landscape Design Awards, Friend of the Environment, Committee Member of the Year, two Special Service Awards, and the Todd Bachman Award. This event has become an all-industry spring kick-off celebration for our community – a truly elegant and enjoyable evening!

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@5B8G75D9 ;5@5 &$%%

Bachman's Landscaping's Patrick Warden, Tom Dahl, and Richard Woldorsky celebrate Tom's Merit Award and Judges Choice Award in Installation.

Mom's Landscaping won five MNLA Landscape Awards. From left, Jonathan Slama, Daniel Wellens, Becca Bastyr, Heather Grossman and Jim Sweeney.

Meg Arnosti of Windsor Companies receives the Judges Choice Award in Design from MNLA President Dr. Bert Swanson

Entertainer Bill Arnold providing one of many laughs as he performs ventriloquism with a mime dummy

The crew from Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens: Ann Standish, Julie Donahoe, Jill Edwardsen, Deb Smith, Perry Post, Tammy Nelson, Heidi Heiland, Jamieson Pool, Karla Power, and Elizabeth Wynne. Heidi won a Merit Award and Committee Member of the Year, while Elizabeth took home a Grand Honor and the Judges Choice Award in Management.

Chris Lee, editor of Midwest Home magazine.

Special thanks to our Landscape Awards Program Sponsors, Bachman’s Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes and Gertens Wholesale; our print sponsor, Resolution Graphics; and our media & drink ticket sponsor, Midwest Home.

Midwest Home Landscape Design Award winners. Douglas Owens-Pike won the 2011 Designer in Bloom, while Jack Dorcey was named the 2011 Budding Talent.

Media Sponsor Gala Print Sponsor

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

MNLA Member Services “Best Kept Secrets” Don’t miss out on these under-utilized benefits of membership!

Details are on MNLA.biz. or contact Mary at 651-633-4987.

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Shape, create and define beds with ease.

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Define or redefine natural beds. www.eztrench.com

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You’ve heard of “Call Before You Dig”

But have you considered “Clicking Before You Dig?” I-Tic (Internet Ticket) allows you to process your locates using the internet.

Go to www.gopherstateonecall.org for more information on I-Tic or call us at 651-681-7326 / 800-245-5852.

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The Scoop | LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS

The Landmark Book on Northern Perennials, Fully Updated and Expanded evised and updated, this all-in-one guide designed for Rnorthern-tier gardeners from coast to coast features: • more than 2,000 varieties proven to thrive in cold climates • five-star ratings to help you choose top-performing perennials • new selections of varieties with variegated or brightly colored foliage • new mail-order sources for hard-to-find varieties of each plant If you are a gardener and winter temperatures in your region can dip below –20 degrees, this is the one guide you need.

Comprehensive and fully illustrated, Growing Perennials in Cold Climates is an excellent resource for selecting, siting, planting, and maintaining perennials that flourish in northern climates. This expanded edition identifies the fifty most popular perennial groups, offers in-depth information on wild and cultivated varieties best suited to cold climates, and rates more than 500 of the choicest plants. In addition to the plant data, this book includes a concise course in perennial gardening, from preparing a site and buying potted perennials to composting, watering, mulching, fertilizing, weeding, staking, deadheading, pruning, protecting plants in winter, companion planting, and dealing with disease and insect problems. Owning this guide is like having a professional gardener at your side every step of the way.

Written to make even the most sophisticated aspects of growing perennials easy to understand, this book will be indispensable to novice and advanced gardeners alike.

Mike Heger, co-owner of Ambergate Gardens in Chaska, Minnesota, is one of the leading experts on gardening in cold climates.

Debbie Lonnee, a thirty-year veteran of the nursery industry, works for Bailey Nurseries in Newport, Minnesota.

She is a prolific garden writer and lecturer and the horticultural editor for Northern Gardener.

John Whitman is a garden writer and photographer. He is the coauthor of Growing Shrubs and Small Trees in Cold Climates and Growing Roses in Cold Climates, both forthcoming in new editions from University of Minnesota Press.

Please consider a review or feature of Growing Perennials in Cold Climates, or an interview with the authors. Please contact Heather Skinner, Publicist, at presspr@umn.edu with questions, requests, or comments.

Growing Perennials in Cold Climates: Revised and Updated Edition, by Mike Heger, Debbie Lonnee, and John Whitman.

Available April 2011, University of Minnesota Press.

(448 pp., 8 1/2 x 10 5/8, 16 b&w illustrations, 262 color plates ISBN: 978-0-8166-7588-3), $39.95 paperback. www.upress.umn.edu/Books/H/heger_growing.html. q APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS

The Warren Buffet Approach

By John Turrittin, Retired Instructor at Hennepin Technical College

when others are fearful.” It seems an over simplification but the simple fact is that it works.

arren Buffet’s annual letter to shareholders is a much anticipated dispatch. Dispensing financial observations in his folksy manner the 80 year old Buffet’s observations have become something of a state of the union address for the national economy.

As individuals, as businesses, and as an industry, we tend to run with the crowd. There seems to be some sense of security to be in the mainstream, to be part of the norm, to do as others are doing. There is logic to this line of thinking. However, in this scenario, available opportunities must be shared with the many that you are with. Let’s go back to the Buffet philosophy, be greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are greedy. Apply that to ourselves as we approach our business planning and another season.

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John Turrittin The iconic investor, Warren Buffet and the company he started and oversees as CEO, Berkshire Hathaway, offers us a simple yet effective insight into how we might view our business planning for 2011. Mr. Buffet’s company has assets of $297 billion. He started his investment business with the purchase of Berkshire Hathaway in 1962. The extraordinary growth of his investment company from its inception is revered and studied by investors young and old. When quizzed on his investment philosophy he has a simple response “be fearful when others are greedy and greedy

With the current state of the economy, it is easy to say we certainly have been fearful. We whine a bit because sales/revenues are trending down. We lean up our businesses by laying off quality people. We adjust our advertising and marketing budgets down to lower expenses. Businesses are fearful about their ability to survive in the short term. This is a cycle that is not unfamiliar to our industry. The cyclical nature of the construction industry and its effect on the economy is historic. If you study this and believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel you know things will get better. The trend line will start moving up.

Now is the time to be ahead of the competition, to be proactive not reactive. Implement the Buffet philosophy; be greedy when your competition is still fearful. For example, there are quality people available that have been laid off by businesses that have downsized or even gone out of business.

Thinking about your future and your need for an accomplished construction foremen? a skilled designer? a project manager? a retail expert? experienced crew personnel? Be greedy; secure those people now while the best are available. The addition of these skilled people is an opportunity to be recognized and taken advantage of. Your action is an investment in your business future. That high quality staff addition can help move your business forward and improve your bottom line.

Do not be fearful when the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. Buffet says money flows toward opportunity and the American system is strong and filled with opportunity.

See the future, believe in the opportunity and now is the time to be just a little bit greedy. q ________________________________________________ John Turrittin is a member of the MNLA Landscape Professional Advancement Committee and can be reached at johnturrittin@mchsi.com.

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www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS | The Scoop

If You Are Reading This Article, You Care About Your Business

By Patrick McGuiness, Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC lmost every month I write an article for The Scoop. I cover things like “Employment Law Mistakes,” “How to Keep from Getting Sued,” and numerous other legal issues. While you hopefully find these articles to be informative and useful, I will not pretend that the intricacies of the law are entertaining and enthralling reading. This Patrick McGuiness month I am taking a different tack and instead of telling you about the law, I am seeking your feedback.

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Chances are that if you read The Scoop, you are interested in making your business, job, or segment of our industry, better. That means that you can help me do the same by letting me know what topics you are interested in reading about. Do you want to know what the law says about drug testing for employees? How about whether or not you can drive a 1 ton truck on a parkway in Saint Paul (the answer is no). If you have burning questions about an area of the law, or have the next great idea for an article I should write, let me know.

2. Let the LEC know what seminars you want to see put on by the MNLA. 3. Get involved with the MNLA! It is very rewarding and you can meet great people. Call the MNLA to find out more about how you can get involved.

That’s it. No lecture on employment law, no scolding about contracts, just a request for feedback and ideas. So, help me, the LEC, and the MNLA by getting in touch and letting us know what you want to see more of! Seriously. q ________________________________________________ Patrick McGuiness is one of the founding partners of Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC. His law practice focuses on assisting contractors & other small business owners. He is also part owner of One Call Property Care, LLC a Minneapolis landscaping & property management company. He can be reached at pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com.

The same applies for the educational opportunities provided by the MNLA. The Landscape Education Committee (LEC) is responsible for many of the seminars that are put on at the Northern Green Expo, and at various other times throughout the year. I have the pleasure of being a part of the LEC with a whole group of talented individuals. While we often have great seminar ideas, we are also always in need of more ideas and other outside input. You know how it is when you get involved with something. The longer you are involved, the harder it is to remember what it is like to not be involved.

Finally, if you have made it this far into this article, you really are interested in what I have to say. This also means that you care enough to read about how to improve our industry. If you have never been involved on any MNLA committees, I highly recommend it! You can meet great people that care about our industry, and you can bring your new and exciting ideas to the table so that we can break out of the proverbial rut that we can get in when there aren’t new people and ideas introduced on a regular basis.

So, there are three things to take away from this brief article: 1. Let me know what legal-related articles you would like to see in The Scoop.

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | AWARDS

MNLA Presents Special Service Award to Lobbyist MNLA Executive Director Bob Fitch said there are many behind-the-scenes and intangible ways that John has protected and advanced the interests of MNLA members. But if you had to put it into statistical terms, here’s how it would add up:

NLA presented a Special Service Award to John Boland, MNLA’s lobbyist since 1998. John’s expertise, contacts, professionalism and perseverance has played a vital role in the association’s government affairs success in the past 13 years.

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Boland has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St. Thomas College. He has been a teacher, a hockey coach a state representative, the first chairman of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council, and chief of staff for Congressman Bruce Vento, before starting his lobbying firm in 1982.

• $5 million in sales tax savings on nursery and greenhouse equipment.

• The requirement for rain sensing technology on all new landscape irrigation systems has conserved millions of gallons of water.

• $2 million in state Legacy Funds to help cities develop EAB response plans.

• $3 million in bonding money for grants to cities to replace diseased or infested trees.

John Boland accepts a Special Service Award from MNLA President Bert Swanson.

• Saved the state’s Gypsy Moth Slow-the-Spread program saving growers hundreds of thousands of dollars in treatment or inspection costs. q

MNLA Recognizes Minnesota State Fair NLA presented a Special Service Award to the Minnesota State Fair for its long-standing tradition of showcasing horticulture as a segment of the state’s agricultural community.

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According to MNLA President Bert Swanson, “We think an important part of the horticultural showcase has been MNLA’s exhibit.

For several decades, MNLA built a temporary landscape every year in the Ag-Hort Building. And then, in 2007, MNLA built a permanent landscape garden outside of the Ag-Hort Building. This space has increased the association’s profile exponentially and improved our ability to educate the citizens of Minnesota about horticulture.”

Deserving special recognition is the Adopt-A-Garden program which is presented by the Minnesota State Fair

40

www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

Foundation whose mission is to preserve and improve the historic buildings and grounds at the fair. The program has grown to include 32 gardens on the fairgrounds, many of which are created and maintained by MNLA members.

MNLA appreciates everything the State Fair does to promote horticulture and all of agriculture. q

The Scoop | AWARDS

Lucht Honored With Bachman Award roy Lucht, owner of Plant Source International and co-owner of Malmborg’s Inc., is the recipient of the 3rd annual Todd Bachman Award for Innovation in Horticultural Business. Lucht has built an internationally successful plant cuttings business that produces flowering annuals as well as herbs, decorative leaf-type annuals, and perennials.

Susan Bachman-West, representing the Todd Bachman family, helped Lucht grew up in the greenhouse industry, working honor Troy Lucht of Plant Source summers during high school at International along with Mary Malmborg’s Inc., a wholesale and Buschette, representing the retail greenhouse-garden center University of Minnesota, and Bert operation with locations in Swanson, representing MNLA and Brooklyn Center and Rogers. the MNLA Foundation.

After high school, he attended Northwestern College in Roseville, Minn., where he majored in business and accounting.

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In the 1990s, he was among those who identified the growth potential for sales of herbaceous plant materials and started company called Plant Source International (PSI). PSI sells to plant and supply companies that broker to the greenhouse industry in the U.S. and Canada. Today, the company produces and ships approximately 18 million cuttings to the U.S., Canada and Europe. Starting with no land and no greenhouses, PSI Mexico today has 17 acres of land and 600,000 square feet of greenhouse space.

The quality of the product, combined with connections Lucht has built over a lifetime in the greenhouse business, has allowed sales to grow with a minimum of administrative overhead.

The Todd Bachman Award for Innovation in Horticultural Business is presented jointly by the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, and the MNLA Foundation to honor the legacy of the late Todd Bachman, former CEO of Bachman’s Inc. q

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41

The Scoop | AWARDS

The Mustard Seed Named Friend of the Environment he 2011 Friend of the Environment Award was presented to The Mustard Landscaping & Garden Center of Chaska at the MNLA Landscape Gala on March 5th.

The award honors an MNLAaffiliated company or individual for • e farm fields around the sediment outstanding environmental efforts. control ponds have been converted to Recipients of this award exhibit a alfalfa instead of corn to reduce erosion. personal or corporate commitment • Geosource heat pumps provide to environmental protection and 100% of heating needs with in-floor enhancement, and demonstrated radiant heat and all of the cooling with leadership on specific environmental MNLA President Bert Swanson presented the three air exchangers.

Friend of the Environment Award to The Mustard issues in their field of work.

• e Mustard Seed partners with one Seed Landscaping & Garden Center, represented of their vendors to recycle all of their Formed in 2005, co-owners Mark by Eric Hagen, Kelly Lorenz, Kay Halla, Mark used plastic pots. Display benches in and Kay Halla set out to make The Halla, and Cory Whitmer. the greenhouses are made from recycled Mustard Seed an example of plastic. responsible stewardship of natural resources, building an • Seminars on rain gardens are offered in conjunction with attractive and functional business that would improve existing Blue umb. environmental conditions. Among the actions The Mustard Seed has taken: The list of environmental commitments goes on, but suffice it to say that The Mustard Seed provides an excellent example • Site work actually reversed the grade on the front of the of an environmentally responsible and progressive business. q property so that today there is less runoff from the property than prior to construction.

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Heiland Named Committee Member of the Year eidi Heiland, owner of Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens of Plymouth, was named the 2011 MNLA Committee Member of the Year.

This award honors an individual who has worked within the MNLA committee system to significantly improve the activities, stature or services of the association.

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Since 1979, Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens has designed, built and managed environmentally sound gardens for its residential and commercial customers.

Heiland is being honored for her work over the last several years to make the MNLA State Fair Landscape Garden an 42

www.MNLA.biz | APRIL 2011

incredible success. For a number of years, Heidi and her crew were responsible for a large share of the ongoing maintenance of most of the garden. Her company gave hundreds of hours to creating and maintaining annual and perennial beds that grabbed the attention of fairgoers and others through the course of the year.

Last year, Heiland was instrumental in the transition towards maintenance of the garden by students from Dakota County Technical College and Hennepin Technical College. This project has expanded MNLA’s working relationship with these colleges, allowing the students to serve and promote the green industry while giving them a hands-on opportunity for landscape and garden maintenance under the supervision of some of the best professionals in the business.

Heiland is currently the secretary-treasurer on the Heidi Heiland accepts the Committee MNLA Board of Directors, serves on the Sustainable Member of the Year Award from Environment Committee, and has long been active on the MNLA President Bert Swanson.

Public Relations Committee and the State Fair SubCommittee. q

A T T E N T I O N G A R DE N C E NTE RS! MNLA's Green Industry Recycling Program Returns!

Good news! Choice Plastics has provided a commitment to the MNLA recycling program for the 2011 season. MNLA and Choice Plastics are joining forces again in 2011. Our goal is to continue to run a lean, efficient program – and that will take great cooperation from participating members. The challenges continue to be mixed materials which do not meet cleanliness standards, significant labor expenditures, and low-end market pricing on these low-end materials. Despite the challenges, Choice Plastics continues to be committed to MNLA and the recycling program. The parameters outlined below will help extend this program well into the future without significantly hampering member’s ability to collect and deliver the material to Choice for recycling.

For the 2011 season, the program will start April 15th and run thru October 15th. Garden Centers MUST adhere to these parameters in order to participate in the program:

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All incoming loads MUST HAVE A DOCK TIME and no material will be dropped outside. Delivery drivers will check in at the Choice offices and receive dumping instructions. A member of the Choice Plastics staff will conduct a visual inspection of each load.

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Choice will accept ONE DUMPSTER per day as well as ONE SMALL LOAD from a non-dumpster facility per day. Members will need to be aware that the schedule during the busy months may push them out several days or more when they call for a dock appointment. There will be no exceptions to this schedule.

Choice must regulate the inflow of material.

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Choice will not accept any types of Ag. Film, Silage Bags, or any other types of greenhouse film or bags.

The only acceptable materials will be rigid plastics-pots, trays, flats, and containers. If there is any question about whether a particular material is acceptable, members can call the Choice offices for an answer.

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Members must do the best they can to eliminate outside waste, garbage, heavy organic matter, aluminum cans, etc. Non-compliance with these parameters will result in rejection of the dumpster at the door.

If Choice accepts a dumpster and later finds excessive non-conforming material, pictures will be taken to document the materials and disposal fees will be assessed to the member in question.

I have read the above parameters and understand that to participate in the MNLA Green Industry Recycling Program I must adhere to them. Failure to meet the parameters will result in exclusion from the program.

Signed: _____________________________ _____________________________ ______________________________ Name Company Email We will participate all season: April 15 – October 15 We will participate just on two weekends: June 18-19 and September 17-18 Please contact Dan Mayer or Jon Horsman with any questions.

Dan Mayer, Choice Plastics 952-472-3070 5338 Shoreline Drive Mound, MN 55364

Jon Horsman, MNLA 651-633-4987 jon@MNLA.biz

To sign up for the 2011 Recycling Program, fax this signed form to MNLA at 651-633-4986 or 888-266-4986.

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Proper Planting Provides Stormwater Benefits

By John Moe, Pangaea Design

irst: Thanks to Nick Tamble, Robert Race and Tim Oberg for researching, authoring and assembling the Permeable Paver Systems Information John Moe Packet. This piece will serve as the curriculum for upcoming presentations to municipal engineers, planners and others involved in stormwater management. We want decision-makers to understand the benefits, as well as the limitations of these systems. Our goal: Help Minnesota cities to adopt Permeable Paver Systems as a Best Management Practice, then ensure their long term success.

And now that the Permeable Paver Systems project is on the launch pad, your friendly neighborhood Stormwater Management Task Team will champion other best management practices in much the same way. For example, here's an idea that is both promising and relevant to our industry: Integrating Urban Trees and Stormwater Management. What a coincidence that the guru of Urban Trees as Stormwater Management Tools happens to reside here in Minnesota.

Randy Neprash, PE; of Bonestroo honored the team with a presentation on just that very topic during our most recent meeting. His PowerPoint presentation is also the first ever winner of the Powlitzer Prize for its socially relevant content and the use of a nice shade of brown as a reasonable background color. Mr. Neprash began by reminding us of the dismal growing conditions afforded most urban trees, and of the consequences: A tree placed in a typical urban setting such as a sidewalk or parking lot island has a lifespan of about 15 years. Further, these trees spend most of those years in a state of stress and steady decline. The result is

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an expensive cycle of high maintenance and replacement.

Here's some good news: Randy and others like him around the world are recognizing that as we engineer proper

mechanically support the pavement on a scaffold-like system (more often used under sidewalks and plazas where live loads are limited) which is then loosely in-filled with either native site soil, or another in a wide range of urban environments. (See Photo below of Silva-Cells being installed in a Minneapolis Streetscape).

Both the systems described above, along with a myriad of variations have the potential to accept at least some measurable stormwater which can be tallied on a stormwater

Above, Bonestroo's Randy Neprash makes a presentation to MNLA's Stormwater Team. At right, Silva-Cells being installed in Minneapolis planting systems for our urban trees, we are also creating potential for stormwater absorption.

People like James Urban have been working to create the proper growing conditions for several years. Some of the challenges have been maintaining the proper void/solid ratio (solving the compaction issues); creating the environment for natural cycling of air and water within the soil matrix; and providing enough soil volume for a mature root system.

And while soil organisms, micorrhizae and other components of a living soil were essentially an impossibility with soils entombed in 6" of concrete, their importance to tree health is at least now recognized.

Some of the most interesting work is being done with soils directly beneath (and supporting) pavement. Structural (aka engineered) soils typically contain a range of crushed aggregates to provide to the pavement above, and a custom soil as the medium. Other systems

balance sheet. And methods for actually routing stormwater from streets and surrounding hardscape areas to the tree plantings show just as much variation.

Designs range from simple curb cuts to multi-stage systems involving cisterns, plumbing and even permeable pavement of some type.

And while the sub-surface capacity might account for the largest volumes of stormwater, the trees themselves make a serious contribution as well. I'm betting you're familiar with the water-absorbing tendencies of roots, but think about the canopy of that big Maple tree in your back yard. If you've ever been caught in a quick rain shower, you know you can take cover under that tree and it'll be a while before any of the rain makes it down to you. Now shrink that tree in half (to be slightly more realistic), and plant 50 of them along a street (fine, mix up the species using some magic urban

651-633-4987 Executive Director Bob Fitch • bob@mnla.biz Associate Director Cassie Larson, CAE • 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 Receptionist Jessica Pratt • jessica@mnla.biz Advertising & Sponsorship Sales Pierre Productions & Promotions 952-903-0505 Betsy Pierre, Advertising Manager, betsy@pierreproductions.com Erica Nelson, Advertising Sales, erica@pierreproductions.com Government Affairs Consultants Boland & Associates John Boland, Legislative Affairs McGrann, Shea, Carnival, Straughn & Lamb Doug Carnival, Regulatory Affairs Tim Power, Regulatory Affairs

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forestry formula, but hurry up, I'm trying to make a point here); that short delay has a cumulative impact, on the amount of water reaching the storm drain on your front curb. But the effect is more noticeable downstream from you.

I should mention that there's still a lot of work to do on the trees as stormwater infrastructure idea. For one thing, there are concerns about salts and other dissolved chemicals accumulating in these planting soils. There are also a lot of questions about which trees work best for different situations. On the surface, that seems like opportunity for a few MNLA companies. After all, the idea is to create a healthy growing environment for the trees, so who would you turn to for advice? You, of course!

Finally, a few housekeeping notes for spring: 1. Your yard; Early spring; be there: Rake the leaves and grass clippings off your front boulevard, and clean up the curb.

Maybe help your neighbors too.

Here's a link to the Freshwater Society for more info: www.freshwater.org.

2. Take an additional look at your construction sites this year. Make sure you protect any open soil from erosion. Find the storm drains associated with your property and protect them.

Don't leave it up to the builder/remodeler. Don't leave it up to your homeowner. Do it on every site, every time. If your site borders water or wetland, or is a larger site (1 acre) and you know you'll need a permit, check the resource page on the MECA website for information: http://mnerosion.org/?page_id=55 3. Try and sell a few trees this year.

Plant at least one tree yourself this spring. If you're reading this, that means you too. Not a challenge, no big deal really, just you, a shovel, a tree, and some water. q ________________________________ John Moe is a member of the MNLA Stormwater Task Team and can be reached at pangaeadesign@comcast.net.

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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

Order forms or links for many of the services listed below can be found at www.mnla.biz Companies endorsed by MNLA:

THE CREDIT CARD DR./Better Business Solutions 651-207-6867 877-272-0741 (Toll Free) dan@the CCDr.com www.TheCCDr.com Business Legal Services (Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC) 651-331-6500 Business Succession (AgStar) 507-386-4620 Fuel Discount Card (Speedway/SA/Marathon) 651-454-7776 ext. 208 Fuel Savings (Holiday Stationstores) 952-830-8889 Horticultural Books (MN State Horticultural Society) 651-643-3601 Workers Compensation Insurance (The Builders Group) 651-203-6793 Contact the MNLA office at mnla@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987 or toll-free 888-886-6652 for information on the following products or services.

Catalogs/Outdoor Living publication series Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge Fleet Program Educational Programs/MNLA Academy Employee Recruiting/ On-Line Job Board Employee Training Manuals (PLANET) Garden Center Plant Posters Garden Center Carryout Trays Irrigation Specifications (www.MNLA.biz) Northern Green Expo Trade Show Booths MNLA Certified Professional manuals, exam Sales Tax Rules / Nursery-GreenhouseLandscape (www.MNLA.biz.)

Spanish Pocket Reference Guide

www.MNLA.biz www.GardenMinnesota.com www.NorthernGreenExpo.org www.TheLandLovers.org

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | CAREERS

Growing the Next Generation

By Jodi Larson, MNLA Foundation Green Industry Careers Project Coordinator

ecently I had the chance to chat with Cory Whitmer of The Mustard Seed. I had heard that the company is involved with youth but had no idea how extensive their connection to their community was.

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The Mustard Seed, in their sixth year of business, has been involved with youth since the beginning. Originally kids visited during the Christmas season to see Santa and his reindeer. This is still a highlight of their year and very popular in the community but their involvement has evolved into much more, with about 3,000 - 4,000 kids visiting their garden center throughout the year.

When groups visit The Mustard Seed, they have the chance to visit distinct stations that have been developed, each with unique teaching opportunities. The stations include bee keeping, horticulture, composting, animal husbandry, fitness and a new station hopefully coming soon that will deal with alternative energy.

Cory even led an outdoor beautification class at the local high school. Students in the class worked to pick a site at the school that would be appropriate for a project. After picking a site, the students began a fall cleanup, learned about pruning and made plans for the site. They are now gearing up to bring their plans to life.

In their interactions with youth and the community, The Mustard Seed hopes to pass on their values of caring for and being good stewards of the environment.

By sharing their knowledge, they help to gain youth interest in horticulture, the environment and stewardship. As a Christian-based company, their faith and core values are incorporated into much of what they do.

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When I asked Cory what has been the highlight of his experience with youth, he immediately mentioned his company’s participation in Green for Life. The Mustard Seed participated in the 2010 Green for Life event and planted a tree at Chaska Middle School. About 30 students were present for the planting.

They had written a poem about a tree and even sang a song, making it a memorable experience for those representing The Mustard Seed.

For Cory, another highlight includes those first expressions on kids faces as they learn how fast a bee can fly, where a carrot really comes from, or as they first see and touch one of the animals. The company receives cards and letters from kids, recounting these experiences, and many of the kids return with their parents for multiple visits.

Coming next month: A ‘Dear Abby’ –style column. Do you have students coming to work for you over the summer? Generational differences in the work place can lead to challenging situations. Gear up and ask your questions now, before the season starts. For example, a question I've heard is "How can I get my employees to put down their phones and stop texting?"

We will select the most interesting questions (and answers) and feature them in next month’s Scoop. Email your question to jodi@MNLA.biz. q

What’s Cory’s advice to other businesses? “You have to do it…any bit that you can do.” For him it’s about giving back and educating kids for the future, making the next generation that much brighter and interested in the outdoors.

What’s your story?

There are numerous ways to connect with youth. We want to hear what you’re doing and the ways that you’re involved with the next generation.

Email your story to jodi@MNLA.biz. Select stories will be featured on GardenMinnesota.com Cory Whitmer teaching kids about bees and how honey is made.

The Scoop | PLANT OF THE MONTH

Pinus sylvestris ‘Hillside Creeper’

By Cory J. Whitmer, MNLA CP, The Mustard Seed Landscape and Garden Center

tolerate a wide range of pH and even urban pollution. If the conditions are right, this variety will grow 12” or more a year and become very dense. This selection of pine is very hardy and will easily tolerate Minnesota’s cold winters.

re you looking for an excellent evergreen groundcover? Are you sick of all the junipers being used for groundcovers? Then I have a great alternative for you, Pinus sylvestris ‘Hillside Creeper,’ commonly called Hillside Creeper Pine. In my opinion this is one of the top groundcover evergreens on the market.

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mounding look when compared to other varieties of evergreens.

The needles form very dense, dark green masses that will turn to a lime green in the winter.

As with most pines, Hillside Creeper prefers full sun, but will handle a little shade. It grows best in dry and well drained soils, and will die quickly in standing water. It will also This strong growing prostrate cultivar of Scotch Pine is exceptional as a groundcover. It only grows to a height of 18-24” while spreading out up to 8’. As the evergreen spreads it forms multiple layers of branches that give it a very dense look. The long needles also help to give it a very soft

Plant of the Month

There are a lot of different uses for this plant in the landscape.

With its low water requirement, it is an excellent choice for xeriscapes, rock gardens, or for trailing over retaining walls. This plant will also look great planted as a specimen or in masses.

Another great look for this plant is when it is worked in as a groundcover in front of other evergreens. The texture and growth habit of this plant just seems to make it stand out as an exceptional groundcover. As the name, Hillside Creeper, suggests this plant also makes a great groundcover for those hillsides that are just too steep to mow.

This versatile and low maintenance groundcover is an excellent addition to any landscape. It’s a fast growing evergreen that will blow all revival juniper groundcovers away aesthetically and will out perform them. If you want to add some interest to your landscape look first to Hillside Creeper. You’ll have your winner. q _______________________________ Cory Whitmer is the chair of the MNLA Nursery Committee and can be reached at coryw@TheMustardSeedInc.com.

APRIL 2011 | www.MNLA.biz

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Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association 1813 Lexington Avenue North Roseville, MN 55113-0003

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